PIC16F88-I/SS - 8-bit MCU 7KB Flash 20MHz SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F88-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.81 | $4.81 |
| 10 | $4.33 | $43.30 |
| 100 | $3.85 | $385.00 |
| 500 | $3.45 | $1,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.08 | $3,080.00 |
PIC16F88-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data memory, and peripherals onto one silicon die. The PIC16F88 belongs to the mid-range PIC16 family within the broader 8-bit PIC microcontroller portfolio (PIC10/12/16/18), positioned above baseline PIC10/12 parts and below the 16-bit dsPIC/PIC24 and 32-bit PIC32 families. It serves the same role in the system hierarchy as an Atmel/Microchip AVR ATmega or a basic STM8, providing deterministic single-cycle execution with a small footprint for cost-sensitive embedded control.
Key features include seven channels of 10-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion, a Capture/Compare/PWM module, an Addressable USART, and a Synchronous Serial Port configurable as either 3-wire SPI or 2-wire I2C. The nanoWatt Technology power management suite offers multiple idle/sleep modes that reduce quiescent current to microampere levels, while the integrated ICD (In-Circuit Debug) interface enables flash programming and real-time debugging using only two I/O pins. Brown-out Reset, Watchdog Timer, and dual oscillator blocks round out the on-chip peripheral set.
The PIC16F88 architecture combines a 14-bit instruction word, 35 single-word instructions, and a hardware multiplier absent from earlier mid-range devices, giving it approximately 5 MIPS throughput at 20 MHz. The Harvard bus structure separates program and data fetches, allowing instruction and operand reads to occur in the same cycle and yielding deterministic interrupt latency that designers rely on for real-time control loops.
Typical applications include industrial sensor conditioning nodes, low-cost data acquisition front-ends, RS-485 Modbus slave terminals, small appliance motor control, battery-powered metering, and hobby/educational platforms where a feature-rich 8-bit MCU simplifies firmware. The combination of internal oscillator, EEPROM, and USART also makes it popular as a bridge controller in legacy-to-Modern protocol conversion designs.
When designing with the PIC16F88-I/SS, plan a decoupling network of 100 nF plus 10 uF within 5 mm of the VDD pins and provide a stable analog AVCC rail even if the ADC is unused. Configure unused I/O as outputs to minimize sleep current and use the ICD pins RB6/RB7 exclusively for in-circuit debug or dedicate external pull-ups when those functions are required in production.
This page synthesizes XAIPART distributor pricing, drop-in SSOP-20 alternatives sourced from the same Microchip PIC16 family, and practical design notes not aggregated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F88-I/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 PIC16F88-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F88-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F87-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F882-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F870-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F88-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions, 14-bit opcode |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Performance | 5 MIPS @ 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz factory-calibrated |
| Digital I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 7 channels, 10-bit resolution |
| Capture/Compare/PWM Modules | 1 (CCP) |
| USART | 1 (Addressable USART) |
| Synchronous Serial Port | 1 (configurable as SPI or I2C) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.209", 5.30 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free Finish | Yes (Matte Tin / NiPdAu) |
| In-Circuit Debug | Yes (2-wire ICD via RB6/RB7) |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt Technology: Idle, Sleep, low-power peripherals |
PIC16F88-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 / SPI Slave Select / High-Low Voltage Detect input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O / Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O / Oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT/CCP1 — Digital I/O / External interrupt / Capture-Compare-PWM channel 1 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RB2/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RB3/SCL/SCK — Digital I/O / I2C clock / SPI clock |
| Pin 15 | RB4/PGM — Digital I/O / Low-voltage programming input |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICD clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICD data (programming/debug) |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F88-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning Node, RS-485 Modbus Slave Terminal, Small Appliance Motor Control, Battery-Powered Metering, Protocol Bridge / Gateway Controller, Educational & Hobby Development Platform, Automotive Auxiliary Body Electronics.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Node
The PIC16F88-I/SS fits industrial sensor conditioning nodes because its 7 channels of 10-bit ADC plus integrated 8 MHz internal oscillator deliver precise ratiometric measurement without external crystals. At 20 MHz, the 200 ns instruction cycle supports 5 MIPS throughput, sufficient for oversampling averaging algorithms that improve effective resolution beyond 10 bits. Its 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range accommodates 3.3 V and 5 V transducer rails directly, while the nanoWatt sleep modes (sub-microampere quiescent) extend battery life in wireless 4-20 mA loop replacement nodes. The SSOP-20 footprint is small enough for inline sensor housings, and ICD debugging simplifies field firmware updates via RB6/RB7. Compared with discrete op-amp+ADC solutions, the PIC16F88-I/SS reduces BOM count and PCB area while adding on-chip EEPROM for calibration constant storage.
