PIC16F873T-20/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU, 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F873T-20/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.02 | $8.02 |
| 10 | $7.41 | $74.10 |
| 100 | $6.55 | $655.00 |
| 500 | $5.92 | $2,960.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.18 | $5,180.00 |
PIC16F873T-20/SO Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Peripheral Interface Controller) is a family of 8/16/32-bit RISC microcontrollers from Microchip in which program memory, data memory, CPU, and peripherals (ADC, USART, timers, capture/compare/PWM, MSSP) are integrated into a single chip. Within the Microchip taxonomy, PIC16F is the Mid-Range 8-bit family using a 14-bit instruction word, sitting above the baseline PIC10/12/16 families and below the enhanced PIC18 family. PIC microcontrollers are widely used for embedded control where deterministic execution, low power, and broad peripheral integration matter more than raw CPU throughput.
Key features include 5 channels of 10-bit ADC, a USART/SCI port, a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting SPI and I²C (master/slave), two Capture/Compare/PWM modules, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, an internal brown-out reset, a watchdog timer, and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via the PGD/PGC pins. The Harvard-class architecture and 35 single-word instruction set give compact code density.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, motor control driver boards, industrial instrument front ends, and low-power remote sensor nodes. With 22 I/O and on-chip ADC/USART/SPI/I²C, the PIC16F873T-20/SO commonly serves as the main MCU on 28-pin boards for HVAC controls, smart metering, white-goods user interfaces, and small-format automation.
Designers should reserve PGD/PGC for ICSP, add a 100 nF decoupling cap close to VDD with a bulk 10 µF cap, and follow Microchip's AN734 mid-range reference for oscillator layout and MCLR reset network. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric alternatives, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F873T-20/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-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Timers, ADC, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F873T-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873T-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873T-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| CPU Speed (Max) | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Number of ADC Channels | 5 |
| Communication Interfaces | USART/SCI, MSSP (SPI / I²C master & slave) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture / Compare / PWM) |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body 7.50 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel - 'T' suffix) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| In-Circuit Programming | Yes (ICSP via PGD/PGC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F873T-20/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 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI SCK / I²C SCL |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI SDI / I²C SDA |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI SDO |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 18 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / ICSP low-voltage programming |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (ICD clock) |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (ICD data) |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground (substrate) - tie to GND |
Typical Applications
PIC16F873T-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Board, Industrial Sensor Front-End, HVAC Climate Control Module, Smart Meter / Energy Monitor, White-Goods User Interface Board, Battery-Operated Remote Sensor Node.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F873T-20/SO fits appliance control boards - washing-machine user interfaces, dishwasher controllers, microwave ovens - because of its 22 I/O pins for keypad scanning and segment-style LCD/LED driving, 5-channel 10-bit ADC for temperature and water-level feedback, and 20 MHz core that runs state-machine firmware with sub-millisecond response. The 7 KB program memory fits typical appliance task code including Modbus-class protocols. It is a mature, stable part with long manufacturer lifecycle support. Pin-compatible upgrades (PIC16F873A-I/SO) add nanoWatt sleep modes that cut standby power to under 1 µA, an important feature for energy-rated appliances. Real-world companion parts include ULN2003A driver arrays for relay control and MCP1700 LDOs for 5 V rails.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-End
The PIC16F873T-20/SO is well-suited to industrial sensor front ends for pressure, level, flow, and proximity sensors because it integrates a 10-bit ADC with 5 analog inputs, MSSP for SPI or I²C digital sensors, USART for RS-232/RS-485 communication, and 22 I/O for digital I/O expansion. With 4.0-5.5 V supply it is compatible with standard 5 V industrial signal chains, and the -40 to +85 °C operating range handles factory-floor ambient. The 20 MHz core can run 4-20 mA loop diagnostics, Modbus RTU slave, and PWM-control loops simultaneously. Companion parts include MAX485 for RS-485 and MCP6022 op-amps for signal conditioning.
Recommended
HVAC Climate Control Module
The PIC16F873T-20/SO suits HVAC climate controllers where the MCU manages thermistor inputs, fan PWM outputs, and a small character LCD over SPI/I²C. The 2 CCP/PWM modules provide up to 20 kHz PWM for variable-speed fan drive, and the 10-bit ADC captures NTC thermistors and 0-10 V setpoint inputs. Industrial -40 to +85 °C rating handles plenum-temperature environments. Internal EEPROM retains calibration and last-user-set values across power loss. Firmware typically fits well under 7 KB. Companion parts include MCP9808 digital temp sensor, ULN2003A for relay output, and a 24LC256 I²C EEPROM for parameter logging.
