PIC16LF1776-E/MX - 8-Bit XLP MCU, 14KB Flash, 28-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1776-E/MX ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.47 | $2.47 |
| 10 | $2.35 | $23.50 |
| 100 | $2.1 | $210.00 |
| 500 | $1.86 | $930.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC16LF1776-E/MX Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, and programmable peripherals. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF1776 belongs to: microcontroller -> 8-bit microcontroller -> PIC16 -> PIC16(L)F177x family -> power-conversion and lighting optimized variant. PIC microcontrollers use a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, providing deterministic instruction timing that simplifies real-time control loops compared to von Neumann architectures.
Key differentiating features include four operational amplifiers, four 10-bit DACs with 5-/10-bit selectable resolution, four high-speed comparators with selectable reference, a 10-bit ADC with computation, four 16-bit PWMs plus additional 10-bit PWMs, programmable ramp generation, and multiple Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD) peripherals. The device also integrates a 32 kHz internal oscillator, an 8 MHz HFINTOSC, and support for mTouch capacitive touch sensing through the on-chip Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), enabling touch-button or slider interfaces without external components.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers and dimmers, switch-mode power supply control loops, battery charging controllers, ceiling-fan and small DC motor control, and general-purpose mixed-signal control where multiple op amps and DACs replace discrete analog front-ends. The 28-UQFN footprint also suits compact board layouts for IoT edge nodes and human-machine interfaces (HMI) that demand both low quiescent current and rich analog integration.
When designing with this part, ensure the exposed thermal pad on the underside of the UQFN package is soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour to meet the thermal and electrical-grounding requirements of the datasheet, and verify that the MPLAB X IDE project selects the PIC16LF1776 device ID so that the configuration-word defaults map correctly to your clock and brown-out settings.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives drawn from Microchip's PIC16(L)F177x family and verified cross-brand equivalents, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1776-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 PIC16LF1776-E/MX (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1776-E/MX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1777-E/MX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1778-E/MX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1779-E/MX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1769-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1776-E/MX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC |
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, with Computation (ADC2) |
| DACs | 4 x 5-/10-bit DAC |
| Op Amps | 4 x on-chip operational amplifiers |
| Comparators | 4 x high-speed comparators |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit + multiple 10-bit PWM |
| Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD) | Yes, on-chip |
| CTMU (Capacitive Touch) | Yes (mTouch® support) |
| Internal Oscillator | 32 kHz LFINTOSC + 8 MHz HFINTOSC |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E') |
| Package | 28-pin UQFN (6x6 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1776-E/MX Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/AN6 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7/AN7 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 7 |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN8 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 8 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN9 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 9 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN10 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 10 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN11 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 11 |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN12 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 12 |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 13 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICD clock programming pin |
| Pin 18 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICD data programming pin |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — Digital I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — Digital I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Digital I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Digital I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — Digital I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Digital I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | VDDIO — I/O supply voltage rail |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin EP | Exposed Pad — Thermal/electrical pad - solder to PCB ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1776-E/MX is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting Drivers and Dimmers, Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control, Battery Charging Controllers, Ceiling Fan and Small DC Motor Control, Capacitive Touch Human-Machine Interface (HMI), General-Purpose Mixed-Signal Control, IoT Edge Sensor Nodes.
LED Lighting Drivers and Dimmers
The PIC16LF1776-E/MX is well matched to LED lighting and dimming applications because it integrates four high-speed comparators, four 5-/10-bit DACs, four 16-bit PWMs, programmable ramp generation, and Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD) peripherals - all needed for closed-loop constant-current control and zero-cross TRIAC dimming. Its 32 MHz CPU and 8 MIPS throughput execute state-machine lighting algorithms at low latency, while the LF process enables standby currents under 1 uA for always-on emergency luminaires. Place the MCU adjacent to the MOSFET driver stage, route the ZCD pin to the AC mains via a resistor divider, and use one of the on-chip op amps as the current-sense amplifier for the LED string.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Control
In SMPS designs the PIC16LF1776-E/MX provides dedicated on-chip peripherals that simplify digital compensation: a 10-bit ADC with computation oversamples the output voltage and current, four 16-bit PWMs generate the switching waveform with programmable dead-band, and four op amps condition the current-shunt and feedback signals. The 8 MIPS CPU runs voltage-mode or peak-current-mode control loops at typical 100-200 kHz switching frequencies. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range suits 3.3V-rail control sections of AC-DC or DC-DC converters. Use one of the high-speed comparators for cycle-by-cycle current limiting to protect the power stage.
Recommended
Battery Charging Controllers
The PIC16LF1776-E/MX supports battery charging topologies such as Li-ion CC-CV, lead-acid IU, and NiMH dV/dt by combining the on-chip op amps (used as current-sense amplifiers), 10-bit ADC with computation (for Vbat and Ibattery measurements), and 16-bit PWMs (for switching-element control). XLP low-power modes allow the controller to remain in standby at nano-amp currents, drawing negligible current from the battery when the charger is idle. Use one of the on-chip DACs as a programmable reference for the CV-regulation loop to avoid external precision references.
