PIC16F73T-E/SS - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 20MHz, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F73T-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.71 | $8.71 |
| 10 | $7.84 | $78.40 |
| 100 | $6.97 | $697.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.23 | $5,230.00 |
| 3,000 | $4.5 | $13,500.00 |
PIC16F73T-E/SS Overview
What is a PIC16F-series 8-bit microcontroller? The PIC16F family is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit MCU portfolio that combines a RISC-style Harvard architecture (separate program and data buses) with FLASH program memory, addressing 14-bit instructions across 35 single-word opcodes. Microcontrollers like the PIC16F73 belong to the broader category of embedded microcontrollers -> RISC microcontrollers -> 8-bit microcontrollers -> integrated circuits, and they sit beneath digital signal processors and 32-bit Cortex-M MCUs in performance but above pure logic ICs in capability. This positioning explains why mid-range PIC devices dominate cost-sensitive embedded control applications.
Key differentiating features include the Harvard bus architecture (allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access), self-programmable FLASH via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), ICD (In-Circuit Debugger) support, nanoWatt power management with multiple sleep modes, and configurable PORTA weak pull-ups. The 28-SSOP package measures approximately 10.2 mm x 5.3 mm x 1.75 mm with 0.65 mm pin pitch, suiting both hand-solderable prototyping and high-density production boards.
The PIC16F73 is upward code-compatible with the PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, and PIC16C7X device families, enabling developers to reuse firmware across multiple product generations. Its Harvard architecture, 8-level hardware stack, and predictable interrupt response make it well-suited to deterministic control loops. Engineering trade-offs include the 8-bit data path (which constrains arithmetic throughput versus 16/32-bit MCUs) and the modest 192-byte RAM (which limits buffer sizes for complex protocol stacks).
Typical applications include industrial sensor conditioning, motor control and PWM driver front-ends, battery chargers, consumer appliances, HVAC thermostats, security panel keypads, and automotive body controllers (with the appropriate AEC-Q100 qualified -I or -E variants). The PIC16F73 family is also widely deployed in legacy designs, hobbyist projects, and educational platforms due to its mature MPLAB X toolchain, free XC8 C compiler, and decades of community support.
When designing with the PIC16F73T-E/SS, ensure the ICSP clock and data lines (RB6/RB7) have adequate isolation from switching nodes and that the MCLR reset pin is decoupled according to the datasheet to avoid spurious resets. The device's low-power nanoWatt sleep modes (down to sub-microamp quiescent current with the WDT disabled) make it well-matched to battery-powered designs where average duty cycle dominates battery life.
This page synthesizes Microchip official datasheet values, distributor pricing context, drop-in alternatives within the same 28-SSOP footprint, and practical design considerations not collected in any single manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F73T-E/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 PIC16F73T-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F73-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F737-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F723A-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.13 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73T-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (Harvard, 8-bit RISC) |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit (35 single-word instructions) |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 |
| Analog-to-Digital Converter | 5 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit with PWM) |
| Communication Peripherals | USART (SCI), MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| PWM Module | Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) |
| Watchdog Timer | Programmable WDT with on-chip RC |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| In-Circuit Debugger | ICD support |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E = extended industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel, 'T' suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Code Compatibility | Upward compatible with PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, PIC16C7X |
| Pin Count | 28 |
PIC16F73T-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLRbar/Vpp — Master Clear (Reset) input / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain output) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SSbar — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 20 | AVdd — Analog supply voltage (for ADC) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage ICSP programming entry |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (ICD clock) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (ICD data) / Vdd |
Typical Applications
PIC16F73T-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Signal Acquisition, Battery Charger and Power Management Controllers, Consumer Appliance and HVAC Control, Hobbyist, Education, and Legacy PIC16 Designs, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety, Auxiliary Modules), Security and Alarm Panel Keypads.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Signal Acquisition
The PIC16F73T-E/SS is well-matched to industrial sensor front-end conditioning boards that require deterministic 8-bit ADC sampling and minimal CPU overhead. With its 5-channel 8-bit ADC, 22 digital I/O, and 20 MHz instruction throughput, the MCU can sequentially scan multiple analog inputs from temperature, pressure, and level sensors while generating housekeeping interrupts every few milliseconds. The extended industrial -E temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C) tolerates factory-floor ambient conditions, and the SSOP package's 0.65 mm pitch is hand-solderable for prototype maintenance. Compared to a Cortex-M0+ the PIC16F73 offers deterministic interrupt latency with no pipeline stalls, which simplifies real-time control loop design. The 192-byte RAM is sufficient for a 4-channel moving-average filter plus a Modbus RTU frame buffer.
Recommended
Battery Charger and Power Management Controllers
Battery charger designs for portable tools, e-bike packs, and uninterruptible supplies leverage the PIC16F73T-E/SS for closed-loop current and voltage regulation via its 10-bit CCP/PWM module and 8-bit ADC. The PIC16F73's PWM output drives a buck or boost converter's switching FET, while ADC channels monitor battery voltage, charge current, and die temperature for safety cutoff. The 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range suits single-cell Li-ion to multi-cell NiMH packs. The nanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent current below 1 microamp when charging completes, extending shelf life. The 7 KB FLASH stores multi-stage charge profiles (CC, CV, float, equalization) for different battery chemistries.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance and HVAC Control
White-goods appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and HVAC thermostats) benefit from the PIC16F73T-E/SS's combination of 22 I/O pins, multi-channel ADC, and PWM outputs. The MCU drives triac-fired heater elements, reads thermistor NTC inputs via the ADC, and times motor spin cycles using the 16-bit Timer1. The USART links to a UI panel or wireless module, while the MSSP serves an EEPROM for storing user preferences. The extended -40 C to +125 C operating range supports garage and outdoor installations. The PIC16F73's mature firmware ecosystem shortens time-to-market for engineers migrating from older PIC16C5X designs.
