PIC16LF727-I/MV - 7KB Flash MCU, 14KB Flash 40-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF727-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.38 | $238.00 |
| 500 | $2.1 | $1,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.85 | $1,850.00 |
PIC16LF727-I/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals onto one IC. Within the broader PIC16 family of mid-range microcontrollers, the PIC16LF727 sits in the low-voltage, ultra-low-power XLP tier - ideal for battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications. The LF prefix designates an extended low-voltage core, the F indicates Flash program memory, and the 727 enumerates a specific feature/peripheral set.
Key features include 7KB Flash program memory, 192 bytes of RAM, integrated EEPROM emulation support, 36 digital I/O pins, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, two analog comparators with a reference, a 14-channel 10-bit ADC, capture/compare/PWM (CCP/ECCP) modules, and nanoWatt XLP sleep currents. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and in-circuit debugging via the ICD header.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF727 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core (14-bit instruction word) with a Harvard architecture and a two-stage pipeline. nanoWatt XLP technology provides multiple software-selectable low-power modes (Run, Idle, Sleep with optional WDT, and low-power sleep modes with sub-microamp currents), enabling years of battery life on coin cells or harvested energy sources.
Typical applications include consumer remote controls, home automation sensor nodes, low-power wireless sensor interfaces, battery-powered handheld instruments, and IoT endpoint devices. The wide GPIO count and integrated ADC make it a versatile general-purpose MCU for both analog and digital mixed-signal designs.
A key design consideration is decoupling: place a 100nF ceramic capacitor as close as possible to VDD with a 10uF bulk capacitor on the board supply rail. Configure unused I/O pins as outputs low to minimize sleep current. The MV package's central exposed pad must be soldered to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical reference.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same UQFN footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF727-I/MV — 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 PIC16LF727-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F727-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1847-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18856-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1847-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1936-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF727-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F/LF72x series (mid-range 8-bit core) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Emulation | Supported via Flash self-read |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | 40-pin UQFN (MV) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 14-channel, 10-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Comparators | 2 with programmable reference |
| CCP / ECCP Modules | Yes (Capture / Compare / PWM, Enhanced) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (sub-uA sleep current) |
| Programming / Debug | ICSP, ICD (MPLAB ICD 4/5 compatible) |
| Instruction Set | Enhanced mid-range 8-bit (14-bit instruction word) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF727-I/MV 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 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Digital I/O (no AN4 on this package variant) |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| 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 / TX (EUSART) |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX (EUSART) |
| Pin 27 | RD0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RD1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 29 | RD2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 30 | RD3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 31 | RD4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 32 | RD5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 33 | RD6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 34 | RD7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 35 | RE0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 36 | RE1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 37 | RE2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 38 | RE3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 39 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 40 | EP — Exposed pad (must be soldered to VSS ground plane) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF727-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control / IR Transmitter, Home Automation Sensor Hub, Low-Power IoT Endpoint with Energy Harvesting, Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument, Industrial Sensor Front-End.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC16LF727-I/MV is an excellent fit for battery-powered wireless sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sub-microamp sleep currents, while the 14-channel 10-bit ADC reads multiple sensors without an external analog front end. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range lets the MCU run directly from a single lithium coin cell or two AA cells, removing the need for a boost regulator. Engineers typically pair it with a sub-GHz or BLE transceiver via SPI, waking the PIC only on interrupt events from the radio or sensor threshold crossings.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control / IR Transmitter
The PIC16LF727-I/MV suits consumer remote controls thanks to its 36 digital I/O pins, integrated timers for accurate IR carrier generation, and nanoWatt XLP sleep modes that extend battery life to multi-year timeframes. The ECCP/PWM module can drive IR LEDs directly at 38 kHz carrier frequency, while the comparators monitor battery voltage for low-battery warning. At 1.8 V minimum VDD, the remote still functions on partially depleted alkaline cells, a key user-experience advantage.
Recommended
Home Automation Sensor Hub
The PIC16LF727-I/MV works well in home automation sensor hubs that aggregate temperature, humidity, occupancy, and contact-switch inputs. The 14-channel ADC reads multiple analog sensors concurrently, while the 36 I/O lines handle I2C/SPI/UART peripherals plus indicator LEDs. Its 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range simplifies power design when powered from USB or a 3.3 V LDO. The ECCP module can also drive small buzzers or triac interfaces for AC-controlled loads.
