PIC16LF73T-I/SO - 20MHz 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF73T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.81 | $1.81 |
| 10 | $1.72 | $17.20 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.4 | $700.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.27 | $1,270.00 |
PIC16LF73T-I/SO Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit MCU is a single-chip computer with an 8-bit data path that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), working RAM, and a set of peripherals (timers, ADC, communications, I/O). Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF73 belongs to the PIC16F family, which sits under the PIC microcontroller family, then Microchip 8-bit MCUs, then microcontrollers, then embedded processors, then integrated circuits. The 'LF' suffix denotes the extended low-voltage operating range that distinguishes it from the standard 'F' variant.
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins arranged across multiple ports, a 5-channel 8-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, hardware USART for asynchronous/synchronous serial, an SPI interface, and an I2C (MSSP) peripheral. The device is built on Microchip's Harvard-architecture RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word, delivering deterministic interrupt latency and single-cycle instruction execution for many opcodes.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF73 combines a 14-bit instruction Flash, a Harvard bus, and a CMOS process that enables the wide 2.0V to 5.5V operating range with very low typical active and sleep current. The brown-out reset, watchdog timer, and In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) interface support reliable fielded operation and in-line firmware updates.
Typical applications include industrial control nodes, battery-powered sensor modules, white-goods and appliance control boards, simple user-interface panels, and remote-control subsystems. Designers pair the MCU with sensors, RS-232/RS-485 transceivers, and small LCD/LED driver companions to build compact, low-cost embedded platforms.
When designing with this part, observe the recommended 0.1uF ceramic decoupling close to VDD/AVDD pins and reserve RB6/RB7 for ICSP programming. The 'T' in the part number indicates tape-and-reel packaging, while 'I' specifies the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range. The 'LF' (low-voltage) supply range requires careful attention to ADC reference and clock scaling when operating near the lower rail.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not aggregated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF73T-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 PIC16LF73T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F76T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F76-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF73T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Series | PIC16F |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 0 bytes (not present) |
| Number of I/O | 22 |
| Supply Voltage Range (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, 'I') |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC wide (SO-28, 7.50 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART (USART) |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (RB6/RB7) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Packaging Type | Tape & Reel ('T' suffix) |
PIC16LF73T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear (reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 (PWM/capture/compare) |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply |
| 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/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF73T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Module, Battery-Powered Remote Control, White-Goods Appliance Control Board, User Interface Panel (Keypad + LCD), Simple Sensor Data Logger, Motor Control Subsystem (Low-Power BLDC/PWM).
Industrial Sensor Module
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO is well suited to industrial sensor modules because its 2.0V-5.5V supply range and 20MHz CPU clock let the same firmware run from 3.3V sensor boards and 5V PLC backplanes. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads up to five analog sensors per scan cycle, and the 192-byte RAM is ample for averaging buffers and small lookup tables. Industrial sensor hubs pair the MCU with an RS-485 transceiver (e.g., MAX485) on the USART pins for Modbus RTU connectivity. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range supports factory-floor enclosures without derating. The LF low-voltage capability is critical for 4-20mA loop-powered field instruments where supply headroom is minimal.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO fits battery-powered remote controls because its 2.0V minimum supply supports 2xAA alkaline cells down to 1.8V under load, and its nanoWatt Sleep mode draws only microamps between button events. The 7KB Flash stores protocol stacks for IR, sub-GHz RF, or BLE-host commands, while the 192-byte RAM handles button debouncing and transmission buffers. Typical designs pair the MCU with a small RF transmitter (e.g., TI CC1101) on the SPI bus and drive IR LEDs directly from GPIO. The 22 I/O pins easily accommodate a 4x4 keypad matrix plus indicator LEDs. Estimated battery life on 2xAA at one transmission per hour exceeds 1 year.
Recommended
White-Goods Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO is widely deployed in appliance control boards for washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens because of its 22 I/O for relay/keypad interfaces, hardware USART for diagnostic ports, and proven long-term reliability. The 5-channel ADC reads temperature, water level, motor current, and door-switch signals; the 16-bit timer drives triac phase-angle control for heater regulation. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) handles under-cabinet thermal stress. Appliance firmware typically uses the ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) for end-of-line programming, and the brown-out reset prevents corruption during brown-out events. Pin-compatible PIC16F76 upgrades offer more Flash for graphical user-interface variants.