Recommended
Hobbyist, Education, and Legacy PIC16 Designs
The PIC16F73T-E/SS remains popular in maker projects, university embedded systems courses, and as a drop-in upgrade for legacy PIC16C73 and PIC16F73 production designs. The MPLAB X IDE with the free XC8 C compiler provides a zero-cost development chain, and the PICkit 3/4 debugger connects via the standard ICSP header (RB6/PGD, RB7/PGC, MCLRbar/Vpp). The 35-instruction RISC core is approachable for students learning assembly, while the C compiler hides complexity for higher-level projects. The 28-SSOP package fits standard breakout boards. Engineering trade-offs include the modest 192-byte RAM (limited TCP/IP buffer space) and absence of USB, but these constraints are part of the educational value.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety, Auxiliary Modules)
While the standard PIC16F73T-E/SS is not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16F73 family includes automotive-grade -VAO variants for non-safety body electronics such as HVAC control panels, mirror adjusters, seat controllers, and interior lighting. The 28-SSOP package withstands automotive under-dash thermal environments, and the -40 C to +125 C extended range covers cabin temperature extremes. The PIC16F73's PWM outputs drive LED dimming and small DC motors, while the ADC monitors switch positions and potentiometers. For safety-critical applications like airbag or ABS, designers should select AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F1x or dsPIC variants instead. The 7 KB FLASH supports complex body-control state machines.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panel Keypads
Intrusion alarm panels and PIR motion-detector control boards use the PIC16F73T-E/SS for low-power always-on operation, EEPROM-backed event logging, and keypad scanning. The PIC16F73's nanoWatt sleep modes with WDT disabled drop quiescent current below 1 microamp, allowing 9V battery backup operation for over a year. The 22 I/O pins support a 4x4 matrix keypad, multiple PIR zones, siren driver, and dialer interface. The 128-byte EEPROM stores installer codes and event logs across power cycles. The PIC16F73's deterministic interrupt-on-change on PORTB pins is ideal for low-latency keypad debounce without timer overhead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F73T-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F73-I/SS | PIC16F737-E/SS | PIC16F723A-E/SS | PIC16F722-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 7 KB | 7 KB (identical) | 14 KB (2x) | 7 KB (identical) | 3.5 KB (0.5x) |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes (identical) | 368 bytes | 192 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (identical) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 5 channels / 8-bit | 5 channels / 8-bit (identical) | 11 channels / 8-bit | 11 channels / 8-bit | 9 channels / 8-bit |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (-E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (-I grade) | -40 C to +125 C (-E grade) | -40 C to +125 C (-E grade) | -40 C to +125 C (-E grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Same-brand pin-compatible drop-in alternative with identical 7 KB FLASH (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
- 2x program memory and 2x ADC channels in same 28-SSOP package (vs PIC16F737-E/SS)
- Lower-power XLP technology with 11 ADC channels in same 28-SSOP (vs PIC16F723A-E/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC16F73T-E/SS draws approximately 2-4 mA active current at 5 V / 20 MHz and below 1 microamp in sleep mode with WDT disabled (per datasheet figures; actual values depend on peripheral enable state). For battery-powered designs, disable unused peripherals (ADC, USART, MSSP) via their PCON registers before entering sleep to minimize quiescent current. The AVdd pin should be tied to Vdd and AVss to Vss even if the ADC is unused, to prevent floating supply noise from coupling into adjacent analog inputs.
Estimated: place the ICSP programming connector footprint (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD, MCLRbar/Vpp, Vdd, Vss) on the PCB even if you do not plan to use in-circuit debugging during production. This adds approximately 1 square cm to board area but enables field firmware updates and factory calibration via PICkit 3/4. Add a 10 kohm pull-up resistor on MCLRbar to Vdd and a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the Vdd pin. The SSOP package's 0.65 mm pitch requires precise solder paste stencil aperture design (typically 0.4 mm wide openings) for reflow reliability.
Per the PIC16F73 datasheet, several configuration bit settings are commonly overlooked: (1) PWRT (Power-up Timer) should be enabled for reliable reset behavior with slowly-rising Vdd; (2) BOR (Brown-out Reset) should be enabled in noisy supply environments; (3) WDT should be disabled or cleared properly to prevent unintended resets. The LVP (Low-Voltage Programming) configuration bit, if enabled, consumes a small continuous current through RB4 - either disable LVP for production or add a 10 kohm pull-down. Finally, verify that the CONFIG register oscillator selection matches the actual crystal or resonator connected to OSC1/OSC2 to avoid clock startup failures.
Keep analog and digital ground returns separated on a single-point connection at the PIC16F73's Vss pin. The AVss pin (pin 19) and digital Vss (pin 8) should tie together at the MCU's Vss pin, not at the power supply return, to avoid ground loops in ADC readings. Route the analog inputs (RA0-RA5) away from switching nodes and high-current traces; add a 100 nF bypass capacitor on AVdd if the ADC is used. For 20 MHz operation, the trace length between OSC1/OSC2 and the crystal should be less than 5 mm to minimize parasitic capacitance and EMI.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F73T-I/SSVAO or PIC16F73-E/SSVAO variants for automotive. REACH and Conflict-Free Minerals compliant per Microchip corporate compliance statements.
