PIC18LF6720T-I/PT - 8-bit 25MHz 128KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF6720T-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.92 | $6.92 |
| 10 | $6.23 | $62.30 |
| 100 | $5.54 | $554.00 |
| 500 | $4.96 | $2,480.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.43 | $4,430.00 |
PIC18LF6720T-I/PT Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a compact, low-cost computing device built around Microchip's proprietary Harvard-architecture RISC core. The PIC18F family sits between the PIC16 mid-range series and the high-performance dsPIC33/PIC32 families, offering richer peripherals (CAN, USB, Ethernet, 12-bit ADC) and more memory than the PIC16 while retaining a simple instruction set. PIC MCUs integrate Flash program memory, SRAM, EEPROM, ADC, timers, communication peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C), and interrupt logic on a single die, making them the fundamental building block of embedded control systems.
Key features of the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT include a 25 MHz maximum CPU clock yielding up to 10 MIPS throughput, an on-chip 10-bit ADC with multiple channels, dual analog comparators, two UART modules, one MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripheral, two capture/compare/PWM modules, a 16-bit timer/counter, and three 8-bit timer/counters. The 'LF' series specifically supports extended low-voltage operation down to 2.0V, making it suited to 2-cell battery and energy-harvesting designs. The 64-pin TQFP exposes 52 I/O lines, providing generous headroom for parallel buses, keypads, and LCD interfaces.
Architecturally, the PIC18LF6720 uses a 16-bit instruction word with an 8-bit data path, an 8-level hardware stack, and separate program/data buses (Harvard architecture) that allow most instructions to execute in a single cycle. The Flash program memory is self-programmable under firmware control, enabling bootloader-based field updates. The instruction set is backward-compatible across the PIC18 family, so code developed for older PIC18F devices in the same pin-out migrates directly.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, building automation HVAC controllers, automotive body and instrument clusters (when used with the PIC18F variant), medical bedside monitors, consumer appliances, and USB/CAN gateway nodes. The wide voltage range and generous I/O count also make it a popular choice for legacy PIC18F6720 designs being qualified for the LF low-voltage rail.
A critical design consideration is matching the supply rail: the 'LF' variant is required when the system rail drops below 4.2V (e.g., 3.3V-only or two AA cells). Designers upgrading from the original PIC18F6720 to the LF variant must verify analog and peripheral specifications across the chosen VDD, as some ADC and Brown-out Reset thresholds shift between LF and F versions.
This page synthesizes distributor inventory, parametric alternatives, and design notes not consolidated in the Microchip datasheet alone, providing a faster engineering decision workflow.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF6720T-I/PT — 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 PIC18LF6720T-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, I/O Pins, ADC, Maximum CPU Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF6720-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF6722T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF6680T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6627T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6622T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46K40-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6720T-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Series | PIC 18F (PIC18LF) |
| Program Memory | 128 KB (64K x 16) Flash |
| RAM | 3840 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 25 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 52 |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ADC | 10-bit multi-channel |
| Communication Peripherals | 2x UART, 1x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Timers | 1x 16-bit + 3x 8-bit |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 2x CCP modules |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
PIC18LF6720T-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / ICSP programming voltage |
| 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 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / Oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 13 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB3/INT3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / External interrupt 3 / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB4/INT4 — PORTB bit 4 / External interrupt 4 |
| Pin 17 | RB5/INT5/CCP1 — PORTB bit 5 / External interrupt 5 / CCP1 I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 19 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 22 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 26 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 27 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — PORTC bit 6 / UART1 transmit / UART1 clock |
| Pin 29 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — PORTC bit 7 / UART1 receive / UART1 data |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 32 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 33 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 34 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 35 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 36 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 37 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 38 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 39 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 40 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 41 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 42 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port read control |
