PIC16LF627A-I/SO - 8-bit MCU 1.75KB Flash 20MHz SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF627A-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.55 | $2.55 |
| 10 | $2.3 | $23.00 |
| 100 | $2.05 | $205.00 |
| 500 | $1.84 | $920.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
PIC16LF627A-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer with an 8-bit data path, on-board program memory (Flash/ROM), CPU, RAM, and peripherals (timers, USART, ADC, comparators, GPIO). It sits in the embedded-control hierarchy: microcontroller -> microprocessor -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The PIC16F627A family uses Microchip's RISC instruction set with only 35 single-word instructions, 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz, and upwards code compatibility with PIC16F627, PIC16C62XA, PIC16C5X, and PIC12CXXX devices, simplifying migration paths.
Key features include a 4 MHz internal RC oscillator (selectable to 48 kHz LF), 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory, 16 digital I/O lines, a USART module, one capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, two analog comparators with programmable voltage reference, a watchdog timer with its own RC oscillator, brown-out detect (BOD), power-on reset (POR), power-up timer (PWRT), and oscillator start-up timer (OST). Programmable weak pull-ups on PORTB and weak pull-ups on PORTB reduce BOM cost.
The architecture separates program Flash from data EEPROM, allowing in-application re-programming without disturbing live data. The LF suffix extends VDD operation down to 2.0V (versus 2.0V-5.5V for the F version), making this MCU suitable for battery-backed and 3.3V-only designs. The 18-pin SOIC package offers 31.6 C/W typical theta-JA, adequate for industrial-temperature environments (-40C to +85C for the I suffix).
Typical applications include low-cost industrial control nodes, sensor signal conditioning with on-chip comparators, low-speed UART bridges, hobbyist/educational projects, and battery-powered instrumentation where the LF core reduces quiescent draw.
When designing, note that the LF core's 2.0V minimum VDD rules out 5V-only peripherals; choose the F (PIC16F627A) variant if 2.0V-5.5V is acceptable but you may occasionally drop to 4.5V. Decouple VDD with 0.1 uF + 10 uF ceramics placed within 5 mm of the pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16 alternatives, and design notes not found in the standalone Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF627A-I/SO — 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 PIC16LF627A-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Internal Oscillator, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F627A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F628A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F648A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF627-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF627A-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 224 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF variant) |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz, software selectable LF mode (48 kHz typical) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| USART | 1 (addressable Enhanced USART) |
| CCP Module | 1 (Capture / Compare / PWM) |
| Comparators | 2 analog with programmable voltage reference |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Detect (BOD) | Yes |
| Power-on Reset (POR) / PWRT / OST | Yes |
| Programmable Weak Pull-ups | Yes (PORTB) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (I suffix, industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF627A-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/CVREF/VREF+ — GPIO RA2 / Analog input 2 / Comparator Vref output / Vref+ |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/CMP1/VREF- — GPIO RA3 / Analog input 3 / Comparator 1 output / Vref- |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI/C2OUT — GPIO RA4 / Analog input 4 / Timer0 clock in / Comparator 2 output (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — GPIO RA5 / Master Clear (reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — GPIO RB0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1/RX/DT — GPIO RB1 / USART RX (asynchronous) or data line (synchronous) |
| Pin 8 | RB2/TX/CK — GPIO RB2 / USART TX (asynchronous) or clock line (synchronous) |
| Pin 9 | RB3/CCP1 — GPIO RB3 / CCP1 module input/output (capture/compare/PWM) |
| Pin 10 | RA0/AN0 — GPIO RA0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 12 | RB4/PGM — GPIO RB4 / Low-voltage programming input (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — GPIO RB5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | RB6/PGC — GPIO RB6 / ICSP clock input (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 15 | RB7/PGD — GPIO RB7 / ICSP data input/output (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 16 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO RA6 / Oscillator crystal output / Clock output FOSC/4 |
| Pin 17 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO RA7 / Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — GPIO RA1 / Analog input 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF627A-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Industrial Comparator Controller, Low-Speed UART Bridge / Protocol Converter, Hobbyist and Educational MCU Platform, LED Lighting Control Module, Automotive Interior Accessory Control (Non-Safety).
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF627A-I/SO is well-matched to 3.3 V battery-powered sensor nodes because its LF core operates from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, enabling direct connection to two AA alkaline cells or a single Li-coin cell. Its two on-chip analog comparators with programmable voltage reference allow threshold-based sensor wake-up without an ADC, reducing average current to microamp levels during sleep. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates an external crystal for cost-sensitive nodes. The 224 bytes RAM is sufficient for buffering sensor bursts before UART transmission. Compared to higher-end MCUs, the PIC16LF627A cuts BOM cost by ~30% while still providing USART, CCP, and Watchdog Timer for reliable remote deployments.
