PIC16LF737-I/SS - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 20MHz, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF737-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.075 | $6.08 |
| 10 | $5.46 | $54.60 |
| 100 | $4.85 | $485.00 |
| 500 | $4.31 | $2,155.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.78 | $3,780.00 |
PIC16LF737-I/SS Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a compact, low-cost, Harvard-architecture programmable processor that integrates CPU, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and peripherals onto a single die. The PIC16F/LF737 belongs to Microchip's Mid-Range 14-bit instruction family, sitting hierarchically below Enhanced Mid-Range (PIC16F1xxx) and above Base-Line (PIC10/12/16F5x) parts. It uses a RISC core with only 35 single-word instructions, enabling upward code compatibility with PIC16C5X, PIC12Cxxx and PIC16C7X devices.
Key features of the PIC16LF737 include nanoWatt power management technology with multiple idle/sleep modes, a wide 2.0V-5.5V operating range, an internal oscillator option, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and 10-bit ADC with 11 input channels. The 28-SSOP (209 mil) industrial-temperature package supports -40C to +85C operation, making the part suitable for both consumer and harsh-environment designs.
The PIC16LF737 uses an enhanced 14-bit Mid-Range core with hardware multiplier support and a 14-bit program word width, offering substantially higher code density than 12-bit Base-Line PIC parts. It integrates an addressable USART for asynchronous/synchronous serial communications, an MSSP module supporting SPI and I2C (master/slave), and a 10-bit ADC with auto-acquisition and conversion available during sleep.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, sensor signal conditioning, low-power remote sensor nodes, appliance controllers, automotive body electronics subsystems, and battery-powered instruments. The wide voltage range and nanoWatt technology make it particularly attractive for designs that must operate directly from 2x AA cells or lithium coin cells.
When designing with this part, ensure that the ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7 on most PIC16F7xx variants) are accessible for in-system programming, and verify the trace lengths on the analog AN inputs to avoid digital noise coupling into the 10-bit ADC readings.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF737-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 PIC16LF737-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, Maximum CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F737-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF737T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F737T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF727-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F727-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF726-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF737-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| Timers | 3 |
| Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) Modules | 3 |
| Serial Interfaces | AUSART (SCI), MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body, 209 mil) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF737-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input 2 / DAC negative reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / DAC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 9 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 10 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / AUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 15 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / AUSART RX / data |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT0/AN12 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 / ADC input 12 |
| Pin 19 | RB1/INT1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 / ADC input 10 |
| Pin 20 | RB2/INT2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 / ADC input 8 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / ADC input 9 / CCP2 alternate |
| Pin 22 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / ADC input 11 |
| Pin 23 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / ADC input 13 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / In-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / In-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 26 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 27 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF737-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics Subsystem, HVAC Control Module, Low-Power Data Logger, IoT Sensor Edge Node.
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16LF737-I/SS is well-suited to industrial multi-channel sensor interface boards, where its 11-channel 10-bit ADC acquires analog signals from temperature, pressure, and flow transducers. The 25 GPIO pins can drive indicator LEDs, optocouplers, and HMI keypads without external expanders. The 20MHz CPU executes averaging and linearization algorithms in real time, while the 2.0V-5.5V range accepts transducer rails directly. The 28-SSOP footprint has a small 5.3mm body, fitting in dense backplanes.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
For battery-powered wireless sensor nodes, the PIC16LF737-I/SS's nanoWatt technology and 2.0V-5.5V range enable direct operation from 2x AA cells or 3V coin cells. Sleep currents drop to microamp levels, while the 11-channel ADC supports periodic environmental readings. The AUSART and MSSP modules interface directly with sub-GHz transceivers such as MRF89XA or with I2C/SPI sensors like the MCP9808 temperature sensor. The 7KB flash comfortably holds sensor-fusion and low-power protocol stacks.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
In appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, coffee machines), the PIC16LF737-I/SS integrates 11 ADC channels for sensing motor current, temperature, and water level, plus 3 CCP/PWM modules to drive TRIACs, MOSFETs, or relay coils. The 25 I/O pins handle user-interface keypads and 7-segment displays. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports refrigerator and oven environments. Robust FLASH memory and ICSP allow firmware updates during manufacturing and field service.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Subsystem
For non-safety automotive subsystems (interior lighting, mirror control, seat-position memory), the PIC16LF737-I/SS provides a cost-effective 8-bit platform. Its 10-bit ADC reads switch positions and potentiometers, while PWM modules dim lamps and drive small motors. Although the LF variant lacks AEC-Q100 qualification, its industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and 5.5V tolerance handle underhood-adjacent environments. CAN networking requires an external MCP2515 CAN controller on the MSSP SPI bus.
