GI PIC
Developer	General Instrument
Manufacturer	General Instrument
Production	1976-1987
Architecture	8-bit, Harvard
Word size	8-bit "-bit" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.
Technology	NMOS "NMOS" is not in the list (BiCMOS, CMOS, Static CMOS, Dynamic CMOS, nMOS, pMOS, Bipolar, ECL, Schottky TTL, Schottky transistor, ...) of allowed values for the "technology" property.
Clock	200 kHz-1 MHz
Package	DIP18, DIP28, DIP40, DIP64

The GI PIC Series (Programmable Intelligent Computer Series) was a family of 8-bit microcontrollers first introduce in 1976 by General Instrument. This family is the direct ancestor of the modern Microchip PIC family.

History

By the mid-70s GI had a pretty successful family of microprocessors known as the CP1600. The CP1600, however was losing market share due to increasing competition (e.g. 8086, 68K, et al). One of the major shortcomings of the CP1600 family was its limited I/O capabilities. The PIC, which originally stood for Peripheral Interface Controller, was the support chip they designed to help in that specific area. In 1976 GI introduce the first members of the PIC family the PIC1650 and its rom-less version, the PIC1664. Realizing its potential as a stand-alone chip, the GI promptly renamed it Programmable Intelligent Computer. By the early 80s, GI expanded the family by introducing a number of addition members with slightly larger memory. PICs have found their way into almost every area where embedded electronics are used.

In 1987 General Instrument underwent a large organizational restructuring which resulted in the microelectronics division being spun off as a wholly owned subsidiary. In 1989 Microchip Technology was incorporated. Microchip Technology most widely known product line is the PIC family which can trace its roots back to GI's original PIC. Microchip's first few chips include the PIC16C5x Series, PIC16C64 Series, PIC16C71 Series, and , PIC16C84 Series, all part of the PIC extended family.

Members

Part	I/O Ports	ROM	Notes
PIC1640
PIC1645	12	256x12 bit
PIC1650	32	512x12 bit
PIC1655	20	512x12 bit
PIC1656	20	512x12 bit	Interrupt support
PIC1664	32	512x12 bit	Sample/development chip
PIC1670	32	1024x12 bit

Design

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Documents

• PIC Series data manual (1983)

See also

• PIC family
  • PIC12 family
  • PIC16 family
  • PIC18 family
  • PIC24 family