PIC16LF722A-E/SO - 8-bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF722A-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.1 | $2.10 |
| 10 | $1.86 | $18.60 |
| 100 | $1.58 | $158.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16LF722A-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, a small program store, and on-chip peripherals. In the component taxonomy the PIC16LF722A sits within 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers (MCU) -> microcontrollers and microprocessors -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors. It targets embedded control where cost, deterministic behavior, and ultra-low sleep current matter more than raw compute throughput.
Key specifications include 128 bytes of SRAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, an internal 16 MHz oscillator, an integrated ADC, multiple timers, PWM modules, and standard serial peripherals (I²C/SPI, USART with LIN support). The "LF" prefix denotes the wide-voltage, low-power variant, while the "A" suffix indicates the enhanced revision with improved peripherals and nanoWatt XLP™ sleep modes. Together they target battery-powered industrial, white-good, and human-interface control designs.
Architecture-wise the PIC16LF722A uses a 14-bit instruction word RISC core, hardware stack, and a Harvard bus structure separating program Flash from data SRAM. The wide 1.8V–3.6V supply removes the need for a separate voltage regulator in 2-cell battery packs; nanoWatt XLP™ further reduces sleep current to microamp levels, enabling years of operation from a CR2032 or two AA cells. On-chip peripherals are multiplexed across the 28-pin SOIC footprint, giving designers I/O flexibility without external logic.
Typical applications include consumer and home appliances, low-cost industrial control nodes, USB-less human-interface devices, sensor hubs, LED lighting controllers, and 3.3V-operated remote-control transmitters. It is also used in white goods, small appliances, and battery-driven instruments that benefit from XLP™ sleep-mode behavior.
Design consideration: when migrating from the legacy PIC16F722A, note the wider supply range (1.8V–3.6V vs the older 2.0V–5.5V window), that BOR/LVP/ICSP behavior match the PIC16F family, and that microcontrollers require external decoupling and ICSP programming header — the device must be reset at startup and the MCLR pin handled correctly for reliable field use.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, providing engineers a fast path to drop-in compatible 28-SOIC PIC16 alternatives and selection guidance for 3.3V XLP™ designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF722A-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 PIC16LF722A-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF722A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722A-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF720T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F722A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1938-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1906-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722A-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC (8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F, PIC16LF722A series |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 25 (approx., for 28-pin SOIC) |
| ADC | 10-bit integrated |
| Timers | 3 (TMR0/1/2) |
| PWM Modules | Integrated Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Serial Interfaces | I2C/SPI, USART (LIN-capable) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP™ |
| Package | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm / 0.295 in width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Gull-Wing |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF722A-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O / Master Clear (reset) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN3 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2 — Digital I/O / Oscillator output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1 — Digital I/O / Oscillator input |
| Pin 6 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 7 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 8 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | PGC — ICSP clock / digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | PGD — ICSP data / digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF722A-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Operated Sensor Nodes, Consumer White-Goods Control, LED Lighting and Signage Controllers, Remote-Control Handheld Transmitters, Industrial Control Subnodes, Small Appliance and Coffee-Machine Controllers.
Battery-Operated Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF722A-E/SO suits battery-operated sensor nodes because of its 1.8V–3.6V VDD range and nanoWatt XLP™ sleep current under 1 µA. Powered by two AA alkaline cells or a CR2032, the device can remain in sleep mode for years, waking periodically to read a sensor over its 10-bit ADC, transmit results over USART, then re-enter sleep. Typical battery life exceeds 5 years at 0.1% duty cycle. The 20 MHz instruction rate is plenty for sensor-fusion math without a separate DSP. Compared with a Cortex-M0+, the PIC16LF722A draws far less active current, accepting lower MIPS in return — a deliberate trade-off for energy-harvesting wireless sensor designs.
Recommended
Consumer White-Goods Control
In white-goods appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens), the PIC16LF722A-E/SO controls relays, drives user-interface LEDs, and reads keypad inputs. Its 10-bit ADC reads temperature and water-level signals; PWM modules control motor drivers and triac dimming; the 3.5KB Flash houses state-machine firmware for cycle sequencing. The Extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade handles under-cabinet thermal stress. nanoWatt XLP™ sleep keeps standby power below 0.1W — important for EU and ENERGY STAR efficiency regulations. Pin-compatibility with the PIC16F722A allows single PCB assembly to serve 110V and 220V markets.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Controllers
The PIC16LF722A-E/SO controls simple LED lighting arrays and electronic signage with its integrated PWM modules, USART, and small-footprint Flash. PWMs drive constant-current LED drivers (NCL30060, AL8860) for dimming down to 0.1% intensity; the USART links to a master controller over a daisy-chained RS-485 link. The 1.8V VDD operation is ideal for 2-cell alkaline or LiFePO4 packs in solar-charged garden lighting. nanoWatt XLP™ sleep keeps idle current below budget, while the 20 MHz instruction rate handles WS2812-style color protocols in software. Compared to a discrete 555-timer design, this part adds programmability and addressability at minimal BOM cost.
