PIC16C63-04E/SP - 8-bit CMOS MCU, 7KB EPROM, 22 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63-04E/SP β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.4 | $164.00 |
| 100 | $14.2 | $1,420.00 |
| 500 | $12.1 | $6,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.35 | $10,350.00 |
PIC16C63-04E/SP Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a low-power, high-performance 8-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) MCU from Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family. PIC MCUs sit at the foundation of embedded control systems, providing deterministic single-cycle instruction execution, on-chip peripherals (timers, USART, capture/compare/PWM), and non-volatile program memory in a single chip. The PIC16C63 belongs to the mid-range PIC16C6X family, which uses EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) technology for code storage, allowing code to be erased via an ultraviolet window before reprogramming. This makes PIC16C parts well suited to engineering development, low-volume production, and applications where field firmware updates via UV erase are acceptable.
Key features include a fully-static design supporting DC to 20 MHz operation, low-power consumption of 15 uA typical at 5V/4MHz and 1 uA typical at 3V/32kHz, three hardware timers, a USART serial port, 22 I/O pins, and a 14-bit instruction word. The architecture provides only 35 single-word instructions, all of which execute in a single cycle except for program branches (two cycles). Brown-out reset and power-on reset are integrated on chip, and an integrated watchdog timer improves field reliability. The SPDIP-28 (Skinny Plastic DIP) footprint is the industry-standard through-hole 0.3-inch DIP-28 mechanical outline, allowing easy breadboarding and socketed programming.
The PIC16C63 is implemented using Microchip's CMOS EPROM/ROM technology with a Harvard architecture - separate program and data buses - enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The 8-bit ALU, 14-bit instruction width, and 8-level hardware stack provide deterministic real-time control. Compared with 8051-class MCUs, the PIC16C6X family delivers higher MIPS per MHz (4 MIPS at 10 MHz vs typically 1 MIPS for an 8051 at 12 MHz) and lower active current draw, making it attractive for battery-powered and thermally constrained designs.
Typical applications include industrial control and automation, automotive body and chassis subsystems, instrumentation, sensor signal conditioning, low-speed serial communication links, and educational/development platforms. The USART peripheral supports RS-232/RS-485 communication, while the CCP module supports PWM output for motor or LED control. The EPROM windowed ceramic package is reserved for development only - high-volume production should migrate to the OTP (one-time programmable) PIC16C63-04/SP variant, which uses the same SPDIP-28 footprint but is lower cost.
When designing with the PIC16C63-04E/SP, note that the EPROM windowed ceramic package is significantly more expensive than the OTP plastic variant, so it should be reserved for development and engineering samples. All PIC16C63 speed and temperature variants share the same SPDIP-28 pinout, enabling a single PCB layout to support engineering, prototype, and production builds. Ensure supply voltage is held within 4.0V to 5.5V, with decoupling capacitors placed close to VDD/VSS pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select the right variant for development versus production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63-04E/SP 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 PIC16C63-04E/SP (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature Range, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63-04/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.49 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C63A-04E/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C63-10E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63-20E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C66-04E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C62A-04E/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.2 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C63-04E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC PIC16C6X mid-range |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (windowed ceramic) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM | 0 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 cycle (4-clock), 2 cycles for branches |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication Peripherals | 1x USART (SCI) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM Modules | 2x CCP |
| Package Type | SPDIP-28 (Skinny Plastic DIP, 0.3 inch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E" suffix) |
| Low-Power Consumption | 15 uA typical at 5V/4MHz; 1 uA typical at 3V/32kHz |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT, on-chip) |
| Brown-Out Reset | Yes |
PIC16C63-04E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 β PORTA bit0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 β PORTA bit1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β PORTA bit2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 β PORTA bit3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 β PORTA bit4 (digital I/O / Timer0 clock) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 β PORTA bit5 (digital I/O / SS) |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0 β PORTC bit0 (digital I/O / T1OSO/T1CKI) |
| Pin 11 | RC1 β PORTC bit1 (digital I/O / T1OSI/CCP2) |
| Pin 12 | RC2 β PORTC bit2 (digital I/O / CCP1) |
| Pin 13 | RC3 β PORTC bit3 (digital I/O / SCL/SCK) |
| Pin 14 | RC4 β PORTC bit4 (digital I/O / SDA/SDI) |
| Pin 15 | RC5 β PORTC bit5 (digital I/O / SDO) |
| Pin 16 | RC6 β PORTC bit6 (digital I/O / TX/CK) |
| Pin 17 | RC7 β PORTC bit7 (digital I/O / RX/DT) |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit0 (digital I/O / external interrupt) |
| Pin 19 | RB1 β PORTB bit1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RB2 β PORTB bit2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RB3 β PORTB bit3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RB4 β PORTB bit4 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 23 | RB5 β PORTB bit5 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 24 | RB6 β PORTB bit6 (digital I/O / ICSPCLK / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 25 | RB7 β PORTB bit7 (digital I/O / ICSPDAT / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 28 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63-04E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Educational and Development Platforms, Low-Speed Serial Communication Bridges.
