PIC16F877-20/L - 8-Bit 20MHz 14KB FLASH MCU 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F877-20/L β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.95 | $595.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
PIC16F877-20/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (ROM/FLASH), working memory (RAM), and a set of peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication ports, and I/O pins. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, the PIC16F877 belongs to the PIC16 family -> 8-bit PIC microcontroller family -> Microcontroller -> Embedded Processor -> Semiconductor. Its RISC-style Harvard architecture separates program and data buses, which enables simultaneous instruction fetch and data access, improving throughput relative to von Neumann designs at the same clock rate.
Key features of the PIC16F877-20/L include 33 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit multi-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C, a USART for asynchronous serial communication, and a parallel slave port for direct 8-bit bus attachment to external processors. An integrated watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator and a brown-out reset (BOR) circuit provide field-reliable operation in electrically noisy environments such as industrial control cabinets or automotive body modules. The '20' speed grade designates 20 MHz maximum clock; the '/L' suffix indicates the 44-pin PLCC package (J-Lead).
Typical applications include industrial control panels, HVAC fan/blower controllers, sensor interface boards, vending machine logic, motor control front-ends, and educational prototyping where the PIC16 series has decades of tool-chain support. When designing with this part, pay attention to oscillator configuration (HS/RC modes), use decoupling capacitors on VDD/AVDD/VSS/AVSS within 1 cm of the pins, and respect the 5.5 V absolute maximum supply rating. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, with all values cross-checked against the September 2026 web snapshot.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F877-20/L β 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 PIC16F877-20/L (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F877A-20/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F887-I/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877-20I/L
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$9.05 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F877-04/L
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877-10/L
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877-20/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC (Harvard RISC) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SPI, I2C (via SSP), Parallel Slave Port |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (J-Lead) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial, /L = PLCC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F877-20/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / Voltage Reference - |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Voltage Reference + |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / Chip Select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS β Ground |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / External clock |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 output |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 β PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 β PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 β PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 β PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 β PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 β PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 β PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 β PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS β Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDD β Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/PGM β PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 37 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 41 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F877-20/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, HVAC Fan and Blower Controllers, Sensor Interface Front-Ends, Vending Machine Logic Controllers, Motor Control Front-Ends, Educational Prototyping and Hobby Projects.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F877-20/L fits industrial control panels because its 33 digital I/O pins can directly drive relay coils, optocouplers, and 7-segment displays without external mux logic. The 10-bit ADC with 8 channels digitizes 4-20 mA sensor signals at typical panel update rates, while the USART links to HMI terminals. At 20 MHz the MCU executes 5 MIPS, fast enough for PID loops running every 10 ms. The integrated brown-out reset is essential on factory 24 V rails where voltage sags occur during motor inrush.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Blower Controllers
The PIC16F877-20/L suits HVAC blower control because its two CCP modules independently drive PWM outputs for fan speed and damper position while the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor and pressure sensor inputs. The 20 MHz CPU cycles a closed-loop RPM controller at sub-millisecond intervals, eliminating audible PWM harmonics. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect against supply glitches from triac firing. The 44-PLCC package in a socket simplifies field service on installed HVAC units.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Front-Ends
The PIC16F877-20/L is a strong sensor front-end because the 8-channel 10-bit ADC samples up to 8 analog inputs simultaneously, while the I2C/SPI SSP talks to digital sensors (temperature, pressure, accelerometers). The 256-byte EEPROM stores per-unit calibration constants that survive power cycles - ideal for field-deployed sensor pods. At 20 MHz the MCU runs a 100 kHz sensor-bus master without CPU stall, and the parallel slave port allows a host processor to offload raw ADC data via DMA-style handshaking.
Recommended
Vending Machine Logic Controllers
The PIC16F877-20/L handles vending machine logic with its 33 I/O pins driving bill validators, coin acceptors, keypad matrix, and dispense relays. The USART connects to MDB or DEX peripherals, while EEPROM stores pricing tables and cash totals through power cycles. At 20 MIPS the MCU debounces mechanical key inputs and runs anti-stringing firmware without timing pressure. The 44-PLCC socket allows rapid board swap during service calls.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-Ends
The PIC16F877-20/L serves as a motor-control front-end because its two CCP modules produce complementary PWM with dead-band insertion for half-bridge drivers, and the 10-bit ADC samples shunt current at the switching frequency. Brown-out reset protects IGBT gate drivers during DC bus sag. The 20 MHz CPU handles trapezoidal commutation for BLDC motors at speeds up to several thousand RPM. Industrial-temperature variants are recommended for under-hood automotive or factory-floor mounting.
Recommended
Educational Prototyping and Hobby Projects
The PIC16F877-20/L is a favorite for teaching embedded design because only 35 single-word instructions need to be learned, and Microchip's MPLAB X IDE plus ICD programmers are free. The 33 I/O pins and rich peripheral set let students experiment with timers, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C, and USART on a single chip. The 44-PLCC socket fits standard development boards and is forgiving to beginners who swap chips frequently. Decades of application notes, third-party books, and forum content accelerate the learning curve.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F877-20/L β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F877A-20/L | PIC16F887-I/L | PIC16F877-20I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| FLASH Program Memory | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| ADC Resolution / Channels | 10-bit / 8 ch | 10-bit / 8 ch (improved) | 10-bit / 14 ch | 10-bit / 8 ch |
| Operating Voltage Range | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | Active (legacy) | Active (recommended) | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Active-production successor with more ADC channels (vs PIC16F887-I/L)
- Industrial temperature grade available (vs PIC16F877-20I/L)
- Silicon revision upgrade with wider VDD (vs PIC16F877A-20/L)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD/VSS pairs with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 1 cm of each pin pair; add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the main 5 V rail. PIC16F877-20/L does not have internal voltage regulation below 4.0 V, so ensure the supply never droops below 4.0 V or the BOR circuit (if enabled) will reset the part repeatedly. For designs that may operate near 3.3 V, switch to PIC16F877A-20/L.
Keep the 20 MHz crystal (or resonator) within 1 cm of OSC1/OSC2 and route the traces over a continuous ground plane to minimize radiated EMI. Use C-series capacitors matched to the crystal load capacitance (typically 15-33 pF). For HS oscillator mode above 4 MHz, Microchip recommends 33 pF capacitors. Avoid running high-current traces under the crystal to prevent frequency jitter from ground bounce.
Configuration word (0x2007) must be programmed correctly before code will execute - a blank CONFIG word leaves MCLR as reset and oscillator in RC mode. Watchdog timer (WDT) is enabled by default in configuration; disable it for time-sensitive applications or service it regularly. The 10-bit ADC requires a minimum acquisition time (TACQ) - inserting adequate delay between channel select and conversion start prevents accuracy loss. Do not exceed 5.5 V absolute maximum on any pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified (automotive designs should consider PIC16F877A-I/P automotive-grade variants or migrate to dsPIC33 or PIC18 families).
