PIC16LF72T-I/ML - 8-Bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF72T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
PIC16LF72T-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and programmable peripherals. The PIC16F family uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC core, which executes one instruction per clock cycle (except branches) and is supported by a mature ecosystem of MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compilers, and programmer/debugger tools. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16LF72 sits as: PIC16LF72 -> PIC16F family -> 8-bit PIC microcontrollers -> microcontrollers (MCU) -> microcontrollers & processors -> semiconductors.
Key specifications include 22 digital I/O pins, an 8-channel 8-bit ADC, 5-bit DAC hardware PWM generator, SPI and I2C (MSSP) connectivity, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, an internal oscillator, a 2V-5.5V operating voltage range (LF low-voltage/F variant), and industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade. The LF suffix denotes the lower-voltage 2V-5.5V variant suited to battery-powered designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF72 combines a Harvard-bus RISC engine with on-chip Flash program memory, supporting self-programmability via ICSP and offering low-power sleep modes with brown-out reset and watchdog timer for safety-critical embedded designs.
Typical applications include consumer appliance control, automotive body and lighting subsystems, industrial sensor conditioning, battery-powered instrumentation, LED lighting controllers, and small-format human-machine interface (HMI) modules where 22 I/O pins and an on-chip 8-bit ADC provide enough analog and digital bandwidth.
Designers should note the exposed pad (EP) of the 28-QFN must be soldered to a sufficient copper pour for thermal dissipation and ground integrity; missing this can degrade ADC noise and brown-out-reset behavior. The 28-QFN footprint is also distinct from the 28-SOIC (SO) and 28-SPDIP (SP) variants, so PCB layouts cannot be reused across package codes.
This page combines verified distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MPNs, application pairings, and engineering design notes not aggregated on the manufacturer datasheet or on individual distributor listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF72T-I/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 PIC16LF72T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF72-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72T-I/MLG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF727-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1939-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF723T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF707T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF72T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16F (8-bit RISC, enhanced mid-range) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM Size | 128 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Number of I/Os | 22 I/O |
| ADC Resolution | 8 bit |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Style | SMD/SMT |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6) with exposed pad |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI (MSSP) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF72T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RA5 — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage / PORTA bit 5 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / ADC input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 8 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal/clock input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal output / clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF72T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body and Lighting Module, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module, Battery-Powered Portable Instrumentation, LED Lighting and Signage Controller, Small-Format HMI / Keypad / Remote Control.
Consumer Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML fits consumer appliance control boards because its 22 GPIO can directly drive relays, triacs, pushbuttons, LED indicators, and 7-segment displays typical of washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, and small kitchen appliance HMI front panels. Its 8-bit ADC samples temperature (NTC thermistor) and humidity sensors without external ADC ICs, while the integrated MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces with EEPROM and LED driver expanders. The 2V-5.5V wide operating voltage supports both 3.3V logic-level sensor chains and 5V relay-driver stages. Its low sleep current extends battery-backed standby in smart appliance designs.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Lighting Module
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML serves automotive body and lighting ECUs for low-rate body-control tasks such as interior dome lighting, turn-signal flashers, mirror fold control, and seat-position memory. The 22 GPIO can drive LED arrays and MOSFET gate drivers, while the 16-bit timer provides accurate PWM for dimming and the 8-bit ADC reads battery voltage for brown-out detection. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade and 2V-5.5V operation tolerate cold-crank voltage drops and load-dump transients typical of 12V automotive rails. Designers should add external TVS protection for full ISO 7637 compliance.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML is well matched to industrial 4-20 mA loop and sensor conditioning modules where a small 8-bit MCU provides local filtering, linearization, and HART-ish protocol bridging without requiring a 32-bit processor. Its 8-bit ADC can sample bridge sensors (load cells, pressure transducers) at hundreds of Hz, while its MSSP (I2C) interfaces with digital temperature and humidity sensors. The 28-QFN package is footprint-compatible with the larger PIC16LF727/PIC16LF1939 family for upward migration without PCB rework.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instrumentation
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML fits battery-powered portable instruments (handheld multimeters, environmental loggers, barcode scanners) where its LF low-voltage variant supports 2V-5.5V operation from two AA cells, lithium coin cells, or single-cell Li-Ion packs. Sleep-mode current in the microamp range and a brown-out reset preserve battery life and prevent corrupted Flash at end-of-discharge. The 22 GPIO supports LCD segment drivers (via external expanders), keypad scanning, and one-wire sensor interfaces while the 28-QFN package keeps the PCB small.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Controller
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML drives LED lighting and small-format signage controllers using its 16-bit timer PWM and CCP module for smooth 8-bit or 16-bit color-mixing dimming. Up to 22 GPIO can directly drive LED strings or MOSFET high-side switches for RGBW strips, while MSSP provides digital LED-driver (WS28xx/SPI) control when more channels are needed. Operating from 2V-5.5V accepts both 3.3V logic and 5V DMX-style controllers, and the industrial temperature range suits outdoor signage in cold or hot climates.
