PIC16F688-E/ML - 14-Pin 8-bit Flash MCU 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F688-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.68 | $16.80 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16F688-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile working memory (RAM), non-volatile data memory (EEPROM), and a set of on-chip peripherals. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC-based Harvard architecture with only 35 single-word instructions, giving deterministic timing and easy assembly programming. The mid-range PIC16 line sits between the baseline PIC10/12/16 families and the enhanced PIC18 family, balancing cost, peripheral count, and code density.
Key features of the PIC16F688-E/ML include 12 I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (EUSART), and an on-chip voltage reference. The device also integrates nanoWatt power management, supporting multiple low-power sleep modes with wake-up on interrupt, which is critical for battery-powered and energy-harvesting products.
The part is offered in industrial (-40C to +85C) and extended (-40C to +125C) temperature grades - the -E/ML suffix denotes the extended temperature range. The QFN-16 style 4x4 mm ML package provides a small PCB footprint for space-constrained designs. A Microchip newer-device notification indicates the PIC16F18325 is a recommended migration path for new designs.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, sensor signal conditioning, low-cost motor control, battery chargers, LED lighting controllers, and remote sensor nodes. The wide voltage range and integrated ADC and USART peripherals reduce external component count and BOM cost. When designing with this part, allocate the GP3 pin carefully because it functions as both an input-only pin and the MCLR reset, depending on configuration bit settings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F688-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 PIC16F688-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, I/O Pins, Timers, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F688-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F684-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F677-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.73 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F687-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F685-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18325-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F688-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| SRAM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit + 1x 16-bit |
| Communication Peripherals | Enhanced USART (EUSART) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended, -E suffix) |
| Package | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt Technology (multiple sleep modes) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Lead-Free) |
PIC16F688-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/CIN+/ICSPDAT/ULPWU — Bidirectional I/O RA0, analog channel 0, comparator input+, ICSP data, ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/CIN-/VREF/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O RA1, analog channel 1, comparator input-, ADC voltage reference, ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/CVREF — Bidirectional I/O RA2, analog channel 2, TMR0 clock input, external interrupt, comparator VREF output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Input-only RA3 / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O RA4, analog channel 3, TMR1 gate, oscillator output, clock out |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O RA5, analog channel 4, TMR1 clock input, oscillator input, external clock in |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RC0/AN5/C2OUT — Bidirectional I/O RC0, analog channel 5, comparator 2 output |
| Pin 9 | RC1/AN6/C1OUT — Bidirectional I/O RC1, analog channel 6, comparator 1 output |
| Pin 10 | RC2/AN7 — Bidirectional I/O RC2, analog channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | RC3/AN8 — Bidirectional I/O RC3, analog channel 8 |
| Pin 12 | RC4/CK/TX — Bidirectional I/O RC4, USART clock, USART TX |
| Pin 13 | RC5/DT/RX — Bidirectional I/O RC5, USART data, USART RX |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - solder to ground plane for thermal performance |
Typical Applications
PIC16F688-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Sensor Signal Conditioning Node, Battery-Powered LED Lighting Controller, Low-Cost DC Motor Speed Controller, Remote Sensor IoT Edge Node, Battery Charger State-Machine Controller.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16F688-E/ML's 7 KB Flash and 12 I/O pins give enough headroom for full appliance control loops in compact form factors. The 2.0V to 5.5V supply range lets it run directly from rectified mains step-down or a 3.3V regulator, while the integrated 10-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors and current-sense shunts without an external analog front end. nanoWatt sleep modes below 1 microamp extend battery life in cordless or backup-powered products.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Node
The PIC16F688-E/ML's 10-bit ADC with 8 input channels, on-chip EEPROM for calibration, and EUSART for digital output make it a natural fit for analog sensor-conditioning nodes. One MCU can digitize up to 8 analog sensors, apply linearization coefficients stored in EEPROM, and stream the conditioned result over UART or RS-485 to a host controller. The QFN 4x4 mm package suits dense sensor-array PCB layouts where board area is at a premium.
