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Learn and Use PIC® Microcontroller Operational Amplifiers (Op Amps)

Last modified by Microchip on 2025/05/13 12:21

Integrated operational amplifiers (op amps) in PIC® microcontrollers (MCUs) offer a range of advantages over discrete op amps, making them an attractive choice for many embedded system designs. Integrated op amps contribute to a more compact design, as they are built directly into the MCU, eliminating the need for additional external components. This integration simplifies the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout, reducing the complexity and size of the board. Additionally, integrated op amps are cost-effective, as they reduce the number of components that need to be purchased and assembled. The ease of development is another significant benefit, as designers can leverage the built-in op amps without needing to worry about interfacing external components, leading to faster prototyping and development cycles.

The enhanced functionality of integrated op amps in PIC MCUs is another key advantage. These op amps can be dynamically configured for various applications, such as power savings and multiplexed sensor inputs, providing flexibility in design. Integrated op amps also contribute to better power management, as they can be controlled directly by the MCU to optimize power consumption. Since no extra board space is needed for these op amps, the overall design remains compact and efficient. The reduction in the number of external components not only simplifies the design but also improves reliability by minimizing potential points of failure.

On the other hand, discrete op amps offer their own set of advantages, particularly in terms of customization and performance. Designers who require specific op amp characteristics, such as higher bandwidth, lower noise, or specific input/output voltage ranges, may prefer discrete op amps. Discrete op amps can also provide better noise resistance and the ability to operate in bipolar (±) configurations, which can be crucial for certain analog signal processing applications. While discrete op amps offer these benefits, they come at the cost of increased design complexity, a larger PCB footprint, and potentially higher costs. Therefore, the choice between integrated and discrete op amps depends on the specific requirements of the application and the priorities of the design.

In this training, you will learn about the PIC18F56Q71 integrated op amp peripheral, including its architecture and MPLAB® Code Configurator (MCC) Melody driver, and how to use MCC Melody to configure the op amp peripheral for various configurations such as unity gain, non-inverting gain, and multiplexing analog inputs. Let’s get started!

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