PIC16F917-E/ML - 8-Bit MCU, 14KB Flash, LCD Driver | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F917-E/ML β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.51 | $5.51 |
| 10 | $4.95 | $49.50 |
| 100 | $4.41 | $441.00 |
| 500 | $3.95 | $1,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.49 | $3,490.00 |
PIC16F917-E/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit flash microcontroller? An 8-bit flash microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, non-volatile flash program memory, RAM, peripherals, and I/O on one die. The PIC16F917 sits within the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16F family -> PIC16F91X sub-family -> flash-based with LCD. These devices target cost-sensitive embedded designs requiring integrated analog, segmented LCD glass drive, and low-power sleep modes for battery-powered human-machine interface (HMI) products.
Key features include 14 KB flash, 256 bytes EEPROM, 352 bytes RAM, 35 I/O, 10-bit ADC with multiple channels, three timers, an LCD driver supporting up to 60 segments, and nanoWatt technology that reduces quiescent current to sub-microampere levels in sleep. The 44-QFN (8x8) exposed-pad package provides a low thermal resistance path for higher-current GPIO switching and supports compact board layouts under consumer-electronics dimensional budgets.
The PIC16F917 uses a RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and a single-cycle hardware multiplier. The LCD driver can directly multiplex up to 4 common planes and 60 segment pins, allowing direct connection to a static or multiplexed glass without an external charge pump, while the nanoWatt modes (Idle, Sleep, and Timer1 oscillator run-from-RTC) make the device well-suited to thermostat, remote control, metering, and appliance front panels.
Typical applications include white-goods front panels with LCD, residential thermostats, electricity/water/gas metering, point-of-sale keypads with LCD readout, medical devices requiring segmented displays (e.g. glucose meters), and industrial control panels. When laying out the PCB, route the LCD segment traces with care to avoid coupling noise to adjacent ADC inputs, and connect the exposed pad to a clean ground plane for thermal dissipation.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F917-E/ML 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 PIC16F917-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Architecture, Package, Timers, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F916-I/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F914-I/PT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.35 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F913-I/ML
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F917-I/ML
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F917-E/PT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F887-I/ML
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.16 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F917-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (PIC16) |
| Program Memory | 14 KB (8K x 14) Flash |
| Data RAM | 352 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| CPU Speed (Max) | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| Package | 44-VQFN Exposed Pad (8x8 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| LCD Driver | Up to 60 segments, 4 commons |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes (31 kHz - 8 MHz selectable) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Industrial, 'E') |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt (Idle, Sleep, Low-Power Timer1) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F917-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | LCDBIAS3 β LCD bias generation / segment |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β PORTA bit 3 / analog reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4 β PORTA bit 5 / analog input |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/RA7 β Crystal input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/RA6 β Crystal output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM |
| Pin 14 | RC3 β PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 β PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 29 | LCDBIAS0 β LCD bias generation / segment |
| Pin 30 | LCDBIAS1 β LCD bias generation / segment |
| Pin 31 | LCDBIAS2 β LCD bias generation / segment |
| Pin 32 | RD0 β PORTD bit 0 / LCD segment |
| Pin 33 | RD1 β PORTD bit 1 / LCD segment |
| Pin 34 | RD2 β PORTD bit 2 / LCD segment |
| Pin 35 | RD3 β PORTD bit 3 / LCD segment |
| Pin 36 | RD4 β PORTD bit 4 / LCD segment |
| Pin 37 | RD5 β PORTD bit 5 / LCD segment |
| Pin 38 | RD6 β PORTD bit 6 / LCD segment |
| Pin 39 | RD7 β PORTD bit 7 / LCD segment |
| Pin 40 | RE0 β PORTE bit 0 / LCD common |
| Pin 41 | RE1 β PORTE bit 1 / LCD common |
| Pin 42 | RE2 β PORTE bit 2 / LCD common |
| Pin 43 | RE3 β PORTE bit 3 / LCD common |
| Pin 44 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear / programming voltage |
| Pin EP | EPAD β Exposed thermal pad - connect to VSS |
Typical Applications
PIC16F917-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Front Panels with LCD, Residential Thermostats, Electricity / Water / Gas Meters, Point-of-Sale Keypads, Medical Devices with Segmented Display, Industrial Control Panels.
