PIC16LF88-I/ML - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 368B RAM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF88-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.43 | $5.43 |
| 10 | $4.92 | $49.20 |
| 100 | $4.38 | $438.00 |
| 500 | $3.85 | $1,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.41 | $3,410.00 |
PIC16LF88-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, peripheral set and I/O pins into a single package. PIC microcontrollers specifically use a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, which is why a 14-bit wide program word can coexist with an 8-bit data path. Within the broader power management hierarchy, this part sits inside the Microcontrollers category, which is a sub-family of Integrated Circuits used in embedded control. The LF88 family is optimized for low-power applications via Microchip's nanoWatt technology, with multiple power-managed modes that drop current consumption into the nanoamp range when peripherals are gated off.
Key features include 10-bit ADC with up to 7 channels, a 10-bit PWM module, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, a USART with LIN support, an MSSP module for SPI/I2C, an internal 8 MHz oscillator (31 kHz to 8 MHz selectable), and 16 digital I/O pins with individual interrupt-on-change capability. The 28-QFN package with exposed pad supports extended industrial temperature operation from -40 C to +85 C (industrial grade marked by the I suffix).
Internally the PIC16LF88 uses a 14-bit instruction word and an 8-level deep hardware stack. Its ADC can be clocked from a dedicated RC oscillator for noise-immune conversions, and the PWM module supports enhanced PWM modes with programmable dead-band control. The integrated synchronous serial port (MSSP) handles both I2C master/slave and SPI master/slave, while the AUSART provides RS-232 / RS-485 framing with a 9-bit address detect mode useful for multi-drop sensor networks.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, industrial control modules, battery-powered instrumentation, simple motor control and white-goods user interfaces. Its small QFN footprint and nanoWatt sleep modes also make it a common choice for handheld measurement devices.
When designing with the PIC16LF88-I/ML, ensure that the exposed pad on the underside of the QFN is soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour for thermal dissipation and for the chip's ground reference. A 100 nF decoupling capacitor must be placed within 3 mm of the VDD pin, and the MCLR pin should be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor unless an external reset supervisor is used.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, verified same-brand and cross-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet summary to help engineers select the right MCU variant.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF88-I/ML — 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 PIC16LF88-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F88-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF88T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF88-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF88-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1938-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF872-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF88-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle, 5 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 7 channels |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit resolution, up to 3 channels (with ECCP) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | AUSART (RS-232/RS-485/LIN), MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz, software-selectable 31 kHz to 8 MHz |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (ML) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial grade, I suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF88-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC voltage reference positive |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — Digital I/O / Analog input 5 / SPI slave select / High-low voltage detect input |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O / Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O / Oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT/CCP1 — Digital I/O / External interrupt / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 9 | RB1/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 10 | RB2/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 11 | RB3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RB4/PGM — Digital I/O / Low-voltage ICSP programming |
| Pin 13 | RB5/PGM — Digital I/O / Low-voltage ICSP programming |
| Pin 14 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock / ICD clock |
| Pin 15 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data / ICD data |
| Pin 16 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 17 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 18 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 20 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 21 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 22 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / AUSART transmit / AUSART clock |
| Pin 23 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / AUSART receive / AUSART data |
| Pin 24 | RA0/AN0/ULPWU — Digital I/O / Analog input 0 / Ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 25 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 26 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / ADC voltage reference negative |
| Pin 27 | MCLR/VPP/RA5 — Master clear reset / Programming voltage / Digital I/O (shared with RA5) |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground for thermal and electrical reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF88-I/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Industrial RS-485 Sensor Transceiver, White-Goods User Interface Controller, Handheld Measurement Instrument, I2C Sensor Hub, Automotive Interior Lighting Controller, Simple Stepper Motor Indexer.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF88-I/ML fits battery-powered sensor nodes because of its 2.0 V minimum supply voltage, sub-1 uA nanoWatt sleep current, and integrated 10-bit ADC with 7 input channels. A typical 3 V lithium coin cell can run the LF88 in sleep mode for years, waking periodically to sample a thermistor or load cell. Its 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the external crystal, reducing BOM cost, while the 7 KB Flash is sufficient for sensor-fusion code and wireless-driver state machines.
Recommended
Industrial RS-485 Sensor Transceiver
The PIC16LF88-I/ML's AUSART module supports RS-485 framing with 9-bit address detect, allowing multiple sensor nodes to share a single twisted-pair bus. Its 16-bit timer provides precise baud-rate generation at 9600/19200/115200 baud, and the 256-byte EEPROM can store calibration coefficients that persist across power cycles. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range lets the LF88 operate inside unheated enclosures near motors or pumps.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interface Controller
In a dishwasher or washing-machine user interface the PIC16LF88-I/ML drives a small 7-segment display, scans a capacitive keypad, and runs a brushed DC motor via PWM. Its three PWM outputs can drive the motor at up to 20 kHz switching frequency, while interrupt-on-change on PORTB wakes the MCU immediately when a key is pressed. The exposed-pad QFN package handles the modest thermal dissipation inside a sealed appliance enclosure.
