PIC16F1778-E/SS - 8-Bit 32MHz 28KB Flash MCU 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1778-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.38 | $238.00 |
| 500 | $2.14 | $1,070.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
PIC16F1778-E/SS Overview
What is a PIC 8-bit microcontroller? A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) is a family of Harvard-architecture microcontrollers by Microchip Technology. The 8-bit class uses an enhanced mid-range or modified Harvard core optimized for deterministic real-time control. PIC microcontrollers fall under the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU), which in turn belong to embedded processors and ultimately to semiconductor integrated circuits. The PIC16F177X family in particular targets applications requiring on-chip analog peripherals (10-bit ADC, DAC, op-amps, comparators, zero-cross detect) alongside digital PWM and communication peripherals.
Key features include four 10-bit PWM modules with independent time bases, four 10-bit DAC channels, four op-amps, two high-speed comparators, a zero-cross detect (ZCD) module, and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible pin function mapping. The device supports up to 100mA I/O sink/source current, enabling direct LED driving without external transistors. Peripherals such as Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) provide hardware-level signal generation, offloading real-time tasks from the CPU.
The architecture combines a modified Harvard RISC core with C-compiler-friendly instruction set, supporting interrupts from multiple sources and hardware multiply. XLP technology provides ultra-low-power sleep modes with nanoWatt technology, making the device suitable for battery-powered applications. The integrated intelligent analog peripherals reduce BOM count by replacing many external components.
Typical applications include LED lighting control, switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), battery chargers with constant-current/constant-voltage profiles, brushless DC (BLDC) and stepper motor control, and general-purpose embedded systems. The 28KB Flash and 2KB RAM support moderate firmware complexity including bootloader-less communication and SBC communication protocols.
When designing with this part, ensure that the brown-out reset voltage threshold is configured correctly for the supply rail and that the PPS mapping is set up before peripheral activation. For applications requiring extended temperature, the -E (Extended) grade supports -40C to +125C operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 28-SSOP alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1778-E/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 PIC16F1778-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1778-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1778-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1777-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1776-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1708-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1778-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| DAC Channels | 10-bit (4 channels per FindIC summary) |
| Op-Amps | On-chip (4 per datasheet family) |
| Comparators | High-speed (per datasheet family) |
| PWM Modules | 10/16-bit, multiple independent time bases |
| Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 100 mA |
| Communication Peripherals | SPI, I2C, EUSART |
| XLP (eXtreme Low Power) | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1778-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — PORTA I/O pin 2; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — PORTA I/O pin 3; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — PORTA I/O pin 4; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — PORTA I/O pin 5; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 5 | RA6 — PORTA I/O pin 6; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 6 | RA7 — PORTA I/O pin 7; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/RA0 — Crystal oscillator input or PORTA I/O pin 0 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/RA1 — Crystal oscillator output or PORTA I/O pin 1 |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC I/O pin 0; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC I/O pin 1; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC I/O pin 2; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC I/O pin 3; analog-capable; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC I/O pin 4; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC I/O pin 5; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC I/O pin 6; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC I/O pin 7; PPS-mappable |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB I/O pin 0; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB I/O pin 1; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB I/O pin 2; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB I/O pin 3; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB I/O pin 4; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB I/O pin 5; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — PORTB I/O pin 6; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change; ICD clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — PORTB I/O pin 7; analog-capable; PPS-mappable; interrupt-on-change; ICD data |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1778-E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting Control and Dimming, Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control, Battery Charging (CC/CV Profiles), Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control, Stepper Motor and Solenoid Control, General-Purpose Embedded Control, Sensor Signal Conditioning and Processing.
LED Lighting Control and Dimming
The PIC16F1778-E/SS is purpose-built for LED lighting control, where its four 10-bit DAC channels and four on-chip op-amps enable dim-to-warm, tunable-white, and constant-current LED driving. The 100 mA I/O sink/source rating directly drives LED strings without external MOSFETs, while the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) generates hardware-level dead-band-controlled switching for high-efficiency LED drivers. The ZCD module synchronizes TRIAC dimming to the AC mains for flicker-free phase-cut dimming. With XLP nanoWatt sleep modes, the device supports battery-powered LED fixtures with multi-year coin-cell operation. The 28KB Flash fits complex lighting protocols (DALI, BLE-based control, custom PWM schemes) and the 2KB RAM supports smooth dim curves.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control
The PIC16F1778-E/SS integrates the peripherals required for digital SMPS control: high-speed comparators for current-mode control, 10-bit ADC for voltage and current sensing, four 10-bit DAC channels for reference and slope compensation, and PWM modules with independent time bases. The CWG peripheral generates complementary gate-drive signals with programmable dead time, eliminating the need for external gate-driver logic. The ZCD enables valley/peak switching for QR/DCM flyback converters. The 32MHz core provides 8 MIPS, enough for digital compensation loops in PFC and LLC topologies. The extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) supports industrial and automotive power supply environments.