Industrial Control and Automation
The PIC16C63-04E/SP fits industrial control applications where deterministic real-time response and reliable operation across -40C to +125C are required. With 22 I/O pins each capable of 25 mA source/sink, the MCU can directly drive relays, solenoids, and indicator LEDs without buffer transistors in many cases. The 7 KB EPROM holds substantial control logic, and the integrated USART enables RS-232/RS-485 communication with PLCs, HMIs, or remote sensors. The hardware CCP module generates PWM for proportional valve control, motor speed regulation, or heater element control. Low 15 uA active current at 5V/4MHz supports 24/7 operation in unattended cabinets, while the EPROM windowed package allows field firmware updates during commissioning cycles via UV erase.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics
The PIC16C63-04E/SP serves automotive body electronics modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, HVAC blend-door actuators, and lighting controllers where Extended temperature range and deterministic timing are non-negotiable. Its 22 I/O pins handle multiple sensor inputs (position, temperature, switch) and actuator outputs (motors, lamps), while the 2 CCP modules deliver PWM for proportional motor drive or LED brightness control. The 4 MHz clock provides 1 MIPS performance, sufficient for brushed-DC motor commutation logic, watchdog-protected firmware, and LIN/slave communication via the USART. The windowed ceramic package is reserved for engineering development; production ECUs migrate to the PIC16C63-04/SP OTP version on the same SPDIP-28 footprint. Brown-out reset and the integrated watchdog timer improve field reliability under automotive cranking and load-dump transients.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends
Sensor signal-conditioning modules benefit from the PIC16C63-04E/SP's 22 I/O, integrated USART, and deterministic interrupt response. The MCU reads thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, pressure transducers, or flow sensors via external op-amp front-ends, applies linearization or calibration, and outputs a calibrated serial stream to a host controller or display. The 192-byte RAM holds recent samples and run statistics; the 7 KB EPROM holds lookup tables for sensor curves. Low-power modes (1 uA typical at 3V/32 kHz via Timer1 clock) enable battery-backed sensor transmitters in field instrumentation. The SPDIP-28 through-hole package is well suited to hand-soldered prototypes and small-batch industrial sensors that must operate from -40C to +125C.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
Bench-top instrumentation and laboratory data-acquisition systems use the PIC16C63-04E/SP for front-panel control, range selection, and serial data forwarding to a host PC. The MCU's USART provides RS-232 communication with a PC, while the 22 I/O scan a keypad, drive a character LCD via 4-bit parallel interface, and read rotary encoders. The 7 KB EPROM holds full firmware including menu trees and calibration routines, while the 192-byte RAM handles key debouncing, encoder quadratures, and display buffer. PWM from the CCP module dims the LCD backlight. The windowed ceramic package supports repeated firmware revisions during lab development without scrapping expensive parts.
