PIC16LF1779-E/ML - 8-Bit MCU, 28KB Flash, 32MHz, 44-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1779-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| 10 | $3.7 | $37.00 |
| 100 | $3.32 | $332.00 |
| 500 | $2.96 | $1,480.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.65 | $2,650.00 |
PIC16LF1779-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and various peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog blocks. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF1779 is an 8-bit RISC MCU in the PIC16 family -> PIC microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors. Its XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology enables deep sleep currents suitable for battery-powered applications, with the LF prefix denoting the wide-voltage 1.8V-3.6V operating range typical of low-power variants.
Key features include 14-bit instruction width, 16K x 14 (28KB) Flash, 2KB RAM, hardware multiply support, and an extended instruction set. The 100mA high-current I/Os eliminate the need for external drivers in applications such as LED lighting and power supply control. The integrated op-amps, comparators, and 10-bit DAC enable sophisticated closed-loop analog control loops without external analog ICs.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers, switch-mode power supplies, battery chargers, motor control (BLDC, stepper, brushed), and general-purpose embedded control. The device's integrated analog peripherals make it well suited for digital power conversion and intelligent lighting products where component count and PCB area must be minimized.
When designing with the PIC16LF1779, always connect the exposed thermal pad (EP) of the 44-QFN package to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical performance. Use the peripheral pin select (PPS) feature liberally to route digital peripherals to the most convenient package pins, simplifying PCB layout and BOM optimization.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1779-E/ML — 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 PIC16LF1779-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, DAC, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1779-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1779-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1778-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1777-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1789-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1779-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC16F/LF177x |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14) |
| RAM | 2 KB |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| DAC | 10-bit |
| PWM Channels | 10/16-bit |
| High-Current I/O | 100 mA |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Op-Amps / Comparators | Integrated |
| Zero-Cross Detection | Yes |
| Programmable Ramp Generator | Yes |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1779-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — I/O / AN4 / DAC1OUT1 |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — I/O / AN3 |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — I/O / AN2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — I/O / AN1 / DAC1OUT2 |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — I/O / AN0 / DAC2OUT1 |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — I/O / AN17 / DAC2OUT2 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — I/O / ICSPCLK / DAC3OUT1 |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — I/O / ICSPDAT / DAC3OUT2 |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — I/O / AN16 / ZCD1 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — I/O / AN6 / ZCD2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — I/O / AN7 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — I/O / AN8 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — I/O / AN9 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — I/O / AN10 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — I/O / AN11 / TX/CK |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — I/O / AN12 / RX/DT |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — I/O / AN12 / INT |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — I/O / AN10 / PWM4H |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — I/O / AN8 / PWM4L |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — I/O / AN9 / PWM5H |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — I/O / AN11 / PWM5L |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — I/O / AN13 / PWM6H |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — I/O / ICSPCLK / PWM6L |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — I/O / ICSPDAT / PWM7H |
| Pin 29 | RD0 — I/O / AN16 |
| Pin 30 | RD1 — I/O / AN6 |
| Pin 31 | RD2 — I/O / AN7 |
| Pin 32 | RD3 — I/O / AN8 |
| Pin 33 | RD4 — I/O / AN9 |
| Pin 34 | RD5 — I/O / AN10 |
| Pin 35 | RD6 — I/O / AN11 / TX/CK |
| Pin 36 | RD7 — I/O / AN12 / RX/DT |
| Pin 37 | RE0 — I/O / AN5 |
| Pin 38 | RE1 — I/O / AN18 |
| Pin 39 | RE2 — I/O / AN19 |
| Pin 40 | MCLR — Master clear / reset input (active low) |
| Pin 41 | RC2 — I/O / AN7 / PWM2H |
| Pin 42 | RC3 — I/O / AN8 / PWM2L |
| Pin 43 | RC4 — I/O / AN9 / PWM3H |
| Pin 44 | RC5 — I/O / AN10 / PWM3L |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1779-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Drivers, Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), Battery Charging and Management, Motor Control (BLDC, Stepper, Brushed), Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, General-Purpose IoT Edge Devices.
