PIC16C620T-04E/SO - 8-bit 4MHz OTP MCU 896B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620T-04E/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.42 | $5.42 |
| 10 | $4.78 | $47.80 |
| 100 | $3.95 | $395.00 |
| 500 | $3.12 | $1,560.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.65 | $2,650.00 |
PIC16C620T-04E/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral I/O on one die. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, the PIC16C620 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller family, which sits under microcontrollers > integrated circuits > semiconductors. Its Harvard RISC architecture separates program and data buses so instruction fetch and operand read can occur in the same cycle, which is why PIC cores deliver deterministic interrupt latency at modest clock rates.
Key features include a 14-bit instruction word, 35 single-cycle instructions, 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, brown-out detect, and an internal/external interrupt source. The PIC16C620 adds two analog comparators with programmable reference, a feature absent on the smaller PIC16C61 and that makes it well suited for cost-sensitive analog-front-end designs.
The device is built on an EPROM-based CMOS process; the 'C' suffix denotes the windowless/OTP CMOS variant, which is one-time programmable but retains the classic PIC instruction set. Per the Microchip datasheet, code-protect fuses let the designer lock the EPROM image against read-back.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor signal conditioning with on-chip comparators, simple SMPS supervisory logic, automotive body modules (when sourced from automotive-grade lots), and pin-compatible upgrades of older PIC16C5X designs. The 18-pin SOIC footprint is also convenient for retrofit boards where a DIP-18 part is being replaced by an SMD equivalent. Compared with Flash-based PIC16F devices, the 'C' OTP parts trade reprogrammability for lower unit cost at high volume.
When designing, remember the OTP memory cannot be rewritten; prototype with the windowed PIC16C620JW or the Flash PIC16F628 before committing. Ensure Vdd decoupling includes both a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin and a bulk tantalum or aluminum electrolytic of at least 10 uF. The MCLR reset pin must be pulled high through 10 kohm-100 kohm for normal operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16C620-family alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620T-04E/SO — 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 PIC16C620T-04E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Type, RAM Size, Timers, Operating Temperature Range, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C620-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-20/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F628A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620T-04E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14) |
| RAM Size | 80 B (80 x 8) |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bit |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Analog Comparators | 2 with programmable reference |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, 'E') |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
PIC16C620T-04E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | Vdd — Positive supply (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator input |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620T-04E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Sensor Front-End with On-Chip Comparators, SMPS Supervisory and Sequencing Logic, Legacy Industrial Control Replacement, Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy), Hobby and Educational Development.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C620T-04E/SO fits low-cost white-goods and small-appliance controllers because it integrates two analog comparators with a programmable voltage reference alongside the PIC core, eliminating an external op-amp on thermostat or level-sense inputs. With 896 B of OTP program memory and 80 B of RAM, the part is sized for fixed-function state machines that read a few sensors and drive relays or TRIACs. The 4 MHz CPU is sufficient for 10 ms control loops, and the wide 3.0-6.0 V supply tolerates unregulated rectified rails typical in appliance power supplies. Its extended -40 C to +125 C rating covers under-hood and kitchen environments. The 18-SOIC footprint is reflow-solderable, supporting high-volume production. Compared with discrete logic, the PIC16C620T-04E/SO replaces dozens of 74HC gates while adding programmability. The OTP memory also removes the need for in-circuit programming infrastructure during assembly.
Recommended
Sensor Front-End with On-Chip Comparators
For sensor-conditioning modules the PIC16C620T-04E/SO is attractive because its two on-chip comparators with programmable reference let designers build threshold detectors for temperature, light, or pressure without external analog ICs. The PIC core then handles hysteresis, debouncing, and serial reporting. Operating from 3.0-6.0 V means the MCU can share the sensor supply directly. At 4 MHz the part executes a comparison-to-decision in microseconds, well below the response time of most mechanical sensors. The 80 B RAM is enough for a small ring buffer of samples, and the 13 I/O pins comfortably cover SPI/I2C plus discrete interrupts. The wide 18-SOIC footprint simplifies hand-prototyping on breakout boards. Industrial users benefit from the extended -40 C to +125 C operating range.
