PIC16LF1903T-I/SO - 8-bit 20MHz MCU 7KB Flash LCD XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1903T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.48 | $14.80 |
| 100 | $1.34 | $134.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.09 | $1,090.00 |
PIC16LF1903T-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals. The PIC16LF1903 belongs to Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core family with 49 instructions and 16 stack levels, sitting within the broader hierarchy of embedded controllers from 8-bit PIC microcontrollers to 32-bit ARM Cortex-M devices. Its on-chip LCD driver, 11-channel 10-bit ADC, internal 16 MHz oscillator, brown-out reset, and integrated temperature indicator reduce external component count for human-interface and battery-powered designs.
Key features include 7 KB (4K x 14) Flash with self read/write, 128 B of non-volatile data storage, 72 LCD segment drive support, 25 mA source/sink I/O capability, an 8-bit timer (TMR0), a 16-bit timer (TMR1), and an extended watchdog timer (EWDT). The nanoWatt XLP technology reduces sleep current to support multi-year coin-cell battery operation in metering, remote sensors, and portable medical devices.
Typical applications span industrial LCD keypads, battery-backed thermostats, electronic shelf labels, low-cost consumer appliances, and automotive body controllers requiring automotive-grade temperature resilience. The wide 28-SOIC footprint and standard peripherals ease PCB layout reuse across PIC16F/LF product migrations.
When designing with this device, choose decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of VDD, leave the MCLR pin pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, and verify the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) pins remain accessible for production-line firmware updates. Operating temperature is industrial -40 C to +85 C.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing information gain beyond standard supplier listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1903T-I/SO — 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 PIC16LF1903T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, I/O Pins, Maximum CPU Speed, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1903-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1903T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 256 B |
| Non-volatile Data EEPROM | 128 B (emulated) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| LCD Segment Driver | Up to 72 segments |
| ADC | 11 channels, 10-bit |
| Timers | 1x 8-bit (TMR0), 1x 16-bit (TMR1), 1x EWDT |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm wide body, gull-wing |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Tape & Reel |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1903T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Positive voltage reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4 — Port A bit 4 / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5 — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RA7/SEG17 — Port A bit 7 / LCD segment 17 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/SEG16 — Port A bit 6 / LCD segment 16 |
| Pin 8 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 19 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 20 | MCLR/Vpp — Master clear reset / Programming voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB7/SEG15 — Port B bit 7 / LCD segment 15 |
| Pin 22 | RB6/SEG14 — Port B bit 6 / LCD segment 14 |
| Pin 23 | RB5/SEG13 — Port B bit 5 / LCD segment 13 |
| Pin 24 | RB4/SEG12 — Port B bit 4 / LCD segment 12 |
| Pin 25 | RB3/SEG11 — Port B bit 3 / LCD segment 11 |
| Pin 26 | RB2/SEG10 — Port B bit 2 / LCD segment 10 |
| Pin 27 | RB1/SEG9 — Port B bit 1 / LCD segment 9 |
| Pin 28 | RB0/SEG8/INT — Port B bit 0 / LCD segment 8 / External interrupt |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1903T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Thermostat, Electronic Shelf Label (ESL), Industrial LCD Keypad Module, Portable Medical Monitor, Automotive Body Control Module (BCM), Smart Home Sensor Node.
Battery-Powered Thermostat
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO fits battery-powered thermostats because of its 2.5 V to 3.6 V supply that aligns directly with 2x AA alkaline cells, and its nanoWatt XLP sleep current in the sub-microampere range that delivers multi-year battery life. The integrated 72-segment LCD driver eliminates the need for an external LCD controller, lowering BOM cost on the user-interface display. The 11-channel 10-bit ADC reads temperature sensor and user-set dial inputs with sufficient resolution. Placed on the main PCB with the SOIC-28 footprint, the device offers 18 I/O lines for keypad scanning, relay control, and serial communication to a remote HVAC receiver. Unlike higher-pin-count PIC16F variants, the 28-SOIC footprint simplifies hand-soldering during prototype builds.
Recommended
Electronic Shelf Label (ESL)
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO suits electronic shelf labels because its nanoWatt XLP technology enables years of operation from coin-cell batteries, and its LCD segment driver directly addresses the segmented display without external ICs. The 18 I/O pins drive LCD segments, RF module handshaking, and battery monitoring. Operating at 20 MHz, the MCU handles display refresh, button input, and wireless link management. The 2.5 V to 3.6 V supply matches single-cell CR2032 or CR2450 lithium coin cells directly. The wide industrial temperature range -40 C to +85 C supports refrigerated and freezer retail aisles without condensation-induced drift. Compared with discrete logic alternatives, this single-chip solution reduces PCB area by 60-70 percent.
