PIC16LF88T-I/ML - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF88T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.2 | $2.20 |
| 10 | $2.05 | $20.50 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.65 | $825.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.45 | $1,450.00 |
PIC16LF88T-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), peripherals (ADC, timers, communication interfaces), and I/O on one die. PIC16-series MCUs sit in the 8-bit RISC tier of Microchip's PIC family, optimized for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded control tasks. Within the 8-bit category, PIC16 occupies the mid-range "F" family featuring 14-bit instruction words, hardware USART, and nanoWatt power management.
Key features of the PIC16LF88 include 20 MHz maximum operating frequency (200 ns instruction cycle), 16 I/O pins, 7 channels of 10-bit ADC with selectable references, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, an MSSP (I2C/SPI) module, an enhanced USART, a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, and nanoWatt Technology for low standby current. The device operates from 2.0 V to 5.5 V, suiting it to both 3.3 V and 5 V rails commonly found in industrial control loops.
The PIC16LF88T-I/ML uses an 18-pin-pinout-compatible PIC16 enhanced core with hardware multiplier, a 35-instruction set for compact C/assembly code, and In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) for in-system firmware updates. Its Flash memory supports >100,000 erase/write cycles and >40-year data retention, providing long-term field reliability.
Typical applications include industrial sensor conditioning, low-power remote sensor nodes, white-goods and appliance control, automotive body and lighting subsystems (non-safety), HVAC peripherals, and consumer electronics with simple human-machine interfaces.
Design with attention to decoupling: place 100 nF and 10 uF capacitors adjacent to VDD/AVDD and VSS pins. Configure unused I/O as outputs to minimize quiescent current, and leverage the nanoWatt sleep modes for battery-powered deployments.
This page consolidates real distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical engineering notes to help engineers select, source, and integrate the PIC16LF88T-I/ML with confidence.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF88T-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 PIC16LF88T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Maximum CPU Frequency, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF88-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF87T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF876AT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF876A-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF88T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 7 channels x 10-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Communication | 1 x USART, 1 x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Programming | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF88T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear (active-low reset) / Programming voltage / Digital input-only |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS/LVDIN — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 5 / SPI slave select / LVD input |
| Pin 8 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 9 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 11 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 13 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture-Compare-PWM 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 15 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 16 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 17 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 18 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART asynchronous transmit / synchronous clock |
| Pin 19 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART asynchronous receive / synchronous data |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 22 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 23 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 24 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 25 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / ICSP low-voltage programming entry |
| Pin 26 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 29 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - tie to VSS for thermal dissipation |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF88T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, White-Goods and Appliance Control, Automotive Body and Lighting, HVAC Peripheral Control, Consumer Electronics HMI.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16LF88T-I/ML is well-suited to industrial sensor signal conditioning and front-end processing in factory automation. Its 7-channel 10-bit ADC (with selectable internal references) reads thermocouple-conditioned, 4-20 mA, and 0-10 V analog signals directly, while the 20 MHz CPU executes moving-average or basic PID loops at 200 ns per instruction. The wide 2.0-5.5 V supply covers both 3.3 V and 24 V-derived rails (with external LDO), and the -40 to +85 C industrial rating tolerates cabinet thermal stress. Use the MSSP module to push digital readings to downstream PLCs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
The PIC16LF88T-I/ML fits battery-powered remote sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt Technology sleep currents, wide 2.0-5.5 V supply (matching two-AA Alkaline or single-cell Li-Ion rails), and 7 KB Flash for buffering wake-and-transmit firmware. With all peripherals disabled and the CPU in sleep, current drops to sub-microamp levels, enabling multi-year battery life on 2x AA cells. The integrated USART and MSSP drive LoRa, sub-GHz, or Wi-Fi companion modules. Designers wake on watchdog timer to sample, then return to sleep.
