PIC16LF726-I/SS - 14KB Flash, 20MHz 8-bit XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF726-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.28 | $228.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.85 | $1,850.00 |
PIC16LF726-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals on one die. The PIC16 family uses a Harvard-architecture RISC core that executes one instruction per clock cycle (excluding branches), which delivers predictable throughput at low MHz. PIC16LF variants are the low-voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) members of the family and incorporate nanoWatt XLP technology that drops quiescent current into the nanoamp range during sleep, a critical feature for battery-powered and energy-harvesting products.
Key features include 14KB (8K x 14) self-programmable Flash, nanoWatt XLP sleep modes below 100 nA typical, an enhanced 8-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, dual Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, two UART/SPI/I2C MSSP peripherals, a digital signal modulator, and an internal oscillator. The 28-SSOP footprint measures only 5.30 mm wide, suiting compact sensor nodes and handheld instruments.
The architecture combines a 14-bit instruction word, an 8-level hardware stack, and direct interrupt handling, which gives deterministic response times. Brown-out Reset (BOR), Power-On Reset (POR), and the Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator are standard reliability features, and the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface allows firmware updates without removing the part from the board.
Typical applications include low-power wireless sensor nodes, battery-powered thermostats, portable medical instruments, e-metering, IoT edge nodes, and small motor control. Designers choose the PIC16LF726 when 14KB Flash is sufficient and ultra-low sleep current matters more than raw MIPS.
When designing with this part, derate clock speed at voltages below 2.5V (the 20MHz maximum requires VDD >= 2.7V). Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic plus 1 uF bulk capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pins, and ensure MCLR is pulled up through 10 kohm unless the debugger drives it.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same 28-SSOP footprint, and practical design notes that are not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF726-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 PIC16LF726-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Package, ADC, Internal Oscillator, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF726-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F726-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF727-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1938-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1933-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF724-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF723A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 8-bit, up to 8 channels |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Timers | 5 |
| MSSP (SPI/I2C) | 2 |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
PIC16LF726-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O / PWM1 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O / PWM2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear / programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF726-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Smart Thermostat / HVAC Controller, Portable Medical Monitoring Device, IoT Edge Sensor / Smart Home Node, Electronic Metering (Gas / Water / Heat), Small DC Motor / Fan Controller.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC16LF726-I/SS is well-suited to battery-powered wireless sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP technology holds quiescent current below 100 nA in sleep, and the 1.8 V minimum VDD lets it run directly from a single CR2032 coin cell or 2xAA alkaline stack without a boost regulator. The 8-bit ADC with up to 8 channels samples multiple sensors (temperature, humidity, battery voltage) without an external MUX, and the two MSSP peripherals drive SPI sensors or I2C sensor hubs. With one wake per minute and an attached sub-GHz radio module, typical CR2032 lifetime exceeds 5 years. The 14KB Flash fits typical sensor-fusion + radio-stack firmware, and the 28-SSOP footprint keeps the BOM compact.
Recommended
Smart Thermostat / HVAC Controller
The PIC16LF726-I/SS fits smart thermostats and HVAC controllers because the two CCP/PWM channels drive small DC fans or proportional valves, the 5 timers handle scheduler logic, and the 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors directly without a separate AFE. The wide 1.8-3.6V supply range tolerates battery backup during line-power brownouts, and the nanoWatt XLP sleep keeps wall-powered quiescent draw below 50 uW, helping meet Energy Star standby budgets. The 14KB Flash is sufficient for PID loop, schedule logic, and a small UI state machine; the 28-SSOP footprint mounts directly behind a touch keypad.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Device
The PIC16LF726-I/SS is appropriate for portable medical monitoring devices such as pulse oximeters, blood-pressure cuffs, and body-worn thermometers because of its industrial temperature grade, low power draw, and small 28-SSOP footprint. The 8-bit ADC samples analog front-end signals from photodiode or pressure-bridge sensors, while the integrated EEPROM (256 bytes) stores calibration constants non-vola tily. Brown-out Reset and Watchdog Timer are mandatory reliability features for medical IEC 62304-style designs, and the ICSP interface permits factory firmware updates without a socketed bootloader. Battery life on two AAA cells typically exceeds 6 months of intermittent use.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensor / Smart Home Node
The PIC16LF726-I/SS is well-matched to IoT edge sensors and smart-home nodes (door/window sensors, leak detectors, occupancy sensors) because its nanoWatt XLP technology pushes sleep current into the nanoamp range, while the 20 MHz CPU speed is fast enough to wake, sample, encrypt, and transmit an MQTT packet within tens of milliseconds. The 256-byte EEPROM stores node IDs, keys, or counter values non-vola tily, and the two MSSP peripherals drive either SPI radios (LoRa, sub-GHz) or I2C sensor ICs. The 28-SSOP package fits inside AAA-battery enclosures. With a 10-year battery-life target on a CR2 cell, the XLP sleep mode is the dominant design parameter.
