PIC16F720T-I/SS - 3.5KB Flash 8-bit MCU 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F720T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.73 | $1.73 |
| 10 | $1.59 | $15.90 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.27 | $635.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.13 | $1,130.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.02 | $3,060.00 |
PIC16F720T-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for embedded control tasks such as sensor reading, actuator driving, and protocol bridging. The PIC16F720 sits within the broader hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> mid-range MCU -> PIC16 family -> 16-pin/20-pin Flash microcontroller family, and ultimately within Microchip Technology's microcontroller portfolio of PIC microcontrollers, dsPIC digital signal controllers, and 32-bit SAM Arm Cortex devices. Mid-range cores such as the PIC16F720 use a 14-bit instruction word and 35 single-word instructions with 8 hardware stack levels.
Key features include 18 digital I/O pins capable of 25 mA source/sink per pin, a 12-channel 8-bit ADC, one I2C, one SPI, one AUSART (addressable USART), and one CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) module. The device supports two 8-bit timers (TMR0/TMR2) and one 16-bit timer (TMR1), plus Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-on Reset (POR), and Brown-Out Reset (BOR) for robust embedded operation. High Endurance Flash (HEF) memory extends Flash cell endurance for applications requiring frequent parameter updates.
Typical applications include consumer white goods, low-end remote controls, sensor conditioning, LED drivers, small appliance controllers, and battery-powered IoT nodes. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V operating range combined with NanoWatt XLP low-power modes makes the PIC16F720 particularly suited for energy-harvesting or battery-backed designs where quiescent current directly determines battery life.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the ICSP/ICD interface pins (PGM/ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) are accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging, and that the ADC reference voltage is well-bypassed to obtain full 8-bit accuracy.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F720T-I/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 PIC16F720T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Core Architecture, Internal Oscillator.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F720-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F721T-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16F690T-I/SS
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$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F631T-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16F677T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F687-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC Mid-Range (8-bit, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 128 bytes |
| Non-volatile Data Storage (HEF) | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 0 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 16 MIPS @ 16 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA per pin |
| ADC | 12-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit (TMR0, TMR2), 1x 16-bit (TMR1) |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x AUSART |
| PWM/CCP Modules | 1x CCP |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | NanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F720T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 3 / ADC voltage reference input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 4 / Timer0 external clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 5 / SPI slave select / high/low voltage detect input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 6 | RB0/CCP1/AN12 — Bidirectional I/O / CCP1 / ADC channel 12 |
| Pin 7 | RB1/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 11 |
| Pin 8 | RB2/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 10 |
| Pin 9 | RB3/AN9 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 9 |
| Pin 10 | RB4/AN8 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 8 |
| Pin 11 | RB5/AN7 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 12 | RB6/ICSPCLK/AN5 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 13 | RB7/ICSPDAT/AN6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/RA6 — Crystal output / bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal input / bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 18 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 19 | RC2/AN6 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 20 | RC3/AN7 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC channel 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC16F720T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer White Goods Control, Low-End Remote Control / IR Transmitter, Sensor Conditioning / Industrial Front-End, LED Driver / Lighting Controller, Small Appliance Control Board, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node.
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16F720T-I/SS fits consumer white-goods control boards (rice cookers, small kitchen appliances, washing machines) where a cost-optimized 8-bit MCU drives relays, reads sensors, and runs user-interface logic. Its 25 mA I/O source/sink current directly drives triac interfaces and LED indicators without buffers, while the 12-channel 8-bit ADC handles multiple temperature and water-level probes with adequate resolution for closed-loop control. Compared with a 32-bit Cortex-M0+, the F720 keeps BOM cost low and maintains the modest 16 MIPS throughput these applications need. In a typical washing machine front-panel board, the F720 reads rotary encoder inputs, scans the seven-segment display, and generates zero-cross timing for triac-based motor control. The internal 16 MHz oscillator eliminates the external crystal, freeing board area and reducing component count. NanoWatt XLP low-power sleep modes reduce standby power to meet energy-star regulations when the appliance is idle. Performance benefit: the integrated 25 mA I/O eliminates 8-10 discrete driver transistors, simplifying PCB layout.
Recommended
Low-End Remote Control / IR Transmitter
The PIC16F720T-I/SS is well suited to low-end IR remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, and HVAC systems where battery life and unit cost dominate the design. Its NanoWatt XLP sleep current (sub-microamp typical) draws almost no energy between button presses, and the 1.8V-5.5V operating range accepts 2x AA or single Li coin cells directly. The CCP module produces the 38 kHz carrier with hardware precision, avoiding the drift caused by software timing loops. With 18 I/O, the F720 supports full 4x4 key matrix scanning plus status LEDs without external multiplexer. In an AC-controller remote, the MCU wakes on a button-press interrupt, scans the matrix, drives IR LED via the CCP PWM at 38 kHz, then re-enters sleep in milliseconds. Total battery drain is dominated by the IR pulseburst, not standby current. Performance benefit: the NanoWatt XLP technology extends battery life to 2+ years on standard AAA cells compared with mid-range PIC devices without XLP.
Recommended
Sensor Conditioning / Industrial Front-End
The PIC16F720T-I/SS works well as an industrial sensor front-end for 4-20 mA loops, RTD/thermocouple amplification boards, and limit-switch aggregation modules. Its 12-channel 8-bit ADC simultaneously acquires multiple analog inputs with on-chip acquisition, and the AUSART enables RS-485/Modbus communication to the host PLC. With 3.5 KB Flash, the F720 holds calibration tables, linearization routines, and fault-detection logic that would otherwise require an external EEPROM or larger MCU. In a multi-channel thermocouple scanner, the F720 sequences cold-junction compensation, applies NIST linearization polynomials, and formats Modbus RTU frames for the controller. The 1.8V minimum supply tolerates brownout conditions while preserving measurement integrity. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating ensures operation in unheated enclosures. Performance benefit: integrated 12-channel 8-bit ADC eliminates an external ADC chip, reducing BOM cost by approximately $0.50 per board.
