PIC16LF87-I/SS - 7KB Flash 8-bit MCU 16 I/O SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF87-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.12 | $4.12 |
| 10 | $3.72 | $37.20 |
| 100 | $3.18 | $318.00 |
| 500 | $2.71 | $1,355.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.35 | $2,350.00 |
PIC16LF87-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and configurable I/O peripherals. Microcontrollers in the PIC16 family occupy the mid-range tier of Microchip's product hierarchy (PIC10/12 baseline -> PIC16 mid-range -> PIC18/PIC24 enhanced -> dsPIC/PIC32 16/32-bit). They belong to the broader power management and embedded control category that bridges discrete logic and full microprocessors, and they are typically deployed in products that need deterministic real-time response without an operating system.
Key features of the PIC16LF87 include 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, 16 digital I/O pins, NanoWatt Technology for sub-microamp sleep currents, and three timer modules supporting capture, compare, and PWM. The part integrates a USART with support for RS-485/RS-232, an MSSP module capable of SPI and I2C (master/slave), and an 8-channel 10-bit ADC. Self-programming capability under firmware control supports in-field firmware upgrades without external programmers.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF87 uses a Harvard RISC core with 35 single-word instructions, an 8-level hardware stack, and dual pointer indirect addressing modes. The 14-bit instruction word delivers compact code density, and the integrated nanoWatt power management provides several low-power sleep modes (SLEEP, idle, and peripheral disable) that drop quiescent current to the sub-microamp range, enabling years of operation from a single coin cell. The 10MHz oscillator combined with the 4:1 instruction-pipeline divider yields an effective 2.5 MIPS throughput.
Typical applications include handheld instrumentation, remote sensor nodes, low-cost motor control (small DC fans, solenoids), appliance user-interface boards, smart battery packs, and 4-20mA loop-powered industrial transmitters. The wide operating voltage allows direct connection to 3.3V or 5V rails, and the 16 I/O lines comfortably drive keypads, LED indicators, character LCDs, and small sensor bridges.
When designing with this part, reserve one I/O line for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) so firmware can be updated on the production line or in the field. Place the 0.1uF VDD decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the supply pin and route the MCLR pin through the recommended 10kohm pull-up to ensure reliable reset behavior across temperature.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, exact-mechanical SSOP-20 footprint data, drop-in PIC16 family alternatives, and practical design notes that are not consolidated in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF87-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 PIC16LF87-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, ADC, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F87-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF870-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF872-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF76-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF767-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/SS
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF87-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication Interfaces | USART (RS-232/RS-485), MSSP (SPI / I2C master and slave) |
| PWM Outputs | Yes (via CCP module) |
| NanoWatt Power Management | Yes (multiple low-power sleep modes) |
| Self-Programming | Yes (Flash program memory) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF87-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS — Digital I/O / analog input / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 9 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 10 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART async transmit / sync clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART async receive / sync data |
| Pin 19 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF87-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Handheld Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Industrial 4-20 mA Loop-Powered Sensor Transmitters, Small Appliance and White-Goods Control Boards, Remote Wireless Sensor Nodes (Sub-GHz / LoRa Front Ends), Automotive Interior Accessories and Aftermarket Modules, Smart Battery Pack Management (1S Li-Ion / Li-Po), User Interface Boards for Test and Measurement Equipment.
Handheld Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16LF87-I/SS suits handheld battery instruments because its 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range matches 3 V coin cells and 3.3 V regulated rails, while NanoWatt sleep currents below 1 uA extend runtime into months or years. The 16 I/O pins directly drive keypads, character LCDs, and piezo buzzers without external glue logic. The 10-bit ADC samples up to eight analog signals from bridges and thermistors with adequate resolution for industrial-grade readings, and the MSSP I2C bus connects to digital sensors and EEPROM memory with no extra interface IC.
Recommended
Industrial 4-20 mA Loop-Powered Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16LF87-I/SS operates from the 4 mA loop bias through an external LDO, and its sub-microamp NanoWatt sleep current leaves almost all loop current budget for the sensor front end. The 10-bit ADC and PGA front end capture low-level bridge signals from pressure and strain sensors, while the USART drives a HART modem or isolated RS-485 link. The industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature grade tolerates outdoor field cabinets, and the SSOP-20 footprint reduces board area for compact in-head transmitter housings.
Recommended
Small Appliance and White-Goods Control Boards
The PIC16LF87-I/SS powers appliance controls because its 7 KB Flash stores menu logic, fault handlers, and EEPROM-backed user settings, while the 256-byte EEPROM holds last-mode memory across power cycles. The CCP/PWM modules drive TRIAC phase-angle controls or low-side MOSFET gates for washing machine valves, pumps, and fan motors. Sixteen I/O lines interface keypads, seven-segment displays, and door interlocks, while the USART enables diagnostic service ports for factory and field firmware updates.
