PIC16LF72-I/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU, 3.5KB Flash 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF72-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.12 | $4.12 |
| 10 | $3.71 | $37.10 |
| 100 | $3.28 | $328.00 |
| 500 | $2.85 | $1,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.43 | $2,430.00 |
PIC16LF72-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for low cost, deterministic real-time control, and ease of programming. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF72 belongs to the PIC microcontroller family > 8-bit MCU > Flash microcontroller > embedded microcontroller > integrated circuit > semiconductor. Its low-voltage (LF) variant specifically targets battery-powered and energy-efficient designs, while the PIC16 instruction set is fully upward-compatible with newer PIC16 enhanced cores, easing firmware migration.
Key features include a Harvard-architecture RISC CPU with 35 single-cycle instructions, 14-bit instruction word, 8-level hardware stack, and a programmable code-protection mechanism. The integrated brown-out-reset and power-on-reset improve field reliability, and the Flash-based program memory enables rapid in-system reprogramming via ICSP. The device operates over the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range, making it suitable for commercial and industrial embedded control.
Typical applications span consumer-electronics remote controls, small appliance motor control, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, simple protocol bridges (USART/I2C/SPI), and battery-backed instrumentation. The PIC16LF72's combination of small package footprint, integrated analog and serial peripherals, and low-voltage operation makes it a popular choice when a full PIC16 mid-range MCU is not required.
A key design consideration is the ADC acquisition-time and source-impedance budget: with a recommended source impedance below 10 kohm, an external op-amp buffer may be required when reading high-impedance sensors. Designers should also place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD and route analog/digital grounds back to a single star point to minimize conversion noise.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF72-I/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Data EEPROM, Operating Temperature, Package, RoHS Status, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF722-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.66 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF723A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF727-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F722-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.24 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F72-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC 16F |
| Core Processor | PIC16 |
| Core Size / Data Bus Width | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| Data RAM Size | 128 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC Resolution | 8 bit, 5 channels |
| Supply Voltage (Operating) | 2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Mounting Style | SMD/SMT |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Data EEPROM | Not present on this family |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Brown-out Reset / POR | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / MSL | Lead-Free finish; MSL per package |
PIC16LF72-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF72-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Remote Control Transmitter, Battery-Powered Sensor Front-End, Small Appliance Motor Control, Serial Protocol Bridge / Gateway, Industrial Indicator and Status Display, Compact Process-Control Replacement Module.
Consumer Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LF72-I/SS's 20 MHz PIC16 core, 128 B RAM, and 22 I/O pins are well-suited to consumer remote-control transmitters where the MCU generates IR carrier timing and debounces a key matrix. With the 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range the LF72 runs from a single 3 V coin cell or two AAA batteries, eliminating boost converters. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC can read battery voltage for low-battery warning, and the Flash memory holds the protocol lookup table in-system, allowing last-minute firmware revisions. Unlike 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts, the PIC16LF72 costs under $2 at volume and fits a 28-pin SSOP footprint that designers can route with two-layer FR4.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Front-End
The PIC16LF72-I/SS integrates a 5-channel 8-bit ADC and an I2C/SPI/USART set that matches typical sensor-conditioning front-ends, while the 2.0 V to 5.5 V LF supply range lets it run directly from a single Li-coin or 2xAA battery. The 20 MHz clock is fast enough to oversample slow-moving thermistor or photocell signals, and the 128 B RAM is sufficient to buffer one second of samples before transmission. The PIC16LF72's brown-out-reset protects against brown-out-induced firmware corruption, a frequent failure mode in unattended sensor nodes. Compared with discrete logic, an integrated MCU like the PIC16LF72 cuts PCB area by half and reduces bill-of-materials count significantly.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control
The PIC16LF72-I/SS provides a 16-bit timer/counter plus 8-bit timers that generate PWM for small DC motor speed control in appliances like blenders, fans, and pumps. The 22 I/O pins easily drive H-bridge enable inputs and tachometer feedback signals, while the 5-channel 8-bit ADC samples motor current for soft-start. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range meets appliance under-cabinet thermal stress, and the 3.5 KB Flash holds commutation tables and PI-control constants. The PIC16LF72 supersedes discrete analog motor-control boards with simpler firmware upgrades via ICSP, and it shares its peripheral set with PIC16LF722, easing future migration.
