PIC16HV616-E/P - 8-Bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16HV616-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.2 | $22.00 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.45 | $1,450.00 |
PIC16HV616-E/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory (Flash/RAM/EEPROM), and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16HV616 belongs to Microchip's PIC16 mid-range family, positioned in the taxonomy: PIC16HV616 -> PIC16F616 (low-voltage cousin) -> PIC16F family -> 8-bit PIC -> PIC microcontroller -> MCU -> embedded processor. The HV prefix denotes the integrated shunt voltage regulator that lets the device operate directly from higher-voltage buses.
Key features include 12 I/O pins, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, two comparators, enhanced PWM module, and an internal 8MHz oscillator. The integrated HV shunt regulator eliminates the need for an external 5V LDO when powered from 12V or higher rails - a significant BOM cost and board-space saver in cost-sensitive designs. The device also includes nanoWatt power management for low-power sleep modes down to sub-microamp currents.
Architecturally, the PIC16HV616 uses a Harvard RISC core with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and operand access in a single cycle (except for branches). The high-voltage shunt regulator is implemented as a parallel (shunt) element rather than a series LDO, providing robust overvoltage tolerance at the cost of continuous quiescent dissipation. This topology suits battery charging, LED string driving, and other applications where a series regulator is impractical.
Typical applications include 12V LED lighting controllers, battery management, capacitive-touch user interfaces, motor control loops, and low-cost consumer appliances. The wide input voltage tolerance and small footprint make it ideal for distributed nodes in industrial sensor networks. When designing with this device, verify the shunt regulator's power dissipation budget (VIN - 5V) * I_LOAD + I_QUIESCENT, since the shunt element must sink the worst-case excess current while keeping the regulated rail within tolerance.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16HV616-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 PIC16HV616-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Internal Oscillator, Timers, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16HV616-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16HV616T-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16HV616-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F616-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16HV540-20I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16HV616-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (device); 3.5 V to 15 V with HV shunt regulator |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | Enhanced PWM, 10-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (calibrated) |
| Package | 14-pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E = Enhanced) |
| Integrated Voltage Regulator | HV shunt regulator (parallel) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
PIC16HV616-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA5/T1CKI/AN4/C1OUT — GPIO/ Timer1 clock input/ ADC input/ Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN3/T1G/HV_IN — GPIO/ ADC input/ Timer1 gate/ HV shunt regulator input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO/ Master Clear (reset) input/ Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5/CCP1/P1A — GPIO/ Capture Compare PWM output/ PWM output A |
| Pin 6 | RC4/C2OUT/P1B — GPIO/ Comparator 2 output/ PWM output B |
| Pin 7 | RC3/AN7/C12IN3-/P1C — GPIO/ ADC input/ Comparator input/ PWM output C |
| Pin 8 | RC6/AN8/C12IN4-/P1D — GPIO/ ADC input/ Comparator input/ PWM output D |
| Pin 9 | RC7/AN9/SDO — GPIO/ ADC input/ SPI data out |
| Pin 10 | RB7/ICSPDAT/AN10 — GPIO/ ICSP data/ ADC input |
| Pin 11 | RB6/ICSPCLK/AN11 — GPIO/ ICSP clock/ ADC input |
| Pin 12 | RB5/AN13 — GPIO/ ADC input |
| Pin 13 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 14 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0+/ICSPDAT — GPIO/ ADC input/ Comparator input/ ICSP data (alt) |
Typical Applications
PIC16HV616-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: 12V LED Lighting Controller, Battery Management and Charging, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Sensor Signal Conditioning Node, Small Motor Control (Brushed DC), Industrial Sensor Conditioning and HVAC.
12V LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16HV616-E/P is purpose-built for 12V LED lighting because its integrated HV shunt regulator accepts 3.5V-15V input without an external LDO, directly powering the MCU from the LED string supply rail. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads photodiode ambient light sensors for daylight harvesting, while the enhanced PWM module drives MOSFETs at up to 20MHz for smooth dimming. With 3.5 KB Flash and 128-byte RAM, the MCU fits WS2812-style protocol translators or DMX512 receivers. The 12 I/O pins connect to multiple LED channels, push-buttons, and IR receivers. Unlike a discrete LDO solution, the shunt regulator sinks excess voltage (VIN-5V) * I_LOAD, simplifying BOM and PCB area.
