PIC16LF722A-E/ML - 8-bit MCU 3.5KB Flash 28-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF722A-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.4955 | $0.50 |
| 10 | $0.48 | $4.80 |
| 100 | $0.44 | $44.00 |
| 500 | $0.395 | $197.50 |
| 1,000 | $0.35 | $350.00 |
PIC16LF722A-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and integrated peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication interfaces, and general-purpose I/O. PIC microcontrollers sit in the broader hierarchy: MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> RISC microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. They are widely used in cost-sensitive, low-power, deterministic real-time applications where ease of development and a stable, long-life toolchain outweigh the need for high MIPS or large memory.
Key features of the PIC16LF722A-E/ML include eleven 10-bit ADC channels, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) plus an MSSP supporting SPI and I2C (master/slave), up to 25 general-purpose I/O pins, an internal 16 MHz oscillator, and nanoWatt XLP technology delivering typical sleep currents in the sub-microamp range. The on-chip debugger and ICSP header enable in-circuit programming and real-time debug through MPLAB X IDE.
The architecture is built around a 14-bit instruction word RISC engine with a single-cycle ALU and hardware multiply assist in the A variant, delivering deterministic interrupt latency and efficient C code generation. Internal voltage regulation is not required on LF parts - power is taken directly from the wide-range 1.8V-3.6V supply, eliminating the external VCAP decoupling required on the PIC16F722A variant and simplifying low-voltage battery designs.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, automotive body and HVAC controls, white-goods and appliance user interfaces, low-cost consumer remote controls, LED lighting controllers, and small industrial-control logic blocks that benefit from the eXtreme Low Power sleep modes and the automotive temperature grade.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin and bond the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground plane to meet the VQFN thermal resistance specification. For low-power designs, configure the part to wake from sleep on a peripheral interrupt rather than the WDT to extend battery life; use the internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC and disable the PLL when maximum clock speed is not required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives drawn from Microchip's same-family PIC16 lineup and cross-brand pin-compatible 8-bit MCU equivalents, plus practical design notes not always surfaced on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF722A-E/ML — 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 PIC16LF722A-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Internal Oscillator, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF722-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF723A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF722A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1825-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1827-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722A-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Data SRAM | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive, E temp grade) |
| Package | 28-pin VQFN with exposed pad (ML, 6x6 mm) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| Timers | Two 8-bit, one 16-bit |
| Communication | EUSART + MSSP (SPI / I2C master and slave) |
| I/O Pins | Up to 25 GPIO |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz HFINTOSC, software-selectable |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Programming / Debug | ICSP via MPLAB X IDE / ICD |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 |
PIC16LF722A-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O / CCP1 output |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCL/SCK — Digital I/O / I2C clock / SPI clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDA/SDI — Digital I/O / I2C data / SPI data in |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/AN12 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 12 |
| Pin 21 | RB1/AN10 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 10 |
| Pin 22 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 8 |
| Pin 23 | RB3/AN9 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 9 |
| Pin 24 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 11 |
| Pin 25 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / analog input 13 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock / ICD clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data / ICD data |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin EP | EP (Exposed Pad) — Must be soldered to PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF722A-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Automotive Body and HVAC Control, White Goods and Appliance UI, Low-Cost Consumer Remote Control, LED Lighting Controller, Small Industrial Logic Module, Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platform.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC16LF722A-E/ML is a strong fit for battery-powered wireless sensor nodes because its 1.8V-3.6V supply range can run directly from two AA cells or a single Li-ion near end-of-discharge, and its nanoWatt XLP sleep current under 1 uA extends operating life into multi-year territory. The 11-channel 10-bit ADC is sufficient to read temperature, humidity, light and voltage-sense signals through external sensors while the EUSART drives an external radio module such as an MRF24J40 or LoRa transceiver. Unlike the PIC16F722A, the LF variant requires no external VCAP bypass, simplifying BOM and freeing PCB area for the sensor and antenna.
Recommended
Automotive Body and HVAC Control
The PIC16LF722A-E/ML carries the E temperature grade (-40C to +125C) and AEC-Q100 qualification needed for non-safety automotive modules. It handles seat-position sensing, HVAC blend-door actuation, mirror-fold control, and lighting PWM where 25 GPIO and a 16-bit timer are more than adequate. The 28-pin VQFN with exposed pad has a small PCB footprint, allowing it to fit inside mirror housings and HVAC actuators. Compared with a 5V PIC16F part, the LF variant reduces quiescent current draw on the vehicle battery and eliminates the external VCAP decoupling capacitor.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance UI
In washing machines, dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators, the PIC16LF722A-E/ML drives the user-interface matrix: scanning keypads, driving 7-segment or LCD displays, controlling buzzers and indicator LEDs, and talking to the main motor-control board over UART. The internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC removes the need for an external crystal, lowering BOM cost. The E temperature grade supports the inside-cabinet environment of ovens and front-load washers. The 192 bytes of SRAM is enough to buffer UI state and timing variables without an external memory device.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Remote Control
The PIC16LF722A-E/ML drives IR or sub-GHz remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes and air-conditioners. Sleep current under 1 uA gives multi-year battery life on a single coin cell, and the EUSART plus MSSP support both IrDA-style PWM encoding and SPI radio modules. The 3.5 KB Flash is sufficient for the button matrix, protocol encoder and learning-mode firmware. The 28-pin VQFN is small enough to fit inside a credit-card style remote and gives the RF section a clean ground reference through the exposed pad.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF722A-E/ML drives decorative and architectural LED strings with multiple PWM channels and DMX512 or DALI bridge support. The 16-bit timer produces the high-resolution PWM required for dim-to-warm and color-mixing without flicker. The 11-channel ADC reads ambient light and color sensors to enable closed-loop daylight harvesting. The nanoWatt XLP sleep modes help fixtures meet energy-consumption regulations during standby, and the automotive temp grade suits outdoor luminaires exposed to direct sunlight.
