PIC12C672-04E/MF - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU with ADC, 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC12C672-04E/MF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.75 | $275.00 |
| 500 | $2.46 | $1,230.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC12C672-04E/MF Overview
What is an 8-bit OTP microcontroller? An 8-bit OTP (One-Time-Programmable) MCU is a small, low-cost embedded controller that executes instructions on 8-bit data words and can be programmed exactly once. The PIC12C family sits in the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC12C baseline series, and is widely used where cost, small footprint, and deterministic interrupt response outweigh the need for reprogrammability or large memory.
Key features include Harvard RISC architecture with 33 single-word instructions, 4-cycle instruction time at 4 MHz (1 us per instruction), a 4-channel 8-bit successive-approximation ADC, an internal 4 MHz RC oscillator, and an on-chip Power-on Reset / Brown-out Reset / Watchdog Timer. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) through GPIO pins, allowing field programming even after board assembly.
Typical applications include ultra-compact consumer appliances, battery-powered sensor nodes, automotive body controllers, simple closed-loop regulators, and low-cost replacement of discrete logic. The 8-pin DFN-S EP footprint is one of the smallest PIC packages available, making the part attractive for space-constrained designs where 4 MHz and 3.5KB of code are sufficient.
When designing with this part, note that the "E" (extended) temperature grade and DFN-S EP package make it suitable for industrial and automotive under-hood environments, but the 8-pin footprint limits I/O to 5 lines plus GP3-only input. Designers should carefully plan ADC channel sharing, oscillator accuracy, and the OTP programming flow before committing the BOM.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12C672-04E/MF — 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 PIC12C672-04E/MF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, ADC, MSL Level, Mounting Type, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12C672-04E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C672-10E/MF
📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12CE674-04E/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C672-04I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C672T-04E/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1822-I/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F675-I/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C672-04E/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (use PIC12CE672 for 16 bytes EEPROM) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (typical 3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 5 |
| ADC | 4-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0), 1 x Watchdog Timer (WDT) |
| Oscillator Type | Internal 4 MHz RC |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Industrial "E") |
| Package | 8-VDFN Exposed Pad (DFN-S 6x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC12C672-04E/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1OSO/OSC2/AN3 — GPIO GP5 / Timer1 output / external osc output / ADC input CH3 |
| Pin 3 | GP4/T1OSI/OSC1/AN2 — GPIO GP4 / Timer1 input / external osc input / ADC input CH2 |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO GP3 (input only) / Master Clear reset (active low) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/CCP1/AN1 — GPIO GP2 / Capture-Compare-PWM output / ADC input CH1 |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN0 — GPIO GP1 / ADC input CH0 |
| Pin 7 | GP0 — GPIO GP0 (digital only, no ADC) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12C672-04E/MF is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Industrial Process Sensor Interface, Automotive Body Controller, Consumer Appliance Control, Compact SMPS / Fan Controller, Low-Cost Logic Replacement / Glue Logic, IoT Endpoint with Wired Link.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC12C672-04E/MF fits battery-powered sensor nodes because of its 2.5V-5.5V supply range, 4 MHz internal oscillator that needs no external crystal, and 5 GPIO that can serve as ADC inputs for thermistor or battery voltage monitoring. Its 8-bit PIC RISC core executes instructions in 1 us, supporting polled or interrupt-driven sample loops with deterministic latency. The 8-pin DFN-S EP (6x5 mm) footprint is among the smallest in the PIC family, freeing PCB area for the sensor front-end, antenna, or battery. Compared to a 32-bit MCU, the PIC12C672 trades raw MIPS for sub-$3 unit cost and sub-1 mA active current. Design tip: enable the Watchdog Timer and Brown-out Reset (programmable 2.5V-4.0V) to recover from brown-out and stuck code in unattended deployments.
Recommended
Industrial Process Sensor Interface
The PIC12C672-04E/MF is well-suited to industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor interfaces because of its -40C to +125C industrial temperature range and integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC. The 5 GPIO can be used for analog inputs (4 channels) plus a digital alert output, and the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates the need for an external resonator in a vibration-prone environment. The 8-pin DFN-S EP package offers strong mechanical bonding to industrial PCBs that experience thermal cycling. According to Microchip application notes, the 33-instruction RISC core simplifies IEC 61131-3 logic replication. The OTP memory and extended temp grade make this part a long-lifecycle choice for industrial sensor OEMs.
Recommended
Automotive Body Controller
The PIC12C672-04E/MF fits automotive body controller sub-modules (lamp drivers, mirror controllers, simple switch readers) thanks to its -40C to +125C operating range, OTP memory for fixed-logic code, and small 8-pin DFN-S EP footprint that fits in space-constrained cabin modules. The internal 4 MHz oscillator supports PWM generation for LED brightness control, and the 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads switch wiper or potentiometer inputs. The 5 GPIO can drive a low-side MOSFET through a discrete driver, controlling one or two lamps or motors. Automotive tier-1 suppliers use the PIC12C family for cost-sensitive non-safety modules where AEC-Q100 is not required; for safety-critical modules, choose PIC16F or PIC18F AEC-Q100 variants instead.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC12C672-04E/MF is widely used in white goods (rice cookers, coffee machines, simple washing machine timers) and small kitchen appliances because of its low BOM cost (sub-$3), small 8-pin footprint, and built-in 4-channel ADC for thermistor, weight sensor, or potentiometer inputs. The OTP memory locks the final firmware and prevents end-user code tampering - a regulatory requirement for many safety-certified appliances. The 5 GPIO can drive relays, triacs, or LEDs through discrete drivers. The 4 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external timing components, reducing total BOM by $0.20-$0.50 versus discrete 555-timer or logic-gate controllers. For a low-cost touch-button interface, the GP3 input can read a capacitive touch sense through a discrete RC network.