Recommended
Remote-Control Handheld Transmitters
In 27MHz / 433MHz / 868MHz remote-control transmitters (garage-door openers, ceiling-fan controls, toy remotes), the PIC16LF722A-E/SO reads button matrices, encodes keystrokes via OOK/FSK over a USART-fed SAW transmitter, and returns to XLP™ sleep between keystrokes. The 1.8V minimum VDD lets a single CR2032 coin cell drive the part directly without a boost regulator. The Extended temperature grade tolerates glove-compartment or dashboard environments. The 20 MHz MIPS budget allows secure rolling-code schemes (KeeLoq) alongside traditional fixed-code protocols, all from the 3.5KB Flash.
Recommended
Industrial Control Subnodes
As a distributed subnode on a 4-20mA loop, the PIC16LF722A-E/SO reads sensor inputs via its 10-bit ADC, conditions them, and forwards results over a current-loop UART bridge. Its 1.8V–3.6V supply is obtained from the 4-20mA loop via a low-drop regulator. The Extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade supports cabinet-side deployment. nanoWat XLP™ sleep keeps loop load below 3.5mA even with active measurements. The 28-SOIC footprint eases hand-rework compared to QFN, an advantage in subnode maintenance. Compared with an analog-only loop transmitter, the PIC16LF722A adds digital calibration and HART-like protocol support.
Recommended
Small Appliance and Coffee-Machine Controllers
In coffee machines, espresso grinders, and small kitchen appliances, the PIC16LF722A-E/SO sequences grind, brew, and steam states while driving I2C-controlled LCDs, PWM pump regulators, and triac-based heater switching. Its 20 MHz MIPS handles simple UI menus with the modest 3.5KB Flash headroom and 128B SRAM. The 1.8V minimum VDD operation matches single-cell LiFePO4 backup batteries used to retain clock and mode settings across mains-loss events. nanoWatt XLP™ standby draws less than 1 µA, well within EU standby regulations. The 28-SOIC wide-body package supports hand-tweaking prototype rework in low-volume SKUs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF722A-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF722A-I/SO | PIC16LF720-I/SO | PIC16F722A-I/SO | PIC16LF1938-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | 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 |
| Program Flash | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3 KB | 3.5 KB | 28 KB |
| SRAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage | 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 |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Wide-supply XLP™ design at 1.8V minimum (vs PIC16F722A-I/SO)
- Extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade for industrial/automotive underhood (vs PIC16LF722A-I/SO)
- 3.5KB Flash and 256B EEPROM balance of memory and cost (vs PIC16LF720-I/SO)
- Smaller memory map for cost-sensitive designs (vs PIC16LF1938-I/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 18), plus a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the rail. The PIC16LF722A-E/SO VDD range is 1.8V–3.6V — using a 4.5V supply risks damage or undefined operation. For battery designs, add a 100 kΩ external pull-up on MCLR (pin 1) for predictable reset, and place a Schottky diode from VDD to MCLR-VPP for ICSP over-voltage protection.
Route ICSP pins (PGC=27, PGD=28) as a short matched pair to the programming header, with a 4.7 kΩ series resistor on each line to damp overshoot during programming. Keep high-frequency traces (USART, PWM) at least 5 mm from the crystal/oscillator pins (RA6/RA7) and place a ground guard ring around the analog ADC inputs (AN0–AN4) to reduce digital-coupling noise. The 28-SOIC wide-body footprint allows hand-prototype rework — exploit this in engineering builds.
Always configure the FOSC<2:0> configuration bits for the intended clock source; leaving them at the default can leave the part unprogrammed for XT or HS modes even after ICSP. Enable the watchdog timer (WDTE) in safety-critical designs and never assume the HFINTOSC tolerance is tight enough for USART above 19200 baud without calibration. Note that the LF variant has a lower 1.8V minimum VDD — applications using 5V must move to the PIC16F722A, not the LF722A.
At 20 MHz and 3.6V VDD, the PIC16LF722A-E/SO typical active current is around 3 mA — much lower than its higher-voltage siblings. In sleep mode with peripherals off, current drops to the nanoWatt XLP™ range (single-digit microamps). Total power dissipation is therefore negligible: at 3.6V × 3 mA = 10.8 mW, no heatsinking is required even at +125°C ambient. The wide-body 28-SOIC (~31 C/W theta_JA) provides comfortable thermal headroom for oven-like applications.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page lead-free designation. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive underhood, choose a Q-grade PIC16 variant. REACH compliant per Microchip declaration.
