PIC16F1786-I/SO - 8-Bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1786-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.61 | $26.10 |
| 100 | $2.34 | $234.00 |
| 500 | $2.1 | $1,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.71 | $5,130.00 |
PIC16F1786-I/SO Overview
A PIC16F178x microcontroller belongs to the 8-bit PIC® MCU family from Microchip, which sits inside the broader hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. The PIC16F178x series is positioned above the baseline PIC10/12/16F families but below the PIC18 and dsPIC lines, targeting applications that need precision analog on-chip (12-bit ADC, 8-bit DAC, op-amps) while retaining the deterministic RISC instruction set that PIC MCUs are known for.
Key features include: 32 MHz internal oscillator (8 MHz with 4x PLL), 1.8V–5.5V wide operating range, nanoWatt XLP sleep currents (typical 50 nA in sleep with Watchdog Timer), 8-channel 12-bit ADC, an 8-bit DAC, two operational amplifiers usable as front-end gain stages, two Fast Comparators with programmable references, three 16-bit timers plus a PSMC peripheral, and dual hardware PWM/CCP blocks. On-chip debugging is supported via ICD/ICSP.
The architecture pairs a Harvard RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word, 16 hardware stack levels, and a unified peripheral bus enabling simultaneous ADC + DAC + op-amp operation. The integrated op-amps can be configured as transimpedance or non-inverting gain stages, eliminating external analog conditioning and reducing BOM count in sensor-interface designs.
Typical applications include LED lighting and color-mixing drivers, sensor conditioning and IoT edge nodes, BLDC/PMSM motor commutation via the PSMC, switching power supply secondary-side control, digital power conversion with the 12-bit ADC, precision battery management, and industrial HVAC controls.
When designing with the PIC16F1786-I/SO, observe the VDD/VSS decoupling guidance in the datasheet — typically a 0.1 µF ceramic close to each power pin plus a bulk 10 µF — and ensure the analog and digital VDD rails are tied at a single point if you need full 12-bit ADC linearity.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet — useful when comparing against PIC18, AVR or ARM Cortex-M0 alternatives for cost-sensitive analog-rich designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1786-I/SO — 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 PIC16F1786-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, ADC, DAC, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1786-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1786-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1786-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1786-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1789-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1769-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1719-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1786-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F178x (XLP) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC RISC, Harvard architecture |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns at 20 MHz / 125 ns at 32 MHz |
| Program Flash Memory | 14 KB (8K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| I/O Pins | 25 (typical, varies by package) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 11 channels |
| DAC | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| Op-Amps | 2 on-chip |
| Comparators | 2 (Fast Comp, programmable reference) |
| Timers | 3 x 16-bit + PSMC peripheral |
| PWM/CCP | 1 CCP + 1 ECCP + PSMC PWM |
| Serial Interfaces | I2C, SPI, EUSART (LIN-capable) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial -I) |
| MSL Moisture Sensitivity | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP/ICD via PICKit4/5, MPLAB X |
PIC16F1786-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 0 (ADC, op-amp, comparator) |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2 — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1 — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 10 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB3/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / ICD clock |
| Pin 13 | RB4/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICD data |
| Pin 14 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB6/PGC — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 16 | RB7/PGD — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 25 | RE3/MCLR — Input only / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog positive supply (tie to VDD) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1786-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers, Sensor Conditioning and IoT Edge Nodes, BLDC and PMSM Motor Commutation, Switching Power Supply Secondary-Side Control, Digital Power Conversion and PFC, Industrial HVAC and Appliance Controls, Battery Management and Fuel-Gauge Systems.
LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers
The PIC16F1786-I/SO fits LED lighting designs because its 12-bit ADC and 8-bit DAC pair with three 16-bit timers plus the PSMC peripheral to generate high-resolution PWM channels for multi-channel RGBW dimming. With 14 KB Flash and 1 KB RAM, designers can embed full lookup-based color-temperature curves and DMX-512 stack without external memory. The XLP nanoWatt sleep mode draws ~50 nA typical, so a PIC16F05 controller can keep a battery-backed smart-bulb awake on standby for years. Compared to a discrete PWM controller, the integrated CCP+ECCP+PSMC triples give synchronized PWM with dead-band control, eliminating external gate-driver logic in high-CRI dimmer circuits.
