PIC16F917-E/P - 8-Bit 20MHz Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F917-E/P ✓ ActivePIC16F917-E/P Overview
An 8-bit flash microcontroller is a programmable integrated circuit that executes a compact instruction set while storing firmware in nonvolatile Flash memory. Within the product hierarchy, the PIC16F917 is a PIC16 RISC microcontroller, an embedded MCU, and ultimately a semiconductor designed for control-oriented products. Its combination of LCD-driver capability, low-power features, and a wide operating-voltage range suits instruments, panel controls, and embedded display systems.
Principal features include a 14 KB Flash memory organized as 8K x 14 words, 352 bytes of RAM, up to 96 LCD segments, and an internal oscillator spanning 32 kHz to 8 MHz. The MCU includes two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, an extended watchdog timer, and brown-out reset with software control. Operation is supported from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, while individual I/O lines provide 25 mA source or sink current.
The PIC16F917 architecture uses a 13-bit program counter, with the 8K x 14 program memory occupying addresses 0000h through 1FFFh for the PIC16F917 and PIC16F916 variants. Flash memory allows in-circuit reprogramming, while the integrated LCD driver reduces the external component count in segment-display designs. The internal 32 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator also allows designs to avoid an external clock source when the required timing accuracy is acceptable.
Typical applications include monochrome LCD instruments, industrial control panels, pump controllers, measurement equipment, battery-operated monitors, and general-purpose embedded control boards. The 36 available I/O pins support multiple sensors, switches, displays, and actuators, while the 20 MHz performance capability allows the PIC16F917 to service more demanding control loops than the lowest-end 8-bit PIC devices.
When laying out a board, verify every signal against the 40-pin PDIP datasheet pinout and preserve the required decoupling near the supply pins. Because the -E/P ordering code identifies a specific package and temperature grade, confirm the full part number before assembly. The MPLAB PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger and programmer identified on the Microchip product page provides a supported path for programming and prototype verification.
This page combines verified manufacturer and distributor information with a structured comparison, practical design notes, and application guidance that help engineers evaluate the PIC16F917-E/P beyond a distributor listing alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F917-E/P — 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/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Watchdog Timer, Mounting Type, I/O Pins, I/O Source/Sink Current.
PIC16F917-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs UnverifiedContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F916-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F913-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F914-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs UnverifiedContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F917-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Flash-based PIC microcontroller |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) |
| Program Counter | 13-bit |
| Program Memory Address Range | 0000h to 1FFFh |
| RAM | 352 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 36 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Internal Oscillator Range | 32 kHz to 8 MHz |
| LCD Capability | Up to 96 LCD segments |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA |
| Timer Resources | Two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer |
| Watchdog Timer | Extended Watchdog Timer (EWDT) |
| Brown-Out Reset | BOR with software control |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| Temperature Grade | Extended temperature (-E suffix) |
| Programming Tool | MPLAB PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger/programmer |
| Manufacturer Product Status | In Production |
PIC16F917-E/P 40-pin pdip Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC16F917-E/P (40-pin pdip 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 PIC16F917-E/P.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC16F917-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: LCD Instrument and Control Panel, Industrial Sensor Interface, Battery-Operated Measurement Device, Pump and Motor Control, Cost-Embedded Control Board, Programmable Timer and Sequencer.
LCD Instrument and Control Panel
The PIC16F917-E/P fits monochrome instrument panels because its integrated LCD driver can control up to 96 segments while 36 I/O pins remain available for keys, sensors, and indicators. The 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range supports both 3.3 V and 5 V systems, and the internal 32 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator can eliminate a crystal in cost-sensitive designs. Firmware running at up to 20 MHz can handle display updates alongside measurement and control tasks. Designers should map segment and common-drive pins against the 40-pin PDIP datasheet diagram, use suitable bypass capacitors, and verify LCD bias timing before production.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16F917-E/P is suitable for multi-sensor industrial interfaces because 36 I/O pins can accommodate digital inputs, alarm outputs, and communication signaling alongside an LCD readout. Its 352 bytes of RAM supports short data buffers and state-machine logic, while 14 KB of Flash provides adequate space for calibration tables, filtering routines, and menu code. The 20 MHz clock capability enables faster sampling and debounce processing than the slowest PIC16 devices. Use the extended-temperature -E grade where ambient conditions exceed commercial limits, and validate analog front-end accuracy separately because no precision converter specification was provided in the verified data.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Measurement Device
The low-power-oriented PIC16F917-E/P family is appropriate for battery-operated meters that combine sensing, local display, and limited control functions. Its internal 32 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator permits low-power timing, the 2.0 V minimum supply voltage supports energy-focused designs, and nanoWatt Technology provides a foundation for reducing average consumption. The integrated LCD driver allows a display to remain on or be updated intermittently without adding a separate controller. Sleep-mode behavior, wake sources, LCD drive duty cycle, and analog-peripheral loading must be evaluated with the application load because exact quiescent-current figures were not supplied in the verified data.