Recommended
Battery-Powered LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F688-E/ML drives PWM LED dimming through TMR2 and CCPCON-based PWM outputs while consuming under 1 microamp in sleep mode for battery lifetime. The 2.0V minimum supply lets it run from a single Li-ion cell or two alkaline cells directly, eliminating the need for an LDO. The 16-bit TMR1 captures ambient-light sensor pulses for closed-loop brightness control in smart-lighting and garden-lighting applications.
Recommended
Low-Cost DC Motor Speed Controller
The PIC16F688-E/ML's 16-bit TMR1 measures motor tachometer pulses while the PWM module drives MOSFET gate signals for closed-loop RPM regulation. The 12 I/O pins accommodate direction-control relays, brake inputs, fault outputs, and encoder feedback without external glue logic. Operating across -40C to +125C, the -E/ML grade supports under-hood automotive and outdoor industrial motor-control applications where temperature swings exceed the industrial grade.
Recommended
Remote Sensor IoT Edge Node
The PIC16F688-E/ML combined with a low-power RF transceiver such as the MRF89XA forms a complete wireless sensor node drawing microamps in standby. The MCU's EUSART talks directly to the RF module's UART interface, while the ADC reads environmental sensors and the EEPROM stores node ID and calibration data. nanoWatt sleep plus watchdog wake-up enables multi-year battery life on a single coin cell for agricultural, utility-metering, and asset-tracking deployments.
Recommended
Battery Charger State-Machine Controller
The PIC16F688-E/ML implements CC/CV charge profiles using the on-chip 10-bit ADC to monitor battery voltage and current-sense amplifiers, with output drive through GPIO to MOSFET gate drivers. The 256-byte EEPROM stores charging profile parameters that survive power cycles, while the ICSP interface enables in-field firmware updates. The wide 2.0V-5.5V supply range supports 1S Li-ion, lead-acid, and Ni-MH chemistries with a single design.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F688-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F688-I/ML | PIC16F684-E/ML | PIC16F677-E/ML | PIC16F687-E/ML | PIC16F685-E/ML | PIC16F18325 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) - same | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) - same | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) - same | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) - same | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin (ML) - same | QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin - same family |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 7 KB | 8 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended, -E) | -40C to +85C (industrial, -I) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +125C (extended) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 7 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty-1) | $1.85 | $1.80 | $1.55 | $1.65 | $1.75 | $1.90 | $1.30 |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in its 14-pin ML package class (vs PIC16F684-E/ML)
- More I/O pins than smaller mid-range siblings (vs PIC16F684-E/ML)
- Extended temperature grade for harsh environments (vs PIC16F688-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: for the QFN 4x4 mm 16-pin package, the central exposed pad (EP) MUST be soldered to a PCB ground pour of at least 0.5 square inches to meet the datasheet thermal resistance specification of theta_JA approximately 39 C/W. Without EP soldering, junction temperature rises ~20% higher under the same load, potentially derating reliability. Use micro-vias in a 3x3 array under the EP to maximize thermal conduction to inner ground planes.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) using a wide, short trace to the VSS plane. For designs with high dI/dt digital outputs, add a bulk 4.7 uF tantalum or ceramic on the same supply rail within 5 mm of the part. The PIC16F688-E/ML's nanoWatt sleep mode draws less than 50 nA typical but rises sharply if decoupling is poor, causing spurious wake-ups.
GP3 (pin 4) is input-only and multiplexed with MCLR - this is the most common PIC16F688-E/ML design mistake. When MCLRE=0 (GP3 used as digital input), do not pull MCLR externally; configure the internal weak pull-up via the WPUEN/WPUA registers. When MCLRE=1, GP3 becomes MCLR and a low holds the part in reset. There is no firmware workaround - the configuration bit is set at programming time.
For EUSART operation above 57600 baud, place the series resistor on TX/CK (pin 12) close to the MCU and route the trace over a continuous ground plane to avoid reflections. Crystal mode (HS, XT, LP) requires the load capacitors specified in the oscillator section of the datasheet - typically 15-33 pF for an HS 20 MHz crystal. Keep the crystal traces short and surround them with ground pour to minimize radiated EMI from the fundamental and harmonics.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not formally qualified - though extended -40C to +125C temperature grade makes it suitable for many automotive underhood uses, true AEC-Q100 customers should request formal documentation from Microchip. Halogen-free matte-tin leadframe plating.
