PIC16F74-I/PT - 8-bit 20MHz PIC MCU 7KB Flash 44-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F74-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.1 | $9.10 |
| 10 | $8.05 | $80.50 |
| 100 | $7.18 | $718.00 |
| 500 | $6.32 | $3,160.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.55 | $5,550.00 |
PIC16F74-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program and data memory, and integrated peripherals. The PIC16F74 belongs to Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family, which sits between the baseline PIC10/12/16/17 devices and the high-performance PIC18 family in the broader 8-bit PIC taxonomy. Mid-range parts add features like hardware CCP modules, larger memory, and multi-channel ADCs while retaining the simple 35-instruction RISC architecture that made the PIC platform famous. This category is widely used in industrial control, consumer appliances, and automotive body/comfort electronics where deterministic real-time response and long-term firmware stability outweigh raw MIPS.
Key differentiating specifications include the 20 MHz maximum clock input, 200 ns instruction cycle, 8-channel 8-bit ADC, two CCP modules, 33 I/O pins, and USART plus MSSP (SPI/I2C) communication. The I-grade part operates across the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range, which exceeds the E-grade (-40C to +125C) and commercial 0C to +70C variants. The TQFP-44 footprint is pin-compatible with several PIC16F7x family members, easing platform migration across memory sizes without PCB rework.
The PIC16F74 uses a Harvard-architecture RISC core with separate program and data buses, which eliminates the fetch-decode bottleneck of Von Neumann designs and gives the deterministic 200 ns-per-instruction timing that real-time control loops depend on. Flash program memory supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, allowing firmware updates in the field without removing the MCU from the board. The integrated brown-out reset, power-on reset, and watchdog timer reduce external component count and improve reliability in industrial environments.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, motor control (BLDC/PMSM via the CCP+PWM outputs), HVAC fan and damper control, security alarm panels, smart card readers, instrumentation front-ends with ADC conditioning, and automotive interior/body modules. The USART plus MSSP combination supports simultaneous wired sensor bus and point-to-point or RS-232 links, while the 8-channel ADC handles multiple analog sensor inputs without an external multiplexer.
When designing with this part, plan for an external 20 MHz crystal or resonator on OSC1/OSC2 (or use the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator to reduce BOM cost and PCB area). AVDD/AVSS must be tied to VDD/VSS even when the ADC is unused, and VREF+ should be sourced from a low-noise regulator if ADC accuracy below 8 LSB matters.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16F7x family, application notes, and design guidance not collected in a single document on the manufacturer site.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F74-I/PT — 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-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Watchdog Timer, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F74-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F747-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| FLASH Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Data Memory | 192 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Capture/Compare/PWM Modules | 2 CCP |
| Serial Interfaces | 1 x MSSP (SPI / I2C), 1 x USART |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial / I grade) |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
PIC16F74-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal/ceramic resonator input or external clock input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 9 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 10 | VREF- — ADC negative reference |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP serial clock (debug clock) |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP serial data (debug data) |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Digital positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 22 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 23 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 24 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 25 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 26 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 27 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART synchronous clock |
| Pin 28 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART synchronous data |
| Pin 29 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / read control / analog input 5 |
| Pin 30 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / write control / analog input 6 |
| Pin 31 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / chip select / analog input 7 |
| Pin 32 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal/ceramic resonator output or clock output |
| Pin 33 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 40 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 41 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset (active low) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 42 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 43 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet pinout) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F74-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panel PLC, HVAC Fan and Damper Control, Brushed DC Motor Speed Controller, Security and Alarm Panel, Instrumentation Front-End, Smart Appliance and Consumer Device.
Industrial Control Panel PLC
The PIC16F74-I/PT is well suited to industrial control panels thanks to its 33 I/O pins, 8-channel 8-bit ADC, and -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature rating. With 7 KB of FLASH and 192 bytes of RAM, it can scan a keypad, drive an LCD, debounce limit switches, and run a deterministic scan loop in 200 ns per instruction. The MSSP supports I2C for digital sensor expansion off-board, while the USART handles RS-232 or RS-485 communication with a host PLC. According to Microchip application note AN557, the PIC16F7x mid-range core is widely used in distributed I/O modules that require field-updatable firmware via ICSP.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Control
The two CCP modules on the PIC16F74-I/PT can drive two independent PWM outputs for fan speed and damper position control, while the 8-channel ADC reads thermistor, pressure, and airflow sensors. Operating from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, the MCU can be powered directly from a 5 V or 3.3 V rail. With the USART configured for a wired HVAC bus (Modbus RTU over RS-485), one MCU per zone handles local control and reports back to a central thermostat. According to Microchip's HVAC reference design (AN1120), mid-range PIC16 MCUs have a long track record in white-goods HVAC due to deterministic timing and field-proven reliability.
