PIC16F74-E/ML - 8-bit Flash MCU, 7KB, 33 I/O, 44-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F74-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.1 | $9.10 |
| 10 | $8.2 | $82.00 |
| 100 | $7.35 | $735.00 |
| 500 | $6.55 | $3,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.8 | $5,800.00 |
PIC16F74-E/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit Flash microcontroller? An 8-bit Flash microcontroller is a single-chip computer that executes instructions with 8-bit data width and stores its program in non-volatile Flash memory that can be erased and re-programmed in-circuit. It belongs to the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. Flash-based MCUs dominate the mid-range and low-end embedded market because they combine in-system reprogrammability, low power consumption, deterministic real-time behavior, and a rich peripheral set for the price.
Key features of the PIC16F74-E/ML include five I/O ports totaling 33 digital I/O lines, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, a programmable Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and a wide 2.0 V to 6.0 V operating voltage range. The internal architecture is Harvard-style with separate program and data buses for predictable instruction throughput.
Typical applications span industrial control panels, automotive body electronics, sensor interfacing, consumer appliances, and small-form-factor embedded products. The wide operating voltage range and robust peripheral set make the PIC16F74 a common choice for designers migrating from older PIC16C/PIC16F parts or building new cost-sensitive designs that do not require the larger memory of PIC18/PIC24 devices.
Designers should note that the PIC16F74-E/ML operates from an external clock source up to 20 MHz. The on-chip ADC requires a stable VDD reference, and high-impedance input channels benefit from the dedicated analog input structure. Decoupling, oscillator layout, and ICD connection follow standard PICmicro mid-range guidelines referenced in the device datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, a same-family alternatives table, and practical design notes not found on a single manufacturer product page, giving engineers a one-stop comparison for this long-life 8-bit MCU.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F74-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 PIC16F74-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Capture/Compare/PWM, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F76-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F77-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit, 14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash (self-programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC Channels | 8 (8-bit) |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + one 16-bit + WDT |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 2 modules |
| Serial Interfaces | SSP (SPI / I2C) + USART/SCI |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm, J-Lead / LCC) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Pb-free) |
PIC16F74-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Port A bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART asynchronous transmit / synchronous clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART asynchronous receive / synchronous data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 28 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 29 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 30 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 31 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 32 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 33 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 34 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 35 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 36 | RE0/RD — Port E bit 0 / Parallel slave port read control |
| Pin 37 | RE1/WR — Port E bit 1 / Parallel slave port write control |
| Pin 38 | RE2/CS — Port E bit 2 / Parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 39 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet; thermal pad / die paddle) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F74-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Sensor Signal Conditioning & Acquisition, Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer Appliance Control, Communication & Display Peripherals, Education & Hobby Embedded Projects.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F74-E/ML suits industrial control panels because it delivers 33 digital I/O lines and 8-channel 8-bit ADC in a single 44-QFN surface-mount package, keeping board area low while driving relays, contactors, and 4-20 mA sensor front ends. Its extended -40C to +125C temperature range (E suffix) handles factory-floor thermal stress without derating, and its 2.0-6.0 V operating range lets it run directly from 24 V industrial rails after regulation. Practical designs pair this MCU with opto-isolated inputs and a USART-linked HMI display for ladder-logic-replacement panels in PLC sub-assemblies.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning & Acquisition
Use the PIC16F74-E/ML as a sensor-conditioning hub for applications like HVAC, environmental monitoring, and predictive-maintenance nodes. The on-chip 8-channel 8-bit ADC multiplexes thermocouples, pressure sensors, and humidity elements into a single conversion chain, while the 20 MHz MIPS execution rate lets the MCU run 1D Kalman filters or PID loops at sub-millisecond cycle times. The 192-byte data RAM is small but sufficient for sliding-window averaging and stateless firmware, and the wide 2.0-6.0 V supply range lets the same design run from battery packs and regulated 5 V rails alike.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Automotive body modules - lighting controllers, seat controllers, HVAC blend-door actuators, and instrument clusters - benefit from the PIC16F74-E/ML's extended temperature grade and compact 44-QFN footprint. Its 33 I/O lines drive multiple MOSFET half-bridges through gate drivers, and the two Capture/Compare/PWM peripherals generate the precise timing signals required for brushless DC and stepper actuators. Designers should add a reverse-polarity and load-dump protection network at the supply pin, since the part's 6.0 V absolute maximum places it below 12 V vehicle transients - typically pre-regulated to 5 V.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16F74-E/ML is widely deployed in white-goods controllers - washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, and induction cooktops - where its 8-bit performance is adequate for user-interface handling, motor-control sequencing, and safety interlocks. The on-chip USART drives LED or LCD display modules, while the synchronous serial port (SPI/I2C) interfaces to digital temperature sensors and EEPROM memories for firmware-tunable parameters. Cost-sensitive consumer designs value the 192-byte RAM footprint, which keeps the silicon area, and therefore BOM cost, low.
