PIC16F877T-20/PQ - 8-bit MCU 14KB Flash 20MHz 44-MQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F877T-20/PQ ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.4 | $10.40 |
| 10 | $9.36 | $93.60 |
| 100 | $8.32 | $832.00 |
| 500 | $7.28 | $3,640.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.24 | $6,240.00 |
PIC16F877T-20/PQ Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip processor that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals on one piece of silicon. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC architecture with only 35 single-word instructions, balancing code efficiency with deterministic timing. Within the broader MCU taxonomy, 8-bit PIC MCUs sit beneath 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC and 32-bit PIC32 families, and are part of the wider embedded microcontroller category that includes AVR, 8051, MSP430, and Cortex-M0 devices. The PIC16F877 family targets peripheral-rich industrial and consumer applications where deterministic I/O handling and low cost matter more than raw CPU throughput.
Key features of the PIC16F877T-20/PQ include in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and a code-protection bit pattern to lock FLASH contents. Compared with newer PIC16F877A silicon, the original PIC16F877 lacks the extended instruction set and improved ADC performance; Microchip officially recommends migrating to the PIC16F887 for new designs.
The RISC-style architecture, 14-bit wide instruction word, and Harvard bus structure allow deterministic, mostly single-cycle execution. With 20MHz oscillator input, the instruction cycle is 200ns, providing 5 MIPS peak throughput - sufficient for control loops, sensor polling, and slow serial communication. The 256-byte EEPROM supports 1M erase/write cycles, and FLASH endures 100K write cycles per cell, making the device suitable for parameter storage and field updates via bootloader or ICSP.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, HVAC fan controllers, instrumentation front-ends, security alarm panels, and legacy serial-bus sensor nodes where the 44-MQFP footprint is retained for retrofit boards. Designers also use it for educational platforms and rapid prototyping given the long-standing availability of compilers, debuggers, and reference designs.
When designing with the PIC16F877T-20/PQ, ensure the 5V rail is regulated and decoupling is placed at every VDD pin pair. Note that Microchip has migrated most PIC16F877 family devices to the PIC16F877A-A version for new designs; confirm the errata list before finalizing firmware because older silicon may exhibit ADC and LVD behavior differences.
This page combines manufacturer datasheet figures, distributor pricing tiers, and parametric drop-in alternatives curated for the PIC16F877 family, providing a single reference for sourcing and BOM decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F877T-20/PQ — 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-20/PQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, I/O Pins, RoHS Status, Timers, Communication.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F877-20/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877A-I/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877-20I/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877T-10E/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F877T-04E/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F877-04E/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F887-I/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877T-20/PQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC RISC 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | USART/SCI, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 44-pin MQFP (10x10 mm, PQ) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant per Microchip PQ package description |
PIC16F877T-20/PQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — 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/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| 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 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 9 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / Oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / Oscillator input |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture-Compare 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare 1 |
| 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 TX / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 20 | Vdd — Positive supply (4.0V to 5.5V) |
| 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 / LVP programming |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 29 | Vdd — Positive supply (4.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 30 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 31 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 39 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 40 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 41 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 42 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F877T-20/PQ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, HVAC Fan and Damper Controllers, Security Alarm Panels, Instrumentation Front-Ends, Legacy Serial-Bus Sensor Nodes, Educational and Hobbyist Prototyping.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F877T-20/PQ's 33 digital I/O pins and 8-channel 10-bit ADC make it well-suited to industrial control panels that read panel switches, drive relay coils, and communicate with upstream PLCs. The 14KB FLASH and 256-byte EEPROM fit the small config tables typical of a panel controller. A buffered I/O expander such as the MCP23017 is recommended companion if more than 33 lines are needed. Designers value the long-standing Microchip PIC16 toolchain and the 20MHz throughput for responsive HMI cycling.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Controllers
Fan and damper control loops need deterministic cycle times and analog feedback - precisely the PIC16F877T-20/PQ's 5 MIPS throughput and 10-bit ADC are optimized for. The 16-bit timer with capture/compare can measure tach pulses from the fan to regulate closed-loop RPM. Add an MCP6002 op-amp for current sensing on the motor driver and a TC4420 MOSFET driver for triac isolation. EEPROM stores last-set fan speed across power cycles. Microchip's PIC16 code examples for BLDC and single-phase AC motor control illustrate typical PID loops.
