PIC16LF72-I/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU 3.5KB FLASH | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF72-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.16 | $4.16 |
| 10 | $3.74 | $37.40 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
PIC16LF72-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer with CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals integrated on one die; PIC16F-series parts use an enhanced Harvard RISC architecture with 14-bit wide instructions and a small, fixed instruction set. The PIC16LF72 sits inside that hierarchy as a general-purpose 28-pin mid-range MCU, between the smaller PIC16C7X family and the larger PIC16F87x family. This taxonomy helps engineers select the right part for power, I/O, peripheral and memory requirements.
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins, an integrated 8-bit A/D converter with 5 input channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C, and a universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver-transmitter (USART). CMOS FLASH technology enables in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and 100,000 erase/write cycle endurance, allowing field firmware updates. The device consumes less than 2 mA at 5V/4MHz and less than 20 µA at 3V/32kHz, qualifying it for battery-powered designs.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, low-power remote sensor nodes, small appliance controllers, automotive body and accessory modules (AEC-Q100 grade not qualified - choose PIC16F72-I/SO or PIC16F72T-I/SO for the same family in automotive), white-goods motor control, and LED lighting controllers. The wide 2.0V–5.5V operating range allows direct connection to a single Li-ion cell, a 3.3V regulated rail, or a regulated 5V supply.
When designing with this MCU, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin and a single 10 µF bulk capacitor on the main supply rail. Reserve the MCLR pin with a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD; failure to do so leaves the device in reset during normal operation. Program the configuration bits to enable the internal RC oscillator if no external crystal is present, freeing two I/O pins.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF72-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 PIC16LF72-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Operating Temperature, Connectivity, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F72-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF72-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72-I/SOG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF722-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 B |
| Data EEPROM | Not present on this part |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| A/D Converter | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit (Timer0/1/2) |
| Serial Interfaces | SSP (SPI/I2C), USART/SCI |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, 'I') |
| Package | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm body width, SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per distributor listing) |
| Programming | In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, software-enabled |
PIC16LF72-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / A/D channel 2 / A/D negative reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / A/D channel 3 / A/D positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / A/D channel 4 / SSP slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 9 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 10 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SSP SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SSP SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SSP SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART async transmit / sync clock |
| Pin 15 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART async receive / sync data |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / LVP programming |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 28 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / A/D channel 0 |
| Pin 29 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / A/D channel 1 |
| Pin 30 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF72-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Small Appliance Controllers, LED Lighting Controllers, Remote Control and HMI Boards, White-Goods Motor Control, Automotive Body and Accessory Modules.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16LF72-I/SO fits industrial control panels because its 22 I/O pins, 20 MHz core, and 2.0 V–5.5 V operating range match the requirements of relay driving, contactor control, and key-switch input scanning. The 3.5 KB FLASH accommodates PID loops and Modbus RTU slave stacks, while the integrated USART connects directly to a 4–20 mA loop transmitter. Per DS39597B the -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature range covers most cabinet environments. Compared with smaller PIC16C7X devices, the LF72 adds A/D input monitoring for panel-mounted sensors. Place optocouplers between the MCU and 24 V field wiring, and use the WDT to recover from firmware lock-up.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The 'LF' variant's 2.0 V minimum VDD and sub-2 mA active current make PIC16LF72-I/SO well-suited to battery-powered sensor nodes running from a single Li-ion or 2x AA cell. Per DS39597B the device idles at <20 µA at 3 V/32 kHz, allowing months of life on a 2,000 mAh cell when using sleep modes with WDT wake-up. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads temperature, humidity, or battery voltage directly, while the I2C/SPI SSP interfaces to a digital sensor like the MCP9808 or SHT21. Compare to discrete designs: integrated peripherals eliminate a separate A/D chip, reducing BOM cost and PCB area by roughly 30%.
Recommended
Small Appliance Controllers
The PIC16LF72-I/SO's combination of 22 I/O, 8-bit ADC, 3.5 KB FLASH, and USART suits small-appliance controllers such as coffee machines, microwave ovens, toasters, and blenders where the MCU drives relays, reads thermistor inputs, and runs a small user interface. Per DS39597B the CCP module generates PWM for heating element control, while Timer0/1/2 debounce keypad switches without external hardware. The 2.0 V–5.5 V VDD allows direct connection to rectified mains supply after regulation. Compared with the older PIC16C7X family, FLASH-based program storage supports ICSP firmware updates on the production line.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF72-I/SO drives LED lighting controllers because its CCP/PWM module generates dimming waveforms and its 5-channel ADC reads ambient light and current-sense amplifiers. Per DS39597B the 8-bit PWM resolution at 20 MHz is sufficient for 256-step logarithmic dimming, while the integrated USART connects to DMX-512 or DALI bridge chips. The 2.0 V minimum VDD allows direct drive from a 3.3 V regulated rail shared with the LED driver. Compared with discrete 555-timer designs, the integrated MCU eliminates two timing chips and four passive components, saving about 30% PCB area in a 60 mm x 60 mm light fixture.
