PIC12C672-04/SM - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC12C672-04/SM ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.89 | $4.89 |
| 10 | $4.41 | $44.10 |
| 100 | $3.92 | $392.00 |
| 500 | $3.49 | $1,745.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.1 | $3,100.00 |
PIC12C672-04/SM Overview
Background: An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces on one die. PIC® 12C parts sit at the low-pin-count end of Microchip's mid-range 8-bit PIC family, optimized for cost-sensitive embedded control where 6 GPIO, an 8-bit ADC, and timers are sufficient. The architecture is Harvard (separate program and data buses) and RISC-like, executing one instruction per oscillator cycle, which makes timing predictable for fixed-period control loops. Within the broader taxonomy: PIC12C672 -> PIC12C family -> PIC® mid-range 8-bit -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded semiconductor.
Key features include 4 MHz maximum operating frequency (the "-04" speed grade), 3.5 KB OTP program memory, 128 bytes of RAM, 6 bidirectional I/O pins multiplexed with analog and timer functions, an 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), one 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0), a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, and an internal 4 MHz RC oscillator option. The device operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V and supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) through the standard two-pin ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT interface.
Architecturally, the PIC12C672 uses a 14-bit instruction word, an 8-bit data path, and a two-stage pipeline, with each instruction completing in one instruction cycle (4 oscillator clocks at the 4 MHz rate). The OTP program memory allows one-time factory or in-circuit programming - once written, it cannot be erased, which is the primary distinction from flash-based PIC12F parts that share the same pinout.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, LED driving, low-end remote controls, automotive sub-system modules, battery chargers, and any space-constrained embedded product that needs deterministic 8-bit processing with on-chip ADC.
When designing with this part, account for its OTP memory by validating firmware on a windowed (JW) version before committing to production code. Plan I/O assignments carefully - GP3 is input-only and shares a pin with MCLR/VPP, which constrains both reset topology and I/O count.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing across 13 channels, pin-compatible 8-pin PIC alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12C672-04/SM — 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 PIC12C672-04/SM (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12C671-04/SM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C671T-04/SM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C672T-04/SM
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C672-10/SM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C672-04I/SM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C672-04/SM Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC® 12C |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Speed | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K × 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | None (OTP only) |
| Number of I/O | 6 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Timers | 1 × 8-bit (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) |
| Package | 8-SOIJ (Small-Outline IC, J-leaded) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Connectivity | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12C672-04/SM Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT — Bidirectional I/O, analog channel 2, TMR0 clock input, external interrupt |
| Pin 2 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — Input-only I/O, Master Clear reset, programming voltage input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/AN3 — Bidirectional I/O, analog channel 3 |
| Pin 4 | GP5/AN4/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O, analog channel 4, oscillator crystal/clock input |
| Pin 5 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | GP0/AN0/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O, analog channel 0, ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | GP1/AN1/ICSPDAT/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O, analog channel 1, ICSP data, oscillator crystal/clock output |
| Pin 8 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12C672-04/SM is suitable for 7 applications: Appliance Control Board, Battery Charger Controller, Remote Control Transmitter, Automotive Sub-System Module, Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting Controller, Low-End Industrial Control Module.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC12C672-04/SM fits cost-sensitive appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) because its 4 MHz clock is sufficient for motor relay sequencing, LED or 7-segment display multiplexing, and keypad scanning at cycle times of 5–50 ms. Its 3.5 KB OTP holds appliance-state machine firmware with error-code tables; 128 bytes of RAM is adequate for timers and current-mode flags; the on-chip 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads temperature sensors (NTC), water-level probes, and motor current. Pin-compatible PIC12C671-04/SM may be substituted on designs without analog input. Designers should reserve GP3 as the MCLR-only input and validate OTP code on a JW-windowed device before production.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller
The PIC12C672-04/SM serves as the primary control MCU in single-cell NiMH, Li-ion, or lead-acid chargers where deterministic ADC sampling of battery voltage and current is required. At 4 MHz the device executes 1 MIPS, allowing 10-bit-equivalent oversampling and averaging on the 8-bit ADC for accurate termination detection. The 6 I/O pins drive charge/ discharge FETs, status LEDs, and a temperature sensor input; the watchdog timer adds safety against firmware lockup. OTP memory prevents accidental firmware rewrite in fielded units. Plan 100–200 µs ADC sample intervals and use the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator to reduce BOM cost on consumer chargers.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC12C672-04/SM is well suited to handheld IR/RF remote controls where small package size, low power, and 6 I/O pins for a 3×2 keypad matrix are required. At 4 MHz the PIC executes button-debounce and rolling-code algorithms in tens of microseconds per scan cycle; 3.5 KB OTP holds manufacturer codes, partner-ID tables, and the encryption routine; 128 bytes of RAM buffers the transmit frame. GP3/MCLR is reserved for reset, leaving GP0, GP1, GP2, GP4, GP5 as keypad rows plus the IR-LED driver output. Battery life benefits from the 3.0 V minimum supply and PIC sleep-current of <1 µA when the user releases the last key.
