PIC16F690-E/P - 8-bit 20MHz 7KB Flash MCU, 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F690-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.39 | $2.39 |
| 10 | $2.15 | $21.50 |
| 100 | $1.92 | $192.00 |
| 500 | $1.71 | $855.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16F690-E/P Overview
What is a low-pin-count PIC16F microcontroller? It is a class of 8-bit Harvard-architecture microcontrollers from Microchip that implement the mid-range x14 instruction set, optimized for cost-sensitive embedded designs that need compact code, on-chip EEPROM, and flexible peripherals. PIC16F parts sit in the hierarchy microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC, and they are widely deployed where PIC16F687, PIC16F88, or PIC16F628A were used previously.
Key features integrate over the 20 MHz CPU clock, 14-bit instruction word, 8-level hardware stack, 25-pin equivalent I/O with 12 dedicated GPIO, 10-bit 8-channel ADC with internal voltage reference, two analog comparators, one enhanced USART (AUSART), MSSP for I²C/SPI master-slave, 10-bit PWM, and a nanoWatt power-managed sleep mode drawing less than 50 nA typical. The on-chip debug and ICSP header keeps in-system programming simple.
The architecture pairs a RISC ALU with separate code and data buses, single-cycle instruction execution except for branches, and Brown-out Reset (BOR) plus Power-on Reset (POR). Compared to earlier PIC16C/F parts the 690 adds a linear addressable EEPROM, more PWM channels, and the AUSART module, supporting more motor and sensor applications.
Typical applications include appliance control panels, sensor conditioning front-ends, small motor control loops, battery-powered metering, automotive body controllers (AEC-Q100 industrial temperature grade), and low-cost serial-bridge or signal-conditioning PCBs.
When designing with this part, ensure decoupling of VDD with 100 nF plus 10 µF bulk as close as possible to the pins, and keep the ICSP clock/data traces short to avoid coupling noise. The internal 8 MHz oscillator can free the two OSC pins for I/O in space-constrained boards.
This page combines distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance beyond what the manufacturer datasheet or distributor catalog pages provide.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F690-E/P — 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 PIC16F690-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, Communication.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F690-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F690-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F690-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB Flash (4K x 14 words) |
| CPU Architecture | PIC16 mid-range, 8-bit, 14-bit instructions |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 12 (18 max, multiplexed) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | Enhanced CCP, 10-bit resolution |
| Communication Peripherals | AUSART (USART), I2C/SPI (MSSP) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, -E suffix) |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Oscillator | Internal 8 MHz + external crystal support |
| ICSP / In-Circuit Debug | Yes |
| Brown-out Reset / Power-on Reset | Yes |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes, < 50 nA sleep typical |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole PDIP) |
PIC16F690-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/ICSPDAT/ULPWU — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator input, ICSP data, ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/VREF-/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator input, ADC negative reference, ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/C2IN+/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator 2 input, Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+ — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator input, ADC positive reference (input only) |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/C2OUT/T1G — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator 2 output, Timer1 gate |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/C1OUT/SS/HLVDIN — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, comparator 1 output, SPI slave select, high/low voltage detect input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O, oscillator output, Fosc/4 clock output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O, oscillator input, external clock input |
| Pin 9 | RC0/AN6 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input |
| Pin 10 | RC1/AN7 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input |
| Pin 11 | RC2/AN8/P1D — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, PWM output (P1D) |
| Pin 12 | RC3/AN9/P1B/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, PWM output, Enhanced CCP1 input/output |
| Pin 13 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Bidirectional I/O, SPI data in, I2C data |
| Pin 14 | RC5/SDO — Bidirectional I/O, SPI data out |
| Pin 15 | RC6/TX/CK/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O, AUSART TX, AUSART clock, analog input |
| Pin 16 | RC7/RX/DT/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O, AUSART RX, AUSART data, analog input |
| Pin 17 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input (PortB available on selected packages, exposed as AN10 on this device) |
| Pin 18 | RB5/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input |
| Pin 19 | RB6/AN12/CCP2 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input, Enhanced CCP2 |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16F690-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Panels, Battery-Powered Sensor Conditioning, Small Motor and Fan Control, Automotive Body Electronics, Serial-Bridge / Protocol Converter Modules, Educational and Maker Development Boards.
Appliance Control Panels
The PIC16F690-E/P's 7 KB Flash and 12 GPIO suit washing machine, microwave, and dishwasher front-panel controllers where capacitive touch and rotary encoder inputs are scanned while driving TRIAC optocouetry for mains loads. Its 20 MHz core and 256-byte RAM execute debouncing and state-machine code with comfortable headroom, while the AUSART interfaces to LED/buzzer indicators. The -40 to +125 C extended temp grade covers appliance-room thermals, and the nanoWatt sleep mode drops below 50 nA typical during standby, helping meet ENERGY STAR idle budgets in refrigerator and HVAC modules.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16F690-E/P suits battery-powered sensor signal-conditioning boards thanks to its 10-bit 12-channel ADC, 2 analog comparators, and nanoWatt sleep drawing under 50 nA typical. Its 2.0 to 5.5 V supply range is ideal for 3.3 V or 3.6 V Li coin-cell packs, and the MSSP drives I2C sensors (temperature, humidity, pressure) while the AUSART outputs debug telemetry. The integrated voltage reference eliminates an external reference chip, saving PCB area in compact IoT edge nodes. Sleep/wake via Watchdog Timer enables duty ratios at the part-per-million level for multi-year battery life in remote monitoring deployments.