Recommended
Educational and Development Platforms
University embedded-systems courses and hobbyist development platforms use the PIC16C63-04E/SP because of its UV-erasable windowed ceramic package, breadboard-friendly SPDIP-28 footprint, and the rich Microchip PIC16C6X learning ecosystem. Students can program the EPROM, test code, erase via UV lamp, and re-program hundreds of times during a single semester - a feature the OTP plastic variant cannot offer. The 35-instruction RISC architecture is widely covered in textbooks (e.g., Mazidi, Peatman, Predko), and the open PIC instruction set makes assembly programming instructive. Programming tools include PICSTART Plus, MPLAB PM3, and low-cost ICD2/ICD3 debuggers.
Recommended
Low-Speed Serial Communication Bridges
Serial communication bridges and protocol converters use the PIC16C63-04E/SP to translate between RS-232, RS-485, and proprietary serial protocols. The integrated USART supports asynchronous serial at up to 19.2 kbaud at 4 MHz clock, while software-generated bit-banging on general I/O pins handles slower proprietary protocols. The 22 I/O pins allow additional handshake lines, status LEDs, and mode-select inputs. Low-power shutdown modes (1 uA typical standby) support battery-backed field communication devices. The 7 KB EPROM holds framing, addressing, and CRC code for transparent data forwarding. The SPDIP-28 mechanical outline is compatible with countless legacy OEM designs, enabling drop-in upgrades.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63-04E/SP β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63-04/SP | PIC16C63A-04E/SP | PIC16C63-10E/SP | PIC16C63-20E/SP | PIC16C66-04E/SP | PIC16C62A-04E/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SPDIP-28 | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same |
| Speed Grade | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 10 MHz - +150% | 20 MHz - +400% | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB EPROM | 7 KB OTP - same | 7 KB EPROM - same | 7 KB EPROM - same | 7 KB EPROM - same | 7 KB EPROM - same | 2 KB EPROM - -71% |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 368 bytes - +92% | 128 bytes - -33% |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 - same | 22 - same | 22 - same | 22 - same | 33 - +50% | 22 - same |
| Memory Type | Windowed EPROM (ceramic) | OTP (plastic) - one-time programmable | Windowed EPROM - same | Windowed EPROM - same | Windowed EPROM - same | Windowed EPROM - same | Windowed EPROM - same |
| USART | 1 | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same | 2 - +100% | 1 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Windowed ceramic package supports UV erase and repeated reprogramming (vs PIC16C63-04/SP (OTP plastic))
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC16C63-04I/SP (Industrial, -40C to +85C))
- 22 I/O pins with 25 mA source/sink direct LED drive (vs PIC16C62A-04E/SP)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 27) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor at the PCB power entry. The PIC16C63-04E/SP operates from 4.0V to 5.5V; brief drops below 4.0V may trigger brown-out reset (if BOR is enabled in configuration bits). Use a low-ESR bulk cap to handle motor or relay switching transients on the supply rail. Connect VSS (pin 26) directly to the ground plane with a short trace to minimize digital switching noise coupling into analog references.
The "E" suffix in PIC16C63-04E/SP denotes BOTH Extended temperature range (-40C to +125C) AND windowed ceramic package - designers frequently misinterpret it as Extended temperature only. Do not substitute the windowed ceramic variant into production builds; the OTP plastic PIC16C63-04/SP is the production-grade equivalent at much lower cost. Also note that Microchip PIC16C6X EPROM programming requires 13V on VPP/MCLR (pin 1), which is incompatible with modern low-voltage in-system programming tools designed for PIC16F Flash parts.
Place the 4 MHz crystal (or ceramic resonator) within 10 mm of OSC1 (pin 8) and OSC2 (pin 9) with short, symmetric traces to minimize stray capacitance. Add 22-33 pF load capacitors to GND as required by the crystal datasheet. Keep clock traces away from high-current switching lines such as relay coils or motor phases. Route the MCLR/VPP line (pin 1) with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap to ground to prevent spurious reset events from injected noise - this RC network is recommended in the Microchip PIC16C6X errata.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in the verified web results. The PIC16C63-04E/SP uses a windowed ceramic DIP package which historically contains lead in the ceramic-glass seal; designers should verify RoHS/lead-free status with Microchip for current production runs. Not AEC-Q100 qualified.