Recommended
Battery Management and Charging
The PIC16HV616-E/P fits battery management controllers because the integrated HV shunt regulator handles up to 15V inputs typical of lead-acid chargers and 3-cell Li-ion packs. Its 10-bit ADC monitors cell voltage and current with 4.88mV resolution at 5V reference, while two on-chip comparators detect overvoltage and overcurrent events in hardware for fast protection. The 3.5 KB Flash stores charge profiles (CC/CV curves) and the 128-byte EEPROM retains calibration data and cycle counts across battery replacement. NanoWatt technology drops quiescent current below 1 uA in sleep, preserving battery life when the system is idle.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16HV616-E/P enables low-cost capacitive touch interfaces using its mTouch peripheral (Capacitive Voltage Divider or CVD module), which measures capacitance changes on input pins through on-chip analog components - eliminating external touch ICs. With 12 I/O pins and 8 ADC channels, designers can implement up to 8 touch buttons plus slider/wheel functionality. The 3.5 KB Flash fits touch firmware including debounce, gesture recognition, and LED feedback control. Operating from 2.0V-5.5V, the MCU suits battery-powered remote controls and white-goods HMI panels where the integrated HV shunt regulator simplifies power topology when sourced from 12V.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Node
The PIC16HV616-E/P serves as an analog-front-end node in distributed sensor networks, reading thermocouples, RTDs, or 4-20mA loops through its 10-bit ADC and two comparators. The 8MHz internal oscillator reduces BOM by removing external crystals, and nanoWatt sleep modes drop to <1 uA between conversions, enabling multi-year battery life on periodically-sampled remote sensors. The 128-byte RAM buffers sampled data before UART/I2C transmission to a master. With 3.5 KB Flash, the MCU executes linearization, calibration, and basic filtering algorithms. Industrial 4-20mA loops benefit from the HV regulator that accepts 24V loop supply without external regulation.
Recommended
Small Motor Control (Brushed DC)
The PIC16HV616-E/P drives small brushed DC motors in appliances, toys, and locks through its enhanced PWM module and dual comparators for back-EMF sensing. The 20MHz CPU executes PI control loops with sub-microsecond latency, while the 10-bit ADC reads current sense amplifiers for torque limiting. Operating from 12V via the HV shunt regulator, the MCU eliminates external power conditioning. The 3.5 KB Flash fits speed profiles and fault detection logic, and the 128-byte EEPROM stores user settings. The 14-pin PDIP package simplifies hand-soldered prototyping of motor controllers for hobbyist robotics and low-volume industrial automation.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and HVAC
The PIC16HV616-E/P fits industrial HVAC controls where 24V AC/DC supplies are common, because its HV shunt regulator accepts up to 15V directly and the device survives wide voltage transients. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor temperature sensors, pressure transducers, and humidity probes with adequate precision for comfort control. The two comparators implement window detectors for alarm thresholds without software overhead. With nanoWatt sleep modes and 3.5 KB Flash, the MCU supports Modbus RTU slave communication, PID fan control, and relay driving. The 14-pin PDIP package simplifies field replacement and panel-mount designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16HV616-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16HV616-I/P | PIC16HV616T-E/P | PIC16HV616-E/SO | PIC16F616-E/P | PIC16HV540-20I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PDIP-14 | PDIP-14 - same | PDIP-14 - same | SOIC-14 - same die, SMT | PDIP-14 - same | PDIP-18 - different pin count |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 768 x 12 EPROM |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| HV Shunt Regulator | Yes (3.5V-15V input) | Yes (3.5V-15V input) | Yes (3.5V-15V input) | Yes (3.5V-15V input) | No (2.0V-5.5V only) | Yes (HV variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Approx Unit Price (qty 1) | $2.45 | $2.30 | $2.45 | $2.55 | $1.85 | $3.20 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated HV shunt regulator eliminates external LDO (vs PIC16F616-E/P)
- Flash memory with 100K erase/write cycles (vs PIC16HV540-20I/P)
- Enhanced PWM with 4 outputs (P1A-P1D) (vs PIC16HV540-20I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: The HV shunt regulator dissipates (VIN - 5V) * I_LOAD_PLUS_QUIESCENT. At VIN=12V, I_LOAD=20mA, I_QUIESCENT=2mA, dissipation is approximately (12-5) * 0.022 = 154 mW. The shunt element is internal; ensure VIN never exceeds 15V absolute maximum per datasheet. For higher current loads, add external pass transistor or use PIC16F616 with external LDO. Decouple VDD with 100nF ceramic close to the pin, plus 10uF bulk if driving large transient loads like relays.
Place the ICSP programming connector footprint even on production boards - field firmware updates are common on PIC designs. Route MCLR/RA3 with 10k pull-up to VDD to avoid spurious resets. Keep analog inputs (ANx) away from PWM output traces to reduce coupling. For the PDIP-14 package, allow at least 0.1 inch clearance from other through-hole components for hand-soldering access. Add a ground pour on the bottom layer for thermal dissipation and EMI reduction.
Do not connect a 5V supply directly to the HV_IN pin when the device is in HV mode - this can cause excessive current through the shunt regulator. The HV_IN pin expects 3.5V-15V for regulation; below that range, the device does not regulate. When migrating from PIC16F616, verify that firmware does not depend on internal features unique to HV616 (such as shunt current monitoring). Configuration bits must be set correctly to enable the HV regulator path - using F616 config on HV616 leaves the regulator disabled.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free (Pb-free) PDIP package per suffix /P standard. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not intended for automotive under-hood applications. Conflict minerals CMRT compliant per Microchip corporate policy.
