PIC16LF1773-E/MX - 8-Bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1773-E/MX ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.96 | $1.96 |
| 10 | $1.76 | $17.60 |
| 100 | $1.45 | $145.00 |
| 500 | $1.24 | $620.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.08 | $1,080.00 |
PIC16LF1773-E/MX Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile working memory (RAM), and a rich set of analog and digital peripherals. The PIC16LF1773 belongs to the PIC16F177x family of Intelligent Analog MCUs, which are designed for applications requiring on-chip high-resolution signal generation, signal conditioning, and closed-loop control - sitting in the broader taxonomy of 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors.
Key features include a 10-bit DAC, multiple operational amplifiers, high-speed comparators, zero-crossing detectors, programmable ramp generators, and peripheral pin select (Select 2). The device also integrates a 10/16-bit enhanced PWM module, two USART (EUSART) interfaces, SPI, and I2C, providing flexible communication options. With 100 mA sink/source capability per I/O pin, the device can directly drive high-current loads such as LEDs and power FETs without external buffers.
The 'LF' prefix indicates a wide VDD operating range of 1.8V to 3.6V, optimized for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs through the nanoWatt XLP (eXtreme Low-Power) technology. The 'E' suffix denotes the -40C to +125C extended operating temperature grade, and '/MX' identifies the 28-pin UQFN package. The architecture supports high-performance C-compiler development and is fully supported by Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 toolchain.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers and color mixers, switch-mode power supplies (PFC, LLC, and flyback controllers), battery chargers with constant-current/constant-voltage regulation, BLDC and stepper motor control, and industrial sensor signal conditioning. The combination of analog peripherals and digital PWM makes it suitable for digital power conversion, smart lighting, and IoT edge nodes.
When designing with this part, ensure the UQFN exposed pad is properly soldered to a sufficient copper pour (at least 4 thermal vias to the inner ground plane) for thermal dissipation and ground reference. For low-power sleep-mode operation, follow the nanoWatt XLP guidelines in the datasheet to achieve sub-uA standby currents.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing an engineer-ready reference for BOM decisions and PCB reuse analysis.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1773-E/MX — 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 PIC16LF1773-E/MX (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1773T-E/MX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1773-E/MX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1776-E/MX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1769-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1559-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1773-E/MX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 512 bytes |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 28-UQFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 25 (maximum) |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 100 mA per pin |
| DAC Resolution | 10-bit |
| Number of Op-Amps | 3 (on-chip) |
| Comparators | High-speed comparators (multiple) |
| PWM Channels | 10/16-bit enhanced PWM |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Zero-Cross Detection | Yes |
| Programmable Ramp Generator | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select | Yes (PPS) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1773-E/MX Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — General purpose I/O / analog input / PPS output |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — General purpose I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — General purpose I/O / analog input / DAC reference |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RB7 — General purpose I/O / ICSP programming |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — General purpose I/O / ICSP programming |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RB1 — General purpose I/O / analog input / SDA |
| Pin 16 | RB0 — General purpose I/O / analog input / SCL |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — General purpose I/O / RX (EUSART) |
| Pin 18 | RC6 — General purpose I/O / TX (EUSART) |
| Pin 19 | RC5 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 20 | RC4 — General purpose I/O / analog input |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — General purpose I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — General purpose I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — General purpose I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 24 | RC0 — General purpose I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 25 | RA7 — General purpose I/O / oscillator input |
| Pin 26 | RA6 — General purpose I/O / oscillator output |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package outline) |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package outline) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1773-E/MX is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting and Color Mixing, Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control, Battery Charging and Power Management, BLDC and Stepper Motor Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, IoT Edge Nodes and Smart Home Hubs, Automotive Interior Lighting and HMI.
LED Lighting and Color Mixing
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX drives 4-channel constant-current LED color-mixing fixtures by combining its 16-bit enhanced PWM with on-chip op-amps used as current-sense amplifiers and the 10-bit DAC for analog reference generation. With 25 GPIO at 100 mA sink/source, the device can directly switch high-brightness LED strings without external MOSFET drivers, while nanoWatt XLP technology keeps standby power below 1 uA in dimming standby modes - critical for energy-star compliant luminaires. The peripheral pin select (PPS) routes comparator outputs to PWM fault inputs, enabling hardware-based LED short-circuit protection within microseconds.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX implements digital PFC, LLC, and flyback primary-side controllers by leveraging its 16-bit PWM for switching-frequency generation, high-speed comparators for cycle-by-cycle current limiting, and the programmable ramp generator for slope compensation. The 32 MHz CPU executes voltage-mode and average-current-mode control loops in real time, while the integrated 10-bit DAC replaces external reference ICs. The 1.8V-3.6V supply aligns with auxiliary VCC rails in 5V/12V/24V power supplies, and the exposed-pad UQFN package dissipates gate-drive switching losses efficiently.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Power Management
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX performs CC/CV battery charging profiles using its 10-bit DAC for programmable charge voltage reference and on-chip op-amps as precise current-sense amplifiers for coulomb-counting. The nanoWatt XLP sleep modes enable always-on battery monitors drawing less than 1 uA between charge cycles, while the 1.8V minimum VDD permits direct operation from depleted single-cell Li-ion or multi-cell NiMH stacks. PPS allows flexible routing of ADC inputs to multiple battery-cell voltage monitors without rewiring the PCB.
