PIC16F877T-04/PT - 4MHz 8-Bit 14KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F877T-04/PT ✓ ActivePIC16F877T-04/PT Overview
A microcontroller is a programmable semiconductor that integrates a CPU core, memory, input/output ports, and peripherals on one device. Within the product hierarchy, this PIC16F877 belongs to Microchip's PIC16 family of 8-bit RISC microcontrollers. Such devices are used to read sensors, control actuators, manage communications, and implement embedded control logic without requiring a separate processor, memory, and external interface circuitry.
Key features include 14 KB of Flash program memory organized as 8K x 14 words, 368 bytes of data RAM, 33 I/O pins, and a maximum listed clock frequency of 4 MHz. The Flash architecture supports in-circuit programming and repeated firmware updates, making the device suitable for products whose control software must be revised during production or field service. The compact 44-TQFP package also reduces board area compared with larger through-hole and PLCC options.
The PIC16F877 is designed around Microchip's PIC architecture with a 35-instruction set and a 200 ns instruction-execution capability. Its combination of Flash memory, parallel I/O, and legacy-compatible peripherals makes it suitable for industrial controllers, instrumentation, data acquisition, and legacy product revisions. According to the manufacturer product page, the PIC16F877 is part of a broader family that is upward compatible with earlier PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, and PIC16C7X devices, simplifying migration for supported designs.
Typical uses include motor and relay control, temperature and process monitoring, programmable logic controllers, laboratory instruments, communication controllers, and embedded industrial equipment. Designers can retain the 10 x 10 mm TQFP footprint while upgrading an older PIC16F877 design to a newer compatible device after checking every peripheral, pin function, electrical limit, and firmware dependency.
A critical design consideration is oscillator selection. This -04 device is rated for 4 MHz, so a faster external crystal or clock must not be used without confirming timing requirements against the manufacturer documentation. Decoupling, programming-interface access, unused-pin handling, brownout behavior, and peripheral pin multiplexing should also be validated against the schematic and current datasheet before production release.
This page consolidates verified distributor specifications, package information, sourcing links, compatible alternatives, and practical engineering guidance. It also distinguishes directly evidenced parameters from unspecified electrical details so engineers can identify what still requires confirmation against the authoritative Microchip documentation.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F877T-04/PT — 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 PIC16F877T-04/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins.
PIC16F877-04/PT
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F877T-04E/PT
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16LF877T-04/PT
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F887-I/PT
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F877T-04I/PT
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F877T-04/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Processor Type | 8-bit PIC RISC microcontroller |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Program Memory Type | CMOS Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 368 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 pins |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (10 x 10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
PIC16F877T-04/PT 44-pin tqfp (10 x 10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC16F877T-04/PT (44-pin tqfp (10 x 10 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for PIC16F877T-04/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC16F877T-04/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Relay and Actuator Control, Temperature and Process Data Acquisition, Programmable Logic Controller, Laboratory Instrumentation, Motor and Stepper Control, Legacy Communication Controller.
Industrial Relay and Actuator Control
PIC16F877T-04/PT fits relay, solenoid, lamp, and discrete actuator control because it combines 33 I/O pins with 14 KB of Flash program memory in a 10 x 10 mm TQFP footprint. The 4 MHz CPU provides a 200 ns minimum instruction-execution figure, allowing deterministic control loops without external logic. Its 368 bytes of RAM can support state variables and small communication buffers, although designers should avoid allocating large arrays. The device can be placed beside a driver interface, with I/O isolation and protection circuitry handling the load. Before release, verify every port's electrical limits, external interrupt behavior, timer requirements, and the selected ordering-code temperature grade in the Microchip documentation.
Recommended
Temperature and Process Data Acquisition
PIC16F877T-04/PT is suitable for compact data-acquisition front ends that read analog or digital sensors and perform local control. Its 14 KB Flash memory can store calibration tables, conversion routines, and communications handlers, while 33 I/O pins allow sensor selection, status indication, and external interface signals. The 4 MHz operating grade and 200 ns instruction capability support responsive foreground and interrupt-driven sampling. Because the supplied data does not specify ADC resolution or input-channel count, engineers must confirm those parameters before assigning analog sensors. External conditioning, reference design, sampling timing, input filtering, and calibration storage also require validation against the authoritative datasheet and system accuracy budget.