Recommended
Handheld Measurement Instrument
The PIC16LF88-I/ML suits handheld digital multimeters, clamp meters and insulation testers because its 2.0 V low-voltage operation lets it run from two AAA cells via a boost converter, while the internal 8 MHz oscillator eliminates the external crystal. Its 7 KB Flash holds the RMS conversion routine and LCD driver state machine, and the integrated 10-bit ADC with dedicated RC oscillator provides clean readings in electrically noisy switchgear.
Recommended
I2C Sensor Hub
The PIC16LF88-I/ML acts as an I2C sensor hub that aggregates readings from multiple temperature, humidity and pressure sensors via its MSSP module. Its 368 bytes of RAM buffer sensor data before forwarding the aggregated packet over AUSART to a host processor. The internal pull-ups on PORTB reduce external component count, and the nanoWatt sleep modes keep idle current under 1 uA when the host is off.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting Controller
Although the standard PIC16LF88-I/ML is industrial grade, the same die is used in automotive ambient-light modules operating below +85 C cabin temperatures. Its three PWM channels drive RGB LED strips with software-controlled dimming curves, and the AUSART receives LIN-bus commands from the body controller. For under-hood or AEC-Q100 designs, Microchip's PIC16F88-E/ML or PIC16LF88T-I/ML variants are recommended.
Recommended
Simple Stepper Motor Indexer
The PIC16LF88-I/ML can sequence a unipolar stepper motor via four GPIO pins, using its 16-bit timer to generate precise step pulses at variable rates for acceleration and deceleration ramps. The 7 KB Flash stores a non-linear speed profile table, and the 256-byte EEPROM retains the last commanded position across power cycles. Its 2.0 V low-voltage operation is useful in portable indexing or valve-control instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF88-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F88-I/ML | PIC16LF88T-I/ML | PIC16LF819-I/ML | PIC16F1938-I/ML | PIC16LF872-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-QFN (ML) | 28-SOIC |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 16 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 1024 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Minimum Supply Voltage | 2.0 V | 4.0 V | 2.0 V | 2.0 V | 1.8 V | 2.0 V |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 20 MHz / 5 MIPS |
| ADC | 10-bit, 7 channels | 10-bit, 7 channels | 10-bit, 7 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 25 | 16 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum supply voltage in the PIC16F88 family (vs PIC16F88-I/ML)
- Sub-microamp nanoWatt sleep current (vs PIC16F1938-I/ML)
- Surface-mount QFN package with exposed pad (vs PIC16LF88-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz CPU and full I/O toggle on 16 pins, the PIC16LF88-I/ML draws roughly 13 mA at 5 V. The 28-QFN with exposed pad has a typical theta_JA of about 40 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC test board. Junction temperature rise is therefore roughly 0.5 C above ambient, well inside the 125 C absolute maximum. For enclosed industrial enclosures with restricted airflow, solder the exposed pad to a copper pour of at least 50 mm^2 to keep junction temperature under 95 C.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 7), plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor close to the package. Route the exposed pad (pin 28) directly to a low-impedance ground pour, using at least 4 thermal vias to the inner ground plane. Keep the MCLR pin pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor unless a dedicated reset supervisor is used, and ensure ICSP programming lines RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD are not loaded with series resistors greater than 4.7 kohm.
The PIC16LF88-I/ML differs from the PIC16F88-I/ML only in minimum supply voltage (2.0 V vs 4.0 V); a design running above 4 V can use either. Below 4 V, only the LF variant works. Do not rely on the internal 8 MHz oscillator for AUSART baud rates above 57600 baud - the internal oscillator accuracy is roughly +/- 2% over industrial temperature, which exceeds the 0.5% needed for 115200 baud. Use an external crystal or resonator when higher baud rates are required.
For I2C operation above 400 kHz, ensure SDA and SCL trace lengths stay under 50 mm and add 4.7 kohm pull-ups to VDD rather than the PORTB weak pull-ups. The MSSP module supports both 100 kHz Standard-mode and 400 kHz Fast-mode I2C, but the SCL line slew rate depends heavily on the external pull-up resistor value. Keep analog and digital traces separated by at least 3 mm on the PCB to avoid ADC crosstalk during simultaneous conversions.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; automotive designs should use the PIC16LF88T-I/ML with extended temperature screening. Halogen-free status not stated in available data.
