PIC16LF720-I/SO - 8-Bit MCU, 16MHz, 3.5KB Flash, 20-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF720-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.5 | $1.50 |
| 10 | $1.34 | $13.40 |
| 100 | $1.1 | $110.00 |
| 500 | $0.96 | $480.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.85 | $850.00 |
PIC16LF720-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path that executes one instruction per clock cycle (with pipelining) and integrates CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory (Flash/ROM), and peripherals on a single die. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip use a Harvard RISC architecture optimized for deterministic interrupt response and very low active/idle current, sitting within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors. The "LF" prefix denotes the low-voltage/fabrication variant of the PIC16F720 family, enabling battery applications that the standard "F" parts cannot reach because of higher minimum VDD.
Key features of the PIC16LF720 include the nanoWatt XLP power-management family with typical 5 nA sleep current, 8 MHz internal oscillator, 36 I/O capable pins (of which 18 are bonded out on the 20-pin SOIC), 25 mA source/sink I/O drive, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, and a watchdog timer with on-chip low-power 31 kHz oscillator. The device draws roughly 1.6 mA active at 4 MHz from 3V.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF720 uses a 14-bit instruction word, an 8-level hardware stack, and dedicated peripheral interrupt logic. Memory is organized into a 2K-word Flash program space, 128 bytes of general-purpose SRAM, and 128 bytes of non-volatile EEPROM-style data storage, supporting field self-programming. Power-saving modes (Run, Idle, Sleep) are coordinated by the XLP controller that gates clocks per-peripheral, enabling systems to spend the majority of their time in deep sleep.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, wearable fitness/health monitors, remote control key fobs (RF or IR), IoT edge devices, low-power consumer products, and home automation endpoints. The SOIC-20 footprint is also widely used as a generic MCU in industrial control daughter-cards where the larger PIC16F-family variants are over-specified.
When designing with this MCU, decouple VDD with a 100 nF plus 1 uF pair, keep ICSP/ICDAT pins reachable through test pads or a header, and budget for the watchdog and Brown-Out Reset (BOR) to recover from low-voltage brownouts in battery designs. The LF silicon (vs. standard F) matters: a design that requires >3.6V VDD must use the PIC16F720 instead.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, drop-in same-package alternatives from the PIC16 family (PIC16F720-I/SO, PIC16LF721-I/SO), and XAIPART's Site MPN set, all wrapped with practical design notes that you will not find in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF720-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 PIC16LF720-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F720-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF721-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF720-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC (14-bit instruction, 8-bit data path) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash (2K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 128 B |
| Non-volatile Data Storage | 128 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins (bonded out) | 18 |
| A/D Converter | 12-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | Two 8-bit (TMR0/TMR2) and one 16-bit (TMR1) |
| Serial Interfaces | I2C, SPI, AUSART (EUSART-compatible) |
| Enhanced CCP | Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Brown-Out Reset / Power-On Reset | Yes (BOR + POR) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated 31 kHz low-power oscillator |
| Package | 20-SOIC (300 mil, SO) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, "I") |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Typical Sleep Current | ~5 nA |
| ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) | Supported via ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT |
PIC16LF720-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/DACREF-/CVREF-/T0CKI/INT/CCP1 — PORTA bit 2; analog input 2 / DACREF- / CVREF- / TMR0 clock / external INT / CCP1 PWM |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/T1G — PORTA bit 3; analog input 3 / ADC positive reference / TMR1 gate |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/T1G/TKIOSC/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 4; analog input 4 / TMR1 gate / crystal osc / CLKOUT |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5/SS/VCAP — PORTA bit 5; analog input 5 / SPI slave select / core voltage decoupling |
| Pin 5 | GND — Ground return for VDD |
| Pin 6 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7; crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6; crystal oscillator output / CLKOUT (see datasheet for primary oscillator mode pinning) |
| Pin 8 | RB2/AN8/P1B/INT2 — PORTB bit 2; analog input 8 / ECCP enhanced PWM P1B / external INT2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3/AN9/CCP1/P1A — PORTB bit 3; analog input 9 / CCP1 / enhanced PWM P1A |