Recommended
Programmable Logic Controller
PIC16F877T-04/PT can serve as the core of a small PLC or embedded sequencer because it combines a 4 MHz RISC core, 14 KB of Flash memory, 368 bytes of RAM, and 33 I/O pins. Flash storage supports in-circuit firmware updates for production programming and field maintenance, while the parallel I/O count accommodates digital inputs and outputs. A practical design would use timer and interrupt services for input scanning, output refresh, and communications. The limited RAM requires disciplined variable allocation, and the 4 MHz speed grade must be respected in timing analysis. Stack depth, watchdog use, brownout behavior, and output-driver topology should be verified before deploying the controller in machinery or safety-adjacent equipment.
Recommended
Laboratory Instrumentation
PIC16F877T-04/PT is appropriate for legacy laboratory instruments that need local sequencing, keypad input, display control, and communication through a compact surface-mount controller. Its 33 I/O pins reduce the need for external logic when handling switches, indicator signals, and bus-oriented peripherals, while 14 KB of Flash provides room for a user interface and measurement-control routines. The 368-byte RAM limit means display buffers and acquisition records should be streamed externally when necessary. Timing accuracy depends on the selected clock source and peripheral configuration, which are not fully quantified in the supplied excerpts. Engineers should validate measurement latency, calibration storage, serial protocols, and electrical isolation during prototype testing.
Recommended
Motor and Stepper Control
PIC16F877T-04/PT can implement stepper-motor sequencing, position counting, and simple closed-loop control where the 4 MHz processing rate and 33 I/O pins meet the design requirements. Timers and interrupts can establish deterministic step timing, while Flash firmware allows field updates without replacing the controller. The MCU should drive logic-level transistor or driver interfaces rather than motor current directly, and motor supply noise must be kept away from sensitive signal paths. Because motor-current, driver, and thermal data are not supplied here, the application must verify stall current, protection behavior, and timing margins. The 368-byte RAM and 14 KB Flash budget should be checked against buffering and motion-control algorithm complexity before design commitment.
Recommended
Legacy Communication Controller
PIC16F877T-04/PT is well suited to maintaining or modernizing legacy embedded communication equipment because it offers 14 KB of Flash memory, 368 bytes of RAM, and 33 I/O pins in a 44-TQFP package. It can manage protocol state machines, connector control, status indicators, and host-facing interfaces while preserving established application logic. The exact UART, SPI, and I2C capabilities were not included in the supplied excerpts, so each communication peripheral and its pin mapping must be checked in the current datasheet. For network-capable equipment, an external controller such as ENC28J60/SS can be considered where its SPI and system requirements align. Production qualification should include brownout behavior, protocol timing, and long-duration communication integrity.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F877T-04/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F877-04/PT | PIC16F877T-04E/PT | PIC16LF877T-04/PT | PIC16F887-I/PT | PIC16F877T-04I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10 x 10 mm) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Special Ordering Suffix | -04/PT | -04/PT | -04E/PT | LF variant | -I/PT | -04I/PT |
Key Differentiators
- Direct same-package sourcing candidate (vs PIC16F877-04/PT)
- Complete 14 KB Flash allocation for compact control firmware (vs PIC16F887-I/PT)
- Established PIC16F877 migration path (vs PIC16LF877T-04/PT)
Design Notes
Treat the -04 ordering suffix as a hard 4 MHz speed constraint. Do not substitute an 8 MHz or 20 MHz clock configuration without verifying the complete part number and timing specifications. Also confirm whether the installed circuit relies on an external crystal, internal oscillator, or external clock because changing the oscillator source can affect startup, timing accuracy, and peripheral configuration.
Preserve access to the programming interface and place required bypass capacitors close to their associated supply pins. The 44-TQFP land pattern is only 10 x 10 mm, so solderability and inspection become important at fine pitch. Validate courtyard dimensions, pin-1 orientation, thermal pad requirements, and board tolerances against the authoritative package drawing rather than relying solely on the family name.
The device has only 368 bytes of RAM and 14 KB of Flash program memory, so firmware partitioning can determine whether the design fits comfortably. Avoid large local buffers, deep recursive calls, or duplicated library tables in interrupt routines. Measure worst-case stack depth, interrupt latency, and code execution time before release, especially in protocol handlers or timing-critical control loops.
An alternative with the same TQFP outline is not automatically a drop-in replacement. Check pin names, multiplexed peripheral functions, operating voltage, I/O levels, oscillator options, reset behavior, memory size, and programming differences. PIC16F887 is identified as a newer family option, so treat it as a migration requiring firmware and hardware qualification rather than a blanket substitution.
Compliance Information
The supplied verified excerpts do not explicitly state RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, conflict-minerals, or automotive qualification status for the exact ordering code.