PIC16HV616-E/SL - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU 3.5KB Flash HV | Microchip
MPN: PIC16HV616-E/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.67 | $16.70 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16HV616-E/SL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16HV616 belongs to the broader category of 8-bit microcontrollers, sitting under the hierarchy of embedded microcontrollers, microprocessors, and finally semiconductors. The 'HV' family is a specialized subset that includes an internal shunt regulator, allowing direct connection to unregulated high-voltage DC supplies without an external LDO - a feature that simplifies power supply design in cost-sensitive applications.
Key features include an internal 8 MHz high-speed oscillator with PLL option to reach 20 MHz, a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 8 channels, dual comparators, and a 16-bit PWM module. The integrated shunt regulator supports supply voltages up to 15V, eliminating the need for an external voltage regulator in many designs. Additional peripherals include an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), I2C/SPI, and a 16-bit timer with capture/compare.
The PIC16HV616's enhanced mid-range core delivers 49 instructions with 16-level hardware stack and interrupt capability. The architecture provides deterministic instruction execution of 200 ns per instruction at 20 MHz, making it suitable for real-time control loops. The internal oscillator calibration eliminates external crystals in many designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 14-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture separate program and data memory paths for predictable real-time response.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers, battery chargers, motor control in small appliances, smart sensor nodes, and industrial control modules. The wide operating voltage range makes it particularly suitable for 12V automotive, 24V industrial, and offline rectified supplies where an integrated regulator simplifies design. Designers also use the PIC16HV616 in capacitor discharge circuits and energy-harvesting systems that require direct HV input capability.
When designing with this part, note that the shunt regulator dissipates excess voltage as heat - at 15V supply and 10 mA load, expect up to 150 mW dissipation that must be accounted for in thermal calculations. The 14-pin SOIC package provides 12 GPIO pins with multiplexed peripheral functions, allowing flexible pin assignments but requiring careful peripheral-to-pin mapping during firmware development.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with a single source for selection, sourcing, and design-in guidance for the PIC16HV616-E/SL.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16HV616-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 PIC16HV616-E/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, RAM, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16HV616-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16HV616T-E/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16HV610-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16HV616-E/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (with PLL to 20 MHz) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2 V to 15 V (with internal shunt regulator) |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | 1 x 16-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Industrial, '-I' or '-E') |
| Package | 14-pin SOIC (SL) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16HV616-E/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — High-voltage supply input (internal shunt regulator) |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO5 / Timer1 clock input / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO4 / ADC ch3 / Timer1 gate / oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO3 / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT — GPIO2 / ADC ch2 / Timer0 clock / external interrupt / comparator out |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN1/C1IN+/ICSPCLK — GPIO1 / ADC ch1 / comparator1 non-inverting / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | GP0/AN0/C1IN-/ICSPDAT — GPIO0 / ADC ch0 / comparator1 inverting / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | GP0/AN0/ULPWU/C1IN+/ICSPDAT — GPIO0 (alt) / ADC ch0 / ultra-low-power wakeup / ICSP data |
| Pin 10 | GP1/AN1/C1IN-/VREF/ICSPCLK — GPIO1 (alt) / ADC ch1 / comparator1 inverting / ADC voltage reference / ICSP clock |
| Pin 11 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT — GPIO2 (alt) / ADC ch2 / Timer0 clock / external interrupt / comparator out |
| Pin 12 | GP4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO4 (alt) / ADC ch3 / Timer1 gate / oscillator output |
| Pin 13 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO5 (alt) / Timer1 clock / oscillator input |
| Pin 14 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet, package pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16HV616-E/SL is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Drivers, Battery Chargers, Small Appliance Motor Control, Smart Sensor Nodes, Industrial Control Modules, Capacitor Discharge and Energy-Harvesting Circuits.
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16HV616-E/SL is well-suited for offline and 12V-24V LED lighting drivers because its integrated HV shunt regulator accepts the unregulated DC rail directly, eliminating the external LDO that would otherwise sit between the bridge rectifier and the MCU. The on-chip 16-bit PWM module provides smooth dimming resolution (better than 0.01% duty-cycle steps at 20 MHz), and the two comparators enable constant-current feedback without a dedicated op-amp. With 12 GPIO and 10-bit ADC, the part can read ambient light sensors and thermistor-based NTC thermal protection while driving MOSFETs for high-current LED strings, all from a single chip rated -40C to +125C.
