PIC16F59-E/P - 8-bit 20MHz 3KB Flash MCU 40-DIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F59-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.1 | $5.10 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.92 | $392.00 |
| 500 | $3.5 | $1,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.18 | $3,180.00 |
PIC16F59-E/P Overview
A baseline PIC16 microcontroller is an 8-bit RISC processor built around a small instruction set (typically 33 instructions) with a 2-level hardware stack. In the broader taxonomy it sits below mid-range PIC16F1xxx devices in capability but above 6-pin PIC10F parts. Baseline PIC16 devices are commonly used for low-cost, deterministic control tasks where tiny code size and a shallow learning curve matter more than peripheral richness. Flash-based program memory enables field-reprogrammability via ICSP without removing the part from the board.
Key features include a 200 ns instruction execution time, 12-bit-wide instructions, 8-bit-wide data path, low-power 100 nA typical sleep current, and a wide 4.5V to 5.5V supply range. The device has no on-chip data EEPROM, so non-volatile data storage must be implemented with Flash self-write techniques or external storage. Brown-out protection, power-on reset, and watchdog logic are integrated for robust embedded operation.
Typical applications include white-goods and appliance control, simple sensor conditioning, LED drivers, low-cost consumer toys, fan controllers, and remote-control transmitters. Industrial and automotive accessory designs use the extended -40C to +125C variant (E suffix) for cabin and under-hood-tolerant sub-systems. The 40-pin DIP package is also favored for educational, hobby, and breadboard-friendly prototyping due to its large pin pitch and through-hole mounting.
Design consideration: the 2-level hardware stack imposes a strict limit on nested subroutine and interrupt depth - use this device only for flat or shallow call graphs. Designers migrating to PIC16F1xxx mid-range devices gain a deeper stack, more peripherals, and data EEPROM at the cost of higher unit price and slightly more complex peripherals.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F59-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 PIC16F59-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, RAM Size, Mounting Type, RoHS Status, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F59-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F59-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F59-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Instruction Set | 33 instructions (baseline PIC16F5X) |
| Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (none on-chip) |
| I/O Pins | 20 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT) |
| Stack Levels | 2 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E suffix = extended) |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming | Yes (ICSP) |
| Package | PDIP-40 (40-pin DIP) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life, through-hole) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F59-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | /MCLR — Master Clear (reset, active-low; also ICSP Vpp input) |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O, open-drain option) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (digital I/O; INT external interrupt) |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (digital I/O; ICSPCLK) |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (digital I/O; ICSPDAT) |
| Pin 18 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | Vdd — Positive supply (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 26 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 27 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 28 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 29 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 30 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 31 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 32 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 33 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 34 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 35 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 36 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 37 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 38 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 39 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected on this package variant |
Typical Applications
PIC16F59-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control (Washing Machines, Microwaves), Fan and Pump Speed Controllers, Consumer Remote Control Transmitters, LED Lighting Drivers and Controllers, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioners, Educational and Hobbyist Microcontroller Learning.
Appliance Control (Washing Machines, Microwaves)
The PIC16F59-E/P is widely used in white-goods and small-appliance control boards where its 3 KB flash, 20 I/O pins, and 20 MHz baseline core handle keypad scanning, LED/buzzer drive, and triac-based load switching. With the E suffix rated -40C to +125C, the part survives the heat of a closed motor-compressor enclosure and the cold of an unheated laundry room. The 100 nA sleep current keeps standby power below 0.5 W, meeting EU eco-design regulations. ICSP enables firmware updates on the production line without removing the part.
