PIC16F684-I/SL - 8-bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU 14-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F684-I/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.47 | $14.70 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16F684-I/SL Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computing system on a single integrated circuit that combines a CPU, memory, and peripherals. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, and the mid-range PIC16 family adds a 14-bit instruction word that delivers higher code density than 12-bit baseline parts. The PIC16F684 sits at the low-pin-count end of this family, designed for cost-sensitive, space-constrained designs where 8 to 14 pins of I/O are sufficient.
Key features include a 13-bit program counter capable of addressing up to 8K x 14 program memory space, an integrated 8 MHz internal oscillator, and peripherals such as a 10-bit ADC with 8 channels, Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, enhanced USART, and two comparators. The nanoWatt technology delivers low-power sleep currents suitable for battery-backed and energy-harvesting designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16F684 implements the enhanced mid-range core, supporting hardware multiply, interrupt context saving, and a wider instruction set than baseline PICs. Combined with on-chip EEPROM, this provides a flexible platform for parameter storage, calibration data, and field-updatable firmware in industrial and consumer products.
Typical applications include sensor interface nodes, low-end motor control, LED driver controllers, battery chargers, small appliance controls, and general-purpose logic replacement in space-constrained PCBs. The wide voltage range also allows use in 2-cell battery and unregulated supply environments.
When designing with this device, place decoupling capacitors (0.1 uF typical) close to VDD, and verify that the ICSP/ICD pins are accessible for in-circuit programming. For power-sensitive applications, use the nanoWatt sleep modes with appropriate wake-up sources configured via the interrupt-on-change (IOC) module.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative part numbers, and practical design notes that are not collected in any single place in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F684-I/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-I/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F684-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F676-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F630-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684-I/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit (Enhanced Mid-Range, 14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL), 0.150 inch body width |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| CCP Module | 1 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication | Enhanced USART |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (calibrated, software-selectable) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash (self-programmable) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F684-I/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — RA5 I/O / Timer1 clock input / external oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — RA4 I/O / Timer1 gate / external oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — RA3 I/O / Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — RC5 digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — RC4 digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — RC3 digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — RC2 digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — RC1 digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — RC0 digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — RA2 I/O / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — RA1 I/O / analog input AN1 / comparator reference |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — RA0 I/O / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16F684-I/SL is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, LED Lighting Controller, Small Appliance Control Board, Industrial Control Signal Conditioning, Automotive Aftermarket Accessory, Consumer Remote Control / IR Transmitter.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16F684-I/SL suits low-duty-cycle battery-powered sensor nodes because its 2.0V-5.5V VDD range accepts 2-cell alkaline, NiMH, or 3V coin cells directly, and its nanoWatt sleep currents drop the MCU below 1 uA between measurements. The 10-bit 8-channel ADC and 12 I/O pins are sufficient for thermistor/battery voltage monitoring and a digital sensor interface. Compared to a switching supply + higher-power MCU, the PIC16F684's linear friendly rail simplifies the BOM and the 14-SOIC footprint fits inside a coin-cell holder cutout.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F684-I/SL works well as an LED lighting controller since its CCP module provides hardware PWM generation for dimming without CPU overhead, freeing the 20 MHz core for sequencing, color mixing, or DMX-512-like protocols via the enhanced USART. The 12 I/O pins support several LED channels plus a button or rotary input. With 3.5 KB of Flash, designers have enough code space for breathing-effect tables, fade curves, and bootloader updates.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F684-I/SL handles small appliance controls (coffee makers, blenders, fans) by reading front-panel buttons through the interrupt-on-change module, driving triac-gated loads with the CCP PWM, and timing motor runs with the 16-bit Timer1. The integrated 256-byte EEPROM is useful for storing user presets, last-set state, and service counters that survive power cycling. The 14-SOIC package is small enough to fit on a single-layer appliance PCB.
Recommended
Industrial Control Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F684-I/SL suits industrial signal conditioning where its two on-chip comparators and 10-bit ADC can digitize analog signals, while the enhanced USART outputs them as RS-232 or RS-485 frames for a master PLC. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply lets it run directly off 24V industrial rails through a series resistor plus zener clamp, simplifying the front-end. Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) covers most factory-floor enclosures without needing the E variant.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessory
Although the PIC16F684-I/SL is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is widely used in non-critical automotive aftermarket accessories such as interior LED strips, gauge displays, and alarm LEDs that operate in the cabin environment. Its 12 I/O pins can drive multiple LED channels plus a button matrix, while the ADC reads battery voltage for low-voltage cutoff logic. For under-hood applications above +85C, designers should step up to the PIC16F684-E/SL with its +125C ceiling.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control / IR Transmitter
The PIC16F684-I/SL is a good fit for IR remote controls where its low power consumption extends battery life, the CCP PWM can generate accurate 38 kHz / 56 kHz carrier frequencies, and the 3.5 KB Flash holds multiple protocol tables (RC5, NEC, SIRC). The 12 I/O pins handle a 4x4 button matrix plus a status LED. The wide supply range works directly from CR2032 coin cells without a boost converter.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F684-I/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F684-E/SL | PIC16F684-I/ML | PIC16F676-I/SL | PIC16F630-I/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same die, QFN option also exists | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 1.75 KB (-50%) | 1.75 KB (-50%) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 64 bytes (-50%) | 64 bytes (-50%) |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes (-50%) | 128 bytes (-50%) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | None |
| CCP Module | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 (ECCP variant) | None |
| Enhanced USART | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash density among 14-pin PIC16F family SOIC parts (vs PIC16F676-I/SL)
- Enhanced USART plus CCP module for PWM (vs PIC16F676-I/SL)
- 10-bit ADC with 8 channels and 2 comparators (vs PIC16F630-I/SL)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1), with the ground trace returning directly to pin 14 (VSS). For designs switching loads (LEDs, relays, triacs), add a bulk capacitor (4.7 uF to 10 uF) on VDD to absorb inrush current. The PIC16F684's nanoWatt sleep mode can drop I_DD below 1 uA, but only if all unused I/O are configured as outputs and the ADC is disabled before entering sleep.
The 14-SOIC (SL) footprint accepts a 0.150 inch body width SOIC pad pattern. Keep the ICSP/ICD pins (RA3/MCLR/VPP, RB6-equivalent, RB7-equivalent — for the 14-pin device, only RA3/MCLR/VPP and the OSC pins are used for programming) accessible or routed to an in-circuit programming header. Leave 1.5 mm clearance around the package for hand rework, and keep high-frequency traces away from the OSC1/OSC2 pins to avoid injected noise.
RA3/MCLR on pin 4 is shared between digital I/O and the Master Clear reset. If MCLR is enabled in the configuration word, driving RA3 low will reset the MCU even if the pin is configured as an output. Use the internal MCLR disable bit (MCLRE=0) if you need RA3 as a normal I/O. Also note that the PIC16F684-I/SL is rated for -40C to +85C only — for under-hood automotive applications, select the PIC16F684-E/SL extended-temperature variant.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. PIC16F684-I/SL is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs use PIC16F684-E/SL (extended temp) or an AEC-Q100 qualified alternative.