Peripheral Interface Controller

What Does Peripheral Interface Controller Mean?

A peripheral interface controller (PIC) is a type of microcontroller component that is used in the development of electronics, computers, robotics and similar devices. The PIC was produced by Microchip Technology and is based on Harvard Computing architecture, where code and data are placed in separate registers to increase input/output (I/O) throughput.

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A PIC is also known as a programmable interface controller (PIC) and programmable intelligent computer (PIC).

Techopedia Explains Peripheral Interface Controller

The PIC was designed to improve the performance of I/O operations from a computer’s peripheral devices. It works as a standard microcontroller that has small processors, memory, registers and storage. Typically, a PIC enhances I/O operations from a peripheral devices by separating I/O-based programs and data from the core central processing unit (CPU).

A PIC has a built-in data memory, data bus and dedicated microprocessor for processing all I/O functions and processes. It consists of temporary and permanent storage mechanisms, in the form of random access memory (RAM) and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), where RAM stores data/processes that are used and EPROM stores created values. It also may contain a flash memory, which is used to perform multiple instances of READ, WRITE and ERASE functions.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…