PIC18F8722 - New 2006 RC MPU, 4x more program memory!

[kmcclary]

Aha! I think I'm the first to notice this (no hits on a CDF search), so here goes... I now believe:

*** The 2006 Robot Controller has a new MPU, the PIC18F8722. ***

When compared to the PIC18F8520:
- FOUR times the program memory
... 128Kb (65K single-word instructions) vs 32Kb (16K single word instr)
- *Slightly* more SRAM
... 3936 bytes, vs 2048 in the 18F8520

In addition (I'm not sure if this matters, but it might to USART users):
- two EUSARTs (vs two USARTS, see spec sheets for differences)
- There are 2 CCP and 3 ECCP (vs 5 CCP only) PWM channels.
- Same amount of EEPROM, A/D, timers

You can look up both spec sheets at Microchip's Data Sheet Finder page:
http://microchip.com/stellent/idcplg...GE&nodeId=2046

Bottom line: MUCH bigger programs (FOUR times larger), and a tad
more RAM space! <yahoo!>

In addition, there is a new IFI loader (V12, vs V10) to support this on
the RC page that you'll need to download:
- http://www.ifirobotics.com/rc.shtml
> IFI_Loader v1.0.12 (zip, 1-3-2006)
> Must be used with the 2006 Robot Controller
> http://www.ifirobotics.com/docs/ifi-loader-v1-0-12.zip

FYI, This is how I figured it out... the INI file in the ZIP showed
PIC18F8722 support was added (over V10's "PIC18F442 & 18F8520
only" support.)

This probably means the KoP will have a new CBOT compiler this
year, to target the 18F8722.

I made a call, and heard rumor that the 18F8520 is no longer
in production (unverified), which would support a need to change
the MPU in the RC anyway. Given IFI's statement that you MUST
use the V12 loader for the 2006 controller, I'm pretty sure I'm right
about this.

Comments? Verification (or denials)?

- Keith