PIC16F87T-E/SS - 8-bit 20MHz 7KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F87T-E/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.36 | $336.00 |
| 500 | $2.94 | $1,470.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.65 | $2,650.00 |
PIC16F87T-E/SS Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a RISC-based 8-bit Harvard-architecture MCU that executes single-word instructions from on-chip Flash memory; the PIC16F family is the canonical mid-range family, bridging the PIC10/12/16 baseline series and the higher-pin PIC18 series. Within Microchip's taxonomy, the PIC16F87 sits at the intersection of nanoWatt low-power MCUs and the PIC16F87x mainstream Flash controllers, offering serial peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART/USART), PWM, and brown-out reset in a small 20-pin package.
Key features of the PIC16F87T-E/SS include 16 I/O pins, 35 single-word instructions, an 8 MHz internal oscillator option, an in-circuit debug (ICD) interface, Power-on Reset (POR), Brown-out Detect/Reset, and a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own on-chip low-power oscillator. The device operates from 4 V to 5.5 V and supports two power-managed modes - Sleep and Idle - to minimize quiescent current in battery-powered designs. Peripherals include a 10-bit ADC on larger package variants and synchronous/asynchronous serial ports.
The architecture is a Harvard-memory CMOS design with separate 14-bit instruction and 8-bit data buses, enabling one instruction per clock cycle at 20 MHz. The Flash memory is programmable via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), allowing firmware updates without removing the part from the board. This makes the PIC16F87T-E/SS well-suited to prototype-to-production migration on a single PCB layout.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, motor-control PWM drivers, automotive body electronics, consumer white-goods controllers, low-power remote keyless entry (RKE), and general-purpose embedded control. The extended temperature range makes it suitable for under-hood and outdoor equipment. Designers often migrate to this MCU from older PIC16C7x and PIC16C62xA designs because the pinout and core registers are upwards-compatible.
When designing with this device, ensure the ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) are not loaded with low-impedance circuits in production, since in-circuit programming requires signal integrity on these lines. Use the configuration bits to set oscillator source, watchdog enable, and code protection, and place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specifications, distributor pricing tiers, drop-in alternatives and practical design notes curated by XAIPART editors.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F87T-E/SS — 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 PIC16F87T-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F87-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F87-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F87-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.93 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F87-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F87-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F887-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F87T-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Core Architecture | RISC (Harvard) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 368 x 8 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 x 8 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 16 |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc/Vdd) | 4 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E - Extended) |
| Package / Case | 20-SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz |
| Technology | nanoWatt Technology |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel ("T") |
PIC16F87T-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 / comparator voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture-Compare-PWM 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / UART TX / USART synchronous clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / UART RX / USART synchronous data |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Pin 20 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data line |
Typical Applications
PIC16F87T-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface, Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer White-Goods Controller, Low-Power Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), Motor Control / PWM Driver, General Embedded Control / Hobbyist.
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16F87T-E/SS fits industrial sensor interfaces because its 16 I/O pins can directly drive 4-20 mA loops, switches and HMI LEDs while the PWM output drives audible or visual indicators. With a 20 MHz core it completes protocol conversion (e.g. SPI-to-UART bridge, Modbus framing) and filter math within microseconds, and the 7 KB Flash holds substantial lookup tables. The -40C to +125C extended range lets the same firmware run in factory-floor enclosures and outdoor cabinets. Pair it with the MCP2551 CAN transceiver or MCP6002 op-amp for signal conditioning.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16F87T-E/SS works well in cost-sensitive automotive body modules - mirror control, lighting, seat-position memory - because the -40C to +125C range handles cabin and under-hood thermal stress and the 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the external crystal cost. Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM channels drive motors and lamps while brown-out detect/reset and watchdog timers handle load-dump transients. Program memory in Flash enables ICSP firmware updates on the assembly line.
