Microchip PIC16F688-E/SL 8-bit Microcontroller, 7KB Flash, SOIC-14

The Microchip PIC16F688-E/SL is a mid-range 8-bit microcontroller from the renowned PIC16 family, combining high performance with straightforward programming. It features a powerful PIC® RISC architecture capable of executing instructions in just 200 nanoseconds, yet is easy to program with only 35 single-word instructions. This CMOS flash-based device is an excellent choice for embedded control applications requiring a balance of processing power, energy efficiency, and design flexibility.

This microcontroller offers the full advantages of the well-established mid-range x14 architecture. It includes 7KB of addressable program memory and 256 bytes of data memory (RAM), providing ample space for complex code and variables. With 12 general-purpose I/O pins, it offers significant connectivity for peripherals and sensors. Integrated features include two comparators and an 8-channel, 10-bit analogue-to-digital (A/D) converter, enabling precise measurement of analogue signals.

The device operates at a maximum frequency of 20MHz across a wide operating voltage range of 2V to 5.5V, making it suitable for both battery-powered and mains-derived applications. Key architectural features include an 8-level hardware stack, a 9-bit file select register, and hardware interrupt handling for responsive real-time operation. It also incorporates a configurable internal oscillator (32kHz to 8MHz), 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory for non-volatile storage, and reliable reset mechanisms including Brown-out Reset (BOR) and Power-on Reset (POR).

For timing and control tasks, it provides one 8-bit digital timer and one 16-bit digital timer. Programming and debugging are simplified via In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP™), allowing for easy updates in the final product. Packaged in a compact SOIC-14 surface-mount format, it is designed for efficient PCB space utilisation.

Applications

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