PIC16LF87-I/SO - 7KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF87-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.66 | $266.00 |
| 500 | $2.34 | $1,170.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
PIC16LF87-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), working RAM, and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, communication ports, GPIO) into one device. Within the broader power-management hierarchy it sits as an 'application processor' that runs firmware to read sensors, drive actuators, and orchestrate peripherals. The PIC16 family is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit line, and the PIC16F87 / PIC16LF87 series specifically targets low-voltage, low-power nodes needing on-chip Flash with brown-out and watchdog support.
Key features of the PIC16LF87-I/SO include a 10 MHz maximum clock (5 MIPS), a 10-bit ADC, two analog comparators, one 8-bit and one 16-bit timer, a USART, an MSSP (SPI/I2C) port, an internal 8 MHz oscillator, and a programmable code-protection scheme for IP security. The device's nanoWatt technology delivers typical sleep currents in the micro-amp range, with wake-up on interrupt and selectable oscillator modes. On-chip in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) eliminates the need for an external programmer for production-line updates.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF87 implements a 14-bit instruction word, a single-cycle ALU, and a hardware stack that supports nested subroutines, which is the hallmark of Microchip's mid-range core. Its Flash memory is rated for typical 100k erase/write cycles and supports self-programming under firmware control. Compared with its PIC16C7x / PIC16C62xA / PIC16C5X / PIC12Cxxx ancestors, the 'F87 generation adds Flash programmability, deeper RAM, and on-chip peripherals while keeping the same 35-instruction RISC set for easy code portability.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-power remote controls, small appliances, and consumer products that require sleep-mode currents below the milliamp range. The 1.8 V minimum supply also lets the part operate directly from a single alkaline or lithium cell after boost conversion, while the 16 I/O pins are sufficient for keypad scanning, LED driving, and I2C/SPI sensor interfacing.
When designing with this device, leave at least a 10 percent voltage margin above the minimum Vdd to avoid brown-out resets during transient dips, and add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to each Vdd pin to suppress switching noise from the internal oscillator.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, in-package variants, drop-in PIC16F87 alternatives, and practical low-power design notes that go beyond the data listed on stock pages at distributors.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF87-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 PIC16LF87-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, Timers, RoHS Status, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F87-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.93 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F88-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF88-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF88T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF87-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC mid-range (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (factory calibrated) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | One 8-bit, one 16-bit |
| Communication Peripherals | USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Technology | nanoWatt low-power |
| Code Protection | Programmable, single-block |
PIC16LF87-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/Vref- — Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 / negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 / positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — External oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — External oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF87-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Remote Control and Key Fob, Small Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module, LED Lighting Controller, Consumer Electronics Toy / Hobby Project, Automotive Interior Accessory Module.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF87-I/SO is well suited to wireless or wired sensor nodes operating from a single alkaline, NiMH, or coin-cell battery. Its 1.8 V to 3.6 V Vdd range lets it run directly from a 3 V lithium source without boost conversion, and nanoWatt sleep currents under 1 uA typical preserve battery life during idle windows. The 10-bit multi-channel ADC handles temperature, light, or analog sensor conditioning while the MSSP peripheral drives an I2C or SPI sensor cluster. The 7 KB Flash and 368 B RAM comfortably host a small protocol stack such as Modbus, simple RNet, or a custom low-power RF driver.
Recommended
Remote Control and Key Fob
For handheld remote controls, the PIC16LF87-I/SO's nanoWatt sleep mode allows multi-year battery life on a single CR2032 cell. The 16 I/O pins are sufficient for keypad scanning with matrix decode, and the USART plus MSSP peripherals can drive a sub-GHz or BLE companion chip through SPI for RF transmission. Its 200 ns instruction cycle gives sub-microsecond response for button debouncing and to drive LED indicators or haptic feedback directly from GPIO. The 18-SOIC package is thin enough to fit inside a small fob enclosure with a side-mounted coin-cell holder.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
In small kitchen or personal-care appliances, the PIC16LF87-I/SO delivers sufficient Flash for state-machine control of heating elements, pumps, and user interfaces. Its 10-bit ADC enables accurate temperature and sensor feedback through simple resistor bridges, while the two analog comparators can detect zero-crossing for TRIAC or PWM dimming. With a 10 MHz oscillator and 5 MIPS throughput, the MCU can service multiple control loops in real time. The industrial -40 C to +85 C rating ensures stable operation in enclosed appliance housings where ambient temperatures can climb.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Module
