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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.
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.