Recommended
Remote Wireless Sensor Nodes (Sub-GHz / LoRa Front Ends)
The PIC16LF87-I/SS sits between a low-power radio module and the sensor in remote wireless nodes, waking on a timer interrupt to read the sensor, transmit, and return to NanoWatt sleep. With 368 bytes of RAM, the MCU buffers small AT command frames and sample histories without external memory. The 2.0 V minimum Vdd allows direct connection to energy-harvested supplies and 3.6 V lithium-thionyl chloride primaries. The USART in low-power mode supports radio modules from multiple vendors.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories and Aftermarket Modules
The PIC16LF87-I/SS drives interior accessories like ambient lighting controllers, headrest displays, and seat heaters where full AEC-Q100 qualification is not mandatory. Its 16 I/O pins handle multiple LED drivers via Charlieplexing and read switch panels across the cabin. The 7 KB Flash and 368 B RAM support state machines for fade-in/fade-out lighting and capacitive touch through the MSSP I2C bus. Designers wanting automotive grade should note that the I-grade PIC16LF87-I/SS is industrial-grade, not AEC-Q100 qualified.
Recommended
Smart Battery Pack Management (1S Li-Ion / Li-Po)
The PIC16LF87-I/SS serves as the pack-side microcontroller in single-cell lithium packs that integrate fuel gauging, protection, and a SMBus or I2C interface to the host charger. Its 2.0 V-5.5 V range tolerates direct cell connection through a regulator, while the 10-bit ADC monitors cell voltage, charge current, and thermistor temperature with sufficient resolution for coulomb counting. The 256-byte EEPROM stores cycle counts and learned battery parameters across years of service.
Recommended
User Interface Boards for Test and Measurement Equipment
The PIC16LF87-I/SS hosts user interface panels on bench instruments, driving rotary encoders, keypads, and graphic LCDs while leaving the measurement core DSP untouched. The 16 I/O pins plus MSSP and USART provide flexible connectivity to host processors via SPI, I2C, or RS-232, and the 10-bit ADC reads front-panel trimpots for hardware calibration. SSOP-20 keeps the front-panel board slim, and the industrial temperature range matches laboratory and light-industrial environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF87-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F87-I/SS | PIC16LF870-I/SS | PIC16LF872-I/SS | PIC16LF76-I/SS | PIC16LF767-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 368 B | 368 B | 368 B | 128 B | 368 B | 368 B |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Drop-in Compatibility | Reference | Yes (5V-only) | Yes (best match) | Yes (lower RAM) | Yes (larger Flash) | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage LF variant in SSOP-20 family (vs PIC16F87-I/SS)
- Best SSOP-20 memory match within voltage range (vs PIC16LF872-I/SS)
- Upgrade path to larger Flash memory in same footprint (vs PIC16LF76-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 20, and add a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the supply rail. The PIC16LF87-I/SS draws brief current spikes during Flash programming and ADC conversions, so a low-ESR bulk cap prevents VDD droops that could trigger brown-out resets. For battery applications, place a ferrite bead or small resistor in series with the supply to limit inrush during sleep-to-active transitions.
Reserve RA5/AN5/SS (pin 6) and RC4/RC5/RC3 (pins 14-16) for the ICSP interface if in-circuit programming is desired on production boards. The Microchip programming specification mandates isolation resistors in the ICSP lines when these pins are shared with application circuitry. Keeping analog signals on RA0-RA3 (with their analog VREF+ on RA3) avoids contention with the digital programming bus during firmware updates.
Do not confuse the LF (low-voltage) variant with the standard F variant when designing supplies below 4 V. The PIC16F87-I/SS only operates down to 4.0 V, while the PIC16LF87-I/SS works down to 2.0 V. Substituting an F part in a 3.3 V design causes POR failure and Flash programming errors. Also note that the MCLR pin must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; floating MCLR leads to intermittent resets in noisy environments.
When using the ADC, drive analog inputs with source impedance below 2.5 kohm to avoid gain errors from the sample-and-hold capacitor. Add an external 100 nF capacitor on heavily-loaded analog pins and use the on-chip AN3/VREF+ pin as the positive reference for ratiometric measurements. Avoid routing digital lines (RC3-RC5) directly under analog traces on the PCB; this couples switching noise into ADC readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16LF87-I/SS only for industrial/consumer designs, not automotive safety-critical applications.