Recommended
Industrial Comparator Controller
The PIC16LF627A-I/SO serves industrial comparator-control loops by leveraging its two on-chip analog comparators and programmable voltage reference. Each comparator has independent programmable hysteresis, allowing direct interface to 4-20 mA current-loop sensors, NTC thermistors, or photodiodes without external op-amps. The CCP module generates PWM outputs for proportional actuator control, while the USART streams diagnostics to a host PLC. The industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature grade and brown-out detect ensure reliable operation on noisy 24 V factory rails stepped down to 5 V or 3.3 V. Compared to discrete logic implementations, this 8-bit MCU integrates six functions in one SOIC-18 device.
Recommended
Low-Speed UART Bridge / Protocol Converter
For UART-to-UART protocol conversion, the PIC16LF627A-I/SO provides a hardware USART supporting up to 115.2 kbps at 20 MHz. Designers can implement RS-232 to RS-485 conversion, Modbus RTU framing, or transparent bridges with 1.75 KB Flash for simple protocol stacks. The 16 GPIO pins can drive status LEDs and DE/RE flow-control lines for RS-485 transceivers. Compared to UART-only logic translators, this MCU adds configurable framing, address filtering, and software upgradability in a single 18-pin SOIC, reducing board area and BOM cost.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational MCU Platform
The PIC16LF627A-I/SO is a popular choice for hobbyist and educational use due to its small 18-pin SOIC footprint, easy programming through ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) on RB6/RB7, and only 35 instructions that students can master in days. The internal 4 MHz oscillator eliminates external clock components on breadboards. Free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler support make development cost-free for learners. Compared to Arduino-style boards, this MCU is sub-$3 in single-piece quantities and teaches bare-metal embedded programming without abstraction layers.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control Module
The PIC16LF627A-I/SO drives LED lighting controllers via its hardware PWM (CCP) module capable of 10-bit resolution at appropriate PWM frequencies. The 16 GPIO lines can scan a small keypad, drive status indicators, and sink 25 mA per pin (PORTB) directly to LED arrays. Internal comparators can implement closed-loop current sensing without a dedicated op-amp. The 1.75 KB Flash holds basic dimming curves and color-mixing profiles. Compared to dedicated LED-driver ICs, this MCU adds flexibility for custom protocols and remote firmware updates at sub-$3 BOM cost.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Control (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive interior accessories (ambient lighting, USB charger controllers, HVAC trim controls), the PIC16LF627A-I/SO provides 16 GPIO, USART for body-CAN bridges, and CCP for PWM motor/light dimming. Note that this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for safety-critical or under-hood applications, designers must select AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16 alternatives. Compared to ASIC solutions, this MCU offers reprogrammable control logic that simplifies late-stage feature changes during automotive platform refreshes, while keeping per-unit cost below $3.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF627A-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F627A-I/SO | PIC16F628A-I/SO | PIC16F648A-I/SO | PIC16LF627A-I/P | PIC16LF627-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO) | 18-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 18-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 18-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 18-pin PDIP (P) - different | 18-pin SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB EPROM (not Flash) |
| RAM | 224 bytes | 224 bytes | 224 bytes | 256 bytes | 224 bytes | 224 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F core optimized for 3.0-5.5 V) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F core) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F core) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Flash Endurance | 1,000 write/erase cycles | 10,000 write/erase cycles | 10,000 write/erase cycles | 10,000 write/erase cycles | 1,000 write/erase cycles | OTP/EPROM (not Flash) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash | Flash | Flash | Flash | Flash | EPROM (one-time-programmable family) |
| Industrial Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest cost 18-pin PIC16 with USART and dual comparators (vs PIC16F628A-I/SO)
- Low-voltage LF core for sub-3 V battery operation (vs PIC16F627A-I/SO)
- Drop-in 18-pin SOIC upgrade path to higher Flash densities (vs PIC16F648A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 11) with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum if the load has switching transients. The LF core's quiescent current in Sleep mode is approximately 1 uA at 3.3 V, but rises with active peripherals. For battery life estimation: average I = I_sleep * (1 - duty) + I_active * duty, where duty is the active fraction. Estimated: a 1000 mAh CR2032 cell with 0.1% active duty yields >10-year battery life.
When routing the 18-pin SOIC footprint, keep traces to RA0/RA1 analog inputs short and guarded by a ground pour to minimize comparator-noise coupling. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; do not leave floating. For ICSP programming, expose RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) on test points. According to Microchip DS41196E section 14, decoupling should also include a small ferrite bead if the board shares ground with switching power converters.
Common pitfalls: (1) MCLR left floating will cause spurious resets; always pull up to VDD through 10 kohm. (2) LF variant Flash endurance is only 1,000 cycles - if firmware updates are expected, choose F-variant. (3) The internal 4 MHz oscillator has +/- 1% accuracy after calibration but +/- 5% over temperature - use an external crystal if UART baud accuracy matters. (4) Pins RA4 and RB4-RB7 have TTL input levels, not CMOS; do not drive them with 5 V CMOS signals while VDD is 2.0 V without level translation. (5) Two analog comparators share their non-inverting input with the CVREF output - avoid connecting two external signals to the same rail simultaneously.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications select AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16 variants. REACH compliance declared by Microchip. MSL level not extracted from provided data and marked [DATA_NEEDED] in specs.