Recommended
Battery Chargers
The PIC16HV616-E/SL's 2V-15V supply range and integrated shunt regulator make it ideal for single-IC lead-acid and NiMH battery charger designs. The 10-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and charge current, while the PWM module drives the switching MOSFET or linear pass element. The comparators provide hardware-overcurrent protection independent of the firmware loop, a critical safety feature for charger ICs. At 12V input and 10 mA load, the shunt regulator dissipates only 100-150 mW, allowing operation in the small 14-pin SOIC package without thermal issues for typical charging currents.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control
For small brushless-DC and stepper motor control in appliances (fans, pumps, mixers), the PIC16HV616-E/SL delivers the 20 MHz CPU speed, 16-bit PWM, and configurable I/O needed for trapezoidal or sine commutation. The HV shunt regulator accepts a rectified 12V-15V motor supply rail directly, so designers can omit the pre-regulator. The EUSART enables LIN-bus connectivity in modern appliance networks, while the I2C/SPI interfaces connect to digital temperature sensors and EEPROM. The -40C to +125C operating range supports under-hood appliance environments.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Nodes
The PIC16HV616-E/SL powers industrial sensor nodes (pressure, flow, gas, level) directly from 24V industrial loops or 12V battery packs, thanks to its internal HV shunt regulator. The 10-bit ADC digitizes analog sensor outputs, and the EUSART/I2C/SPI interfaces connect to digital sensors and 4-20 mA loop transmitters. The 8 MHz internal oscillator (PLL to 20 MHz) eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost for high-volume industrial deployments. The 14-pin SOIC package is small enough for in-line sensor housings and is rated -40C to +125C for factory-floor environments.
Recommended
Industrial Control Modules
The PIC16HV616-E/SL serves as the core MCU in compact industrial modules such as relay drivers, contactor controllers, and digital input multiplexers operating from 12V or 24V supply rails. The integrated shunt regulator simplifies the input power section, and the 16-bit PWM can drive opto-isolated outputs or solid-state relays. The 12 GPIO are sufficient for typical 8-input / 4-output modules, while the EUSART enables Modbus RTU communication to PLCs. Industrial temperature rating (-40C to +125C) and the SOIC-14 package's good thermal performance suit DIN-rail-mounted control cabinets.
Recommended
Capacitor Discharge and Energy-Harvesting Circuits
Energy-harvesting designs using rectified AC mains, piezo elements, or solar microcells benefit from the PIC16HV616-E/SL's wide 2V-15V input range and internal shunt regulator. The HV regulator clamps the input to a safe level even when the harvester produces transient overvoltages, protecting the MCU without external TVS diodes. The 16-bit timer captures fast discharge events, while the ADC measures harvested energy storage levels. At 3 mA typical operating current, the device is suitable for solar-powered wireless sensor transmitters where every microwatt matters.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16HV616-E/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16HV616-I/SL | PIC16HV616T-E/SL | PIC16HV610-I/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-pin SOIC (SL) | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - same | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - same | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - same |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 64 bytes (-50%) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2 V to 15 V (HV shunt regulator) | 2 V to 15 V | 2 V to 15 V | 2 V to 15 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels (reduced) |
| PWM | 1 x 16-bit | 1 x 16-bit | 1 x 16-bit | 1 x 10-bit (reduced) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated high-voltage shunt regulator eliminates external LDO (vs PIC16F616-E/SL)
- Larger Flash and RAM than PIC16HV610 (vs PIC16HV610-I/SL)
- Same SOIC-14 footprint across PIC16HV616 family simplifies qualification (vs PIC16HV616-I/ML (QFN variant))
Design Notes
The PIC16HV616-E/SL's integrated shunt regulator dissipates the voltage difference between the HV supply and the internal 2V-5.5V rail as heat. Estimated: at 15V supply and 10 mA internal load, dissipation is (15V - 3.3V) * 10 mA = 117 mW. Designers must ensure the PCB copper pour on the VDD pin (pin 1) is large enough to keep junction temperature below 125C; for the SOIC-14 package, theta_JA is approximately 100 C/W on a 1-oz, 1-square-inch copper pour.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1), and add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. Keep the MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kOhm to VDD) within 5 mm of pin 4 to avoid spurious resets in noisy HV environments. The ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (6 and 7) should be accessible for in-circuit programming - leave a 2.54 mm pitch header footprint on production boards for debugging.
Do not connect the PIC16HV616-E/SL's VDD pin directly to a current-limited lab supply without verifying the shunt regulator's bias current (typically 1-5 mA). The internal regulator needs a minimum load to regulate properly - add a 4.7 kOhm bleed resistor from VDD to VSS if the application load is less than 1 mA. Also note that the MCLR pin (pin 4) is bidirectional on this device and must NOT be left floating; tie to VDD through a 10 kOhm resistor to prevent unwanted resets.
Estimated: at 15V input, 5V regulated output, and 15 mA total system current, the shunt regulator dissipates (15V - 5V) * 15 mA = 150 mW. With SOIC-14 theta_JA around 100 C/W, this causes a 15C temperature rise above ambient - acceptable for most applications. If the design operates at high ambient (>85C) or in an enclosed fixture, consider the PIC16HV616-E/P in PDIP-14, which has better thermal dissipation through the leads.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive designs, consider PIC16F1823 or PIC16F1704 in the same HV family with AEC-Q100 Grade 1 options.
