PIC16F684-E/SL - 8-bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU 14-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F684-E/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.52 | $2.52 |
| 10 | $2.27 | $22.70 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.41 | $1,410.00 |
PIC16F684-E/SL Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals. The PIC16F684 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller hierarchy: PIC16F family -> PIC16 mid-range x14 architecture -> Microchip 8-bit PIC MCUs -> microcontroller -> embedded computing -> semiconductor IC. It uses Microchip's well-recognized mid-range 14-bit instruction word architecture, providing a balance of code density, deterministic timing, and ease of programming.
Key features include 12 I/O pins, an internal 8 MHz oscillator with 4 selectable frequency options (31 kHz to 8 MHz), 4 analog 10-bit ADC channels, 1 capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), and nanoWatt power management with multiple sleep modes that draw as little as 50 nA. The device also integrates a watchdog timer, brown-out detect reset, and an internal temperature indicator.
Typical applications include low-power battery-operated sensor nodes, LED lighting controls, automotive AEC-Q100 systems (with the -E extended temperature range of -40C to +125C), small appliances, smoke detectors, and remote controls. The wide 2.0-5.5V range and nanoWatt sleep modes make it especially suitable for energy-harvesting and IoT edge devices.
When designing with the PIC16F684-E/SL, ensure the ICSP programming pins (RB6/RA4) are accessible in your PCB layout. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor close to VDD, and consider using the internal oscillator to save BOM cost if timing tolerance permits. The ADC reference voltage selection (VDD or VREF+) should match your signal conditioning range to maximize conversion resolution.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F684-E/SL — 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 PIC16F684-E/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F684-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F688-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F677-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684-E/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 12 |
| ADC | 4 x 10-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz, 4 selectable frequencies |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT, EUSART, CCP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| AEC-Q100 | Qualified |
PIC16F684-E/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA5/T1CKI/OSC1 — I/O pin / Timer1 clock input / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI/CLKOUT/OSC2 — I/O pin / Timer0 clock input / Clockout / Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — I/O pin / Master Clear (Reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — I/O pin |
| Pin 7 | RC3/AN7 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 7 |
| Pin 8 | RC2/AN6 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 9 | RC1/AN5 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 10 | RC0/AN4 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 11 | RA2/AN2 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 12 | RA1/AN1 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 13 | RA0/AN0 — I/O pin / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16F684-E/SL is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Automotive Body Electronics, LED Lighting Control, Small Appliance Control, Remote Control Transmitter, Industrial Sensor Interface, Smoke and Gas Detector.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16F684-E/SL suits battery sensor nodes because its 2.0-5.5V VDD range and nanoWatt sleep mode drawing as little as 50 nA enable multi-year coin-cell operation. Its 4-channel 10-bit ADC handles temperature, light, and battery voltage sensing without external signal conditioning. The internal 8 MHz oscillator eliminates the external crystal, saving BOM cost and PCB area. Combined with the 256-byte EEPROM for calibration data logging and 3.5KB Flash for application code, this part fits wireless sensor transmitters, HVAC transmitters, and remote monitoring nodes that wake briefly, take a measurement, transmit, and return to sleep.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16F684-E/SL is AEC-Q100 qualified with -40C to +125C operation, making it suitable for under-hood and cabin automotive body modules. The 12 I/O pins drive LED arrays, sense switch positions, and control small relays or PWM-driven actuators through its CCP module. The integrated brown-out detect and watchdog timer provide the fault resilience required in harsh automotive electrical environments. Typical uses include interior lighting controllers, seat position sensors, door lock modules, and HVAC flap motors where deterministic 8-bit performance and long-term Microchip supply reliability matter.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control
