PIC16F722A-E/ML - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU 3.5KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F722A-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.7 | $1,700.00 |
PIC16F722A-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path and Harvard architecture, integrating a CPU, Flash program memory, SRAM, EEPROM, timers, ADC, communication peripherals (UART/SPI/I2C), and general-purpose I/O into one package. 8-bit MCUs occupy the lower tier of the embedded hierarchy: microcontroller -> MCU -> microprocessor -> CPU, and are optimized for cost-sensitive, deterministic real-time control tasks rather than heavy DSP or graphics workloads.
Key features of the PIC16F722A include 36 I/O pins (some shared with analog/digital peripherals), a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, enhanced PWM/ECCP module, and an internal low-dropout voltage regulator that requires an external VCAP stabilization capacitor. The mTouch peripheral supports capacitive touch sensing via dedicated charge time measurement unit (CTMU) hardware.
The PIC16F722A uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with a single-cycle instruction set, providing deterministic interrupt latency and straightforward assembly or C development under MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler. XLP nanoWatt technology delivers sub-microamp sleep currents, making the device attractive for battery-powered or energy-harvesting systems.
Typical applications include automotive body and interior modules, capacitive touch user interfaces for appliances and industrial controls, sensor conditioning nodes with on-chip ADC, low-power wireless sensor end-points, and general-purpose 8-bit replacements in legacy designs. The QFN-28 footprint also suits compact handheld products where PCB area is constrained.
When designing with this device, ensure proper decoupling on VDD/VCAP pins and follow Microchip's recommended 4-layer PCB layout for the QFN exposed thermal pad. The internal LDO regulator requires a low-ESR capacitor on the VCAP pin; omitting it prevents the device from starting.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F722A-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 PIC16F722A-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F722A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F723A-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F721-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F720-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F690-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F722A-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM / ECCP | Yes (Enhanced CCP) |
| Communication Peripherals | UART, SPI, I2C |
| mTouch / CTMU | Yes (capacitive touch) |
| nanoWatt XLP | Yes |
| Internal LDO / VCAP | Yes (external VCAP capacitor required) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (E grade, automotive) |
| AEC-Q100 | Qualified (automotive grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
PIC16F722A-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/VCAP — I/O / analog input / comparator / LDO stabilization capacitor |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN- — I/O / analog input / comparator |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/MCLR/VPP — I/O / analog input / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — I/O / analog input / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — I/O / analog input / SPI slave select / HLVD input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — I/O / oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — I/O / oscillator input / clock in |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12/INT — I/O / analog input / external interrupt |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10/C1OUT — I/O / analog input / comparator output |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8 — I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — I/O / analog input / capture/compare PWM 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN11 — I/O / analog input |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13 — I/O / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC/ICSPCLK — I/O / ICSP clock / programming clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD/ICSPDAT — I/O / ICSP data / programming data |
| Pin 19 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — I/O / Timer1 oscillator / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 20 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — I/O / Timer1 oscillator / CCP2 |
| Pin 21 | RC2/CCP1 — I/O / capture/compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 22 | RC3/SCK/SCL — I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — I/O / UART TX / clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — I/O / UART RX / data |
| Pin 27 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — I/O / Master Clear / programming voltage (alternate) |
| Pin 28 | VSS (e-pad) — Exposed thermal pad - solder to PCB ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16F722A-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Control, Home Appliance Control Boards, LED Lighting and Signage Drivers, Low-Cost Fan and Pump Controllers.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC16F722A-E/ML is well-suited for automotive body and interior control modules such as door-lock actuators, mirror adjusters, seat-position sensors, and HVAC blend-door drivers. Its AEC-Q100 qualification and -40C to +125C extended temperature range (E-grade) allow direct deployment in cabin and under-hood environments where reliability documentation is mandatory. The 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels supports position-sensor feedback from potentiometers or Hall sensors, while the enhanced CCP (ECCP) module generates the PWM signals needed for DC-motor and LED-driver stages. With 36 I/O pins, the MCU can replace several discrete logic ICs in cost-sensitive body-electronics nodes, and the XLP nanoWatt sleep current of sub-1 microamp extends battery life on quiescent LIN-bus nodes.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16F722A-E/ML integrates Microchip's mTouch capacitive touch peripheral built on the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), enabling direct drive of capacitive buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors without external touch ICs. This makes it attractive for appliance control panels, industrial HMI keypads, and consumer electronics front panels where mechanical switches would reduce reliability. The 36 I/O pins support multi-zone touch panels with LED backlight drivers driven by the ECCP PWM module for smooth dimming. The 3.5 KB Flash is sufficient for touch-scanning firmware plus gesture libraries, and the 192-byte SRAM handles scan results and debounce state. The QFN-28 (6x6 mm) package keeps the PCB footprint compact, suiting flat-panel designs where every millimeter of board area counts.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F722A-E/ML's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sub-microamp sleep current with multiple power-saving modes (doze, idle, sleep with RTCC), making it ideal for battery-powered or energy-harvesting sensor nodes that wake periodically to measure and transmit data. Typical use cases include wireless thermometers, water-leak detectors, occupancy sensors, and remote IoT endpoints running on a CR2032 coin cell for multi-year deployments. The 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference (no external precision reference required) reads battery voltage directly, enabling accurate state-of-charge estimation. The internal LDO with VCAP allows the MCU to operate from a wide 2.5-5.5V supply range, including direct connection to 3.3V lithium primary cells. With UART/SPI/I2C built in, the MCU interfaces directly to sub-GHz transceivers such as the MRF89XA or to Bluetooth LE modules.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Control
