PIC16F1778-I/SO - 8-bit 32MHz 28KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1778-I/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.16 | $2,160.00 |
PIC16F1778-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory (Flash for program, RAM for data, EEPROM for non-volatile storage), and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16F1778 sits within the PIC16 (8-bit RISC) family, which scales up from simpler PIC10/12/16F base-line and mid-range devices into the enhanced mid-range and PIC18 8-bit families, while sharing tool chains (MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, PICkit programmers). It is designed for applications requiring mixed-signal control in a low-pin-count footprint.
Key features include 28KB (16K x 14) Flash, 2KB RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, 25 I/O pins capable of sourcing/sinking 100mA for direct LED drive, a Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) module for flexible signal routing, and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and Configurable Logic Cells (CLC). The 32MHz internal oscillator and 32.768kHz low-power oscillator support both high-performance and low-power modes.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1778 uses a RISC Harvard architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and 200 ns instruction execution at 20MHz (one instruction per cycle). The high level of analog integration is its defining trait: on-chip opamps, comparators, DACs, and 16-bit PWMs let a single MCU close multiple analog control loops without external analog ICs.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers, switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), battery chargers, BLDC motor control, and general-purpose mixed-signal embedded control. The wide 2.3V to 5.5V operating range supports both 3.3V and 5V rails.
When designing with this MCU, allocate careful attention to PPS mapping to avoid pin-function conflicts, and leverage CIPs to offload timing-critical tasks from the core. The 28-SOIC package is suitable for hand-soldered prototypes and low-volume production but is less common for high-volume reflow than SSOP or QFN alternatives.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 28-SOIC alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1778-I/SO β 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-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in DAC, I/O Pins, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1776-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1779-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1769-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1708-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1615-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F15345-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1778-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range (RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz (1 instruction per cycle) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 100 mA (per-pin drive capability) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| DAC | 10-bit |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit and 16-bit high-resolution |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (300 mil, -SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) | CLC, NCO, CWG, ZCD, OpAmps, Comparators |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
PIC16F1778-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR β GPIO RA3 / Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 β GPIO RA4 / AN4 / T0CKI |
| Pin 3 | RA5 β GPIO RA5 / AN5 / VCAP |
| Pin 4 | RA6 β GPIO RA6 / OSC2 |
| Pin 5 | RA7 β GPIO RA7 / OSC1 |
| Pin 6 | RC0 β GPIO RC0 / AN16 |
| Pin 7 | RC1 β GPIO RC1 / AN17 |
| Pin 8 | RC2 β GPIO RC2 / AN18 |
| Pin 9 | RC3 β GPIO RC3 / AN19 / SCL |
| Pin 10 | RC4 β GPIO RC4 / AN20 / SDA |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.3V-5.5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | RA0 β GPIO RA0 / AN0 |
| Pin 14 | RA1 β GPIO RA1 / AN1 |
| Pin 15 | RA2 β GPIO RA2 / AN2 / DAC1OUT1 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β GPIO RC5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 β GPIO RC6 / AN21 / TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 β GPIO RC7 / AN22 / RX |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.3V-5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0 β GPIO RB0 / AN8 |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β GPIO RB1 / AN9 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β GPIO RB2 / AN10 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β GPIO RB3 / AN11 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β GPIO RB4 / AN12 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β GPIO RB5 / AN13 |
| Pin 27 | RB6 β GPIO RB6 / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 28 | RB7 β GPIO RB7 / ICSPDAT |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1778-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Drivers, Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), Battery Charging Controllers, BLDC and Brushed DC Motor Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, General Mixed-Signal Embedded Control.
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16F1778-I/SO is purpose-built for LED lighting drivers by Microchip, integrating 16-bit high-resolution PWM, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), on-chip op-amps, comparators, and a zero-cross detector. In a typical buck-LED driver, the MCU closes the current loop using the on-chip op-amp as a transconductance error amplifier, the comparator for peak-current-mode control, and 16-bit PWM for dimming down to 0.01% duty-cycle resolution. The 25 I/O pins with 100mA drive can directly switch low-current LED strings without external drivers, and the 2.3V-5.5V VDD range supports both 3.3V and 5V driver topologies.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)
For SMPS primary-side and secondary-side control, the PIC16F1778-I/SO delivers the analog integration required for digital-compensated power converters. The 32MHz CPU, 16-bit PWM with 1.6ns edge resolution, high-speed comparator with 30ns response, and 10-bit ADC at 100ksps enable peak-current-mode and average-current-mode control loops at switching frequencies up to 1MHz. The 28KB Flash holds complex state machines, while the 2KB SRAM supports real-time loop variables. Compared with the PIC16F1708-I/SO, this part adds on-chip op-amps that eliminate external compensation components.
Recommended
Battery Charging Controllers
The PIC16F1778-I/SO is well suited for lithium-ion and lead-acid battery chargers because its on-chip 10-bit DAC, op-amps, comparators, and 16-bit PWM allow a single MCU to implement CC/CV charge profiles, temperature foldback, and input-current limiting. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and last-state parameters, while the 2KB SRAM handles ADC averaging and PID integrator states. Its 2.3V to 5.5V VDD allows operation directly from a single lithium cell or a regulated 5V rail, and the -40C to +85C industrial range covers automotive and outdoor deployments.
