PIC16LF1708-E/SS - 8-bit 32MHz MCU 4KB Flash 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1708-E/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.21 | $221.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
PIC16LF1708-E/SS Overview
The PIC16F170x family sits within the PIC microcontroller hierarchy as a mid-range 8-bit MCU with XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology, making it suitable for battery-powered applications. The LF variant specifically operates over 1.8V to 3.6V, while the F variant operates over 2.3V to 5.5V. The PIC16F170x microcontrollers combine Intelligent Analog integration with low-cost and eXtreme Low Power (XLP) to suit a variety of cost-sensitive general purpose applications.
Key features include 4K words of Flash (7KB total addressable), 512 bytes of RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, two op-amps, an 8-bit DAC, two high-speed comparators, zero-cross detection, complementary output generator, configurable logic cells, PWM modules, capture/compare/PWM peripherals, and enhanced USART plus I2C/SPI interfaces. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) enables flexible routing of digital functions to physical I/O pins, reducing PCB constraints.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, white-goods and appliance controls, capacitive-touch front panels with CLC-driven scanning, fan/valve control with zero-cross detection for TRIAC switching, low-cost instrumentation with on-chip op-amp signal conditioning, and battery-operated IoT endpoints leveraging XLP sleep currents.
Design considerations: ensure core supply decoupling with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor close to VDD, and reserve the ICSP pins (PGC/PGD) for in-circuit programming access. When using the on-chip op-amp, account for input common-mode range restrictions near the rails. For low-power applications, use the LF variant, leverage the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes, and verify wake-up source selection in the PIE/PIR registers.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16F170x family and competing 8-bit MCU families, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1708-E/SS β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1708-I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LF1708-I/ML
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1708-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F170x (Mid-range 8-bit, XLP) |
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range x14 (Harvard RISC) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 512 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (at 20 MHz FOSC) |
| Operating Voltage (LF variant) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| On-chip Op-Amps | 2 |
| DAC | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| Comparators | 2 high-speed |
| Zero-Cross Detect | Yes |
| Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C/SPI (MSSP) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E temp grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1708-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 β Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA4 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 β Bidirectional I/O / DAC output |
| Pin 9 | RA6 β Bidirectional I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 10 | RC4 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC5 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC6 β Bidirectional I/O / TX |
| Pin 13 | RC7 β Bidirectional I/O / RX |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply |
| Pin 15 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O / PGC |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1708-E/SS is suitable for 8 applications: Low-Power Wireless Sensor Node, TRIAC-Controlled Dimmer / AC Switch, Capacitive-Touch Front Panel Controller, LED Lighting Color-Mixing Controller, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20mA / 0-10V), Battery-Powered Wearable / Fitness Tracker, Small Home Appliance Control Board, Fan / Pump Speed Controller.
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS suits battery-powered wireless sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP sleep current extends coin-cell battery life into multi-year ranges. With 4KB Flash and 512B RAM, the device runs sensor-fusion, threshold logic, and protocol MAC code without external memory. The on-chip 10-bit ADC, op-amp, and configurable logic cells (CLC) condition and filter analog signals directly on-chip, reducing BOM cost. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V matches single-cell Li-ion or 2xAA battery chemistries. Place 0.1uF ceramic decoupling on VDD/AVDD and use the PPS feature to remap EUSART to convenient I/O pins for the radio module.
Recommended
TRIAC-Controlled Dimmer / AC Switch
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS drives TRIAC-based AC dimmers and zero-cross synchronized switches through its integrated zero-cross detect (ZCD) peripheral. The ZCD simplifies phase-angle control and removes the external optocoupler or transformer for line-voltage sensing. The two on-chip op-amps can be configured as zero-cross filtering and current-sense amplifiers. CLC implements the timing logic without burdening the CPU, leaving main-loop bandwidth for user interface and safety checks. The 32MHz FOSC and 200ns instruction cycle sustain tight firing-angle timing. Power dissipation at 32MHz/3.3V is approximately 11mW active, low enough to operate in sealed wall-switch form factors.
Recommended
Capacitive-Touch Front Panel Controller
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS implements capacitive-touch keypads and slider controls via the mTouch sensing solution combined with its configurable logic cells (CLC) and on-chip op-amps. CLC handles charge/discharge sequencing, freeing CPU cycles for higher-level scanning and gesture recognition. The peripheral pin select (PPS) lets you remap CLC outputs and timer captures to any I/O, simplifying the PCB layout of large touch electrodes. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V and drawing nanoamp-level sleep currents enables battery-powered remote controls. The 4KB Flash fits mid-sized touch firmware with slider, button, and proximity functions.
