PIC16LF628A-I/SS - 8-bit Flash MCU 3.5KB 224B RAM SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF628A-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.46 | $24.60 |
| 100 | $2.12 | $212.00 |
| 500 | $1.88 | $940.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
PIC16LF628A-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer with an 8-bit data path, integrating a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile data RAM, non-volatile data EEPROM, and peripheral IP such as timers, USART, ADC, comparators and I/O pins. PIC16F microcontrollers belong to the wider class of RISC microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors, sitting beneath 32-bit Cortex-M parts in compute power but above bare timer/logic ICs in programmable flexibility. They are typically deployed for state-machine control, sensor conditioning, and protocol bridging in cost-sensitive 5V/3.3V designs.
Key differentiating features include 35 single-word instructions for easy programming in MPLAB X IDE, ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) for field updates, a 100,000 erase/write cycle Flash endurance rating, and nanoWatt modes that drop sleep current to roughly 100 nA. The integrated analog comparator eliminates an external op-amp in many sensor front-ends, and 128 bytes of EEPROM provides non-volatile parameter storage without an external serial EEPROM.
Typical applications include industrial control loops, remote sensor nodes, white-goods and appliance control boards, automotive body electronics (non-safety), low-power IoT edge devices, battery chargers, and hobby/maker projects where PIC16 heritage code is being migrated from older through-hole DIP packages to surface-mount production boards. Designers appreciate the migration path because the SSOP-20 footprint preserves the same pin-out as the legacy 18-pin PIC16F628 family extended to 20 pins.
When designing with this MCU, allocate the 224-byte RAM budget carefully - the 8-bit stack and PIC16's banking scheme place hard ceilings on local arrays and string processing. Decouple VDD with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor adjacent to the package, and keep the MCLR pin pulled to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor unless in-circuit debug is required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives within the SSOP-20 footprint, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF628A-I/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 PIC16LF628A-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, Program Memory (Flash), Internal Oscillator.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F628A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF628AT-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF628-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F627A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F627-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1828-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1938-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF628A-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC (8-bit) |
| Family | PIC16F6XX (PIC16LF628A) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 224 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.300 inch / 7.8 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Communication | USART (SCI) |
| Analog Comparator | Yes (internal, programmable reference) |
| ADC | Not present (comparator only) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| PWM | Yes (10-bit PWM, Capture/Compare/PWM module) |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz (calibrated) |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF628A-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF — Port A bit 2 / analog input / voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/CMP1 — Port A bit 3 / analog input / comparator input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/CMP2 — Port A bit 4 / analog input / comparator input (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset, active low) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference (0 V) |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1/RX/DT — Port B bit 1 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 8 | RB2/TX/CK — Port B bit 2 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 9 | RB3/CCP1 — Port B bit 3 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6/T1OSC/PGC — Port B bit 6 / Timer1 oscillator / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7/T1OSI/PGD — Port B bit 7 / Timer1 oscillator / ICSP data |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Oscillator output / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Oscillator input / general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 19 | RA5/AN5 — Port A bit 5 / analog input 5 |
| Pin 20 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 (alternate function: OSC2) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF628A-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning Board, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, White Goods / Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Maker / Hobby Embedded Education, Smart Power Supply / Battery Charger.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Board
The PIC16LF628A-I/SS is well-suited for industrial sensor signal-conditioning boards where its 2.0-5.5 V supply range lets it run directly from 24 V industrial rails stepped down to 5 V or 3.3 V, and its two internal analog comparators with programmable on-chip Vref eliminate the need for an external op-amp to threshold-detect sensor outputs. The 3.5 KB Flash comfortably holds typical state-machine and linearization code while the 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants. Compared to bare op-amp comparator designs, this MCU provides hysteresis, debounce, and digital filtering at zero additional BOM cost. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling cap directly across VDD/VSS, and route the comparator input traces away from PWM or switching nodes to avoid cross-coupling. Pair with TI LM358 or Microchip MCP6002 for analog front-ends and a Vishay 24 V TVS for surge protection.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
For low-power remote sensor nodes, the PIC16LF628A-I/SS offers nanoWatt sleep modes that drop supply current to roughly 100 nA, allowing multi-year operation on 2x AA alkaline cells. The LF prefix guarantees 2.0 V minimum supply so the MCU keeps running as the batteries drop, while the internal 4 MHz calibrated oscillator eliminates an external resonator to reduce BOM and standby power. With 16 I/O and a USART, the part can interface SPI/Async peripherals and report via low-power RF. For best battery life, idle most of the time, wake on Timer1 overflow, read sensors, transmit, and return to sleep. Pair with a TI CC1101 sub-1 GHz transceiver or a Microchip MRF24J40MA 2.4 GHz module. Add a low-Iq LDO like MCP1700 to regulate VDD if your sensor stack needs 3.3 V.
Recommended
White Goods / Appliance Control
The PIC16LF628A-I/SS is a classic 8-bit MCU choice for appliance control boards in washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and induction cooktops, where its 16 I/O can drive relay coils, triac interfaces, segmented LED indicators, and keypads without external glue logic. The 35-instruction PIC16 instruction set simplifies assembly-level driver code, and the ICSP programming interface allows post-assembly firmware updates. The 10-bit PWM and Capture/Compare modules enable precise motor-speed control via triac phase-angle firing or DC-motor PWM. The 100,000-cycle Flash endurance is more than sufficient for the appliance lifetime. Use opto-isolators (e.g., MOC3021) to drive triacs, and add TVS diodes for line-side transient protection.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF628A-I/SS can be used in non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, HVAC blend-door actuators, mirror-adjust modules, and aftermarket accessory interfaces, where its wide 2.0-5.5 V range survives cold-crank events down to 6 V battery transients. The industrial -40 to +85 °C temperature grade covers most cabin environments, though under-hood applications should use AEC-Q100 qualified parts such as PIC16F1828-I/SS. Add load-dump protection (TVS + Schottky) at VDD and route signals through ESD-protected transceivers. Note: This part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical or under-hood automotive applications choose an AEC-Q100 part instead.
