PIC16F887 - ORIGINAL

The PIC16F887 is a versatile and feature-rich 8-bit Flash microcontroller from Microchip Technology, designed to meet the needs of a wide range of embedded electronics applications. As one of the most popular members of the PIC16 family, it has earned its reputation for reliability, ease of use, and a generous set of peripherals — making it a favorite choice in schools, universities, hobbyist workshops, and professional product designs alike.

Running at speeds up to 20 MHz with an external crystal (or up to 8 MHz using the internal precision oscillator), the PIC16F887 delivers ample processing power for most embedded tasks. It features a factory-calibrated internal oscillator with ±1% accuracy, a software-selectable frequency range from 8 MHz down to 32 kHz, and two-speed start-up mode — providing flexibility between performance and power consumption without requiring external components.

The microcontroller includes 14 KB of self-programmable Flash memory, 368 bytes of SRAM, and 256 bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage. The high-endurance Flash and EEPROM cells are rated for 100,000 erase/write cycles (Flash) and 1,000,000 erase/write cycles (EEPROM) with over 40 years of data retention, ensuring long-term reliability in commercial and industrial deployments.

A standout feature of the PIC16F887 is its rich peripheral set: a 14-channel 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for precise analog measurements, 2 on-chip analog comparators with programmable voltage reference, 3 timers (TMR0 8-bit, TMR1 enhanced 16-bit with dedicated 32 kHz low-power oscillator, TMR2 8-bit with prescaler/postscaler), a CCP module for capture/compare/PWM, and an Enhanced CCP (ECCP) module with auto-shutdown and PWM steering for advanced motor control applications.

For communication, the PIC16F887 includes a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting both SPI and I²C modes (with address mask capability), and an Enhanced USART (EUSART) with RS-485, RS-232, and LIN compatibility, Auto-Baud Detection, and Auto-Wake-Up on Start bit — making it ideal for automotive, industrial, and networked sensor applications.

The MCU also offers powerful safety and reliability features including a Power-on Reset (POR), selectable Brown-out Reset (BOR), Extended Watchdog Timer (WDT) with dedicated RC oscillator, fail-safe clock monitoring, and programmable code protection to safeguard your firmware. In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) and In-Circuit Debugging (ICD) via just two pins simplify both development and field updates.

For low-power applications, the PIC16F887 supports Power-Saving Sleep mode and Ultra Low-Power Wake-Up (ULPWU) — making it suitable for battery-powered devices that must operate for years on a single battery.

Whether you're building a robot controller, sensor data logger, motor driver, smart home device, or industrial automation system, the PIC16F887 provides the performance, peripherals, and proven reliability to bring your project to life.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Microchip Technology
• Part Number: PIC16F887
• Core / Architecture: 8-bit PIC16 (Modified Harvard)
• Maximum CPU Speed: 20 MHz (5 MIPS)
• Internal Oscillator: Factory-Calibrated, ±1% Accuracy, 8 MHz / 32 kHz selectable
• Program Memory (Flash): 14 KB (8K × 14-bit instructions)
• RAM (SRAM): 368 bytes
• EEPROM: 256 bytes
• I/O Pins: 35 (+ 1 input-only pin = 36 total)
• High Sink/Source Current: 25 mA per pin
• ADC: 14 channels, 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter
• Analog Comparators: 2 (with programmable voltage reference)
• Voltage Reference: Programmable CVREF + Fixed 0.6V Vref
• Timers:
  • TMR0: 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler
  • TMR1: Enhanced 16-bit with prescaler, gate input, dedicated 32 kHz oscillator
  • TMR2: 8-bit timer with period register, prescaler, postscaler
• CCP / ECCP Modules: Capture/Compare/PWM with auto-shutdown and PWM steering
• Communication Interfaces:
  • MSSP — SPI / I²C (with address mask)
  • EUSART — UART, RS-232, RS-485, LIN compatible
• Reset Sources: POR, BOR (selectable), WDT, MCLR
• Watchdog Timer: Extended WDT with dedicated RC oscillator
• Programming: ICSP (2-pin In-Circuit Serial Programming)
• Debugging: ICD (2-pin In-Circuit Debug)
• Sleep Modes: Power-Saving Sleep + Ultra Low-Power Wake-Up (ULPWU)
• Operating Voltage: 2.0V – 5.5V
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to +85°C (Industrial)
• Endurance:
  • Flash: 100,000 erase/write cycles
  • EEPROM: 1,000,000 erase/write cycles
  • Data Retention: >40 years
• Programming Tools: MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB XC8 Compiler, PICkit programmers
• Compliance: RoHS Compliant

Applications

• Embedded Systems Development — prototyping and final product builds
• Educational & STEM Projects — universities, technical schools, and labs
• Home Automation — light, fan, appliance, and HVAC control
• Industrial Automation — sensor monitoring, PLCs, and process control
• Sensor Interfacing & Data Acquisition — analog and digital sensor reading
• Motor Control — DC motors, stepper motors, and servo controllers
• Communication Systems — UART, RS-232/485, LIN, SPI, and I²C devices
• Smart Devices & IoT Nodes — embedded controllers for connected products
• Robotics — sensor reading, motor driving, and decision logic
• Security & Alarm Systems — motion sensors, keypads, and access control
• Battery-Powered Devices — long-life portable products
• Automotive Electronics — LIN-based body control and accessory modules
• Medical Equipment — patient monitoring and diagnostic devices
• Agricultural Automation — irrigation, greenhouse, and livestock monitoring
• Energy Management — solar charge controllers and power monitors
• Lighting Control — LED drivers and dimmer systems
• DIY Electronics Projects — breadboard and PCB-based hobby builds
• Replacement / Upgrade Component — for legacy PIC16F-based designs
• Bootloader-Based Development — quick code iteration via UART
• Test & Measurement Equipment — DIY meters, loggers, and analyzers