PIC16F870T-E/SS - 8-bit PIC MCU, 20MHz, 3.5KB Flash, SSOP-28
MPN: PIC16F870T-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.85 | $7.85 |
| 10 | $7.06 | $70.60 |
| 100 | $5.74 | $574.00 |
| 500 | $4.93 | $2,465.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.31 | $4,310.00 |
| 3,000 | $3.85 | $11,550.00 |
PIC16F870T-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path. The PIC16F870 belongs to the PIC16 family, a subset of Microchip's PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) RISC architecture line that sits within the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU) and embedded controllers. PIC16F-series parts use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses and are known for low cost, deterministic interrupt latency, and the industry-standard MPLAB X IDE / XC8 toolchain.
Key features that distinguish the PIC16F870T-E/SS include 200 ns instruction execution time, only 35 single-word instructions for fast code development, self-programming support for in-field firmware upgrades, nanoWatt power management for low-power battery applications, and ICD for hardware-debug bring-up without an external emulator. The 28-pin SSOP package (0.209 inch, MO-150) is a narrow-body shrink-SOIC footprint suited to space-constrained industrial boards.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, motor-control signal conditioning, low-cost consumer appliances, automotive body electronics, and battery-powered instrumentation. The wide PIC16 ecosystem and free MPLAB toolchain make the part attractive for designs where deterministic behavior and stable long-term supply matter more than raw MIPS.
When designing with this part, observe the 4.0-5.5V supply window (the LF variant is required below 4V), keep the MCLR pin pulled high through the recommended 10 kohm resistor, and use the ICD pins (RB3/RB6/RB7) only for debug or as general I/O when no debugger is attached.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, validated drop-in alternatives, and design notes sourced from the PIC16F870/871 datasheet (Microchip document 30569B) that are not all presented together on the manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F870T-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 PIC16F870T-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Self-Programming, Timers, ADC, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F870T-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F870-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F870T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F871-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F870T-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (Harvard, 8-bit data, 14-bit instruction) |
| CPU Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 64 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 (PORTA 6 + PORTB 8 + PORTC 8) |
| ADC | 5 channels x 10-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit Timer0, 1 x 16-bit Timer1 |
| Communication | USART/SCI (AUSART) |
| In-Circuit Debug | ICD (RB3/RB6/RB7) |
| Power-Saving Mode | nanoWatt technology |
| Self-Programming | Supported (Flash) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (0.209 inch, MO-150) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| Compatibility | Upwards-compatible with PIC16C5X, PIC12Cxxx, PIC16C7X |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F870T-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/THV — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal/clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / 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 voltage (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 / ICD programming clock |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICD clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICD data |
Typical Applications
PIC16F870T-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Board, Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Motor Control Signal Conditioning, Educational and Maker Development Boards.
Industrial Sensor Interface Board
The PIC16F870T-E/SS is well suited to industrial 4-20 mA sensor interface boards where 22 digital I/O and 5 channels of 10-bit ADC are sufficient. The 20 MHz PIC16 core executes a 200 ns instruction cycle that easily handles linearization, moving-average filtering, and HART pass-through routines. The 4.0-5.5 V supply aligns with the 5 V rail common on industrial PLC backplanes, and the -40 C to +125 C extended range supports outdoor cabinet use. Designers typically pair the MCU with the MCP6022 op-amp for signal conditioning and the MCP2515 CAN controller for fieldbus connectivity, with the 3.5 KB Flash fitting the full sensor stack.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller
In consumer appliances such as coffee makers, rice cookers, and small countertop devices, the PIC16F870T-E/SS provides the right balance of cost and capability. The 5 ADC channels cover temperature (NTC), humidity, button scanning, and supply monitoring. The USART allows inexpensive Bluetooth/Wi-Fi bridge modules such as the ESP8266 to add IoT features without redesign. The 128-byte RAM and 3.5 KB Flash are adequate for state-machine control firmware written in XC8, and the SSOP-28 narrow-body package keeps PCB real-estate minimal in space-constrained enclosures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The nanoWatt power-management features of the PIC16F870T-E/SS enable battery-powered instrumentation such as handheld multimeters, digital calipers, and portable data loggers. Sleep currents drop below 1 microamp, and the wide 4.0-5.5 V supply window supports two or three AA cells. The 64-byte EEPROM provides non-volatile storage for calibration constants, while the 128-byte RAM holds measurement buffers. The 5 ADC channels read sensors such as load cells or thermistors, and the USART outputs to Bluetooth Low Energy transceivers for wireless data transfer.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive body-electronics modules such as interior lighting controllers, seat-adjustment keypads, and HVAC blend-door actuators, the PIC16F870T-E/SS extended-temperature variant (-40 C to +125 C) meets the under-hood thermal envelope. Its 22 I/O pins can drive LED drivers, read rotary encoders, and switch relay FETs. While the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, automotive-grade sister parts such as PIC16F870T-E/SSVAO share the same SSOP-28 footprint, allowing PCB reuse between qualification and engineering builds.
