PIC16F720-I/SO - 8-bit 16MHz MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F720-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.98 | $1.98 |
| 10 | $1.74 | $17.40 |
| 100 | $1.46 | $146.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.02 | $1,020.00 |
PIC16F720-I/SO Overview
What is a PIC16 mid-range microcontroller? PIC16 is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit RISC core family that sits between the baseline PIC10/12/16F5x family and the enhanced PIC18 family. It executes 35 instructions across 8 stack levels, supports both hardware C compiler constructs and assembly, and integrates peripherals such as ADC, USART (AUSART), I2C, SPI, and PWM (CCP) without external glue logic. PIC16 MCUs are widely deployed in cost-sensitive embedded designs where low power, simple peripherals, and long-term Microchip supply continuity outweigh the need for high MIPS or 32-bit performance. The PIC16F720 specifically targets compact 20-pin applications requiring a small footprint, modest memory, and nanoWatt XLP low-power operation for battery or energy-harvesting scenarios.
Key features of the PIC16F720-I/SO include: 12 channels of 8-bit ADC for analog signal acquisition, 18 I/O pins (17 I/O + 1 input-only) with 25mA source/sink capability for direct LED drive, 128 bytes of non-volatile data EEPROM, hardware AUSART, I2C, and SPI interfaces, plus two 8-bit timers (TMR0/TMR2), one 16-bit timer (TMR1), and a CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) module. Watchdog timer (WDT), Power-on Reset (POR), and Brown-out Reset (BOR) round out the safety suite. Mid-range core and 8 stack levels provide ample headroom for interrupt-driven C firmware with Microchip's MPLAB XC8 toolchain.
The PIC16F720 uses a Harvard-architecture 8-bit RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word. The 16MHz internal oscillator can be trimmed in software via the OSCTUNE register, eliminating the need for an external crystal in most designs. The high-endurance Flash (HEF) cell supports >=10K erase/write cycles per word for both program memory and data EEPROM. Brown-out Reset is configurable in software, and the WDT can be driven by an internal 31kHz low-power oscillator. These features collectively make the PIC16F720 a strong fit for unattended, maintenance-free sensor nodes.
Typical applications for the PIC16F720-I/SO include: low-power IoT sensor nodes using XLP sleep currents below 1uA, consumer appliance controls (coffee machines, washing-machine user interfaces, microwave ovens), battery-powered handheld instruments, LED lighting controllers with analog dimming, remote-control transmitters, and small motor/solenoid drivers. The 20-pin SOIC package is well-suited for hand-soldered prototypes as well as high-volume SMT assembly.
Designers should note that 3.5KB of Flash is modest - C firmware that uses printf-style libraries or large lookup tables can fill it quickly. The 128-byte data EEPROM is intended for parameter storage (calibration, user preferences) rather than runtime variables. For applications requiring more memory or peripherals, the PIC16F721 (7.2KB Flash, 256B EEPROM) is a pin-compatible upgrade in the same 20-SOIC footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing as of 2026-09-21, Microchip-recommended drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that supplement (not duplicate) the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F720-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 PIC16F720-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Communication, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F721-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F716-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.13 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F677-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 instructions, 14-bit word |
| CPU Speed | 16 MHz (internal oscillator), up to 16 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 B |
| I/O Pins | 18 (17 I/O + 1 input-only) |
| ADC | 12-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | TMR0 (8-bit), TMR1 (16-bit), TMR2 (8-bit) |
| PWM (CCP) | 1 module (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication | AUSART, I2C, SPI (MSSP) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, -I grade) |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA per pin |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, with dedicated 31 kHz LP oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes, software configurable |
| Power-on Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Self Read/Write Flash | Yes (HEF high-endurance cell) |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (LEAD FREE) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30C / 85% RH) |
PIC16F720-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (reset) input / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O; AN0 analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O; AN1 analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O; AN2 analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O; AN3 analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O; AN4 analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O; AN5 analog input; SS (SPI slave select) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O; AN6 analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O; AN7 analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O; AN8 analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O; AN9 analog input; SCL (I2C clock) |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O; AN10 analog input; SDA (I2C data) |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O; AN11 analog input; SDO (SPI data out) |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O; TX (AUSART transmit); CK (SPI clock) |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O; RX (AUSART receive); SDI (SPI data in) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 20 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16F720-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control Panels, LED Lighting Controllers with Analog Dimming, Remote Control Transmitters (RF/IR), Small Motor and Solenoid Drivers, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F720-I/SO's nanoWatt XLP architecture delivers sleep currents below 1uA per Microchip's datasheet, enabling coin-cell battery lifetimes of 5-10 years in duty-cycled sensor nodes. The internal 16MHz oscillator eliminates external crystal power drain, while the 12-channel 8-bit ADC accepts multiple analog sensors without external multiplexing. Combined with the 128-byte data EEPROM for storing calibration constants and MPLAB XC8 low-power firmware libraries, the PIC16F720 is a strong fit for remote temperature, humidity, and occupancy nodes that report every few minutes over an external radio.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Panels
The PIC16F720-I/SO is a strong fit for washing-machine user interfaces, coffee-machine controls, and microwave-oven keypads where 12-channel ADC scans resistive touch panels and the 18 I/O pins drive LED matrix indicators and 7-segment displays. Its 25mA source/sink I/O drives LEDs directly without external transistors, reducing BOM cost. The 3.5KB Flash comfortably holds state-machine firmware for menu handling, while the HEF Flash cell supports over-the-air or in-field firmware updates through the ICSP interface, useful for post-launch UI refinements.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers with Analog Dimming
The PIC16F720-I/SO's 12-channel ADC reads multiple analog dimmer inputs simultaneously, while the CCP module generates hardware PWM for flicker-free LED brightness control at frequencies above 100Hz. The 25mA I/O source capability drives small LED strings directly, and the AUSART peripheral accepts DMX-512 or proprietary LED-control protocols. NanoWatt XLP keeps standby power below 50mW even with the ADC active, helping designs meet Energy Star and EU Ecodesign standby requirements for connected lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitters (RF/IR)
Handheld remote controls benefit from the PIC16F720-I/SO's XLP sleep currents, 25mA I/O for direct IR-LED drive at 100mA peak pulsed, and AUSART for pairing-mode communication with the receiver. The 16MHz internal oscillator provides accurate timing for IR carrier generation (36kHz, 38kHz, 40kHz NEC/RC5 protocols) without external resonator power drain. With 3.5KB Flash, designers can implement multi-protocol transmitters with on-board pairing and rolling-code security in C using MPLAB XC8.