Recommended
RS-485 Modbus Slave Terminal
The PIC16F88-I/SS is ideal for RS-485 Modbus slave terminals because its Addressable USART supports 9-bit addressing mode required for Modbus RTU, eliminating the need for an external UART chip. The integrated MSSP can serve as a secondary SPI port for local display or IO expansion, while 16 digital I/O drive status LEDs and discrete inputs without external glue logic. With 7 KB of Flash and 368 B of RAM, it holds a typical Modbus register map (input/holding registers, coils, discrete inputs) plus the application state machine. The 2.0 V-5.5 V operating range tolerates industrial 24 V rail drops when used with a wide-input DC-DC. Industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) ensures reliable operation inside sealed control cabinets, and the SSOP-20 footprint enables dense multi-drop terminal blocks.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control
The PIC16F88-I/SS drives small appliance motor control loops using its hardware CCP module for PWM generation and the 10-bit ADC for back-EMF or current-sense feedback. With 5 MIPS throughput at 20 MHz, the device runs PI speed-control loops at kHz rates while leaving headroom for user-interface handling. The 256-byte EEPROM stores appliance calibration data (motor no-load speed, current trip threshold) that survives power cycles. nanoWatt sleep reduces standby power below regulatory limits for ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, and the wide operating voltage handles rectified 5 V or 12 V mains-derived rails directly. The SSOP-20 footprint fits compact BLDC or universal-motor control PCBs found in fans, blenders, and small pump drives.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Metering
The PIC16F88-I/SS excels in battery-powered metering applications where its nanoWatt Technology delivers single-digit microampere sleep current, extending coin-cell or Li-ion battery life to years. The on-chip 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage, sensor inputs (temperature, flow, gas concentration), and reference checkpoints without external components, while the 256-byte EEPROM retains meter totals across power cycles. The 2.0 V minimum supply allows operation directly from nearly-depleted single-cell lithium primaries. The integrated 8 MHz oscillator eliminates crystal current draw, and the SSOP-20 footprint suits compact meter enclosures. Wake-on-pin-change interrupts let the device remain asleep between user events, making it ideal for utility submetering, building automation sensors, and remote data loggers.
Recommended
Protocol Bridge / Gateway Controller
The PIC16F88-I/SS serves as a compact protocol bridge between legacy serial interfaces and modern fieldbuses, leveraging its simultaneous USART (RS-232/RS-485) and MSSP (SPI or I2C) peripherals. The 16 digital I/O bit-bang additional protocols (one-wire, LIN, DMX) where needed, while the 7 KB Flash holds both transport and application layers. Hardware interrupts on USART RX and MSSP bus events minimize polling overhead, and 368 bytes of RAM buffer typical telemetry frames. Industrial temperature grade and 2.0 V-5.5 V range suit industrial gateway installations, while the SSOP-20 footprint integrates onto small converter modules that mount in legacy equipment racks for retrofit modernization projects.