Recommended
BLDC and Brushed DC Motor Control
Sensorless BLDC commutation, brushed DC H-bridge control, and stepper sequencing are all within the PIC16F1778-I/SO's capability. The CWG generates complementary PWMs with programmable dead-time for 3-phase inverter drive, the 16-bit PWM provides high-resolution speed/torque control, and the on-chip op-amps condition shunt-current sense signals. PPS lets the designer remap PWM outputs to any I/O pin, simplifying PCB routing. The 32MHz CPU is fast enough for sensorless back-EMF zero-cross detection at moderate RPM.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Factory-automation sensor interfaces benefit from the PIC16F1778-I/SO's on-chip analog chain: an op-amp front-end, 10-bit ADC for digitization, and CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) for hardware-level event detection without CPU wake-up. Industrial sensors with 4-20mA outputs, RTDs, or thermocouples can be conditioned and linearized entirely on-chip, with the EUSART/SPI/I2C peripherals streaming results to a host controller. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range supports deployment in unheated factory cabinets.
Recommended
General Mixed-Signal Embedded Control
Beyond the named target applications, the PIC16F1778-I/SO serves any 8-bit design that combines analog front-end, digital logic, and small-display/HMI control. EUSART, SPI, and I2C peripherals allow it to act as a sensor hub, a button/keypad scanner with CLC debouncing, or a low-cost IoT node with UART-to-WiFi/BLE bridge. The 28KB Flash accommodates small CLI implementations and bootloaders, while the CIPs (CLC, NCO, CWG) handle time-critical tasks without CPU overhead, leaving the core free for communication stacks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1778-I/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1776-I/SO | PIC16F1779-I/SO | PIC16F1769-I/SO | PIC16F1708-I/SO | PIC16F1615-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (300 mil) | 28-SOIC (300 mil) - same | 28-SOIC (300 mil) - same | 28-SOIC (300 mil) - same | 28-SOIC (300 mil) - same | 28-SOIC (300 mil) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 8 KB (-71%) | 28 KB | 14 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (-43%) | 14 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 2 KB | 1 KB (-50%) | 4 KB (+100%) | 1 KB (-50%) | 1 KB (-50%) | 1 KB (-50%) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| On-Chip Op-Amps | Yes (multiple) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 10-bit DAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 16-bit PWM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| CLC/NCO/CWG | Yes (full CIP set) | Yes | Yes | Yes (subset) | Yes (subset) | Limited |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3V - 5.5V | 2.3V - 5.5V | 2.3V - 5.5V | 2.3V - 5.5V | 1.8V - 5.5V (F version wider) | 1.8V - 5.5V |
| Unit Price (qty 1) | $3.42 | $2.85 (approx) | $3.65 (approx) | $3.10 (approx) | $2.45 (approx) | $2.10 (approx) |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash memory with full CIP set vs cost-down parts (vs PIC16F1776-I/SO)
- More analog integration than PIC16F1708-I/SO (vs PIC16F1708-I/SO)
- Same-family compatibility with PIC16F1779-I/SO for code-space headroom (vs PIC16F1779-I/SO)
- Wider peripheral set than PIC16F1615-I/SO (vs PIC16F1615-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair (pins 11/12 and 20/19 on the 28-SOIC package), plus a bulk 10uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the main VDD rail. The PIC16F1778-I/SO's 2.3V-5.5V VDD range tolerates both 3.3V and 5V rails, but ensure the supply rises monotonically within the datasheet's POR specification to avoid reset glitches. For analog reference integrity, isolate AVVDD/AVSS if your design separates analog and digital supplies.
Use the Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) module to route digital peripherals (PWM, UART, SPI, I2C) to any convenient I/O pin, simplifying PCB routing. However, avoid mapping high-speed signals (PWM outputs above 100kHz) to pins shared with analog functions unless those analog channels are not in use. Keep the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (RB6/RB7) accessible for in-circuit programming - they share the same pins on 28-SOIC, so do not place series resistors greater than 4.7k ohm on these lines.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 6.5V; the operating range is 2.3V-5.5V. The MCLR pin (RA3) is the reset input and must be pulled high via a 10k resistor for normal operation; do not leave it floating. The 28-SOIC package has higher thermal resistance than QFN alternatives - derate clock frequency or output drive if operating near 85C with high I/O switching loads. Always configure unused I/O as outputs and tie them to ground to minimize current consumption.
When using the 16-bit PWM at high switching frequencies (above 500kHz), route PWM outputs away from analog input traces and add a ground guard ring around sensitive analog nodes. The on-chip comparators have a 30ns response time; place shunt-sense traces close to the comparator inputs and use a 4-layer PCB with a solid ground plane to minimize parasitic inductance. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) outputs should be buffered externally if driving power MOSFET gates directly, as the I/O drive strength is limited.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive, consider PIC16F1778-E/SO (extended temp) or contact Microchip for automotive-grade part numbers. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance documentation.
