PIC16F721-E/ML - 8-bit 16MHz 7KB Flash MCU | 20-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F721-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.36 | $236.00 |
| 500 | $2.13 | $1,065.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.95 | $1,950.00 |
PIC16F721-E/ML Overview
What is a PIC16 microcontroller? PIC16 is a family of 8-bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology built on a Harvard RISC architecture with a small, fixed instruction set optimized for embedded control. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, PIC16 sits below 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts and above simple 8-bit 8051 cores, occupying the mid-range tier for cost-sensitive, low-power applications. The 'nanoWatt XLP' technology on the PIC16F721 extends battery life in always-on designs by aggressively gating peripherals during sleep.
Key features of the PIC16F721-E/ML include 7 KB flash (4K x 14 words), an internal 16 MHz oscillator, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, and 25 mA source/sink I/O capability, with I2C, SPI, and AUSART serial interfaces plus a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module. The -E suffix denotes the extended (-40C to +125C) operating temperature range required by industrial and outdoor applications. The 20-QFN EP package is the smallest footprint option for this part and includes a thermal pad for improved dissipation at high GPIO loads.
Typical applications for the PIC16F721-E/ML include consumer appliance control, battery-powered sensor hubs, LED lighting controllers, low-cost motor control, and industrial automation peripherals. The integrated 10-bit ADC, CCP PWM, and AUSART allow designers to replace multiple discrete components with a single MCU, reducing BOM cost while the 16 MHz core provides ample headroom for sensor-fusion loops.
When designing with this part, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and connect the exposed pad to a ground pour of at least 10x10 mm for thermal relief. The 25 mA source/sink rating allows direct LED drive without external transistors on most GPIOs, simplifying PCB layout.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F721-E/ML — 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 PIC16F721-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F721-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F882-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F631-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F721-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 16 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes (non-volatile data storage) |
| Stack Levels | 8 |
| Operating Frequency | 16 MHz (internal oscillator) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V / 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended, -E suffix) |
| ADC | 12-channel 8-bit |
| Timers | Two 8-bit (TMR0/TMR2), One 16-bit (TMR1) |
| Communication Peripherals | I2C, SPI, AUSART |
| PWM Modules | CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| I/O Drive Strength | 25 mA source/sink |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT) |
| Reset Sources | POR (Power-on Reset), BOR (Brown-Out Reset) |
| Package | 20-pin QFN (4x4 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Technology | nanoWatt XLP (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Programming | In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
PIC16F721-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/ICSPDAT — GPIO RA0 / ADC ch0 / comparator input / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/ICSPCLK — GPIO RA1 / ADC ch1 / comparator input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/C1OUT — GPIO RA2 / ADC ch2 / comparator output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/C1IN+ — GPIO RA3 / ADC ch3 / VREF+ / comparator input |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI/C2OUT — GPIO RA4 / ADC ch4 / TMR0 clock / comparator output |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — GPIO RA5 / ADC ch5 / SPI slave select / HLVD input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0/AN12/INT — GPIO RB0 / ADC ch12 / external interrupt |
| Pin 9 | RB1/AN10/C2IN+ — GPIO RB1 / ADC ch10 / comparator input |
| Pin 10 | RB2/AN8/C2IN-/P1B — GPIO RB2 / ADC ch8 / comparator input / PWM output |
| Pin 11 | RB3/AN9/CCP1/P1A — GPIO RB3 / ADC ch9 / CCP1 / PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RB4/AN11/SDA — GPIO RB4 / ADC ch11 / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RB5/AN7/SCL/CCP2 — GPIO RB5 / ADC ch7 / I2C clock / CCP2 |
| Pin 14 | RB6/ICSPCLK — GPIO RB6 / ICSP clock / debug |
| Pin 15 | RB7/ICSPDAT/TX/CK — GPIO RB7 / ICSP data / AUSART TX/CK |
| Pin 16 | RC0/SOSCO — GPIO RC0 / secondary oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | RC1/SOSCI — GPIO RC1 / secondary oscillator input |
| Pin 18 | RC2/AN6/CK — GPIO RC2 / ADC ch6 / AUSART clock |
| Pin 19 | RC3/AN7/DT — GPIO RC3 / ADC ch7 / AUSART data |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to VDD/VSS (see datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F721-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Hub, LED Lighting Controllers, Low-Cost BLDC Motor Control, Industrial Automation Peripherals, Automotive Cabin Electronics, HVAC Thermostat Controller.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16F721-E/ML's 25 mA source/sink I/O drives relay coils and triac interfaces directly, eliminating external transistors in washing-machine and dishwasher boards. The 7 KB flash holds appliance state-machine code plus a small UI loop, while the 12-channel ADC reads temperature, level, and motor-current sensors. Its 2.0-5.5 V supply range supports direct connection to rectified 3.3 V or 5 V rails, and nanoWatt XLP keeps standby power below 100 nA for energy-star compliance in always-on appliances.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hub
The PIC16F721-E/ML's nanoWatt XLP technology drops quiescent current below 100 nA in sleep, extending coin-cell life in wireless sensor nodes. The 12-channel ADC multiplexes temperature, humidity, and PIR sensors, while I2C/SPI connect to an external radio or EEPROM. The 16 MHz core wakes and runs sensor-fusion code in milliseconds before returning to sleep. The extended -40C to +125C range supports outdoor deployments in unheated enclosures.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F721-E/ML drives constant-current LED strings via the CCP Capture/Compare/PWM module with 10-bit resolution, supporting dimming curves and color-temperature mixing for tunable-white luminaires. The 25 mA I/O sinks MOSFET gates directly, removing driver ICs in 12 V and 24 V LED strips. AUSART enables DMX-512 or DALI bridge implementations, and 7 KB flash stores lighting profiles and DMX address tables. Extended -40C to +125C operation handles outdoor fixture temperatures.