Recommended
Electronic Metering (Gas / Water / Heat)
The PIC16LF726-I/SS is a strong fit for electronic metering (gas, water, heat) where 10+ year battery life, IEC 61000-4 EMC compliance, and tamper-resistant EEPROM logging are essential. The PIC16LF part runs from a single lithium-thionyl chloride cell (LiSOCl2) thanks to its 1.8 V minimum VDD, and the 256-byte EEPROM stores the tamper log and configuration. The 8-bit ADC reads the meter's pulse-output interface or Hall-effect flow sensor, and the Watchdog Timer with its own RC oscillator guards against firmware lockup. The 28-SSOP footprint plus low BOM count keeps the BOM under a typical utility-meter target.
Recommended
Small DC Motor / Fan Controller
The PIC16LF726-I/SS is suitable for small brushed-DC motor and fan controllers because the two CCP/PWM modules generate complementary or independent PWM drive signals at up to 20 kHz, and the enhanced PWM mode supports center-aligned, dead-band, and fault shutdown. The 5 timers handle tachometer input from Hall sensors or sense coils, while the 8-bit ADC monitors motor current via a sense resistor. The 1.8-3.6V supply is appropriate for 1S Li-ion and 2-3 cell alkaline stacks used in compact fans and toys. Brown-out Reset prevents MOSFET half-bridge shoot-through during low-battery events.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF726-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF726-E/SS | PIC16F726-I/SS | PIC16LF727-I/SS | PIC16LF1938-I/SS | PIC16LF1933-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same |
| Core | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Flash Program Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B | 1.5 KB | 2 KB | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage | 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 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWalt XLP | nanoWatt | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest sleep current in the PIC16F726 family (vs PIC16F726-I/SS)
- 14KB Flash is the largest in the 28-SSOP PIC16LF723/726/727 trio (vs PIC16LF727-I/SS)
- Smaller and cheaper than the enhanced mid-range PIC16LF1933-I/SS (vs PIC16LF1933-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin plus a 1 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. For battery operation from a coin cell, place the bulk capacitor on the load side of any series protection diode to prevent inrush from collapsing VDD. The nanoWatt XLP sleep mode holds VDD current below 100 nA but the wake-up transient on HFINTOSC can pull 1 mA for tens of microseconds, so the bulk cap is essential.
Do not assume the 20 MHz maximum speed works across the full 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range. The PIC16LF726 must be clocked below 16 MHz when VDD < 2.7 V per the datasheet's electrical characteristics. Setting the OSCCON register above this limit at low VDD causes erratic Flash reads and ADC conversion errors. Either implement a dynamic OSCCON trim based on ADC-read VDD, or hard-cap the FOSC selection.
MCLR must be pulled up to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; leaving it floating or tying it directly to VDD disables in-circuit serial programming and prevents external reset. If you need a manual reset button, place it on the MCLR line through a 100 ohm series resistor so debuggers and programmers can still drive the line during development.
Estimated: at the maximum operating frequency of 20 MHz and full peripheral activity (ADC + 2 CCP + 2 MSSP), core current consumption is approximately 5 mA at 3.3 V, giving a dissipation of 16.5 mW. The 28-SSOP has theta_JA around 90 C/W on a 1 oz 4-layer board, so junction temperature rise is about 1.5 C above ambient. No heatsink is required under any realistic condition.
When using ICSP for in-circuit programming, isolate the MCLR/VPP line from any external reset capacitor larger than 100 pF during programming. Also buffer or isolate the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK lines if they share traces with high-speed digital outputs; the PIC16LF726 firmware can reconfigure the RB6/RB7 pins as GPIO after reset, which can short to the programmer if not protected.
Compliance Information
Compliant with RoHS and REACH per Microchip product declarations. Lead-free and halogen-free as standard. AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable for industrial-grade MCUs; choose the PIC16F or PIC24 automotive families for AEC-Q100 designs.