Recommended
Motor Control Signal Conditioning
Brushless DC (BLDC) and stepper motor driver boards often use the PIC16F870T-E/SS for back-EMF sensing, current-shunt amplification, and PWM timing references. The 5 ADC channels read phase voltages and shunt currents, while the 16-bit Timer1 provides precise commutation timing at 20 MHz. The USART links the controller to a host MCU or HMI panel. Combined with a 3-phase gate driver such as the MCP8024, the PIC16F870T-E/SS implements sensorless trapezoidal commutation within the 3.5 KB Flash budget.
Recommended
Educational and Maker Development Boards
The PIC16F870T-E/SS is popular in university embedded-systems courses and hobbyist development boards because of its simple 35-instruction PIC16 instruction set and free MPLAB X IDE / XC8 toolchain. The SSOP-28 breakout board easily adapts to breadboards, and the ICD pins (RB3/RB6/RB7) allow real-time debugging with the PICkit 3 or PICkit 4. The 20 MHz clock drives textbook examples on timers, ADC sampling, and USART communication, and the 3.5 KB Flash is large enough for term-project firmware while remaining easy to fully analyze in a single semester.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F870T-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F870T-E/SO | PIC16F870-I/SS | PIC16F871-I/SS | PIC16F873A-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-28 | SOIC-28 | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 13 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 368 B | 192 B |
| EEPROM | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 256 B | 128 B |
| CPU Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 8 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Identical SSOP-28 footprint with same memory and peripherals (vs PIC16F870T-E/SO)
- Industrial-temp variant on identical SSOP-28 footprint (vs PIC16F870-I/SS)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path with more memory (vs PIC16F871-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz and VDD = 5.0 V, the PIC16F870T-E/SS core draws approximately 11 mA active; in Sleep mode current drops below 1 microamp thanks to nanoWatt technology. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of VDD (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum at the regulator output. The MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD, otherwise the device will not exit Reset reliably.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 9-10) as short and symmetrical as possible, keeping them away from high-current switching nodes such as relay drivers. Use a guard ring tied to ground around the crystal and load capacitors to minimize stray noise injection. Analog inputs (AN0-AN4) should connect through a separate analog ground pour that joins the main ground at a single point near the VDD decoupling capacitor to avoid digital-current ground bounce from corrupting ADC readings.
Do not exceed the 5.5 V absolute maximum on VDD or on any digital I/O pin; the part is not 5V-tolerant on analog inputs beyond the supply rail. Always set the ANS bits in the ADCON1 register to configure which PORTA pins are analog versus digital - leaving AN4 as digital when used as SS (SPI slave select) is a common source of SPI failures. The ICD pins RB3/RB6/RB7 must be left as no-connect or pulled correctly during normal operation if no debugger is attached; weak pull-downs can prevent self-programming.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose AEC-Q100 automotive-grade variants for safety-critical automotive designs. Operating temperature -40 C to +125 C (extended) suitable for non-safety automotive and industrial.
