PIC16F648AT-E/ML - 8-bit 20MHz 7KB Flash MCU 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F648AT-E/ML β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.58 | $4.58 |
| 10 | $4.12 | $41.20 |
| 100 | $3.66 | $366.00 |
| 500 | $3.29 | $1,645.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.93 | $2,930.00 |
| 2,600 | $2.66 | $6,916.00 |
PIC16F648AT-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computing system on a single chip combining a CPU, memory, and I/O peripherals. It belongs to the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The PIC16F family specifically uses a RISC instruction set with only 35 single-word instructions, providing 200ns instruction execution at 20MHz and 8-level deep hardware stack for fast context switching in real-time control loops.
Key features of the PIC16F648AT-E/ML include 16 I/O pins with individually configurable pull-ups, 2x8-bit timer/counters, 1x16-bit timer/counter, PWM output, ICSP in-circuit serial programming, and an extended (-40C to +125C) operating temperature range. The 28-QFN package with exposed thermal pad provides 31.6 C/W thermal resistance, enabling compact PCB designs in space-constrained industrial and consumer products.
Architecturally, the PIC16F648AT-E/ML uses a Harvard RISC core with separate program and data buses, providing deterministic instruction timing critical for real-time control. The nanoWatt power-management block offers multiple low-power modes (sleep, watchdog timer, internal oscillator) that reduce quiescent current to sub-microamp levels, making the part suitable for battery-powered applications. A 4-wire ICSP interface allows field reprogrammability, and the 1,000,000 erase/write cycle endurance on Flash supports firmware updates in deployed products.
Typical applications include industrial control, automotive body electronics (non-safety), home appliances, remote sensors, lighting controllers, motor control, and low-power wireless sensor nodes. The combination of nanoWatt sleep currents and fast wake-up time makes it well-suited for battery- or energy-harvesting powered designs where quiescent power dominates the energy budget.
When designing with the PIC16F648AT-E/ML, ensure the exposed thermal pad is soldered to the PCB ground plane for proper thermal dissipation. Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the supply pin, and add a 10uF bulk capacitor for motor or relay loads. Use MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler for firmware development; ICD debugger headers are required for in-circuit debugging.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative cross-references, and practical design notes that extend the manufacturer datasheet with engineering guidance for sourcing and PCB integration.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F648AT-E/ML β 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 PIC16F648AT-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Analog Comparators, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Instruction Set Width.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F648A-I/ML
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.6 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F648A-E/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F628AT-E/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F628A-I/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88-I/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F648AT-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| Clock Speed (Max) | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit + 1x 16-bit |
| PWM Channels | Yes (CCP module) |
| Communication | USART (SCI) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16F648AT-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β Bidirectional I/O / Analog channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI β Bidirectional I/O / Analog channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/MCLR/VPP β Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear (Reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β Bidirectional I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1/RX/DT β Bidirectional I/O / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 8 | RB2/TX/CK β Bidirectional I/O / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 9 | RB3/CCP1 β Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB4/PGM β Bidirectional I/O / Low-voltage ICSP programming |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6/PGC β Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7/PGD β Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT β Bidirectional I/O / Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 16 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN β Bidirectional I/O / Oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog channel 1 |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O (alternate package pin) |
| Pin 22 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O (alternate package pin) |
| Pin 23 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O (alternate package pin) |
| Pin 24 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O (alternate package pin) |
| Pin 25 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 26 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 27 | RC2/CCP1 β Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 28 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16F648AT-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Control, Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Home Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control and HMI Panels.
Industrial Process Control
The PIC16F648AT-E/ML fits industrial process control because its -40C to +125C extended temperature range tolerates factory-floor heat, while its 16 I/O pins and 10-bit ADC interface directly with 4-20mA current-loop sensors, thermocouples via the analog comparators, and PWM-driven actuators. The 7KB Flash accommodates PID control loops and Modbus RTU firmware, and the USART module connects to RS-485 transceivers for SCADA networking. With 200ns instruction execution at 20MHz the part runs a 1kHz control loop with 50% CPU headroom for housekeeping tasks. Compared to a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 alternative, this PIC delivers deterministic interrupt latency at a fraction of the unit cost.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC16F648AT-E/ML is well-suited for battery-powered sensor nodes because its nanoWatt technology reduces sleep current to sub-microamp levels while the 200ns wake-up time enables duty-cycled operation that maximizes battery life. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants without draining the primary cell, and the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor or battery voltage with adequate resolution for environmental monitoring. For a 2xAA-powered design reporting every 60 seconds, expected battery life exceeds 3 years. The 16-QFN package enables coin-cell form factors in wearable health or asset-tracking products where the PIC's small footprint and low sleep power provide distinct advantages over 32-bit alternatives.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
In home appliances such as washing machines, microwave ovens, and coffee makers, the PIC16F648AT-E/ML provides 7KB of Flash for state-machine firmware, 16 I/O pins for keypad, LED indicators, and relay drivers, plus PWM outputs for variable-speed motor control on fans or pumps. The USART interfaces with LED display modules or Wi-Fi/BLE modules for smart-appliance variants. Cost-optimized designs leverage the 28-QFN's 6x6mm footprint to fit control boards in space-constrained product enclosures. Production volumes benefit from Microchip's mature supply chain and the PIC16F family's decades-long design-win track record in white goods.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive body applications such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, or seat-position memory modules, the PIC16F648AT-E/ML's -40C to +125C extended temperature handles under-dash thermal stress. The PWM outputs drive LED arrays with software-controlled fade curves, while the analog comparators monitor current sensing for short-circuit protection on seat motors. Designers targeting AEC-Q100 must select a Q-graded alternate because the PIC16F648A family is not AEC-Q100 qualified; the automotive grade PIC16F648A-I/ML or PIC16F88-I/ML serves as drop-in alternates in body-electronics modules.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F648AT-E/ML drives commercial and architectural LED fixtures using its PWM module to generate 8-bit or 10-bit dimming waveforms on multiple channels simultaneously. The 20MHz core computes color-mixing algorithms for RGBW fixtures at refresh rates above 100Hz, eliminating visible flicker. The USART connects to DMX-512 or DALI transceivers via external driver ICs, while the 7KB Flash stores custom dimming curves and DMX personality profiles. Total BOM cost stays low because the PIC replaces more expensive dedicated LED driver ICs in non-isolated, low-wattage fixtures such as under-cabinet strips or signage.
