PIC16C620A-20I/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 896B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620A-20I/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.42 | $1,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.15 | $2,150.00 |
PIC16C620A-20I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16C62X architecture belongs to the broader hierarchy of 8-bit microcontrollers, which sit beneath 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs in the semiconductor taxonomy: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Microchip's PIC family uses a Harvard RISC architecture with only 35 single-word instructions, simplifying code development for cost-sensitive embedded designs where headroom for advanced peripherals is not required.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16C620A include an integrated analog comparator with programmable on-chip voltage reference, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for fail-safe operation, and an internal 4MHz RC oscillator that can free the external oscillator pins for general-purpose I/O. The device consumes low operating current and supports power-managed Sleep mode with wake-up on pin change.
Technically, the PIC16C62X core uses a 14-bit instruction word with an 8-bit data path, and the OTP program memory is accessed through a 14-bit program counter. The 96 bytes of RAM are partitioned into general-purpose registers and special-function registers controlling I/O ports, timers, and the comparator subsystem. Two 8-bit timers (Timer0 and Timer2) plus one 16-bit timer (Timer1) provide flexible event counting, while a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module supports basic motor and lighting control.
Typical applications include consumer appliance controllers, automotive interior lighting, security alarm panels, IR remote control transmitters, and small sensor-interface nodes. The OTP memory makes it well suited to high-volume, low-cost products where firmware is finalized at production time and in-circuit reprogramming is not required.
When designing with this part, choose the -I industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) for outdoor or automotive cabin environments; the commercial -20/SS variant is limited to 0C to +70C. Note that OTP memory cannot be erased - prototypes should be validated on the flash-based PIC16F628 equivalent, then migrated to PIC16C620A-20I/SS for production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620A-20I/SS β 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 PIC16C620A-20I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Timers, Core Architecture, Package, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F628A-20I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620A-20/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C620A-20E/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C620A-04I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C621A-20I/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C622A-20I/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620A-20I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14) |
| RAM | 96 B |
| EEPROM | 0 B (no on-chip EEPROM) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (typical 3.3 V / 5 V) |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0), 1 x 16-bit (TMR1), 1 x 8-bit (TMR2) |
| Analog Comparators | 2 (with programmable on-chip Vref) |
| CCP Modules | 1 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated internal RC oscillator) |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz RC (calibrated) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, "I" grade) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes (per Microchip product page) |
PIC16C620A-20I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/Vref β Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 2 / External voltage reference input |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/CMP1 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 3 / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI/CMP2 β Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input / Comparator 2 output (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | RA5/MCLR/Vpp β Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear reset input (active low) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | Vss β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β Bidirectional I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1/RX/DT β Bidirectional I/O / USART RX / Synchronous data |
| Pin 8 | RB2/TX/CK β Bidirectional I/O / USART TX / Synchronous clock |
| Pin 9 | RB3/CCP1 β Bidirectional I/O / Capture-Compare-PWM module 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB6/T1OSO β Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 13 | RB7/T1OSI β Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 14 | Vdd β Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 β Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O (PORTC bit 0) |
| Pin 20 | RC7 β Bidirectional I/O (PORTC bit 7) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620A-20I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Security Alarm Panel, IR Remote Control Transmitter, Automotive Interior Lighting Controller, Small Sensor Interface Node, Industrial Timer / Counter Module, Battery Charger Controller (Low-Power).
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C620A-20I/SS fits consumer appliance control because its 896 bytes of OTP memory is sufficient to hold a fixed control algorithm for products such as washing machines, microwave ovens, and air purifiers. The 20 MHz CPU delivers up to 5 MIPS, enough to drive a multiplexed seven-segment display, scan a keypad matrix, and service the on-chip analog comparators that monitor sensor thresholds - all without external logic. The integrated watchdog timer with its own internal RC oscillator provides fail-safe recovery in electrically noisy motor environments, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade tolerates the thermal stress behind a control panel. The SSOP-20 package is small enough for compact appliance PCAs, and OTP memory eliminates reprogramming concerns in sealed units. Recommend pairing with the PIC16F628A-20I/SS during firmware bring-up, then migrating to OTP for production cost savings.
