Matrix user forums

Hi,
in most digital designs the un-connected input pins of any chip have to be connected to the GND or VCC level, as floating pins can pickup noise etc, causing instable circuits.

In wich way this is neccessairy for the Microchip PIC-controllers?
Now using Flowcode4 at a PIC16F883, wich has about 12 pins I/O connected, but the rest unconnected.
Are these automatically set by Flowcode4 in the right state, or do we have to connect them to a VCC or GND level, possible with Pullup/down resistors?
Or something like to place and connect an output (LED) in Flowcode for each unused I/O pin?

This just to be sure, do not want to create unstable designs
Many thanks, Luuk.

Hello Luuk

PICs are quite tolerant devices and you should be able to leave any unused I/O pins floating. This avoids damage that could be caused by linking to a supply rail. Eg if your unused pin is connected to ground and then happens to be told to be an output with a state of 1.

Thanks Ben, will leave unused pins floating then!
regards, Luuk