Recommended
Small Motor and Fan Control
The PIC16F690-E/P's Enhanced CCP 10-bit PWM and 2 analog comparators make it appropriate for small brushed DC motor, fan, and pump speed control loops. The 20 MHz core executes PID updates at 1 kHz without strain, and the comparator inputs support zero-cross and back-EMF sensing for synchronous rectification. With 7 KB program memory, the firmware fits full ramp-up, soft-start, and stall detection state machines, while the AUSART exposes telemetry to a host MCU. The -E suffix temp grade tolerates underhood or compressor-mounted thermals in HVAC blowers and water pumps.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16F690-E/P's extended -40 to +125 C range and 12 GPIO can serve interior body modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, mirror heaters, and ambient lighting where AEC-Q100 is not strictly required. Its AUSART drives LIN transceivers and the MSSP handles small SPI/IO expanders for keypads. The 10-bit ADC reads mirror-position potentiometers and seat-occupancy sensors with adequate resolution, while the Enhanced PWM drives LED current sinks. Brown-out and Watchdog timers maintain safe operation through cranking transients up to 5.5 V nominal rail.
Recommended
Serial-Bridge / Protocol Converter Modules
The PIC16F690-E/P's combined AUSART and MSSP make it ideal for compact UART-to-I2C, UART-to-SPI, RS-232-to-TTL, or USB-to-UART bridge modules used in industrial sensor aggregation. The 7 KB Flash holds command parsers for AT-style or Modbus RTU framing, while 256 bytes RAM buffers short telemetry packets. The 12 GPIO expose flow-control RTS/CTS lines and strap inputs for baud/configuration, simplifying mass production. With ICSP debugging on RA0/RA1, firmware updates ship directly to installed bridges without removing them from the field.
Recommended
Educational and Maker Development Boards
The PIC16F690-E/P in 20-pin PDIP is widely used in university curricula, hobbyist development boards, and Microchip's own PICkit 3/ICD-compatible trainers because of its easy breadboard insertion and full peripheral set. Its 7 KB Flash accommodates introductory to advanced projects covering ADC, PWM, I2C, SPI, and UART, while the ICSP header on RA0/RA1 enables single-step debugging without an expensive emulator. Through-hole PDIP pads accept both 20-pin machined-pin sockets and standard soldered headers, ideal for student labs and prototyping cycles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F690-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F690-I/P | PIC16F690-E/SS | PIC16F690-I/SS | PIC16F690-E/SO | PIC16F690T-I/SS | PIC16F690T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP | 20-pin PDIP | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SOIC | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin QFN |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (PDIP) | Through-Hole (PDIP) | Surface-Mount (SSOP) | Surface-Mount (SSOP) | Surface-Mount (SOIC) | Surface-Mount (SSOP) | Surface-Mount (QFN) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 to +125 C temperature grade (vs PIC16F690-I/P)
- Through-hole PDIP package for prototyping (vs PIC16F690-E/SS)
- Same die and firmware across temperature/package variants (vs PIC16F690T-I/ML)
Design Notes
Decouple the PIC16F690-E/P VDD pin 20 with a 100 nF ceramic plus a 10 uF bulk tantalum/ceramic placed within 5 mm of the package. The -E suffix part draws less than 50 nA typical in sleep mode but peak currents during ADC conversion or PWM transitions can reach 5-8 mA, so the bulk capacitor prevents VDD sag. Estimated: a 100 nF X7R at 5 V provides roughly 8 ohms of impedance at 10 MHz, sufficient for transient suppression.
Keep the ICSP clock and data traces (RA0/ICSPDAT and RA1/ICSPCLK) short, ideally under 50 mm, and avoid routing them adjacent to high-current PWM traces on RC2/P1D or the AUSART lines on RC6/RC7. Place the 20 MHz crystal or resonator close to OSC1/OSC2 (pins 7 and 6 in the alt pinout) and guard it with a ground ring to reduce noise injection into the ADC. Trace widths of 0.25 mm minimum are sufficient for signal lines, while VDD traces should be 0.5 mm or wider.
Do not enable analog channels on pins configured as digital outputs, or the input buffer contention can draw excess current. Always clear the corresponding ANSEL bit before using a pin as GPIO. Watch the MCLR pin behavior: if MCLR is enabled (default), the pin must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD, otherwise the part will be held in reset. When using the internal 8 MHz oscillator, disconnect or ground the external crystal pins to prevent parasitic oscillation.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; -E temperature grade supports -40 to +125 C but is not automotive-qualified. Lead-free matte-tin plating on PDIP leads. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance declarations.
