PIC16LF722-E/SO - 8-bit XLP MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF722-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.62 | $16.20 |
| 100 | $1.32 | $132.00 |
| 500 | $1.1 | $550.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.78 | $2,340.00 |
PIC16LF722-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory (Flash), and peripherals onto one silicon die. Within the broader taxonomy, this PIC16LF722 belongs to the Microchip PIC16 mid-range family -> PIC16F family -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> semiconductor. The 'LF' prefix denotes the low-voltage (1.8V-3.6V) variant while the 'F' family uses the standard mid-range 14-bit instruction set. MCUs are fundamental building blocks of embedded systems, executing firmware that reads sensors, drives actuators, and exchanges data with other ICs.
Key features of the PIC16LF722-E/SO include nanoWatt XLP technology for ultra-low sleep currents (typical 20 nA in sleep with WDT disabled), one 8-bit and one 16-bit timer, a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 input channels, an enhanced USART, an ECCP module for motor/lighting control, and an internal oscillator with software-tunable frequency. The integrated ADC eliminates external signal-conditioning components, while the ECCP module reduces BOM cost for brushed DC motor or power-MOSFET drive applications.
The LF process node enables typical run current below 200 uA/MHz and sleep current down to 20 nA, making the part well suited to battery-powered IoT, sensor, and remote-control products. The device's instruction cycle equals one quarter of the oscillator frequency, so a 20 MHz crystal yields a 5 MIPS instruction throughput. Programming is supported through Microchip's ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) interface and the MPLAB X IDE toolchain.
Typical applications include consumer electronics remote controls, low-power sensor nodes, battery chargers, small appliance controls, and hobby/educational embedded platforms. The 28-pin SOIC footprint is friendly to hand-soldering and breadboard adapters, simplifying prototyping.
A critical design consideration is decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor between VDD and VSS within 5 mm of the IC, plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor on the power rail. The MCLR reset pin should be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, or tied directly to VDD if unused.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from the PIC16F/LF family, and practical PCB/thermal design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF722-E/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 PIC16LF722-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Operating Temperature, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF722-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF722A-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F / PIC16LF |
| Core | 8-bit PIC mid-range (14-bit instruction set) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (LF variant) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended 'E' grade) |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 input channels |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM/CCP Modules | 1 ECCP + 1 CCP |
| Communication | 1 x EUSART |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), wide-body, 7.50 mm (300 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF722-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 2 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 2 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 0 |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RA7/OSC1 — Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2 — Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RB7/PGD — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data line |
| Pin 9 | RB6/PGC — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock line |
| Pin 10 | RB5/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 11 |
| Pin 11 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 10 |
| Pin 12 | RB3/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/P1B — Bidirectional I/O / PWM 1 output B |
| Pin 14 | RB1/P1A — Bidirectional I/O / PWM 1 output A |
| Pin 15 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V to 3.6V for LF variant) |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 18 | RC6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 19 | RC5/SDO — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 20 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 21 | RC3/SCL/SCK — Bidirectional I/O / I2C clock / SPI clock |
| Pin 22 | RC2/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 24 | RC0/T1OSO — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 25 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — Input only / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 26 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 27 | RA5/AN4/SS — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF722-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control (IR/RF), Small Appliance Control (Blender/Coffee Maker), Brushed DC Motor Speed Controller, LED Lighting Controller (Architectural/Sign), Educational / Hobby Embedded Platform.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF722-E/SO's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep current around 20 nA, making it well suited to coin-cell or 2xAA powered wireless sensor nodes that spend most of their duty cycle asleep. The 1.8V to 3.6V VDD range aligns directly with single-cell Li-ion / Li-Po chemistries without a boost converter. With 3.5 KB of Flash and 128 bytes of RAM, the part supports small sensor-fusion and BLE-beacon firmware. Pair it with a low-power RF IC and a sensor; the EUSART handles the host link. The 28-SOIC wide-body footprint is friendly to hand-prototyping and rework.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control (IR/RF)
Handheld IR or sub-GHz RF remote controls benefit from the PIC16LF722-E/SO's 1.8V to 3.6V operation, 20 nA sleep current, and low BOM cost. The EUSART and ECCP modules drive either an IR LED with software carrier modulation or an external SAW transmitter. With 3.5 KB of Flash the firmware fits button matrix scanning, debounce, protocol encoding (RC5, NEC, ZigBee RF4CE), and battery monitor code. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade supports outdoor or automotive cabin remotes. Use sleep between keystrokes to achieve multi-year coin-cell life.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control (Blender/Coffee Maker)
White-goods motor and heater control leverages the PIC16LF722-E/SO's integrated 10-bit ADC (reads temperature/potentiometer feedback), ECCP module (drives a TRIAC or power MOSFET via opto-isolator), and -40C to +125C extended temperature grade suitable for hot enclosures. The 1.8V to 3.6V rail can be derived from a small buck regulator; the same MCU handles user pushbuttons, indicator LEDs, and serial diagnostics. The 28-SOIC wide-body package simplifies the through-hole-free PCB layout required for consumer appliance safety certifications. The low cost (<$1.85 qty 1) supports aggressive BOM targets.