Recommended
LED Lighting Color-Mixing Controller
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS drives multi-channel RGB or tunable-white LED strings through its PWM modules and 8-bit DAC for analog dimming. The on-chip 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors and color feedback to implement closed-loop brightness and color-mixing algorithms. Two op-amps condition photodiode current-sense signals without external amplifiers, reducing BOM count. The enhanced USART supports DMX512 lighting-protocol reception for stage and architectural lighting. The 32MHz FOSC sustains eight or more PWM channels at 10-bit resolution without flicker.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20mA / 0-10V)
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS powers cost-sensitive industrial sensor transmitters requiring analog signal conditioning and standardized current or voltage loop outputs. Its on-chip op-amps amplify bridge sensor signals at microvolt levels with low offset; the 10-bit ADC digitizes the conditioned output. The 8-bit DAC and PWM module combined with a transistor network generate the 4-20mA loop or 0-10V output. The extended -40C to +125C operating range (E temp grade) suits factory and outdoor deployments. PPS remaps the MSSP and EUSART peripherals, simplifying PCB layout for HART or RS-485 communication daughter-boards.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wearable / Fitness Tracker
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS fits wearables and fitness tracker designs requiring low-power operation, on-chip signal conditioning, and small footprint. Its nanoWatt XLP sleep mode (typical 20nA) enables months-long battery life on coin cells. The on-chip op-amps condition PPG photoplethysmography sensor signals, the ADC digitizes them, and the CLC implements heart-rate detection logic offloading the main CPU. With 18 I/O pins, the device can drive an OLED display, haptic motor, and I2C sensors simultaneously through PPS remapping. The 1.8V minimum VDD matches single-cell Li-ion or Li-polymer chemistries.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS serves as the main MCU in coffee machines, kitchen scales, vacuum robot motor controllers, and similar small home appliances. Its enhanced USART plus I2C/SPI handles user-interface displays, sensors, and Wi-Fi/BLE modules. The zero-cross detect peripheral supports TRIAC-based heating element control for espresso machines and induction cookers. Two on-chip comparators handle overcurrent protection and feedback without dedicated op-amps, lowering BOM cost. The 4KB Flash accommodates state-machine control firmware, and PPS simplifies routing of PWM outputs to IGBT drivers.
Recommended
Fan / Pump Speed Controller
The PIC16LF1708-E/SS controls DC or brushless DC fans and pumps with closed-loop PWM and tachometer feedback. The 10-bit ADC reads back-EMF or current-shunt voltage through on-chip op-amps for sensorless rotor position detection, while the CLC implements zero-cross timing without CPU intervention. The complementary PWM outputs drive FET half-bridges directly from the 18-I/O device. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V suits 3.3V BLDC fan ecosystems, and the nanoWatt XLP sleep mode enables quiescent-current fan-standby operation below 50uA. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range suits outdoor and HVAC deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1708-E/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1708-I/SS | PIC16LF1708-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-QFN (4x4) - different |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Max CPU Clock | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | E (-40C to +125C) | I (-40C to +85C) | I (-40C to +85C) |
| On-chip Op-Amps | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DAC / ADC | 8-bit DAC / 10-bit ADC | 8-bit DAC / 10-bit ADC | 8-bit DAC / 10-bit ADC |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade variant available in same SSOP (vs PIC16LF1708-I/SS)
- QFN package alternative in same die (vs PIC16LF1708-I/ML)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the MCU pins, plus a bulk 10uF on the board. For battery applications, leverage the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes (typical 20nA) and the LF silicon variant (1.8V minimum) to extend battery life. Estimated: at 3.3V active 32MHz, ICC is approximately 6 mA; in sleep with WDT, IDD is approximately 0.5 uA. Use PPS to remap peripherals to free I/O for low-power wake sources.
Reserve the PGC/PGD pins (RB6/RB7 on 20-SSOP) for ICSP programming access - either route to an in-circuit programming header or dedicated test pads. Place analog AVSS/AVDD separation if available, and route analog traces away from digital PWM and switching signals to prevent ADC noise coupling. Keep the ZCD input pin trace short and guard-banded from high-voltage AC traces to avoid capacitive injection. Use a star-ground topology if mixing analog and digital returns.
Common pitfalls: (1) Mixing LF and F variants on the same PCB without checking VDD rails - LF will not start reliably above 3.6V. (2) Forgetting that some PIC16F170x peripherals conflict on the same PPS output - verify pin assignment in the PPSLOCK register before locking the configuration. (3) Using the on-chip op-amps near the rails - the input common-mode range does not include VDD or VSS; reserve headroom. (4) ICSP without proper MCLR pull-up may not enter programming mode reliably.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive functional safety applications, look at PIC16F1708-E/SS variants in automotive PPAP.