Recommended
Maker / Hobby Embedded Education
The PIC16LF628A-I/SS is a long-time favorite in maker and hobby projects, including PIC-based robotics, RC servo controllers, LED light chasers, custom keyboard controllers, and educational embedded systems. Its low cost (~$2 at qty 1), 35-instruction set easy to learn, and broad hobbyist community support (PICKit programmer, MPLAB X IDE, Great Cow Graphical BASIC compiler) accelerate prototyping. The SSOP-20 package requires an SOIC-to-DIP breakout for breadboard use; alternatively use the PDIP-18 PIC16LF628A-I/P variant. Hobbyists can chain WS2812B addressable LEDs via the PIC's PWM/SPI outputs, drive hobby servos with Timer1, and read analog sensors via the comparator - no ADC needed for simple threshold triggers.
Recommended
Smart Power Supply / Battery Charger
The PIC16LF628A-I/SS is well-suited to small enclosed smart battery chargers for NiMH, Li-ion, or lead-acid packs, where its internal analog comparator with programmable voltage reference can perform closed-loop voltage and current regulation without an external op-amp, and its PWM module drives a synchronous buck FET pair or a flyback primary. The 128-byte EEPROM stores charge profiles per battery chemistry, and ICSP allows firmware updates after final enclosure assembly. The MCU's 100 nA nanoWatt sleep mode reduces standby drain on connected batteries. The industrial -40 to +85 °C grade supports operation in garage or outdoor enclosures. Add a TI INA180 current-sense amp for precision current telemetry, and use a Vishay SI2302 N-MOSFET for the high-side switch.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF628A-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F628A-I/SS | PIC16LF628AT-I/SS | PIC16LF628-04I/SS | PIC16F627A-I/SS | PIC16F1828-I/SS | PIC16F1938-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC (enhanced) | 8-bit PIC RISC (enhanced) |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (+100%) | 16 KB (+357%) |
| RAM | 224 B | 224 B | 224 B | 224 B | 96 B (-57%) | 256 B (+14%) | 1024 B (+357%) |
| EEPROM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B (+100%) | 256 B (+100%) |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz (-80%) | 20 MHz | 32 MHz (+60%) | 32 MHz (+60%) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V - 5.5 V | 3.0 V - 5.5 V | 2.0 V - 5.5 V | 2.0 V - 5.5 V | 3.0 V - 5.5 V | 3.0 V - 5.5 V | 1.8 V - 5.5 V |
| ADC | None (comparator only) | None (comparator only) | None (comparator only) | None (comparator only) | None (comparator only) | 10-bit ADC | 10-bit ADC |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest supply voltage range in PIC16F628A family (down to 2.0 V) (vs PIC16F628A-I/SS)
- Larger Flash memory vs PIC16F627A (vs PIC16F627A-I/SS)
- Pin-compatible upgrade to modern enhanced core (vs PIC16F1828-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor (X7R, low-ESR) directly across VDD (pin 14) and VSS (pin 5), keeping the trace loop under 2 mm. Add a bulk 1 µF to 10 µF tantalum or aluminum-polymer cap at the board entry point. For battery-powered designs using nanoWatt sleep modes, expect ~100 nA Iq with Timer1 running and Watchdog disabled - verify with the 'Typical Performance Characteristics' curves in the datasheet rather than the maximum specification, which is typically 1000x higher.
Do not drive an LED directly from RB4 (pin 11) - it is the open-drain T1OSO pin and can only sink current. Use a discrete MOSFET or NPN transistor to drive high-current loads. Also, RA4 (pin 3) is open-drain and requires an external pull-up. Avoid the common mistake of routing PWM to RA4 expecting push-pull drive. Configurable pin functions are detailed in the PIC16F627A/628A/648A datasheet section 4.5.
For SSOP-20 layout use a 0.65 mm pitch, 0.4 mm pad width with 1.0 mm pad length to balance manufacturability and thermal relief. Keep a continuous ground pour under the package to reduce EMI and improve thermal dissipation at high internal oscillator loads. Route the MCLR pin trace short (≤10 mm) and avoid routing digital signals parallel to it to prevent unintended resets during switching noise events. Recommended PCB stackup: 4-layer, 1 oz copper outer, 0.5 oz inner, 0.2 mm dielectric to VDD/VSS power pours.
When using the internal 4 MHz calibrated oscillator, expect a tolerance of approximately ±1% to ±2% across the industrial temperature range - this is too loose for accurate USART timing above 9600 baud without calibration. For UART baud rates ≥38400, switch to an external crystal/oscillator using OSC1/OSC2 (pins 16, 15). Add a 100 kΩ parallel resistor across the crystal if slow startup or startup failures occur due to loading capacitance mismatch.
For ICSP programming via PICKit 3, route PGC (pin 12 / RB6) and PGD (pin 13 / RB7) traces short (≤50 mm) and keep them away from switching nodes to ensure reliable programming. Place a 4.7 kΩ pull-up on MCLR if PICKit is used in-circuit; otherwise a 10 kΩ pull-up suffices. Leave a 2.54 mm-pitch 5-pin header footprint (PGC, PGD, MCLR, VDD, VSS) unpopulated or unassembled for in-field firmware updates.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and Mouser/DigiKey distributor listings. NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - do NOT use this part in safety-critical or under-hood automotive applications; for AEC-Q100 use PIC16F1828-I/SS automotive variants.
