PIC16F1946-E/MR - 14KB Flash 8-Bit MCU w/ LCD & XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1946-E/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.06 | $4.06 |
| 10 | $3.61 | $36.10 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.42 | $1,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.16 | $2,160.00 |
PIC16F1946-E/MR Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) device built around a Harvard architecture that separates program and data memory, executing most instructions in a single instruction cycle. The PIC16F family sits in the middle of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio, positioned above baseline PIC10/12 devices and below enhanced PIC18 parts, and is widely used in cost-sensitive embedded designs where deterministic interrupt response and ultra-low sleep current are required. Within the power management hierarchy, the MCU itself orchestrates DC-DC converters, LDO regulators, and battery chargers rather than acting as a power device itself.
Key features include 14KB self-programmable Flash with read-while-write support, an on-chip LCD driver with charge pump and adjustable bias, multiple communication peripherals (EUSART, I2C/SPI, USB on some family variants), a 12-bit ADC with computation, and nanoWatt XLP sleep currents as low as 20 nA in deep sleep. The 64-pin QFN package provides excellent thermal performance through its exposed pad and enables compact PCB designs in space-constrained applications such as portable instruments and panel meters.
Typical applications include battery-powered LCD-based consumer electronics (thermostats, remote controls, blood pressure monitors), industrial control panels with segment displays, automotive instrument clusters (non-safety-critical subsystems), smart energy meters with LCD readouts, and IoT sensor nodes requiring segment-LCD status displays. The integrated LCD driver eliminates the need for an external charge pump or segment driver, reducing BOM cost and board area.
When designing with this device, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and connect the QFN exposed pad to a solid ground plane to maximize heat dissipation. The ICD/ICSP programming pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) must be accessible on the PCB for in-circuit debugging and firmware updates.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1946-E/MR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PIC16F1946-E/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, LCD Driver, Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1947-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1946-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1946-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1946-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1936-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1946-E/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| Package | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| LCD Driver | Integrated, up to 192 segments, charge pump |
| ADC | On-chip (12-bit, number of channels not in web data) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (sleep current down to ~20 nA) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Lead Free per supplier listing) |
| ROM Type | Flash |
PIC16F1946-E/MR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | SEG19 — LCD segment 19 |
| Pin 2 | SEG20 — LCD segment 20 |
| Pin 3 | SEG21 — LCD segment 21 |
| Pin 4 | SEG22 — LCD segment 22 |
| Pin 5 | SEG23 — LCD segment 23 |
| Pin 6 | SEG24 — LCD segment 24 |
| Pin 7 | SEG25 — LCD segment 25 |
| Pin 8 | SEG26 — LCD segment 26 |
| Pin 9 | SEG27 — LCD segment 27 |
| Pin 10 | SEG28 — LCD segment 28 |
| Pin 11 | SEG29 — LCD segment 29 |
| Pin 12 | SEG30 — LCD segment 30 |
| Pin 13 | SEG31 — LCD segment 31 |
| Pin 14 | SEG32 — LCD segment 32 |
| Pin 15 | SEG33 — LCD segment 33 |
| Pin 16 | SEG34 — LCD segment 34 |
| Pin 17 | SEG35 — LCD segment 35 |
| Pin 18 | SEG36 — LCD segment 36 |
| Pin 19 | SEG37 — LCD segment 37 |
| Pin 20 | SEG38 — LCD segment 38 |
| Pin 21 | SEG39 — LCD segment 39 |
| Pin 22 | COM0 — LCD common 0 |
| Pin 23 | COM1 — LCD common 1 |
| Pin 24 | COM2 — LCD common 2 |
| Pin 25 | COM3 — LCD common 3 |
| Pin 26 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 27 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 28 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 29 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (input only) |
| Pin 30 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 31 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 32 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 33 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 34 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 35 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 36 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 37 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 38 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 39 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 40 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 41 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 42 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (ICSPCLK) |
| Pin 43 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (ICSPDAT) |
| Pin 44 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 45 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 46 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 47 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 48 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 49 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 50 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 51 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 52 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 53 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 54 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 55 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 56 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 57 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 58 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 59 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 60 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 61 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 62 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 63 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 64 | EP — Exposed pad - thermal/ground (must be soldered to PCB ground plane) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1946-E/MR is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Thermostat, Smart Energy Meter with LCD, Industrial Control Panel, Portable Medical Device (Blood Pressure Monitor), Automotive Instrument Cluster Auxiliary Display, IoT Sensor Node with Segment-LCD Status, Consumer Remote Control with LCD.