Recommended
Automotive Sub-System Module
The PIC12C672-04/SM is used in non-safety automotive body-electronics modules such as seat-position memory, mirror-fold controllers, ambient lighting drivers, and HVAC blend-door actuators. The /SM commercial-temperature variant (0–70 °C) suits cabin-mounted modules; for under-hood and door-mounted designs the PIC12C672-04I/SM industrial variant (-40–85 °C) is the pin-compatible drop-in upgrade. The 4 MHz clock provides deterministic timing for PWM generation on a single output pin (driving a small FET or solenoid), the 8-bit ADC reads position sensors, and the watchdog timer satisfies automotive firmware-lockup requirements. OTP memory enforces firmware integrity in shipped modules.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12C672-04/SM is ideal as a low-cost analog-front-end conditioner for thermistor, photodiode, and strain-gauge bridges where the on-chip 8-bit ADC plus software linearization produces a calibrated digital output (SPI bit-banged or PWM-encoded). The 4 MHz instruction rate lets the firmware apply moving-average filtering and lookup-table linearization in real time at sample rates up to 10 kHz. Its 3.0–5.5 V supply accepts direct power from a 3.3 V regulated rail or a 5 V system bus; 128 bytes of RAM holds a 64-sample circular buffer plus coefficients; 3.5 KB OTP stores the calibration table. The small SOIJ-8 footprint allows integration inside the sensor housing itself.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC12C672-04/SM drives decorative and architectural LED fixtures where precise PWM dimming, color mixing, or chase-pattern sequencing is required. At 4 MHz, the firmware can produce 8-bit PWM on 3–4 GPIO pins simultaneously with refresh rates above 100 Hz, eliminating visible flicker; 3.5 KB OTP stores multi-pattern animation tables; 128 bytes of RAM holds current pattern state. The 8-bit ADC accepts a 0–5 V dimmer input or photodiode feedback for closed-loop brightness control. The 3.0 V minimum supply lets the design run from a single Li-ion cell or a step-down regulator, and the SOIJ-8 footprint fits inside a small MR16-style lamp base.
Recommended
Low-End Industrial Control Module
The PIC12C672-04/SM is used as the brains of small industrial controllers—pump timers, conveyor-segment gates, valve-position monitors—where 4 MHz deterministic timing, 6 GPIO, and an on-chip ADC suffice. The watchdog timer satisfies industrial fault-recovery requirements, the OTP memory enforces firmware integrity, and the 3.0–5.5 V supply lets the module operate from 24 V industrial rails through a simple linear regulator. The 8-SOIJ package is rated for wave-solder and reflow profiles used in industrial PCBA lines. For higher-noise industrial environments the PIC12C672-04I/SM industrial-temperature variant is the pin-compatible upgrade.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12C672-04/SM — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12C671-04/SM | PIC12C671T-04/SM | PIC12C672T-04/SM | PIC12C672-10/SM | PIC12C672-04I/SM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-SOIJ | 8-SOIJ | 8-SOIJ | 8-SOIJ | 8-SOIJ | 8-SOIJ |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels | None | None | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip 4-channel 8-bit ADC (vs PIC12C671-04/SM)
- Commercial temperature range with low unit cost (vs PIC12C672-04I/SM)
- Deterministic 1 MIPS performance at low power (vs PIC12C672-10/SM)
- Industry-standard Microchip PIC ecosystem (vs ATtiny13 (Microchip/Atmel))
Design Notes
GP3 is input-only on PIC12C672-04/SM because it shares its package pin (pin 2) with MCLR/VPP. Designers who try to use GP3 as a bidirectional I/O will find it does not drive high, and they will lose the MCLR reset function. Treat pin 2 as a dedicated MCLR input with a 10 kΩ pull-up to Vdd; if a reset button is not needed, MCLR can be tied directly to Vdd. Mistaking this pin's directionality is the single most common PIC12C6xx prototype failure.
The PIC12C672-04/SM draws approximately 1–2 mA at 4 MHz and 5 V, with sub-µA sleep current. For battery-powered designs, use the SLEEP instruction aggressively and wake via watchdog timeout or port-change interrupt. Add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to Vdd (pin 8) and a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the supply rail; place both within 5 mm of the IC. Brown-out detection is not present on PIC12C672, so an external voltage supervisor (e.g., MCP100) is recommended for industrial power-quality compliance.
Place the 8-SOIJ package with pin 1 oriented to match the SOIC-8 land pattern—the SOIJ footprint is a J-lead variant that is pin-compatible with SOIC-8 pads on most layouts. Provide a ground plane on the bottom layer directly under the device, with vias stitching the perimeter every 5 mm. Keep the ICSP signals ICSPCLK (pin 6) and ICSPDAT (pin 7) routed with short, parallel traces to a 6-pin header for programming access; add 4.7 kΩ pull-ups on both lines if the design tolerates them, otherwise leave them as high-impedance inputs in application mode.
Because the PIC12C672 uses OTP (one-time-programmable) memory, a programming error or last-minute firmware change requires a new physical part. Validate firmware on a JW (windowed, CERDIP) version of PIC12C672 first, then commit the final code to the SOIJ production parts. Budget for OTP programming time in your manufacturing flow (typical ICSP programming time is 1–3 seconds per device at 4 MHz). Consider migrating new designs to flash-based PIC12F675 in SOIC-8 for in-field upgradability, which has a similar but not identical pinout.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; commercial temperature grade (0 °C to +70 °C). For automotive applications, use PIC12C672-04I/SM (industrial grade) or a separate AEC-Q100-qualified PIC12F part.
