PIC16F873T-04E/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz PIC MCU 7KB Flash 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F873T-04E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.46 | $8.46 |
| 10 | $7.62 | $76.20 |
| 100 | $6.2 | $620.00 |
| 500 | $5.45 | $2,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
PIC16F873T-04E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, program memory, data memory, peripherals, and I/O on a single silicon die. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses; the PIC16F873 implements 35 single-word instructions and is part of the "Mid-Range" 14-bit instruction core family, sitting between 12-bit baseline PICs and 16-bit enhanced PICs in Microchip's taxonomy. This category of MCU typically targets embedded control loops, sensor interfacing, and human-machine interface tasks where deterministic timing and low power matter more than raw compute.
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins arranged across five ports (RA, RB, RC, RD, RE), five channels of 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC), two analog comparators, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, an Enhanced CCP module for full-bridge motor control, an MSSP peripheral supporting both SPI and I2C (master/slave), a USART with on-chip baud-rate generator, a 16-bit timer/counter with prescaler, two 8-bit timers, a watchdog timer with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, and nanoWatt technology for low-power standby modes. The 8-bit core runs at up to 5 MIPS at 20 MHz, with 200 ns instruction execution enabling deterministic loop times.
The architecture separates program memory (Flash, 14-bit word width) from data memory (RAM, 8-bit byte width), connected through separate buses to enable simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The 10-bit ADC samples up to 5 input channels with 50 ksps throughput, suitable for slow-sensor reads. The integrated USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) and CCP peripherals allow direct interfacing to sensors, displays, EEPROM, and other microcontrollers without external glue logic.
Typical applications include industrial process control, sensor node data acquisition, motor control with back-EMF feedback, automotive body electronics (non-safety), HVAC control boards, instrumentation, and white-goods appliance controllers. The 4 MHz speed grade (PIC16F873T-04E) is the slower industrial variant; the 20 MHz speed grade is the PIC16F873T-20E.
When designing with the PIC16F873T-04E/SO, ensure the ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7) are accessible on the PCB for production programming, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD, and reserve the MCLR/Vpp pin with the recommended 10 kohm pull-up. The 28-SOIC package is the same footprint as the PIC16F873A-I/SO, PIC16F876 and PIC16F873-04/SO, allowing direct substitution within the same PCB design with appropriate firmware verification.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F873T-04E/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 PIC16F873T-04E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Timers, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F873-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873-10E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873T-04E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F87x (PIC Mid-Range 8-bit MCU) |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC, 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz (speed grade 04) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns at 4 MHz |
| MIPS (Peak) | 5 MIPS at 20 MHz (speed grade limited to 4 MHz on this part) |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Data Memory | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 128 bytes |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 (across PORTA-PORTE) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels, up to 50 ksps |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| CCP Modules | 1x Standard CCP + 1x Enhanced CCP (full-bridge PWM) |
| Serial Peripherals | 1x MSSP (SPI / I2C master & slave), 1x USART (with BRG) |
| Timers | 1x 16-bit Timer1 with prescaler, 2x 8-bit Timer0/Timer2 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| ICSP Programming | In-Circuit Serial Programming via RB6/RB7 |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt technology (Sleep, Idle, low-power oscillator options) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), wide-body 7.50 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel - T suffix) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix = Extended Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F873T-04E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/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/Vref- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 / ADC Vref- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC Vref+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS/C2OUT — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI Slave Select / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — 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 / MSSP SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / MSSP SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / MSSP 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 |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (+5 V nominal) |
| 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 enable |
| 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 (serial programming) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (serial programming) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F873T-04E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Control and Sensor Acquisition, HVAC Control Board with PWM Fan / Valve Drive, White-Goods Appliance Controller, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Subsystems), Instrumentation and Data Logger Front-End, Sensor Node with Display and Keypad Interface.
Industrial Process Control and Sensor Acquisition
The PIC16F873T-04E/SO fits industrial process control boards because its 5-channel 10-bit ADC and 22 I/O pins support direct connection to multiple 4-20 mA or 0-10 V transducer signals without external multiplexer ICs. Its 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply matches the regulated +5 V PLC backplane, while the 4 MHz core and 200 ns instruction cycle deliver deterministic loop times for PID and sequencing algorithms. The integrated USART and MSSP peripherals expose SPI/I2C buses for external EEPROM logging and I/O expansion. Designers should add an external watchdog supervisor and TVS diodes on the analog inputs since the on-chip watchdog is intended for software-fault recovery only. Companion components include MCP6002 op-amps for signal conditioning, MCP2515 CAN transceivers (with external MCU upgrade path), and 24LC256 EEPROM for parameter storage.
Recommended
HVAC Control Board with PWM Fan / Valve Drive
The PIC16F873T-04E/SO is well suited to HVAC thermostat and air-handler controllers because its Enhanced CCP module generates full-bridge PWM outputs for triac-fired heater elements and variable-speed fan drivers. The two on-chip analog comparators support zero-cross detection of the 50/60 Hz mains waveform, while the 22 I/O pins drive multiplexed 7-segment displays, keypad matrices, and relay coils. Its -40C to +125C extended industrial operating temperature range tolerates the thermal environment of equipment closets and rooftop units. Pairing this MCU with an MOC3021 optotriac driver and a 4N25 optocoupler for mains isolation produces a robust BOM. nanoWatt sleep modes reduce idle power below 1 uA between control updates for ENERGY STAR compliance.
