PIC16F727-E/ML - 14KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 44-pin QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F727-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.5 | $2.50 |
| 10 | $2.25 | $22.50 |
| 100 | $2 | $200.00 |
| 500 | $1.8 | $900.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC16F727-E/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit flash MCU? An 8-bit flash microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path with non-volatile flash program memory that can be erased and reprogrammed in-circuit. PIC microcontrollers implement a RISC instruction set with only 35 single-word instructions, providing 200 ns instruction execution at 20 MHz. This category sits within the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor.
Key features include 14 KB flash program memory, 368 bytes RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, up to 36 digital I/O pins, an enhanced USART, two MSSP (SPI/I2C) modules, two CCP modules, and a 14-channel 8-bit ADC with selectable references. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep current in the nanoamp range and active current under 1 mA at low clock rates, enabling battery-powered applications.
The device uses a 14-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, which accelerates instruction fetch while allowing data access without pipeline stalls. The internal 16 MHz oscillator is factory calibrated to within 1% across voltage and temperature, eliminating the need for an external resonator in cost-sensitive layouts. The 44-pin QFN package provides a small footprint (8 mm x 8 mm) with an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered for proper thermal and electrical performance.
Typical applications include consumer white goods and small appliances, battery-powered sensor nodes, industrial control panels, LED lighting controllers, low-cost remote controls, and USB-to-UART bridges. The wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V operating voltage allows direct operation from single-cell Li-ion, two-cell alkaline, or regulated 3.3 V / 5 V rails.
When designing with this part, always solder the exposed pad on the QFN to a continuous ground plane to meet thermal and electrical specifications. Configure unused pins as outputs to minimize current draw, and use the ICD header for in-circuit debugging rather than relying on software simulators.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives from the PIC16F72X/73X/74X family, and practical design notes - synthesis not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F727-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 PIC16F727-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, I/O Pins, Communication, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F727-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F726-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF727-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F723-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F727-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB |
| Data SRAM | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal oscillator supported) |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | Up to 36 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 14 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| MSSP (SPI/I2C) Modules | 2 |
| Enhanced USART | 1 |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz, factory calibrated |
| Package | 44-pin QFN (8x8 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, "E") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F727-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5/SS1/HLVDIN/T1CKI — Digital I/O, SPI slave select, high/low voltage detect input, Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN3/T1G — Digital I/O, ADC input, Timer1 gate input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/AN2/CPP2 — Digital I/O, ADC input, CCP2 input |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN1 — Digital I/O, ADC input |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN0 — Digital I/O, ADC input |
| Pin 6 | RA0/AN4/ULPWU — Digital I/O, ADC input, ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Digital I/O, oscillator input, external clock input |
| Pin 9 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Digital I/O, oscillator output, clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O, Timer1 oscillator output, Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O, Timer1 oscillator input, CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/P1A/CCP1 — Digital I/O, PWM output, CCP1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK1/SCL1 — Digital I/O, SPI clock, I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI1/SDA1 — Digital I/O, SPI data in, I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO1 — Digital I/O, SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O, USART TX, USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O, USART RX, USART data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference (second) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB0/AN12/INT — Digital I/O, ADC input, external interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1/AN10/P1C — Digital I/O, ADC input, PWM output |
| Pin 22 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O, ADC input |
| Pin 23 | RB3/AN9/PGM — Digital I/O, ADC input, programming mode |
| Pin 24 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O, ADC input |
| Pin 25 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O, ADC input |
| Pin 26 | RB6/ICSPCLK/ICDCLK — Digital I/O, ICSP clock, ICD clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/ICSPDAT/ICDDAT — Digital I/O, ICSP data, ICD data |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (second) |
| Pin 29 | RD0 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 30 | RD1 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 31 | RD2 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 32 | RD3 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 33 | RD4 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 34 | RD5/P1B — Digital I/O, PWM output |
| Pin 35 | RD6 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 36 | RD7 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 37 | VSS — Ground reference (third) |
| Pin 38 | RE0 — Digital I/O port E |
| Pin 39 | RE1 — Digital I/O port E |
| Pin 40 | RE2 — Digital I/O port E |
| Pin 41 | RE3 — Digital I/O port E |
| Pin 42 | VSS — Ground reference (fourth) |
| Pin 43 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (third) |
| Pin 44 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset, programming voltage |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed pad - must be soldered to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16F727-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer White Goods and Small Appliances, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Industrial Control Panels, LED Lighting Controllers, USB-to-UART Bridge Devices, Low-Cost Remote Controls.
