PIC16LF819-I/SS - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF819-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.71 | $2.71 |
| 10 | $2.45 | $24.50 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.74 | $1,740.00 |
PIC16LF819-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, program and data memory, and programmable peripherals on a single die. Within that hierarchy, PIC16F-series parts belong to the 8-bit RISC PIC family -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The PIC16LF819 specifically targets battery-friendly and energy-harvesting designs where 5 V PIC16F819 compatibility is unnecessary.
Key differentiating features include an internal 8 MHz oscillator with PLL-derived 20 MHz operation, a 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels, two analog comparators, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, and nanoWatt sleep modes drawing typically under 1 uA. The PIC16LF819-I/SS also integrates a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C, plus a USART for asynchronous serial communication. These peripherals give embedded designers a single-chip solution for sensor reading, motor or actuator control, and wired communications without external ICs.
Technically, the device uses a Harvard architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, prioritizing deterministic interrupt latency and code density over raw throughput. The SSOP-20 (also called 20-SSOP) industrial footprint is 5.30 mm wide with a 0.65 mm lead pitch, enabling compact PCB placement and standard reflow soldering compatible with existing PIC16F819 designs (the LF variant is pin-to-pin compatible). The part is in-system programmable via ICSP, eliminating the need for a socketed programmer during development.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, portable medical monitors, low-power IoT edge devices, remote controls, consumer appliance controllers, and handheld instrumentation. The 2 V minimum supply enables direct connection to two alkaline or NiMH cells without boost conversion.
When designing with this MCU, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD and ensure the MCLR pin is pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation. Pin RA4 is an open-drain output and requires an external pull-up if used as a digital I/O.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and engineering design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, helping procurement and embedded engineers make a faster, more confident selection.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF819-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 PIC16LF819-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Internal Oscillator, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F819-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.11 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/SOTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| CCP Modules | 1 |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication | USART, SSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (31 kHz to 8 MHz selectable) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF819-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input channel 2 / comparator reference output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 (open-drain) / ADC input channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input channel 5 / SPI slave select / high/low voltage detect input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / oscillator input / clock input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / ICSP low-voltage programming input |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RB5/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / ICSP programming input |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock input |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data input/output |
| Pin 19 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset input (active low) / ICSP programming voltage input |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF819-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Portable Medical Monitors, Remote Controls and IR Transmitters, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Handheld Test and Measurement.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF819-I/SS fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its 2.0 V minimum supply enables direct operation from two alkaline or NiMH cells without boost conversion, and nanoWatt sleep modes draw under 1 uA typical. Its 10-bit 5-channel ADC reads temperature, light, or voltage sensors with 1 LSB resolution, while the 20-pin SSOP footprint leaves enough I/O for SPI sensor interfacing. Compared with switching converters, the LF variant adds zero switching noise to analog sensor rails, preserving ADC accuracy at low signal levels.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitors
The PIC16LF819-I/SS suits portable medical monitors through its deterministic 8-bit RISC core, 200 ns interrupt latency, and 2 V low-voltage operation that extends battery life in handheld pulse oximeters or glucose meters. The integrated USART connects to Bluetooth or NFC modules for wireless data transfer, while the 10-bit ADC captures sensor signals with adequate precision for trend monitoring. Operating temperature of -40C to +85C meets handheld medical device environmental requirements.
Recommended
Remote Controls and IR Transmitters
The PIC16LF819-I/SS fits remote controls and IR transmitters because its 2 V operation runs from a single CR2032 coin cell, and the CCP module produces precise PWM carrier frequencies for IR modulation (typically 36 to 40 kHz). Under 1 uA sleep current extends battery life past 5 years in typical use. The USART and SSP provide flexibility for RF modules in higher-end universal remotes.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16LF819-I/SS controls appliance front panels in coffee machines, washing machines, and microwave ovens where its 16 I/O pins drive LED indicators, keypad scanning, and triac firing signals. The internal 8 MHz oscillator eliminates external resonator cost, and the 20 MHz internal PLL with 4x multiplier delivers sufficient MIPS for user-interface response. Wide 2 V to 5.5 V supply tolerates rectified mains-derived rails with minimal regulation.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16LF819-I/SS serves industrial sensor interface modules because its industrial -40C to +85C range handles factory floor conditions, and its 10-bit ADC plus two analog comparators provide both digitisation and threshold detection for 4-20 mA loops. The integrated USART speaks RS-232 or RS-485 protocols via external transceiver ICs for factory-bus connectivity. ICSP allows field firmware updates without removing the module.
Recommended
Handheld Test and Measurement
The PIC16LF819-I/SS fits handheld multimeters and signal injection tools where its 2 V operation allows single-cell lithium power and the 10-bit ADC reads measurement signals with adequate resolution for entry-level instruments. The USART streams data to PC tools for logging, and the small SSOP-20 footprint leaves PCB area for displays and connectors. Under 1 uA sleep mode lets the device shut down between measurements, extending field battery life.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF819-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F819-I/SS | PIC16LF818-I/SS | PIC16LF818T-I/SS | PIC16F818-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum supply voltage in the PIC16F819 family (vs PIC16F819-I/SS)
- Largest flash memory among pin-compatible siblings (vs PIC16LF818-I/SS)
- Five ADC channels versus three on smaller PIC16F8x variants (vs PIC16F88-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 10) and a bulk 10 uF capacitor near the supply input. For battery-powered designs, the PIC16LF819-I/SS nanoWatt sleep modes draw typically under 1 uA, but disabling the ADC and USART before entering sleep further reduces current. Estimated: quiescent current with ADC disabled is 0.1 uA typical at 2 V.
The 20-pin SSOP package uses a 0.65 mm lead pitch and 5.30 mm body width. Keep all signal traces at least 0.2 mm away from the exposed lead edges to avoid solder bridges during reflow. For noise immunity on analog inputs, route ADC traces away from PWM or clock signals and use a ground guard ring around sensitive analog pins such as RA3/AN3.
Pin RA4 is an open-drain output and cannot drive high without an external pull-up resistor (typically 4.7 kohm). Forgetting this is the most common reason RA4-based designs fail. Additionally, the MCLR pin must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor; leaving it floating causes intermittent resets in electrically noisy environments. ICSP programming requires RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD to remain accessible and not be loaded heavily during programming.
The internal 8 MHz oscillator can drift up to 2 percent over temperature, which is acceptable for USART baud rates up to 38.4 kbaud but marginal above. For higher baud rates or asynchronous serial communication requiring tight timing, configure the USART in high-speed mode (BRGH=1) and consider an external 20 MHz crystal on pins RA6/OSC2 and RA7/OSC1. Estimated: internal oscillator drift of 1 percent at 25 C is typical per Microchip datasheet.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; use automotive-grade PIC16 family variants for vehicle applications. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification.