Recommended
Brushed DC Motor Speed Controller
The PIC16LF722-E/SO's ECCP module generates PWM up to 20 kHz with hardware dead-band control, ideal for brushed DC motor H-bridge or single-FET speed regulation. The 10-bit ADC reads a potentiometer or tachometer feedback, while the EUSART exposes a tuning/diagnostic port. The 1.8V to 3.6V range supports direct battery operation; the extended -40C to +125C grade handles underhood or industrial cabinet environments. Pair with an N-FET half-bridge driver; the MCU adds soft-start, current-limit, and stall-protection algorithms in firmware.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller (Architectural/Sign)
Architectural and signage LED controllers use the PIC16LF722-E/SO to generate multiple PWM channels for RGBW color mixing and brightness dimming. The ECCP/CCP blocks drive MOSFETs at constant-current LED strings, while the 10-bit ADC monitors supply voltage and ambient light for closed-loop brightness. The 1.8V to 3.6V operation suits USB-powered or 3.3V regulated rails. DMX-512 or DALI protocol stacks fit in the 3.5 KB Flash. The extended temperature grade supports outdoor LED drivers and stage lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Educational / Hobby Embedded Platform
Universities, maker communities, and hobbyists rely on the PIC16LF722-E/SO as a teaching vehicle because it is inexpensive ($0.78 at qty 3000), supported by Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler, and exposes all peripherals on the 28-SOIC wide-body footprint that breadboards and thru-hole adapters accept. Students learn ADC sampling, PWM motor control, USART communications, and interrupt-driven firmware on real silicon rather than simulators. The nanoWatt XLP low-power modes illustrate energy-aware design patterns. The 3.5 KB Flash is enough for a multi-week curriculum without overwhelming students.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF722-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF722-I/SO | PIC16F722-E/SO | PIC16F722-I/SO | PIC16LF722A-E/SO | PIC16LF720-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Flash | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB (-50%) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended E) | -40C to +85C (Industrial I) | -40C to +125C (Extended E) | -40C to +85C (Industrial I) | -40C to +125C (Extended E) | -40C to +85C (Industrial I) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Unit Price (qty 1, est.) | $1.85 | ~$1.70 | ~$1.95 | ~$1.80 | ~$1.85 | ~$1.40 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF722-I/SO)
- Low-voltage 1.8V to 3.6V operation for coin-cell designs (vs PIC16F722-E/SO)
- 3.5 KB Flash vs 1.75 KB in the smaller cousin (vs PIC16LF720-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 16) on the PIC16LF722-E/SO, with a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. The LF variant draws roughly 200 uA/MHz in run mode and 20 nA in sleep, so peak currents are low; however, ADC switching can produce sub-microsecond transients that the 100 nF cap must bypass. Tie unused I/O pins to defined logic levels (VDD or VSS) via software to avoid floating-input shoot-through current of several uA per pin.
Route the ICSP lines (RB6/PGC pin 9 and RB7/PGD pin 8) with short traces and avoid routing noisy PWM or analog signals next to them - capacitive coupling can corrupt in-circuit programming. Keep the MCLR/VPP line (pin 25) away from high-frequency switching nodes; place a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap to VSS for noise immunity. Maintain a continuous ground plane under the SOIC footprint for thermal spreading and EMI suppression.
When using the 28-SOIC PIC16LF722 with the internal 16 MHz oscillator at 3.3 V, the EUSART can struggle above 115200 baud over long cables due to rise-time degradation. Use the EUSART's BRGH bit for higher baud rates, and ensure the cable impedance is matched. For analog inputs, place a 100 nF ceramic cap directly at each ANx pin used; the 10-bit ADC source impedance should be below 10 kohm for full-scale accuracy.
Do not power the PIC16LF722-E/SO above 3.6 V - it is the LF variant, not the F variant. The 5V-tolerant PIC16F722 is the closest 5V-compatible cousin. Also, the MCLR pin (pin 25) must never be left floating; either tie to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor or to VDD directly if reset is unused. Finally, ensure ICSP connector isolation does not back-feed voltage into the target during production programming.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. PIC16LF722 is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F722-E/SO automotive version if needed.