| Pin 43 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port write control |
| Pin 44 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port chip select |
| Pin 45 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 (digital-only) |
| Pin 46 | RF0/AN5 — PORTF bit 0 / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 47 | RF1/AN6 — PORTF bit 1 / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 48 | RF2/AN7 — PORTF bit 2 / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 49 | RF3/AN8 — PORTF bit 3 / Analog input 8 |
| Pin 50 | RF4/AN9 — PORTF bit 4 / Analog input 9 |
| Pin 51 | RF5/AN10/CVREF — PORTF bit 5 / Analog input 10 / Comparator VREF output |
| Pin 52 | RF6/AN11 — PORTF bit 6 / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 53 | RF7/AN12 — PORTF bit 7 / Analog input 12 |
| Pin 54 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 55 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 56 | RG0 — PORTG bit 0 |
| Pin 57 | RG1 — PORTG bit 1 |
| Pin 58 | RG2 — PORTG bit 2 |
| Pin 59 | RG3 — PORTG bit 3 |
| Pin 60 | RG4 — PORTG bit 4 |
| Pin 61 | RG5 — PORTG bit 5 |
| Pin 62 | OSC1/RA7 — Oscillator input (alternate) |
| Pin 63 | OSC2/RA6 — Oscillator output (alternate) |
| Pin 64 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF6720T-I/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Building Automation HVAC Controllers, Medical Bedside Monitors, Consumer Appliance Controllers, Automotive Body and Instrument Clusters, CAN Gateway and Protocol Bridge Nodes, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongles.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18LF6720T-I/PT's 52 I/O pins, 128 KB Flash, and 2.0-5.5 V operation make it well-suited to industrial control panel mainboards driving keypads, LED/LCD status displays, relay drivers, and Modbus RTU links. The LF variant covers both 24 V industrial rails stepped down to 5 V and 3.3 V logic levels without a separate part number, simplifying BOM. With 3840 bytes of RAM the MCU handles Modbus buffering, scan loops, and HMI state machines; the dual UART ports allow simultaneous connection to a master PLC and a local HMI terminal. Place 100 nF decoupling on each VDD/VSS pair near the TQFP-64 leads to suppress the relay-coil switching noise typical of panel cabinets.
Recommended
Building Automation HVAC Controllers
HVAC wall and rooftop controllers rely on the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT for sensor conditioning, setpoint scheduling, and Modbus/BACnet connectivity. The 10-bit ADC with multiple channels reads temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors simultaneously, while the dual Capture/Compare/PWM modules generate triac firing pulses for variable-speed fans. Operating from 2.0 V allows battery-backed RTC retention during power dips, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating covers unconditioned equipment rooms. The 128 KB Flash accommodates BACnet MS/TP protocol stacks plus application logic; 3840 bytes of RAM buffer scheduling tables and trend logs. Add a 32.768 kHz crystal on Timer1 for accurate time-of-day scheduling.
Recommended
Medical Bedside Monitors
The PIC18LF6720T-I/PT supports medical bedside monitoring subsystems that aggregate data from patient sensors and forward to a central display. Its 52 I/O pins scan keypads, drive status LEDs, and read SpO2/temperature/NIBP analog front-ends via the 10-bit ADC. The 25 MHz / 10 MIPS throughput handles waveform peak-detection and trend logging in firmware, while 3840 bytes of RAM buffer samples between uplink transmissions. The LF variant's 2.0 V minimum is useful for battery-backed operation during patient transport; industrial temperature rating covers cart-borne deployment. Use hardware CRC from the MSSP peripheral for data-packet integrity before forwarding to the central monitor.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controllers
White-goods control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, induction cooktops) deploy the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT as the main appliance MCU driving triac-based loads, sensor inputs, and user-interface keypads. The dual CCP/PWM modules generate zero-crossing triac firing pulses synchronized to the AC line, while the 10-bit ADC reads motor current and temperature sensors. With 128 KB Flash, the MCU fits full state-machine plus wash-cycle profiles; the 52 I/O pins interface directly to segmented LCDs, encoder dials, and buzzer drivers. Industrial temperature rating supports the high ambient inside appliance cabinets. Place a TVS diode across each AC-coupled input to survive inductive-load transients.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Instrument Clusters
For non-safety automotive body electronics (instrument clusters, HVAC heads, infotainment secondary controllers), the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT provides the I/O count and Flash budget needed to drive stepper gauges, status LEDs, and CAN/LIN gateways. The dual UART handles LIN master and K-line diagnostics simultaneously, while 52 I/O pins scan switches and drive segment displays. The LF variant supports 12 V battery-direct rails after a 5 V regulator; for safety-critical subsystems choose the PIC18F or dsPIC variants instead. Use the MSSP peripheral to drive a stepper-motor predriver and implement software CAN via bit-banging for low-speed body networks.
