PIC16LF74-I/ML - 8-Bit PIC MCU, 7KB Flash, 33 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF74-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.2 | $9.20 |
| 10 | $8.45 | $84.50 |
| 100 | $7.2 | $720.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.4 | $5,400.00 |
PIC16LF74-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a set of peripherals such as timers, communication ports and ADCs. The PIC16F family is the classic 8-bit mid-range line from Microchip, sitting between the baseline PIC10/12/16 and the high-performance PIC18/PIC24 families. The 'LF' suffix designates the low-voltage process, allowing VDD operation down to 2.0 V typical for battery-powered applications, while the 'F' indicates Flash program memory that can be reprogrammed in-circuit via ICSP.
Key features include 7 KB Flash program memory, 192 bytes SRAM, hardware USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) port, two 8-bit timers with capture/compare, one 16-bit timer/counter, 8-channel 8-bit ADC, dual analog comparators and a watchdog timer with on-chip low-power RC oscillator. The PIC16LF74 also supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), enabling field firmware updates via two pins. Its nanopower techniques and wide voltage range make it well suited to portable and energy-harvesting designs.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor signal conditioning, battery-powered instrumentation, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and consumer appliance controllers. The 33 I/O and high-resolution peripherals simplify designs that require many push-buttons, LEDs and analog inputs without an external I/O expander.
Design tip: when migrating to PIC16LF74, place the ICSP VPP/VDD pair, the MCLR pull-up resistor, and the 33 I/O ESD protection close to the IC. The 44-pin QFN has an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to the ground plane for electrical and thermal performance. This page synthesizes drop-in alternatives, parametric comparisons, and design notes that complement the Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF74-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 PIC16LF74-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, I/O Pins, Communication.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF74-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF747-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF727-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF722-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF737T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF74-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit, 35 instructions |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8 channels, 8-bit |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit + 1x 16-bit |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | Yes (CCP) |
| Communication | USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT) |
| ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) | Yes |
| Package | 44-pin QFN with Exposed Pad (ML), 8x8 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Packaging | Tube / Tray |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF74-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 9 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 10 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 11 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 13 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 14 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 15 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 16 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 17 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 18 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 19 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 20 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 21 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 22 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 23 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 24 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 30 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 31 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 32 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 33 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 34 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 35 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 36 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 37 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / synchronous clock |
| Pin 38 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / synchronous data |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground (secondary) |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply (secondary) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF74-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface, Battery-Powered Portable Instrumentation, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Consumer Appliance Control, HVAC and Smart Thermostat, Educational and Hobbyist Development.
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16LF74-I/ML's 8-channel 8-bit ADC, 33 I/O and 2.0-5.5 V wide VDD make it ideal for industrial multi-sensor interface panels that read 4-20 mA loops, thermistors and digital inputs. The 20 MHz CPU executes 5 MIPS, enough for 100 Hz polling across 8 channels while filtering with simple digital IIR. The 44-pin QFN (8x8 mm) footprint simplifies dense PCB layouts in control cabinets where space is at a premium, and the USART links to a host PLC or HMI display. Industrial-grade -40C to +85C operation ensures reliable sensor conditioning on factory floors with wide temperature swings.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instrumentation
The PIC16LF74-I/ML operates from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, allowing direct connection to 2x AA alkaline or Li-coin cells without a boost converter. Its 'LF' low-power process and sleep currents in the microamp range extend battery life in handheld multimeters, data loggers and remote sensors. The 7 KB Flash holds the full instrument firmware including calibration tables, and the ICSP interface lets field technicians update firmware without opening the enclosure. The 8-channel ADC and dual analog comparators handle direct sensor input with no external signal chain.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF74-I/ML is widely used in non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting, seat controllers, HVAC blend doors and accessory multiplexers. Its 33 I/O drive LEDs, switches and small relay coils directly, and the USART/MSSP enables LIN-bus slaving via external transceivers. The industrial -40C to +85C range covers cabin environments, though safety-critical modules should use AEC-Q100-qualified PIC18 variants. The wide VDD tolerance handles load-dump events when paired with an external TVS clamp.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LF74-I/ML brings low-cost 8-bit intelligence to washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers and HVAC thermostats. Its 7 KB Flash holds appliance control algorithms, the 8-channel ADC reads temperature/pressure/humidity sensors, and PWM drives motor control signals for brushless DC fans or triac-fired heaters. The ICSP interface allows manufacturing-time calibration and field firmware refresh for product variants. Compared to discrete logic designs, the PIC16LF74-I/ML reduces BOM count while adding diagnostic features like fault LEDs and end-of-cycle beepers.