Recommended
Communication & Display Peripherals
Designers building user-interface sub-assemblies - alphanumeric LCD panels, character-based displays, and serial-bridge modules - use the PIC16F74-E/ML for its built-in USART, SSP (SPI/I2C), and 33 I/O lines that drive display segment drivers and touch-key sensors. The 20 MHz instruction cycle allows smooth USB-to-UART protocol conversion when paired with an external FTDI bridge, and the 7 KB Flash reserves enough code space for an interpreter-style menu system in the appliance HMI class.
Recommended
Education & Hobby Embedded Projects
The PIC16F74-E/ML remains a popular choice for university microcontroller courses and hobby projects because it combines a familiar PIC16 mid-range instruction set with a non-bus-intensive 44-QFN PCB layout. ICSP (in-circuit serial programming) headers let students re-flash firmware without removing the chip, and the on-chip CCP/PWM modules provide hands-on experience with timer interrupts and motor-speed control. Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 toolchain are free, lowering the total BOM cost for educational kits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F74-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F76-E/ML | PIC16F77-E/ML | PIC16F73-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 4 KB |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O | 33 | 33 | 33 | 22 |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 8 ch / 8-bit | 8 ch / 8-bit | 8 ch / 8-bit | 5 ch / 8-bit |
| CCP/PWM Modules | 2 | 2 (enhanced PWM) | 2 | 2 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- 7 KB Flash in 44-QFN within PIC16F7x family (vs PIC16F73-I/ML)
- 33 I/O pins - more than 28-pin alternatives (vs PIC16F737-E/SS)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16F73-I/ML (Industrial -40C to +85C))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 27) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board supply entry. For QFN packages, solder the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground copper pour of at least 0.5 square inches to keep the junction temperature within the 125C limit at full 20 MHz operation. Keep oscillator traces short and surrounded by ground guard rings; injecting digital return currents into the crystal traces causes frequency jitter and unreliable USART baud rates.
Estimate: at 20 MHz and 5 V supply, the PIC16F74-E/ML typical operating current is approximately 10-15 mA (per datasheet DS39592 electrical characteristics), giving a 75 mW dissipation that is well within the 44-QFN's thermal capability. For battery-powered sensor nodes, run at 4 MHz (XT mode) to drop supply current to under 2 mA, or use the 32 kHz LP oscillator mode for sub-50 uA sleep states with Watchdog Timer wake-up.
The on-chip 8-bit ADC is sensitive to digital switching noise on VDD and to high-impedance source impedance on analog inputs. Use a separate analog ground island beneath the ADC-capable pins (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2), joined to digital ground at a single point near the VDD bypass capacitor. Add a 1 kohm / 1 nF RC anti-alias filter on each analog channel when sampling sensors above the Nyquist rate.
Do not leave the MCLR/RE3 pin floating; it requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD or the device will randomly reset. ICSP programming requires the PGC (RB6) and PGD (RB7) pins to remain accessible; avoid reassigning them to high-current loads. When migrating code from PIC16F73, double-check the extended RAM map - 192 bytes spans both general-purpose and special-function registers and exceeding bank boundaries silently truncates variables.
Compliance Information
Per Microchip product page the device is RoHS/REACH compliant and Pb-free; it is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive AEC-Q100 PIC16-class parts use PIC16F18426 or PIC18F-family K20/K22 variants instead.