Recommended
CAN Gateway and Protocol Bridge Nodes
The PIC18LF6720T-I/PT acts as a CAN-to-UART, CAN-to-Modbus, or CAN-to-LIN gateway node in industrial and automation networks. With 128 KB Flash it accommodates CANopen or DeviceNet protocol stacks alongside user logic, and the 3840-byte RAM handles CAN message buffers for high-throughput traffic. The LF variant operates down to 2.0 V, enabling battery-backed store-and-forward gateways that survive line-power interruptions. The 52 I/O pins support status LEDs, configuration DIP switches, and auxiliary analog monitoring without an I/O expander. Place a 120-ohm termination resistor on each CAN_H/CAN_L pair and route the bus symmetrically around the MCU to maintain the differential signal integrity required by ISO 11898.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongles
Legacy serial-port replacement dongles pair the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT with a USB-serial bridge IC to add UART connectivity to modern hosts lacking DB-9 ports. The 25 MHz clock and 3840 byte RAM handle buffered UART bridging, while the 10-bit ADC monitors USB VBUS voltage and downstream load current. The LF variant's wide 2.0-5.5 V input lets one design support both USB-bus-powered (5 V) and 3.3 V logic-level targets. With 52 I/O pins the MCU also services GPIO-based handshaking, RTS/CTS flow control, and modem-status LEDs. Use the MSSP peripheral in SPI mode to interface to common USB-to-UART bridges such as the MCP2200 or MCP2221.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF6720T-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF6720-I/PT | PIC18LF6722T-I/PT | PIC18LF6680T-I/PT | PIC18LF6627T-I/PT | PIC18LF46K40-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB (-50%) | 64 KB (-50%) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 40 MHz (+60%) | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| UART Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) | Tray | Tape & Reel (TR) | Tape & Reel (TR) | Tape & Reel (TR) | Tray |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range in the LF variant, covering both 3.3 V and 5 V designs (vs PIC18F6720T-I/PT)
- Drop-in upgrade path with 40 MHz clock within the same TQFP-64 footprint (vs PIC18LF6722T-I/PT)
- Modern XLP nanoWatt technology option in same TQFP-64 footprint (vs PIC18LF46K40-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors on each VDD/VSS pair (6 VDD pins distributed around the 64-pin TQFP) as close as possible to the IC leads, with trace lengths under 3 mm. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic cap on the main supply rail near the MCU. The LF variant operates down to 2.0 V, so verify the LDO regulator headroom for full 25 MHz operation: at 2.0 V the maximum CPU frequency derates per the datasheet's DC characteristics chart. Use a supervisor IC (e.g., MCP130 or equivalent) on MCLR for brown-out protection in industrial environments.
The 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) has 0.5 mm pitch pins - use a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane beneath the device to control impedance and provide thermal spreading. Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2 or RA6/RA7) symmetrically with grounded guard traces and keep them under 10 mm; place the crystal within 5 mm of the MCU. Avoid routing switching power traces beneath the MCU or the analog-input pins (AN0-AN12) to minimize coupled noise on ADC readings. Tie unused I/O pins to VDD or VSS in software to minimize switching current and EMI.
A common migration mistake is substituting the PIC18LF6720T-I/PT (LF) into a PIC18F6720T-I/PT (F) socket when the system rail is below 4.2 V: while the LF device operates down to 2.0 V, the F device does not, and the system may Brown-Out-Reset unexpectedly. Conversely, designers moving from LF to F without adjusting the LDO may lose 2.0-4.2 V operation. Always confirm the silicon revision against the device errata sheet, as the PIC18F6720 family has historically had ADC and PLL errata; consult Microchip's silicon errata documents by device marking. When programming in-circuit, ensure no load on PGC/PGD (RB6/RB7) exceeds 50 pF to avoid ICSP failures.
The PIC18LF6720T-I/PT in 64-pin TQFP has a typical thermal resistance of around 50 C/W theta-JA on a 4-layer JEDEC test board. At 25 MHz / 5 V active current around 15 mA, self-heating is negligible (75 mW). However, in sleep mode with peripherals running (timer, ADC), idle current of 5-10 uA keeps the part near ambient. For sealed enclosures without airflow, derate ambient temperature budget by 5-10 C to account for self-heating plus enclosure thermal rise.
Compliance Information
RoHS3 compliant per Microchip product documentation (Microchip USA listing, accessed 2026-09-29). Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose the PIC18F automotive variant for safety-critical subsystems. REACH/halogen-free/conflict-mineral declarations available on the Microchip product environmental compliance page.
