PIC16F628T-20E/SS - 8-bit Flash MCU, 20MHz, 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F628T-20E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.65 | $36.50 |
| 100 | $3.2 | $320.00 |
| 500 | $2.85 | $1,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.5 | $2,500.00 |
PIC16F628T-20E/SS Overview
What is an 8-bit flash microcontroller? An 8-bit flash microcontroller is a small, single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, on-chip flash program memory, RAM, and a rich set of peripherals. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16F628 belongs to microcontrollers (MCUs) → embedded controllers → microprocessors and controllers → semiconductors. Its RISC-based mid-range core executes most instructions in one oscillator cycle, giving roughly 200 ns instruction time at 20 MHz — a strong performance figure for an entry-level industrial MCU.
Key features of the PIC16F628T-20E/SS include an integrated 20 MHz internal/external oscillator, an analog comparator module, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, a USART for serial communication, and 11 digital I/O pins multiplexed across PORTA and PORTB. On-chip peripherals such as Power-on Reset (POR), Power-up Timer (PWRT), Oscillator Start-up Timer (OST), Brown-out Detect (BOD), and a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own dedicated RC oscillator give the device robust autonomous operation without external supervisory components.
The PIC16F628 architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with 35 single-word instructions, simplifying code generation and reducing firmware footprint. The Harvard bus separates program and data memories, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in the same cycle. The CMOS process with nanoWatt technology offers very low power consumption across sleep and active modes.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, appliance controls, automotive body electronics, sensor interfaces, low-end remote controls, and hobbyist/maker projects where a small-footprint 8-bit MCU with onboard EEPROM and a USART simplifies the bill of materials. The 20-pin SSOP package and wide 4.5–5.5 V supply range also suit battery-backed instrumentation.
When designing with this part, ensure the oscillator configuration bits (Fosc) are programmed to match the chosen clock source, since the PIC16F628 supports internal 4 MHz, internal 37 kHz, and external crystal/resonator modes. Place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of VDD and use the internal weak pull-ups on PORTB where possible to minimize external component count.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and engineering design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, providing practical decision support for sourcing and second-source qualification.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F628T-20E/SS — 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 PIC16F628T-20E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, Internal Oscillator, Core Architecture, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F628T-20/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F628T-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F628AT-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F628A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F648A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F627A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F628T-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 224 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 11 (PORTA + PORTB) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SS) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C, /E suffix) |
| On-chip Peripherals | USART, CCP, 2 comparators, WDT, POR, PWRT, OST, BOD |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F628T-20E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O RA0 or analog comparator input |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O RA1 or analog comparator input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF — Digital I/O RA2 or VREF output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O RA3 or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O RA4 or Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/OSC1/CLKIN — Digital I/O RA5 or oscillator crystal input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Digital I/O RA6 or oscillator crystal output |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O RA7 |
| Pin 9 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O RB0 or external interrupt input |
| Pin 11 | RB1/RX/DT — Digital I/O RB1 or USART RX/Data |
| Pin 12 | RB2/TX/CK — Digital I/O RB2 or USART TX/Clock |
| Pin 13 | RB3/CCP1 — Digital I/O RB3 or Capture/Compare/PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Digital I/O RB4 with interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Digital I/O RB5 with interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB6/T1OSC1/PGC — Digital I/O RB6 or Timer1 osc / ICSP clock |
| Pin 17 | RB7/T1OSC2/PGD — Digital I/O RB7 or Timer1 osc / ICSP data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F628T-20E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface, Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics, Remote Control Transmitter, Hobbyist and Maker MCU Module, Battery-Backed Sensor Logger, LED Lighting Controller.