Recommended
Battery Charging (CC/CV Profiles)
The PIC16F1778-E/SS executes constant-current/constant-voltage charging algorithms for Li-ion, NiMH, and lead-acid chemistries using its on-chip op-amps for current-sense amplification and comparators for voltage thresholds. The 10-bit ADC samples charge current and battery voltage at high rates for accurate termination detection (-Delta V for NiMH, Imin for Li-ion). The four DAC channels provide programmable reference voltages for multi-stage charging. XLP technology enables low quiescent current in standby, preserving battery shelf. The 28KB Flash fits chemistry-specific lookup tables, safety timers, and SMBus/I2C charger protocol stacks. The 28-SSOP package suits compact charger form factors.
Recommended
Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control
The PIC16F1778-E/SS drives BLDC and PMSM motors using its CWG for complementary 3-phase PWM, comparators for back-EMF zero-cross sensing, and the QEI (Quadrature Encoder Interface) for closed-loop position control. The op-amps condition current-sense signals from low-side shunt resistors, while the 10-bit ADC samples phase currents at PWM center for field-oriented control entry-level implementations. The 28KB Flash supports sensorless back-EMF algorithms and simple FOC routines. The extended temperature grade suits automotive HVAC, appliance pumps, and small fan applications where BLDC efficiency is critical.
Recommended
Stepper Motor and Solenoid Control
For stepper motors and solenoids, the PIC16F1778-E/SS uses its independent PWM time bases to generate microstepping sine profiles and the CWG for H-bridge gate timing with programmable dead-band. The four DAC channels set per-phase current references for microstepping drivers like the DRV8833 or A4988 stepper companions. The 100 mA I/O directly drives small solenoids. With 2KB RAM, the device stores microstep sine tables for up to 256 microsteps. The Extended temperature grade supports industrial valves, automotive actuators, and 3D-printer head positioning where stepper motor control is required.
Recommended
General-Purpose Embedded Control
Beyond lighting and motor control, the PIC16F1778-E/SS serves general-purpose embedded applications requiring mid-range Flash (28KB), generous RAM (2KB), and versatile peripherals. Its PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) lets designers remap UART, SPI, I2C, and PWM to nearly any I/O pin, simplifying PCB layout. The EUSART, SPI, and I2C peripherals support sensor interfacing, while the 10-bit ADC reads analog sensors. XLP technology supports battery-powered IoT sensor nodes with multi-year battery life. The 28-SSOP package is hand-solderable for prototyping and the extended temperature grade suits industrial and automotive environments.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Processing
The PIC16F1778-E/SS integrates on-chip op-amps that condition analog sensor signals (thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, photodiodes) before ADC sampling. The high-speed comparators generate interrupt-driven threshold alerts without CPU involvement. The 10-bit ADC samples up to multiple channels for sensor fusion applications. Combined with XLP technology, the device enables ultra-low-power sensor nodes for IoT environmental monitoring, where the 28KB Flash fits complex sensor compensation algorithms. The ZCD module supports AC-coupled sensor inputs. The 28-SSOP is small enough to fit sensor-hub PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1778-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1778-I/SS | PIC16LF1778-I/SS | PIC16F1777-E/SS | PIC16F1776-I/SS | PIC16F1708-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | lower Flash (per family datasheet) | reduced Flash vs 1778 | 7 KB (-75%) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3V to 5.5V (F variant) | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 2.3V to 5.5V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-memory 28-pin option in the PIC16F177X family (vs PIC16F1777-E/SS)
- Extended temperature grade for industrial/automotive environments (vs PIC16F1778-I/SS)
- Low-voltage variant for battery applications (vs PIC16LF1778-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16F1778-E/SS Extended temperature variant operates from 2.3V to 5.5V on the 'F' grade (1.8V to 3.6V on the 'LF' low-voltage variant). Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the VDD pins (pins 7 and 20) and a 10uF bulk capacitor near the package. For battery-powered applications using XLP modes, use Sleep current ratings from the datasheet's Electrical Characteristics table to size battery capacity accurately.
The 28-SSOP package has 0.65mm pitch and is hand-solderable with care. For reflow soldering, follow Microchip's SSOP thermal profile recommendations. Place the decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the VDD/VSS pairs and keep the analog and digital grounds separated at the schematic level, joining them at a single point near the IC. Use a ground plane on the top or bottom layer to minimize EMI and improve thermal dissipation.
The PIC16F1778-E/SS Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature lets you remap peripherals to nearly any I/O, but PPS must be UNLOCKED via the PPSLOCK register sequence before reconfiguration. Forgetting this is a common cause of 'dead peripheral' debugging sessions. Also note: the on-chip op-ps have specific input pin assignments per the datasheet - not all op-amps can connect to any pin even with PPS. Always consult the family datasheet's analog pinout table before routing PCB.
When using the PIC16F1778-E/SS for motor control or SMPS, the CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) outputs can produce fast edges with high dV/dt. Keep the gate-drive traces short and use a ground plane to prevent coupling into analog inputs. The on-chip op-amps used for current sensing should have their inputs filtered with small RC networks (10-100 ohms, 1nF) to suppress switching noise. Use the dedicated analog supply pin if available (AVDD/AVSS) and decouple it separately from VDD/VSS.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - check PIC16F1778-E/SS variant for automotive use cases. Lead-free and Pb-free terminations.
