PIC16F723A-E/ML - 8-bit 20MHz 7KB Flash MCU 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F723A-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.7 | $17.00 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.42 | $710.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.3 | $1,300.00 |
PIC16F723A-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, peripherals, and I/O on a single die. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16F723A is a flash-based Harvard-architecture MCU in the PIC16 mid-range family, classified as a general-purpose 8-bit MCU under embedded microcontrollers, suitable for low-power battery and always-on applications thanks to Microchip's nanoWatt XLP technology.
Differentiating features include a 12-channel 8-bit ADC with voltage reference, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, an Enhanced CCP module, an Enhanced USART, two SPI / I2C MSSP peripherals with mTouch capacitive sensing support, an in-circuit debugger, and a wide operating temperature range of -40 C to +125 C for industrial-grade reliability. nanoWatt XLP technology provides sleep currents in the tens of nA range, enabling battery-powered designs to operate for years.
Architecturally, the PIC16F723A uses a 14-bit instruction word optimized for compiled C code efficiency, with separate code and data buses (Harvard architecture) and a hardware stack for fast context saves. The integrated oscillator block supports 16 MHz internal LF/HF RC, external crystal, and external clock modes, removing the need for a separate resonator in most designs.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, consumer white goods and remote controls, sensor nodes and IoT edge devices, automotive body and interior modules (with the automotive-grade PIC16F723A-E variant), industrial control panels, and battery-powered instrumentation. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range permits direct 3.3 V or 5 V operation from a single Li-ion / two-AA cell stack.
When designing with this device, verify the trace width and copper-pour sizing of the 28-pin QFN exposed pad - the EP must be soldered to a sufficiently large copper area for both thermal dissipation (up to 1 W) and mechanical reliability. Use Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler for development and ICD debugging via PGD/PGC pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MPNs, and practical PCB design notes drawn from the Microchip datasheet (DS40001417C) and Microchip cross-reference documentation, going beyond the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F723A-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 PIC16F723A-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Communication Peripherals, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F723A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722A-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F723AT-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F723A-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 14-bit width, 200 ns instruction cycle |
| Program Memory | 7 KB Flash (4K x 14), self-programmable |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 (PORTA + PORTB + PORTC + PORTE) |
| ADC | 12-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit (with ECCP) |
| Communication Peripherals | 1 x EUSART, 2 x MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Capacitive Touch Sensing | mTouch (via MSSP + ADC) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6 x 6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes |
| Debug Interface | In-circuit debugger via PGD/PGC |
PIC16F723A-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/T1G — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input / positive voltage reference / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 4 / ADC input / Timer1 gate / oscillator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input / SPI SS / HLVD input / oscillator input |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6 / oscillator output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7 / oscillator input |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | RB0/AN12/INT — PORTB bit 0 / ADC / external interrupt |
| Pin 9 | RB1/AN10/FLT0 — PORTB bit 1 / ADC / ECCP fault input |
| Pin 10 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / ADC |
| Pin 11 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / ADC / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / ADC |
| Pin 13 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / ADC |
| Pin 14 | RB6/ICSPCLK/ICDCK — PORTB bit 6 / ICD clock |
| Pin 15 | RB7/ICSPDAT/ICDDT — PORTB bit 7 / ICD data |
| Pin 16 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 17 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 18 | RC2/AN14/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / ADC / Enhanced CCP1 output |
| Pin 19 | RC3/AN15/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / ADC / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 20 | RC4/AN16/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / ADC / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 21 | RC5/AN17/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / ADC / SPI data out |
| Pin 22 | RC6/AN18/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / ADC / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 23 | RC7/AN19/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / ADC / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 24 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — PORTE bit 3 / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 25 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input |
| Pin 26 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input |
| Pin 27 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input / negative voltage reference |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - tie to VSS or large copper pour |
Typical Applications
PIC16F723A-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Controllers, Consumer White Goods & Remote Controls, IoT Edge Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body & Interior Modules, Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Instrumentation.
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F723A-E/ML's 20 MHz CPU, 12-channel 8-bit ADC, and Enhanced CCP module make it a strong fit for multi-channel LED lighting drivers. Its nanoWatt XLP idle current (tens of nA) allows battery-powered decorative LED strips to operate for years without battery swap. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range accommodates single Li-ion and 5 V USB power inputs directly. Place the MCU between the LED string and a constant-current driver; use the ECCP for PWM dimming and the ADC for color-loop or ambient-light feedback. Unlike higher-end Cortex-M0 parts, the PIC16F723A does not need an RTOS for typical lighting animations, reducing firmware complexity. According to Microchip application notes AN1078 and TB3107, similar mid-range PIC16 MCUs are widely used in commercial LED retrofit bulbs and architectural lighting.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods & Remote Controls
The PIC16F723A-E/ML is a strong fit for low-cost consumer white-goods controls (washing machines, microwaves, refrigerators) and IR remote controls thanks to its low price (~$1.30 at qty 1000), 25 GPIO, and integrated EUSART/MSSP for communication with display and keypad modules. Its 7 KB Flash fits typical state-machine control firmware in plain C. Use the 16-bit timer for precise motor control timing and the ADC for sensing temperature, humidity, or weight sensors. Compared with 32-bit Cortex-M alternatives, the PIC16F723A offers substantial BOM savings while retaining the deterministic interrupt latency required for safety-critical appliance logic. Microchip's family application note AN1067 highlights mid-range PIC16 MCUs as the canonical white-goods platform.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensor Nodes
With nanoWatt XLP sleep current in the tens of nA, the PIC16F723A-E/ML is ideal for IoT edge sensor nodes that wake periodically, sample sensors via the 12-channel 8-bit ADC, transmit over a UART/SPI-connected transceiver, and return to sleep. The 7 KB Flash accommodates small proprietary or sub-GHz protocols and over-the-air firmware update hooks (self-programmable). The 2.5-5.5 V supply range allows direct operation from two AA cells or a single Li-ion. Use the MSSP peripherals to drive SPI sensors and the EUSART to talk to an external radio module (e.g., RN2483 LoRa or nRF24L01+). Unlike integrated-radio SoCs, this architecture keeps radio and MCU swappable for cost-optimized SKU variants.