| Pin 10 | RB4/AN11/SDA/SDI — PORTB bit 4; analog input 11 / I2C SDA / SPI SDI |
| Pin 11 | RB5/AN10/RX/DT/SDO/CARLOUT — PORTB bit 5; analog input 10 / AUSART RX / SPI SDO / core voltage decoupling sense |
| Pin 12 | RB6/AN5/ICSPCLK/TX/CK — PORTB bit 6; ICSP clock / AUSART TX |
| Pin 13 | RB7/AN6/ICSPDAT/DT — PORTB bit 7; ICSP data / AUSART data |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage, 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Pin 15 | RA0/AN0/CVREF+/DACREF+/VREF+/VCAP — PORTA bit 0; analog input 0 / CVREF+ / DACREF+ / ADC VREF+ / core decouple |
| Pin 16 | RA1/AN1/DACREF-/VREF- — PORTA bit 1; analog input 1 / DACREF- / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 17 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 secondary function pin (extended analog reference) |
| Pin 18 | RB0/AN12/INT/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0; analog input 12 / external INT / PWM fault input |
| Pin 19 | RB1/AN10/C1IN+/C2IN+ — PORTB bit 1; analog input 10 / comparator inputs |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF720-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Fitness / Health Monitor, Remote Control / Key Fob, Industrial Sensor Daughter-Card, Home Automation Endpoint, Low-Power Consumer Appliance Controller.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF720-I/SO is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because the LF silicon supports VDD from 1.8V to 3.6V and the nanoWatt XLP technology drives typical Sleep current down to about 5 nA with the watchdog disabled. The 12-channel 8-bit ADC captures sensor inputs (temperature, light, moisture) at up to 100 ksps, and the I2C/SPI MSSP talks to off-the-shelf digital sensors without external glue. Placement in the schematic is between a 2xAA/CR2032 battery and the sensor bus; firmware wakes the core via watchdog interrupt, performs a conversion, transmits, and returns to Sleep, achieving multi-year coin-cell battery life. The 3.5KB Flash and 128B SRAM are sufficient for state-machine-style sensor logic, though projects with full TCP/IP stacks should migrate to the PIC16LF721's 7KB Flash and 256B SRAM. This is one of the few 8-bit MCUs that legitimately hits below-1uA average current without an external RTC.
Recommended
Wearable Fitness / Health Monitor
The PIC16LF720-I/SO supports wearable fitness and health monitors by combining ultra-low-power Sleep (~5 nA XLP) with the 16 MIPS core that processes accelerometer and optical sensor data between sleep windows. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, it runs directly off a single Li-ion or Li-polymer cell without a boost regulator, simplifying the BOM. The AUSART and I2C connect to BLE radios or low-power optical heart-rate sensors, and the ECCP drives a haptic motor or LED indicator. The choice of LF (vs. standard F) silicon is critical here because the user's skin contact drive typical ambient temperatures to 35-40C, so the low-Vdd Sleep performance matters more than raw MHz. The 20-SOIC package is unusually small for this segment, helping designers fit the MCU around a coin-cell or curved PCB. Realistic product lifetimes of 6-12 months per CR2032 are attainable with the right firmware duty cycle.
Recommended
Remote Control / Key Fob
Remote controls and key-fob designs benefit from the PIC16LF720-I/SO because the XLP Sleep current (~5 nA) allows multi-year battery life on a CR2032 cell with an idle press-to-wake firmware model. Operating voltage 1.8V to 3.6V matches a single lithium coin cell without a boost or buck regulator, simplifying the BOM and shrinking PCB area. The 8-bit PIC RISC core responds to a button interrupt in microseconds, wakes the AUSART or PWM-driven IR LED transmitter, sends the code, and returns to Sleep. The 18 GPIO are usually plenty for a 4x4 button matrix, although matrix-debounce can be implemented inside the existing timers. The 20-SOIC footprint is preferred over QFN because key-fob housings often have widely spaced pads. The PIC16LF720 also exposes ICSP pads, allowing field firmware updates via a service tool without opening the housing.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Daughter-Card
In industrial sensor daughter-cards the PIC16LF720-I/SO earns its keep as a bridge MCU: it sits between a 24V industrial bus (powered via an external LDO down to 3.3V) and a 4-20 mA or RS-485 backhaul. The 12-channel 8-bit ADC plus two 16-bit timers are sufficient to read thermocouples, pressures, or thermistors at a few hundred Hz sample rate without external signal chains. The Bor/watchdog features keep the device resetting cleanly after 24V brownouts, which are common in electrically noisy industrial environments. The -40C to +85C industrial grade guarantees operation in unheated enclosures, and the 20-SOIC footprint is hand-solder-friendly for low-volume industrial SKUs. The AUSART pairs with an external RS-485 transceiver (e.g. MAX485) using only a few GPIO, while the I2C talks to a digital front-end. Replacing an 8051 part with PIC16LF720 cuts active power roughly in half at the same clock rate.