Recommended
Sensor Conditioning and IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC16F1786-I/SO is a strong fit for IoT sensor signal-conditioning because two integrated op-amps and a 12-bit ADC let you build a complete analog front-end — transimpedance, gain, filtering, thresholding — on the MCU itself. At 1.8–5.5 V operation, it can run directly from a coin cell, AA pack or 3.3 V system rail. With XLP sleep currents in the nanoAmp range and 14 KB Flash for protocol stacks, designers can ship a sensor node that wakes up, takes a reading over I2C, encrypts and transmits, then returns to sleep — often exceeding one year on a single 2032 coin cell.
Recommended
BLDC and PMSM Motor Commutation
The PIC16F1786-I/SO is well-suited to small BLDC/PMSM motor control because the PSMC peripheral generates 6-channel complementary PWM with programmable dead-band — exactly what's needed for three-phase inverter gate drive. The 32 MHz CPU and 12-bit ADC sample back-EMF at >1 Msps for sensorless trapezoidal commutation of sub-100 W fan, pump or drone motors. With 14 KB Flash you can store commutation tables, fault-recovery routines and UART-based speed-command handling without external memory. The on-chip comparators can also be hard-wired to overcurrent protection, eliminating external protection logic.
Recommended
Switching Power Supply Secondary-Side Control
For isolated DC-DC converter secondary-side control, the PIC16F1786-I/SO delivers 32 MHz CPU bandwidth to run a 100 kHz+ control loop while the 12-bit ADC senses Vout/IoTlinetext feedback simultaneously with the on-chip op-amp as a current-sense amplifier. The 8-bit DAC enables digital soft-start ramps, and PSMC generates synchronous-rectifier timing. Its wide 1.8–5.5 V VDD range lets the same firmware run on 3.3 V or 5 V auxiliary rails without redesign. Compared to a pure analog PWM controller, the PIC16F1786 adds programmable fault handling, telemetry and I2C/PMBus compatibility.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion and PFC
The PIC16F1786-I/SO fits digital power factor correction (PFC) and LLC converter designs because the 32 MHz core runs high-frequency control loops while the 12-bit ADC samples VIN, IIN and VOUT on a sub-microsecond timescale. Two on-chip op-amps can each form a current-sense amplifier, eliminating two external ICs. PSMC provides center-aligned PWM for totem-pole PFC and synchronous rectification. With 14 KB Flash and 1 KB RAM, designers can embed the full state machine, soft-start and protection firmware without external memory.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC and Appliance Controls
For industrial HVAC damper and valve actuators, the PIC16F1786-I/SO is an excellent fit because of its industrial -40 to +85 C temperature range, integrated 12-bit ADC for temperature/pressure sensing, and PSMC for triac-fired heater control. The 14 KB Flash supports full Modbus RTU or BACnet stack and lookup-table-based PID control. Compared to a basic 8-bit MCU, the on-chip op-amps simplify 4–20 mA current-loop signal conditioning. The EUSART with LIN capability lets the same firmware drive LIN-based HVAC dampers.