Battery-Powered Thermostat
The PIC16F1946-E/MR is ideal for battery-powered thermostat designs where its integrated segmented LCD driver and 20 nA XLP sleep current extend coin-cell life to multi-year levels. The 14 KB Flash accommodates UI state machines and PID control loops, while the 192-segment LCD interface drives temperature setpoint and humidity displays directly. Wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V operation tolerates depleted 2x AA packs, and the on-chip 12-bit ADC reads thermistor and humidity sensors without external signal conditioning. The 32 MHz HFINTOSC removes the need for an external crystal, reducing BOM cost and board area in wall-mounted enclosures.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meter with LCD
Smart single-phase energy meters benefit from the PIC16F1946-E/MR's integrated LCD segment driver, which presents kWh, voltage, and current readouts on reflective or backlit glass without an external driver IC. The 12-bit ADC paired with computation accumulates metrology data while the 32 MHz core performs IEC 62053-21 calculations. nanoWatt XLP sleep modes keep quiescent draw under 1 mA in tamper-detection standby, satisfying utility metering reliability targets. The 64-QFN exposed pad dissipates the small amount of heat generated during load-current measurement.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel
Industrial HMI panels use the PIC16F1946-E/MR to drive multi-segment LCDs showing temperature, pressure, flow rates, and alarm states on DIN-rail equipment. Its -40 C to +125 C extended temperature range supports outdoor enclosures and unheated cabinets. EUSART, I2C, and SPI peripherals connect to sensor front-ends and isolated communication modules (RS-485, CAN), while the 14 KB Flash runs Modbus RTU stacks and HMI logic. The QFN-64 footprint allows compact panel-mount PCBs.
Recommended
Portable Medical Device (Blood Pressure Monitor)
The PIC16F1946-E/MR fits portable medical devices such as blood pressure monitors that need an integrated LCD, low noise for pressure-sensor readings, and ultra-low sleep current for AAA battery longevity. The on-chip 12-bit ADC digitizes bridge-type pressure sensors with adequate resolution for oscillometric algorithms. Its nanoWatt XLP technology enables years of shelf life between uses, while 14 KB Flash accommodates cuff-inflation timing, display fonts, and button-debounce state machines. The wide VDD range supports direct battery connection without a boost regulator.
