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8-bit PIC® MCU Low Power Overview

Last modified by Microchip on 2024/09/25 13:36

Low Power Overview

The low power features of 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers can extend battery life and reduce energy costs without compromising functionality. These features include multiple power-saving modes, such as Sleep, Idle, Doze, Deep Sleep and Low Power Sleep modes, and Peripheral Module Disable (PMD), which can significantly reduce power consumption.

This training provides an overview of various 8-bit PIC low-power strategies. The modes and features described in the training may not be identical to your selected device. Please refer to the device datasheet for details.

Mode/Feature Comparison

Mode/FeatureAffectedPreservedStart-up TimePower Savings
Sleep
  • CPU clock source stops
  • Status bits update
  • General Purpose Inputs/Outputs (GPIOs)
  • Peripherals
  • Data memory
  • Special Function Registers (SFRs)
Varies upon oscillator start-up timeSignificant
Deep Sleep (PIC18FXXJ)
  • Clock source stops
  • Most peripherals disabled
  • Data memory disabled
  • Most SFRs
  • GPIOs
  • Some SFRs

 

LongHighest
Low-Power Sleep or Ultra-Low-Power Modes
  • Clock source stops
  • Status bits update
  • Low Dropout (LDO) in selected power mode
  • GPIOs
  • Peripherals
  • Data memory
  • SFRs
Varies upon regulator and oscillator modesHighest to Minimal
Idle
  • CPU Clock stops
  • GPIOs
  • Peripherals
  • Data memory
  • SFRs
ShortModerate
Doze
  • CPU Clock slows
  • GPIOs
  • Peripherals
  • Data memory
  • SFRs
ShortModerate
PMD
  • Selected peripherals disabled
  • GPIOs
  • Remaining peripherals
  • Data memory
  • SFRs
ShortMinimal

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Use cases

Microchip's PIC microcontrollers are equipped with various low-power features that make them suitable for a wide range of applications where power efficiency is crucial. Here are several use cases for these features:

  •  Battery-powered devices:
    • Devices that rely on battery power, such as handheld medical devices, remote controls, and portable instruments, benefit from the low-power modes to extend battery life.
  • Wearable technology:
    • Wearables like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and health monitoring devices require long battery life while performing continuous sensing and data logging.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices:
    • IoT sensors and devices that are deployed in remote locations or where it's inconvenient to replace batteries often, such as agricultural sensors or smart city infrastructure, utilize low-power modes to reduce maintenance and operational costs.
  • Energy harvesting applications:
    • Devices that rely on energy harvesting from sources like solar, thermal, or kinetic energy need to be extremely power-efficient to operate effectively when the harvested energy is limited.
  • Environmental monitoring:
    • Wildlife tracking devices and environmental sensors that monitor parameters like temperature, humidity, or pollution levels over long periods without human intervention benefit from low power consumption.
  • Smart home devices:
    • Home automation devices such as smart thermostats, door sensors, and smoke detectors often run on battery power and need to operate for extended periods without replacement.
  • Industrial monitoring:
    • In industrial settings, wireless sensors for monitoring equipment health, environmental conditions, or energy usage must have long battery lives to reduce the frequency of maintenance rounds.
  • Portable consumer electronics:
    • Devices like digital cameras, portable media players, and electronic toys use low-power features to improve the user experience by providing longer usage times between charges.
  • Automotive applications:
    • Low-power PIC microcontrollers can be used in automotive applications such as keyless entry systems, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), and other battery-operated subsystems.
  • Data loggers:
    • Devices that log data over extended periods, such as shipping container monitors or wildlife research tools, require low-power modes to ensure data is captured throughout the duration of their deployment.

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