Recommended
HVAC and Smart Thermostat
The PIC16LF74-I/ML's 8-channel ADC and dual analog comparators handle multiple NTC thermistors used in multi-zone HVAC control, while its 20 MHz CPU runs proportional control loops at 10 Hz update rate without taxing MIPS budget. The 33 I/O drive triac interfaces, fan relays, and 7-segment or LCD displays directly. Its 2.0 V to 5.5 V range accommodates 24 VAC wall power after rectification, and the ICSP interface simplifies thermostat calibration during manufacturing. Compared to dedicated thermostat ASICs, the PIC16LF74-I/ML offers flexibility to support multiple SKUs from one firmware base.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Development
The PIC16LF74-I/ML remains a popular 8-bit teaching platform thanks to its 44-pin QFN package, breadboard-friendly variants (PIC16F74 in DIP) and free Microchip MPLAB X IDE toolchain. Students learn timer/counter interrupts, ADC sampling, USART communication and PWM motor control on a single chip with abundant I/O. The 7 KB Flash is large enough for full classroom projects including line-following robots, digital clocks and weather stations. With the PICkit 4 programmer, ICSP programming is straightforward, making the PIC16LF74 a teaching staple in introductory embedded systems courses.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF74-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF74-I/L | PIC16LF747-I/PT | PIC16LF727-I/MV | PIC16LF722-I/ML | PIC16LF737T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-pin QFN (ML) | 44-pin PLCC (L) - drop-in die | 44-pin TQFP (PT) | 44-pin UQFN (MV) | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| ADC | 8 ch x 8-bit | 8 ch x 8-bit | 8 ch x 8/10-bit | 9 ch x 8-bit + CTMU | 11 ch x 8-bit | 11 ch x 8-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Compact 44-pin QFN with 33 I/O at industrial temperature grade (vs PIC16F74-I/P (DIP-40))
- Wide 2.0-5.5 V VDD supports 2x AA battery designs (vs PIC16F74 (5 V only))
- On-chip ICSP supports in-field firmware refresh (vs Discrete 8-bit logic replacement)
Design Notes
The 44-pin QFN (ML) package has an exposed thermal pad on the underside that must be soldered to a continuous ground plane for electrical performance and thermal dissipation. Use at least 5 ground vias in the EP land pattern to stitch the thermal pad to inner ground layers. Recommended land pattern dimensions are 8x8 mm with 0.65 mm pitch; refer to Microchip packaging application note AN246 for non-standard QFN breakout recommendations.
Ensure the MCLR pin has a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF decoupling capacitor to ground for proper reset behaviour. If ICSP programming is required, do not place any capacitor (>1 nF) directly on PGC/PGD pins RB6/RB7, as this will prevent the programmer from driving the lines. Also avoid using the secondary oscillator pins as GPIO when the ICSP debug is active.
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (the PIC16LF74 has two VDD pins: 22 and 40), and a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the IC. For battery-powered designs, route VDD via the MCP1700 or similar low-IQ LDO to extend battery life. Brown-out detection should be enabled in the configuration word to prevent code runaway below 2.0 V.
For ADC accuracy, place the analog reference decoupling capacitor (1-10 uF) directly on the VREF+/VREF- pins with a star-ground topology. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching lines like PWM outputs. Use a 10 kHz or lower ADC sampling frequency when reading high-impedance sensors, and add a 100 nF bypass on each analog input for noise reduction.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade -40C to +85C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive safety applications should use AEC-Q100 qualified PIC18 variants. RoHS/REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration.