Recommended
Small-Format HMI / Keypad / Remote Control
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML suits compact human-machine interface (HMI) modules and IR remote controls where 22 GPIO can directly scan 4x4 or 5x5 keypads, drive RGB status LEDs, and decode RC5/SIRC IR protocols via the 16-bit timer capture input. The MSSP I2C bus interfaces with audio DACs, OLED displays, or expansion I/O. The 28-QFN package enables very compact PCBAs (under 25 mm x 25 mm), making it ideal for handheld remote controls, IoT smart-home keypads, and industrial panel controllers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF72T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF72-I/ML | PIC16LF72T-I/MLG | PIC16LF727-I/MV | PIC16LF1939-I/ML | PIC16LF723T-I/ML | PIC16LF707T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) |
| Program Flash | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB |
| Data RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B | 1 KB | 256 B | 256 B |
| ADC Resolution | 8 bit | 8 bit | 8 bit | 10 bit | 10 bit | 8 bit | 10 bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2 V to 5.5 V | 2 V to 5.5 V | 2 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Number of I/O | 22 I/O | 22 I/O | 22 I/O | 25 I/O | 36 I/O | 25 I/O | 36 I/O |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI | I2C, SPI | I2C, SPI | I2C, SPI, USB | I2C, SPI, USB | I2C, SPI | I2C, SPI |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2V-5.5V supply range with low-voltage LF variant (vs PIC16LF727-I/MV)
- Compact 28-QFN with exposed pad enables small PCBA (vs PIC16LF72-I/SP (28-SPDIP))
- Mature ecosystem with MPLAB X, XC8 compiler, and PICkit debug (vs Generic ARM Cortex-M0+ in 28-QFN)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN (6x6) package has a center exposed thermal pad (EP) that MUST be soldered to a ground-plane copper pour of at least 30 mm^2. Failing to connect the EP to ground increases die temperature by 30-50 C at full 20 MHz operation, can degrade ADC accuracy, and may cause intermittent brown-out-reset (BOR) trips. Apply 0.5 mm paste apertures with via-in-pad (filled and plated over) for best thermal/electrical results on production boards.
The PIC16LF72T-I/ML has separate AVSS/AVDD (pins 7-8) and VSS/VDD (pins 19-20) supply pins. Decouple each pair with a 100 nF X7R 0402/0603 ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin; optionally add a 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic cap on the main VDD rail. Place ferrite beads between AVDD and VDD to isolate analog and digital switching noise, especially important when ADC and PWM are running concurrently.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on any pin. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) requires a 10-50 kohm pull-up to VDD if not driven by external reset; floating MCLR may cause spurious resets. The MSSP I2C pins (RC3/RC4) are open-drain and require external pull-up resistors (typically 4.7 kohm at 400 kHz). When programming via ICSP, isolate any load capacitance on RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD to ensure reliable in-circuit programming.
Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5V supply, the PIC16LF72T-I/ML draws roughly 10 mA active current, dissipating about 50 mW - well within the QFN-28 theta_JA of ~40 C/W. The 28-QFN exposed pad reduces thermal resistance; without the EP soldered to copper, junction temperature can rise 30 C above ambient at full CPU load. For designs that push the ADC sample rate above 100 kHz, monitor self-heating by calibrating ADC at known reference voltages.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the PIC16LF72T-I/ML is industrial-grade (-40C to +85C). For automotive AEC-Q100 designs, choose PIC16F72T-I/ML with extended automotive qualification, or escalate to a PIC16F1xxx AEC-Q100 part.
