PIC16LF1906-E/SS - 14KB Flash, LCD, XLP 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1906-E/SS ✓ 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 | $1.52 | $1,520.00 |
PIC16LF1906-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit PIC16 microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture CMOS MCU built around a small, deterministic instruction set optimized for embedded control loops, sensor reading, and human-interface driving. The PIC16LF1906 sits in the mid-range enhanced core (PIC16E) family, sharing its instruction set and development environment (MPLAB X + XC8) with hundreds of siblings, and adding on-chip LCD segment drive, nanoWatt XLP sleep modes that drop current into the nanoampere range, and a CTMU touch-interface block. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy it belongs to microcontrollers -> 8-bit MCUs -> Flash-based MCUs -> low-power MCUs -> LCD-segment-driver MCUs.
Key features that distinguish the PIC16LF1906-E/SS include on-chip LCD segment driver (up to 96 segments with software-controlled contrast), eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) nanoWatt sleep at <100 nA typical, 11-channel 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference, mTouch capacitive-touch capability via the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), a 32 kHz internal oscillator plus 16 MHz HFINTOSC with PLL, and two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer. The 28-pin SSOP package offers excellent thermal performance for surface-mount manufacturing and is the second-most-popular narrow-body SMD MCU footprint, after SOIC-28.
Typical applications include battery-powered metering (gas/water/electricity) with on-glass LCD, consumer remote controls, home-automation sensor hubs, industrial sensor transmitters with LCD display, medical dosing pumps, and any cost-sensitive portable product needing on-board LCD. Design considerations for the PIC16LF1906-E/SS include selecting the correct LCD bias resistor ladder for the chosen glass, ensuring VDD stability during PLL transitions, and configuring the PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) for EUSART/MSSP routing on the 28-pin variant. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that supplement the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1906-E/SS — 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 PIC16LF1906-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in LCD Driver, ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1906-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1906-E/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1904-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1907-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1903-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.5881 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1906-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F190x / PIC16LF1904/6/7 |
| Core | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC (enhanced core) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 21 (on 28-pin SSOP) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + one 16-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | EUSART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| LCD Driver | Up to 96 segments (with external resistor ladder) |
| Special Features | nanoWatt XLP, CTMU (mTouch), PPS, HFINTOSC 16 MHz + PLL, 32 kHz LFINTOSC |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP via MPLAB Snap / PICkit / ICD (4-wire) |
PIC16LF1906-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RA3 — Master Clear (reset) input or digital I/O RA3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O or analog AN0) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O or analog AN1) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O or analog AN2) |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O or analog AN4 / T0CKI) |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O or analog AN4) |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2 — PORTA bit 6 or oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1 — PORTA bit 7 or oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 16 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 17 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O / SCL) |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O / SDA) |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O / TX) |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O / RX) |
| Pin 26 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 (digital I/O / MCLR alternate) |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 28 | VLCD — LCD charge pump / bias supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1906-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Gas/Water/Electricity Meters with LCD, Consumer Remote Controls with LCD, Industrial Sensor Transmitters with HMI LCD, Medical Dosing Pumps and Portable Diagnostics, Home Automation Sensor Hubs and Thermostats, IoT Edge Nodes with On-Device LCD.
Battery-Powered Gas/Water/Electricity Meters with LCD
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS is purpose-built for battery-powered metering with on-glass LCD. Its integrated 96-segment LCD driver eliminates external COG/segment-driver ICs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 14 KB Flash, 256 B EEPROM, and 10-bit ADC handle metering algorithms, calibration constants, and sensor readout. nanoWatt XLP sleep currents below 100 nA extend 2x AA or single lithium cell life to 10-20 years, while the -40 C to +125 C E grade handles outdoor and basement installations. Real-world metering accuracy typically reaches Class 1 with external RTC and shunt current sensor.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls with LCD
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS fits cost-sensitive remote controls with status LCD thanks to its on-chip segment driver, low power consumption, and small 28-pin SSOP package. The EUSART and MSSP peripherals support IR or 2.4 GHz RF modules, while the integrated 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage for low-battery indication. Sleep currents under 100 nA extend AAA battery life beyond typical shelf-life, and the 14 KB Flash accommodates universal remote code libraries or BLE/Zigbee stack front-ends.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters with HMI LCD
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS is ideal for industrial 4-20 mA or fieldbus sensor transmitters that need on-board LCD readout. Its 11-channel 10-bit ADC reads multiple sensors (temperature, pressure, flow), while the LCD driver shows real-time readings. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade meets industrial environmental specs. The CTMU block provides mTouch capacitive-touch button support, eliminating mechanical switches in sealed HMI enclosures. Its 256 B EEPROM stores calibration data non-volatilely.