Recommended
HVAC Control Module
The PIC16LF737-I/SS controls HVAC actuators and reads mixed-sensor inputs in residential and light-commercial systems. Its 11-channel ADC scans NTC temperature sensors and humidity transducers, while three PWM channels drive fan motors and damper servos. The wide 2.0V-5.5V supply range simplifies backup-battery transition designs. The 28-SSOP package's small footprint fits inside thin wall-thermostat enclosures, and the industrial temperature rating supports attic and outdoor-cabinet installations.
Recommended
Low-Power Data Logger
In unattended data loggers (cold-chain monitoring, environmental compliance, energy metering), the PIC16LF737-I/SS combines the AUSART for Modbus RTU slave communication, an MSSP channel for SPI flash storage (e.g. 25LC1024), and 11 ADC inputs for analog channels. Sleep currents in the nanoWatt range extend battery life to months or years. The 7KB flash stores FAT12/16 lite drivers and timestamp logic, while 368 bytes of RAM buffers burst acquisition before write to external EEPROM or SD card.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Edge Node
For IoT edge devices (smart agriculture, building automation), the PIC16LF737-I/SS executes local filtering on analog sensor streams before reporting over Wi-Fi or LoRa. The MSSP drives SPI sensors, while the AUSART exposes a debug console or modem link. The LF variant's 2.0V operation allows direct connection to single-cell LiFePO4 batteries with no boost converter. The 25 I/O pins route status LEDs, pushbuttons, and interrupt lines from external radios.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF737-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F737-I/SS | PIC16LF737T-I/SS | PIC16F737T-I/SS | PIC16LF727-I/SS | PIC16F727-I/SS | PIC16LF726-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 11 / 10-bit | 11 / 10-bit | 11 / 10-bit | 11 / 10-bit | 14 / 10-bit | 14 / 10-bit | 14 / 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| CCP/PWM Modules | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Packaging Format | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Wider low-voltage operating range than the standard F variant (vs PIC16F737-I/SS)
- Larger memory option available in same footprint (vs PIC16LF727-I/SS)
- Industrial temperature range in compact SSOP (vs 28-DIP PIC16F737-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20MHz and 5.0V, the PIC16LF737 core draws ~13mA active and ~3uA in sleep. For battery designs, use Sleep mode aggressively and gate peripherals via PMD bits. Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 17) and another at VDD (pin 28); both VDD pins must be tied together. A 10uF bulk cap near the IC suppresses digital-load transients on the analog VREF rail.
Do not confuse the LF (Low-Voltage) variant with the standard PIC16F737: the F version's 4.0V minimum VDD will fail to start at 3.3V. Also note that RB6/RB7 are dual-function ICSP pins; if external pull-ups or strong loads are attached, in-circuit programming may fail - use weak pull-ups (<10k) and isolate these pins during programming if necessary. CONFIG bits must be set for the internal vs. external oscillator selection.
The 28-SSOP has a 0.65mm pitch - route signals on inner layers or use fine-pitch escape routing under the device. Keep analog AN traces short and guarded by a ground pour to minimize digital coupling into the 10-bit ADC. Place the decoupling capacitors on the same layer as the MCU, using vias directly to the ground plane. For ADC accuracy, route VREF (if used externally) away from switching signals.
When using the MSSP in SPI master mode at high speeds (>5MHz), add a 33-100 ohm series resistor at SCK to dampen reflections on long traces. For I2C, verify that the internal weak pull-ups (typically 100k-400k) are adequate or add external 4.7k pull-ups. The AUSART in RS-485 mode requires external direction-control logic; do not rely on the internal TX/RX switching alone for multi-drop buses.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade part, not automotive-qualified. For automotive applications, evaluate PIC16F family automotive variants separately.
