PIC16F506T-I/ST - 8-bit MCU, 1.5KB Flash, 12 I/O, 14-TSSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F506T-I/ST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.96 | $0.96 |
| 10 | $0.86 | $8.60 |
| 100 | $0.74 | $74.00 |
| 500 | $0.62 | $310.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.52 | $520.00 |
| 2,500 | $0.45 | $1,125.00 |
PIC16F506T-I/ST Overview
Background: An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data RAM, peripherals, and I/O on one silicon die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F506 sits in the category hierarchy: PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> baseline PIC16 family -> CMOS flash-based RISC microcontroller -> embedded controller. This MCU class is used in cost-sensitive embedded applications where deterministic timing, low power, and small footprint matter more than raw processing throughput.
Key features include 1.5KB self-programmable FLASH, 67 bytes SRAM, 12 digital I/O pins, an 8-bit ADC with multiple channels, internal oscillator, watchdog timer, and In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) support. The 14-TSSOP surface-mount package keeps board area small while supporting industrial-grade -40C to +85C operation.
The architecture uses a 12-bit instruction word, an 8-level hardware stack, and a single accumulator (W register) with up to 200 ns instruction cycle, allowing deterministic real-time control. Its nanoWatt technology provides power-managed sleep modes with current consumption measured in microamps, suiting battery-operated designs.
Typical applications include small consumer appliances, LED lighting controllers, sensor signal conditioning, low-end motor control (PWM driving), and battery-powered instrumentation where the MCU must wake periodically, take a measurement, and return to sleep.
Design consideration: when laying out the PCB, ensure the ICSP clock and data lines (RB6/RB7) are accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging - even production boards benefit from an unpopulated 2x3 header footprint for field firmware updates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving the design engineer a faster path to qualification than distributor product pages alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F506T-I/ST — 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 PIC16F506T-I/ST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Internal Oscillator, Package, Core, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F506-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F506-E/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F506T-E/ST
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F506T-I/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Core Family | PIC16 baseline |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) |
| RAM Size | 67 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 8-bit, multiple channels |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 14-TSSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| ICSP Programming | Yes |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F506T-I/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input or external clock in |
| Pin 3 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output or clock out |
| Pin 4 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO / Timer1 clock input / alternate OSC1 |
| Pin 5 | GP4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO / ADC input / Timer1 gate / alternate OSC2 |
| Pin 6 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO / Master Clear (reset, active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 7 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT — GPIO / ADC input / Timer0 clock / external interrupt / comparator output |
| Pin 8 | GP1/AN1/CIN-/ICSPCLK — GPIO / ADC input / comparator inverting / ICSP clock |
| Pin 9 | GP0/AN0/CIN+/ICSPDAT — GPIO / ADC input / comparator non-inverting / ICSP data |
| Pin 10 | GP1 — GPIO / shared with pin 8 in some configurations |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | GP0/AN0/COUT — GPIO / ADC input / comparator output (shared) |
| Pin 13 | GP2/AN2 — GPIO / ADC input (shared) |
| Pin 14 | GP3/MCLR — GPIO / Master Clear reset input |
Typical Applications
PIC16F506T-I/ST is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, LED Lighting Controller, Small Appliance Control Board, Low-End Motor Speed Control (PWM), Automotive Interior Accessory (Non-Safety), Hobbyist Electronics / Maker Project, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA Loop).
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16F506T-I/ST is well suited to battery-powered sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt sleep modes that draw single-digit microamps and its 2.0 V minimum supply that allows operation from a single Li coin cell down to depletion. Its 8-bit ADC measures sensor outputs while the internal oscillator eliminates external crystal current draw, enabling multi-year battery life. The 1.5 KB FLASH accommodates application firmware plus small lookup tables; 67 bytes RAM handles modest data buffering between sleep cycles. Wake-on-WDT patterns with periodic ADC sampling keep average current under 10 uA in many deployments. With 12 available I/O and ICSP for field updates, it is a strong fit for wireless sensor endpoints and remote monitoring nodes.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F506T-I/ST serves as a compact LED controller in decorative and accent lighting, where its PWM-capable timer drives LED brightness via MOSFET gates. Operating from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, it interfaces directly with both 3.3 V logic-level drivers and 5 V systems. FLASH programmability allows custom fade patterns and color sequences stored in non-volatile memory; the 12 I/O count supports RGB or RGBW channels plus pushbutton inputs. Industrial -40C to +85C operation covers indoor luminaires and outdoor-rated fixtures. Designers benefit from ICSP field updates to ship firmware revisions without opening the fixture.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
In small consumer appliances such as coffee makers, humidifiers, and fan controllers, the PIC16F506T-I/ST reads user inputs from buttons or capacitive sensors and drives relays, TRIACs, or MOSFETs via its GPIO. The 20 MHz clock gives sufficient bandwidth for debouncing, PWM, and timing logic without external peripherals. Industrial temperature rating ensures reliable operation in warm enclosures; FLASH storage enables manufacturer customization per SKU. The 14-TSSOP keeps the BOM small - ideal when PCB cost dominates. The 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors for temperature regulation.
