PSoC: Programmable System on Chip

PSoC (Programmable System on Chip) represents a whole new concept in microcontroller development. In addition to all the standard elements of 8-bit microcontrollers, PSoC chips feature digital and analog programmable blocks, which themselves allow implementation of large number of peripherals. Digital blocks consist of smaller programmable blocks that can be configured to allow different development options. Analog blocks are used for development of analog elements, such as analog filters, comparators, intrumentational (non)inverting amplifiers, as well as AD and DA convertors. Theres a number of different PSoC families you can base your project upon, depending on the project requirements. Basic difference between PSoC families is the number of available programmable blocks and the number of input/output pins. Number of components that can be devised is primarily a function of the available programmable blocks. Depending on the microcontroller family, PSoC chips have 416 digital blocks, and 312 analog programmable blocks.

Characteristics of PSoC microcontrollers

MAC unit, hardware 8x8 multiplication, with result stored in 32-bit accumulator, Changeable working voltage, 3.3V or 5V, Possibility of small voltage supply, to 1V, Programmable frequency choice.

Programmable blocks allow you to devise:

16K bytes of programmable memory, 256 bytes of RAM, AD convertors with maximum resolution af 14 bits, DA convertors with maximum resolution of 9 bits, Programmable voltage amplifier, Programmable filters and comparators, Timers and counters of 8, 16, and 32 bits, Pseudorandom sequences and CRC code generators, Two Full-Duplex UARTs, Multiple SPI devices, Option for connection on all output pins, Option for block combining, Option for programming only the specified memory regions and write protection, For every pin there is an option of Pull up, Pull down, High Z, Strong, or Open pin state, Possibility of interrupt generation during change of state on any input/output pin,

IC Slave or Master and Multi-Master up to speed of 400KHz, Integrated Supervisory Circuit, Built-in precise voltage reference.

Is PSoC good enough for my project?

There is no other microcontroller that has programmable voltage, instrumentational, inverting, and non-inverting amplifiers; Hardware generators of pseudorandom and CRC code, as well as analog modulators, are unique to PSoC families; MAC (Multiply-accumulate) is an essential part of digital signal processors, which allows implementation of digital signal processing algorithms. Its worth noting that hardware accumulator multiplication is not a common feature of 8-bit microcontrollers; Having the advantage of changeable working voltage doesnt really need a comment. This feature is particularly important for development of new devices as it eliminates the need for redesigning the PCB and implementing the level translator; Option for low voltage supply (~1V) is a tremendous advantage in battery operated systems; Timers, counters, and PWM units are more flexible than the usual implementation; Automatic code writing for accessing all the peripherals in use; In case you need a larger array of components, there is an option for dynamic reconfiguration, allowing you to change peripherals during run-time. In this way, its possible to minimize the processor workload at an time, leaving the largest part of the job to the specialized hardware.

On the other hand, there are certain limitations of PSoC that could influence the choice of microcontroller for your design.

In systems which require highly precise or fast measurement, problems may occur with analog device characteristics. In this case, you should analyze if speed of AD convertors and offset/noise of analog amplifiers are able to satisfy the project demands. Analog components do not have the ability to work with usual negative supply voltage. For example, zero voltage for inverting amplifiers is taken to be the analog ground AGND (usually 2.5V). All voltages above AGND are taken as positive, while voltages below AGND are taken as negative. Most PSoC microcontrollers have 256 bytes of RAM, which could prove to be insuficient for some projects.

1.1 System overview

PSoC microcontrollers are based on 8-bit CISC architecture. Their general structure with basic blocks is presented in the following image:

CPU unit is the main part of a microcontroller whose purpose is to execute program instructions and control workflow of other blocks. Frequency generator facilitates signals necessary for CPU to work, as well as an array of frequencies that are used by programmable blocks. These signals could be based on internal or external referent oscillator. Reset controller enables microcontroller start action and brings a microcontroller to regular state in the case of irregular events. Watch Dog timer is used to detect software dead-loops. Sleep timer can periodically wake up microcontroller from power saving modes. It could be also used as a regular timer. Input-Output pins enable communication between the CPU unit, digital and analog programmable blocks and outside world.

Digital programmable blocks are used to configure digital programmable components which are selected by user. Analog programmable blocks are used to configure analog components, like AD and DA converters, filters, DTMF receivers, programmable, instrumental, inverting, non-inverting and operational amplifiers. Interrupt controller handles necessary operations in the case of interrupts. I2C controller Enables hardware realization of an I2C communication. Voltage reference is vital for the work of analog components that reside inside of analog programmable blocks. MAC unit is used for operations of hardware signed multiplication of 8-bit numbers. SMP is a system which can be used as a part of a voltage regulator. For example, it is possible to supply power to a PSoC microcontroller from a single 1.5V battery.