PIC16F877A-I/P
Best versatile microcontroller for industrial and automotive embedded control projects.
The PIC16F877A is a versatile 8-bit CMOS FLASH microcontroller from Microchip, engineered for demanding embedded control applications. It boasts 14 KB of program memory and 368 Bytes of RAM, capable of executing instructions in as little as 200 nanoseconds. This microcontroller is equipped with essential peripherals including an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, two PWM modules, and serial communication interfaces like SPI and I2C. It's an excellent choice for advanced analog-to-digital tasks and is well-suited for industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics development.
$6.89
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
52
/ 137
#52 in Microcontrollers
Price vs Category Average
-71%
Below average
CPU Core
8
/ PIC (-bit)
Who it's for
- Students and hobbyists needing abundant learning resources and tutorials
- Engineers looking to minimize component count and board space
- Prototypers requiring durable, breadboard-compatible hardware for quick testing
Who should skip it
- Integrators working with modern 3.3V sensors and low-voltage peripherals
- Developers building high-performance applications requiring modern processing speeds
- Programmers creating complex firmware with large memory requirements
- Designers building battery-operated devices needing advanced power management
- Engineers prioritizing high-speed instruction execution for real-time tasks
- Software architects managing large codebases with extensive memory needs
Performance breakdown
Peripheral Versatility
Integrated ADC and PWM modules handle complex control tasks with ease.
Memory Capacity
Adequate for standard embedded logic but limited for memory-intensive firmware.
Connectivity Support
Standard SPI, I2C, and UART protocols ensure broad component compatibility.
Processing Speed
Reliable 20 MHz clock speed handles real-time industrial applications efficiently.
Development Ecosystem
Extensive documentation and debugger support simplify the entire prototyping phase.
Design Robustness
Automotive-grade reliability makes this a staple for demanding hardware environments.
Key Specs
CPU Core
PIC (8-bit)
Program Memory
14 KB FLASH
RAM
368 Bytes
Data EEPROM
256 Bytes
Maximum Clock Speed
20 MHz
ADC Resolution
10-bit with 8 Channels
Operating Voltage Range
2.0V to 5.5V
Package Options
40-pin PDIP, 44-pin QFN/TQFP/PLCC
Features
- 8-bit CMOS FLASH architecture
- Integrated 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter
- Supports SPI, I2C, and USART protocols
- Includes 2 Capture/Compare/PWM modules
- Self-programming capability for flexibility
- High current sink/source per I/O pin
- Automotive recommended design
- In-Circuit Debugger support
What customers say
The PIC16F877A-I/P remains a foundational and reliable 8-bit microcontroller, highly valued for its versatility. Customers consistently praise its robust feature set, including the 10-bit ADC and multiple peripherals, making it excellent for education and hobbyist projects. The through-hole package simplifies prototyping significantly. While its architecture is dated, requiring careful bank switching, its stability and proven performance are undeniable assets. Decades of community support ensure solutions are readily accessible. For dependable results in medium-speed applications, this component maintains its strong reputation.
Know before you buy
This microcontroller supports three key serial communication protocols: SPI, I2C, and USART. These interfaces allow you to easily connect with a wide range of external sensors, displays, and other peripheral devices.
Yes, the device features self-programming capability and supports In-Circuit Debugging. This allows you to update the firmware or troubleshoot your code without needing to remove the chip from your board.
The PIC16F877A includes an integrated 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with 8 input channels. This makes it well-suited for projects that require monitoring multiple analog sensors at once.
Yes, the PIC16F877A is designed with a robust architecture that is recommended for automotive and industrial applications. Its wide operating voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V provides flexibility for various power supply designs.
The PIC16F877A operates at a maximum clock speed of 20 MHz. This allows for efficient execution of instructions in as little as 200 nanoseconds, which is sufficient for most standard embedded control tasks.
Yes, in addition to its 14 KB of FLASH program memory, the device includes 256 Bytes of Data EEPROM. This is useful for saving user settings or calibration data that needs to be retained even when the power is turned off.
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