Recommended
Fan and Pump Speed Controllers
The PIC16F59-E/P's 8-bit TMR0 timer and 20 MHz clock generate accurate PWM duty cycles for DC brushless fan or small DC pump control. Its 20 I/O pins support tachometer input, pushbutton setpoint, status LEDs, and an analog reference for closed-loop speed regulation via an external op-amp. The extended -40C to +125C rating suits fan controllers mounted near CPU heatsinks or inside sealed pump housings. Program space accommodates lookup-table-based PI control without external memory.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control Transmitters
Battery-powered IR/RF remote controls benefit from the PIC16F59-E/P's 100 nA sleep current, 4.5-5.5 V supply (compatible with a single Li-ion cell + LDO), and 3 KB flash for multi-protocol key maps. TMR0 serves as wake-up timer so the part sleeps between button presses. The 40-pin PDIP is favored in low-volume remote designs for hand-soldering and rapid prototyping; high-volume production migrates to the TQFP-44 sibling (PIC16F59-E/PT) sharing the same firmware.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers and Controllers
Architectural and decorative LED strips often use a PIC16F59-E/P to drive multiple PWM channels for color mixing, chase patterns, and DMX-512-like protocols. The 20 MHz clock generates smooth 8-bit PWM at refresh rates above 100 Hz to avoid visible flicker. Extended-temperature operation supports enclosed outdoor luminaires. 3 KB flash stores multi-scene programs with non-volatile settings persisted via external I2C EEPROM since the device has no on-chip data EEPROM.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioners
The PIC16F59-E/P's deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle and 20 MHz clock enable tight sampling loops for digital filtering of slow analog sensor signals (temperature, humidity, 4-20 mA loop). Its 4.5-5.5 V supply is compatible with industrial 24V bus rails after a small linear regulator. The extended temperature rating supports factory-floor enclosures. With 20 I/O, multiple sensors can be multiplexed on one MCU, lowering BOM cost versus discrete logic controllers.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Microcontroller Learning
Universities, technical schools, and Maker communities use the PIC16F59-E/P as a teaching vehicle for assembly and C programming on the baseline PIC16F5X architecture. The 40-pin PDIP fits breadboards with 0.1 inch pitch, the ICSP interface allows in-circuit programming without chip removal, and Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE supports the device natively. Its small 33-instruction set and 2-level stack simplify classroom exercises on interrupts, timers, and I/O while remaining representative of modern 8-bit embedded design.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F59-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F59-I/P | PIC16F59-E/P (tube) | PIC16F59T-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PDIP-40 | PDIP-40 (same) | PDIP-40 (same) | TQFP-44 (different - SMD) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (same brand) | Microchip Technology (same brand) | Microchip Technology (same brand) |
| Program Memory | 3 KB Flash | 3 KB Flash | 3 KB Flash | 3 KB Flash |
| RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes |
| Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Pin Count | 40 pins (PDIP) | 40 pins (PDIP) | 40 pins (PDIP) | 44 pins (TQFP) |
| Unit Price (qty 1) | $5.10 | ~$4.80 (lower temp grade) | $5.10 (same) | ~$4.95 (TQFP variant) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature for harsh environments (vs PIC16F59-I/P)
- 40-pin PDIP through-hole package for breadboard and hand-soldering (vs PIC16F59T-I/PT (TQFP-44 surface mount))
- Drop-in firmware compatibility across all PIC16F59 temperature and package variants (vs PIC16F54-E/P (different die))
Design Notes
The PIC16F59 baseline core has a 2-level hardware stack. Calling a subroutine from within a subroutine that itself handles an interrupt will overwrite the previous return address and crash. Keep the call graph flat or upgrade to a mid-range PIC16F1xxx part if multi-level nesting is required. Always wrap critical sections with banksel-correct register access; the baseline core uses banking that easily corrupts state if forgotten.
Decouple Vdd (pin 19) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. According to the Microchip datasheet, the /MCLR reset pin requires a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd and a small (around 100 nF) decoupling cap to ground for noise immunity; missing /MCLR decoupling is a common cause of spurious resets near switching loads.
Keep ICSP traces RB6/ICSPCLK and RB7/ICSPDAT short and away from switching load traces to ensure reliable in-circuit programming on the production line. Route the quartz or ceramic resonator within 5 mm of pins OSC1/OSC2 (if external oscillator is used) with a grounded guard trace. Place the 100 nF Vdd cap adjacent to the MCU before any peripheral decoupling caps so the MCU sees the lowest possible impedance at power-up.
Estimated: with 20 I/O pins sourcing or sinking up to 25 mA each, total pin current must remain within the package dissipation budget of approximately 800 mW for the PDIP-40 variant (per Microchip absolute maximum ratings). For LED-matrix or relay-bank loads, use external driver ICs such as ULN2003 or TPIC6B595 to keep per-pin currents within spec and avoid ground-bounce-induced resets.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page ordering code suffix. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; automotive applications should request the automotive-grade PIC16F59 ordering code. Halogen-free status not explicitly published; set to unknown.
