Microchip PIC16LF627A-I/SS Low-Power 8-Bit Microcontroller Overview

The Microchip PIC16LF627A-I/SS is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit microcontroller built on Microchip’s robust PIC® architecture. This device is engineered to deliver a balanced combination of processing capability, energy efficiency, and peripheral integration, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of battery-operated or power-sensitive embedded applications.

A defining characteristic of this microcontroller is its ultra-low power consumption. Optimized for extended battery life, it features multiple power-saving modes, including Sleep, where current draw can be reduced to nanoampere levels. This allows systems to remain in a quiescent state for long periods, waking only when necessary to process an event or sensor input, which is critical for portable and remote devices.

At its core, the PIC16LF627A operates with an enhanced RISC-based CPU that executes most instructions in a single cycle, providing efficient throughput at clock speeds up to 20 MHz. Despite its 8-bit data path, it handles a comprehensive instruction set, enabling compact code and efficient control logic.

The device is housed in an SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package), which offers a compact footprint valuable for space-constrained PCB designs. Its integrated feature set is impressive for its class, including:

1.75 KB of Flash program memory for flexible application code storage.

64 bytes of EEPROM data memory for storing non-volatile parameters without external components.

128 bytes of RAM for data handling during operation.

Two versatile timers (Timer0 and Timer1).

A USART (Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) module for serial communication (e.g., RS-232, RS-485).

An analog comparator for basic analog signal monitoring without a full ADC.

Its development is supported by Microchip’s mature MPLAB X IDE and the widespread PICkit programmer/debugger ecosystem, allowing for streamlined coding, debugging, and firmware updates.

ICGOODFIND: The PIC16LF627A-I/SS stands out as a highly capable and extremely power-efficient microcontroller. Its blend of essential peripherals, non-volatile memory, a compact package, and best-in-class low-power performance makes it a superior choice for designing cost-effective, long-lasting embedded systems such as sensor nodes, utility meters, security badges, and various consumer electronics.

Keywords: Low-Power, 8-Bit Microcontroller, PIC16LF627A, RISC Architecture, SSOP Package.