Recommended
Low-End Motor Speed Control (PWM)
The PIC16F506T-I/ST can drive small DC motors or fans via PWM outputs generated by its timer peripherals, regulating speed based on feedback from a tachogtia or potentiometer input to the 8-bit ADC. At 20 MHz instruction rate the firmware can implement closed-loop PI control within tight timing margins. Operating from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, it directly interfaces with 3.3 V or 5 V gate drivers; 12 I/O handle direction, brake, fault, and tachogtia inputs. The compact 14-TSSOP suits integration inside motor housings or fan assemblies where PCB area is severely constrained.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive interior accessories such as ambient lighting, cup-holder illumination, or USB charging indicators, the PIC16F506T-I/ST provides compact, low-cost control. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature handles cabin environments; designers add external protection (TVS, series resistors) for 12 V battery transients. FLASH memory allows per-model feature customization. Note: this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - migrate to a PIC16F1xx automotive variant for safety-relevant ECUs.
Recommended
Hobbyist Electronics / Maker Project
The PIC16F506T-I/ST is a popular choice among hobbyists due to its low cost, PICkit-programmability, and abundant sample code. Its 14-TSSOP pinout fits standard breakout boards, and 1.5 KB FLASH is enough for blinking LEDs, servo control, and simple sensor reads. ICSP programming via PICKit 3 or PICKit 4 allows iterative development without removing the chip from the circuit. The baseline PIC16 instruction set is easy to learn in assembly or XC8 C, supported by MPLAB X IDE and free tools, making it ideal for educational and maker projects.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA Loop)
The PIC16F506T-I/ST can serve as the digital core of a 2-wire 4-20 mA sensor transmitter, where its ADC reads the sensor and its PWM output drives a current-setting op-amp loop. Operating down to 2.0 V, it can be powered from a shunt regulator; FLASH allows per-unit calibration constants. 12 I/O accommodate loop direction control, HART modulation, and diagnostic LEDs. Industrial temperature rating supports process-industry deployments; the small TSSOP lets the entire transmitter fit inside a head-mount enclosure.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F506T-I/ST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F506-I/ST | PIC16F506-E/ST | PIC16F506T-E/ST | PIC16F506-E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-TSSOP | 14-TSSOP - same | 14-TSSOP - same | 14-TSSOP - same | 14-DIP - different footprint |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB |
| RAM | 67 bytes | 67 bytes | 67 bytes | 67 bytes | 67 bytes |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Extended -40C to +125C | Extended -40C to +125C |
| Packing | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube |
| Approx 1k-piece Price (USD) | 0.52 | 0.55 | 0.62 | 0.62 | 0.62 |
Key Differentiators
- Lower per-piece cost vs F505 family with ADC (vs PIC16F505-I/P)
- Smaller footprint vs DIP alternative (vs PIC16F506-I/P)
- Lower price than extended-temperature grade (vs PIC16F506T-E/ST)
- ICSP field programmability over ROM-based MCUs (vs PIC16C505)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin. For applications with high GPIO switching currents add a 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer bulk capacitor to suppress transient droops. The PIC16F506 has no internal POR above 2.0 V supply rise times slower than 1 ms - if your supply ramps slowly, ensure brown-out reset is enabled in configuration word to avoid undefined execution.
Route the ICSP clock (GP1/ICSPCLK) and data (GP0/ICSPDAT) lines to accessible test pads or an unpopulated 2x3 header so PICKit 4 can program and debug the board without removing the MCU. Keep these traces short (< 50 mm) and away from switching nodes to prevent programming glitches. If the MCLR pin (GP3) is used as reset, place a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD.
On 14-TSSOP pinout variants the analog input AN0/AN1/AN2/AN3 share pins with digital I/O GP0-GP3; configure the corresponding TRIS bit as input and the CMCON/ANSEL register for analog mode before using the ADC. Forgetting this causes the ADC to read the digital output state instead of the analog voltage. Also: do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure as outputs or enable internal weak pull-ups to minimize sleep current creep.
Estimated: At 5 V VDD, 20 MHz clock, all GPIO toggling, the PIC16F506T-I/ST draws approximately 11 mA (0.055 W). Junction temperature rise is negligible (< 5 C above ambient) due to TSSOP theta-JA near 100 C/W. No heatsinking required. For -40C to +125C extended grade designs verify self-heating does not push the junction above 130 C maximum rating in sealed enclosures.
When using the internal oscillator, supply noise above 50 mVpp on VDD can modulate the internal oscillator frequency by ~1 percent. For UART or timing-sensitive applications add a ferrite bead + bulk cap on VDD, and avoid routing GPIO switching lines parallel to VDD traces for more than 25 mm. If using the ADC, average 16 or 64 samples to reject switching-noise coupling from PWM outputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; migrate to PIC16F1xx automotive variants for safety-relevant automotive ECUs. Lead-free and halogen-free packaging per Microchip environmental compliance documentation.