Recommended
LED Driver / Lighting Controller
The PIC16F720T-I/SS provides compact intelligence for cost-sensitive LED drivers and architectural lighting controllers where per-channel cost dominates. Its 18 I/O, each capable of 25 mA source/sink, directly drives low-current LED strings, while the CCP module generates PWM dimming with 10-bit resolution when paired with the internal 16 MHz oscillator. With NanoWatt XLP technology, AC-line powered fixtures reduce standby to <50 mW to meet international energy regulations such as Energy Star v2.0 and EU Ecodesign Lot 37. In a smart downlight, the F720 reads a 0-10V analog dim input, drives a constant-current regulator via PWM, monitors temperature with the on-chip ADC, and provides DMX-512 receive via AUSART. The integrated peripherals replace a typical three-chip solution (analog dim MCU + LED driver + DMX receiver), shrinking the BOM. Performance benefit: the 16 MIPS throughput sustains 4-channel 16-bit PWM dim updates with smooth 1 ms refresh.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F720T-I/SS fits small countertop appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and air purifiers where a single chip must coordinate timing, temperature, and user interface. The 16 MIPS core executes PID loops for temperature regulation while still servicing key scanning, display refresh, and pump relays. The 18 I/O can directly drive seven-segment LEDs, sensors, and triac gates without external drivers, keeping PCB area under 25x25 mm. In an espresso machine controller, the F720 reads boiler thermistor via ADC, drives the heater via SSR, controls the pump via PWM, and sequences pre-infusion timing. Mid-range 8-bit performance is ideal for these deterministic control tasks. Performance benefit: integrated CCP PWM plus 25 mA I/O eliminates the gate-driver transistor and timer IC commonly required with smaller PIC devices.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16F720T-I/SS is well matched to battery-powered IoT sensor nodes transmitting over sub-GHz radio (e.g., 433 MHz OOK/FSK) from a coin cell. Its NanoWatt XLP sleep currents at 1.8V typically fall below 1 uA, while wake-on-interrupt sources (IOC, WDT, ADC) let the MCU return to full operation in microseconds. The 1.8V-5.5V supply accepts 2x AA alkaline, single CR2032, or energy-harvester-fed supercap banks. The internal 16 MHz oscillator eliminates crystal standby current draw. In a wireless temperature/humidity sensor, the F720 sleeps in XLP mode, wakes every 30 seconds on a Watchdog Timer interrupt, reads the sensor via I2C, transmits via SPI to a sub-GHz radio, and returns to sleep. Average current consumption under 5 uA yields over 5 years of life from a CR2032 cell. Performance benefit: combined XLP sleep + 16 MIPS throughput enables 10-year battery designs that are infeasible with always-on MCUs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F720T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F720-I/SS | PIC16F721T-I/SS | PIC16F690T-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-20 | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB (same) | 7 KB (+100%) | 7.2 KB (+106%) |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B (same) | 256 B (+100%) | 256 B (+100%) |
| EEPROM | 0 B | 0 B (same) | 0 B (same) | 256 B |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 16 MIPS / 16 MHz | 16 MIPS (same) | 16 MIPS (same) | 5 MIPS / 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (same) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 (same) | 18 (same) | 18 (same) |
| ADC | 12-ch, 8-bit | 12-ch, 8-bit (same) | 12-ch, 8-bit (same) | 12-ch, 10-bit |
| NanoWatt XLP Low Power | Yes | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | No (legacy) |
Key Differentiators
- Mid-range PIC16 with NanoWatt XLP ultra-low-power in SSOP-20 (vs PIC16F690T-I/SS)
- 3.5 KB Flash with no EEPROM (vs PIC16F690T-I/SS)
- 8-bit ADC vs 10-bit on F690 (vs PIC16F690T-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16F720T-I/SS supplies a single VDD pin (pin 14). Decouple VDD to VSS with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package, plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor to handle transients. For battery-powered designs, place a 10 ohm ferrite bead or 10 ohm resistor in series with VDD to filter switch-mode supply noise. The 1.8V minimum supply requires a clean LDO if fed from a higher-voltage rail; do not drop directly from a switching node to avoid MCU reset during load steps.
For SSOP-20 hand-repair layouts, use a 0.65 mm pitch pad pattern with at least 0.4 mm standoff for production-friendly stencil printing. Keep the ICSP/ICD pins (RB6/ICSPCLK and RB7/ICSPDAT) on accessible board-edge test points; the Microchip MPLAB ICD 4/REAL ICE connections require at minimum a 5-wire interface (VDD, VSS, PGM, ICSPCLK, ICSPDAT). All unused I/O must be configured as outputs low or inputs with internal weak pull-ups enabled to avoid floating-pin current draw in XLP sleep.
Do not confuse PIC16F720 with PIC16F721: the F721 has 7 KB Flash and 256 bytes SRAM versus 3.5 KB / 128 bytes on the F720. Both share the same datasheet but pin-to-pin compatible only if your firmware fits within the smaller F720 memory budget. Also note that the F720 has zero EEPROM; non-volatile byte storage must use Flash HEF (High Endurance Flash) regions defined via the HEF library. Attempting EEPROM-style writes via standard Flash routines will fail on the F720. Use <dataEE.h> or MPLAB Code Configurator for correct HEF handling.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use AEC-Q100-grade PIC16F variants or PIC18F families.