Recommended
Industrial LCD Keypad Module
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO is well matched to industrial LCD keypad modules because its hardware LCD controller supports 72 segments - enough to drive a 4x20 character LCD or graphical segmented display. The 256 B SRAM is adequate for menu state machines, while the 7 KB Flash stores keypad mapping, I/O handling, and Modbus or RS-485 protocol stacks. The 25 mA I/O sink/source capability drives relay coils or optocouplers directly without external drivers. According to the Microchip datasheet, the 8-bit TMR0 and 16-bit TMR1 provide sufficient timing resources for keypad debounce and serial bit-banging. Compared with a discrete 8051 solution, this single-chip PIC integrates analog, timers, and LCD into one 28-SOIC package.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitor
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO fits portable medical monitoring devices because of its medical-relevant low-voltage operation and nanoWatt XLP sleep mode that supports extended battery life during patient transport. The 11-channel 10-bit ADC captures pulse oximeter, thermometer, and accelerometer sensor inputs. The integrated temperature indicator serves as a basic on-chip health check. The 256 B SRAM and 7 KB Flash are sufficient for sensor fusion and BLE link management. The wide industrial temperature range supports patient-use environments from chilled storage to body-temperature operating points. Unlike higher-end 32-bit MCUs, the PIC16LF1903 keeps system cost low for disposable or single-use medical accessories.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module (BCM)
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO supports automotive body control modules requiring -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range, where the integrated ADC reads switch positions and the LCD driver displays fault codes on a small diagnostic display. The 25 mA I/O sink/source drives LED indicators and small relays without buffer transistors. The 18 I/O pins handle door lock switches, lighting controls, and CAN-bus message buffering. Source: Microchip specifies this device for industrial-grade applications where automotive temperature range is sufficient. Compared with AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants, the LF1903 trades AEC-Q100 qualification for lower cost in non-safety automotive applications.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO is ideal for smart home sensor nodes where the nanoWatt XLP technology enables coin-cell operation for 3-5 years, and the integrated ADC reads environmental sensors like temperature, humidity, and motion PIR outputs. The 18 I/O pins drive status LEDs, pushbutton inputs, and a low-power RF module for Zigbee or LoRa communication. The 7 KB Flash fits application firmware plus over-the-air update bootloaders. According to the Microchip datasheet, the integrated 16 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystal cost on cost-sensitive IoT nodes. Unlike 32-bit Cortex-M alternatives, the 8-bit PIC keeps the BOM cost under $1 for high-volume IoT deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1903T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1903-I/SO |
|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC (tube packaging) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash (identical) |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B (identical) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (identical) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (identical) |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 (identical) |
| LCD Segments | Up to 72 | Up to 72 (identical) |
| ADC | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit (identical) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C (identical) |
Key Differentiators
- Identical silicon in tube packaging format (vs PIC16LF1903-I/SO)
- Integrated 72-segment LCD driver (vs PIC16F18855-I/SO)
- Low-voltage 2.5 V to 3.6 V operation (vs PIC16F1903-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 17) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the main supply rail. The PIC16LF1903's nanoWatt XLP sleep current is sub-microampere, but transient load steps during ADC conversion can draw several milliamps. According to the Microchip datasheet, a poorly decoupled supply can cause ADC noise and brown-out reset events. Use a low-ESR ceramic for the bulk capacitor for best transient response.
Route the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK signals (typically shared with RB7 and RB6) away from high-frequency noise sources and keep them short for reliable in-circuit serial programming. The MCLR pin (pin 20) requires a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VDD for normal operation; do not leave it floating. Estimated: the 10 kohm pull-up value is a Microchip datasheet recommendation and not derived from the present calculation.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 3.6 V - applying 5 V from a USB or unregulated supply will permanently damage the LF variant. The 'LF' prefix denotes low-voltage operation; the PIC16F1903 is required for 5 V tolerance. According to the Microchip datasheet, the brown-out reset (BOR) is enabled by default but should be verified in the configuration words. Forgetting to set the configuration bits is a common firmware pitfall that locks the device into an unprogrammed state.
The PIC16LF1903T-I/SO in industrial temperature range supports -40 C to +85 C ambient operation. At maximum 20 MHz CPU speed with all peripherals active, the device draws approximately 5-7 mA from VDD. Estimated: with VDD = 3.3 V, power dissipation is roughly 20 mW, well within the SOIC-28 package's thermal capability. For continuous high-temperature operation above 70 C ambient, ensure adequate PCB copper pour for heat spreading.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free SOIC-28 package. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select automotive-grade PIC16F variants for AEC-Q100 applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified data.