In industrial environments, the PIC16F722A-E/ML serves as a low-cost signal-conditioning and control MCU for 4-20 mA loop-powered sensors, RTD/thermocouple front-ends, and small PLC I/O modules. Its 10-bit ADC with multiple input channels samples bridge sensors, thermistors, or current-sense amplifiers, while the ECCP PWM generates excitation signals for sensor bridges or drives optocouplers for digital outputs. The extended -40C to +125C operating range handles factory-floor temperature extremes, and the AEC-Q100 qualification provides documented reliability evidence accepted by many industrial OEMs. The internal LDO and wide VDD range let the MCU run directly from 24V industrial rails via a small buck or linear post-regulator without additional power-conditioning components.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16F722A-E/ML is widely used in white-goods and small home appliances such as washing-machine user interfaces, microwave oven controls, induction-cooktop keypads, and dishwasher status panels. Its integrated mTouch CTMU peripheral replaces mechanical buttons with sealed capacitive keys that survive wet and greasy kitchen environments, while the ECCP PWM module drives LED status indicators and small brushless DC fans. The 3.5 KB Flash comfortably fits typical appliance firmware (UI state machine, sensor reads, motor timing), and the 128-byte EEPROM stores user settings across power cycles without external memory. The QFN-28 package and surface-mount design suit high-volume automated assembly lines used by appliance manufacturers, reducing per-unit labor cost compared to through-hole alternatives.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Drivers
The PIC16F722A-E/ML drives architectural LED strips, signage controllers, and RGB color-mixing fixtures where compact size, low cost, and reliable dimming control are required. The ECCP module produces high-resolution PWM outputs for smooth 16-bit dimming with no flicker, while the 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors and color-temperature feedback for closed-loop control. The 36 I/O pins let one MCU control multiple independent LED zones (e.g., RGBW channels plus status LEDs) without external logic. The XLP low-power modes enable battery-powered decorative lighting where idle consumption must stay below 1 microamp. Combined with the AEC-Q100 qualification, the part is also chosen for automotive interior ambient lighting where automotive-grade documentation is mandatory.
Recommended
Low-Cost Fan and Pump Controllers
The PIC16F722A-E/ML controls small DC fans, water pumps, and solenoid valves where closed-loop speed or flow regulation is required. The ECCP PWM output drives the gate of a low-side MOSFET to switch the motor, while the ADC samples tachometer or flow-meter feedback signals for closed-loop PID control implemented in firmware. The 16-bit timer can be used for input-capture tachometry on a Hall-sensor or back-EMF signal, eliminating the need for a dedicated tachometer IC. The extended temperature grade allows deployment in hot equipment enclosures (e.g., 3D-printer extruder fans or server-rack cooling fans). Internal LDO regulator with VCAP capacitor ensures clean power rails for reliable ADC readings in noisy motor environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F722A-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F722A-I/ML | PIC16F723A-E/ML | PIC16F720-I/ML | PIC16F690-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB |
| Data SRAM | 192 B | 192 B | 256 B | 192 B | 256 B |
| Data EEPROM | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B | 128 B | 256 B |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| AEC-Q100 | Qualified | Not applicable (industrial grade) | Qualified | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| mTouch / CTMU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade with AEC-Q100 qualification (vs PIC16F722A-I/ML)
- Larger Flash and SRAM than PIC16F720 family (vs PIC16F720-I/ML)
- Integrated mTouch capacitive touch peripheral (vs PIC16F690-I/ML)
- Upgrade path to larger-memory PIC16F723A without PCB change (vs PIC16F723A-E/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC16F722A-E/ML in the QFN-28 (ML) package exposes a central thermal pad that must be soldered to a PCB ground pad for both electrical reference and thermal dissipation. Per Microchip's package drawing, the PCB land pattern should use a 5 mm x 5 mm pad with 8-12 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pitch) connecting to the inner ground plane. Inadequate soldering of this pad can cause logic errors and erratic resets because VSS is bonded through the e-pad.
The PIC16F722A contains an internal low-dropout voltage regulator that requires an external VCAP pin to be stabilized. Connect a low-ESR ceramic capacitor (1 uF typical, 0.1 uF minimum) directly between the VCAP pin and ground, with traces kept short and away from switching nodes. Omitting the VCAP capacitor or using an electrolytic with high ESR will prevent the device from starting correctly. A bulk 10 uF + 0.1 uF decoupling pair on VDD is also recommended per Microchip's power-supply design guide.
Three common pitfalls to avoid: (1) configuring MCLR as a digital input without tying it to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor - if MCLR floats the device may spuriously reset; (2) enabling the ADC without the recommended acquisition time delay, leading to inaccurate readings on high-impedance sources; (3) omitting the 33 ohm series damping resistor on PGC/PGD for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), which can cause programmer communication failures at 5V. Always consult Microchip's PIC16F/LF722A/723A datasheet and DS31026 programming specification when laying out the ICSP interface.
When using the ADC on the PIC16F722A, route analog signals on a separate ground-return path and place a small RC filter (typically 1 kohm + 100 pF) at each analog input to limit bandwidth and prevent ADC-induced crosstalk. The internal voltage reference (1.024V, 2.048V, or 4.096V selectable) settles within ~10 us, so allow adequate settling time after switching reference sources between conversions. For highest accuracy, take ADC readings in sleep mode with the MCU idle to reduce digital switching noise coupling into the analog core.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance statement. AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive use, supported by PPAP documentation through Microchip Direct. Lead-free terminal finish (NiPdAu).