Recommended
Remote Control and HMI Boards
The PIC16LF72-I/SO suits remote-control and HMI boards where the MCU scans keypads, drives character LCDs via SPI, and transmits over IR or RF. Per DS39597B the SSP module in SPI mode connects directly to a 16x2 character LCD (e.g., HD44780-compatible controllers) with only four signal lines, freeing I/O for keypad scanning. The USART links to a 433 MHz/915 MHz ISM-band RF transceiver such as the MRF89XA or Si4432 for one-way or two-way remote control. The 3.5 KB FLASH fits simple custom protocols, and the 128-byte RAM supports a 32-character receive buffer.
Recommended
White-Goods Motor Control
The PIC16LF72-I/SO's 20 MHz instruction rate, three timers (Timer0/1/2), and CCP PWM module handle simple white-goods motor control such as universal-motor speed control in washing machines, fans, and small pumps. Per DS39597B the 16-bit Timer1 can be clocked from an external 32.768 kHz crystal to maintain a real-time clock for delay timers, while the ADC reads back EMF or tachogenerator signals. The 22 I/O pins directly drive triac/optocoupler interfaces. The 2.0 V minimum VDD keeps the MCU alive through brown-out events, supported by the integrated BOR circuit.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Accessory Modules
Although the PIC16LF72-I/SO is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is widely used in non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting, seat controllers, and aftermarket accessories where it operates from a regulated 5 V rail. Per DS39597B the -40 °C to +85 °C temperature range covers cabin environments, while the integrated A/D monitors switch positions. For AEC-Q100-grade applications use PIC16F72-I/SO (same die, automotive screening). Compared with discrete logic designs, the integrated MCU eliminates four logic ICs in a typical seat-controller PCB, reducing assembly cost.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF72-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F72-I/SO | PIC16LF72T-I/SO | PIC16LF72-I/SOG | PIC16LF722-I/SO | PIC16LF726-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| Data RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B | 768 B |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 11 ch | 12-bit, 11 ch |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No (industrial grade) | No | No | No | No |
| Pin Compatibility | Reference | 100% drop-in | 100% drop-in (same die) | 100% drop-in (same die) | Same footprint, firmware port required | Same footprint, firmware port required |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage variant in the PIC16F72 family (2.0 V minimum) (vs PIC16F72-I/SO)
- Larger FLASH and more RAM than legacy PIC16C7X family (vs PIC16C71-I/SO)
- More I/O and ADC channels than PIC16F628 in same 28-SOIC (vs PIC16F628A-I/SO)
- Mature, deep-inventory part with broad ecosystem (vs PIC16LF1902-I/SP)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD pin (pins 17 and 27) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin and a single 10 µF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the main supply rail. For battery-powered designs, add a 100 µF reservoir capacitor to handle transient loads from relays or RF transmitters. Per DS39597B the LF72 will draw roughly 1.5 mA at 5 V/4 MHz and <20 µA in sleep mode at 3 V/32 kHz; the BOR circuit resets the device if VDD drops below the configured threshold (2.0 V–4.5 V range).
Place the ICSP connector (typically 6-pin RA-RJ45) so that RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD traces are short and parallel, with MCLR/VPP pulled high through a 10 kΩ resistor and protected by a clamping diode to VDD for in-circuit programming. Keep the trace from OSC1/OSC2 to the crystal short (<10 mm) and surround the crystal with a ground guard ring to reduce EMI susceptibility. If using the internal RC oscillator, leave OSC1 floating or terminated to reduce stray coupling.
Do not leave MCLR floating - this keeps the part in reset. Configure the WDT in CONFIG register to enable software-controlled reset recovery. Always read-modify-write PORTB/RA/RC registers with care (the read-modify-write RMW issue) by using shadow registers. When migrating from PIC16F72 to PIC16LF722, do not assume bit-compatible SFRs; consult DS41341A. The PIC16LF72 has NO data EEPROM - store non-volatile parameters in FLASH with wear-leveling if needed.
The 28-SOIC package has a thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 80 °C/W on a 1 oz 2-layer FR-4 board. At maximum operating current of 20 mA at 5 V the dissipation is only 100 mW, so thermal management is generally not a concern. In high-ambient-temperature (>70 °C) sealed enclosures derate by 1 mW per °C above 70 °C to maintain the silicon junction below 125 °C.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per distributor listings (DigiKey, Newark). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC16F72-I/SO or PIC16F1823-I/SO for automotive. Lead-free (Pb-free) and matte-tin finish per Microchip product page.
