PIC16F870-I/SP - 8-bit MCU 20MHz 3.5KB Flash 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F870-I/SP β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.43 | $5.43 |
| 10 | $4.9 | $49.00 |
| 25 | $4.66 | $116.50 |
| 100 | $4.2 | $420.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.6 | $3,600.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F870-I/SP β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F876-I/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873-I/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F872-I/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88-I/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F870-E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F870-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM Size | 64 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| ADC Channels | 5 |
| Communication Interfaces | USART |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 with CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (through-hole, 0.3 inch width) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| In-Circuit Debug | ICD supported |
| Self Programming | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F870-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear reset / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β Port A bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β Port A bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β Port A bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3 β Port A bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β Port A bit 4 (open drain) / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4 β Port A bit 5 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO β Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI β Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 β Port C bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3 β Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 β Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX β Port C bit 6 / USART transmit |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX β Port C bit 7 / USART receive |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive power supply (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC β Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock, interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD β Port B bit 7 / ICSP data, interrupt-on-change |
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
PIC16F870-I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Serial Communication Bridges, Sensor Interfacing and Data Logging, Motor Control and PWM Actuator Drive, Consumer Appliance Control, Education and Prototyping.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16F870-I/SP fits industrial control nodes where a 20 MHz RISC core, 22 I/O pins, and -40C to +85C industrial temperature rating are sufficient. The 10-bit ADC with 5 channels reads analog setpoints from potentiometers and sensors, while the CCP module generates PWM for actuator drive. The 2K x 14 word flash program space accommodates typical ladder-logic-style state machines, and in-system flash programming allows field firmware updates without desoldering, reducing maintenance downtime in control panels.
Recommended
Serial Communication Bridges
With its built-in USART on RC6/TX and RC7/RX, the PIC16F870-I/SP acts as a protocol converter or RS-232/RS-485 bridge between a PC or PLC and peripheral devices. The 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz sustains robust bit-banged secondary protocols alongside hardware UART operation. The 64-byte EEPROM stores node addresses and configuration through power cycles, and 5V CMOS I/O levels interface directly with legacy industrial serial transceivers, simplifying integration with existing equipment.
Recommended
Sensor Interfacing and Data Logging
The 5-channel 10-bit ADC (AN0-AN4 on port A) digitizes temperature, pressure, and light sensors directly without an external converter, providing 1024-count resolution adequate for monitoring applications. The 64-byte data EEPROM, rated for high erase/write cycles per the DS30569B datasheet, logs calibration constants and threshold events. The device operates from 2.0V, allowing direct battery supply coupling, and sleep mode between samples extends battery life in remote data-loggers.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Actuator Drive
The CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) module on RC2/CCP1 generates up to 10-bit PWM output for DC motor speed control, LED dimming, and servo positioning, while Timer1 capture input measures external pulse timing for feedback. Running at 20 MHz, the PWM resolution reaches approximately 10-bit at low carrier frequencies typical of motor drive. The 200 ns instruction cycle supports closed-loop control loops executing PID firmware inside a few hundred microseconds, sufficient for fan and pump applications.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
Home appliances such as coffee makers, fans, and small heaters benefit from the PIC16F870-I/SP's combination of low cost, 5V operation, through-hole 28-SPDIP package for repairable boards, and robust flash endurance. Port B weak pull-ups simplify capacitive or mechanical key interfaces with interrupt-on-change on RB4-RB7, and the 10-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors for temperature regulation. The USART also enables connectivity to display modules or smart-home bridges in upgraded appliance designs.
Recommended
Education and Prototyping
The PIC16F870-I/SP is a classic teaching device: its 35-instruction RISC set, 28-pin through-hole SPDIP package, and breadboard-friendly 0.3-inch width make it ideal for embedded systems coursework and rapid prototyping. The In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) support allows step-by-step debugging with low-cost PICkit tools using just five pins (MCLR, VDD, VSS, PGD, PGC). Abundant legacy documentation, application notes, and community code reduce the learning curve compared with modern ARM-based parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F870-I/SP β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F876-I/SP | PIC16F873-I/SP | PIC16F872-I/SP | PIC16F88-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-PDIP - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 3.5KB (2K x 14) | 14KB (8K x 14) | 4KB (4K x 14) | 3.5KB (2K x 14) | 7KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 368 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 64 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 64 bytes | 256 bytes |
| USART | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| MSSP (SPI/I2C) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (+ internal osc) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Unit Price (1 pc, as of 2026-08-29) | ~$5.43 | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost entry point of the flash PIC16 28-pin family (vs PIC16F876-I/SP)
- USART retained at minimal memory size (vs PIC16F872-I/SP)
- Extended temperature variant available (vs PIC16F870-E/SP)
- Through-hole SPDIP simplifies prototyping vs SMD MCUs (vs PIC16F88-I/SP (same family))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor directly across VDD (pin 20) and VSS (pins 8/19), as close to the pins as possible; for through-hole prototyping, use a socket with short traces. Keep the oscillator crystals (XT/HS mode) within 1 cm of OSC1/OSC2 with ground guard traces. The PIC16F870/871 datasheet DS30569B recommends this layout for oscillator stability at 20 MHz.
Tie MCLR (pin 1) to VDD through a 10k resistor to prevent spurious resets; never leave it floating. For ICSP, use the standard 5-wire header (MCLR, VDD, VSS, RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) and ensure series resistors isolate programming from in-circuit loads on RB6/RB7. RA4 is open-drain only - it needs an external pull-up resistor and cannot source current.
The device operates from 2.0V to 5.5V, but flash write and EEPROM write operations have voltage-dependent timing per DS30569B - the on-chip timer controls write duration which varies with voltage and temperature. At 5V, allow the specified EEPROM write time before issuing the next write; poll the WR bit rather than using fixed delays in firmware for reliability.
Keep the analog ADC channel traces (RA0-RA5) away from the oscillator and USART lines to minimize crosstalk into the 10-bit converter. Place a 0.1uF capacitor on VREF/AVDD-related analog routing if using external reference, and connect all VSS pins solidly to the ground plane to reduce ground bounce during port switching.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per distributor listings (DigiKey, LCSC). Not automotive qualified. REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