Recommended
Battery Management and Fuel-Gauge Systems
The PIC16F1786-I/SO is a fit for primary-cell and rechargeable battery management because its 1.8–5.5 V VDD range lets it run directly from a single Li-Ion or 2x AA stack without external LDO. The 12-bit ADC with internal 1.024 V reference provides accurate voltage and current measurement for coulomb-counting fuel gauges, while two on-chip op-amps can form a low-side current-sense amplifier. PSMC generates synchronous buck-converter timing for charging profiles. With XLP nanoWatt sleep currents and 14 KB Flash, the same MCU runs both BMS telemetry and a small SoC estimator.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1786-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1786-I/SS | PIC16F1786-E/SO | PIC16F1786-I/ML | PIC16F1786-I/SP | PIC16F1789-E/SO | PIC16F1769-I/SO | PIC16F1719-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SSOP (SS) - same footprint family | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-PDIP (SP) | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-UQFN (MV) |
| Program Flash | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB (+100%) | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| Data RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB (+100%) | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| 12-bit ADC Channels | up to 11 | up to 11 | up to 11 | up to 11 | up to 11 | up to 14 | up to 12 | up to 17 |
| On-chip DAC | 8-bit, 1 channel | 8-bit, 1 channel | 8-bit, 1 channel | 8-bit, 1 channel | 8-bit, 1 channel | 8-bit, 1 channel | None | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| Op-Amps on chip | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Approx. 1pc Price (USD) | $2.85 | $2.92 | $3.10 | $2.99 | $2.95 | $3.60 | $2.45 | $2.78 |
Key Differentiators
- Dual integrated op-amps eliminate external analog front-end ICs (vs PIC16F1719-I/MV (UQFN-28))
- Integrated 8-bit DAC vs no DAC on lower-cost peers (vs PIC16F1769-I/SO)
- PSMC peripheral with programmable dead-band for motor and PFC control (vs PIC16F1768-I/ML)
- Same-silicon pin compatibility across SOIC/SSOP/QFN/PDIP packages (vs PIC16F1789-E/SO (40-pin SOIC))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair on the PIC16F1786-I/SO, plus a single 10 µF bulk capacitor on the main VDD rail. According to the Microchip PIC16F1786 datasheet, AVDD and VDD should be tied at a single point near the MCU; placing a ferrite bead between them is acceptable for mixed-signal designs but adds 1–2 LSB to ADC offset error. Estimated: at 32 MHz with all peripherals active, IDD is ~7 mA typical at 5 V — the bulk cap should be sized to ride out any 100 µs inrush during MCU startup.
For 12-bit ADC accuracy on the PIC16F1786-I/SO, route analog signals (AN0–AN11) as short as possible, with a guard ground plane between analog and digital sections. Reference layout AN-1410 from Microchip for ADC PCB guidelines. Estimated: trace lengths above 50 mm or vias on analog traces can add 1–2 LSB of coupling noise; keep digital signals (PWM, PSMC outputs) at least 3 mm away from analog traces, and place the ADC reference bypass cap (typically 100 nF) directly on the VREF+/VREF- pins.
Do not leave the MCLR pin (pin 25 on 28-SOIC) floating — tie it to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor for normal operation, or to VDD directly if you never need external reset. The PIC16F1786 datasheet warns that floating MCLR can cause spurious resets in noisy environments. Also: the ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) require 4.7 kΩ pull-ups only when PICKit is attached — for standalone operation leave them as regular GPIO. Avoid enabling the weak pull-ups on analog pins (RA0–RA5) since they introduce leakage current that degrades ADC accuracy at high source impedance.
When routing the PSMC PWM outputs to gate drivers on the PIC16F1786-I/SO, use impedance-controlled traces (50 Ω single-ended) for outputs above 50 kHz. Estimated: 32 MHz CPU with 4x PLL drives PWM at up to 250 kHz; rise times of 5 ns on RC0/RC2/etc. can couple into adjacent analog traces if not properly guarded. Series-termination resistors of 33 Ω at the source end reduce overshoot; keep traces shorter than 50 mm to avoid transmission-line effects. Reference application note AN-2771 (PWM Output Structure and Design).
The PIC16F1786-I/SO in 28-SOIC has a thermal resistance θJA of approximately 80 C/W (free air, JEDEC EIA/JESD51 4-layer test board). Estimated: at full 32 MHz operation across industrial -40 to +85 C, worst-case self-heating raises die temperature by ~10 C over ambient — well within the 125 C absolute maximum. For continuous high-current GPIO sinking (20 mA per pin, 100 mA total per port group), derate by 30% above +70 C ambient or move to a QFN package (PIC16F1786-I/ML) with θJA ~30 C/W.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified (no automotive grade for this family — automotive users should look at PIC16F1786-E/SO at extended temperature range, not AEC-Q100). Lead-free and halogen-free.
