PIC18FXX20
6.1
Program Memory Modes and the
6.0
EXTERNAL MEMORY
INTERFACE
External Memory Interface
As previously noted, PIC18F8X20 controllers are
capable of operating in any one of four Program Mem-
ory modes, using combinations of on-chip and exter-
nal program memory. The functions of the multiplexed
port pins depend on the Program Memory mode
selected, as well as the setting of the EBDIS bit.
In Microprocessor Mode, the external bus is always
active, and the port pins have only the external bus
function.
Note: The External Memory Interface is not
implemented on PIC18F6X20 (64-pin)
devices.
The External Memory Interface is a feature of the
PIC18F8X20 devices that allows the controller to
access external memory devices (such as FLASH,
EPROM, SRAM, etc.) as program or data memory.
The physical implementation of the interface uses 27
pins. These pins are reserved for external address/data
bus functions; they are multiplexed with I/O port pins on
four ports. Three I/O ports are multiplexed with the
address/data bus, while the fourth port is multiplexed
with the bus control signals. The I/O port functions are
enabled when the EBDIS bit in the MEMCON register
is set (see Register 6-1). A list of the multiplexed pins
and their functions is provided in Table 6-1.
As implemented in the PIC18F8X20 devices, the inter-
face operates in a similar manner to the external mem-
ory interface introduced on PIC18C601/801
microcontrollers. The most notable difference is that
the interface on PIC18F8X20 devices only operates in
16-bit modes. The 8-bit mode is not supported.
For a more complete discussion of the Operating modes
that use the external memory interface, refer to Section
4.1.1 (“PIC18F8X20 Program Memory Modes”).
In Microcontroller Mode, the bus is not active and
the pins have their port functions only. Writes to the
MEMCOM register are not permitted.
In Microprocessor with Boot Block or Extended
Microcontroller Mode, the external program memory
bus shares I/O port functions on the pins. When the
device is fetching or doing Table Read/Table Write
operations on the external program memory space,
the pins will have the external bus function. If the
device is fetching and accessing internal program
memory locations only, the EBDIS control bit will
change the pins from external memory to I/O port
functions. When EBDIS = 0, the pins function as the
external bus. When EBDIS = 1, the pins function as
I/O ports.
REGISTER 6-1:
MEMCON REGISTER
R/W-0
EBDIS
U-0
—
R/W-0
WAIT1
R/W-0
WAIT0
U-0
—
U-0
—
R/W-0
WM1
R/W-0
WM0
bit7
bit0
bit 7
EBDIS: External Bus Disable bit
1= External system bus disabled, all external bus drivers are mapped as I/O ports
0= External system bus enabled, and I/O ports are disabled
bit 6
Unimplemented: Read as '0'
bit 5-4
WAIT<1:0>: Table Reads and Writes Bus Cycle Wait Count bits
11= Table reads and writes will wait 0 TCY
10= Table reads and writes will wait 1 TCY
01= Table reads and writes will wait 2 TCY
00= Table reads and writes will wait 3 TCY
bit 3-2
bit 1-0
Unimplemented: Read as '0'
WM<1:0>: TBLWRTOperation with 16-bit Bus bits
1x= Word Write mode: TABLAT<0> and TABLAT<1> word output, WRH active when
TABLAT<1> written
01= Byte Select mode: TABLAT data copied on both MS and LS Byte, WRH and (UB or LB)
will activate
00= Byte Write mode: TABLAT data copied on both MS and LS Byte, WRH or WRL will activate
Legend:
R = Readable bit
- n = Value at POR
W = Writable bit
‘1’ = Bit is set
U = Unimplemented bit, read as ‘0’
‘0’ = Bit is cleared x = Bit is unknown
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
Advance Information
DS39609A-page 71
MICROCHIP [ MICROCHIP ]
