PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ - 16-bit XLP MCU, 16KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.59 | $25.90 |
| 100 | $2.25 | $225.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ Overview
What is a 16-bit microcontroller? A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals. Within the taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The "16-bit" in PIC24F refers to the modified-Harvard architecture's data path width; the "F" denotes Flash program memory; and XLP (eXtreme Low Power) is Microchip's branding for ultra-low-power modes targeting nanoWatt-class sleep currents.
Key features include up to 16 MIPS performance at 32MHz, nanoWatt XLP technology with deep-sleep currents measured in nanoamps, an integrated Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC) that operates from an external 32.768kHz crystal, dedicated deep-sleep brown-out reset (DSBOR) and deep-sleep watchdog timer (DSWDT) peripherals, 16 general-purpose I/O, multiple serial interfaces, and analog peripherals including a 10-bit ADC. Operating voltage ranges from 1.8V to 3.6V.
The PIC24F16KA101 uses a modified-Harvard architecture with a 16-bit data word and 24-bit instruction word, balancing code density against data throughput. Its rich peripheral set is tied to the deep-sleep power domain so that timers and analog references can wake the core from nanoamp-class sleep without external circuitry - a defining characteristic of the XLP family.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, wearable health monitors, remote controls, energy-harvesting devices, low-power wireless sensor networks, and industrial data loggers. The combination of RTCC, deep-sleep peripherals, and wide operating voltage makes it a frequent choice for designs that must run for years on a single coin cell.
When designing with this part, prioritize minimizing active-mode duty cycle: short computation bursts followed by deep-sleep yields the lowest energy per task. The exposed pad on the VQFN-20 must be soldered to the PCB ground plane to meet thermal and electrical specifications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand alternatives, and practical low-power design notes that are not consolidated in any one manufacturer datasheet or catalog page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ — 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 PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Timers, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24F16KA101T-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24F16KA101-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24F16KA101-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24F32KA101-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24F08KA101-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 16-bit modified-Harvard PIC24F |
| Core | PIC24F XLP with nanoWatt technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (5.5K x 24 instructions) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Package | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad (MQ) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, "I") |
| ADC | 10-bit A/D converter |
| Timers | Multiple 16-bit timers plus deep-sleep DSWDT |
| Communication | UART, SPI, I2C |
| Real-Time Clock | Yes (RTCC) with external 32.768 kHz crystal |
| Deep-Sleep Brown-Out Reset | Yes (DSBOR) |
| Deep-Sleep Watchdog Timer | Yes (DSWDT) |
| Code Security | Basic code-guard security |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours, JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free, RoHS compliant |
PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 / analog / digital I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 / analog / digital I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 / analog / digital I/O |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 / analog / digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | OSC1 — Crystal/oscillator input or external clock |
| Pin 8 | OSC2 — Crystal/oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 / digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 / digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 / digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 / digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 / digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 / digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 / digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 16 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 / digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 / digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 / digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 / digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | EP — Exposed pad - connect to PCB ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitor, Remote Control / Wireless HID Device, Energy-Harvesting Wireless Switch, Industrial Data Logger, Smart Sensor / HVAC Transmitter.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ suits coin-cell IoT sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current sits in the nanoamp range while its 32 MHz core handles periodic sensor reads and radio hand-offs in milliseconds. The exposed-pad VQFN-20 package keeps the PCB footprint under 25 mm^2, critical for size-constrained nodes. With 16 KB of Flash and 2 KB of RAM, the part can hold a lightweight IoT stack (sampling, AES, simple MAC) plus user code. The integrated RTCC, driven by an external 32.768 kHz crystal, timestamps data without waking the CPU, and DSBOR + DSWDT protect unattended nodes against supply sag and firmware lock-ups. Operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V lets the same firmware run on fresh and depleted coin cells without re-qualifying the rail.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
Wearables need sub-uA average current to last days on a small Li-ion or coin cell. The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ's deep-sleep mode combined with RTCC and DSWDT lets a wearable wake only when a sensor threshold is crossed or a fixed interval elapses. The 16 KB Flash holds a sensor driver, BLE link-layer hooks, and a simple UI state machine. The 10-bit ADC samples heart-rate or SpO2 signals with adequate resolution for heart-rate variability. The 1.8-3.6 V range accepts a single-cell Li-ion directly, and the small 5x5 mm VQFN-20 package fits inside wristbands and patches. The industrial -40 to +85 C range covers skin temperature and ambient swings typical of fitness bands.
Recommended
Remote Control / Wireless HID Device
Remote controls are duty-cycled: idle 99.9 percent of the time, transmitting briefly when a button is pressed. The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ is ideal because it consumes nanoamps in deep sleep and microamps while scanning the keypad matrix. The DSWDT resets the part cleanly on firmware hang without external supervisor ICs, reducing BOM cost. UART/SPI/I2C ports drive the radio companion chip; the integrated ADC can read battery voltage for end-of-life signaling. The 20-pin VQFN-20 with exposed pad simplifies PCB layout in slim remote enclosures. Industrial temperature range ensures the remote works in cold garages and hot cars.