Recommended
Automotive Instrument Cluster Auxiliary Display
Non-safety-critical automotive cluster subsystems such as trip computer readouts, gear indicators, and HVAC status displays leverage the PIC16F1946-E/MR's integrated LCD driver and automotive temperature endurance. The extended -40 C to +125 C range handles under-dash environments, and the QFN-64 form factor suits slim cluster housings. Note that safety-critical displays should use an AEC-Q100 qualified MCU such as PIC16F1946-I/MR_Q1 variants; standard E/MR parts are suitable for non-safety auxiliary roles.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Node with Segment-LCD Status
Battery-powered IoT sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16F1946-E/MR's combination of ultra-low sleep current, integrated LCD for local status display, and rich peripherals for sensor interfaces. The 20 nA deep-sleep mode extends multi-year coin-cell deployments, and the on-chip segment LCD shows local readings (temperature, battery voltage, RF status) without Wi-Fi backhaul. The MCU wakes periodically, reads sensors via I2C or SPI, transmits over an attached radio module (sub-GHz, BLE, or LoRa), and returns to sleep - all within a compact 9x9 mm QFN.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control with LCD
Universal remote controls and AV receivers increasingly include small status displays (volume, channel, battery) that the PIC16F1946-E/MR can drive directly. Its XLP deep-sleep current keeps the device idle for years on two AAA cells while still responding instantly to button events via interrupt-on-change. The 14 KB Flash stores IR protocol libraries (RC5, NEC, Sony SIRC), and the integrated LCD shows menu navigation without an additional display controller.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1946-E/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1947-I/MR | PIC16F1946-I/MR | PIC16LF1946-I/MR | PIC16F1946-E/PT | PIC16F1936-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN-64 (9x9 mm) - MR | QFN-64 (9x9 mm) - MR (same) | QFN-64 (9x9 mm) - MR (same) | QFN-64 (9x9 mm) - MR (same) | TQFP-64 (10x10 mm) - PT | QFN-64 (9x9 mm) - MV (same family) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB (same) | 14 KB (same) | 14 KB (same) | 14 KB (same) |
| RAM | 512 bytes | 1024 bytes | 512 bytes (same) | 512 bytes (same) | 512 bytes (same) | 512 bytes (same) |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (same) |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (narrower) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E, same) | -40 C to +85 C (I) |
| LCD Driver | Yes (up to 192 segments) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (smaller segment count) |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in upgrade path with 2x Flash and RAM (vs PIC16F1947-I/MR)
- Wider operating voltage range than LF variant (vs PIC16LF1946-I/MR)
- Extended industrial temperature grade for harsh environments (vs PIC16F1946-I/MR)
- Integrated LCD driver eliminates external segment driver cost (vs PIC16F1936-I/MV)
Design Notes
Estimated: At VDD = 3.3 V, CPU at 32 MHz active, and LCD driver on, the PIC16F1946-E/MR draws roughly 4-6 mA active and 20-100 uA in Sleep with peripherals running. Add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the supply rail. For sleep-current-critical designs, switch off all unused peripherals via PMDx registers and configure unused pins as outputs driving low to avoid floating-input shoot-through current.
The 64-pin QFN (MR) package dissipates heat primarily through its exposed pad (EP, pin 64). Solder the EP to a continuous copper ground plane of at least 1 square inch (6.5 cm^2) on the top layer for typical applications. The thermal resistance theta_JA is approximately 28 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board; without the recommended copper landing the junction temperature can rise rapidly under high CPU-activity loads, especially at 125 C ambient.
Place the ICSP/ICD programming pins ICSPCLK (RB6) and ICSPDAT (RB7) on accessible test points or a 2x3 0.1 inch header so firmware can be updated without removing the MCU. The MPLAB ICD 4 and PICkit 4 programmers both target this 64-QFN pinout directly. Route SEG and COM traces away from noisy switching power traces to avoid LCD ghosting; if possible, place a ground guard ring around the LCD glass connector.
Do not connect unused I/O pins as analog inputs with the ADC enabled - floating analog inputs cause excessive supply current and unreliable ADC readings. Configure all unused pins as digital outputs driving low. When migrating firmware from PIC16F1936 to PIC16F1946, verify the CONFIG3 register LVP (low-voltage programming) bit matches your in-circuit programmer's voltage levels to avoid accidental 5 V on the ICSPCLK pin during programming.
When using the 32 MHz HFINTOSC, verify stability across the full -40 C to +125 C range against timing-critical peripherals like UART or I2C. For UART baud rates above 115200, switch to a crystal oscillator (HS mode) on OSC1/OSC2 to maintain 2% clock accuracy. Place the 32.768 kHz secondary crystal close to the SOSCO/SOSCI pins if you intend to use the RTCC module for timekeeping.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page and distributor listings; -E/MR is Extended temperature grade but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety-critical applications use PIC16F1946-E/MR_Q1 variants where available.