Recommended
User Interface Panel (Keypad + LCD)
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO drives compact user-interface panels combining 4x4 keypads, character LCDs (16x2 or 20x4), and status LEDs. The 22 I/O pins support parallel LCD interface plus keypad scanning matrix, while the MSSP peripheral provides I2C or SPI for I/O expanders or LED drivers. 7KB Flash is sufficient for menu trees, debounce algorithms, and small bitmap fonts; 192-byte RAM holds the active screen buffer and edit state. The I2C bus can also drive an external EEPROM (24LC256) for non-volatile settings storage, since the on-chip MCU lacks EEPROM. Typical panels run from 5V regulated rails at 20MHz CPU clock for snappy menu response.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Data Logger
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO can serve as the core of a low-cost sensor data logger that samples analog signals and stores time-stamped records to external serial EEPROM or SD cards via SPI. The 8-bit ADC runs at typical 8-10 kSps for slow sensors like thermistors or load cells, and the 16-bit timer provides accurate sample-interval timing. Watchdog timer protects against firmware lockup in unattended deployments. The industrial temperature rating supports outdoor enclosures. A typical logger draws 1-2 mA active and <10 uA sleep, making it suitable for solar or battery-powered field deployments over months of operation.
Recommended
Motor Control Subsystem (Low-Power BLDC/PWM)
The PIC16LF73T-I/SO provides the supervisory control for small BLDC or brushed-DC motor subsystems, including PWM generation for low-side drivers, tachometer input capture, and over-current protection. The 16-bit timer drives PWM at typical 20-25 kHz above audible range, and the 8-bit ADC reads back current shunt voltage for closed-loop torque limiting. A small motor drive board pairs the MCU with an H-bridge driver (e.g., DRV8871) on the PWM output pins. The 2.0V-5.5V supply range supports 1S Li-ion or 2xAA battery packs for portable fan, pump, and toy applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF73T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF73-I/SO | PIC16F73T-I/SO | PIC16F76T-I/SO | PIC16F73-I/SO | PIC16F76-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) - same | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) - same | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) - same | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) - same | SOIC-28 (wide, 300-mil) - same |
| Core / Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 | 8-bit PIC16 | 8-bit PIC16 | 8-bit PIC16 | 8-bit PIC16 | 8-bit PIC16 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB | 14 KB (+100%) |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes (+92%) | 192 bytes | 368 bytes (+92%) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F variant) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F variant) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F variant) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F variant) |
| Number of I/O | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel (T) | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Extended 2.0V-5.5V supply range (LF variant) (vs PIC16F73T-I/SO)
- Identical peripheral set across LF/F76 in same footprint (vs PIC16F76T-I/SO)
- Same tape-and-reel convenience as production variants (vs PIC16LF73-I/SO (tube))
- No cross-brand pin-compatible drop-in alternative (vs Atmel ATmega88 / ST STM8S003 (cross-brand))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of each VDD pin (pin 19) and a bulk 10uF tantalum or ceramic on the supply rail. For the LF variant operating at 2.0V-3.3V, use a low-Iq LDO such as MCP1700 to minimize sleep current drain on battery-powered designs. The analog reference pin (RA3/VREF+) needs its own 0.1uF ceramic if used as ADC reference, otherwise tie it to VDD. Estimated active current is 2-5 mA at 20MHz and 5V, dropping to under 1mA at 3.3V and 4MHz.
Route the ICSP signals (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) directly to an in-line programming header or test pad with no series components on the production PCB. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces short and symmetric, and place the crystal within 10mm of the MCU to avoid stray capacitance that can miscount clock cycles. The 28-pin SOIC wide-body footprint (300-mil) is not interchangeable with the narrow SOIC-28 (209-mil) used by PIC16LF73-I/SS - verify your PCB land pattern before ordering PCBs.
Do not confuse the LF (2.0V-5.5V) supply range with the standard F (4.0V-5.5V) range - using PIC16F73 on an LF design powered below 4.0V will cause ADC, Flash read, and oscillator failures. Always read configuration bits in code rather than rely on factory defaults, especially the watchdog timer and brown-out reset voltage. The MSSP peripheral pins are multiplexed between I2C and SPI; ensure firmware configures TRIS bits correctly before enabling either protocol, otherwise the SDA/SCK lines can fight external pull-ups. Per Microchip errata, certain revisions of PIC16F7X have MSSP edge-case bugs - check the silicon errata document for your device revision before locking firmware.
When using the ADC at high sampling rates, add a small RC filter (typically 100 ohm + 100nF) on each analog input pin to reject digital switching noise from adjacent GPIO traces. The internal ADC is 8-bit with typical +/-1 LSB linearity; for high-precision designs use averaging over 16 samples. If using the USART at higher baud rates (>57600) at 5V, ensure the trace impedance is controlled or use a series resistor to dampen reflections on long cable runs to RS-232 transceivers.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not present in the verified web data; check Microchip PIC16LF73T-I/SO product page or PCN for confirmation. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) but not AEC-Q100 qualified.