Recommended
White-Goods and Appliance Control
In washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and microwave ovens, the PIC16LF88T-I/ML provides responsive HMI and motor control at a competitive price. Its Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module drives triac phase-angle or zero-cross controls for AC loads, while the 16-bit timer implements tachometer feedback for motor-speed regulation. Seven ADC channels monitor temperature, level, and door-state sensors. The wide operating voltage and 16 robust I/O lines accommodate multiplexed key-scan inputs and 7-segment LED or LCD drive.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Lighting
For non-safety automotive body control (interior lighting, ambient LEDs, accessory modules), the PIC16LF88T-I/ML supplies 16 GPIO with PWM drive, an ADC for switch and potentiometer reading, and a USART/MSSP for LIN or CAN-derivative buses via external transceivers. Industrial temperature grade (-40 to +85 C) tolerates cabin and under-hood thermal stress, but AEC-Q100 qualification is not held by this part; safety-critical and AEC-Q100 modules require PIC16F88T-I/ML_Q variants or migration to PIC18K40 families.
Recommended
HVAC Peripheral Control
The PIC16LF88T-I/ML is widely adopted in HVAC peripherals such as smart thermostats, damper actuators, and fan controllers. Its 7-channel ADC reads temperature, humidity (with external sensor), and pressure signals, while the PWM output drives triac-controlled blower motors. ICSP allows in-system firmware updates during commissioning. With 7 KB Flash and 256 B EEPROM, designers store schedules, calibration constants, and last-state parameters across power cycles.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics HMI
In consumer devices such as coffee makers, audio mixers, and small kitchen appliances, the PIC16LF88T-I/ML delivers responsive HMI behavior. Its 16 GPIO drive multiplexed keypads, 7-segment or character LCDs, and rotary encoders; the Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module generates beeper tones and LED-dimming waveforms. USART and MSSP connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi companion chips for app control. Industrial temperature grade covers consumer environment stress.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF88T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF88-I/ML | PIC16F88T-I/ML | PIC16LF819-I/ML | PIC16LF876AT-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (ML, 6x6 mm) - same |
| Program Flash | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Minimum VDD | 2.0 V | 2.0 V | 4.0 V | 2.0 V | 2.0 V |
| ADC | 7 x 10-bit | 7 x 10-bit | 7 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 22 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial-grade temperature coverage from -40 to +85 C in 28-QFN (vs PIC16LF819-I/ML)
- Wide 2.0-5.5 V supply supports both 3.3 V and 5 V rails (vs PIC16F88T-I/ML)
- NanoWatt Technology with deep-sleep currents under 1 uA (vs PIC16LF876AT-I/ML)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD/AVDD with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pins and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board supply entry. Separate analog AVDD from digital VDD via a ferrite bead or small L-C filter to keep ADC noise low. For 2.0-3.6 V battery designs, use a low-Iq LDO such as MCP1700 (1.6 uA quiescent). Verify that the ICSP programming voltage on MCLR/VPP does not exceed VDD + 0.3 V when sharing a 5 V rail with sensors.
The 28-QFN exposed pad (EP) must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour of at least 25 mm^2 to meet datasheet thermal resistance (theta_JA ~ 39 C/W). For industrial enclosures with restricted airflow, extend the EP copper to the inner signal layers via thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 1.0 mm pitch). This is critical for designs operating near +85 C ambient.
Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5, RC1) short and guarded by analog ground; route the analog AVDD/AVSS pair as a dedicated analog island. Place the 20 MHz crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (RA6/RA7) with a ground guard ring. Avoid routing high-current switching traces beneath the crystal. Use Microchip's AN588 "PIC16F88 Hardware Design Tips" as the reference PCB layout.
Do not enable weak pull-ups on RB3 (PGM pin) during ICSP low-voltage programming - the programmer drives this line. Configure the comparator and CVREF modules off if unused to avoid additional quiescent draw (1-30 uA). When using ADC, allow >= 20 us acquisition time after channel switching. The CCP2 pin (RC1) is shared with T1OSI; do not enable Timer1 oscillator unless T1OSO (RC0) is also configured.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part is industrial-grade only (-40 to +85 C). Choose AEC-Q100 variants or PIC18K40 families for automotive safety-critical applications. Halogen-free per JEDEC JS709B.