Recommended
Medical Dosing Pumps and Portable Diagnostics
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS supports portable medical devices such as insulin pumps, infusion dosing, and handheld diagnostics. nanoWatt XLP technology keeps sleep current low to maximize battery runtime between recharges - critical for patient mobility. The LCD segment driver displays dose, battery status, and alarm messages without an external driver. The CTMU mTouch block implements reliable capacitive buttons that can be sealed under medical-grade overlays. The extended -40 C to +125 C rating supports storage and transport across diverse climates.
Recommended
Home Automation Sensor Hubs and Thermostats
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS is a strong choice for wall-mounted home-automation sensor hubs and programmable thermostats with front-panel LCD. The integrated LCD driver displays setpoint, current temperature, humidity, and system status on a 32-96 segment custom glass. The mTouch CTMU supports capacitive slider/wheel for setpoint adjustment, while the 14 KB Flash holds Zigbee/Z-Wave/BLE stack front-ends or proprietary RF protocols via the EUSART/MSSP. Low sleep current enables always-on battery-backed operation through power outages.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes with On-Device LCD
The PIC16LF1906-E/SS fits IoT edge-node sensor products that need on-device LCD status display (signal strength, battery, sensor reading, fault codes) without depending on a phone app. nanoWatt XLP sleep modes keep average current under 10 uA for years of coin-cell operation. The MSSP/SPI/I2C interfaces connect to popular sub-GHz or BLE radio modules, and the 10-bit ADC reads analog sensors directly. The extended temperature grade enables deployment in outdoor and industrial IoT use cases without additional thermal conditioning.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1906-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1906-I/SS | PIC16LF1906-E/SP | PIC16LF1904-E/SS | PIC16LF1907-E/SS | PIC16LF1903-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm body) | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 7 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| LCD Segment Driver | Up to 96 segments | Up to 96 segments | Up to 96 segments | Up to 96 segments | Up to 116 segments | Up to 96 segments |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Approx. Unit Price (1k qty) | USD 1.52 | USD 1.45 | USD 1.62 | USD 1.38 | USD 1.65 | USD 1.42 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-density Flash in the PIC16LF1904/6/7 SSOP-28 family (vs PIC16LF1904-E/SS)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C operating temperature (vs PIC16LF1906-I/SS)
- Integrated 96-segment LCD driver (vs PIC16F88 (older PIC16 family without LCD))
Design Notes
Estimated: For a 2x AA battery-powered metering design with VDD = 3.0 V, the PIC16LF1906-E/SS draws approximately 1.5 mA active at 4 MHz FOSC and <100 nA in Sleep with LCD disabled. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (Pin 20) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the LCD charge-pump output (Pin 28 VLCD). Use a 1 MOhm pull-up on MCLR (Pin 1) to avoid unwanted resets in noisy industrial environments. For battery-life calculation, assume 99% Sleep / 1% active duty cycle: average I = 0.01 * 1.5 mA + 0.99 * 100 nA = 15.099 uA; on a 2,400 mAh AA cell this yields >17 years theoretical life.
The 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) requires a PCB land pattern per IPC-7351 with pad width of 0.40 mm and pad length of 1.50 mm. Route the ICSP signals (RB6/ICSPCLK, RB7/ICSPDAT) directly to a 4-pin header with no series components; Microchip ICD/PICkit requires direct connection for in-circuit programming and debugging. Keep the VLCD charge-pump traces short and isolated from noisy digital signals to prevent LCD contrast fluctuation. Place the optional external 32.768 kHz crystal (T1OSC) within 5 mm of pins 9-10 with guard ground on both sides.
Three common pitfalls: (1) Do not connect any I/O to RA5/RA6/RA7 if external crystal is used - these are OSC1/OSC2/CLKOUT, not general-purpose I/O, on PIC16LF1906. (2) The LCD driver requires the VLCD charge pump enabled and an external capacitor on Pin 28 even if the LCD glass is not populated - leaving VLCD floating causes 50-200 uA quiescent current increase. (3) CTMU mTouch calibration constants should be stored in EEPROM, not Flash, to allow field recalibration without firmware update - and never use the CTMU on a pin shared with the ADC for capacitive-touch AND ADC conversion in the same scan loop. Source: Microchip PIC16LF1904/6/7 datasheet section on CTMU and LCD peripherals.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free reflow per JEDEC J-STD-020; not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC16LF1906-E/SS with -VAO suffix or PIC16F1906 automotive variants for AEC-Q100 designs. Source: Microchip PIC16LF1904/6/7 datasheet ordering information.