Recommended
Remote Control and HMI Panels
The PIC16F648AT-E/ML fits infrared remote controls and small human-machine interface panels because its 16 I/O pins scan 4x4 keypads with minimal external components, while the USART interfaces with RF or IR transmitter modules. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user preferences such as channel presets or thermostat setpoints across power cycles. The 28-QFN package enables credit-card-sized remote designs. Battery life exceeds 1 year on a single CR2032 coin cell thanks to nanoWatt sleep currents below 1uA, with 200ns wake-up enabling instantaneous button-press response.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F648AT-E/ML β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F648A-I/ML | PIC16F648A-E/ML | PIC16F628AT-E/ML | PIC16F628A-I/ML | PIC16F88-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB (-50%) | 3.5 KB (-50%) | 7 KB |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 224 bytes (-12%) | 224 bytes (-12%) | 368 bytes (+44%) |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes (-50%) | 128 bytes (-50%) | 128 bytes (-50%) |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider) |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | no ADC | no ADC | 10-bit, 7 channels |
Key Differentiators
- Same QFN-28 footprint with extended temperature grade (vs PIC16F648A-I/ML)
- Larger Flash and EEPROM versus the PIC16F628A family (vs PIC16F628AT-E/ML)
- On-chip ADC reduces BOM cost (vs PIC16F628AT-E/ML)
- nanoWatt sleep current for battery applications (vs PIC16F88-I/ML)
Design Notes
Solder the exposed thermal pad of the 28-QFN package directly to a PCB ground copper pour using an array of thermal vias (5-9 vias, 0.3mm drill, 0.6mm pitch) connecting to an internal ground plane. The exposed pad provides both thermal dissipation (theta_JA ~31.6 C/W) and a low-impedance ground reference for the analog comparators. Do not route signal traces under the QFN footprint pad to prevent solder joint stress during thermal cycling. Per IPC-7351 guidelines, the land pattern should use NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads for improved solder joint reliability on 0.5mm-pitch QFN packages.
Place a 100nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the VDD pin (pin 14 and pin 20) connected directly to the adjacent VSS pin with short, wide traces. Add a 10uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the main VDD rail for switching-load transients. The PIC16F648AT-E/ML has two VDD pins (14 and 20) and two VSS pins (5 and 19); both pairs must be decoupled for proper operation. For battery-powered designs using nanoWatt sleep modes, ensure no leakage paths exist on the MCLR pull-up resistor (>100kOhm recommended).
The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) requires careful handling. In normal operation connect MCLR to VDD through a 10kOhm pull-up resistor; do not leave MCLR floating as noise injection can cause unintended resets. For ICSP programming, the MCLR pin must reach 13V nominal; design the ICSP header with adequate isolation to prevent programming voltage from reaching the rest of the circuit. When using the internal oscillator, the OSCTUNE register allows +/-12% frequency adjustment for UART baud-rate compensation; calibration is required across temperature to maintain baud-rate accuracy within +/-2%.
When using the analog comparators or ADC, separate analog and digital ground planes with a single-point connection at the VSS pin closest to the analog reference. Use guard rings around analog input pins (RA0-RA3) to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into the analog measurement. The 10-bit ADC requires a stable VREF; connect the ADC reference to a low-impedance source or use the internal 0.6V bandgap reference with proper bypassing. Acquisition time is 19.72us minimum for 10-bit conversion at 20MHz; do not switch the ADC mux immediately after the acquisition start.
Route the ICSP signals (PGC pin 12, PGD pin 13, MCLR pin 4) to a 6-pin header (RJ11-style or 0.1-inch header) with no series components in the signal path. Series resistors or capacitors on ICSP lines prevent in-circuit debugging and programming failures. Keep the ICSP traces short (<50mm) and route away from switching noise sources such as PWM outputs. For production programming, design the ICSP connector footprint to allow pogo-pin bed-of-nails access. Ensure VPP (13V) can be applied to MCLR without damaging adjacent circuitry; use a steering diode or level shifter if the MCLR pin is shared with a user pushbutton.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select AEC-Q100 grades or Q-suffix parts for automotive safety applications. Lead-free and halogen-free packaging per Microchip environmental compliance disclosures.