Recommended
Security Alarm Panel
Security alarm control panels benefit from the PIC16C620A-20I/SS because its 13 digital I/O pins directly drive up to four PIR motion sensors, four reed-switch door sensors, and a piezo buzzer with spare I/O for an LED status indicator. The two on-chip analog comparators with programmable on-chip voltage reference support direct interface to thermistor-based flame or gas sensors without an external op-amp. The 96-byte RAM buffers event timestamps while the OTP memory locks the panel's response logic to prevent post-deployment tampering - a regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions. The integrated watchdog timer recovers the panel if the supply is brown-out triggered during a sabotage attempt. Industrial -40C to +85C operation tolerates unheated garages and outdoor cabinets. Recommend pairing with a 24LC256 I2C EEPROM for event log retention.
Recommended
IR Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16C620A-20I/SS is well suited to IR remote control transmitters where cost is paramount and the firmware is finalized at production. With only 35 single-word RISC instructions, the firmware footprint for typical RC5/RC6 or NEC protocol encoders fits comfortably within the 896-byte OTP memory, and 96 bytes of RAM is more than enough for protocol state machines. The MCU's low-power Sleep mode (<=1 uA typical) extends battery life between key presses; wake-up is on INT pin change. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates the external crystal, allowing the two oscillator pins to be reused for additional keypad scanning or LED driving, reducing the bill of materials. The SSOP-20 footprint is small enough to fit inside a slim remote housing. Recommend pairing with a TL1838L IR receiver and a CR2032 lithium coin cell.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting Controller
Automotive interior lighting controllers benefit from the PIC16C620A-20I/SS because the CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) module produces a hardware PWM channel for dimming LED modules up to 20 kHz without CPU overhead. The 13 I/O pins drive multiple LED strings, sense push-button inputs, and read a rotary brightness encoder through the analog comparator. OTP memory locks the dimming curve and CAN/LIN bus handling code to prevent field tampering, while the watchdog timer recovers from automotive supply transients such as load-dump and cranking dips. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range covers cabin environments, but for under-hood applications select the PIC16C620A-20E/SS extended-grade variant (up to +125C). Recommend pairing with an MCP2551 CAN transceiver and an MCP1700 regulator.
Recommended
Small Sensor Interface Node
The PIC16C620A-20I/SS fits small sensor interface nodes where a single 8-bit MCU must acquire, condition, and transmit sensor data. The two on-chip analog comparators provide hardware threshold detection for thermistor, photocell, or Hall-effect sensors without an external ADC; the 13 I/O pins drive UART, SPI, or one-wire buses to upstream radios. The integrated 4 MHz internal oscillator reduces component count, while the watchdog timer with dedicated internal RC keeps the node alive if the main oscillator is disrupted. Industrial -40C to +85C operation suits outdoor sensor pods, and the SSOP-20 package fits into compact IP65 enclosures. With only 896 bytes of OTP memory, this role is best limited to deterministic, low-state-count designs - higher-memory sensor hubs should step up to PIC16F88 or PIC18F core. Recommend pairing with an nRF24L01+ 2.4 GHz transceiver.
