PIC16LF84A-04I/SO - 4MHz 8-bit Flash MCU, 1.75KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF84A-04I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.46 | $1,230.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.21 | $2,210.00 |
PIC16LF84A-04I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces onto one die. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy it sits under: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> digital IC -> semiconductor. The PIC16F architecture specifically uses a RISC-style Harvard design with only 35 single-word instructions, allowing most instructions to execute in one instruction cycle, which simplifies assembly coding and enables predictable timing for bit-banged protocols.
Key features of the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO include 1024 words (14-bit) of self-programmable Flash, 64 bytes of EEPROM data memory, a 15-bit hardware stack, an 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit prescaler, a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and a 13-bit instruction word bus. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, enabling firmware updates after PCB assembly without removing the part.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF84A employs CMOS technology with static (fully static) operation, meaning the clock can be stopped and the device will retain state without consuming dynamic power. The wide operating voltage (2.0 V–5.5 V) and low-power SLEEP mode (typical standby current in the microamp range per Microchip datasheet DC characteristics) make it well suited to battery and energy-harvesting applications. The Harvard bus separates program and data paths, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to overlap.
Typical applications include low-power embedded control nodes, sensor interface front-ends, simple user-interface controllers (button + LED), automotive interior accessories, industrial remote-control boards, and legacy educational/development platforms where a 5 V-tolerant, easy-to-program 8-bit MCU is preferred over newer 32-bit parts.
When designing with this device, note that the Flash endurance (per Microchip datasheet DS35007B specification) and EEPROM endurance (typically 1M write/erase cycles) are finite—wear-leveling or minimization of EEPROM writes extends field life. The 4 MHz oscillator ceiling limits compute-intensive tasks; for higher throughput choose a PIC16F1xxx or PIC18 part.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO against modern pin-compatible replacements.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF84A-04I/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 PIC16LF84A-04I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, Operating Temperature, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF84A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF84A-04I/P
✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF84A-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF84A-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F84A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF84A-04I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16F / PIC16LF |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 68 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 64 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial grade, 'I' suffix) |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Word Length | 14 bits |
| Hardware Stack | 15 levels |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP via RB6/RB7 |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO), 300-mil body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Lead-free finish per Microchip product page |
PIC16LF84A-04I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Digital I/O port A bit 3 / MCLR̄ (master clear reset, active low) |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O port A bit 4 / T0CKI (Timer0 external clock input) |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Digital I/O port A bit 5 |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Digital I/O port B bit 0 / INT (external interrupt) |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Digital I/O port B bit 6 / ICSPCLK (ICSP clock) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Digital I/O port B bit 7 / ICSPDAT (ICSP data) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Crystal/Resonator driver output (also RA6 / CLKO) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Crystal/Resonator driver input (also RA7 / CLKI) |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Digital I/O port A bit 0 / AN0 (analog input on some variants) |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Digital I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF84A-04I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, User Interface Controller (Buttons + LEDs), Automotive Interior Accessory Controller, Industrial Remote Control / IR Transmitter, Educational Microcontroller Trainer, Low-Power Standby Controller / Watchdog Coprocessor.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF84A-04I/SO is well suited to remote sensor front-ends because its LF 2.0 V minimum supply permits direct connection to a single Li-ion cell (3.0 V–4.2 V) without a boost converter, and its SLEEP mode current is in the low-microamp range per the Microchip datasheet DS35007B. With 1.75 KB of Flash and 68 bytes of RAM, the MCU can run a small state machine that wakes on a TMR0 interrupt, samples a digital sensor via PORTB, and returns to sleep—giving years of life on a primary cell. Its 4 MHz ceiling limits compute-heavy DSP but is more than adequate for periodic sensing and a simple RF/IR transmission handshake.