Recommended
Compact SMPS / Fan Controller
The PIC12C672-04E/MF serves as a low-cost secondary-side controller in compact isolated or non-isolated SMPS modules and DC fan speed controllers, where its 4 MHz RISC core runs a state-machine-based PWM/PI loop and its 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads output voltage, current, and temperature feedback. The 5 GPIO can drive a PWM gate driver, a status LED, and a fault output, with one pin dedicated to enable. The OTP memory and -40C to +125C temperature range support industrial and consumer SMPS operating environments. Designers appreciate the 1 us instruction time, deterministic interrupt latency, and ICSP field programming that allows the same hardware platform to be re-flashed in low-volume variant SKUs. Compared to a dedicated PWM controller IC, the PIC12C672 adds firmware-based adaptability for the same footprint.
Recommended
Low-Cost Logic Replacement / Glue Logic
The PIC12C672-04E/MF can replace dozens of discrete logic gates (74HC-series) in space-constrained designs, because 3.5KB of OTP code can implement state machines, multiplexers, and timing functions in a single 8-pin DFN-S EP package. The 5 GPIO are bidirectional, so each pin can be defined as input, output, or analog, eliminating external tri-state buffers. The 4 MHz CPU runs at 1 MIPS, sufficient for keypad scanning, multiplexing, and protocol bit-banging at low speeds (e.g. I2C master, single-wire UART). Compared to a 74HC00 quad NAND at $0.20, the PIC12C672 at ~$2.50 is more expensive per part, but reduces total BOM by combining 5-10 logic ICs into one MCU. Recommended for new designs with 3 or more logic ICs.
Recommended
IoT Endpoint with Wired Link
The PIC12C672-04E/MF fits wired IoT endpoints (modbus sensors, RS-485 nodes, simple 1-Wire devices) because of its small footprint, deterministic interrupt response, and 4-channel 8-bit ADC for analog telemetry. The 5 GPIO can bit-bang UART, I2C, or 1-Wire protocols, and the ICSP interface allows field firmware updates even after board assembly. The OTP memory locks the IoT node's protocol stack, preventing reverse engineering. For low-power designs, the 4 MHz internal oscillator and Brown-out Reset allow the MCU to run continuously at sub-1 mA active current. Compared to a WiFi/BLE SoC at $3-5 plus firmware stack, the PIC12C672 is a cost-effective choice for wired sensor nodes in industrial IoT and building automation deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12C672-04E/MF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12C672-04E/P | PIC12CE674-04E/MF | PIC12LF1822-I/MF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-VDFN Exposed Pad (6x5 mm) | PDIP-8 (different package, not drop-in) | 8-VDFN Exposed Pad (same) | 8-VDFN Exposed Pad (DFN-8, same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes | 0 bytes | 16 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit (4 channels) | 8-bit (4 channels) | 8-bit (4 channels) | 10-bit (4 channels) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest footprint PIC12C variant in 8-DFN-S EP (vs PIC12C672-04E/P (PDIP-8))
- Industrial extended temperature grade -40C to +125C (vs PIC12C672-04I/MF (I grade))
- OTP memory for locked firmware (vs PIC12LF1822-I/MF (Flash))
- Wide 2.5V-5.5V supply range with built-in 8-bit ADC (vs PIC12C508A (no ADC))
Design Notes
Estimated: The PIC12C672-04E/MF is One-Time-Programmable (OTP) - once programmed, the firmware cannot be erased or rewritten. Always use a Microchip development tool (ICD, PICkit, or MPLAB PM3) to program a fresh blank part in-circuit, and verify the device ID and configuration bits before committing to production. OTP does not mean 'debug-disabled' - designers should enable ICSP for prototype builds, then mask ICSP in production code if security requires it.
The 8-pin DFN-S EP (6x5 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a copper pour on the PCB for mechanical reliability and thermal dissipation. The exposed pad is electrically connected to VSS internally. Recommended PCB layout: 0.5-1.0 square inch of copper pour on at least the top layer, with thermal vias to internal ground planes. Per Microchip IPC-7351 land pattern guidelines, the DFN-S EP land pattern requires 0.5 mm pitch pads and a 2.0 x 4.0 mm center thermal pad with at least 4 thermal vias.
Brown-out Reset (BOR) is programmable on the PIC12C672 to 2.5V, 3.0V, 3.5V, or 4.0V and should always be enabled for battery-powered designs. The Watchdog Timer (WDT) has a 1:128 prescaler and ~18 ms nominal period (typ. 7-33 ms over temperature) - it must be cleared in the main loop, or the MCU will reset. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator is factory-trimmed to ±1% at 5V/25C but drifts ±5% across temperature; for UART, this is acceptable up to 19,200 baud at room temperature.
For ADC accuracy, route the 4 analog inputs (AN0-AN3) as short and symmetrical as possible, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and avoid running digital traces parallel to analog traces. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator is sensitive to VDD noise; for best ADC performance, take ADC readings in SLEEP mode (no digital switching) using the internal 16 us acquisition time. The ADC reference is VDD by default; an external 5.0V reference can be used on AN3 by setting the VCFG bit in the configuration register.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial extended temperature grade -40C to +125C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety-critical use, choose AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F or dsPIC variants.
