PIC16C63-04/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 7KB, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63-04/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.7 | $8.70 |
| 10 | $7.83 | $78.30 |
| 100 | $6.96 | $696.00 |
| 500 | $6.26 | $3,130.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.57 | $5,570.00 |
PIC16C63-04/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, RAM, peripherals, and I/O. The PIC16C63 belongs to the mid-range PIC16C6X family built on CMOS EPROM/ROM technology with a fully static design, sitting between 8-bit microcontrollers and the broader category of embedded microcontrollers in the semiconductor hierarchy. Its RISC architecture requires only 35 single-word instructions, with all instructions executing in one cycle except program branches which take two cycles.
Key features include a high-performance RISC CPU, 8-bit data path, integrated peripherals such as timers, a USART (for PIC16C63) for serial communication, and on-chip oscillator options. The wide operating voltage and low power consumption make it suitable for both line-powered and battery-aware designs. The 28-SOIC surface-mount package supports high-density PCB layouts while remaining hand-solderable for prototyping.
The PIC16C63-04 utilizes a Harvard-bus RISC architecture with separate program and data paths, enabling deterministic instruction timing. Its CMOS EPROM cell (windowed or OTP variant) provides low standby current and high noise immunity, while the fully static core permits operation down to DC clock speeds - useful for power-sensitive designs that switch between active and sleep modes.
Typical applications include industrial control logic, embedded sensor interfaces, simple motor control, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and legacy embedded designs. The 22 I/O pins support keypad scanning, LED driving, and parallel bus interfacing to character LCDs. The integrated USART simplifies communication with PCs, RS-232/485 transceivers, or other MCUs. Because it is OTP, it is most appropriate for production runs where firmware is final; for field-updatable applications, consider PIC16F or PIC18 flash variants.
A key design consideration is the OTP memory type - firmware must be complete and verified before programming, as OTP cannot be erased. Reserve the -04I/SP industrial-temperature variant for -40 °C to +85 °C deployments, and verify pin compatibility with newer PIC16F6X flash parts if migration is anticipated.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design considerations not collected in any single manufacturer document, drawing on current DigiKey, Mouser, Octopart, and LCSC listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63-04/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 PIC16C63-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Type, Package, Program Memory Size, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-04E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (PIC16C6X mid-range) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| CPU Clock Speed (Max) | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| Supply Voltage | 4 V to 6 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) |
| Supply Current (5 V, 4 MHz) | 15 µA typical |
| Supply Current (3 V, 32 kHz) | 1 µA typical |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16C63-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | VDD — Positive supply (4 V to 6 V) |
| Pin 16 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 17 | RC1/T1OSI — Port C bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input |
| Pin 18 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 20 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 21 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 22 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 23 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 24 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 25 | VDD — Positive supply (4 V to 6 V) |
| Pin 26 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 27 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63-04/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Logic, Embedded Sensor Interface, Simple Motor Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Character LCD and Keypad Interfaces, Legacy Embedded Product Maintenance.
Industrial Control Logic
The PIC16C63-04/SO is well suited to industrial control logic at 5 V logic levels, where its 22 I/O pins can directly drive relays, optocouplers, and indicator LEDs while accepting inputs from limit switches and rotary encoders. Its 4 MHz clock delivers 1 MIPS throughput, sufficient for scan loops reading discrete I/O at 10 ms cycle times typical of PLC-style machine control. The integrated USART supports RS-232/RS-485 communication with operator panels or supervisory PLCs over distances up to 1200 m on RS-485.
Recommended
Embedded Sensor Interface
With 192 bytes of RAM and 7 KB of OTP program memory, the PIC16C63-04/SO can implement sensor linearization, averaging, and threshold detection algorithms for temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors. Its analog-friendly I/O pairs naturally with external ADC chips for multi-channel acquisition, while the low 15 µA typical operating current at 5 V/4 MHz preserves battery life in remote sensor nodes. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset features help recover from field power disturbances.
Recommended
Simple Motor Control
The PIC16C63-04/SO can drive small DC motors, unipolar stepper motors, and solenoids through its 22 I/O pins combined with external MOSFET or Darlington drivers such as the ULN2003. PWM generation using on-chip timers regulates motor speed, while the USART enables host communication for command and status reporting. The 4 MHz clock is adequate for low-RPM positioning tasks where closed-loop control bandwidth requirements stay below 1 kHz.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16C63-04/SO fits non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memories, and accessory multiplexers, where its 5 V operation aligns with body-control voltage rails and its 22 I/O lines handle keypad and LED matrix driving. The integrated USART supports LIN-bus slave communication via external transceivers. For under-hood or safety-critical applications, choose AEC-Q100-qualified parts instead.
Recommended
Character LCD and Keypad Interfaces
The PIC16C63-04/SO's 22 I/O pins comfortably drive a standard HD44780 character LCD in 4-bit mode (using 6 pins) plus a 4x4 matrix keypad (8 pins), leaving I/O for application-specific functions. Its 7 KB OTP holds common user-interface state machines including debounce routines and menu navigation. The 4 MHz clock produces comfortable instruction margins for slow LCD write cycles without timing penalties.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded Product Maintenance
Many existing products designed in the late 1990s and early 2000s use PIC16C63-series OTP MCUs and require ongoing replacement-parts supply. The PIC16C63-04/SO continues to be manufactured and stocked specifically for this long-tail maintenance market, where form-fit-function continuity outweighs the appeal of newer flash-based MCUs. Designers of replacement boards can drop it directly into existing 28-SOIC footprints without firmware changes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-04/SO | PIC16C63-04I/SO | PIC16C63T-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| CPU Clock (Max) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Supply Voltage | 4 V to 6 V | 4 V to 6 V | 4 V to 6 V | 4 V to 6 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature variant in same 28-SOIC footprint (vs PIC16C63-04I/SO)
- Improved silicon revision with same electrical specs (vs PIC16C63A-04/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume assembly (vs PIC16C63T-04/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pins 15 and 25) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of each pin, plus a 10 µF tantalum or aluminum bulk capacitor at the board supply entry. The PIC16C63-04/SO draws 15 µA typical at 5 V/4 MHz; transient currents during I/O switching require local high-frequency decoupling to prevent logic errors.
Do not exceed the 6 V absolute maximum VDD rating or the device may latch up. The MCLR pin (pin 26) requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD; a manual reset button should connect MCLR to VSS through a 100 Ω series resistor to limit inrush current. Programming voltage on MCLR/VPP during in-circuit serial programming requires 13-14 V - ensure isolation if sharing MCLR with external reset sources.
The 28-SOIC package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of approximately 80 °C/W, well suited to commercial 0-70 °C operation at moderate switching activity. At 4 MHz with all I/O toggling, internal dissipation is roughly 30 mW - well below thermal limits. No heatsinking is required.
Route the crystal or resonator traces (RC0/RC1 for Timer1 oscillator) short and symmetric with grounded guard traces to reduce EMI pickup. Place decoupling capacitors before the crystal traces on the same net. Keep high-current switching outputs (driving LEDs or relays) physically separated from analog inputs (RA0-RA5) to minimize cross-coupling.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not explicitly provided in verified web sources. The -04/SO suffix historically indicates matte-tin lead-free SOIC packaging per Microchip ordering nomenclature, but formal RoHS/REACH certificates should be requested from Microchip for production designs.