Recommended
Smart Meter / Energy Monitor
The PIC16F873T-20/SO is used in single-phase energy monitors where it samples CT/ shunt current signals through the 10-bit ADC, calculates RMS power, and reports results over UART to a concentrator. The 5-channel ADC handles V, I, and auxiliary sensors; the MSSP drives an I²C real-time clock for time-stamping. 256-byte EEPROM stores tariff schedules and tamper flags. The PIC16F873A-I/SO pin-compatible variant is a natural upgrade when nanoWatt modes are needed for battery-backed metering. Companion parts include MCP6L01 op-amp for CT signal conditioning and MAX31850 for isolated UART.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interface Board
The PIC16F873T-20/SO is commonly deployed on white-goods user-interface boards (refrigerator, washer, oven) where it scans capacitive or matrix keypads, drives 7-segment or dot-matrix displays, and supervises the main appliance MCU over UART. With 22 I/O and USART, it can serve as a low-cost secondary controller that offloads UI tasks. The 28-SOIC package is well-suited for the larger hand-solderable pad geometry that production lines often prefer. Real-world pairings include a 7-segment driver like MAX6954, an I²C port expander MCP23017, and a buzzer driver for acoustic feedback.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Remote Sensor Node
The PIC16F873T-20/SO serves small remote-sensor nodes where it wakes periodically, reads an analog sensor through the 10-bit ADC, transmits results over USART or I²C, and returns to sleep. Though the original PIC16F873 lacks nanoWatt sleep modes, it can still achieve low average power by clock-switching under firmware control. For designs that need sub-µA sleep current, the pin-compatible PIC16F873A-I/SO is preferred. Typical pairings include MCP9700 temperature sensor, NCP1402 boost converter for battery stacks, and a 2.4 GHz or sub-GHz transceiver on the SPI port.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F873T-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F873T-04I/SO | PIC16F873-20/SO | PIC16F873A-I/SO | PIC16F873A-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-QFN (different) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 5 / 10-bit | 5 / 10-bit | 5 / 10-bit | 5 / 10-bit | 5 / 10-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| NanoWatt Sleep Modes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Same-brand drop-in 4 MHz speed grade (vs PIC16F873T-04I/SO)
- Tube-packaged same-silicon variant (vs PIC16F873-20/SO)
- A-revision pin-compatible upgrade with nanoWatt low-power modes (vs PIC16F873A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 19) of the PIC16F873T-20/SO, with a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic cap on the same rail to suppress switching noise from relays or sensors. Tie both VSS (pin 28) and GND (pin 18) to a low-impedance ground plane. For battery-powered designs, drive the MCLR pin through a 10 kΩ pull-up and route MCLR away from high-current traces to avoid spurious resets. Estimated: under 5 V operation the part draws ~10 mA active; with brown-out reset configured the typical standby can drop below 1 µA on the A-revision.
Route the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces symmetrically with short, equal-length tracks and a guard ground ring to keep the 20 MHz oscillator stable. Keep RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) accessible at the board edge or via test pads - these pins are used for ICSP programming and MPLAB ICD debugging, and blocking them with dense routing or shields will complicate firmware updates. Avoid running PWM or relay-drive traces adjacent to the analog AN0-AN4 inputs; a 4 mm keep-out or ground-fill between digital and analog sections significantly improves ADC accuracy on the 5-channel 10-bit ADC.
Do not substitute the PIC16F873T-20/SO (4.0-5.5 V) in a 3.3 V-only circuit - the part will brown-out-reset below 4 V and may not program reliably. Use PIC16F873A-I/SO for 3.3 V systems. Watch out for the 'T' suffix: it denotes Tape and Reel, not temperature grade - PIC16F873T-20/SO is industrial -40 to +85 °C, not extended -40 to +125 °C (the E-suffix is extended). When migrating from PIC16F873 to PIC16F873A, the configuration fuses change: the A-revision exposes the internal oscillator block, so review CONFIG1/2 fuse settings before reuse.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40°C to +85°C. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification not applicable for the standard PIC16F873 family; AEC-Q100 qualified automotive variants (e.g., PIC16F873-I/SO in automotive temperature grade) exist but are separate part numbers.
