PIC16LF1903-E/MV - 8-bit LCD MCU 7KB FLASH XLP 28-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1903-E/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| 10 | $1.49 | $14.90 |
| 100 | $1.28 | $128.00 |
| 500 | $1.1 | $550.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.97 | $970.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.85 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16LF1903-E/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (ROM/Flash), data memory (RAM), and programmable I/O peripherals on one silicon die. The PIC16F family uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with 49 instructions, 16-level hardware stack, and nanoWatt XLP™ ultra-low-power technology. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU sits below microprocessors and above digital logic ICs, intended for embedded control tasks rather than general-purpose computation. Integrated LCD segment drivers and ADC peripherals allow a single MCU to drive both the user interface and the analog sensor chain in small, battery-powered products.
Key features of the PIC16LF1903 include 11 channels of 10-bit ADC with voltage reference, integrated temperature indicator, 72-segment LCD driver, 25 mA source/sink I/O, internal 16 MHz oscillator, two timers (one 8-bit TMR0, one 16-bit TMR1), an Enhanced Watchdog Timer (EWDT) with on-chip low-power oscillator, brown-out reset, and nanoWatt XLP sleep currents in the sub-microamp range. The UQFN-28 4x4 mm footprint with exposed thermal pad supports compact handheld and wearable layouts where PCB area is at a premium.
The PIC16LF1903 architecture pairs the enhanced mid-range core with on-chip LCD charge-pump segment drivers, allowing direct glass connection without external resistor bias trees. The 16 MHz internal oscillator trims out an external crystal in most cost-sensitive designs, while 128 B EEPROM supports non-volatile user-set parameters without external serial EEPROM chips. Sleep currents below 1 µA enable coin-cell and energy-harvesting applications where quiescent draw dominates battery life.
Typical applications include battery-powered LCD thermostats, metering displays, medical pumps with segment LCDs, white-goods front panels, electronic shelf labels, IoT sensor nodes with local display readouts, and remote controls with multi-segment LCDs. Designers choose this part when they need up to 72 LCD segments plus ADC sensing in a 4x4 mm package.
When designing with the PIC16LF1903, ensure the LCD bias network is correctly configured for the panel type (static, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 duty) and that the exposed pad is soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour to keep junction temperature in spec. Use MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler for code development; ICD/debug requires two I/O pins allocated to ICDCLK and ICDDAT.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in package equivalents, and practical design considerations - information that goes beyond the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1903-E/MV — 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 PIC16LF1903-E/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory (Flash), Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1902-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1904-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1903-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1903-E/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1903-E/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 256 B |
| EEPROM (Non-volatile Data) | 128 B |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 11-channel, 10-bit |
| LCD Segments | 72 |
| Timers | One 8-bit (TMR0), One 16-bit (TMR1), plus EWDT |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| I/O Source/Sink | 25 mA |
| Package | 28-UQFN 4x4 mm (exposed pad) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E = extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16-level stack |
PIC16LF1903-E/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/CPS0 — Analog/Digital I/O, ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/CPS1 — Analog/Digital I/O, ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/CPS2 — Analog/Digital I/O, ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/CPS3 — Analog/Digital I/O, ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI/CPS4 — Digital I/O, Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/CPS5 — Analog/Digital I/O, ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | RA6/OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O, external interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB6/ICDCK — Digital I/O, ICD clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/ICDDT — Digital I/O, ICD data |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1903-E/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Thermostat with LCD, Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) Display, Medical Infusion Pump Panel, IoT Sensor Node with Local Display, White-Goods Front Panel Controller, Handheld Metering Device.
Battery-Powered Thermostat with LCD
The PIC16LF1903 fits battery-powered thermostat designs because its 72-segment LCD driver eliminates external segment-driver ICs while nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 1 µA extends coin-cell life to multiple years. The 11-channel 10-bit ADC reads thermistor bridges and battery voltage without external analog components. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V allows direct connection to 2x AA alkaline cells. In a typical thermostat the PIC16LF1903-E/MV runs the user interface, runs the ADC scan loop, and wakes every second to refresh LCD segments, achieving sub-3 µA average current while maintaining instant temperature display response.