Recommended
Home Automation Endpoint
Home automation endpoints such as smart lighting controllers, door/window sensors, and HVAC zone thermostats run reliably on the PIC16LF720-I/SO thanks to its nanoWatt XLP Sleep and 1.8V-3.6V operating range. The MSSP drives a single I2C or SPI peripheral bus where the MCU talks to a Zigbee, Z-Wave, or BLE radio module plus a digital temperature/humidity sensor. The CCP and PWM channels are sized to drive LED dimming MOSFETs or relay coils directly from the GPIO's 25 mA source/sink capability, removing the need for an external driver. Wifi-connected endpoints can run for years off two AA cells with 99% Sleep duty cycle and intermittent bursts of activity. Hand-off to a higher-memory part such as PIC16LF721 is straightforward if firmware needs to grow, preserving the same PCB layout. Designers value the 20-SOIC footprint because it is also usable on hand-repair-friendly designs and through-hole breakout boards.
Recommended
Low-Power Consumer Appliance Controller
Low-power consumer appliances such as electric toothbrushes, e-readers, kitchen scales, and handheld vacuums benefit from the PIC16LF720-I/SO's combination of XLP Sleep current (~5 nA) and a 16 MIPS core that handles PWM motor control, button debouncing, and LED indication. The 18 GPIO are sufficient to drive triacs, status LEDs, and segmented displays without external logic, and the 12-channel ADC reads battery voltage and motor current. Operating from a 1-cell Li-ion or 2xAA battery at 1.8V-3.6V, the device is a true single-rail design. Compared with 8051 alternatives, the PIC16LF720's deterministic interrupt latency and shorter instruction set let designers fit more features in 3.5KB Flash. Pair it with the MCP1700 LDO and MCP9808 sensor in cell-powered products that ship in the tens of millions per year.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF720-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F720-I/SO | PIC16LF721-I/SO | PIC16LF720-I/P | PIC16LF720-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SOIC (SO) | 20-SOIC (SO) - identical | 20-SOIC (SO) - identical | 20-PDIP (P) - through-hole, same pinout | 20-SOIC (SO) - identical footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB - same | 7 KB - +100% | 3.5 KB - same | 3.5 KB - same |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 256 B - +100% | 128 B - same | 128 B - same |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 16 MHz (16 MIPS) | 16 MHz - same | 16 MHz - same | 16 MHz - same | 16 MHz - same |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F variant) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, I) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended, E) |
| Sleep Current (typical) | ~5 nA (XLP Sleep) | ~5 nA (XLP Sleep) | ~5 nA (XLP Sleep) | ~5 nA (XLP Sleep) | ~5 nA (XLP Sleep) |
| I/O Pins (exposed) | 18 | 18 - same | 18 - same | 18 - same | 18 - same |
Key Differentiators
- nanoWatt XLP Sleep at ~5 nA typical (vs PIC16F720-I/SO)
- Higher-memory drop-in upgrade path (vs PIC16LF721-I/SO)
- Extended temperature grade variant (vs PIC16LF720-E/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 3.3V VDD, 16MHz active, the PIC16LF720 active current is in the low milliamp range, but the real design budget comes from Sleep. Spend the firmware work to drive Sleep below 1% duty cycle and use the LF Sleep at ~5 nA. If the system has a 2xAA battery (~2400 mAh), Sleep current becomes negligible versus self-discharge. Critical: do NOT use a 3V linear regulator with high Iq (e.g. 78L03 ~3 mA) - that 3 mA exceeds the entire MCU Sleep budget, so pick MCP1700 (1.6 uA Iq) or another low-Iq LDO.
Place VDD/VSS decoupling (100 nF ceramic in parallel with 1 uF bulk) within 5 mm of the pins, routing the capacitor traces wide and short. Keep the ICSP pins (RB6 ICSPCLK, RB7 ICSPDAT) accessible via either test pads or a 2x3 header that can be left unpopulated in production. For 25 mA GPIO (LED drive) use a wide trace to the LED anode to limit voltage drop; the 25 mA max is per-pin, not aggregate, so verify the package's total IDD/ISS limit is respected. When using ADC, add a separate AVSS/AVDD pair instead of sharing ground with motor drivers.
The PIC16LF720 is a 1.8V-3.6V LF silicon; do NOT exceed 3.6V or the Flash data retention specification degrades. Always enable the Brown-Out Reset with a trip voltage above the minimum VDD spec, otherwise the device will misbehave during battery brownouts. The 3.5KB Flash programmer area must leave room for the configuration-word and the ICSP code block; check the linker/mapper before final coding. Common pitfall: trying to compile C with default stack size - the PIC16 has an 8-level hardware stack only, so deep function nesting or call-graph recursion blows the stack.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (I) only; AEC-Q100 not qualified - choose PIC16F720-E/SO or PIC16LF720-E/SO automotive-grade parts (if available in the family) for vehicle applications.