Recommended
Educational & Hobby Development Platform
The PIC16F88-I/SS is widely adopted in educational and hobby platforms because its 35 single-word instruction set is approachable for first-time embedded programmers, while the 20-pin SSOP package (or DIP-20 sibling) fits breadboards via carrier boards. The built-in 2-wire ICD interface allows students to program and debug using only a PICkit 3 or PICkit 4, no separate emulator needed. With 7 KB Flash, learners can develop non-trivial projects (small RTOS, sensor fusion demos, IoT nodes) without running out of code space. The nanoWatt sleep modes teach power-management concepts early, and the wide operating voltage tolerates student bench power-supply mistakes. Extensive Microchip application notes, university curricula, and a mature MPLAB X IDE ecosystem reduce onboarding friction for new engineers.
Recommended
Automotive Auxiliary Body Electronics
The PIC16F88-I/SS supports non-safety automotive auxiliary body electronics where its industrial temperature range (-40 C to +85 C) handles cabin environments and its Addressable USART interfaces with LIN-bus slave transceivers for window, mirror, or seat-position controllers. The 7-channel 10-bit ADC reads switch panels, potentiometers for trim adjustment, and ambient light sensors, while the hardware USART enables OBD-II or K-line diagnostics in retrofit modules. 256 bytes of EEPROM store trim positions and learned user preferences across battery disconnects. Although not AEC-Q100 qualified itself, the PIC16F88-I/SS is a cost-effective choice for non-critical cabin systems where automotive-grade certification is delegated to the power-transistor and transceiver pairings on the PCB. SSOP-20 footprint suits tight PCB real estate behind dashboard panels.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F88-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F88-E/SO | PIC16F87-I/SS | PIC16F870-I/SS | PIC16F882-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209") | 20-SOIC (0.300") | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB (same die) | 7 KB | 2 KB (-71%) | 3.5 KB (-50%) |
| Data RAM | 368 B | 368 B (same die) | 368 B | 128 B (-65%) | 128 B (-65%) |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B (same die) | 256 B | 64 B (-75%) | 128 B (-50%) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | No (external crystal required) | 8 MHz |
| USART | Yes (Addressable) | Yes | No (SCI only) | Yes | Yes |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- nanoWatt Technology + hardware multiplier (vs PIC16F87-I/SS)
- Addressable USART for Modbus/9-bit protocols (vs PIC16F870-I/SS)
- Integrated 8 MHz internal oscillator (vs PIC16F870-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD and AVDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of each supply pin, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the main supply rail. Even when the ADC is unused, tie AVSS to VSS and AVdd to Vdd through the recommended ferrite-bead or direct short per the datasheet to prevent ESD-induced ADC latch-up. The nanoWatt Sleep mode typically draws 1-100 nA depending on enabled peripherals; disable unused modules (ADC, USART, MSSP) before entering Sleep to achieve the lowest quiescent current.
Provide a solid ground plane under the SSOP-20 footprint and route the ICSP/ICD pins (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) directly to a 6-pin header with no series resistors when used for in-circuit debug. Keep crystal traces (if used) short and surrounded by ground pour; the on-chip 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the crystal entirely in most designs. Maintain at least 0.2 mm clearance between analog ADC traces and switching signals (PWM, USART) to preserve ADC SNR.
Estimated: At 20 MHz, 5.0 V Vdd, and all peripherals disabled, the PIC16F88-I/SS core current is approximately 10 mA per the datasheet DC characteristics, giving 50 mW dissipation. The SSOP-20 package thermal resistance theta_JA is approximately 100 C/W on a 1 oz copper 4-layer board, so junction temperature rises only 5 C above ambient. No heatsink is required; however, in enclosed housings above 60 C ambient, derate maximum Fosc by 2 MHz per 10 C or add copper pour to keep Tj below 125 C.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - either tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up for normal operation or to the ICD header for in-circuit debug. Configure all unused I/O pins as outputs (set the corresponding TRIS bit to 0) and drive them low to minimise sleep current. When using the ADC, allow adequate acquisition time (typically 5-20 us per the datasheet Tad formula) before starting conversion to avoid reading stale sample-and-hold values.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C; not AEC-Q100 qualified (choose PIC16F88-E/SO or AEC-Q100-graded PIC variants for automotive). Matte-Tin finish on lead-free parts; halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance disclosures.