Appliance Front Panels with LCD
The PIC16F917's integrated LCD driver, supporting up to 60 segments and 4 commons, allows direct connection to a multiplexed glass without external charge pumps. The 14 KB flash comfortably hosts washing machine, dishwasher, and oven user-interface firmware, while the 2.0-5.5 V range accepts 3.3 V or 5 V designs.
Recommended
Residential Thermostats
The PIC16F917's nanoWatt sleep current (sub-microampere) extends battery life in wall-mounted thermostats that spend most of the time idle between sensor reads. The integrated 10-bit ADC handles NTC thermistor inputs, while the LCD driver displays set-point and ambient temperature on a low-power segmented glass.
Recommended
Electricity / Water / Gas Meters
The PIC16F917 fits residential metering where a 35-I/O budget, low-power RTC-driven Timer1, and integrated segmented LCD readout drive the consumption display. The wide 2.0-5.5 V operating range allows direct connection to lithium battery packs without additional regulation stages, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Keypads
Compact POS terminals benefit from the PIC16F917's 35 I/O for matrix keypads, 14 KB flash for protocol stacks, and integrated LCD for transaction readouts. The 20 MHz instruction throughput keeps scan loops responsive while nanoWatt sleep preserves coin-cell life between customer interactions.
Recommended
Medical Devices with Segmented Display
The PIC16F917 powers glucose meters, blood-pressure cuffs, and similar medical HMI devices that need a low-power segmented display and reliable ADC for sensor inputs. Its 10-bit ADC provides adequate resolution for NTC/PTC temperature probes and bridge-type pressure sensors in regulated medical products.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
Factory-floor control panels use the PIC16F917 to drive segmented status displays alongside digital I/O for relay and indicator control. The 2.0-5.5 V supply range, combined with the 44-VQFN exposed-pad package's low thermal resistance, supports enclosed industrial enclosures with limited airflow.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F917-E/ML β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F916-I/ML | PIC16F914-I/PT | PIC16F913-I/ML | PIC16F887-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-VQFN (8x8) | 44-VQFN (8x8) - same | 44-TQFP - different footprint | 44-VQFN (8x8) - same | 44-VQFN (8x8) - same |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash (-71%) | 4 KB Flash (-71%) | 14 KB Flash |
| Data RAM | 352 bytes | 352 bytes | 256 bytes (-27%) | 256 bytes (-27%) | 368 bytes (+5%) |
| Integrated LCD Driver | Yes (60 segments) | Yes (60 segments) | Yes (60 segments) | Yes (60 segments) | No |
| I/O Pins | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 36 (+3%) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| 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 |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 60-segment LCD driver in 44-QFN (vs PIC16F887-I/ML)
- Higher flash density than lower-tier siblings (vs PIC16F913-I/ML)
- Extended industrial temperature grade (vs PIC16F916-I/ML)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD using 19 uF and 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 1 mm of the VDD/VSS pairs. The PIC16F917 datasheet specifies that bulk and high-frequency decoupling must be local to the MCU; placing the 0.1 uF too far from VDD will allow digital switching noise to couple into the analog ADC and degrade ADC SNR by several LSBs.
Solder the exposed thermal pad (EP) of the 44-VQFN package to a continuous ground plane with multiple thermal vias. The pad is not only a thermal path but also provides the chip's primary bottom-side ground reference; skipping the EP connection can cause erratic ADC readings, LCD contrast drift, and reduced EMI margin.
Route LCD segment traces with short, matched lengths and keep them away from high-frequency signals such as the oscillator and switching regulator nets. The PIC16F917 multiplexes its LCD segments; imbalance between segment runs can produce visible ghosting on glass, particularly at 1/3 or 1/4 bias configurations.
Do not exceed the maximum VDD of 5.5 V; this is a common failure mode when 5 V-tolerant peripherals share the rail. The 'E' suffix in PIC16F917-E/ML designates the extended -40C to +125C operating range, suitable for industrial enclosures but not automotive (AEC-Q100) deployments.
The internal oscillator configuration must match the system clock budget. Switching from a high-frequency internal RC (8 MHz) to the 31 kHz LP mode during sleep without proper Timer1 calibration can cause UART baud-rate drift. Use the OSCTUNE register for fine-tuning and verify with a scope on the OSC2 pin during development.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. 'E' suffix indicates extended industrial temperature grade; AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable (choose PIC16Fxxx automotive variants for vehicle applications).
