PIC16LF819T-E/SS - 8-Bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20MHz, SSOP-20
MPN: PIC16LF819T-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.1 | $3.10 |
| 10 | $2.78 | $27.80 |
| 100 | $2.45 | $245.00 |
| 500 | $2.18 | $1,090.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.95 | $1,950.00 |
PIC16LF819T-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a compact, single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path. It combines a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash/ROM), volatile data memory (RAM), timers, communication peripherals, and analog/digital I/O on one die. MCUs serve as the embedded intelligence in nearly every electronic product - washing machines, thermostats, sensor nodes, automotive body controllers, and medical wearables - where deterministic real-time response, low cost, and low power are critical. The PIC16F family belongs to Microchip's mid-range 8-bit portfolio, sitting between the baseline PIC10/12/16 families and the high-performance PIC18/dsPIC families, and is widely used in cost-sensitive general-purpose applications.
The PIC16LF819 executes instructions in 200 ns at 20MHz, supports both internal and external oscillator modes, and offers nanoWatt power management features including sleep mode, low-power T1OSC, and peripheral disable controls. Its 16 I/O pins can source/sink up to 25mA, enabling direct LED drive and discrete-transistor interface. The 10-bit A/D converter delivers 5 channels of analog input for sensor signal acquisition in battery-powered and industrial applications.
Internally the device uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 14-bit instruction word, and a 35-instruction set designed for compact code density. The enhanced Flash supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, allowing field firmware updates without removing the MCU from the board.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, HVAC thermostat controls, smoke and CO detectors, small appliance control boards, automotive body electronics (non-safety), USB/PS/2 human-interface devices, and low-cost consumer products requiring on-board analog sensing. The -40C to +125C operating range (E suffix) supports extended-temperature industrial and automotive environments.
When designing with this part, prioritize low-power operation by enabling nanoWatt features during sleep and using the WDT time-out as a periodic wake-up source. Place the AVDD/VREF bypass capacitor within 1cm of the supply pin and route analog traces away from switching signals to preserve ADC accuracy. Pin count limits the part to applications with modest I/O requirements - designs needing more than 16 digital I/O should migrate to PIC18 or PIC24 families. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified alternatives from Microchip's same product family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF819T-E/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 PIC16LF819T-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF819-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF819T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF819-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F819-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819T-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC 16F |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5KB (2K x 14) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| RAM Size | 256 x 8 (256 bytes) |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Speed | 20 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Number of I/O | 16 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | 20-SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 5 channels x 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, USART |
| Oscillator Type | Internal / External |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel |
PIC16LF819T-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RA3 — Master Clear / Programming voltage / PORTA bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / Positive voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/C1OUT — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input channel 4 / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS/C2OUT — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 5 / Slave Select / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA7 — Oscillator input / External clock / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT/RA6 — Oscillator output / Clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 external clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture Compare PWM 2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / MSSP clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / MSSP data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / MSSP data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage 2.0V to 5.5V |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF819T-E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, HVAC Thermostat Control, Smoke and CO Detectors, Small Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), USB/PS/2 Human Interface Devices, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS is well-suited for wireless sensor nodes that operate from 2xAA or coin-cell batteries thanks to its 2.0V-5.5V supply range and nanoWatt sleep current below 1uA. Its 5-channel 10-bit ADC directly digitizes analog sensor outputs from thermistors, photocells, or moisture probes without an external analog front-end. The internal 8MHz oscillator eliminates a crystal, reducing BOM cost. Compared to higher-end MCUs, the 16 I/O count is sufficient for sensor multiplexing and a low-power radio interface such as RFM69. In typical duty-cycled designs (1% active duty cycle), the device draws less than 5uA average, enabling 5+ year battery life on a 2400mAh AA pair.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Control
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS provides precise temperature control logic in HVAC thermostats using its 10-bit ADC to read thermistor or RTD sensors at better than 0.5C resolution. The 16 I/O ports easily drive triac interface circuits controlling heating/cooling stages, plus drive a character LCD module for the user display. nanoWatt sleep mode maintains display state during the long idle periods between temperature updates, while the 256-byte EEPROM stores user setpoints across power cycles. The extended -40C to +125C rating ensures reliable operation in unconditioned equipment rooms.
Recommended
Smoke and CO Detectors
In smoke and CO safety detectors, the PIC16LF819T-E/SS integrates the sensing, alarm, and self-test functions in a single low-cost MCU. The 2 analog comparators detect the photoelectric smoke chamber signal and the electrochemical CO cell output, while the 5-channel ADC supports periodic self-test reference measurements. The 25mA I/O drive directly energizes the piezo alarm sounder without driver transistors. nanoWatt sleep between sensor samples keeps the average quiescent current below the 10uA target required for 10-year battery operation on a 9V lithium cell. UL 217 and EN 14604 designs require the -40C to +125C extended temperature range provided by the E suffix.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS serves as the brain of small kitchen and household appliances such as coffee makers, slow cookers, and small fans. Its 20-pin SSOP package provides ample I/O for relay control, sensor input, and user button/LED feedback. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature or humidity probes for closed-loop cooking control, while the MSSP peripheral drives an I2C OLED display for user feedback. Programmable timers on the LF819 enable precise PWM control of low-voltage motor drivers at up to 20kHz switching frequency. The 35-instruction RISC core simplifies development in C or assembly for cost-sensitive consumer products.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS can be deployed in non-safety automotive body controllers such as seat-position memories, mirror-adjustment modules, ambient lighting drivers, and rain-sensor interfaces. Its -40C to +125C temperature range exceeds the AEC-Q100 Grade 1 requirement and the automotive 12V supply environment (5V regulated rail) is well within the 2.0V-5.5V operating range. The PIC16F819-E/SS variant is preferred for 5V automotive rails. For safety-critical systems requiring AEC-Q100 certification, consider migrating to dsPIC33 or PIC18 K40 families.