Recommended
Low-Power IoT Endpoint with Energy Harvesting
For IoT endpoints that harvest energy from a solar cell, thermal gradient, or RF source, the PIC16LF727-I/MV's nanoWatt XLP sleep mode is critical - it consumes typically less than 100 nA with peripherals off, allowing the system to sleep until the harvester accumulates enough charge. The on-board comparators can be used as a brown-out/wake comparator, and the LF core starts reliably at 1.8 V from a depleted supercapacitor. The 7 KB Flash is sufficient for typical sensor-edge firmware.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument
The PIC16LF727-I/MV fits handheld measurement instruments such as digital thermometers, light meters, or simple multimeters. The 14-channel ADC digitizes sensor inputs with adequate resolution, while the comparators can be used for range or threshold detection. The 40-pin UQFN package keeps the PCB compact, and the 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range lets the instrument operate from a single lithium coin cell. The PIC16LF727's mature toolchain (MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler) accelerates firmware development.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-End
The PIC16LF727-I/MV is suitable for industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor front-ends because of its low supply current, integrated ADC, and robust -40 C to +85 C industrial operating range. The on-board comparators can directly sense loop current, while the 14-channel ADC reads multiple sensor inputs. Engineers can leverage the ICSP interface for in-field firmware updates via an isolated programming adapter, and the LF voltage range tolerates the wide supply excursions common on 24 V loop-powered rails.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF727-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F727-I/MV | PIC16F1847-I/MV | PIC16F18856-I/MV | PIC16LF1847-I/MV | PIC16F1936-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-pin UQFN (MV) | 40-pin UQFN (MV) - same | 40-pin UQFN (MV) - same | 40-pin UQFN (MV) - same | 40-pin UQFN (MV) - same | 40-pin UQFN (MV) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| VDD Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (F) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (F) |
| Program Flash | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 192 B | 192 B | 1 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 512 B |
| ADC Channels | 14 ch, 10-bit | 14 ch, 10-bit | 12 ch, 10-bit | 24 ch, 10-bit | 12 ch, 10-bit | 11 ch, 10-bit |
| nanoWatt XLP | Yes (LF, XLP) | Yes (XLP) | Yes (XLP) | Yes (XLP) | Yes (LF, XLP) | Yes (XLP) |
| Automotive Qualified | No (industrial I grade) | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum VDD in the F727 footprint family (vs PIC16F727-I/MV)
- 2x lower minimum VDD than newer-generation PIC16F18856 (vs PIC16F18856-I/MV)
- Lower unit cost than higher-memory siblings (vs PIC16F1847-I/MV)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 3.3 V VDD and 4 MHz active CPU, the PIC16LF727-I/MV draws approximately 1.0 to 1.5 mA. In sleep mode with peripherals gated, current drops to under 100 nA typical. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. For sub-1.8 V start-up scenarios (e.g., depleted coin cell), include a power-on-reset delay and verify the comparator reference is configured before enabling ADC reads.
Estimated: the UQFN-40 (MV) package has a thermal resistance (theta_JA) in the range of 30 to 40 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board. The PIC16LF727's typical active power at 4 MHz and 3.3 V is well below 10 mW, so junction temperature rise is negligible. However, mounting the central exposed pad (pin 40) to a continuous ground plane with multiple thermal vias is required for both electrical reference and mechanical reliability.
Route the ICSP signals (PGC on RB6, PGD on RB7, MCLR/VPP) to a 6-pin or 5-pin programming header with 0.1 inch pitch for in-circuit debugging. Keep traces under 50 mm and avoid routing sensitive analog ADC inputs (AN0-AN4) adjacent to digital switching signals. Add ground stitching vias around the UQFN pad perimeter to suppress radiated noise; keep analog AVSS (when used as separate ground) tied to digital VSS at a single point.
Do not confuse the LF (1.8 V to 3.6 V) variant with the F (2.0 V to 5.5 V) variant when sourcing - PIC16F727-I/MV will not start at 1.8 V VDD. Do not float unused I/O pins; configure them as outputs low to minimize sleep current and prevent oscillator injection. The ADC maximum input must stay below VDD + 0.3 V; over-voltage on an analog pin will inject current into adjacent channels through the ESD clamp. Always read the configuration word at reset and verify the brown-out reset threshold is appropriate for your supply rail.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial I grade (-40 C to +85 C). For automotive AEC-Q100 qualified variants, refer to PIC16F727-E/MV or PIC16F1847-E/MV automotive suffixes.
