Microcontroller Comparison: AVR vs PIC — A System Engineer’s Perspective

When deciding between AVR and PIC microcontrollers, the choice becomes more nuanced depending on the specific application and requirements. This article delves into the advantages and disadvantages of both technologies, providing insights from a system engineer's perspective. We will explore why certain projects might prefer one over the other, and how the landscape has evolved over the years.

The Current Context of Microcontroller Development

The world of microcontrollers is vast and diverse, with multiple players including Texas Instruments, STM, and Philips, among others. For a system engineer, the question of which microcontroller is better is deeply context-dependent. Different projects have different needs, and what works well in one application might not be optimal in another.

Advantages of PIC Microcontrollers

PIC microcontrollers offer several advantages, especially for smaller or medium-sized devices. Picture-in-hand (PIC) offers smaller packages, better speed/temperature profiles, and excellent assembly language support. Additionally, the cheaper and more suitable options for smaller devices with numerous peripherals make PIC a popular choice for embedded projects.

Comparison with Atmel

In contrast, Atmel (now part of Microchip) provides higher-level languages (HLL) like C/C support, which simplifies development. Atmel’s development environment is more user-friendly, and there is a strong Arduino infrastructure, making it easier to find device drivers and support resources. However, Atmel processors are less available in smaller packages, high speed, and wide temperature ranges compared to PIC devices.

Personal Experience and Preferences

From my experience, I typically use small PIC devices programmed in assembly for embedded projects. The programming environment for these devices, while not as polished as those for Arduino, is still quite manageable. Conversely, I favor using Arduino for test fixtures due to its more convenient and user-friendly development environment.

Evolution of Microcontroller Technology

Over the past two decades, the microcontroller landscape has seen several shifts. Fifteen years ago, the hobbyist market was dominated by the PIC16F88, which was highly popular for new projects and garnered significant press attention.

Transition from Assembly to C

My journey with microcontrollers began when I decided on the AT90S2313, a device known for its regular instruction set, which suited my background in assembly programming. Around the turn of the century, I started writing in C instead of assembly, a transition that coincided with the rise of the Arduino platform. This rapid adoption of Arduino swiftly overshadowed PIC, making the C development experience nearly identical across both platforms.

Recent Developments and Future Prospects

Recently, Microchip (the PIC manufacturer) acquired Atmel (the AVR manufacturer), leading to significant changes. The PIC32 chips are now impressive, offering 32-bit processing power and peripherals that are hard to match. Specifically, the PIC32MZ is noted for its high clock speed and generous amounts of SRAM, making it a formidable contender in the microcontroller market.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision between AVR and PIC depends on the project requirements, the toolchain, and the specific resources needed. A competent compiler can significantly influence the performance of PIC32 chips, making them a strong choice in many scenarios. However, every project is unique, and the best choice can vary widely.

My advice is to learn to program both AVR and PIC, and then expand your knowledge to include other microcontroller families as well. While 8051 microcontrollers are aging, having a basic understanding of them can still be valuable in certain contexts, such as in legacy systems or educational programs.