PIC16LF1708-I/P - 8-bit XLP MCU 7KB Flash 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1708-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.82 | $1.82 |
| 10 | $1.65 | $16.50 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16LF1708-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and configurable peripheral blocks into one package. Within that hierarchy, an 8-bit MCU like the PIC16LF1708 uses a RISC instruction set optimized for deterministic bit-manipulation and low interrupt latency, sitting below 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs in computational throughput but offering superior cost, code-density, and ultra-low-power advantages for compact real-time tasks. The XLP technology inside PIC16LF1708 extends sleep currents to the nanoampere range, supporting coin-cell and energy-harvested products.
Key differentiating features include 4 KB instruction-word flash, 512 bytes SRAM, 128 bytes EEPROM, an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set with 200 ns instruction execution, 12-bit ADC with computation (ADC2), high-speed comparators, two op-amp modules, 8-/10-bit PWMs, and the eXtreme Low Power XLP sleep modes. The integrated 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal requirements for many designs, and the device supports I2C, SPI, EUSART (RS-232/RS-485), and up to 18 I/O pins.
Typical applications include low-cost general-purpose embedded control, IoT sensor nodes, small home appliances, LED lighting controllers, remote controls, sensor signal conditioning, battery chargers, motor control loops for small fans and pumps, and wearable health devices. The PDIP-20 package makes it especially attractive for hobbyist, educational, prototype, breadboard, and through-hole production designs that require easy rework and socket mounting.
When designing with the PIC16LF1708-I/P, ensure VDD stays within 1.8 V to 3.6 V and use a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor close to the supply pin. MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler is the recommended toolchain. The trade-off versus QFN variants is approximately 4x larger board area, but you gain mechanical robustness, socket compatibility and easier hand-soldering for prototypes.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1708-I/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 PIC16LF1708-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Comparators, Timers, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1708-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1708-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1708-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1707-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA328P-PU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1708-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| CPU Core | PIC16 (8-bit, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) Flash |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns (at 20 MHz), 125 ns (at 32 MHz) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | Up to 18 |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 5-bit and 8-bit DAC |
| Comparators | High-speed comparators with selectable reference |
| Op-Amps | 2 on-chip operational amplifiers |
| Timers | Multiple 8-bit and 16-bit timers |
| PWM | 8-bit and 10-bit PWM modules |
| Communication | I2C, SPI, EUSART (RS-232/RS-485) |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, COG, NCO, Zero-Cross Detect |
| XLP Sleep Current | Nanoampere range |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial -I grade) |
| MSL Level | Not Applicable (through-hole package) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1708-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN4 / op-amp output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / T0CKI / AN3 / op-amp inverting input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP/RA3 — Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage / I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / CCP1 / AN11 / op-amp output |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / C2OUT / AN10 / op-amp inverting input |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / SCL / AN9 / op-amp non-inverting input |
| Pin 8 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / TX/CK / AN13 |
| Pin 9 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / RX/DT / AN12 |
| Pin 10 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / PGD/AN6 |
| Pin 11 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / PGC/AN5 |
| Pin 12 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / AN11 / CWG1B |
| Pin 13 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / AN10 |
| Pin 14 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / AN8 |
| Pin 15 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / AN7 / op-amp output |
| Pin 16 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / AN4 / op-amp output |