Recommended
Energy-Harvesting Wireless Switch
Energy-harvesting switches generate a few hundred microjoules per actuation and must store enough to transmit a packet. The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ is well-matched: its deep-sleep current is so low that standby losses from the storage cap dominate, not the MCU. The wide 1.8-3.6 V supply range accepts the variable supercapacitor voltage directly. With 16 KB Flash, the MCU can implement custom MAC, encryption, and diagnostics. The RTCC timestamps events accurately when an external 32.768 kHz crystal is fitted. The exposed-pad VQFN-20 fits inside miniature switch housings where every square millimeter counts.
Recommended
Industrial Data Logger
Industrial data loggers stream or store sensor data over months. The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ handles periodic ADC sampling, FAT-style SD card writes via SPI, and low-duty UART uploads to a host. Its deep-sleep + RTCC architecture keeps average current below 50 uA while still timestamping every sample. The 2 KB RAM is sized to buffer a sector of data before flushing to EEPROM or an external SPI flash. Industrial -40 to +85 C operation covers most factory-floor and outdoor enclosures. The exposed-pad VQFN-20 helps thermal dissipation when the MCU is active at full 16 MIPS for short bursts.
Recommended
Smart Sensor / HVAC Transmitter
Smart building sensors (temperature, CO2, occupancy) need to mount unobtrusively and run on battery or harvested power for years. The PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ handles sensor reads, applies compensation, and pushes data via UART, SPI, or I2C to a wireless MCU. Its deep-sleep current sits in the nanoamp range, so duty cycle dominates energy use. The integrated RTCC schedules wakeups precisely. The 10-bit ADC handles thermistor, humidity, and gas-sensor front ends with adequate precision for HVAC control loops. The 1.8-3.6 V supply accepts 2xAA alkaline packs down to end-of-life without brown-out surprises.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24F16KA101T-I/MQ | PIC24F16KA101-I/SO | PIC24F16KA101-I/SS | PIC24F32KA101-I/MQ | PIC24F08KA101-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad (MQ) | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad (same MQ) | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad - silicon identical, SO variant ships in SOIC-20 | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad - silicon identical, SS variant ships in SSOP-20 | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad (same MQ) | 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) with exposed pad - silicon identical, P variant ships in DIP-28 |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 8 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1.5 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 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 +85 C (industrial, I) | -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 |
| I/O Pin Count | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Key Differentiators
- Reel-ready variant available on the same silicon (vs PIC24F16KA101-I/SO)
- Higher Flash budget in the same footprint (vs PIC24F08KA101-I/P)
- Smaller VQFN-20 footprint than SOIC-20 (vs PIC24F16KA101-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: average current for a typical duty-cycled sensor node using the PIC24F16KA101-I/MQ is approximately 30-50 uA if active time is 4 ms every 32 ms. Active current at 32 MHz / 3.3 V is in the few-mA range; deep-sleep current is in the nanoamp range. To minimize total energy, keep active-mode bursts short, use DMA-friendly peripheral triggers, and avoid waking the core on every timer tick. RTCC and DSWDT run from the secondary 32.768 kHz oscillator so the primary 8 MHz oscillator can stay off entirely between events.
The VQFN-20 (MQ) package exposes a thermal/ground pad on the underside. Solder this pad to a continuous PCB ground plane for both electrical reference and thermal dissipation. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of VDD pin and a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor close to the device. Keep analog (AVDD/AVSS) traces short and isolated from switching nodes. Microchip AN1503 supply-modulation layout guide recommends a four-layer stack-up for designs that must pass EN 55022 radiated emissions.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on VDD, even briefly - the PIC24F core is rated 1.8-3.6 V and over-voltage can damage the on-chip voltage regulator. Do not leave the RTCC crystal pins floating if you enable RTCC: a missing or failed crystal causes RTCC drift and may prevent wake-up. Configure the DSBOR and DSWDT early in firmware; if you rely on the default reset state you may not get the expected deep-sleep behavior. Finally, program the configuration words at the end of every production build - not enabling code protection (Basic code-guard) leaves the firmware readable via ICSP.
Route the ICSP signals (RB6/ICSPCLK, RB7/ICSPDAT, MCLR) to a 5-pin header or test pad for in-circuit programming and debug. Keep the trace length short (<50 mm) so production programmers see clean signals. Use a dedicated ICSP header rather than sharing MCLR with a pushbutton reset, otherwise ESD on the button can corrupt programming. For prototypes, an ICD header (RJ-11 style) speeds development with MPLAB X and PICkit 4.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing (2026-09-29). AEC-Q100 not applicable - this part is industrial grade, not automotive qualified. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in the Verified Web Data.