Recommended
USB/PS/2 Human Interface Devices
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS can implement low-cost USB or PS/2 keyboards and mice when paired with an external USB controller such as the Microchip MCP2210 or a PS/2 protocol interface. The MSSP peripheral handles PS/2 clock/data communication in software, while the 16 I/O ports scan up to 64-key key matrices. EEPROM stores user-customizable settings such as keymap profiles, and the nanoWatt sleep mode powers down the MCU between keystrokes. With 3.5KB Flash, the part can run the USB HID stack with descriptor tables and keyboard bootloader all in-circuit. For higher-end keyboards with N-key rollover, designers should migrate to PIC18 K40 or PIC24 families.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16LF819T-E/SS is a strong fit for industrial analog sensor interface modules such as 4-20mA current-loop transmitters, RTD signal conditioners, and bridge-sensor digitizers. Its 5-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes the bridge output, while the on-chip comparators implement sensor fault detection for open/short conditions. The MSSP peripheral drives a Modbus RTU slave interface over RS-485 via an external transceiver, and the USART supports direct serial ASCII protocols. The -40C to +125C rating allows deployment in factory-floor cabinets, and the 2.0V-5.5V supply simplifies integration with industrial 24V bus systems through a small LDO.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF819T-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF819-E/SS | PIC16LF819T-I/SS | PIC16LF818T-E/SS | PIC16F819-E/SS | PIC16F88-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5KB Flash | 3.5KB Flash | 3.5KB Flash | 1.75KB Flash (-50%) | 3.5KB Flash | 7KB Flash (+100%) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.5V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| ADC Channels x Resolution | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 7 x 10-bit |
| Price (1 pc) | $3.10 | $3.10 (approx) | $3.05 (approx) | $2.85 (approx) | $3.20 (approx) | $4.50 (approx) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range (vs PIC16LF819T-I/SS)
- 3.5KB Flash is 2x that of PIC16LF818 (vs PIC16LF818T-E/SS)
- 2.0V-5.5V wide supply range vs 5V-only F819 (vs PIC16F819-E/SS)
- 5-channel 10-bit ADC integrates analog sensor interface (vs PIC16F88-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 5V supply and full 20MHz operation, the PIC16LF819 draws approximately 11mA active. In Sleep mode the current drops below 1uA, making duty-cycled wake-up patterns essential for battery life. Enable the internal 8MHz INTOSC by setting the IRCF bits in OSCCON to avoid the current cost of an external crystal oscillator. Disable unused peripherals via the CMCON and CCP1CON registers to minimize quiescent draw.
Place the AVDD/VREF+ bypass capacitor within 5mm of pin 5 and the VDD bypass capacitor within 5mm of pin 20. Use a 100nF ceramic + 10uF bulk capacitor pair on VDD. Route analog traces (RA0-RA5) away from switching signals and the MCU clock line; keep analog ground separate and join only at the MCU VSS pin. Use a star-ground topology when interfacing with motor or relay outputs to prevent digital return currents from corrupting the ADC reading.
The 10-bit ADC achieves 0.5 LSB accuracy only when the input source impedance is below 10k ohms. Higher source impedances cause charging errors; add an op-amp buffer or use a 1nF hold capacitor externally. The MSSP I2C bus requires 2.7k-10k pull-ups on SDA and SCL at 400kHz. Slave I2C addresses should be left-shifted by 1 bit per the MSSP convention before programming SSPCON2.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - tie it to VDD via a 10k resistor for normal operation, or pull it low for reset. Unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs and driven low to minimize SBO leakage. The LF819 internal oscillator is factory-calibrated but drifts over temperature; use the OSCTUNE register if high-frequency accuracy is required. The ICSP programming pins RB6/RB7 must have weak pull-ups enabled for reliable in-circuit programming.
Estimated: at 20MHz and 5V supply, the LF819 dissipates approximately 55mW in active mode (11mA x 5V). The SSOP-20 package has thermal resistance theta-JA of approximately 90 C/W, giving a junction temperature rise of about 5C above ambient at full active load. In Sleep mode dissipation drops below 5uW. At industrial temperature extremes, verify flash endurance (100K erase cycles) is not exceeded by EEPROM emulation patterns.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page; conflict-minerals compliance per Microchip corporate policy. AEC-Q100 qualification is not_applicable - this is a general-purpose MCU, not automotive-qualified; design teams requiring AEC-Q100 should select dsPIC33 or PIC18 K40 families.