| Pin 17 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / AN2 / DAC1OUT / ZCD |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / AN1 / ICSPCLK / DAC1REF- |
| Pin 19 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / AN0 / DAC1REF+ / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1708-I/P is suitable for 8 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Small Home Appliance Control, LED Lighting Controllers, Remote Control and IR/RF Transmitters, Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Learning, Wearable Health Devices, Small Fan and Pump Motor Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1708-I/P is purpose-built for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. Its XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology delivers nanoampere-range sleep currents, while the 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range supports single-cell Li-coin (3.0 V), 2x AA (3.0 V) or energy-harvested supplies. The 32 MHz PIC16 core plus 12-bit ADC2, two op amps and Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, COG, NCO) let the CPU remain in sleep while the device services sensor interrupts - critical for multi-year coin-cell lifetime. With 7 KB flash and 512 B SRAM, it can host wireless protocols like LoRa P2P stacks, BLE beacon firmware or Sub-GHz proprietary stacks via SPI-attached radios (e.g. Microchip RN2483, SX1276). The 20-pin PDIP package also accelerates prototyping in breadboard-based sensor pods.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance Control
Coffee makers, slow cookers, blenders, irons and similar small appliances benefit from the PIC16LF1708-I/P's combination of 32 MHz CPU performance, 8-bit and 10-bit PWM channels, two integrated op amps for current sensing and 12-bit ADC2 for temperature or weight measurement. The 5-bit/8-bit DACs can drive variable-brightness LED displays without external drivers. The 20-PDIP package through-hole construction withstands the mechanical and thermal stress of white-goods environments, while the XLP low-power modes reduce standby consumption below 0.1 mW for ENERGY STAR compliance. The Industrial-grade temperature range (-40C to +85C) accommodates appliance cabinet locations.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1708-I/P's on-chip 10-bit PWM with up to four complementary outputs (COG peripheral) and 12-bit ADC2 enables full-color RGBW LED dimming, color-temperature control and current sensing in a single IC. The wide 1.8-3.6 V VDD range supports direct Li-ion battery operation in portable LED fixtures. The CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) can implement hardware-only LED protection logic that operates independently of the CPU, preventing flicker during firmware updates. For higher LED currents, the I/O pins drive MOSFET gate drivers like the MIC2981 - making this MCU a strong fit for architectural, automotive interior, and decorative lighting controllers.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR/RF Transmitters
Compact remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, smart home hubs, toys and industrial automation benefit from the PIC16LF1708-I/P's low-power modes (XLP nanoamp sleep), small 20-pin PDIP and integrated EUSART plus IR carrier generation capability via COG. The NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) generates precise IR carrier frequencies (36 kHz, 38 kHz, 40 kHz) without CPU intervention. The 7 KB flash accommodates multiple IR/RF protocol stacks (NEC, RC5/RC6, proprietary). The two on-chip op amps can be used for battery voltage monitoring via a resistive divider, providing low-cell alerts via the LED indicator.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Learning
The PIC16LF1708-I/P in a 20-pin PDIP package is the textbook-friendly MCU for university embedded courses, makerspaces and hobbyists. The breadboard-friendly 0.1 inch pin pitch fits standard solderless breadboards and IC sockets, while the PICkit 4 / SNAP programming header (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD, MCLR) supports ICSP. MPLAB X IDE with the free XC8 compiler and Microchip Code Configurator (MCC) auto-generates initialization code, lowering the entry barrier. The XLP sleep modes teach advanced power-management concepts and the CLC peripheral introduces students to hardware-level state machines.
Recommended
Wearable Health Devices
Wearable fitness bands, hearables, smart patches and medical alert pendants use the PIC16LF1708-I/P for its tiny firmware footprint (7 KB), 1.8 V minimum VDD for single-cell Li-coin operation, and integrated 12-bit ADC2 for heart-rate, SpO2 or temperature signal conditioning. The two on-chip op amps amplify photoplethysmography (PPG) photodiode currents before ADC sampling, eliminating the need for an external analog front-end. CLC and NCO peripherals offload LED PWM dimming and tone generation from the CPU, keeping the core in sleep for >99% of each measurement cycle. The Industrial temperature range supports skin-contact wearable use.