Recommended
Small Industrial Logic Module
Factory automation edge devices - small relay blocks, signal-conditioning front-ends, IO-Link slave transceivers - use the PIC16LF722A-E/ML to consolidate digital inputs, drive optocouplers, and run deterministic logic. The enhanced mid-range core gives predictable interrupt latency for time-critical safety inputs, while the EUSART and MSSP host an IO-Link PHY such as the MAX14821. The -40C to +125C temperature range supports cabinet-internal operation. The 28-pin VQFN package is also pin-compatible with the larger-flash PIC16LF723A-I/ML, allowing easy firmware migration when programs grow.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platform
The PIC16LF722A-E/ML is a popular choice for university courses, Maker projects and hobbyist kits because it is fully supported by the free Microchip MPLAB X IDE plus XC8 compiler and the PICkit 4 / Snap debugger. 3.5 KB of Flash and 25 GPIO are enough to teach interrupts, ADC, PWM, I2C and SPI without overwhelming a beginner. The wide 1.8V-3.6V supply lets students power their boards from a USB cable, two AA cells or a Li-ion pack without regulator changes. The automotive temperature grade means lab prototypes survive accidental soldering-iron heat and harsh student handling.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF722A-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF722-I/ML | PIC16LF723A-I/ML | PIC16F722A-I/ML | PIC16LF722A-I/ML | PIC16F1825-I/ML | PIC16F1827-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) with EP | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | VQFN-28 (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | UQFN-28 (MV, 4x4 mm) - smaller, different land pattern |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| Data SRAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 1024 bytes | 384 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive -40C to +125C (E) | Automotive -40C to +125C (E) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz HFINTOSC | 16 MHz HFINTOSC | 16 MHz HFINTOSC | 16 MHz HFINTOSC | 16 MHz HFINTOSC | 32 MHz HFINTOSC | 32 MHz HFINTOSC |
| ADC Channels x Resolution | 11 channels x 10-bit | 11 channels x 10-bit | 11 channels x 10-bit | 11 channels x 10-bit | 11 channels x 10-bit | 12 channels x 10-bit | 12 channels x 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 1.8V-3.6V supply with no external LDO capacitor (vs PIC16F722A-I/ML)
- Automotive -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF722A-I/ML)
- Migrate-in-place to 7 KB Flash without PCB change (vs PIC16LF723A-I/ML)
- Ultra-low sleep current with nanoWatt XLP (vs PIC16F1825-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin (pin 19 and pin 28) and bond the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground plane to meet the VQFN thermal resistance. The LF variant has no internal LDO, so the 1.8V-3.6V supply is taken directly to the core - no VCAP bypass capacitor is required (unlike the PIC16F722A which needs VCAP). For battery applications, use sleep with RTCC and disable the HFINTOSC and PLL when not active to keep Iq under 1 uA.
The 28-pin VQFN with exposed pad requires the EP to be soldered to a continuous ground pour of at least 1 square inch to meet the package thermal resistance specification. Estimated: with the EP soldered to 1 sq-in of 1-oz copper on a 2-layer board, theta_JA is approximately 35 C/W; without the EP soldered, theta_JA exceeds 70 C/W and the part cannot dissipate the recommended 200 mW at automotive temperatures. Keep the ICSP 2x3 header footprint within 50 mm of pins 26-27 to keep debug cables short.
Do not connect VCAP to anything on the LF variant - the PIC16LF722A-E/ML has no internal LDO regulator and the VCAP pin is reused as a regular I/O. Connecting a large capacitor to VCAP on an LF part prevents startup. Also note that the LF variant requires no external VCAP capacitor, so any reference design carried over from a PIC16F722A schematic must have the VCAP capacitor removed before assembly. Configure CONFIG1 to disable the fail-safe clock monitor (FSCMEN) if the design uses the internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC exclusively, to avoid unwanted clock-switching interrupts.
For I2C bus speeds above 400 kHz or SPI above 4 MHz, add a 4.7 kohm pull-up on SCL and SDA and route the SPI clock as a short trace (under 50 mm) over a continuous ground plane to avoid ringing. The MSSP peripheral in I2C slave mode requires the SDA/SCL pins to be configured as digital inputs (TRIS bits set) for proper bus arbitration. The EUSART TX/RX pins (RC6/RC7) are 5V-tolerant when VDD is 3.3V, allowing direct connection to a 5V transceiver with external pull-up.
Estimated: at 20 MHz, 3.3 V and typical peripheral activity the PIC16LF722A-E/ML draws approximately 6 mA (20 mW); at -40C ambient the junction is well within the 150C maximum. In automotive under-hood use at +85C ambient, the 20 mW dissipation raises junction temperature by only ~1C above ambient with the EP properly soldered, leaving more than 60C of margin. No heatsink is required for the package.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per Microchip automotive product line. RoHS compliant and lead-free (ML package is supplied lead-free only). PIC16 product family is in active long-life production with no published obsolescence date.
