PIC16LF1768-E/SS - 8-Bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1768-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.05 | $2.05 |
| 10 | $1.92 | $19.20 |
| 100 | $1.66 | $166.00 |
| 500 | $1.48 | $740.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.32 | $1,320.00 |
PIC16LF1768-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash, RAM, EEPROM), and peripherals (ADC, timers, I/O, communication interfaces) on one silicon die. The PIC16F176X family from Microchip sits in the broader taxonomy: MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 -> enhanced mid-range core -> PIC16F176X sub-family. The LF prefix designates the low-voltage variant designed for battery-powered and portable applications, where the F version typically runs from 2.3V to 5.5V. The XLP suffix denotes Microchip's eXtreme Low Power technology, which provides nanoWatt sleep modes critical for IoT and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features of the PIC16LF1768-E/SS include 7KB Flash memory, 512 bytes RAM, 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, two operational amplifiers, zero-cross detect, high-current I/O pins capable of directly driving LEDs, and multiple PWM/Signal Measurement peripherals. The device supports up to 32 MHz operation from a 3.3V supply, with instruction cycle time of 125 ns. The internal 32 MHz oscillator eliminates the need for external crystals in many designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB footprint.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1768 employs Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word and hardware stack. The 'LF' variant integrates a 1.8V–3.6V LDO and nanoWatt XLP technology for sub-uA sleep current, while the 'F' counterpart operates at 2.3V–5.5V. The op amps, DAC, and zero-cross detect peripherals make this part distinctive among PIC16 devices, enabling single-chip implementation of functions such as LED drivers, signal conditioning, and AC line zero-cross triggering without external analog ICs.
Typical applications include LED lighting control with high-current I/O driving, consumer appliance control with zero-cross detection for TRIAC dimming, sensor signal conditioning using integrated op amps, low-power IoT edge nodes benefiting from XLP nanoWatt sleep modes, and battery-powered portable instruments running from 2xAA cells. The wide operating voltage range and rich analog integration make it a strong fit for cost-sensitive designs that previously required multiple ICs.
When designing with this MCU, ensure that the programming/debug interface pins (PGC/PGD) are accessible for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). The E temperature grade in the part number indicates -40C to +125C industrial operating range, suitable for outdoor or industrial environments. The SSOP-20 footprint is a standard surface-mount package compatible with hand-soldering and standard reflow profiles, and the pinout follows Microchip's PIC16 standard for the 20-pin variant.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, parametric alternatives from the same PIC16F176X product family, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1768-E/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 PIC16LF1768-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), Core, DAC, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1768-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.6406 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1579-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1708-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range |
| Instruction Set | RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 512 bytes |
| Operating Frequency (max) | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 125 ns at 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Operational Amplifiers | 2 internal op amps |
| Zero-Cross Detect | Yes |
| I/O Pins | Up to 17 with high-current capability |
| PWM Modules | Yes (multiple) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free, RoHS compliant |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (nanoWatt) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF1768-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VPP/MCLR — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / Programming voltage / Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/OPA1IN0+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 0 / Comparator input / Op-amp 1 non-inverting input |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/OPA1IN0- — Digital I/O / Analog input 1 / Comparator input / Op-amp 1 inverting input |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/C2IN-/OPA1OUT/ZCD — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / Op-amp 1 output / Zero-Cross Detect |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RB7/AN11/OPA2IN1+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 11 / Op-amp 2 non-inverting input |
| Pin 8 | RB6/AN10/OPA2IN1- — Digital I/O / Analog input 10 / Op-amp 2 inverting input |
| Pin 9 | RB5/AN9/OPA2OUT/PWM5 — Digital I/O / Analog input 9 / Op-amp 2 output / PWM output 5 |
| Pin 10 | RB4/AN8/PWM4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 8 / PWM output 4 |
| Pin 11 | RC7/AN6 — Digital I/O / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 12 | RC6/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 13 | RC5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 14 | RC4/AN3/PWM3 — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / PWM output 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC3/AN7/PWM2 — Digital I/O / Analog input 7 / PWM output 2 |
| Pin 16 | RC2/AN6/PWM1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 6 / PWM output 1 |
| Pin 17 | RC1/AN5/PWM1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 5 / PWM output 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC0/AN4/PWM2 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 / PWM output 2 |
| Pin 19 | ICSPCLK/RA4 — ICSP clock / Digital I/O RA4 |
| Pin 20 | ICSPDAT/RA5 — ICSP data / Digital I/O RA5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1768-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and Dimming Control, Sensor Signal Conditioning, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, AC Line Zero-Cross Switching, Portable Test and Measurement Instruments.