Recommended
Brushed DC Motor Speed Controller
The PIC16F74-I/PT can drive a brushed DC motor via one CCP PWM output with complementary analog feedback through an ADC channel. The 20 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle are sufficient to update a PI control loop every 100 µs, well within the mechanical time constants of small DC motors. According to Microchip application note AN893, the PIC16F7x mid-range family is widely used for brushed DC motor control because the PWM module supports edge-aligned or center-aligned modes with hardware fault inputs. For higher-power BLDC or PMSM applications, Microchip recommends the dsPIC33 family for its DSP engine.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panel
The PIC16F74-I/PT's 33 I/O and 8-channel ADC fit a multi-zone security panel with PIR motion sensors, reed switches, glass-break detectors, and analog smoke sensors. The MSSP can interface an I2C keypad, and the USART supports off-premises dialer or cellular modem reporting. According to Microchip reference design AN1071, the brown-out reset, watchdog timer, and extended -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range are key features that reduce false alarms and field failures in security panels. Flash memory endurance of 100k cycles supports firmware updates over the product lifetime.
Recommended
Instrumentation Front-End
The PIC16F74-I/PT serves as a low-cost instrumentation front-end, digitizing multiple analog sensors via its 8-channel 8-bit ADC and forwarding data over UART, SPI, or I2C. With a 20 MHz instruction cycle, the MCU can stream 8-bit samples at >50 kS/s aggregate, sufficient for temperature, pressure, and strain-gauge conditioning. According to Microchip app note AN546, the PIC16F7x ADC provides 8-bit linearity with 1 LSB typical DNL at 20 MHz ADC clock. For 10-bit or 12-bit precision, Microchip recommends the PIC16F767-I/PT or PIC16F777-I/PT same-family upgrades.
Recommended
Smart Appliance and Consumer Device
The PIC16F74-I/PT is a cost-effective controller for smart appliances such as coffee machines, dishwashers, and washing machines. Its 7 KB FLASH runs the state-machine user logic, the 2 CCP modules drive PWM outputs for pumps and valves, and the I2C MSSP interfaces to an OLED or segment LCD display. The USART supports a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi co-processor link for app connectivity. According to Microchip's white-goods design guide, the mid-range PIC16 family remains popular in consumer appliances because of its low BOM cost, integrated ADC, and long-term supply commitment through Microchip's product longevity program.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F74-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F74-I/P | PIC16F73-I/SO | PIC16F747-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) | 40-pin PDIP (P) | 28-pin SOIC (SO) | 44-pin QFN (ML) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| FLASH Program Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM Data Memory | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| CCP Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 22 | 36 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest pin-count same-memory variant in PIC16F7x family (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
- Cost-effective mid-range MCU with USART plus MSSP (vs PIC16F74-I/P)
- Industrial temperature qualification across the PIC16F7x family (vs PIC16F74-E/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16F74-I/PT requires both AVDD/AVSS and VDD/VSS to be connected even if the ADC is unused - floating analog supply pins cause erratic ADC readings and increased current consumption. According to Microchip datasheet DS30292, place a 10 µF bulk capacitor plus 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling on VDD within 5 mm of the pin. For ADC accuracy below 1 LSB, drive VREF+ from a low-noise LDO such as the MCP1700 rather than VDD, and add a 1 µF + 0.1 µF decoupling network directly on the VREF+ pin. Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V, the device draws approximately 10-15 mA active and <5 µA sleep.
Route the ICSP signals (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD, MCLR/VPP) away from high-current switching traces and PWM outputs to avoid programming failures in production. According to Microchip development tool documentation, the ICSP cable adds capacitive load on PGC/PGD - keep traces under 50 mm and add a 4.7 kΩ pull-up on MCLR for production programming yield. Place the 20 MHz crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 and guard the traces with a digital ground pour.
Common pitfalls when designing with the PIC16F74-I/PT include: (1) configuring CCP1/CCP2 to the same TRISC pins causes output contention - always verify the pin function in the device header file. (2) Using the ADC at high conversion rates (>200 kHz ADC clock) without accounting for source impedance >2.5 kΩ causes gain error. (3) Brown-out reset must be enabled in CONFIG1 for reliable industrial startup. According to Microchip errata DS80068, some early silicon revisions had ADC offset issues - always check the silicon revision (REV register) against the latest errata before committing to a high-volume design.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey environmental data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F74-E/PT (extended grade) for harsh-environment applications. Halogen-free status not confirmed in available data - check with Microchip for the specific G-suffix ordering code if halogen-free is required.