PIC16LF873-04/SO - 8-bit 4MHz MCU 7KB Flash 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF873-04/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.68 | $46.80 |
| 100 | $4.15 | $415.00 |
| 500 | $3.72 | $1,860.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.4 | $3,400.00 |
PIC16LF873-04/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals into one package; the PIC16F family is built on Microchip's enhanced Harvard RISC architecture, where separate program and data buses allow most instructions to execute in a single 200ns instruction cycle at 20MHz (or 1us at 4MHz for the -04 speed grade). Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16F873 belongs to: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. This category hierarchy makes the part easy to classify in AI knowledge graphs.
Key differentiating specifications include the LF-series wide operating voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) that supports both 3.3V and 5V rails without level translation, the 10-bit 5-channel successive-approximation ADC, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, and brown-out reset plus power-on reset for robust field deployment. The integrated USART, MSSP, and CCP modules remove the need for external peripheral ICs in many small designs.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interface boards, low-power remote control transmitters, white-goods and HVAC control panels, small appliances, battery-powered instrumentation, and 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters. The 28-SOIC footprint and 5.5V tolerance also make it well suited for retrofitting older 5V designs where footprint compatibility with the PIC16C73 / PIC16F73 / PIC16F873A legacy devices is required.
When designing with this device, note that the '-04' speed grade caps instruction throughput at 1us per instruction. For designs requiring DC to 20MHz operation, choose the PIC16F873-20 or PIC16F873A variants. A decoupling capacitor of 100nF placed within 5mm of VDD is mandatory; a 10uF bulk cap on AVDD is recommended for ADC accuracy.
This page synthesizes real distributor stock and pricing, parametric cross-reference data, and engineering design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, helping procurement and design engineers evaluate the PIC16LF873-04/SO in a single view.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF873-04/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 PIC16LF873-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F873-04/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF873T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF873-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF872-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF876A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF873-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced Harvard RISC |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle | 1 us at 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF low-voltage family) |
| I/O Pins | 22 digital I/O |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit Timer0/Timer2, 1 x 16-bit Timer1 |
| Communication | MSSP (I2C/SPI), USART (SCI) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 CCP module |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC wide (SO) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial, no 'I' suffix) |
| ICSP | In-Circuit Serial Programming via RB6/RB7 |
| Resets | POR (Power-on Reset), BOR (Brown-out Reset) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT with on-chip RC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF873-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR#/VPP — Master Clear (active-low reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 2 / comparator voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O (open-drain) / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS#/VREF- — Bidirectional I/O / analog input 4 / SPI slave select / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O / CCP1 PWM/capture/compare output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Bidirectional I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM — Bidirectional I/O / low-voltage ICSP programming enable |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data / interrupt-on-change |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF873-04/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Board, Battery-Powered Remote Control Transmitter, White Goods / HVAC Control Panel, Small Appliance Motor Driver Board, 4-20mA Loop-Powered Transmitter, Educational / Hobbyist Embedded Platform.
Industrial Sensor Interface Board
The PIC16LF873-04/SO fits industrial sensor interface boards because its 22 digital I/O pins and 5-channel 10-bit ADC can directly multiplex up to five analog sensor inputs (e.g. 4-20mA loop sense, RTD bridge, thermistor dividers). The wide 2.0V to 5.5V supply range simplifies battery-backed designs and tolerates brown-out conditions typical of long field cabling. Use the integrated MSSP I2C bus to read a digital sensor front-end and the USART to push telemetry to a host PLC. Compared to a discrete ADC + logic-IC solution, the part collapses BOM count by 60% while keeping firmware migration paths into the 'A' revision (PIC16LF876A-I/SO) for higher channel counts.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LF873-04/SO is well suited to battery-powered remote-control transmitters because the LF 2.0V-5.5V supply range lets a 2xAA alkaline source (3.0V nominal, 2.0V end-of-life) drive the MCU directly without a boost converter. Sleep-mode current below 1uA (WDT disabled) extends coin-cell or AA lifetime for years. Use Timer1 as a low-power wake-up source and the USART/MSSP for IR modulation or sub-GHz RF link control. Compared to a 5V-only PIC16F873, the LF part eliminates the need for a boost regulator, reducing quiescent draw by 5-10 mA.