The PIC16F684-E/SL handles LED lighting with its CCP/PWM module generating dimming signals up to 20 MHz instruction rate, while its EUSART supports DMX-512 or proprietary lighting protocols. The 4 ADC channels read ambient light sensors and potentiometers for closed-loop brightness control. With 12 I/O available, multiple LED strings can be driven through external MOSFETs with PWM dimming at varying duty cycles. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range suits outdoor architectural lighting, signage, and stage-lighting fixtures where thermal headroom matters.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
The PIC16F684-E/SL powers small appliance control boards including coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and rice cookers. Its CCP/PWM drives triacs or relay coils for heater elements, while the ADC reads temperature from thermistors or thermocouples for closed-loop cooking profiles. The 128-byte RAM accommodates user-interface state machines with rotary encoder inputs and seven-segment LED multiplexing. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply allows direct connection to rectified 5V or 3.3V rails without additional regulation, lowering BOM cost.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16F684-E/SL fits handheld remote controls thanks to its nanoWatt sleep current under 50 nA and wide 2.0-5.5V operation that accepts 2xAA cells down to 2.0V. Its 12 I/O scans keypads or capacitive touch pads while the internal oscillator drives IR or RF transmitter outputs via PWM. With 3.5KB Flash, button debouncing, sleep wakeup logic, and protocol stacks fit comfortably. The 256-byte EEPROM stores paired-device IDs and user preferences that survive battery replacement, ensuring a smooth user experience across the product lifetime.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16F684-E/SL serves industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters, providing the 2.0-5.5V operation required for compliance with industrial supply rails. The 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor signals with adequate resolution for process monitoring, while the EUSART outputs digital readings to PLCs or HMI panels. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range supports outdoor or factory-floor installations. The internal oscillator and EEPROM calibration storage simplify the analog front-end, enabling compact DIN-rail mounted transmitter designs at competitive cost.
Recommended
Smoke and Gas Detector
The PIC16F684-E/SL drives smoke and gas detector designs because its nanoWatt sleep current extends battery life beyond 10 years while the 4-channel ADC reads photoelectric smoke chamber signals and electrochemical gas sensors. The CCP/PWM drives the alarm piezo buzzer with modulated tones for distinct alert patterns. The integrated watchdog timer and brown-out reset satisfy the fault-detection requirements of safety-critical detectors. The 256-byte EEPROM stores sensor baseline and last-test timestamps for self-diagnostic reporting.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F684-E/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F684-I/SL | PIC16F684T-I/SL | PIC16F684-E/P | PIC16F688-E/SL | PIC16F677-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-PDIP - through-hole | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
| ADC Channels | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 8 x 10-bit | 8 x 10-bit |
| Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 18 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range with AEC-Q100 qualification (vs PIC16F684-I/SL)
- 3.5KB Flash with nanoWatt sleep down to 50 nA (vs PIC16F677-I/SO)
- Surface-mount 14-SOIC package for compact designs (vs PIC16F684-E/P)
Design Notes
PIC16F684-E/SL operates from 2.0V to 5.5V with nanoWatt sleep modes drawing as low as 50 nA. For battery designs using 2xAA cells, brown-out reset should be configured at approximately 1.8V to prevent code corruption during cell end-of-life. Decouple VDD with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the VDD pin, and add a 10uF bulk capacitor if the supply has high source impedance.
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1). Route the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) to a programming header with a 10k pull-up to VDD and series resistor to allow ICSP programming. If using an external crystal, keep traces to OSC1/OSC2 short and surround them with a ground guard ring to reduce EMI susceptibility. The exposed thermal pad on the SOIC package is internally connected to VSS.
Configuration bits (FOSC, WDTE, PWRTE, MCLRE, etc.) MUST be set correctly before code will execute. The default unprogrammed state enables the internal RC oscillator and disables some features. Watchdog timer must be either disabled in software or serviced regularly to avoid unintended resets. When using ADC, allow adequate acquisition time (typically 20us with high-impedance sources) before starting conversion to avoid inaccurate readings.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per Microchip product page. RoHS compliant lead-free SOIC package. PIC16F684 family is automotive-grade with -40C to +125C support.