Recommended
Ceiling Fan and Small DC Motor Control
The PIC16LF1776-E/MX can drive ceiling fans, small BLDC or brushed DC motors using its 16-bit PWMs for switching-FET commutation, comparators for back-EMF zero-cross detection, and op amps for current sensing. The 28-UQFN 6x6 mm package fits inside the motor-housing electronics, and the extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles the heat-soaked motor environment. The on-chip ZCD peripheral simplifies sensorless BLDC control by detecting back-EMF transitions without external components. Pair the MCU with a 3-phase gate driver for full BLDC commutation.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
The PIC16LF1776-E/MX integrates Microchip's CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit), enabling mTouch capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors without an external touch controller. Combined with the 10-bit ADC and the LF process's low sleep current, the MCU can wake on a finger touch, process the event, return to deep sleep, and extend battery life in remote controls, white-goods panels, and IoT switches. The 14 KB Flash holds a small touch library plus application logic. PCB layout guidelines from Microchip (separate ground pour, no ground plane under touch pads) must be observed for reliable touch performance.
Recommended
General-Purpose Mixed-Signal Control
The PIC16LF1776-E/MX replaces a discrete analog front-end plus MCU in many general-purpose control applications by providing four op amps, four DACs, four comparators, a 10-bit ADC, 16-bit PWMs, and CTMU in a single chip. Sensor conditioning, threshold detection, and actuator drive can all be done with one MCU, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. Typical uses include industrial sensor transmitters, smart thermostats, and appliance controllers. The 28-UQFN 6x6 mm package keeps the footprint small while the exposed pad provides thermal relief for the part's moderate internal dissipation.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensor Nodes
Battery-powered IoT sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16LF1776-E/MX's combination of LF low-voltage operation, XLP nano-amp sleep modes, on-chip op amps to condition sensor signals, ADC with computation for oversampling, and CTMU for user input or tamper detection. The 32 MHz CPU handles local edge processing before transmitting data over UART, SPI, or I2C to a host radio. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range supports direct connection to coin-cell or 2xAA battery stacks. Pair the MCU with an external sub-GHz or BLE module to complete a low-power wireless sensor node.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1776-E/MX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1776-E/MX | PIC16LF1777-E/MX | PIC16LF1778-E/MX | PIC16LF1779-E/MX | PIC16LF1769-I/ML | PIC16LF1768-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-UQFN (6x6) | 28-UQFN (6x6) - same | 28-UQFN (6x6) - same | 28-UQFN (6x6) - same | 28-UQFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same footprint family | 28-QFN (6x6) - same footprint family |
| Core / Family | 8-bit PIC16 XLP | 8-bit PIC16 XLP | 8-bit PIC16 XLP | 8-bit PIC16 XLP | 8-bit PIC16 XLP | 8-bit PIC16 LF | 8-bit PIC16 LF |
| VDD Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 8 KB | 7 KB |
| Data RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Wider VDD operating range on F-process variant (vs PIC16F1776-E/MX)
- Larger memory scaling within the same 28-UQFN footprint (vs PIC16LF1779-E/MX)
- Smaller Flash, smaller BOM cost (vs PIC16LF1769-I/ML)
- Higher temperature grade than I-grade LF alternatives (vs PIC16LF1768-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-UQFN (6x6 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad on its underside that must be soldered to a PCB ground copper pour to meet the thermal and electrical performance specified in the datasheet. A minimum 1 square inch of 1 oz copper tied to the ground plane is recommended for designs operating at full 32 MHz CPU speed in environments near +125C. Without the exposed-pad solder connection, junction temperature can rise 20-30C above the rated curve.
Decouple VDD and VDDIO with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of each supply pin, and add a bulk 1 uF-10 uF ceramic or tantalum capacitor near the device. Place the bulk capacitor on the same board side as the MCU to minimize loop inductance. Route the ICSP clock (RB6/ICSPCLK) and data (RB7/ICSPDAT) lines with no series resistors and keep them short to avoid programming failures during production.
Configuration words must be set explicitly in source code - never rely on unprogrammed defaults, especially for the oscillator selection (CONFIG1) and brown-out reset voltage (CONFIG2). The LF process variant runs from 1.8V-3.6V only; applying 5V to VDD will damage the part - use PIC16F1776 instead if 5V operation is required. The analog pins default to analog mode at reset; explicitly configure them as digital when used for GPIO.
When using the on-chip op amps for high-side current sensing, keep the input traces short and route them away from PWM switching nodes to avoid capacitive coupling. The CTMU-driven touch sensors require that no ground plane exist beneath the touch pads; pour-cuts of at least the pad area on every internal layer are necessary for reliable touch detection. The ZCD pin requires a current-limiting resistor (typically 100 kohm to 1 Mohm) when tied to AC mains.
For battery-powered designs, leverage the XLP sleep modes: configure the MCU to wake on a CTMU touch event, a comparator edge, or a watchdog timer overflow rather than a busy-loop delay. The PIC16LF1776's deep-sleep current is in the nano-amp range when the ADC, comparators, and op amps are disabled, so be sure to disable all unused analog peripherals via their CON registers before entering sleep to achieve the lowest quiescent current.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualification status not stated - for automotive designs, request the AEC-Q100 grade variant from Microchip or use a Q100-qualified PIC16 alternative. Halogen-free status not stated in available data.