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
The PIC16LF1768-E/SS is well matched to LED lighting because it integrates high-current I/O pins that can directly drive LED strings, multiple PWM channels for dimming, and zero-cross detect for AC-line TRIAC dimming interfaces. The on-chip dual op amps enable closed-loop current sensing without external analog ICs, reducing BOM by 2-3 parts. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, it suits both 3.3V-rail constant-current LED drivers and 2xAA battery-powered portable lighting. The 32 MHz core provides fast PWM update rates for smooth dimming at frequencies above audible range.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
With two integrated op amps and a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, the PIC16LF1768-E/SS serves as a single-chip sensor conditioner for thermistors, photodiodes, bridge sensors, and load cells. The op amps can be configured for instrumentation-amp-style gain stages, while the ADC samples the conditioned output. The 32 MHz core runs digital filtering on the ADC stream at low latency. The 1.8V-3.6V supply range supports battery-powered remote sensor nodes, and the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes drop the IC below 1 uA in idle, extending battery life by 5-10x versus discrete op-amp + ADC designs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC16LF1768-E/SS leverages its 1.8V-3.6V operating range, XLP nanoWatt technology, and 7KB Flash to function as the core of battery-powered IoT edge nodes such as remote controls, wireless sensor transmitters, and energy-harvesting devices. Sleep currents below 1 uA extend coin-cell battery life to multiple years. The 32 MHz core wakes quickly to process sensor data and transmit via a companion radio. The integrated 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage for fuel gauging, and the op amps condition sensor inputs without external analog ICs, fitting the entire node into a small SSOP-20 footprint.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1768-E/SS is used in consumer appliances such as washing machines, coffee makers, and small kitchen appliances where its integrated zero-cross detect, op amps, and high-current I/Os replace discrete analog circuits. The zero-cross detect peripheral triggers TRIAC switching at AC line crossings to minimize EMI and extend relay/TRIAC life. The 32 MHz core handles user interface tasks such as button debouncing, display driving, and PWM motor control. Operating across -40C to +125C, it tolerates the thermal environment of enclosed appliances and meets industrial reliability requirements.
Recommended
AC Line Zero-Cross Switching
The PIC16LF1768-E/SS excels at AC line zero-cross switching thanks to its dedicated zero-cross detect peripheral that synchronizes with the AC mains frequency (50/60 Hz) without external optocouplers or comparators. This makes it suitable for solid-state relays, TRIAC dimmers, and motor soft-start circuits. The integrated op amps provide signal conditioning for the zero-cross input, and the high-current I/Os directly drive TRIAC gates. The 7KB Flash supports custom timing profiles for proportional control of resistive and inductive loads in industrial and home-automation systems.
Recommended
Portable Test and Measurement Instruments
The PIC16LF1768-E/SS is suited to portable test instruments such as handheld multimeters, insulation testers, and process calibrators where its analog integration reduces PCB area. The dual op amps buffer sensor inputs, the 10-bit ADC reads measurements, and the 32 MHz core drives a small LCD or LED display via PWM. The 1.8V-3.6V supply range matches 2xAA or 1xLi-ion battery packs, and the XLP sleep modes keep standby current below 1 uA to preserve battery life. The -40C to +125C E grade supports field-deployed instruments in outdoor environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1768-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1768-I/SS | PIC16LF1768-E/SO | PIC16LF1768-E/ML | PIC16LF1579-E/SS | PIC16LF1708-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 7KB (4K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Integrated Op Amps | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Zero-Cross Detect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Two integrated op amps eliminate external analog ICs (vs PIC16LF1579-E/SS)
- On-chip zero-cross detect for AC line applications (vs PIC16LF1708-E/SS)
- Wide -40C to +125C E temperature grade for industrial use (vs PIC16LF1768-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 5) and VSS (pin 6) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the IC pins to suppress high-frequency noise. For applications where the analog op amps are active, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor in parallel. The PIC16LF1768-E/SS XLP technology requires clean supply rails for the nanoWatt sleep modes to reach their sub-uA targets; noisy supplies force the internal regulator out of low-power states. Estimated: at 32 MHz active, core current is approximately 4 mA at 3.3V per the PIC16F176X datasheet electrical characteristics table.
Pin 1 on the PIC16LF1768-E/SS is MCLR/VPP/RA3, which is a multi-function pin. If left floating, MCLR can cause spurious resets; tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, or to the ICSP programmer for debug. Do not drive MCLR below VSS or above VDD + 0.3V as this can damage the internal ESD clamp. Pin 1 also serves as RA3 when not used for reset, providing a digital I/O if MCLR is disabled in configuration bits.
The SSOP-20 package has 0.65 mm pitch leads and a thermal pad connected to VSS through the package leadframe. For hand-soldering, use a fine-tip iron (0.5 mm or smaller) and 0.4 mm lead-free solder wire. The exposed lead-frame pad (if present) should be soldered to a ground copper pour to provide thermal relief and a low-inductance ground return. Keep analog traces (OPA1IN0+, OPA2IN1+) short and routed away from digital PWM signals to minimize crosstalk into the op-amp inputs.
Estimated: at 32 MHz active and 3.6V supply, the PIC16LF1768-E/SS draws approximately 4-5 mA, dissipating 14-18 mW. The SSOP-20 theta_JA is approximately 95 C/W (per typical Microchip SSOP thermal data), so junction temperature rises only 1-2 C above ambient — thermal management is not a concern. However, in enclosed industrial environments where ambient reaches 85 C, ensure that the E grade part's 125 C maximum junction temperature is not exceeded by derating supply voltage or clock frequency.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free (Pb-free) SSOP-20 package per DigiKey/Mouser listings. Not AEC-Q100 qualified — for automotive applications, request a Q-grade variant from Microchip or use the PIC16F1768-H/SS high-temperature grade. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance data.