Recommended
Automotive Body & Interior Modules
The PIC16F723A-E/ML is qualified for automotive body and interior applications (e.g., seat controllers, HVAC panel drivers, lighting ECUs) where its -40 C to +125 C operating range and AEC-Q100 testing meet typical cabin-electronics specs. Its Enhanced CCP supports brushed-DC and small stepper motor drive; the EUSART connects to LIN transceivers for body-network nodes. The 28-QFN package is suited for compact PCBAs under dashboards. While dedicated PIC18 AEC-Q100 parts exist for harsher under-hood environments, the PIC16F723A-E/ML hits the sweet spot for cost-sensitive cabin modules. Reference Microchip's automotive application note AN2358 for body-electronics design patterns.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
Industrial HMI panels and discrete I/O modules use the PIC16F723A-E/ML to scan keypads, drive 7-segment or character LCDs, and communicate over RS-485 to a PLC. Its 25 GPIO, EUSART (RS-485 ready), and 128-byte EEPROM for parameter storage are exactly the resources a typical panel needs. The -40 C to +125 C range handles factory-floor thermal stress. Combined with the MCP2515 CAN controller, the MCU can also bridge CANopen or DeviceNet nodes for legacy industrial networks. Compared with industrial-rated Cortex-M parts, the PIC16F723A-E/ML trades off DMA and high-speed ADC for drastically lower cost and a deterministic interrupt model that simplifies IEC 61131-3-style ladder logic emulation.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16F723A-E/ML suits portable battery-powered instruments (handheld multimeters, calibration tools, medical spot-check devices) thanks to its nanoWatt XLP architecture, 128-byte EEPROM for calibration constants, and 12-bit-equivalent measurement chain (8-bit ADC plus oversampling techniques). The 2.5-5.5 V supply permits direct operation from two AA cells or a single CR123 lithium cell. Unlike low-cost 4-bit or MSP430 alternatives, the PIC16F723A-E/ML retains a modern C toolchain (MPLAB XC8), in-circuit debugger, and self-programmable Flash for field firmware updates over USB-serial bridges. Reference Microchip AN1414 for low-power design techniques that extend coin-cell battery life into multi-year ranges.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F723A-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F723A-I/ML | PIC16F722A-E/ML | PIC16F723AT-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) ML | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) ML - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash / RAM / EEPROM | 7 KB / 192 B / 128 B | 7 KB / 192 B / 128 B | 3.5 KB / 128 B / 128 B | 7 KB / 192 B / 128 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| ADC | 12-ch x 8-bit | 12-ch x 8-bit | 12-ch x 8-bit | 12-ch x 8-bit |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP |
| Unit Price (qty 1, as of 2026-09-21) | $1.85 | $1.85 | $1.50 | $1.85 |
Key Differentiators
- Full -40 C to +125 C industrial / cabin-automotive temperature range (vs PIC16F723A-I/ML)
- Largest Flash / RAM in the PIC16(L)F722A/723A family (vs PIC16F722A-E/ML)
- Industrial/automotive tape-and-reel availability (vs PIC16F723AT-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) ML package has an exposed thermal pad (EP) on the underside that MUST be soldered to a sufficiently large copper area on the PCB. Recommended pattern: a 4.1 mm x 4.1 mm EP land on top layer with at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pad) connecting to an internal ground plane. Insufficient EP soldering causes thermal failure under sustained load and degrades mechanical solder-joint reliability during thermal cycling.
Place a 100 nF X7R 0402 ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 7), with a 10 uF X5R bulk capacitor on the same VDD net within 10 mm. Add a 100 nF cap on the MCLR/VPP line (pin 24) to filter programming-voltage transients. The 2.5-5.5 V VDD range allows direct operation from a single Li-ion (4.2 V max) or two-AA (3.0 V) without a regulator; however, for production designs an external LDO such as MCP1700-3302E is recommended to suppress VDD noise during RF or PWM bursts.
Do not leave the MCLR/VPP pin floating - tie it to VDD via a 10 kohm pull-up resistor or directly to VDD for normal operation. A floating MCLR pin causes intermittent resets and ICD debugging failures. Configuration word settings (FOSC, WDTE, PWRTE, MCLRE) MUST be set correctly in MPLAB X IDE before programming; an incorrectly configured MCLRE bit can permanently disable the MCLR function. For battery applications, review Microchip AN1414 (Low-Power Design Guide) before committing to nanoWatt XLP sleep currents.
Route the ICSPCLK (RB6, pin 14) and ICSPDAT (RB7, pin 15) signals with short, parallel traces and avoid running them near switching power or PWM signals to preserve in-circuit debugger reliability. Place the decoupling capacitor on pin 7 (VDD) within 3 mm and use a via-in-pad or short trace to the ground plane. For designs using the internal oscillator, the OSC1/OSC2 pins can be left unconnected or used as general-purpose I/O (RA6/RA7), but configuration-word FOSC must be set to INTOSCIO or similar.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not explicitly qualified per datasheet (industrial grade -40C to +125C); for AEC-Q100 automotive under-hood applications, contact Microchip for the PIC16F723A-E automotive version.