Recommended
Consumer White-Goods Controller
Washing machines, dishwashers and microwave ovens use the PIC16F87T-E/SS for its nanoWatt Sleep current below 1 uA, satisfying ENERGY STAR standby budgets. The PWM channels drive motor triacs and triac-fired heater banks, while the UART/USART interfaces the control panel and the I2C bus talks to EEPROM for cycle parameters. The 35-instruction RISC core keeps firmware maintainable for appliance tier-1 engineers without an RTOS.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Battery-powered RKE key fobs benefit from the PIC16F87T-E/SS nanoWatt Sleep mode (sub-microamp) combined with the brown-out reset that prevents lock-up under a weak coin cell. Its PWM outputs drive SAW-transmitter load modulation and its interrupt-on-change inputs handle the user's button-press wake. Total BOM fits inside a single 20-SSOP footprint plus an EEPROM and a 315/433 MHz ASK transmitter.
Recommended
Motor Control / PWM Driver
The enhanced CCP/PWM modules of the PIC16F87T-E/SS are well-matched to brushed-DC motor speed controllers, small stepper drivers and lamp dimmers. PWM resolution together with the 20 MHz clock allows fine-grain duty-cycle control below 1% steps, and the 16 I/O pins accommodate direction signals, current-sense comparators and fault inputs. Coupling the device with the TC427 gate driver allows direct MOSFET bridges in 24V inductive loads.
Recommended
General Embedded Control / Hobbyist
Hobbyists and educators gravitate to the PIC16F87T-E/SS because of Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler plus a vast library of application notes. In-Circuit Serial Programming through the RB6/RB7 pins means a $20 PICkit 4 starter kit can be used to load program images without a socket. The 20-SSOP footprint also breaks out easily to 0.1 inch pitch perfboard for breadboarding and STM32-style daughter boards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F87T-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F87-I/SS | PIC16F87-E/SO | PIC16F887-I/SS | PIC16F87-I/ML | PIC16F87-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| Core Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| RAM | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Connectivity | I2C/SPI/UART-USART | I2C/SPI/UART-USART | I2C/SPI/UART-USART | I2C/SPI/UART-USART | I2C/SPI/UART-USART | I2C/SPI/UART-USART |
| Approx Unit Price (100 pcs) | $3.36 | Lower (legacy stock) | Lower (legacy stock) | Lower (active volume) | Lower (legacy stock) | Lower (legacy stock) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended industrial temperature grade + Tape & Reel packaging (vs PIC16F87-I/SS)
- Doubled program memory in the same 20-SSOP package (vs PIC16F87-I/SS)
- Active lifecycle vs obsolete (vs PIC16F87-E/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD (pin 19) and VSS (pin 8) leads. For board-level noise immunity add a 10 uF bulk tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor at the regulator output. The PIC16F87T-E/SS in nanoWatt Sleep consumes under 1 uA (typ.), but I/O leakage can dominate - pull unused pins to defined logic levels via 10 kohm resistors, never leave them floating.
Route the ICSP lines RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD to a 5-pin header with no series resistance greater than 100 ohm; any isolation circuit on these lines must be wired so that programming voltage is not loaded down. Keep the trace lengths under 50 mm and avoid sharing ground returns with high-current motor drivers. Use a guard trace between the ICSP header and any switching nodes to prevent accidental programming under EMI.
Do not connect MCLR (pin 1) directly to VDD without a 10 kohm pull-up; the internal weak pull-up is selectable but externalizing improves noise immunity and lets the debugger control reset. Brown-out reset must be enabled in CONFIG1 to guarantee correct start-up at 4.0 V; otherwise a slow-rising VDD may leave registers in undefined states. Always set the CONFIG2 LVP bit carefully - low-voltage programming shares the PGM pin with RB4.
Estimated: at 20 MHz clock with all 16 I/O pins switching simultaneously into 50 pF loads, the aggregate switching current approaches 40 mA peak per port; supply decoupling must therefore be sized to prevent VDD droop below 4.0 V. Use 3.3 V rails only if the brown-out is disabled and CONFIG is set for the wide-range oscillator mode, since the official supply voltage is 4.0-5.5 V.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance verified via the SSOP SS package documentation; halogen-free status was not published on the Microchip product page reviewed 2026-09-22 (marked unknown). AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a general-purpose MCU without automotive qualification. REACH compliance is declared on the Microchip material declaration form.