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16F628T-20E/SS suits industrial sensor interfaces thanks to its 11 I/O pins, dual on-chip analog comparators, and 20 MHz clock for fast signal conditioning. Its 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration coefficients across power cycles, eliminating the need for an external memory IC. With extended -40C to +125C temperature grade, the device operates reliably in factory-floor enclosures. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of VDD and use the internal weak pull-ups on PORTB to read mechanical switch contacts directly. Compared to a discrete logic implementation, the integrated USART enables direct RS-232/RS-485 sensor data transmission with minimal firmware overhead.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
Home and commercial appliance control boards benefit from the PIC16F628T-20E/SS's integrated CCP module for PWM-driven motor or heater control, USART for display panel communication, and small 20-pin SSOP footprint. The 3.5 KB Flash easily fits typical state-machine firmware for washers, dishwashers, and HVAC dampers. Brown-out Detect (BOD) and Power-on Reset (POR) protect against unreliable startup during brownouts common in appliance power environments. Using the internal 4 MHz oscillator eliminates two external clock crystals, reducing BOM cost. Power dissipation at 5V/20 MHz is approximately 25 mW typical, supporting sealed designs without heatsinking.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16F628T-20E/SS extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) supports automotive body electronics applications such as interior lighting controllers, seat position memory, and door-module logic. The USART interfaces with LIN bus transceivers for sub-network communication, while the PWM module drives LED dimming or mirror position actuators. The 128-byte EEPROM retains trim settings across battery disconnects. The 20-pin SSOP package fits compact PCB modules behind trim panels. Compared to bare 8-bit logic ICs, the integrated WDT with dedicated RC oscillator prevents lockup in noisy automotive electrical environments.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
Low-cost RF/IR remote control designs use the PIC16F628T-20E/SS for keypad scanning, encoding, and PWM-driven IR carrier generation. The PIC16 mid-range core's 200 ns instruction time at 20 MHz easily generates standard RC5/RC6 or NEC IR protocols. PORTB's internal weak pull-ups interface directly with matrix keypads without external resistors. The 224-byte SRAM buffers transmit frames, while 128-byte EEPROM stores device pairing codes. Sleep current with WDT enabled is below 1 µA, enabling years of battery life from two AAA cells. The 20-pin SSOP's 5.3 mm body fits inside handheld enclosures.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Maker MCU Module
The PIC16F628T-20E/SS is widely adopted in hobbyist and education kits because it combines internal oscillator, USART, and EEPROM in a hobbyist-friendly 20-pin SSOP footprint. Programming is supported by low-cost PICkit programmers and the free MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler. The 35-instruction PIC16 instruction set is small enough to learn quickly yet powerful enough for real projects. Compared to raw AVR or 8051 designs, the integrated EEPROM and USART reduce external part count for student projects. Extended temperature grade also lets the same module work in outdoor maker installations.
Recommended
Battery-Backed Sensor Logger
Battery-backed sensor logging designs leverage the PIC16F628T-20E/SS's 128-byte EEPROM for non-volatile data buffering across battery swaps and its nanoWatt sleep modes drawing sub-µA quiescent current. The internal WDT wakes the MCU at programmable intervals for periodic sensor reads, while the 20 MHz active mode supports fast ADC reads via external SPI ADC. The 11 I/O pins multiplex SPI communication, status LEDs, and pushbutton user input. Brown-out Detect prevents EEPROM corruption at low battery. Compared to a discrete RTC + EEPROM solution, the integrated MCU reduces board area by approximately 60 percent in compact logger designs.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
LED lighting controllers use the PIC16F628T-20E/SS's CCP PWM module to drive constant-current LED strings with smooth dimming across 0–100 percent brightness. The 20 MHz clock supports high-resolution PWM at 8-bit to 10-bit duty cycle with low output jitter, eliminating visible flicker. The USART interfaces with DMX-512 or DALI bridge chips for stage and architectural lighting. Internal EEPROM stores scene presets across power cycles. The 20-pin SSOP footprint fits inside linear LED fixture housings. Compared to a 555-timer PWM approach, the integrated USART and EEPROM enable networked addressable lighting without additional MCUs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F628T-20E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F628T-20/SS | PIC16F628T-04/SS | PIC16F628AT-E/SS | PIC16F648A-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SS) | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7.2 KB |
| Data SRAM | 224 bytes | 224 bytes | 224 bytes | 224 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| USART | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- 128-byte on-chip EEPROM eliminates external memory IC (vs PIC16F627A-I/SS)
- Integrated USART enables direct serial communication (vs PIC16F627A-I/SS)
- Extended temperature grade for industrial environments (vs PIC16F628T-20/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 1–10 µF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same supply trace to suppress switching noise during CCP PWM and USART bursts. The PIC16F628T-20E/SS typically draws 8–16 mA active at 20 MHz/5 V; in sleep mode, current drops below 1 µA with WDT disabled. For battery-powered designs, disable the BOR module in configuration bits if brown-out protection is not critical to further reduce quiescent current to sub-µA levels.
Use a 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath the SSOP footprint to minimize EMI from the 20 MHz oscillator and PWM outputs. Keep trace lengths on OSC1/OSC2 (pins 6/7) under 5 mm if an external crystal is used, and route the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) directly to the ICSP header with no series resistor above 10 kΩ to ensure reliable in-circuit programming. Avoid routing digital switching signals adjacent to analog comparator inputs RA0/RA1 to prevent crosstalk into the comparator threshold.
Configuration bit Fosc must be set correctly: 'RC' mode disables the crystal driver and routes the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator to OSC2/CLKOUT. Forgetting to program the WDTEN bit leaves the watchdog disabled, risking firmware lockup in noisy environments. The PIC16F628T-20E/SS's 5 V minimum supply excludes operation from 3.3 V rails; use the PIC16LF628A variant for low-voltage designs. Never leave MCLR floating - always tie through a 10 kΩ resistor to VDD for proper reset behavior, even if external reset is unused.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. The 'E' temperature grade extends operation to +125C but is not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety-critical applications - choose PIC16F628AT-E/SS with AEC-Q100 screening for automotive designs.