Recommended
Security Alarm Panels
Alarm panels must scan many zone loops, drive sirens, and report over a serial line to a central station. PIC16F877T-20/PQ's 33 I/O pins handle 8-16 supervised zones, an MSSP I2C or SPI bus talks to a 4x4 keypad, and the USART links to a dialer or GSM modem. The integrated brown-out and watchdog timer make it appropriate for unattended, safety-relevant systems. A typical BOM pairs the MCU with an EEPROM for event logging (shared bus) and an LCD driver for the local keypad display.
Recommended
Instrumentation Front-Ends
Bench instruments and process transmitters often use a PIC16F877 as the local display and serial bridge to a precision ADC. The MCU's 10-bit ADC is adequate for non-critical front-panel analog readouts (knob positions, thermistor pre-amps), and the USART links to a higher-precision external 16- or 24-bit ADC. The MSSP bus can drive a serial DAC for stimulus generation. The 14KB FLASH accommodates calibration tables and Modbus or SCPI command parsers.
Recommended
Legacy Serial-Bus Sensor Nodes
RS-485 sensor nodes deployed in factory automation frequently use the PIC16F877 to poll analog and digital sensors and forward readings over the bus. The integrated USART plus MSSP (which can be configured as SPI master) handle a sensor chain with a single MCU. With 14KB FLASH, designers can implement Modbus RTU polling tables and calibrate individual nodes. Migrating to PIC16F887 is straightforward because Microchip publishes a documented peripheral mapping between the two devices.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Prototyping
The PIC16F877 family is the canonical teaching MCU for introductory embedded courses because of its 35-instruction RISC architecture, broad peripheral mix, and inexpensive toolchain (PICkit 3, MPLAB X). Students can program the PIC16F877T-20/PQ in assembly or C and exercise ADC, PWM, and serial communication in a single lab. PICSTART Plus and PICkit 2/3 programmers support the device, and reference projects from universities are widely mirrored online. The 44-MQFP footprint is breadboard-friendly through adapter PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F877T-20/PQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F877-20/PQ | PIC16F877A-I/PQ | PIC16F877-20I/PQ | PIC16F877T-10E/PQ | PIC16F887-I/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm | 44-MQFP (PQ) - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) - same |
| Core | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz (-50%) | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider range) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider range) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (RB6/RB7) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (enhanced) |
Key Differentiators
- Original PIC16F877 silicon revision with longest hardware-validation history (vs PIC16F877A-I/PQ)
- NRND lifecycle status with active factory stock (vs PIC16F887-I/PQ)
- Tape-and-reel packaging optimized for high-volume SMD lines (vs PIC16F877-20/PQ)
Design Notes
Estimated: Power dissipation at 20 MHz, 5V, all-digital I/O, is around 35-50 mW typical; with the ADC active and I/O switching at full load the figure can reach ~75 mW. The MQFP package exposes multiple VDD/VSS pins: pairs at pins 11/12 (PORTC area) and pins 29/30 (PORTD area) plus pin 20. Place one 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to each VDD/VSS pair and a 10 uF tantalum (or 10 uF X5R ceramic) at the chip entry; this distributes switching current and prevents LVD latch-ups in boot code. Avoid routing switching signals under the ICSP clock line to prevent programming glitches.
Mount the 44-MQFP cleanly on a four-layer board with a continuous ground plane under the device. The MQFP has a gull-wing lead on 0.8 mm pitch; per IPC-7351 nominal land pattern, the pad length is 2.0 mm and the pad width is 0.4 mm with the pad-to-pad spacing matching the nominal 0.65 mm maximum offset. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching near the same PORTA pins and consider a guard trace tied to ground along analog signal paths to minimize ADC noise coupling.
The original PIC16F877 silicon (without the 'A' suffix) has known differences from the PIC16F877A: the ADC requires a different acquisition time bit pattern on ADCON1 and brown-out reset timing differs between revisions. Always read the device errata before finalizing calibration or boot code; also note the PIC16F877T-20/PQ is NRND and Microchip recommends migrating to PIC16F887 for new designs. Finally, do not connect an external crystal load capacitor to the case of the PQ package - the die pad is internally grounded and shaves parasitic capacitance.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance inferred from Microchip PQ-package designation. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this part is for industrial/consumer use, not automotive. Lead-free per Microchip standard shipping configuration; halogen-free status not specified in distributor data.
