PIC16F616-E/ML - 8-Bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F616-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.88 | $3.88 |
| 10 | $3.49 | $34.90 |
| 100 | $2.94 | $294.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.16 | $2,160.00 |
PIC16F616-E/ML Overview
A PIC16F microcontroller is a RISC-based 8-bit MCU family from Microchip using a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, executing most instructions in a single cycle. The PIC16F616 belongs to the mid-range PIC16F family with enhanced 14-bit core, nanoWatt power management, and a peripheral set targeting low-power and mixed-signal embedded designs.
Key features include 11 digital I/O pins, 8-channel 10-bit ADC, two comparators, enhanced PWM/Capture/Compare modules, and an internal 8 MHz oscillator with PLL support. The nanoWatt technology provides multiple power-saving modes including idle, sleep, and ultra-low-power wake-up, with currents in the microamp range for battery-operated designs.
The architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with an 8-level deep hardware stack, two-cycle branches, and single-cycle execution for most instructions. Programmable weak pull-ups, interrupt-on-change, and selectable oscillator options (internal, external, crystal) give flexibility across consumer, industrial, and automotive subsystems.
Typical applications include LED lighting control, battery chargers, sensor signal conditioning, small appliance controllers, automotive body electronics, and remote controls. The 16-QFN package suits space-constrained designs where analog integration, low power, and small footprint are priorities.
When designing with this device, allocate sufficient PCB copper under the exposed pad for thermal dissipation, especially at high CPU activity. Use decoupling capacitors close to VDD, and ensure ICSP programming pins are accessible for in-circuit firmware updates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet. Engineers evaluating the PIC16F616 family for cost-sensitive 8-bit designs can use the comparison and FAQ sections to confirm fit against newer-generation replacements such as the PIC16F15323.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F616-E/ML — 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 PIC16F616-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F616-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F616T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1613-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F610-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1938-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F616-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (none on this family variant) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions, 14-bit wide |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 11 |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| PWM / ECCP Modules | 1 ECCP + 1 CCP |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz with PLL (software selectable) |
| Hardware Stack | 8 levels |
| Package | 16-pin QFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = Extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F616-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+ — GPIO RA3 / ADC input 3 / comparator positive input / ADC voltage reference plus |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/C1OUT/T1G — GPIO RA4 / ADC input 4 / comparator 1 output / Timer1 gate input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/C2IN+/T1CKI — GPIO RA5 / ADC input 5 / comparator 2 positive input / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0/C1IN-/ICSPDAT — GPIO RA0 / ADC input 0 / comparator 1 negative input / ICSP data |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN1/C1IN+/ICSPCLK — GPIO RA1 / ADC input 1 / comparator input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/INT — GPIO RA2 / ADC input 2 / Timer0 clock input / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive power supply 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Pin 9 | RC0/AN4/C2IN+ — GPIO RC0 / ADC input 4 / comparator 2 positive input |
| Pin 10 | RC1/AN5/C2IN- — GPIO RC1 / ADC input 5 / comparator 2 negative input |
| Pin 11 | RC2/AN6/P1D — GPIO RC2 / ADC input 6 / PWM output P1D |
| Pin 12 | RC3/AN7/P1C — GPIO RC3 / ADC input 7 / PWM output P1C |
| Pin 13 | RC4/C2OUT/P1B — GPIO RC4 / comparator 2 output / PWM output P1B |
| Pin 14 | RC5/P1A — GPIO RC5 / PWM output P1A |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN10/SDI/SDA — GPIO RB4 / ADC input 10 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN11/SDO — GPIO RB5 / ADC input 11 / SPI data out |
Typical Applications
PIC16F616-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and Dimming Control, Battery Chargers and Power Banks, Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes, Small Appliance Motor Controllers, Remote Control and IR Communication, Automotive Body Electronics Subsystems.
