PIC16LF726T-I/SO - 14KB Flash 8-bit MCU 16MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF726T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.92 | $192.00 |
| 500 | $1.71 | $855.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16LF726T-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, RAM, peripherals, and I/O on one die; in the broader taxonomy it sits inside the embedded computing -> semiconductor device -> integrated circuit hierarchy. The PIC16F family uses a RISC instruction set with only 35 single-cycle instructions, enabling deterministic timing and compact code density that are hallmarks of Microchip's mid-range PIC architecture.
Key features include 14KB Flash (8K x 14 words), 368 bytes RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, an internal 16MHz oscillator accurate to +/- 2 percent, a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, multiple timers (Timer0/Timer1/Timer2), enhanced PWM modules, an EUSART, MSSP for SPI/I2C, and nanoWatt XLP technology that drops quiescent current below typical microampere levels in sleep. The 28-pin SOIC provides 25 digital I/O pins and is rated for industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C).
Technically, the PIC16LF726 uses a 14-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture (separate code and data buses) so the CPU can prefetch instructions while reading data. The LF prefix indicates the wide-voltage F-version, making it pin-and-functionally compatible with the F726 while supporting deeper sleep current targets. The 'T' suffix denotes tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume assembly.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-power IoT endpoints, portable consumer devices, LED lighting controllers, small appliances, and industrial monitoring peripherals where XLP sleep currents and 14KB of code space are sufficient. The wide 1.8V-5.5V supply range also simplifies designs powered from single-cell Li-ion or two-AA battery stacks.
When designing with this MCU, budget code space against the 14KB Flash limit and verify that the chosen idle/sleep mode plus peripheral wake sources meet your average current budget; the ADC acquisition time is also derated above 1 MHz conversion clock, so use Fosc/16 or slower at high temperatures.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives from Microchip's PIC16 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF726T-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 PIC16LF726T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Internal Oscillator, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF726-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF723A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF726T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Max CPU Speed | 16 MHz (at 3.3V) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz (+/- 2%) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Digital I/O Pins | 25 |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO, 0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| PWM Modules | Enhanced CCP / PWM |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF726T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA7/AN7/CCP1 — Digital I/O / ADC input / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 2 | RA6/AN6/CCP2 — Digital I/O / ADC input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/T1CKI — Digital I/O / ADC input / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O / ADC input / Master Clear (reset) / programming input |
| Pin 6 | RC5/AN11/C2OUT — Digital I/O / ADC input / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 7 | RC4/AN10/C1OUT — Digital I/O / ADC input / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 8 | RC3/AN9/SCL — Digital I/O / ADC input / I2C clock |
| Pin 9 | RC2/AN8/SDA — Digital I/O / ADC input / I2C data |
| Pin 10 | RC1/AN7/CCP1 — Digital I/O / ADC input / CCP1 PWM output (alt) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/AN6 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 12 | RC7/AN12 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 13 | RC6/AN13 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 14 | RC3/CCP2 — Digital I/O / CCP2 PWM output (alt) |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 16 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 17 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB5/AN5 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 19 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 20 | RB3/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output (alt) |
| Pin 21 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 22 | RB1/AN10 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 23 | RB0/AN12 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 24 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 25 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 26 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 27 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF726T-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, LED Lighting Controller, Portable Consumer Device, Industrial Sensor Peripheral, Small Appliance Control, Automotive Interior Accessory, Educational / Hobbyist Development Board.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF726T-I/SO is well-suited to wireless or wired sensor nodes where average current draw determines battery life. The nanoWatt XLP technology drops sleep current to microampere levels, while the 16 MHz CPU core wakes quickly to process sensor reads. With 14 KB Flash, designers can implement protocol stacks like Modbus RTU, BLE HCI bridging, or LoRaWAN device drivers. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply directly accommodates single-cell Li-ion, two-AA, or coin-cell chemistries without external regulation. Up to 14 ADC channels sample temperature, humidity, light, or analog sensors. The 28-pin SOIC is friendly to hand-soldered prototypes and high-volume SMT lines alike.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF726T-I/SO drives multi-channel LED fixtures via its enhanced PWM modules, supporting smooth dimming and color-mixing transitions. The 10-bit ADC samples light sensors for closed-loop daylight harvesting, while the MSSP peripheral talks to I2C LED driver ICs or to SPI daisy-chained pixels. The 14 KB Flash fits color-space conversion tables (sRGB, CCT, gamma) and DMX-style protocols used in architectural lighting. Operating from 1.8V to 5.5V matches common 3.3V or 5V LED-driver supplies, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports outdoor installations and thermally challenging fixtures.