Recommended
Small Motor and Solenoid Drivers
The PIC16F720-I/SO generates up to 4 PWM channels via the CCP module for brushed DC motor speed control, while its 8-bit timers support input-capture feedback for tachometer and encoder inputs. The 25mA I/O sink capability drives logic-level MOSFET gates through small gate-driver stages, suiting 12V/24V solenoid and DC-load switching applications. Brown-out Reset protects firmware integrity during motor stall conditions that pull Vdd below the BOR threshold, an essential feature in industrial automation and appliance white-goods.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F720-I/SO conditions analog signals from 4-20mA current loops, thermocouples, and bridge pressure sensors using its 12-channel 8-bit ADC and on-chip voltage reference. AUSART bridges to RS-485/RS-232 transceivers for legacy field-bus communication, while I2C links to digital sensor front-ends for redundant measurements. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and software-configurable BOR meet IEC 61000-4 EMC immunity requirements when paired with TVS protection and common-mode chokes on the analog input traces.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F720-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F721-I/SO | PIC16F720-I/P | PIC16F720-E/SO | PIC16F690-I/SO | PIC16F716-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC - same | 20-PDIP - through-hole | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 7.2 KB (+106%) | 3.5 KB (same) | 3.5 KB (same) | 7.2 KB (+106%) | 2 KB (-43%) |
| CPU Speed | 16 MHz / 16 MIPS | 16 MHz / 16 MIPS | 16 MHz / 16 MIPS | 16 MHz / 16 MIPS | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS (note: 690 family is older, 5 MIPS) | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 (same) | 18 (same) | 18 (same) | 20 (+11%) | 18 (same) |
| ADC Channels | 12 x 8-bit | 12 x 8-bit (same) | 12 x 8-bit (same) | 12 x 8-bit (same) | 12 x 10-bit | 8 x 8-bit |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Price (1 piece, USD) | 1.98 | 2.40 (approx) | 2.05 (approx) | 2.10 (approx) | 2.45 (approx) | 1.85 (approx) |
Key Differentiators
- nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 1uA (vs PIC16F628-I/SO)
- 12-channel 8-bit ADC at 16 MIPS (vs PIC16F716-I/SO)
- 3.5KB Flash with HEF high-endurance cell (vs PIC16F690-I/SO)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to 7.2KB Flash (vs PIC16F716-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at Vdd=5V, 16MHz active, the PIC16F720-I/SO draws approximately 6mA. In sleep mode with WDT off, XLP currents fall below 1uA, enabling coin-cell battery lifetimes of 5-10 years for duty-cycled sensor nodes (1ms active per minute). Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the Vdd pin (pin 19), and add a 10uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail to suppress voltage transients during ADC sampling bursts.
The 20-SOIC package has a thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 80 C/W, which is acceptable for the PIC16F720's modest 6mA active current - no special copper pour is needed. Keep analog and digital traces separated: route the 12 ADC input traces (RA0-RA5, RC0-RC5) away from the OSC1/OSC2 traces and the ICSP signals on RA0/RA3. Add a guard ring around the analog inputs connected to quiet analog ground (AVSS) to reduce digital switching noise injection into ADC readings.
Do not exceed 8.5V on any pin including MCLR/Vpp, even momentarily - the absolute maximum Vdd is 7.5V. The internal 16MHz oscillator is factory-calibrated to +/-2% at 25C; if your design requires tighter accuracy over temperature, either use OSCTUNE software trim or switch to an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2. Always pull MCLR high through a 10k resistor and add a 100nF capacitor for ICSP programming reliability - omitting the MCLR capacitor causes intermittent programming failures during production.
For ICSP programming, route the PGC and PGD signals (typically on RB6/RB7 or RA0/RA3 depending on configuration) with 100-ohm series damping and avoid splitting ground planes under those traces. When using the AUSART peripheral for RS-232 or RS-485, add TVS diodes such as PESD5V0L1BA on the RX/TX lines and a 100nF AC-coupling capacitor on the RS-485 bus to meet IEC 61000-4-2 ESD and IEC 61000-4-4 EFT immunity requirements.
Compliance Information
Lead-free SOIC packaging per Microchip product page. RoHS and REACH compliant per DigiKey product listing. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable for industrial-grade -I variant; the -E (extended) grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified either. For AEC-Q100 automotive designs, Microchip recommends the PIC16F720-E/SO with PPAP documentation, but customers should confirm with Microchip Field Applications for their specific automotive program.