Recommended
Pump and Motor Control
The PIC16F917-E/P can supervise simple pump, valve, or motor-control systems where multiple discrete inputs and outputs are required. Its 36 I/O pins allow connection of limit switches, level sensors, alarms, and relay drivers, while two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer support duty-cycle generation and timing tasks. The extended-temperature ordering option suits equipment exposed to elevated ambient temperatures. Its 25 mA per-I/O source or sink capability is adequate for logic-level inputs and low-current drivers, but it does not replace power transistors, flyback protection, or isolation for inductive loads.
Recommended
Cost-Embedded Control Board
The PIC16F917-E/P works well for compact embedded controllers that need a generous pin count but do not require a high-end processor. Fourteen kilobytes of Flash holds application firmware, interrupt handlers, and configuration data, while the RISC-style 8-bit architecture simplifies deterministic control loops. Through-hole PDIP construction also makes the device practical for prototypes, education platforms, and manually assembled industrial controllers. The designer should use a socket during development if field replacement is expected and route the 13-bit program-counter architecture correctly. Firmware reuse from PIC16F916 requires checking LCD-dependent features, while PIC16F913 and PIC16F914 substitutions require code-size review.
Recommended
Programmable Timer and Sequencer
The PIC16F917-E/P is appropriate for configurable timers, test sequencers, and automated process-control panels where the internal oscillator and multiple timers reduce external component count. Two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer enable independent timing domains, while the extended watchdog timer supports recovery from unexpected program-flow faults. Brown-out reset with software control improves behavior during supply transients within the specified 2.0 V to 5.5 V range. Firmware can implement event sequences, duty-cycle outputs, and LCD status pages. Because no guaranteed timing-accuracy or oscillator-tolerance figures were included in the supplied data, calibrated timing applications should verify them directly in the manufacturer datasheet.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F917-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F917-I/P | PIC16F916-I/P | PIC16F913-I/P | PIC16F914-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-40 | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) | 8K x 14 words | 4K x 14 words | 4K x 14 words |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 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 temperature (-E) | Industrial temperature (-I) | Industrial temperature (-I) | Industrial temperature (-I) | Industrial temperature (-I) |
Key Differentiators
- Closest same-device temperature-grade substitute (vs PIC16F917-I/P)
- More program memory than the lower-capacity PIC16F91x options (vs PIC16F913-I/P)
- Integrated LCD capability for segment displays (vs PIC16F916-I/P)
- More RAM than a plain pin-count comparison would suggest (vs PIC16F19176-E/P)
Design Notes
Treat the PIC16F917-E/P as a through-hole 40-pin PDIP device and preserve the datasheet-defined VDD and VSS connections, decoupling, programming interface, oscillator, and LCD pins. Place the primary bypass capacitor close to the device supply pins and route high-current LCD and output loads away from sensitive input traces. Because the supplied web snippets confirm the 40-PDIP package but do not provide the complete numbered terminal list, do not release artwork from distributor descriptions; cross-check every connection against Microchip datasheet document 41250E and its package drawing.
Design the supply for the full 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range and verify brown-out behavior during slow input ramps. The PIC16F917 provides brown-out reset with software control, which can help prevent unintended execution when the rail falls below the operating threshold. Add local supply filtering near the MCU and validate regulator headroom for the 25 mA source or sink rating cited for individual I/O lines. Actual total supply current depends on the number of active I/O pins, LCD loading, oscillator settings, and firmware-selected peripherals.
Do not assume that every PIC16F91x device is a functional drop-in replacement. The PIC16F917 and PIC16F916 use an 8K x 14-word program-memory organization, whereas the PIC16F913 and PIC16F914 use 4K x 14 words. Check code size, LCD-controller requirements, peripheral assignments, interrupt vectors, configuration bits, and package-specific pin functions before substitution. Also confirm whether the -E or -I temperature grade matches the deployment environment; a footprint match alone does not guarantee an equivalent product.
Use the internal oscillator only after confirming that its frequency tolerance and stability meet the timing specification. The verified family data identifies an internal 32 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator, while the maximum device clock is 20 MHz. For designs that require a crystal, reserve the oscillator and programming-support footprint from the outset even if the initial build uses the internal source. Keep LCD common-drive and segment routing away from sensitive analog inputs to reduce coupling into measurements.
Compliance Information
The verified excerpts confirm In Production status and identify the -E extended-temperature grade, but they do not contain explicit RoHS, REACH, halogen-free, conflict-minerals, or AEC-Q100 declarations. AEC-Q100 is treated as not applicable because this is a general-purpose MCU and no automotive qualification was verified.
