PIC16LF1786T-I/ML - 14KB Flash 8-bit MCU 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1786T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
PIC16LF1786T-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip combining a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and programmable peripherals on a single die. Within the wider electronics hierarchy, the PIC16LF1786 sits in the 8-bit microcontrollers tier, which feeds into the broader 16-bit and 32-bit MCU families used for varying complexity levels. The "LF" in the part number denotes the low-power Flash variant, optimized for battery-powered applications using Microchip's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology.
Key features include 25 MIPS performance at 32 MHz, nanoWatt XLP sleep modes drawing as little as 20 nA, multiple communication interfaces (I2C, SPI, EUSART), 17 ADC channels with 12-bit resolution, an 8-bit DAC, and integrated op-amps/comparators. The 28-QFN package footprint offers a compact 6x6 mm body suitable for space-constrained designs while maintaining a 0.65 mm lead pitch for PCB manufacturability.
Architecture-wise, the PIC16LF1786 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word. The integrated Peripheral Signal Mode (PSM) enables flexible signal routing between analog and digital modules, reducing external component count. The wide operating temperature range (-40C to +85C industrial grade, indicated by the "I" suffix) suits industrial and outdoor environments.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered medical devices, automotive body electronics, consumer appliance control, and industrial sensor signal conditioning. Engineers often select this MCU for mixed-signal designs requiring ADC and DAC on a single chip.
When designing with this part, ensure the supply decoupling includes a 100 nF capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin. The "T" suffix indicates Tape and Reel packaging for high-volume assembly. Operating voltage must remain above 1.8V for reliable Flash programming.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1786T-I/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 PIC16LF1786T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, DAC, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1786-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1784T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF1784-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1769-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1786T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 8-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, EUSART |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - ML suffix |
| Package Mounting | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | MSL3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Low Power Features | nanoWatt XLP, 20 nA sleep current |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes / Compliant |
PIC16LF1786T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input / Vref+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | OSC1/CLKI/RA3 — Crystal/clock input (multiplexed) |
| Pin 11 | OSC2/CLKO/RA4 — Crystal/clock output (multiplexed) |
| Pin 12 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 13 | RB0/INT — I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 14 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB6/ICSPCLK — I/O / ICD clock |
| Pin 20 | RB7/ICSPDAT — I/O / ICD data |
| Pin 21 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1786T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Consumer Appliance Control, Portable Medical Monitoring Devices, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Sub-Systems), LED Lighting and Backlight Drivers.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1786T-I/ML is ideal for IoT sensor nodes requiring years of battery life on a coin cell. Its nanoWatt XLP sleep current of 20 nA and 1.8V-3.6V wide operating range minimize quiescent draw while supporting direct connection to lithium coin cells or 3.3V regulated supplies. The 12-bit ADC with up to 17 channels handles temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor interfaces in a single chip without external ADC ICs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. Engineers typically run the CPU at 32 MHz for short sampling bursts and return to deep sleep between readings.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
For industrial 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters and transducer interfacing, the PIC16LF1786T-I/ML integrates op-amps, comparators, and a 12-bit ADC alongside the 8-bit DAC on a single die. The Peripheral Signal Mode (PSM) enables internal signal routing between analog and digital blocks, eliminating external muxes or amplifiers in many designs. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade supports deployment in factory automation, HVAC controls, and outdoor sensor enclosures without additional qualification testing.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
In appliances such as coffee makers, washing machines, and air purifiers, the PIC16LF1786T-I/ML handles user interface, motor control PWM, and sensor reading in one IC. The 8-bit DAC enables smooth analog output for LED dimming curves or fan speed control, while the 12-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs, water level sensors, and capacitive touch buttons. The compact 6x6 mm 28-QFN package fits behind LCD displays and inside small appliance housings, supporting miniaturization without sacrificing computational headroom.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Devices
Medical wearables including pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, and continuous glucose monitors benefit from the PIC16LF1786T-I/ML combination of low power consumption and integrated analog peripherals. The 12-bit ADC samples photodiode currents for SpO2 sensing without external components, while the enhanced 8-bit DAC drives LED drive currents with fine granularity. Sleep currents under 1 uA preserve battery life for medical-grade mobile devices that must operate for weeks per charge.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Sub-Systems)
For non-safety automotive functions like interior lighting controllers, seat position memory, window switches, and HVAC blend-door drivers, the PIC16LF1786T-I/ML provides mixed-signal integration at industrial-grade temperature (-40C to +85C). Its PWM and Capture/Compare modules drive LED strings and stepper motors directly. For AEC-Q100 qualified sub-systems, consider the automotive-grade PIC16F equivalent; this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified but is widely used in non-critical automotive body modules.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Backlight Drivers
The PIC16LF1786T-I/ML excels in LED lighting applications including architectural RGB fixtures, backlight drivers for displays, and sign illumination controllers. The 8-bit DAC combined with PWM outputs enable both continuous analog current control and high-resolution dimming. I2C and SPI interfaces connect to LED driver ICs and addressable RGB strips, while the 14 KB Flash supports complex lighting patterns, color mixing algorithms, and DMX-512 protocol stacks in professional lighting gear.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1786T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1786-I/ML | PIC16LF1784T-I/ML | PIC16LF1784-I/ML | PIC16LF1769-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-50%) | 14 KB |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B (-50%) | 512 B (-50%) | 1 KB |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 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 |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tray/Tube | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 8-bit DAC with 12-bit ADC in 28-QFN (vs PIC16LF1784T-I/ML)
- Higher Flash memory density in same package (vs PIC16LF1784T-I/ML)
- Industrial -40C to +85C grade availability (vs PIC16F1786T-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. For battery-powered applications using nanoWatt XLP, switch the system clock to the 31 kHz LFINTOSC during sleep periods and gate unused peripherals via the PMD register. Estimated: sleep current of 20 nA at 3.0V per datasheet means a 240 mAh CR2032 cell could last 10+ years in duty-cycled sensor applications (calculation assumes 0.1% active duty).
The 28-QFN 6x6 mm package has a center thermal pad that MUST be soldered to the PCB for proper mechanical and thermal performance. Connect the thermal pad to VSS or leave electrically isolated depending on application; in either case, solder mask should be split under the pad to prevent solder wicking. Use 0.65 mm trace/space design rules and consider 4-layer PCB for dense designs to provide adequate ground plane under the QFN. Estimated: 4-layer PCB with 1 oz copper reduces junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) by approximately 40% versus 2-layer design.
Keep analog input traces short and away from digital switching signals. Place the analog ground (AGND) connection close to the analog supply pin and use a star-ground topology for mixed-signal designs. For the 12-bit ADC to achieve specified accuracy, ensure ADC reference voltage (VREF+) is well decoupled with a 10 uF tantalum plus 100 nF ceramic combination. The ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7) should be accessible even in production for field firmware updates.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive sub-systems requiring AEC-Q100, choose a designated automotive PIC16 part number.
