Intel MG87C196KC/R: An In-Depth Technical Overview of the 16-Bit Embedded Controller
The Intel MG87C196KC/R stands as a significant member of the MCS® 96 family of 16-bit embedded controllers, representing a high-performance, highly integrated solution designed for demanding real-time control applications. This microcontroller, built on a sophisticated 16-bit CPU architecture with a register-to-register design, eliminates the accumulator bottleneck typical of older architectures, enabling dramatically faster execution of complex computations and control algorithms.
At the heart of the device is its core processing unit. The CPU features a 232-byte register file, where any register can act as an accumulator, source, or destination operand. This, combined with a rich set of instructions including signed and unsigned multiply and divide operations, makes it exceptionally powerful for numerical processing. The MG87C196KC/R variant specifically offers a 16 MHz operating frequency, providing a balance of high speed and manageable power dissipation for a wide range of industrial environments.
A key differentiator of this controller is its robust set of integrated peripherals, designed to minimize external component count and simplify system design. It includes a versatile 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with a programmable 8- or 10-channel multiplexer, allowing direct interfacing with a multitude of analog sensors. For precise timing and motor control, it is equipped with a dedicated Event Processor Array (EPA). The EPA incorporates multiple capture/compare modules and two dedicated compare/PWM outputs, which are crucial for generating complex waveforms and accurately timing external events. Furthermore, it includes a high-speed I/O port, two serial ports (UART), and a watchdog timer for enhanced system reliability.
The "C" in its part number denotes the factory-programmed ROMless version of the controller. This design requires the system designer to supply the program code from an external memory device (ROM, EPROM, or flash), offering maximum flexibility for prototyping, low-volume production, and applications where firmware updates are anticipated. The device is housed in a 68-pin Pin Grid Array (PGA) or Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) package, suitable for robust PCB mounting.
In summary, the Intel MG87C196KC/R is a quintessential high-performance embedded controller from its era, engineered for complex, real-time systems. Its potent combination of a 16-bit CPU, integrated high-speed I/O, analog capabilities, and timing resources made it a preferred choice for advanced applications in industrial process control, automotive systems, robotics, and sophisticated instrumentation.
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Keywords: 16-Bit Microcontroller, Embedded Control, Real-Time Systems, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), Event Processor Array (EPA)