Recommended
User Interface Controller (Buttons + LEDs)
The PIC16LF84A-04I/SO provides 13 digital I/O pins which is sufficient to scan a 4x4 keypad matrix (8 pins) plus drive up to 5 indicator LEDs, with no additional glue logic required. Its 4 MHz core executes the keypad debounce and LED-multiplexing routines in microseconds with negligible CPU loading, and the 1.75 KB Flash comfortably holds interrupt-driven scan loops. Industrial temperature grade ('I' suffix) allows deployment in factory panels and outdoor kiosks. ICSP via RB6/RB7 enables firmware updates after enclosure assembly without disassembly.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Controller
Automotive interior accessories such as ambient lighting drivers, mirror controllers, or auxiliary switch panels benefit from the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO industrial temperature rating (-40 °C to +85 °C) and 5.5 V tolerance on digital I/O. The 13-I/O 18-SOIC footprint is compact, and 1.75 KB Flash holds typical LIN-bite or switch-debounce firmware with room for diagnostics. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification is NOT claimed for this part per the Microchip datasheet, so for safety-critical body electronics the PIC16F18xxx-Q1 family is preferred; the LF84A fits non-safety convenience features.
Recommended
Industrial Remote Control / IR Transmitter
The PIC16LF84A-04I/SO is widely used in legacy IR remote controls and RF key-fob transmitters because its small 18-SOIC footprint, low sleep current, and TMR0-based carrier generation fit into coin-cell housings. A 4 MHz internal or external oscillator drives a 38 kHz carrier via PWM-emulation on RB0, while the rest of PORTB scans a button matrix. With 1.75 KB Flash, the device holds dozens of command codes plus a learning mode, and ICSP enables factory calibration without removing the part.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Trainer
Universities and training centers continue to use the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO in introductory embedded courses because its 35-instruction RISC set, PIC assembly, and 1.75 KB program memory fit comfortably into a single-semester lab syllabus. The 18-pin DIP package is breadboard-friendly and accepts standard Microchip development tools (PICkit 3, MPLAB X). Students learn interrupts, timers, EEPROM, and Watchdog fundamentals on a part whose simplicity maps cleanly to the textbook rather than overwhelming beginners with peripheral complexity.
Recommended
Low-Power Standby Controller / Watchdog Coprocessor
In larger systems the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO can serve as an ultra-low-power supervisory watchdog coprocessor that monitors a main rail and pulses a reset line if the host stops responding. Its LF 2.0 V minimum supply is compatible with battery-backed auxiliary rails, and the on-chip Watchdog Timer with its own RC oscillator operates independently of the system clock. With 64 bytes of EEPROM the coprocessor can log fault timestamps across power cycles, and the 18-SOIC package fits beside the main MCU with minimal PCB area penalty.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF84A-04I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF84A-04/SO | PIC16LF84A-04I/P | PIC16LF84A-04/SS | PIC16LF84A-04/P | PIC16F84A-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (SO) | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-PDIP (P) | 20-SSOP (SS) | 18-PDIP (P) | 18-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Flash Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 68 bytes | 68 bytes | 68 bytes | 68 bytes | 68 bytes | 68 bytes |
| EEPROM | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 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 (F) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum supply voltage in the family (vs PIC16F84A-04I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade in SOIC package (vs PIC16LF84A-04/SO)
- Same die and pinout as 18-pin PDIP variant (vs PIC16LF84A-04I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: At VDD = 3.3 V and 4 MHz active, the PIC16LF84A-04I/SO draws typically 2–4 mA per the Microchip datasheet DS35007B DC characteristics. To minimize sleep current in battery-powered sensor nodes, disable TMR0, switch the oscillator to LF-INTOSC via configuration bits, and gate any pull-ups on PORTB. A bulk 10 µF + 0.1 µF decoupling pair within 5 mm of pin 14 (VDD) suppresses voltage spikes during ICSP programming and Sleep-to-Active transitions.
Route the crystal traces on OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15) as short, symmetric loops with a grounded guard ring; keep them away from RB6/RB7 ICSP lines to avoid coupling programming noise into the oscillator. Place the MCLR̄ pull-up (typically 10 kΩ) directly at pin 4 with no series inductance, and add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity in electrically noisy industrial environments. Keep the ICSP connector footprint accessible even after final assembly for field firmware updates.
Do not assume the LF and F (non-LF) variants are interchangeable below 4.0 V—the PIC16F84A-04I/SO requires 4.0 V minimum supply per the Microchip datasheet DS35007B. Verify that any port pin sourcing current does not exceed the 25 mA per-pin / 200 mA per-port absolute maximum, especially when driving relays or LEDs directly. Configuration word programming must complete in the specified timing window; using ICSP with PICkit 3 in 'production' mode avoids configuration-word verify errors seen with hobbyist programmers.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free finish per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose PIC16F18xxx-Q1 for automotive safety-critical applications. Halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
