PIC16C73B-20I/SS
PIC16C73B-20I/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 7KB | Microchip
The Microchip Technology PIC16C73B-20I/SS is an 8-bit CMOS microcontroller in the PIC16C mid-range family, featuring a 20 MHz maximum clock, 7 KB (4K x 14) of One-Time Programmable (OTP) program memory, and 192 bytes of RAM, packaged in a 28-pin SSOP. It delivers 200 ns instruction execution and supports only 35 single-word instructions, simplifying firmware development while preserving the determinism of a RISC-based architecture. The "I" suffix denotes the industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C and a 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply voltage.
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory, and peripheral blocks (timers, A/D, USART, I/O) into one package. Microcontrollers sit at the base of the embedded hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> mid-range MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. They excel in deterministic, low-power, cost-sensitive control tasks rather than computationally heavy workloads. The PIC16C series specifically targets the mid-range segment with 14-bit instruction word width, providing more code density than baseline 12-bit PIC cores while remaining lower in cost than 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC families.
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), two capture/compare/PWM modules, a synchronous/asynchronous USART, an 8-bit A/D converter with 5 input channels, and an 8-bit parallel slave port. The device also incorporates a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable recovery from software lockups, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) capability, and power-saving SLEEP mode that drops quiescent current to a few microamps. Brown-out reset is implemented to protect Flash/EPROM during unstable supply events.
The PIC16C73B is built on a fully-static CMOS process, so the clock can be stopped without losing register state, an important attribute for low-power applications. Two oscillator modes are supported: a low-power LP crystal (up to 200 kHz) and a high-speed HS crystal (up to 20 MHz). The architecture is fully upward-compatible with the PIC16C5X baseline and PIC12CXXX devices, enabling easy code reuse within the family.
Typical applications include industrial control (sensor interfacing, motor control via PWM, simple PLCs), automotive body electronics (window lifters, climate modules, instrument clusters), consumer appliances (washing machines, microwave ovens, remote controls), and instrumentation front-ends (digital panel meters, simple data loggers). The wide operating temperature range and robust peripheral set make it well-suited to harsh industrial environments where reliability is paramount.
When designing with the PIC16C73B-20I/SS, note that OTP memory cannot be erased; for development cycles select a windowed CERDIP part (PIC16C73B-20/P) or a flash-based PIC16F73. The SSOP-28 footprint has a thermal pad behavior identical to SOIC, so standard SOIC-28 PCB layouts can usually accommodate this part. Decoupling requires a 0.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor close to VDD with a bulk electrolytic on the same rail.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative cross-references, application circuit examples, and design notes that the manufacturer datasheet alone does not provide. Engineers searching for a PIC16C73B-20I/SS replacement, second source, or alternate supplier will find the alternatives table, comparison matrix, and selection guide especially valuable for procurement risk mitigation.
견적 요청
문의하기