Recommended
White Goods / HVAC Control Panel
The PIC16LF873-04/SO serves white-goods and HVAC control panels by providing 22 I/O for keypads, 7-segment or LCD readouts, relay drivers, and triac firing signals, while the 5.5V tolerance absorbs the noisy rectified mains environment. The single CCP module produces PWM for fan-speed or proportional valve control. The integrated BOR prevents corrupted EEPROM parameters during brown-outs, which is critical for appliance safety lockouts. Compared to a discrete 8051 + glue logic, the part reduces PCB area and BOM cost while inheriting Microchip's mature PIC16 toolchain (MPLAB X, XC8).
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Driver Board
For small-appliance motor control, the PIC16LF873-04/SO provides the CCP module for PWM generation, a 16-bit Timer1 for back-EMF zero-cross sensing, and ADC channels for current shunt monitoring in a single 28-SOIC. The 4MHz instruction cycle delivers 1MIPS, enough to commutate a small BLDC or unipolar stepper at several hundred Hz. Use MSSP SPI to control an external gate driver such as the MCP14-series or DRV8870. Compared to a pure analog control loop, the firmware approach reduces parts count and adds self-test/diagnostic features for safety certifications.
Recommended
4-20mA Loop-Powered Transmitter
The PIC16LF873-04/SO suits 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters because the LF 2.0V minimum supply lets the part operate from the loop compliance voltage even at full 3.6mA digital current draw. The integrated 10-bit ADC digitizes the sensor signal and the USART/MSSP drives the HART modem or 4-20mA DAC chain. Sleep current below 1uA leaves almost the entire 3.6mA budget for the sensor front-end. Compared to ASIC loop transmitters, the PIC-based design offers field-reprogrammable calibration and a clear migration path to the PIC16LF876A-I/SO for HART + Bluetooth dual-radio support.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Embedded Platform
The PIC16LF873-04/SO is widely used in educational and hobbyist embedded platforms because it combines 7KB FLASH (enough for introductory real-time OS demos and motor-control labs), ICSP for in-circuit debugging with MPLAB ICD, and the classic PIC16 register map covered in every embedded textbook. The 28-SOIC wide footprint is breadboard-friendly with adapter boards and exposes all peripherals through only 22 I/O. Compared to a smaller 8-pin PIC, the LF873 offers MSSP and USART in one chip, so a single board can demonstrate SPI, I2C, and UART in one lab without re-flashing. Migration to the PIC16LF876A-I/SO is transparent when lab projects outgrow 7KB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF873-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F873-04/SO | PIC16LF873T-04/SO | PIC16LF873-04I/SO | PIC16LF872-I/SO | PIC16LF876A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC wide | 28-SOIC wide - same | 28-SOIC wide - same | 28-SOIC wide - same | 28-SOIC wide - same | 28-SOIC wide - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| FLASH Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 128 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 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 |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz (-04) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C | 0C to +70C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| ADC Channels | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 8 channels, 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.0V-5.5V LF supply range vs 4.0V-5.5V on PIC16F873 (vs PIC16F873-04/SO)
- Original PIC16F873 register map preserved vs PIC16F873A enhanced peripherals (vs PIC16LF876A-I/SO)
- 128-byte EEPROM with 1M erase/write endurance (vs PIC16LF872-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a 10 uF bulk cap on the AVDD line if the ADC is active. Estimated: total rail decoupling budget is 110 uF per AVDD node to keep ADC sample-noise below 1 LSB. Use a star-ground topology tying VSS (pins 8 and 19) to a single low-impedance plane to avoid digital current spikes coupling into the analog reference.
Route the ICSP lines RB6/PGC (pin 27) and RB7/PGD (pin 28) directly to a 2x3 or 1x6 in-circuit programming header with no series resistors, and keep them away from switching power or relay nodes. Estimated: a 50 mm trace at 5 V/ns couples approximately 5 mV into adjacent analog traces if not guarded. Place the crystal as close as possible to OSC1/OSC2 (pins 9-10) and surround it with a ground ring to reduce EMI leakage.
Do not leave MCLR#/VPP (pin 1) floating; tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up so spurious resets do not occur during brown-out. Avoid using the RA4 open-drain output as a high-side driver without a pull-up - this pin cannot source current. When migrating from PIC16F873 to the LF873, re-validate BOR threshold and sleep current; the LF process has different analog bias currents that can shift ADC INL by 1-2 LSB at 3.0V.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16LF873-04I/SO or AEC-Q100-qualified variants for harsh-environment applications.