Recommended
Serial Protocol Bridge / Gateway
The PIC16LF72-I/SS includes both an I2C/SPI synchronous serial port and a USART, allowing it to bridge between two buses - for example, I2C sensors to UART host or SPI peripherals to RS-232. The 20 MHz instruction rate sustains up to 5 Mbit/s SPI throughput, well above typical sensor-bus speeds. The 128 B RAM and 3.5 KB Flash fit small protocol-translation tables, and the 28-pin SSOP leaves enough I/O for status LEDs and configuration pins. Compared with hardware protocol converters, the PIC16LF72 is field-reprogrammable via ICSP, allowing late-stage bug fixes and last-minute protocol customization without respinning the PCB.
Recommended
Industrial Indicator and Status Display
The PIC16LF72-I/SS drives 7-segment LED indicators and simple alphanumeric displays in industrial panels, with 22 I/O pins sufficient to multiplex four digits plus status LEDs. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads potentiometers or analog setpoints without an external ADC. The PIC16LF72's -40 C to +85 C range handles cabinet-ambient environments, and the brown-out-reset guards against voltage transients during heavy motor starts. Compared with HC595 shift-register-based discrete logic, the PIC16LF72 integrates scan logic, debouncing, and serial configuration in a single chip, reducing PCB complexity by 30-40%.
Recommended
Compact Process-Control Replacement Module
The PIC16LF72-I/SS fits as a replacement MCU in legacy 8-bit industrial control modules where footprint, supply range, and field-availability matter more than raw compute. Its 20 MHz performance runs PID loops at sub-millisecond periods, and the integrated ADC with internal voltage reference minimizes external parts. The Flash-based program memory supports in-system firmware updates via ICSP, allowing module refurbishment without desoldering. Compared with obsolete 8051-class controllers, the PIC16LF72 offers lower power, more I/O, and a Microchip-supported toolchain (MPLAB X, XC8) that is actively maintained.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF72-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF722-I/SS | PIC16LF722A-I/SS | PIC16LF723A-I/SS | PIC16LF727-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm) | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm) - same | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm) - same | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm) - same | SSOP-28 (5.30 mm) - same |
| Core / Architecture | PIC16, 8-bit | PIC16, 8-bit | PIC16, 8-bit | PIC16, 8-bit | PIC16, 8-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash |
| Data RAM | 128 B | 384 B (+200%) | 384 B (+200%) | 384 B (+200%) | 1 KB (+700%) |
| Supply 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 25 (+3) | 25 (+3) | 25 (+3) | 25 (+3) |
| ADC | 5-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 11-ch, 8-bit | 11-ch, 8-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Wider supply-voltage range than PIC16F72-I/SS (vs PIC16F72-I/SS)
- Drop-in upgrade with 3x RAM via PIC16LF722-I/SS (vs PIC16LF722-I/SS)
- 28-SSOP package footprint is the industry-standard 8-bit upgrade path (vs PIC16LF722A-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 20) and a second one adjacent to VSS (pin 19 or 8). Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output if the MCU is more than 5 cm from the supply. The PIC16LF72 power-on-reset and brown-out-reset require a clean VDD ramp; if the supply has long rise times (RC-based), add an external reset supervisor.
Route analog signals (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching lines, especially RC3/RC4 (SPI/I2C) and the oscillator pins. Use a single star-ground tie-point connecting analog and digital grounds to pin 19/8 VSS. Keep the ADC traces short (<5 cm) and surround them with a grounded copper pour to reduce conversion noise. The 28-SSOP footprint has 0.65 mm pitch - ensure solder mask and paste stencil apertures follow the IPC-7351 nominal land pattern.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum supply of 5.5 V (LF72) - transients above this damage the device. When reading high-impedance analog sources through the 8-bit ADC, ensure source impedance is below 10 kohm or add an op-amp buffer; otherwise acquisition-time errors of 5-10 LSB are typical. The MCLR pin should be pulled up to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor; floating MCLR causes intermittent resets in noisy environments.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not applicable (industrial MCU family). Verify halogen-free status against specific reel lot if required.