Recommended
White-Goods Appliance Controller
Washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators use PIC16F873T-04E/SO controllers to manage motor drive sequencing, water level sensing, door lock interlock, and user interface LED/keypad scanning. The PIC16F873's hardware PWM (CCP) drives small brushless or universal motors at 25 kHz without software overhead, freeing CPU cycles for safety monitoring. The 192-byte RAM and 7 KB Flash accommodate state-machine firmware plus lookup tables for sensor calibration curves. The 28-SOIC package is widely accepted by SMT lines for high-volume consumer appliance manufacturing. Pair this MCU with an ULN2003A driver array for relay coil buffering, and an MCP1700 LDO to derive +5 V from a +12 V or +24 V appliance rail.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Subsystems)
Body controllers for window lifts, mirror adjust, seat position memory, and interior lighting can use the PIC16F873T-04E/SO because its 22 I/O pins support multiple brushed-motor H-bridges via external driver ICs, plus LIN-bus protocol stacks over the USART. The -40C to +125C extended industrial temperature covers cabin and under-dash thermal environments for non-safety modules. Designers add an MCP2515 standalone CAN controller for vehicle network connectivity, plus a TJA1057T transceiver for physical-layer signaling. Note: AEC-Q100 automotive grade is NOT qualified on this part; for safety-critical ECUs choose a PIC18 or dsPIC part explicitly listed in the Microchip automotive catalog.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Logger Front-End
Portable test instruments and bench-top data loggers use the PIC16F873T-04E/SO to digitize analog signals, drive a character LCD, and stream measurements over UART to a host PC. The 5-channel 10-bit ADC samples slow-process signals (thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure transducers) with 50 ksps throughput, and the MSSP drives an SPI-interface LCD or external ADC upgrade chip. The 192-byte RAM buffers 50 to 100 sample sets before UART transmission, while the 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration coefficients. The Tape & Reel packaging supports automated SMT assembly of volume test equipment. Companion ICs include a MAX31855 thermocouple-to-digital converter for high-accuracy temperature and an MCP2221 USB-to-UART bridge for host PC connectivity.
Recommended
Sensor Node with Display and Keypad Interface
Wall-mounted sensor nodes such as room thermostats, air-quality monitors, and security keypads pair the PIC16F873T-04E/SO with a 4x4 matrix keypad and a character or graphical LCD module to provide a low-cost human-machine interface. The 22 I/O pins scan up to 16 keys with interrupt-on-change wake-up, then drive the LCD via SPI through the MSSP peripheral. nanoWatt sleep modes drop the core below 1 uA between user interactions, enabling multi-year battery life on lithium cells. The 4 MHz clock is more than sufficient for keypad scanning, debounce, and menu state machines; reserve the 5 ADC channels for the environmental sensors. This PIC16F873T-04E/SO is well supported by Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler tool chain.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F873T-04E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F873-04E/SO | PIC16F873-04I/SO | PIC16F873-10E/SO | PIC16F873A-I/SO | PIC16F873A-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm (Tape & Reel) | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm - same | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm - same | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm - same | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm - same | 28-SOIC wide-body 7.50 mm - same |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM Data Memory | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C | 0 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| ADC Channels | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit (+2) | 7 channels, 10-bit (+2) |
| Carrier Type | Tape & Reel (T) | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Extended industrial -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC16F873-04I/SO)
- Tape & Reel packaging for SMT production (vs PIC16F873-04E/SO)
- Original PIC16F873 silicon (vs A-revision drop-in) (vs PIC16F873A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor on the same supply rail. The PIC16F873T-04E/SO draws up to 25 mA peak during Flash programming through the MCLR/Vpp pin, so the +5 V regulator must source at least 50 mA sustained. Add a 1N5817 reverse-polarity diode if the board can be mis-wired in the field.
Do not confuse the E (extended industrial -40C to +125C) temperature suffix with the I (industrial 0C to +85C) suffix when sourcing from distributors - they are not interchangeable in outdoor or under-hood applications. The MCLR/Vpp pin (pin 1) MUST have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; leaving it floating causes random resets. The OSC1/OSC2 pins require either a crystal across them with the datasheet-specified load capacitors, or an external CMOS clock driver; do not leave them floating.
Reserve RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) as dedicated ICSP pins and bring them to a 2x3 0.1 inch header or edge-card test point for in-circuit programming. Keep traces from these pins short (under 50 mm) and avoid running them parallel to switching power or relay coil traces; the ICSP clock and data are 5 V logic with 200 ns edge times. If the design uses RB4-RB7 as interrupt-on-change wake-up sources for nanoWatt sleep, add 100 kohm pull-ups to prevent spurious wakes from PCB leakage.
When using the 10-bit ADC, add a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor directly at AVdd if a separate analog supply pin is provided, and a 10 uF bulk on the AVdd rail. Source impedance above 10 kohm degrades ADC acquisition; buffer sensor signals with an MCP6002 op-amp when connecting to high-impedance transducers like pH probes or strain gauges. The analog comparators on RA4/C1OUT and RA5/C2OUT are open-drain outputs requiring external pull-ups to drive CMOS logic levels reliably.
Estimated: at maximum 25 mA core current and 5.0 V supply with the 28-SOIC package theta_JA of approximately 80 C/W on a 1 oz 2-layer board, the worst-case temperature rise is 1.25 C/W * 25 mA * 5 V = about 10 C above ambient. This is well within the -40 to +125 C extended industrial range for normal operation. For sustained Flash programming operations where Vpp is raised to 13 V, verify that junction temperature does not exceed 150 C with the Microchip thermal estimator spreadsheet.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose a PIC18 or dsPIC AEC-Q100 part for safety-critical automotive ECUs. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance statement.