Industrial 4-20 mA loop and sensor-transmitter modules benefit from the PIC16LF87-I/SO's 1.8 V minimum supply, allowing it to share a low-voltage rail derived from a 24 V loop through a linear regulator. The integrated 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor signals with adequate precision for process instrumentation, and the 256-byte EEPROM can store calibration coefficients in the field. Its wide -40 C to +85 C operating range supports outdoor and factory-floor installations. The MSSP peripherals handle I2C configuration EEPROMs and SPI DACs for output stage tuning.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
RGB or single-channel LED controllers using the PIC16LF87-I/SO can take advantage of its 8-bit and 16-bit timers to drive PWM dimming with high precision. The 10 MIPS throughput is sufficient to generate multiple PWM channels for color mixing and dim fade transitions. With its low supply voltage, the device is comfortable in low-voltage LED strips or USB-powered fixtures where efficiency matters. ICSP support allows in-field firmware updates after the lighting module is integrated, simplifying BOM versioning.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Toy / Hobby Project
Hobbyists and educational designers will find the PIC16LF87-I/SO's 35-instruction RISC set and free MPLAB X IDE easy to learn, while the SOIC-18 footprint fits most through-hole-to-SMD adapter boards. Its Flash and RAM are ample for sound playback tables, simple games, and robotic servo sequencing. The 1.8 V minimum supply enables use of inexpensive single-cell battery holders in maker kits. ICSP programming with just two I/O lines (PGC, PGD) simplifies bootloader-free prototyping.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Module
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16LF87-I/SO can be used in low-risk interior automotive accessories such as cabin mood lighting, USB-powered fan controllers, or auxiliary gauge modules. Its wide operating temperature range covers cabin environments, and its low supply range allows direct regulation from a 5 V USB rail. The USART enables diagnostics or firmware update via a virtual COM port. For safety-critical automotive systems an AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F or PIC18 counterpart should be substituted.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF87-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F87-I/SO | PIC16F88-I/SO | PIC16LF88-I/SO | PIC16LF88T-I/SO | PIC16F88T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| RAM | 368 B | 368 B | 384 B | 384 B | 384 B | 384 B |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Max Clock | 10 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) | 10 MHz (5 MIPS) | 10 MHz (5 MIPS) | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| 10-bit ADC | Yes (multi-channel) | Yes (multi-channel) | Yes (multi-channel) | Yes (multi-channel) | Yes (multi-channel) | Yes (multi-channel) |
| CCP/PWM Channels | 1 (CCP1) | 1 (CCP1) | 2 (CCP1+CCP2) | 2 (CCP1+CCP2) | 2 (CCP1+CCP2) | 2 (CCP1+CCP2) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage range in PIC16F87 family (vs PIC16F87-I/SO)
- Available Flash headroom for firmware growth (vs PIC16LF84A-I/SO)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF87T-I/SO (tape and reel))
- On-chip 8 MHz calibrated internal oscillator (vs External-only crystal designs)
- Wide SOIC-18 PIC ecosystem footprint (vs PIC16LF873A-I/SP (28-pin SPDIP))
Design Notes
Decouple Vdd with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the Vdd pin, and pair it with a bulk capacitor (10 uF or larger) at the regulator output. The PIC16LF87-I/SO has a 1.8 V to 3.6 V Vdd range, so the supply margin to a 3.3 V regulated rail must be at least 10 percent above the minimum to prevent brown-out resets during load transients. For battery-powered designs, use the internal 8 MHz oscillator and disable unused peripherals to reduce active current draw.
Always treat MCLR/Vpp (pin 1) with a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for noise immunity; floating MCLR is a common cause of spurious resets. When using ICSP, ensure PGC and PGD lines have series resistors (typically 4.7 kohm) and are not loaded with LEDs or pull-downs that exceed 25 mA sink. Configure unused I/O pins as outputs driven low to minimize current leakage through CMOS input structures.
The PIC16LF87-I/SO is rated for -40 C to +85 C industrial operation. In sealed enclosures, ensure ambient temperature inside the housing does not exceed 70 C to leave margin. The SOIC-18 package has a typical theta_JA of about 80 C/W, so self-heating from 25 mA I/O drive is negligible. Avoid placing the device adjacent to heat-generating components such as power resistors or linear regulators without a copper pour or thermal relief.
Route the analog AVdd reference path (if used with the 10-bit ADC) away from switching digital signals and add a small ferrite bead or 10 ohm resistor between Vdd and AVdd if available. Place the ICSP test points at the board edge in a single row to simplify programming during production. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric for external crystals, and add a guard ground ring around the crystal to reduce EMI.
When driving I2C or SPI buses above 400 kHz from the MSSP peripheral, use 4.7 kohm pull-ups for I2C and keep clock traces under 50 mm to avoid reflections. Series resistors of 22 to 33 ohm on SCK/SDO/SDI can help dampen ringing on long SPI traces. For RS-232-style USART operation at higher baud rates, place a shielded cable or RC snubber at the connector to suppress radiated EMI.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - use AEC-Q100 PIC16F or PIC18 variants for automotive safety-critical applications.
