PIC16C620A-40/SO - 8-Bit 40MHz OTP MCU, 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620A-40/SO โ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.62 | $3.62 |
| 10 | $3.21 | $32.10 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.4 | $1,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
PIC16C620A-40/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash), and peripherals into one package. The PIC16C620A belongs to the PIC16C family of CMOS, fully-static, OTP-based MCUs that execute one instruction per clock cycle using Microchip's RISC architecture. This makes PIC16C620A part of the broader hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. OTP memory allows the device to be programmed once during manufacturing or in-circuit, suiting cost-sensitive production where firmware is fixed.
Key features include 35 single-word instructions (most single-cycle, 200 ns at 20 MHz / 100 ns at 40 MHz), a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, and an external oscillator interface. The brown-out detect/reset (BOR), power-on reset (POR), and watchdog timer (WDT) provide robust operation in electrically noisy industrial environments. The CMOS design minimizes power consumption, with low standby current ideal for battery-powered or sleep-mode applications.
The PIC16C620A-40/SO uses a 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, balancing code density and ease of programming. Compared with its predecessor PIC16C620, the A-revision improved electrical specifications and is a recommended functional upgrade. Program memory is OTP, meaning each unit can be written only once; this suits production runs where firmware is finalized.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor interfacing, industrial automation, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and low-cost consumer devices. The 13 I/O lines comfortably handle key matrices, LEDs, and serial interfaces. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range allows operation from regulated 3.3 V or 5 V rails. The external oscillator supports crystals, resonators, or clock sources up to 40 MHz.
When designing with this part, remember OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed, so use a Flash equivalent (e.g., PIC16F630-I/SL) during development. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF) must be placed close to VDD/VSS, and unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs to minimize current consumption.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Information is current as of 2026-09-17.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620A-40/SO โ 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-40/SO (same form factor and footprint) โ differing in Maximum Clock Frequency, Package, Program Memory Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool โ Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F630-I/SL
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F676-I/SL
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620A-04/SO
โ Drop-In โ ๏ธ ๅๆฐๅพ ้ช่ฏโ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet โPIC16C620A-40/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP |
| RAM Size | 96 B |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc/Vdd) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, WDT |
| Connectivity | - |
| Data Converters | - |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Architecture | RISC, Harvard |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (OTP windowed/legacy family) |
PIC16C620A-40/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 โ Bidirectional I/O, also analog comparator reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3 โ Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI โ Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | /MCLR โ Master Clear (reset, active-low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS โ Ground |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT โ Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 โ Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 โ Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 โ Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 โ Bidirectional I/O (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 โ Bidirectional I/O (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 โ Bidirectional I/O (interrupt-on-change, ICSP clock) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 โ Bidirectional I/O (interrupt-on-change, ICSP data) |
| Pin 14 | VDD โ Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT โ Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN โ Oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 17 | RA0 โ Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
| Pin 18 | RA1 โ Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620A-40/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control (White Goods), Industrial Sensor Interface, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Low-Cost Consumer Electronics, LED Display Drivers / Chasing Effects, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes.
Appliance Control (White Goods)
The PIC16C620A-40/SO suits appliance control boards where firmware is fixed at production. With 13 digital I/O lines, the MCU can directly drive relays, indicator LEDs, keypads, and seven-segment displays without external glue logic. The 40 MHz CPU provides ample headroom for state-machine control of motors, valves, and heaters with sub-millisecond timing resolution. The wide 2.5-5.5 V supply accepts unregulated 5 V rails from rectified mains transformers. Brown-out detect and watchdog timer ensure safe recovery from brown-out or ESD events on noisy AC-line-derived power. Compared with modern 32-bit alternatives, the OTP-based /16C620A is preferred in mature designs with stable firmware, lowering unit cost versus Flash parts. Engineers should plan for OTP programming as a one-time event during board-level testing.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16C620A-40/SO is well-suited to industrial sensor interface modules where 4-20 mA loop transmitters, switch contacts, or digital sensors must be read and processed locally. Its 13 digital I/O ports accommodate multi-channel discrete inputs, while the 35-instruction RISC core executes deterministic control code for sensor linearization and threshold detection. The 40 MHz clock supports sampling rates up to several kHz for software-filtered sensor reads. Brown-out reset prevents false triggers during supply droop on long industrial cables. Watchdog timer recovers the MCU from lockup caused by EMI on factory floors. Compared with newer Cortex-M0 alternatives, the /16C620A offers lower cost and lower power for fixed-function sensor modules. OTP memory protects proprietary calibration algorithms from external read-back, supporting IP protection for OEM customers.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive body electronics such as lighting controllers, seat adjusters, or wiper timers, the PIC16C620A-40/SO provides a cost-effective solution. Its commercial 0-70C temperature range suits cabin-mounted modules; for under-hood AEC-Q100 applications a different part is required. The 13 I/O lines handle multiple LED drivers, switches, and relay coils with PWM via software bit-banging. Brown-out reset handles cranking-voltage dips down to 6 V on a 12 V battery. Watchdog timer resets the MCU if code execution stalls due to load-dump transients. Compared with newer automotive-grade MCUs, the /16C620A is favored in cost-sensitive non-safety subsystems. OTP memory locks the calibration data per vehicle variant, ensuring consistent behavior across the production fleet.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Electronics
The PIC16C620A-40/SO is widely used in low-cost consumer electronics such as toys, remote controls, and small kitchen appliances. Its 13 I/O ports easily drive IR LEDs, button matrices, piezo buzzers, and status LEDs without external drivers. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range supports 2x AA battery packs with low-battery detection via brown-out reset. OTP prevents firmware cloning, protecting IP for branded consumer products. The 40 MHz CPU handles RC5/RC6/SIRC IR protocol encoding/decoding in real-time with low software overhead. Compared with newer ARM Cortex-M0+ MCUs, the /16C620A keeps BOM cost minimal for high-volume consumer goods. Designers should plan for OTP programming as a one-time factory event; use PIC16F630-I/SL during prototyping.