Recommended
Portable Consumer Device
Consumer products like fitness bands, remote controls, e-cigarettes, and personal care appliances leverage the PIC16LF726T-I/SO's compact 28-pin SOIC footprint, low cost, and XLP nanoWatt sleep modes. The 14 KB Flash accommodates user-interface state machines, button-debounce logic, and capacitive-touch via the ADC's CTMU module. The 1.8V to 5.5V range simplifies designs powered by single-cell Li-ion or 2x alkaline cells, and the industrial temperature rating supports steam-iron or hair-dryer environments. EUSART bridges to BLE modules like the RN4870, and the PWM channels drive buzzers, vibration motors, or LED feedback.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Peripheral
The PIC16LF726T-I/SO fits industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered or RS-485 multi-drop sensor peripherals. The 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels handles analog process variables, while the EUSART supports Modbus RTU over RS-485 transceivers. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply tolerates wide industrial 24V bus rails after regulation, and the -40C to +85C industrial grade handles factory-floor environments. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration coefficients and unit-specific configuration, and 14 KB Flash accommodates sensor-compensation algorithms without external memory. The 28-pin SOIC is compatible with hand-soldering during field retrofits.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
Small kitchen and household appliances (coffee makers, blenders, slow cookers, humidifiers) use the PIC16LF726T-I/SO to consolidate control logic, sensor sampling, and user interface into a single low-cost MCU. The PWM drives TRIAC or relay-based heater or motor control via opto-isolators; the ADC reads temperature, humidity, or weight sensors; the EUSART exposes a service interface for diagnostics. With 14 KB Flash, designers implement lookup tables for thermal profiling and PID loops. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V supply works directly from rectified mains after regulation, simplifying BOM and shrinking the appliance controller footprint.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory
The PIC16LF726T-I/SO is well-matched to non-safety automotive interior accessories such as ambient lighting controllers, USB charging monitors, seat-position memory modules, and accessory switch panels. The EUSART talks to body-control modules via LIN or UART, and the PWM channels drive LED backlighting with smooth dimming curves. The 14 KB Flash fits diagnostic handlers and personality settings, while 256-byte EEPROM retains trim values across battery disconnects. While this part is industrial-grade rather than AEC-Q100 qualified, its 1.8V-5.5V range and -40C to +85C rating comfortably cover cabin environments below the windshield.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Development Board
Hobbyists and university courses favor the PIC16LF726T-I/SO because it integrates the full PIC16 mid-range feature set (EUSART, MSSP, ADC, PWM, CTMU) into a hand-solderable 28-pin SOIC at a price point under USD 2.50 in single-piece quantities. MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and free simulation tools are well-supported, with abundant example code from Microchip's application notes. The 14 KB Flash fits complete lab projects (function generators, capacitance meters, simple synthesizers) without external memory. The 1.8V to 5.5V supply also lets students power the part from a single 2032 coin cell or two AA cells for portable projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF726T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF726-I/SO | PIC16LF726-I/SS | PIC16LF726T-I/SS | PIC16LF726-E/SS | PIC16LF723A-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SSOP - footprint differs | 28-SSOP - footprint differs | 28-SSOP - footprint differs | 28-QFN - footprint differs |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 192 bytes (-48%) |
| Max CPU Speed | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 100) | USD 1.92 | USD 1.85 (est.) | USD 1.85 (est.) | USD 1.95 (est.) | USD 2.10 (est.) | USD 1.65 (est.) |
Key Differentiators
- 14 KB Flash with 368-byte RAM at sub-USD 2 unit price (vs PIC16LF723A-I/ML)
- nanoWatt XLP low-power sleep modes with extended sleep current below typical 1 uA (vs PIC16F722A-I/SO)
- Wide 1.8V-5.5V supply range fits single-cell Li-ion and 2xAA battery stacks directly (vs PIC16F726 (no LF prefix))
- Industrial -40C to +85C operating range suitable for outdoor and factory environments (vs PIC16LF726-E/SS extended grade)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 24), and add a bulk capacitor (1 uF to 10 uF) on the same supply rail if peripherals draw transient current. The PIC16LF726T-I/SO internal core draws microampere-class current in sleep but milliamps when the CPU and ADC run concurrently, so decoupling placement is critical for ADC accuracy and VDD droop immunity. For battery designs, place a 100 kohm-ohm pull-down on MCLR to ensure clean power-on reset. Always sequence VDD ramp within 50 ms to avoid POR ambiguity.
Do not assume the ADC works at maximum sampling rate at low VDD - the PIC16LF726T-I/SO's 10-bit ADC acquisition time is derated below 3V; use Fosc/16 or slower at 1.8V. Per the PIC16F726/LF726 datasheet 41302G, conversions above 1 MHz conversion clock introduce nonlinearity. Also note that pins RA3/MCLR and RB6/RB7 are shared with ICSP programming; if your application drives RB6/RB7 externally during programming, isolate them with series resistors or a jumper to prevent programming contention.
Route the ICSP clock (RB6/ICSPCLK, pin 17) and data (RB7/ICSPDAT, pin 16) traces short and direct, with no series resistors above 100 ohm, so that the PICkit or ICD programmer can reliably program the device without in-circuit impedance issues. Place the crystal or external oscillator components (if used) within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins, and guard the traces against high-current digital signals to minimize EMI coupling into the analog reference. If you do not need the internal oscillator calibration, free up code space by trimming the OSCCAL register to 8 MHz for lower-power applications.
Estimated: at full active CPU load (16 MHz, all peripherals enabled) the PIC16LF726T-I/SO dissipates approximately 12 mW to 15 mW from a 5V supply; the SOIC-28 theta_JA is roughly 85 C/W, so the junction rises only about 1 C above ambient. No heatsink or thermal relief copper is required for typical embedded applications. The thermal envelope is comfortably bounded by the industrial -40C to +85C operating range. Always keep digital switching currents off the analog reference trace to avoid reference noise that translates to ADC error.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page; industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C only; not AEC-Q100 qualified (choose AEC-Q100 PIC variants for automotive safety applications).
