PIC16F506-E/P - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU 1.5KB Flash 12 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F506-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.05 | $1.05 |
| 10 | $0.94 | $9.40 |
| 100 | $0.84 | $84.00 |
| 500 | $0.76 | $380.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.68 | $680.00 |
PIC16F506-E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory, and peripherals into a single device. The 8-bit MCU sits within the broader microcontroller hierarchy (microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit). The PIC16F506 belongs to the baseline core family (PIC16F -> PIC mid-range/baseline -> 8-bit MCU), characterized by a 33-instruction set, 2-stack-level architecture, and ultra-low-cost positioning. Its Flash memory enables in-circuit reprogrammability, which is essential during prototyping and field updates.
Key specifications include 1.5 KB Flash, 67 bytes RAM, 12 I/O, an 8-bit ADC with 3 input channels, 2 on-chip comparators, a 1.125 ms Device Reset Timer (DRT), and a wide 2.0V to 5.5V operating range for the extended-temperature (-40C to +125C) "E" variant. The device also integrates a 4 MHz or 8 MHz internal oscillator, eliminating the need for an external crystal in many cost-sensitive designs.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, LED lighting controllers, battery chargers, toys, simple sensor interfaces, and replacement of discrete logic in legacy designs. The combination of internal oscillator, comparators, and ADC in a 14-pin package makes it well-suited for compact embedded designs where board space is constrained and BOM cost must be minimized.
When designing with this part, consider migrating to the newer Microchip PIC16F15324 for new designs, as the PIC16F506 is in production but flagged as having a newer recommended device. Designers should verify pinout against the datasheet and use MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler for firmware development. The 14-pin PDIP package allows easy breadboarding and hand-soldering for hobby and educational use.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Pin compatibility with the same die in SOIC and QFN packages (e.g., PIC16F506-I/SL and PIC16F506-I/MG) enables flexible PCB layout reuse across the PIC16F506 family.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F506-E/P — 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 PIC16F506-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Internal Oscillator, Package, Timers, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F506-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F506-E/SL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F505-E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F506-E/MG
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F505-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F505-E/SL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F506-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F (Baseline Core) |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC, 33 instructions, 2 stack levels |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.5 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 67 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present (Flash-based program memory only) |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz / 8 MHz selectable |
| ADC | 8-bit, 3 channels |
| Comparators | 2 on-chip |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x Watchdog Timer (WDT) |
| Supply Voltage (Operating) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (E: 4.5V-5.5V at 20MHz) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended "E") |
| Package | 14-pin PDIP (P), 0.300" row spacing |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (THT) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Pb-free matte tin) |
| Lead Free | Yes (Pb-free finish; check exact suffix for compliance level) |
PIC16F506-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 clock input / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT/COUT1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 2 / Timer0 clock input / external interrupt / comparator output |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN1/CIN-/VREF — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 1 / comparator inverting input / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 7 | GP0/AN0/CIN+ — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 0 / comparator non-inverting input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | GP0/AN0/CIN+ — Note: pin 7 above; refer to datasheet for full multi-function pin details - this row kept for diagram continuity |
| Pin 10 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 11 | GP0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel - refer to datasheet for exact pin assignment in this slot |
| Pin 12 | GP1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel - refer to datasheet for exact pin assignment in this slot |
| Pin 13 | GP2/AN2/INT — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel / external interrupt - refer to datasheet for exact pin assignment in this slot |
| Pin 14 | GP3 — Bidirectional I/O - refer to datasheet for exact pin assignment in this slot |
Typical Applications
PIC16F506-E/P is suitable for 7 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller, LED Lighting Dimmer and Color Controller, Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Toys and Hobby Electronics Replacement for Discrete Logic, Industrial Control Panel Button Debouncer and Indicator, Educational and Training Platform, Smart Home Sensor Interface.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller
The PIC16F506-E/P fits consumer appliance controllers because of its 1.5 KB Flash, 12 I/O pins, internal 4/8 MHz oscillator (no external crystal needed), and 2 on-chip comparators for sensor threshold detection. At roughly $0.68 per unit in 1k quantities, it enables sub-$1 BOM cost for toasters, coffee makers, blenders, and small kitchen appliances. The 14-pin PDIP package allows hand-soldering during prototyping and is robust against vibration in appliances. Comparators can directly interface with NTC thermistor dividers for overtemperature shutdown. Designers can use the 3-channel ADC for monitoring supply voltage, current shunt, or potentiometer-based user inputs without external analog ICs, reducing PCB footprint and assembly cost.
Recommended
LED Lighting Dimmer and Color Controller
The PIC16F506-E/P is well-suited to LED lighting controllers where its 12 I/O pins can drive multiple MOSFET gates for PWM dimming of LED strings. The 8-bit timer generates PWM frequencies above the audible band to prevent flicker noise, while the 8-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors for automatic daylight harvesting. Comparators handle zero-cross detection of AC mains signals for phase-cut dimmer retrofits. With 4.5V to 5.5V operation from a small linear regulator and internal oscillator, the BOM shrinks to MCU plus a few passives. Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade supports outdoor and industrial lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
Battery-powered sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16F506-E/P's low-power baseline core, internal oscillator (no crystal current draw), and sleep modes that drop current to microampere levels when not sampling. The 3-channel ADC reads battery voltage, a thermistor, and an external analog sensor. The 67-byte RAM is adequate for buffered sensor averaging and protocol state machines. Two comparators enable wake-on-signal for ultra-low duty cycle designs where the MCU sleeps most of the time. Operating voltage of 2.0V to 5.5V allows direct connection to single-cell Li-Ion (3.7V nominal) or two AA batteries (3V nominal) without regulation overhead.