Recommended
Industrial Timer / Counter Module
The PIC16C620A-20I/SS suits industrial timer and counter modules because the on-chip Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), and Timer2 (8-bit with postscaler) provide flexible event counting at 20 MHz with sub-microsecond resolution. The 13 I/O pins accept up/down encoder inputs, end-of-travel limit switches, and relay driver outputs without external logic. The two analog comparators interface directly to 4-20 mA loop current shunts or voltage-level detectors, while the integrated watchdog timer prevents lockup in 24/7 unattended installations. Industrial -40C to +85C operation tolerates factory-floor temperatures, and OTP memory locks the timing parameters to prevent accidental reprogramming. The CCP module generates precise PWM for proportional control outputs. Recommend pairing with a TLP281 optocoupler for galvanic isolation of the 24V industrial bus.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller (Low-Power)
The PIC16C620A-20I/SS fits low-power battery charger controllers for single-cell Li-Ion or NiMH packs where firmware is fixed at production. The CCP module drives a PWM control loop for constant-current / constant-voltage (CC-CV) charging, while the two analog comparators monitor battery voltage and current sense thresholds without an external ADC. The integrated watchdog timer prevents runaway charging if firmware execution stalls, and Sleep mode draws microamps between ADC samples, extending standby time in always-connected products. The 896-byte OTP memory is sufficient for CC-CV state machines, and the industrial -40C to +85C grade handles the temperature rise inside a charger enclosure. OTP locking prevents end-user firmware modification - a safety benefit in charger designs. Recommend pairing with an MCP1700 LDO and an MCP73831 charge management IC for a complete solution.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620A-20I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F628A-20I/SS | PIC16C620A-20/SS | PIC16C620A-20E/SS | PIC16C621A-20I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 2048 B Flash (1024 x 14) + 128 B EEPROM | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 1024 B OTP (1024 x 14) |
| RAM | 96 B | 224 B | 96 B | 96 B | 128 B |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Memory Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Analog Comparators | 2 (with Vref) | 2 (with Vref) | 2 (with Vref) | 2 (with Vref) | 2 (with Vref) |
| CCP Modules | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Key Differentiators
- OTP memory locks firmware against post-production tampering (vs PIC16F628A-20I/SS)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade with calibrated internal oscillator (vs PIC16C620A-20/SS)
- PIC16C62X family compatibility with 512-word memory for compact code (vs PIC16C621A-20I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at Vdd=5.0 V, Fosc=20 MHz, the PIC16C620A-20I/SS draws approximately 10-15 mA of supply current. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to pins 5 (Vss) and 14 (Vdd), with a trace length under 5 mm to suppress switching noise. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the Vdd rail near the MCU for transient load support during CCP PWM transitions. For battery-powered designs, the integrated watchdog timer with its own internal RC oscillator allows the main system clock to be shut down during Sleep, reducing I_dd to approximately 1 uA typical - a critical power-saving feature for remote-control and sensor-node designs.
When using the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator instead of an external crystal, configure the FOSC configuration bits to select the INTRC mode; OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15) are then freed as general-purpose I/O - though on PIC16C620A only OSC2 is remapped to CLKOUT. For designs requiring higher timing accuracy (UART baud rate stability, time-of-day RTC), an external 20 MHz crystal in HS mode is recommended with 15-33 pF load capacitors on each leg. Avoid routing high-speed digital traces parallel to the crystal traces to prevent coupling. Brown-out reset should be enabled in the configuration word to hold the MCU in reset until Vdd stabilizes.
OTP memory cannot be erased - once a bit is programmed it stays programmed. Validate firmware on the PIC16F628A flash equivalent (same SSOP-20 pinout) before committing to PIC16C620A-20I/SS production parts, or use a windowed PIC16C620A-20/JW for final verification. The MCLR pin (pin 4) must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; leaving it floating causes intermittent resets. The PORTC pins (RC0, RC7) on PIC16C620A are digital-only - they cannot be used as analog comparator inputs; use PORTA (RA0-RA3) instead. Always enable the watchdog timer in long-life products where firmware lockup could cause field failure.
Route the analog comparator inputs (RA0-RA3) with short traces guarded by a digital ground keep-out zone to minimize noise coupling from switching I/O. If the application uses the on-chip voltage reference for the comparators, add a 0.1 uF ceramic bypass capacitor close to the AVdd/Vdd pin to stabilize the reference. For SSOP-20 layouts, use 0.65 mm pitch traces with 0.4 mm via-in-pad where board density demands it; otherwise standard 0.5 mm vias on a 1.6 mm FR-4 substrate provide adequate manufacturability. Maintain a continuous ground plane under the MCU body to improve thermal dissipation and reduce EMI.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip PIC16C62X product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive designs consult Microchip's PIC16F or dsPIC automotive-grade portfolios. The /SS SSOP package is MSL-1 rated.