Recommended
BLDC and Stepper Motor Control
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX provides sensorless BLDC commutation using its back-EMF zero-crossing detector feeding into the 16-bit PWM generator for sub-microsecond switching. Three on-chip op-amps amplify low-side shunt current for torque control, while the programmable ramp generator implements soft-start and stall detection. For stepper motors, the dual EUSART enables daisy-chained multi-axis drives and the I2C bus interfaces with external stepper driver chips like the MCP8024. The 32 MHz CPU sustains field-oriented control (FOC) math for small BLDCs under 100W.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX interfaces bridge sensors, thermocouples, and 4-20 mA loops through its three integrated op-amps configured as instrumentation amplifiers, with the 10-bit ADC (referenced to the 10-bit DAC) providing ratiometric measurements. The high-speed comparators drive interrupt-based threshold alerts for safety-critical sensors, and PPS routes comparator outputs directly to PWM shutdown inputs for fail-safe shutdown. The -40C to +125C extended temperature grade supports harsh industrial environments including factory floor installations.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes and Smart Home Hubs
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX functions as a low-cost edge-node controller combining sensor reading, local PWM control, and serial-bridge connectivity to upstream Wi-Fi/BLE modules via SPI or UART. nanoWalt XLP reduces idle current to sub-uA levels for battery-powered door/window sensors, while the PPS allows firmware-only reconfiguration of pin functions during development - reducing PCB spins. The exposed-pad UQFN package supports compact wearable form factors and the 1.8V minimum VDD is compatible with coin-cell battery stacks.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting and HMI
The PIC16LF1773-E/MX drives RGB ambient lighting, capacitive-touch keypads, and gauge backlights by combining its 16-bit PWM for smooth fading curves with the on-chip op-amps for capacitive-sensing charge-measurement circuits. The -40C to +125C operating temperature range meets automotive interior thermal requirements, while the 100 mA I/O current directly drives LED strings under 50 mA without external buffers. EUSART interfaces with automotive LIN bus transceivers for body-electronics integration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1773-E/MX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1773T-E/MX | PIC16F1773-E/MX | PIC16LF1776-E/MX | PIC16LF1769-E/ML | PIC16LF1559-E/ML | PIC16LF1507-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-UQFN (6x6) with EP | 28-UQFN (6x6) with EP - same | 28-UQFN (6x6) with EP - same | 28-UQFN (6x6) with EP - same | 28-QFN (6x6 ML) - same footprint | 28-QFN (6x6 ML) - same footprint | 28-QFN (6x6 ML) - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Core | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit | PIC16 Enhanced 8-bit |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Flash | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 2 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 128 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V (LF) | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| Unit Price (1-pc, USD) | 1.96 | 1.96 (similar) | 1.96 (similar) | 2.20 (approx) | 1.85 (approx) | 1.70 (approx) | 1.20 (approx) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest peripheral integration in 28-pin UQFN class (vs PIC16LF1507-E/ML)
- nanoWatt XLP extreme low-power technology (vs PIC16F1773-E/MX)
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) flexibility (vs PIC16LF1559-E/ML)
Design Notes
The UQFN-28 package has an exposed thermal pad (EP) on the underside that MUST be soldered to a ground plane for proper electrical reference and thermal dissipation. Recommended layout: at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) in the EP pad area connecting the top EP copper pour to an inner ground plane. Without proper EP soldering, the device may exhibit erratic ADC readings, oscillator drift, and reduced operating temperature margin. Place decoupling capacitors (100 nF + 10 uF) within 3 mm of the VDD/VSS pins.
For nanoWatt XLP low-power operation, follow Microchip datasheet section on power-saving modes. Use Sleep mode with the on-board LFINTOSC (31 kHz) for sub-uA standby current (~20 nA typical). When using peripheral pin select (PPS), disable unused PPS outputs to prevent current leakage through the I/O pin. For battery applications, validate Iq in the actual operating conditions because peripherals enabled in firmware will increase sleep current above the datasheet minimum.
Do not assume the 5V-tolerant PIC16F1773-E/MX and the 1.8V-3.6V PIC16LF1773-E/MX share identical pinout at the electrical level - while the UQFN-28 pinout is identical, driving inputs above VDD on the LF variant will forward-bias ESD clamp diodes and risk latch-up. The peripheral pin select (PPS) mappings must be reconfigured in firmware when porting code between PIC16F1773 and PIC16LF1773 variants, even though hardware pinout is unchanged. Configuration word settings (FOSC, WDTE, BOREN) also differ between LF and F variants and must match the target voltage range.
When using the on-chip 16-bit PWM for switch-mode power supplies, route the PWM output traces away from analog signal traces to minimize coupling. For high-impedance analog inputs (op-amp outputs feeding the ADC), use guard rings tied to ground around the sensitive traces. Keep the XTAL/oscillator traces short (<10 mm) and surround them with a ground pour to minimize EMI. Place the bulk decoupling capacitor (10 uF or larger) within 5 mm of the VDD pin to handle PWM current transients.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications consider PIC16F1773-E/MX automotive grade equivalents.