Recommended
Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) Display
Electronic shelf label designs choose the PIC16LF1903-E/MV because the on-chip 72-segment LCD driver supports multi-digit price displays directly while sleep current under 1 µA enables 5+ year battery life from a single CR2032 coin cell. The internal 16 MHz oscillator avoids external crystal current drain. Wireless update paths use the same MCU UART or I2C to receive over-the-air price changes, with the LF variant operating directly from the 3V cell. The 4x4 mm UQFN footprint fits behind small display panels in retail ESL housings.
Recommended
Medical Infusion Pump Panel
Medical infusion pump front-panel designs benefit from the PIC16LF1903-E/MV because the extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade and integrated 10-bit ADC enable drug-level and pressure sensing while the 72-segment LCD driver eliminates a separate display controller. The 25 mA I/O source/sink capability drives backlight MOSFETs directly without buffer transistors. The nanoWatt XLP architecture keeps standby current negligible during idle infusion hold states, preserving battery runtime for portable pump carts.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Node with Local Display
IoT sensor nodes with local LCD readouts rely on the PIC16LF1903-E/MV to combine sensing, display driving, and wireless co-processor control in a single 4x4 mm chip. The 11-channel ADC interfaces thermistor, humidity, and battery monitors while 256 B RAM and 7 KB flash host the user-display formatting layer and sensor fusion code. Sleep currents in the sub-microamp range allow months of operation from energy-harvested or coin-cell power. The PIC16LF1903 typically acts as the sensor-side companion to a LoRa or BLE module handled via UART.
Recommended
White-Goods Front Panel Controller
Washing machine, dishwasher, and oven front-panel controllers use the PIC16LF1903-E/MV because the 25 mA I/O capability directly drives LED status indicators and segment LCDs without external transistors, while the 10-bit ADC reads rotary encoder positions and temperature probes. The 7 KB flash holds full UI state machine and timing logic. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, the LF variant simplifies power design for appliances running off rectified 5V rails. The 4x4 mm UQFN package fits behind tight bezel assemblies where space is constrained.
Recommended
Handheld Metering Device
Handheld electrical and gas metering devices choose the PIC16LF1903-E/MV because the integrated 72-segment LCD displays measurement values directly while the 11-channel 10-bit ADC samples current shunts or sensor bridges with adequate resolution for kWh-class metering. nanoWatt XLP sleep current allows months of operation from AA cells between user-replacement cycles. The 4x4 mm UQFN package enables slim meter housings. The LF version operates across the cold-weather range needed for outdoor meter installations, and the same chip handles the tamper-detection logic.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1903-E/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1902-I/MV | PIC16LF1904-I/MV | PIC16LF1903-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same |
| Flash | 7 KB | 4 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| Max Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| LCD Segments | 72 | 72 | 96 | 72 |
| Operating Voltage | 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 (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest flash density in the LF190x family at 28-UQFN (vs PIC16LF1902-I/MV)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF1903-I/MV)
- Smallest footprint in the LF1903 family (vs PIC16LF1903-I/SP (SPDIP))
Design Notes
The 28-UQFN package has an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a ground copper pour of at least 10x10 mm for thermal dissipation and electrical grounding. Use multiple thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) in the pad area to transfer heat to inner ground planes. Insufficient thermal pad soldering causes junction temperature rise and can lead to erratic ADC readings under load.
For LCD-driven designs, configure the on-chip charge pump to drive the LCD bias network according to the panel duty cycle. Static displays need no external capacitors, while 1/3 or 1/4 bias displays require external charge pump capacitors on the VLCD pins per the datasheet reference circuit. Use the lowest bias that meets contrast requirements to minimize quiescent current draw from battery applications.
RB6 and RB7 are shared with ICDCLK and ICDDAT for in-circuit debugging. Allocating these pins to other functions locks out MPLAB ICD debug access. Reserve RB6 and RB7 for debugging in development builds or plan for ICSP programming only in production. ICD also requires VPP voltage of 8V-9V on the MCLR pin during programming - ensure the MCLR pull-up resistor can tolerate this voltage level.
Place the 0.1 µF VDD bypass capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pins with a direct trace to the ground pour. For ADC accuracy, route analog inputs away from digital switching traces and place a 100 nF + 10 µF capacitor pair at AVSS/AVDD pins if used. The internal 16 MHz oscillator is sensitive to PCB capacitance; avoid placing ground pours directly under the OSC pins to maintain frequency accuracy within ±2%.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - LF1903 is intended for industrial/consumer, not automotive. Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020.