Recommended
Low-Cost BLDC Motor Control
The PIC16F721-E/ML generates complementary PWM via the CCP module to drive a 3-phase inverter for small brushless DC fans and pumps. Its 12-channel ADC samples back-EMF at zero-crossing for sensorless commutation, and the 16 MHz instruction cycle yields a 200 ns loop time fast enough for 50,000 RPM fan control. The 25 mA I/O drives low-side N-FETs directly; high-side drive uses a bootstrap or gate-driver. The 7 KB flash holds the state-machine and lookup tables.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Peripherals
The PIC16F721-E/ML acts as a smart I/O expander or protocol bridge on industrial PLC backplanes. Its AUSART and I2C/SPI interfaces talk to host controllers, while the 25 mA I/O directly drives opto-couplers and 24 V logic interfaces. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles cabinet-temperature swings in uncooled industrial enclosures. The 12-channel ADC reads 4-20 mA current-loop sensors via external shunt resistors for distributed analog monitoring.
Recommended
Automotive Cabin Electronics
The PIC16F721-E/ML fits non-safety automotive-cabin applications such as HVAC flap control, mirror adjusters, and seat-position memory modules. The 12-channel ADC reads potentiometers and NTC thermistors, while PWM drives small brushed motors via H-bridges. Note: the standard PIC16F721-E/ML is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications use PIC16F1824-I/ML or PIC16F1936-I/ML with explicit automotive-grade marking instead of -E/ML industrial-grade.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16F721-E/ML's 12-channel ADC multiplexes multiple NTC thermistors for multi-zone temperature sensing, while the CCP module drives thermostatic relay outputs or 0-10 V actuator signals. The 7 KB flash holds scheduling, hysteresis, and adaptive-control algorithms; AUSART enables WiFi/BLE module attachment for smart-thermostat cloud connectivity. The -40C to +125C extended range survives attic and outdoor-wall mounting in cold-climate installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F721-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F721-I/ML | PIC16F720-I/ML | PIC16F720-E/ML | PIC16F631-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-QFN (4x4) EP | 20-QFN (4x4) EP - same | 20-QFN (4x4) EP - same | 20-QFN (4x4) EP - same | 20-QFN (4x4) EP - same |
| Program Flash | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 3.8 KB (-46%) | 3.8 KB (-46%) | 1.75 KB (-75%) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Core / Frequency | PIC16 8-bit / 16 MHz | PIC16 8-bit / 16 MHz | PIC16 8-bit / 16 MHz | PIC16 8-bit / 16 MHz | PIC16 8-bit / 20 MHz |
| I/O Drive | — | 25 mA | 25 mA | 25 mA | 25 mA |
| Unit Price (qty 1000) | ~$1.95 | ~$1.95 | ~$1.65 | ~$1.85 | ~$0.80 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest flash density in PIC16F720/721 family (vs PIC16F720-E/ML)
- Extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) (vs PIC16F721-I/ML)
- More flash than PIC16F631 family with same package (vs PIC16F631-I/ML)
- Higher GPIO drive strength than competing 8-bit MCUs (vs PIC16F677-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the main supply rail. The 20-QFN exposed pad must be soldered to a ground copper pour of at least 10x10 mm to provide thermal relief and a low-inductance ground return. For battery-powered designs, leverage the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes to drop quiescent current below 100 nA.
The 20-QFN EP package (4x4 mm body, 0.5 mm pitch) requires careful PCB layout. Use 0.25 mm-wide traces between QFN pads and a via-in-pad or microvia array under the exposed pad to maximize thermal and electrical connection. Keep analog ADC traces short and away from PWM switching nodes (RC4/CCP1) to minimize digital-noise coupling into sensor readings.
The PIC16F721-E/ML is extended-temp industrial grade (-40C to +125C), NOT AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety applications. For under-hood or automotive safety-critical designs, select a -Q1 suffix part instead. Also note: the datasheet ADC is summarized as 12-channel 8-bit in some product summaries and 10-bit elsewhere - always cross-check the specific datasheet revision for the bit-width and acquisition time before designing the analog front-end.
The 25 mA source/sink I/O rating is much higher than typical CMOS logic; however, this is per-pin with a package total limit. Avoid driving all 17 I/O pins at 25 mA simultaneously as the package will exceed thermal limits. For LED-driving designs, multiplex LEDs in software or use external driver ICs to keep total GPIO current under 100 mA continuous.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The -E suffix indicates extended industrial temperature (-40C to +125C) but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety applications. For AEC-Q100, select -Q1 suffix variants.
