PIC16F610-I/ST - 8-Bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 20MHz | Microchip TSSOP-14
MPN: PIC16F610-I/ST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.48 | $1.48 |
| 10 | $1.35 | $13.50 |
| 100 | $1.21 | $121.00 |
| 500 | $1.08 | $540.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.96 | $960.00 |
PIC16F610-I/ST Overview
What is a PIC16F microcontroller? A PIC16F MCU (Microchip PIC16 Flash-based microcontroller) is a family of 8-bit reduced-instruction-set computing (RISC) microcontrollers from Microchip Technology, sitting between the smaller PIC10/12 baseline families and the higher-end PIC18 family in performance and peripheral richness. Within the broader taxonomy, a PIC16F belongs to: PIC16F -> mid-range PIC16 family -> 8-bit RISC microcontroller -> microcontroller (MCU) -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. PIC16F parts are widely used in cost-sensitive, low-power, and small-form-factor designs where 8-bit processing is sufficient.
The PIC16F610 integrates nanoWatt power management technology for ultra-low-power operation, an internal oscillator (configurable up to 8MHz), brown-out detection (BOD), a watchdog timer (WDT), and on-chip debug via In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP). It supports an operating voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V across the commercial and industrial temperature grades, making it suitable for battery-powered, sensor-interface, and consumer-appliance designs. The "I" suffix denotes the industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C.
Architecturally, the PIC16F610 uses a Harvard-style RISC core with separate program (flash) and data (RAM) buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same clock cycle. This gives the device deterministic 200ns instruction timing at 20MHz, valuable for time-critical control loops in motor, lighting, and sensor applications. The 14-bit instruction word length and 8-bit data path keep the silicon die small and inexpensive.
Typical applications include small appliance controllers, LED drivers, battery chargers, simple sensor hubs, consumer toys, and low-end user-interface boards. Compared with the higher-pin-count PIC16F616, the PIC16F610 omits the 8-bit ADC and reduces pin count to 14, making it a cost-optimized choice when analog inputs and I/O count are not required.
When designing with the PIC16F610, ensure that the ICSP programming pins (RB6/ICSPCLK and RB7/ICSPDAT) are accessible on the PCB for in-system programming and debugging. Use decoupling capacitors of 100nF on VDD with a 10uF bulk capacitor near the supply pin to ensure stable core operation during power transitions.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F610-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 PIC16F610-I/ST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F610T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F610T-E/ST
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F610-I/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 64 bytes (PIC16F610 datasheet) / 72 B RAM per Mouser listing |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, "I" grade) |
| I/O Pins | 11 |
| Package | 14-TSSOP (ST) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect, Watchdog Timer, Internal Oscillator |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Instruction Set | PIC16 mid-range, 35 single-word instructions |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
PIC16F610-I/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O / Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN3/T1G/OSC2 — Digital I/O / Analog input / Timer1 gate / Oscillator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN4/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — Digital I/O / Analog input / Timer1 clock input / Oscillator input / External clock |
| Pin 4 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 5 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / Analog input / Comparator1 non-inverting input / ICSP data |
| Pin 6 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / Analog input / Comparator1 inverting input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/INT — Digital I/O / Analog input / Timer0 clock input / External interrupt |
| Pin 8 | RC4/C2OUT — Digital I/O / Comparator2 output |
| Pin 9 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 13 | RB6/AN5/PGC — Digital I/O / Analog input / ICSP clock (PGC) |
| Pin 14 | RB7/AN6/PGD — Digital I/O / Analog input / ICSP data (PGD) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F610-I/ST is suitable for 6 applications: Small Appliance Control, LED Lighting Driver, Consumer Toy and Hobby Electronics, Battery Charger Controller, Industrial Sensor Hub (Digital Only), Home Appliance User Interface Board.
Small Appliance Control
The PIC16F610-I/ST is well suited for small appliance controllers such as coffee makers, toasters, and rice cookers, where its 1.75KB flash, 20MHz core, and 11 digital I/O pins provide sufficient processing and I/O for user-interface button scanning, LED driving, and relay or TRIAC control. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) handles appliance thermal environments. The internal 8MHz oscillator eliminates external crystal cost, reducing BOM cost. Compared with PIC16F616, the absent ADC is acceptable when only digital sensors (switches, level detectors) are used. Connect RA0-RA5 to button matrix, drive status LEDs from RC4-RC7, and use the PWM-free design pattern for simple on/off control.