Recommended
Small Fan and Pump Motor Control
Brushless DC (BLDC) micro-fans, peristaltic pumps, micro-servo controllers and small stepper drivers use the PIC16LF1708-I/P for low-cost closed-loop control. The COG (Complementary Output Generator) peripheral generates dead-time-aware complementary PWM pairs at up to 10-bit resolution, ideal for direct half-bridge MOSFET drive. The two on-chip op amps condition back-EMF or current-sense signals for sensorless commutation. With 32 MHz CPU and 200 ns instruction execution, the F1708 implements field-oriented control (FOC) for small motors while leaving 2-3 KB for application logic, displays, and serial commands.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
4-20 mA loop-powered sensors, RTD/thermocouple transmitters, strain-gauge bridges and pressure-sensor signal chains benefit from the PIC16LF1708-I/P's two integrated op amps, 12-bit ADC2 and 5-/8-bit DACs. The op amps provide first-stage differential gain, the ADC2 oversamples for noise rejection, and the DAC produces a 4-20 mA loop-current reference or 0-10 V output. The wide 1.8-3.6 V VDD supports both ratiot 24 V loop supply via a step-down regulator or battery backup. The Industrial temperature rating supports factory-floor deployment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1708-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1708-I/SO | PIC16LF1708-E/P | PIC16F1708-I/P | PIC16LF1707-I/P | ATmega328P-PU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (Atmel legacy) |
| Package | 20-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 20-SOIC (SMD) | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same footprint |
| CPU Core | PIC16 (8-bit, 14-bit instruction word) | PIC16 (same) | PIC16 (same) | PIC16 (same) | PIC16 (same) | AVR 8-bit (different architecture) |
| Program Flash | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 4 KB (-43%) | 32 KB (+357%) |
| SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 B - same | 512 B - same | 512 B - same | 384 B (-25%) | 2 KB (+300%) |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 1 KB (+700%) |
| VDD Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8-3.6 V - same | 1.8-3.6 V - same | 2.3-5.5 V (wider) | 1.8-3.6 V - same | 1.8-5.5 V (wider) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 20 MHz (via 16 MHz ceramic resonator max) |
| Toolchain | MPLAB X + XC8 + MCC | MPLAB X + XC8 - same | MPLAB X + XC8 - same | MPLAB X + XC8 - same | MPLAB X + XC8 - same | Microchip Studio + AVR-GCC (different) |
| Approx. Qty-1 Unit Price (USD) | 1.82 | 1.78 | 1.95 | 1.85 | 1.65 | 2.65 |
Key Differentiators
- Nanoampere XLP sleep current vs typical MCU (vs ATmega328P-PU)
- Integrated on-chip op-amps eliminate external analog front-end (vs PIC16F1703-I/P)
- Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, COG, NCO) for offloaded logic (vs PIC16LF1707-I/P)
- Wider supply voltage and pin-compatible 5 V upgrade path (vs PIC16LF1707-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1) with a short trace to VSS (pin 20). For designs with significant digital switching load, add a 1 µF to 10 µF bulk decoupling cap at the regulator output. For low-noise analog reference applications, place a separate 10 µF tantalum or ceramic cap on the VDD rail that powers only the analog sections. The PIC16LF1708-I/P operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V; use an LDO like MCP1700 (3.3 V) rather than a switching regulator for battery applications to avoid injecting switching noise into the ADC measurements.
The PIC16LF1708-I/P in 20-PDIP package has a typical theta_JA of around 60 C/W, allowing the device to dissipate up to roughly 800 mW at 70 C ambient within the -40 C to +85 C Industrial temperature range. Most embedded applications consume well below 50 mW (CPU active ~5 mA, sleep ~nA), so thermal management is rarely a concern. However, when using the CWG/COG peripheral to drive MOSFET gates at high PWM frequencies (>100 kHz), the I/O pin toggle current increases - verify your I/O sourcing current budget. The PDIP package is generally easier to cool than QFN due to its larger PCB pad area.
For 20-PDIP through-hole designs, use a 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) pitch pad pattern with 0.6 mm drill holes. Leave at least 0.5 mm clearance around the through-hole pads for the IC socket if you want to support quick firmware swapping. Place the ICSP programming header (6-pin) within 100 mm of the IC, with pin 1 (MCLR), pin 10 (PGD/RB7) and pin 11 (PGC/RB6) routed to the programming connector with short traces. Use a ground pour on the top layer connected to pin 20 (VSS) and surround the MCU for low-impedance return paths.
Common pitfalls: (1) Exceeding 3.6 V on VDD will damage the LF version - use the F (PIC16F1708) variant instead. (2) Forgetting the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kΩ to VDD) leaves the device in reset state. (3) Selecting the wrong configuration word bits can lock the oscillator or disable the debug interface - always re-flash the configuration word during development. (4) Driving LEDs without a current-limit resistor will burn out both the LED and the I/O pin. (5) Forgetting to enable peripheral pin select (PPS) for remappable I/O functions on PIC16LF1708, which is necessary when assigning UART, I2C or SPI to non-default pins. (6) Do not assume all 18 I/O pins are 5 V tolerant - none of them are; the device is 3.3 V only.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive. For automotive applications, refer to PIC16F1708-E/P automotive-grade variants or consult Microchip directly.