Consumer White Goods and Small Appliances
The PIC16F727-E/ML is well suited for consumer white goods such as washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and small kitchen appliances. The 14 KB flash holds full UI state machines, sensor processing, and motor control routines, while the 36 I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, keypad matrices, buzzer, and relay triac control lines. The 8-bit ADC reads temperature, water level, and humidity sensors with selectable internal reference, eliminating external reference ICs. nanoWatt XLP technology keeps standby current in the nanoamp range, supporting energy-star compliance. The 44-pin QFN footprint (8 mm x 8 mm) fits compact control boards typical of modern appliances.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F727-E/ML's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers microamp-level active current and nanoamp sleep current, making it ideal for battery-powered sensor nodes such as wireless thermostats, environmental monitors, and remote IoT sensors. The 16 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal power drain, while selectable low-power oscillator modes (31 kHz LFINTOSC) extend battery life. The 14-channel 8-bit ADC scans multiple sensors while the two MSSP modules drive I2C/SPI sensors and the USART communicates with attached radios. Operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V allows direct connection to single-cell Li-ion or two-cell alkaline packs with no external regulator.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F727-E/ML operates across the full -40 C to +125 C extended temperature range, suiting industrial control panels, machine status indicators, and HMI front-ends. The 36 digital I/O pins accept dry contact inputs, drive LED indicators, and connect to industrial field buses via the USART or MSSP modules. The enhanced USART supports RS-232/RS-485 communication with addressable node capability for multi-drop networks. Two CCP modules generate PWM for proportional valve control or analog output synthesis. The 44-pin QFN exposed pad provides robust thermal dissipation for factory-floor enclosures without active cooling.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F727-E/ML serves as the central controller in addressable LED drivers, architectural lighting controllers, and RGB color-mixing fixtures. Two CCP modules deliver hardware PWM on multiple channels simultaneously, while the 14 KB flash stores color profile tables, DMX-512 frame handling, and dimming curves. The MSSP modules drive SPI-based LED driver ICs for high channel count, and the USART handles DMX-512 or wireless receiver inputs. Operating from 1.8 V to 5.5 V allows direct logic-level control of low-voltage LED strings without level shifters, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Devices
The PIC16F727-E/ML functions as a firmware-controlled USB-to-UART bridge for legacy serial equipment upgrades, debug consoles, and field service tools. The enhanced USART handles full-duplex serial at rates up to 250 kbps, while a software USB stack on the I/O ports emulates a CDC ACM device. The 14 KB flash holds USB descriptors and protocol state machines without external ROM. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user-configurable parameters (baud rate, parity) across power cycles. Industrial temperature grade supports field-service tools used in harsh environments.
Recommended
Low-Cost Remote Controls
The PIC16F727-E/ML powers IR/RF remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, and home automation systems. The nanoWatt XLP sleep current extends battery life to multiple years on coin cells, while the 36 I/O pins support large keypads, scroll wheels, and capacitive touch sensing. The 14 KB flash stores manufacturer codes, EPG databases, and pairing sequences. The 8-bit ADC reads battery voltage for low-battery detection without external components. Wide operating voltage (1.8 V-5.5 V) accommodates both coin-cell (3 V) and AA battery packs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F727-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F727-I/ML | PIC16F726-E/ML | PIC16F722-E/ML | PIC16LF727-I/ML | PIC16F723-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin QFN (ML) | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) | 20 MHz (16 MHz internal) |
| I/O Pins | Up to 36 | Up to 36 | Up to 36 | Up to 36 | Up to 36 | Up to 36 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade -40C to +125C (vs PIC16F727-I/ML)
- Full PIC16F72X/73X/74X/75X/76X/77X peripheral set (vs PIC16F722-E/ML)
- Wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V operating range vs LF variant (vs PIC16LF727-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 44-pin QFN package (ML suffix) features an exposed thermal pad on the underside that MUST be soldered to a continuous ground plane for proper electrical and thermal performance. Use a via array (typically 9-13 thermal vias of 0.3 mm diameter) under the exposed pad to dissipate heat into inner ground planes. Skipping the EP soldering can cause erratic behavior, increased EMI, and thermal shutdown under load. Apply no-clean flux and verify wetting via post-reflow optical inspection.
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin (the PIC16F727-E/ML has three VDD pins on the 44-pin QFN). Add a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the device to handle switching transients. For battery-powered designs using nanoWatt XLP modes, ensure the bulk capacitor does not exceed the device's inrush current specification during sleep-to-active transitions. Use AVdd filtering for the ADC reference, with a 10 uH ferrite bead if switching noise is present.
Do NOT leave unused I/O pins floating on the PIC16F727-E/ML. Unused pins must be configured as outputs driving low (or inputs with weak pull-ups enabled) to minimize current draw. Floating pins can draw hundreds of microamps each in linear CMOS input regions. MCLR requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation; tying MCLR directly to VDD without the pull-up may prevent proper reset during power-up brown-out conditions. Enable watchdog timer for unattended deployments.
Route the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK lines (RB6/RB7) with short traces and avoid crossing high-frequency signals to prevent programming/debugging glitches. Keep analog ADC inputs (ANx) physically separated from digital switching traces, with a ground guard ring around sensitive analog traces to reduce coupling. Place the 16 MHz crystal load capacitors within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins even when using the internal oscillator, in case the design switches to external clock.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data. AEC-Q100 not applicable for general-purpose MCU (not marketed as automotive grade).