Recommended
Toys and Hobby Electronics Replacement for Discrete Logic
Toy and hobby designs use the PIC16F506-E/P to replace 555 timers, glue logic, and discrete transistor circuits with a single programmable device. Its 33-instruction baseline core is easy to learn for hobbyists and educational use, while 1.5 KB Flash stores complex sound patterns, motor-control sequences, or LED chaser effects. The 14-pin PDIP package fits standard perfboard and breadboards. Internal comparators and ADC reduce external components, simplifying construction. The device is robust enough to survive the mechanical shock and temperature swings of toys while keeping unit cost under $1 in volume.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel Button Debouncer and Indicator
Industrial control panels deploy the PIC16F506-E/P as a button-debouncing and LED-indicator controller that interfaces with a host PLC or HMI. The 12 I/O pins can scan a 4x3 keypad matrix while driving status LEDs, and the internal oscillator eliminates the need for crystal components in vibration-prone industrial cabinets. Comparators detect analog threshold inputs such as 4-20 mA loop current or 0-10V control signals. Extended temperature grade supports factory floor environments up to +125C. The robust PDIP package and Microchip's long-term product support make the device attractive for industrial designs requiring decade-long availability.
Recommended
Educational and Training Platform
Universities, technical colleges, and maker educators adopt the PIC16F506-E/P as an introductory microcontroller teaching tool. Its 14-pin PDIP form factor fits standard breadboards for hands-on labs, and the PIC baseline architecture with 33 instructions is approachable for beginners learning assembly and C programming. MPLAB X IDE is free and supports the device fully. The internal oscillator eliminates crystal-handling complexities in early labs, allowing students to focus on GPIO, ADC, comparator, and timer fundamentals. Low per-unit cost (~$1) enables each student to own and program a chip on their own dev board.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Interface
Smart home sensor hubs benefit from the PIC16F506-E/P as a peripheral sensor interface that pre-processes analog signals before forwarding them to a main controller. Its 8-bit ADC reads multiple analog sensors (light, temperature, gas), while comparators trigger interrupts on threshold crossings without waking the main MCU. The internal oscillator and minimal external component count enable compact PCB designs that fit behind wall switches or inside ceiling fixtures. Operating temperature range of -40C to +125C supports outdoor and attic deployments. Flash reprogrammability allows field firmware updates for evolving smart-home protocols.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F506-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F506-I/P | PIC16F506-E/SL | PIC16F506-E/MG | PIC16F505-E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-pin PDIP (P) | 14-pin PDIP (P) - same | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - different footprint | 16-pin QFN (MG) - different footprint | 14-pin PDIP (P) - same |
| Program Memory | 1.5 KB Flash | 1.5 KB Flash | 1.5 KB Flash | 1.5 KB Flash | 1.5 KB Flash |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| ADC Channels | 3 (8-bit) | 3 (8-bit) | 3 (8-bit) | 3 (8-bit) | None |
| Comparators | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz / 8 MHz | 4 MHz / 8 MHz | 4 MHz / 8 MHz | 4 MHz / 8 MHz | 4 MHz / 8 MHz |
| Approximate Unit Price (qty 1) | $1.05 | $0.95 | $1.10 | $1.15 | $0.90 |
Key Differentiators
- Internal 4/8 MHz precision oscillator eliminates external crystal (vs PIC16F505-E/P)
- Extended temperature grade for industrial applications (vs PIC16F506-I/P)
- Industry-standard baseline PIC core with 33 instructions (vs PIC16F15324)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 5V supply and 20 MHz CPU clock with all peripherals active, the PIC16F506 typically draws 2-3 mA active current. During sleep mode (CPU off, peripherals off), current drops to approximately 1 uA or less. For battery-powered designs, leverage the SLEEP instruction and use comparators as wake-up sources to minimize average current draw. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD (pin 1) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail for noise immunity, especially when ADC is sampling. Place a 100 nF decoupling cap directly across VDD-VSS within 5 mm of the IC pins per Microchip layout guidelines.
When using the 14-pin PDIP package, route traces between the through-hole pins on a 0.300" (7.62 mm) row spacing grid. Keep ADC traces short and away from switching signals to minimize digital noise coupling into analog measurements. For the SOIC-14 and QFN-16 variants, follow standard SMD layout practices - place the exposed pad (where applicable) on a thermal copper pour stitched with vias for heat dissipation. The internal oscillator eliminates crystal traces but may require OSCCAL tuning for UART baud-rate accuracy above 9600 baud; an external crystal is recommended for high-accuracy timing applications.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - always tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor, or connect directly to VDD if not using external reset. Floating MCLR can cause unpredictable resets in noisy environments. The GP3/MCLR pin is input-only, so it cannot be used as a digital output. When using the ADC, allow at least 2 us acquisition time after switching channels; sampling too fast causes inaccurate readings. For ICSP programming, ensure the PGD/PGC lines are not loaded by external circuitry during programming to avoid programmer communication failures.
Place the ICSP programming connector (typically a 6-pin header with 0.1" pitch) on the edge of the PCB with direct, short traces to the ICSPDAT (GP0) and ICSPCLK (GP1) pins, plus MCLR, VDD, and VSS. Keep programming traces away from high-current switching nodes to prevent programming errors. For the ADC, place the analog reference bypass capacitor directly at the VREF pin (if used as reference) and separate analog and digital ground planes if the design mixes analog and digital signals. Use a star-ground topology at the MCU VSS pin for mixed-signal designs to avoid ground-loop noise.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free matte tin finish. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F506-E/P automotive Q-grade variants for automotive applications. REACH compliance stated by Microchip. The device does not contain halogen per Microchip material declaration.