Recommended
SMPS Supervisory and Sequencing Logic
The PIC16C620T-04E/SO is commonly deployed as secondary supervisory logic on switch-mode power supply boards, where it monitors auxiliary rails, drives status LEDs, and sequences enable signals to downstream converters. The brown-out reset and power-on reset blocks provide clean startup and brown-out behavior without external reset ICs, while the watchdog timer with its own internal RC oscillator catches firmware lockups. The 3.0-6.0 V supply range matches 3.3 V and 5 V logic rails directly. Its 4 MHz CPU is more than enough for slow supervisory tasks and leaves headroom for UART-based PMBus-lite or simple fault logging. The 13 I/O can be allocated to PGOOD inputs, FAULT outputs, and a debug UART. The 18-SOIC package fits on the secondary side of most PSU layouts.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Control Replacement
Maintenance and repair operations frequently need to replace obsolete PIC16C620T-04E/SO parts on legacy industrial controllers, machine tools, and factory automation sub-assemblies. Because the part is pin-compatible with the wider PIC16C620 family in 18-SOIC, the same board accepts tube-pack PIC16C620-04E/SO or commercial-grade PIC16C620T-04/SO without PCB rework. Engineers upgrading older PIC16C5X designs to gain on-chip comparators find the PIC16C620T-04E/SO a drop-in step up. For long-term reliability, designers often migrate to the Flash-based PIC16F628A-I/SO, which retains the 18-SOIC pinout while adding reprogrammability for in-field firmware updates. The extended -40 C to +125 C rating of the 'E' suffix suits factory-floor thermal environments.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy)
Although the PIC16C620T-04E/SO is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified, its extended -40 C to +125 C rating and 18-SOIC reflow-compatible package have made it a frequent choice in non-safety automotive body modules such as mirror controllers, simple lighting drivers, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Two on-chip comparators can read thermistors or position sensors directly. The PIC RISC architecture gives deterministic interrupt latency for time-critical tasks like PWM-driven motor control loops. Many automotive EOL programs use the PIC16C620 family because its long production history and stable silicon reduce requalification risk. The wide 3.0-6.0 V supply handles 12 V battery transients after regulation. New designs should still move to the AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F628 family.
Recommended
Hobby and Educational Development
The PIC16C620T-04E/SO is a frequent teaching example for 8-bit embedded courses because its PIC RISC instruction set fits in a single semester and the 18-SOIC package is easy to breadboard with SOIC-to-DIP adapters. Students learn fundamentals such as I/O configuration, timer-driven scheduling, and analog comparator thresholds without the complexity of modern peripherals. The 4 MHz CPU is slow enough that students can single-step and observe GPIO changes on a logic analyzer. The 896 B of OTP EPROM is large enough to host a small assembly project but small enough to teach disciplined memory budgeting. Because the PIC16C620 family is mature, decades of application notes and textbooks remain applicable, easing lab setup.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620T-04E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C620-04E/SO | PIC16C620T-04/SO | PIC16F628A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm) | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash |
| Program Memory | 896 B (512 x 14) | 896 B | 896 B | 2048 B (Flash) |
| RAM | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 224 B |
| Max CPU Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Same-die replacement with tube packaging (vs PIC16C620-04E/SO)
- Extended temperature grade coverage (vs PIC16C620T-04/SO)
- OTP EPROM vs Flash reprogrammability (vs PIC16F628A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple Vdd (pin 14) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the same node. The PIC16C620T-04E/SO is specified for 3.0 V to 6.0 V operation; for 5 V designs the bulk cap should be sized to handle inrush during Flash programming transients and to stabilize the rail during relay or motor switching.
MCLR (pin 4) must be tied to Vdd through a 10 kohm-100 kohm pull-up for normal operation; leaving MCLR floating causes intermittent reset. Brown-out and power-on reset rely on a clean rise on Vdd, so add a 1 nF-10 nF cap from MCLR to ground if the rail has slow rise times. Note that the '04' speed grade runs to 4 MHz maximum - attempting 20 MHz with a PIC16C620A-20 is required instead.
The 18-SOIC wide-body (7.50 mm) footprint follows JEDEC MS-013; use 1.27 mm pitch pads with at least 0.5 mm annular ring. RA4 (pin 3) is open-drain and needs an external pull-up if used as output. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and surround the crystal with a ground guard ring to reduce EMI coupling into the analog comparators.
Estimated: at 4 MHz and 5 V, the PIC16C620T-04E/SO draws roughly 2 mA active and 1 uA Sleep per Microchip datasheet curves. With theta_JA around 70 C/W on a 1-oz 2-layer board, the part self-heats negligibly (<0.2 C), so no heatsinking is required - the -40 C to +125 C operating range is comfortably met in closed enclosures.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH status not stated in the verified web data; PIC16C620 family predates widespread RoHS documentation and is generally not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC16F628AT-I/SO for automotive.