Also known as: PIC
PIC is a long-running family of low-cost microcontrollers from Microchip Technology, originally introduced as “Peripheral Interface Controller” parts.1
Overview
The range stretches from simple 8-bit PIC10/PIC16/PIC18 chips through 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC up to 32-bit PIC32 parts. PICs are known for a small, regular instruction set, robust GPIO, and decades-long availability that makes them a staple of industrial and consumer products. They are programmed in C or assembly with Microchip’s MPLAB tools and flashed via in-system programming using a PICkit or ICD programmer.
Trade-offs
PICs compete head-to-head with AVR/ATmega in the 8-bit space; the choice often comes down to ecosystem familiarity rather than capability. For more compute or richer peripherals, designers reach for an ARM part such as the STM32. Like all small MCUs, a PIC runs your code as firmware with no operating system, so it boots instantly and sips power.
Sources
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PIC microcontrollers — Wikipedia, on the PIC families and tooling. ↩