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
The PIC16F616-E/ML is well-suited to LED lighting controllers because its 20 MHz 8-bit core delivers ample throughput for PWM dimming while the 10-bit ADC reads light sensors or potentiometers. The integrated Enhanced CCP module can drive PWM frequencies above 1 kHz to avoid visible flicker, and the two comparators handle zero-cross detection for TRIAC dimming or analog thermal foldback. Its nanoWatt sleep current lets battery-powered fixtures run for years on a single cell. Designers can use the internal 8 MHz oscillator to eliminate an external crystal, reducing BOM cost in residential and commercial luminaires.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Power Banks
For single-cell Li-Ion or NiMH charging applications, the PIC16F616-E/ML provides the ADC channels needed to monitor V_battery, charge current via shunt, and cell temperature via thermistor. Its 2.0V to 5.5V operating range covers the full battery voltage curve without extra regulation. The internal comparator can act as a fast over-current or over-voltage safety trip independent of the CPU loop, providing hardware protection. Sleep currents in the sub-microamp range extend shelf life, while the 16-QFN footprint suits compact USB power bank housings where board area is at a premium.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes
Industrial and IoT sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16F616-E/ML's 8-channel 10-bit ADC, two comparators for window thresholding, and 11 GPIOs for digital sensor interfaces such as I2C or SPI bit-banging. Its -40C to +125C extended temperature rating (E suffix) qualifies it for outdoor and factory environments. The nanoWatt power-down mode keeps quiescent draw below 1 uA, enabling years of life on a coin cell when combined with periodic wake-on-interrupt sensing. The 16-QFN package footprint allows PCB integration alongside MEMS pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors in 1 square-inch sensor modules.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Controllers
Small home appliances such as blenders, fans, and pumps benefit from the PIC16F616-E/ML's ECCP module for PWM motor speed control and its comparators for back-EMF or current sensing. The 20 MHz core is fast enough for closed-loop PID at 1 kHz update rates on universal or BLDC motors. Hardware timers can drive triac phase-angle control or MOSFET gate drivers without CPU overhead, and the extended -40C to +125C temperature range handles appliance thermal environments. Designers can use the internal 8 MHz oscillator to save BOM cost in entry-level products.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR Communication
The PIC16F616-E/ML is a strong fit for low-cost IR remote controls thanks to its low sleep current, hardware CCP module for accurate 38 kHz carrier generation, and small QFN package. The 10-bit ADC can read battery voltage for low-battery detection, and 11 GPIOs are sufficient for typical 8-10 button matrices with bit-scanning. The internal 8 MHz oscillator is accurate enough for RC5, NEC, and SIRC protocols without a crystal. Its flash-based firmware enables quick last-minute keymap and protocol updates during product development cycles.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Subsystems
Within automotive body electronics such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, or interior lighting, the PIC16F616-E/ML's -40C to +125C extended temperature rating (E suffix) meets cabin and underhood thermal stress. Its 11 I/O pins can drive multiple LEDs, read Hall-effect position sensors, and bit-bang LIN or UART for body modules. The 8-channel ADC monitors battery voltage and current shunts for load-dump detection. While not AEC-Q100 qualified itself, the device is widely used in non-safety body subsystems; for AEC-Q100 requirements, designers should migrate to a PIC16F1xxx automotive variant or ATSAMC20 family.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F616-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F616-I/ML | PIC16F616T-I/ML | PIC16F1613-E/ML | PIC16F610-I/ML | PIC16F1938-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4) | 16-QFN (4x4) - same | 16-QFN (4x4) - same | 16-QFN (4x4) - same | 16-QFN (4x4) - same | 16-QFN (4x4) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 5.5 KB | 1.75 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B | 64 B | 1024 B |
| EEPROM | 0 B | 0 B | 0 B | 2048 B | 0 B | 256 B |
| I/O Pins | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature range (vs PIC16F616-I/ML)
- Larger memory and EEPROM at the same footprint (vs PIC16F1613-E/ML)
- Cost-optimized lower-memory variant available (vs PIC16F610-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 16-QFN (4x4 mm) PIC16F616-E/ML exposes a center thermal pad that must be soldered to a PCB copper pour of at least 1 square cm for thermal dissipation. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the IC. For ICSP programming, ensure the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK lines on RA0/RA1 are accessible via test pads or a header without interfering with the application circuit.
Estimated: At 20 MHz from a 5.0V supply, the PIC16F616-E/ML typically draws 5-7 mA active current; in sleep mode this drops below 1 uA with the watchdog disabled. The datasheet recommends a 100 nF decoupling cap within 5 mm of VDD plus a 10-47 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. Use the internal 8 MHz oscillator for low-power sleep-wake cycles, switching to HFINT or external crystal only when active processing demands it.
Separate analog and digital grounds with a single-point star connection at the PIC's VSS pin to avoid injecting digital switching noise into ADC readings. Keep ADC traces short, surrounded by analog ground copper, and routed away from PWM outputs and the ICSP clock. The exposed thermal pad must not be used as a sole ground path; route VSS via the dedicated pin first and stitch the thermal pad with multiple vias to the internal ground plane.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating; tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up or drive it directly from the programmer. When using the internal oscillator, calibrate the OSCTUNE register against a precision reference or UART baud-rate error before relying on timing-critical peripherals. The PIC16F616 has NO data EEPROM - storing non-volatile parameters requires Flash self-write or external EEPROM.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - migrate to PIC16F1xxx or ATSAMC20 family for automotive applications. Lead-free (Pb-free) per Microchip ordering information. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified data.
