PIC12C671-04E/P - 8-bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 1.75KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC12C671-04E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.53 | $3.53 |
| 10 | $3.23 | $32.30 |
| 100 | $2.85 | $285.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.3 | $2,300.00 |
PIC12C671-04E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip integrating a CPU, memory, and peripherals. It belongs to the broader category of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors. PIC12C-series parts use Microchip's Harvard-architecture RISC core with 35 single-word instructions, delivering ~400 ns instruction execution at 4 MHz. PIC microcontrollers are widely used in cost-sensitive, low-pin-count embedded applications.
Key features of the PIC12C671-04E/P include an integrated 4-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), 8-bit timer/counter with programmable prescaler, internal 4 MHz RC oscillator (calibrated), an internal voltage reference, and an on-chip watchdog timer for reliable operation. The device operates from 3.0V to 5.5V and includes power-managed modes such as SLEEP for low-power standby. Its CMOS RISC architecture provides deterministic timing and low power consumption typical of PIC12C-series devices.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, appliance control boards, sensor signal conditioning, low-cost consumer electronics, and industrial automation where small pin count, OTP memory, and extended temperature tolerance matter. The device's 4-channel ADC simplifies analog sensor interfaces, and the 6 GPIO pins enable direct connection to switches, LEDs, and serial interfaces (via bit-banging).
When designing with this MCU, choose clock source (internal RC or external crystal/RC) carefully - the internal calibrated RC eliminates external components. Reserve one I/O pin for ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) if in-field firmware updates are needed. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed close to the pin.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12C671-04E/P — 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 PIC12C671-04E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Timers, Watchdog Timer, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12C671-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C671-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C672-04E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12CE673-04E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C508A-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C671-04E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 4-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0 with prescaler) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E" grade) |
| Package | PDIP-8 (300 mil, through-hole) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Pb-free matte tin finish) |
PIC12C671-04E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO GP5 / External clock input / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO GP4 / External clock output / Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO GP3 (input only) / Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT — GPIO GP2 / ADC channel 2 / Timer0 clock input / External interrupt |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN1/CIN-/VREF — GPIO GP1 / ADC channel 1 / Comparator input- / Voltage reference |
| Pin 7 | GP0/AN0/CIN+/ICSPCLK — GPIO GP0 / ADC channel 0 / Comparator input+ / ICSP clock |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12C671-04E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Appliance Control Boards, Battery-Operated Sensor Signal Conditioning, Industrial Automation Sub-Controllers, LED Lighting Drivers and Dimmer Controls, Hobbyist and Educational Development Boards.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC12C671-04E/P fits automotive body controller applications thanks to its extended -40C to +125C operating temperature range and 8-pin PDIP-8 footprint. Its 6 GPIO pins directly drive small relays, LEDs, and switches used in door-lock, mirror-adjust, and lighting subsystems, while the 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads analog sensors such as potentiometers, thermistors, and current-sense shunts. The 1.75 KB OTP program memory holds compact 8-bit firmware well within ~1 K instruction budget, and the integrated watchdog timer ensures reliable recovery from electrical transients common in automotive 12 V environments. Compared with a discrete logic implementation, this MCU eliminates dozens of components and adds reprogrammability during development.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
In white-goods and small-appliance control boards (coffee machines, microwave ovens, washing-machine sub-boards), the PIC12C671-04E/P provides deterministic 8-bit control with minimal PCB footprint. The internal 4 MHz calibrated RC oscillator eliminates external crystal cost, and the 6 GPIO pins drive LEDs, keypads, triac interfaces, and buzzer outputs. Its 3.0-5.5 V supply range matches the rectified 5 V rails common in appliance SMPS designs. The on-chip 8-bit ADC reads temperature sensors (NTC), water level, and current feedback, while the SLEEP power-management mode lowers standby consumption below typical Energy Star thresholds. The PDIP-8 through-hole package also simplifies hand-soldering for low-volume appliance runs.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12C671-04E/P works well in portable sensor-conditioning nodes powered by 3.3 V lithium or two-AA cells. Its 3.0-5.5 V supply range covers the discharge curve, and the 4-channel 8-bit ADC digitizes analog outputs of thermocouples, strain gauges, or gas sensors. With 6 GPIO pins, the MCU bit-bangs UART or SPI to forward data to a host radio, while SLEEP mode plus watchdog wakes the device periodically to extend battery life. The 1.75 KB OTP is ample for fixed-function sensor interfaces, and the extended -40C-125C temperature rating supports outdoor environmental sensing across seasons. The PDIP-8 package suits hand-prototyping and low-rate production of IoT sensor pucks.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Sub-Controllers