Recommended
LED Lighting Driver
For simple on/off or non-dimmable LED lighting products, the PIC16F610-I/ST offers a cost-optimized 8-bit controller with 11 GPIO sufficient for multi-channel LED string switching via low-side MOSFETs or logic-level drivers. Its 20 MHz core and 200ns instruction cycle enable smooth pattern control and blinking effects. The 2.5V to 5.5V operating range supports both 3.3V and 5V LED driver designs. The nanoWatt power-saving modes (Sleep, Idle) reduce standby current to microamp levels, meeting energy-star standby requirements. Connect LEDs via RC4-RC7 channels; use RB6/RB7 for ICSP programming during production.
Recommended
Consumer Toy and Hobby Electronics
Cost-sensitive consumer toys, educational kits, and hobby projects benefit from the PIC16F610-I/ST's sub-$1 price at volume, 1.75KB flash supporting ~1000 instructions of gameplay logic, and TSSOP-14 surface-mount package that fits compact PCBs. The PIC16 RISC architecture with only 35 instructions makes assembly language learning accessible for educational use, while C compilers (XC8) support modern development workflows. Brown-out detection prevents erratic behavior on weak batteries. Use the internal oscillator to eliminate external crystal cost; add piezo buzzer output from RC4 or RC5 for sound effects.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller
Simple NiMH or Li-ion battery charger controllers use the PIC16F610-I/ST for charge state monitoring (via comparator inputs), timing control, and LED status indication. The wide 2.5V to 5.5V operating range accommodates multi-cell battery packs. nanoWatt sleep mode reduces quiescent current to under 1uA in standby, preserving battery shelf life. The integrated brown-out reset prevents deep-discharge lockup. Charge algorithm runs from flash with timing derived from the 20 MHz core. Note: For precise voltage measurement-based termination, choose PIC16F616 instead (has 8-bit ADC).
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hub (Digital Only)
For industrial sensor hubs that aggregate digital sensors (I2C, SPI, GPIO-based), the PIC16F610-I/ST acts as a low-cost bridge or polling controller. Its 11 GPIO pins can host multiple SPI or I2C sensor buses via bit-banging, while the 20 MHz core handles protocol timing for moderate data rates. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports factory floor environments. Brown-out detection ensures robust operation during supply fluctuations. Use RA0-RA2 for I2C SDA/SCL bit-bang, RC4-RC7 for SPI or chip-select lines, and ICSP pins RB6/RB7 for field firmware updates.
Recommended
Home Appliance User Interface Board
User interface boards in washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens use the PIC16F610-I/ST for button scanning, 7-segment or LED matrix display driving, and buzzer control. The 11 GPIO can drive a 3-digit 7-segment display with multiplexing, leaving pins for input buttons and status LEDs. The 20 MHz core scans inputs at sub-millisecond intervals, ensuring responsive user feedback. Industrial temperature rating handles appliance heat. The TSSOP-14 surface-mount package fits compact UI boards. Pair with ULN2003A for high-voltage relay driving and use MCP1700 for voltage regulation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F610-I/ST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F610T-I/ST | PIC16F610T-E/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-14 (ST) | TSSOP-14 (ST) - same | TSSOP-14 (ST) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Packaging Carrier | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
| ADC Peripheral | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost TSSOP-14 PIC16F option without ADC (vs PIC16F616-I/ST)
- Extended temperature grade option in same TSSOP-14 footprint (vs PIC16F610T-E/ST)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16F610T-I/ST)
Design Notes
The PIC16F610-I/ST operates from 2.5V to 5.5V. Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (Pin 12) with a 10uF bulk capacitor nearby on the supply rail. The internal 8MHz oscillator can drift with temperature and voltage; for timing-critical applications use an external crystal or resonator on RA4/OSC2 and RA5/OSC1. The MCLR pin (Pin 1) should be pulled high through a 10k resistor and decoupled with 100nF for reliable reset behavior.
Do not confuse PIC16F610 with PIC16F616 - the F610 has NO ADC, while F616 has an 8-bit ADC. Code written for F616 that uses ADCREAD will fail on F610. Brown-out detection (BOD) must be configured in the CONFIG register - leaving BOD disabled can cause erratic behavior on slowly rising power rails. The ICSP pins (RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD) must be accessible on the PCB for in-system programming; do not load them with heavy capacitance.
For TSSOP-14 layout, use 0.65mm pitch pads with a land length of 1.0mm. Route ICSP signals (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) with short traces to a 6-pin header. Keep high-current switching traces (relays, LEDs) away from the crystal/oscillator pins and VDD to avoid noise coupling. The exposed thermal pad is not present on TSSOP-14; only QFN variants have it. Ensure MCLR pull-up is within 25mm of the pin to minimize reset glitches.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C (I suffix). Extended grade E-suffix variants available for higher temperature. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable for standard I/ST variant; check automotive-grade PIC16F equivalents if AEC-Q100 is required.
