PIC16F870T-E/SO - 20MHz 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F870T-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.3 | $5.30 |
| 10 | $4.77 | $47.70 |
| 100 | $4.24 | $424.00 |
| 500 | $3.82 | $1,910.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.4 | $3,400.00 |
PIC16F870T-E/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, and programmable peripherals. The PIC16F870 belongs to Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family, which sits in the broader hierarchy of 8-bit microcontrollers and is widely used in embedded control because of its deterministic instruction set, low power consumption, and easy in-system reprogrammability. Within Microchip's portfolio it complements the smaller PIC12/PIC16 baseline parts and the larger PIC18 enhanced parts.
Key features include Harvard architecture with a separate program and data bus, 35 single-word instructions, self-programming Flash, a wide operating voltage window, and brown-out reset plus power-on reset for safe startup. The 10-bit ADC with five input channels is suitable for low-speed sensor sampling, while the synchronous serial port supports SPI and I2C master/slave operation.
Typical applications include automotive body and HVAC control modules, industrial automation sensors, white-goods user interfaces, and small consumer appliances. The wide temperature range also makes the -E/SO grade attractive for under-hood automotive nodes where commercial-grade parts would fail. The 28-SOIC footprint is widely accepted on through-hole-friendly leaded SMT assemblies.
Designers should pair the PIC16F870 with a low-dropout regulator such as a Microchip MCP1700 to hold VDD inside the 4.0–5.5 V window, and provide a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each power pin. Always reserve the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins for the programming/debug header even if unused in production to allow field firmware revision.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F870T-E/SO — 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 PIC16F870T-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Timers, ADC, Self-Programming.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F870-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F870-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F871-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F870T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F876A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F870T-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 64 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended / Automotive) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SOP, 7.50 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing) |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP and ICD |
| Self-Programming | Yes (Flash) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F870T-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC channel 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC channel 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM1 |
| 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 transmit / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (4.0–5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / ICSP program enable |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16F870T-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive HVAC Control Module, Industrial Sensor Interface Board, White-Goods User Interface, Small Consumer Appliance Controller, Remote Control / IR Transmitter Board, Automotive Body Control Accessory Node.
Automotive HVAC Control Module
The PIC16F870T-E/SO fits automotive HVAC control modules because its extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade survives under-dash thermal stress where commercial-grade parts would degrade. The 5-channel 10-bit ADC reads multiple temperature sensors (in-cabin, outside, duct, evaporator) and the 22 I/O drive stepper motors for mode and blend doors. The 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz executes PID-style control loops with sub-millisecond latency. Compared with logic-only implementations, this single-chip solution reduces board area and BOM cost while meeting AEC-Q100-style thermal robustness expectations for body-electronics modules.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Board
The PIC16F870T-E/SO is well-suited for industrial sensor interface boards because its 22 I/O lines handle multiple 4–20 mA loops, digital inputs, and relay outputs on a single chip. The 10-bit ADC with 5 channels samples sensor signals at low noise, while the 16-bit timer drives precise PWM control of actuators. The 4.0–5.5 V VDD range tolerates 24 V industrial buses via a simple LDO pre-regulator. Versus discrete logic designs, this MCU consolidates the analog front-end, digital I/O, and timing functions into a 28-SOIC package, cutting PCB area by roughly half.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interface
The PIC16F870T-E/SO integrates the user interface for white-goods appliances because its 22 I/O drive 7-segment LED displays, button matrices, and buzzer/relay outputs without external logic. The Flash self-programming allows field firmware updates for new wash cycles or oven modes, and the EEPROM stores user preferences across power cycles. The wide 4.0–5.5 V operating range survives noisy rectified mains rails typical of washing-machine and oven power supplies. Relative to a discrete 8051-style design, this PIC16 MCU simplifies layout and lowers total BOM cost by 30–40%.
Recommended
Small Consumer Appliance Controller
The PIC16F870T-E/SO is widely deployed in small consumer appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and air purifiers because its 35-instruction RISC core is straightforward to program in C or assembly. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for temperature-based control, while the 16-bit timer generates accurate PWM for motor speed and heater duty cycles. The 3.5 KB Flash comfortably fits appliance state-machine firmware with margin for future features. Versus competitors in the same price band, the PIC16F870's deterministic interrupt latency simplifies real-time motor control.
Recommended
Remote Control / IR Transmitter Board
The PIC16F870T-E/SO suits handheld remote control and IR transmitter boards because its low operating current and small 28-SOIC footprint keep board area and battery drain minimal. The 16-bit timer drives accurate 38 kHz / 40 kHz IR carrier generation while the GPIO matrix-scans up to 8x8 button arrays. The 3.5 KB Flash holds protocol libraries for multiple device types, and Flash self-programming enables OEM firmware updates via a service-port header. Compared with dedicated IR encoder ICs, this MCU adds flexibility without materially increasing cost.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Accessory Node
The PIC16F870T-E/SO is a strong fit for body-control accessory nodes (window lifts, mirror adjusters, seat controllers) because its -40 °C to +125 °C automotive temperature grade is mandatory for under-hood or cabin thermal exposure. The 22 I/O drive H-bridge enable lines, position-feedback ADCs, and LIN/CAN-friendly UART peripherals. The 5-channel ADC reads position potentiometers with 10-bit resolution, while the 16-bit timer produces anti-pinch PWM waveforms. Versus an ASIC solution, this MCU cuts NRE cost and accelerates time-to-market for low-volume accessory modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F870T-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F870-E/SO | PIC16F870-I/SO | PIC16F871-I/SO | PIC16F870T-I/SO | PIC16F873A-I/SO | PIC16F876A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7.2 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 192 B | 368 B |
| EEPROM | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 128 B | 256 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 8 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended automotive temperature grade as standard (vs PIC16F870-I/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16F870-E/SO)
- Same 28-SOIC footprint as larger-memory siblings (vs PIC16F873A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Power PIC16F870T-E/SO from a regulated 5 V rail held inside the 4.0–5.5 V spec window. A Microchip MCP1700 LDO with 1.6 µA quiescent current and 250 mA rating is appropriate. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin, and add a 10 µF bulk capacitor at the LDO output. The MCLR pin requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for clean reset pulses; omit the capacitor only if in-circuit debugging is unused.
Route the 28-SOIC footprint with a 1.27 mm pitch land pattern following IPC-7351 nominal dimensions. Keep the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK traces short (under 50 mm) and guarded by GND to minimize noise pickup during in-circuit programming. The 20 MHz crystal or resonator should sit within 10 mm of OSC1/OSC2 with grounded guard traces around both pins to suppress EMI. Avoid running noisy relay or motor traces parallel to the crystal traces.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on any pin; absolute maximum VDD is 6.5 V per DS30569B, but operation is only specified to 5.5 V. Configure unused I/O as outputs (not inputs) to avoid floating-pin shoot-through currents. The -E grade operates to +125 °C but should still be derated for self-heating: at 20 MHz full I/O toggle, the die dissipates roughly 50 mW. Reserve the RB6/RB7 pins (PGC/PGD) for ICSP even if unused in production to allow field firmware revision.
The 10-bit ADC achieves specified accuracy only when the acquisition time is set to at least 19.72 µs (minimum 11.5 TAD at 20 MHz Fosc) and the source impedance is below 10 kΩ. Add a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor at each analog input pin when sampling high-impedance sensors. Use the VREF+ pin with an external 5 V reference if absolute ADC accuracy better than ±2 LSB is required; the internal bandgap reference is sufficient for general-purpose temperature and potentiometer readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliant per Microchip product page. -E temperature grade is automotive extended but the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - verify with Microchip for safety-critical applications. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