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16LF1779-E/ML is specifically designed for intelligent LED lighting drivers. The integrated 100mA high-current I/Os can directly sink or source LED strings without external MOSFET drivers, eliminating BOM cost and PCB area. The 10-bit DAC combined with integrated op-amps implements accurate constant-current LED regulation across brightness levels. With 28KB of Flash, designers can implement DMX, DALI, or proprietary dimming protocols alongside temperature-compensation algorithms. The 1.8V-3.6V LF voltage range suits battery-powered portable lighting and emergency fixtures.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)
For digital SMPS and AC-DC converters, the PIC16LF1779-E/ML provides the integrated analog peripherals needed for primary-side regulation. The hardware op-amps, comparators with programmable reference, and zero-crossing detection (ZCD) module enable peak-current-mode and quasi-resonant control topologies without external analog ICs. The 16-bit PWM with 10ns resolution drives MOSFET gate drivers at high switching frequencies with fine duty-cycle control. Active loads are managed by peripheral pin select, and the 32MHz CPU closes voltage-mode control loops with sub-microsecond latency.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Management
Battery chargers for Li-ion, LiFePO4, lead-acid, and NiMH chemistries leverage the PIC16LF1779-E/ML's integrated 10-bit ADC for precise voltage and current sensing, plus op-amps for high-side current shunt amplification. The programmable ramp generator (PRG) creates CV/CC charging profiles with hardware assistance, freeing the CPU for cell balancing and SOC estimation. The LF 1.8V-3.6V range directly supports 1S Li-ion charging from USB or solar harvesters. XLP deep-sleep currents extend standby time on battery-powered chargers.
Recommended
Motor Control (BLDC, Stepper, Brushed)
Sensorless and sensored BLDC motor drives benefit from the PIC16LF1779-E/ML's high-resolution 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and dead-band generation. The integrated op-amps handle current sensing via low-side shunt resistors, while comparators implement back-EMF zero-crossing detection for sensorless commutation without external Hall-effect sensors. With 32MHz CPU speed and 28KB Flash, FOC (field-oriented control) algorithms fit comfortably with margin for application-layer UART/CAN communication. The 44-QFN footprint suits compact motor-driver PCBs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
For 4-20mA industrial sensor transmitters, the PIC16LF1779-E/ML integrates all the analog front-end required for thermocouple, RTD, strain-gauge, and bridge-sensor signal conditioning. On-chip op-amps configure as instrumentation amplifiers, while the 10-bit ADC provides 1mV resolution at full speed. The 2KB RAM is sufficient for calibration tables and linearization polynomials. Wide -40C to +125C operating temperature makes it suitable for outdoor industrial sensors without additional conditioning hardware.
Recommended
General-Purpose IoT Edge Devices
The PIC16LF1779-E/ML fits IoT edge nodes with multiple sensor inputs, PWM actuators, and serial connectivity. With 28KB Flash it runs a state-machine plus protocol stacks (UART, SPI, I2C), while the LF voltage range suits coin-cell or 2x AA battery operation. Peripheral pin select routes communication interfaces to any GPIO pin, simplifying PCB layout. XLP deep-sleep currents in the microamp range extend multi-year battery life for remote sensors and smart-home devices.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1779-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1779-E/ML | PIC16LF1779-I/ML | PIC16LF1778-I/ML | PIC16LF1777-I/ML | PIC16F1789-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8) EP | 44-QFN (8x8) EP - same | 44-QFN (8x8) EP - same | 44-QFN (8x8) EP - same | 44-QFN (8x8) EP - same | 44-QFN (8x8) EP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC |
| Flash | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 28 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB |
| Max Clock | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.3V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temp | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash density in 44-QFN PIC16LF177x family (vs PIC16LF1778-I/ML)
- Wide operating voltage enables battery applications (vs PIC16F1779-E/ML)
- Integrated 100mA high-current I/Os eliminate drivers (vs PIC16LF1769-I/ML)
Design Notes
Always solder the 44-QFN exposed thermal pad (EP) to a continuous ground pad on the top PCB layer, stitched with multiple vias to the internal ground plane. This both improves thermal dissipation (theta_JA depends strongly on EP solder coverage) and provides a low-impedance ground reference for the analog peripherals. Insufficient EP soldering can cause overheating and analog drift in op-amp current-sense applications.
Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin and a single 4.7uF bulk capacitor near the IC. The PIC16LF1779-E/ML's internal voltage regulator requires adequate bulk capacitance for load-step response. For battery-powered designs, use the XLP sleep mode and gate peripheral clocks to achieve microamp quiescent current.
Do not connect any analog input above VDD + 0.3V or below VSS - 0.3V - the ADC and comparators lack input protection diodes. Series resistors of 1kohm on analog pins limit fault current. Also, the MCLR pin (pin 40) must be pulled high for normal operation; a floating MCLR causes unpredictable resets.
Use peripheral pin select (PPS) to route digital communication peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C) away from analog pins where possible, minimizing digital switching noise coupling into the 10-bit ADC and op-amp inputs. For high-speed PWM outputs driving external MOSFETs, place gate-driver circuits within 25mm of the MCU pins to limit ringing.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified - choose automotive-grade PIC16F1779-E/MLVAO variants for automotive applications.