As a distributed sub-controller in factory automation, the PIC12C671-04E/P handles local I/O aggregation for a PLC backplane or Modbus link. Its 6 I/O pins read push-buttons, limit switches, and proximity sensors, while the 8-bit ADC monitors 4-20 mA loopbacks or 0-10 V analog process variables. The extended temperature grade allows cabinet-free deployment near motors and heaters, and the on-chip watchdog timer recovers the node from EMI-induced lockups common in industrial environments. Its compact PDIP-8 package and 35-instruction RISC core enable sub-microsecond deterministic response for time-critical interlocks, and the 1.75 KB OTP accommodates typical ladder-logic emulation in 8-bit assembly or C.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers and Dimmer Controls
The PIC12C671-04E/P serves as a smart dimmer/lighting controller by reading user inputs (potentiometer or push-buttons) via its 4-channel ADC and generating PWM drive signals on GPIO pins. The 35-instruction RISC core easily produces the 1-2 kHz PWM needed for LED dimming while handling button debounce and fade curves. Its 3.0-5.5 V supply is compatible with constant-current LED driver ICs, and the extended temperature range supports enclosed luminaires and outdoor fixtures. The PIC12C67x family's deterministic instruction timing eliminates PWM jitter that would otherwise be visible as flicker, and the 1.75 KB OTP stores fade tables and mode profiles for tunable-white or RGB fixtures.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Development Boards
The PIC12C671-04E/P is a popular target for educational 8-bit microcontroller courses and DIY hobby projects thanks to its simple 8-pin PDIP form factor, breadboard-friendly through-hole leads, and well-documented PIC instruction set. With only 6 GPIO pins and 1.75 KB OTP, students learn resource-constrained embedded design without being overwhelmed by peripheral complexity. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator removes the need for external clock components, and the ICSP programming interface allows in-circuit firmware updates on a solderless breadboard. The 8-bit ADC teaches analog-to-digital conversion concepts, and the watchdog timer introduces reliability practices essential to professional embedded design.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12C671-04E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12C671-04/P | PIC12C671-04I/P | PIC12C672-04E/P | PIC12CE673-04E/P | PIC12C508A-04/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-8 (300 mil) | PDIP-8 (300 mil) - same | PDIP-8 (300 mil) - same | PDIP-8 (300 mil) - same | PDIP-8 (300 mil) - same | PDIP-8 (300 mil) - same |
| Program Memory (OTP) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 512 B (256 x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 25 B |
| ADC | 4-ch, 8-bit | 4-ch, 8-bit | 4-ch, 8-bit | 4-ch, 8-bit | 4-ch, 8-bit | None |
| GPIO Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | 0C to +70C |
| EEPROM Data Memory | None (OTP only) | None (OTP only) | None (OTP only) | None (OTP only) | 16 B EEPROM | None (OTP only) |
Key Differentiators
- Wider temperature range than commercial-grade sibling (vs PIC12C671-04/P)
- 2x larger program memory than PIC12C508A family (vs PIC12C508A-04/P)
- Integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC eliminates external components (vs PIC12C508A-04/P)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin, with the ground return directly to VSS (pin 8) via a short trace. For designs operating above 10 MHz of peripheral activity or near noisy switching loads, add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor on the same rail. The PIC12C671-04E/P's internal brown-out reset (BOR) and power-on reset (POR) handle the supply ramp, but the BOR voltage is set by the configuration fuse - verify the BOR threshold (default ~4.0 V) is appropriate for your 3.3 V or 5 V system to avoid spurious resets during slow power-up.
GP3 (pin 4) is input-only and is shared with MCLR (master clear reset). Always configure the MCLR function via the configuration word - if MCLR is enabled, the pin cannot be used as a general-purpose input and must be pulled high via a 10 kohm resistor. A floating MCLR pin causes random resets. Likewise, do not load GP3 with a source/sink current - it has no output driver. When using the internal RC oscillator, the CALIBRATION word (last location in program memory) must be loaded at run time to achieve the +/- 1% factory accuracy; otherwise frequency can vary up to +/- 10%.
Keep analog (ADC input) traces short and routed away from digital switching signals (GP4/GP5 oscillator pins in particular). Place a small RC filter (100 ohm + 100 nF) on the ADC input for high-impedance sensors. For the PDIP-8 package, leave at least 1 mm clearance between the IC body and adjacent signal traces to allow hand-soldering and rework. If the design uses GP1 or GP0 as the ICSP programming pins (ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK), ensure they are not loaded with capacitance exceeding 50 pF or with devices that prevent the programmer from driving the line - this is a common reason for programming failure in production.
Compliance Information
PDIP-8 package with Pb-free matte tin finish per Microchip product page. Industrial/automotive extended temperature grade supports -40C to +125C but is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified - request automotive-specific part variants from Microchip if AEC-Q100 documentation is required by the customer.