Recommended
LED Display Drivers / Chasing Effects
The PIC16C620A-40/SO excels at LED chasing, marquee, and decoration light controllers. With 13 I/O ports, it directly drives up to 13 LED channels via PWM bit-banging, or multiplexes larger LED matrices with external transistors. The 40 MHz clock provides precise PWM control with resolution below 1 microsecond, enabling smooth fade and color-mixing transitions. Brown-out reset prevents incomplete patterns during power glitches. Watchdog timer recovers from firmware lockup. Compared with dedicated LED driver ICs, the /16C620A adds programmability for custom animation sequences. OTP memory locks the show patterns per product SKU, ensuring the visual identity of branded lighting products cannot be modified post-production.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16C620A-40/SO suits battery-powered sensor nodes where power consumption must be minimized and firmware is fixed. Its CMOS design achieves microamp-level standby current via sleep modes with watchdog timer wake-up. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range accepts 2xAA, CR2032, or rechargeable Li-ion cells. Brown-out detect provides clean low-battery shutdown to protect battery cells from over-discharge. With 13 digital I/O, the MCU interfaces to multiple sensors, a UART debug port, and a low-power RF module. Compared with newer low-power ARM MCUs, the /16C620A offers simpler sleep-wake semantics with minimal firmware overhead. OTP locks the calibration data into each node, ensuring consistent measurement accuracy across the deployed fleet.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620A-40/SO โ comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F630-I/SL | PIC16F676-I/SL | PIC16C620A-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) | 18-SOIC (same) |
| Core / Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC | PIC 8-bit RISC | PIC 8-bit RISC | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Max Clock Frequency | 40 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 1024 B Flash | 1024 B Flash | 896 B OTP |
| RAM Size | 96 B | 64 B | 64 B | 96 B |
| Number of I/O | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| RoHS Compliance | Non-compliant (legacy OTP) | RoHS compliant | RoHS compliant | Non-compliant |
Key Differentiators
- High 40 MHz clock versus Flash alternatives (vs PIC16F630-I/SL)
- OTP-based code protection (vs PIC16F630-I/SL)
- Same 18-SOIC pinout and code-compatible (vs PIC16F676-I/SL)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD (pin 14) and VSS (pin 5) pins. For boards with longer VDD traces (>25 mm), add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor at the regulator output to suppress switching transients. The PIC16C620A-40/SO accepts 2.5 V to 5.5 V; do not exceed 5.5 V or operation becomes undefined. For battery applications, the brown-out reset threshold (~2.0 V typical) provides clean low-battery shutdown.
OTP program memory can be written only ONCE. After programming, the device cannot be erased or reprogrammed. Plan accordingly: develop and validate firmware on a Flash-based equivalent such as PIC16F630-I/SL, then transition to PIC16C620A-40/SO only for the final production build. Verify programming success (signature read-back) before sealing the part - any programming error becomes permanent. Also remember that the WDT is disabled by default and must be enabled in the configuration bits.
The PIC16C620A-40/SO requires an external clock source at OSC1 (pin 16) for 40 MHz operation. Use a fundamental-mode crystal with two 22 pF load capacitors to GND, or feed a CMOS clock from an external oscillator. For designs that need to run on lower frequencies, swap to the /04 or /20 speed variant of PIC16C620A. Layout tip: keep the crystal traces short and surrounded by GND to minimize EMI pickup.
The 18-SOIC package has a 1.27 mm pin pitch and 7.50 mm body width. Standard SOIC sockets can be used for development. For production, hand-soldering is feasible but reflow soldering with standard JEDEC profiles is preferred. Add a ground pour under the MCU to improve thermal dissipation and EMI immunity. For industrial applications, add a 10 kohm pull-up on /MCLR (pin 4) and a 100 nF cap to ground for clean reset behavior.
Compliance Information
PIC16C620A family predates the RoHS transition and uses legacy SnPb finishes. For RoHS-compliant designs, select Flash-based PIC16F630-I/SL or PIC16F676-I/SL. Per Microchip product page, this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16 series for automotive safety applications.
