PIC16C63A-04/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 7KB, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63A-04/SO β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.4 | $8.40 |
| 10 | $7.55 | $75.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.2 | $3,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.75 | $5,750.00 |
PIC16C63A-04/SO Overview
What is an 8-bit OTP microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that executes instructions on 8-bit-wide data and is the workhorse of low-cost embedded systems. OTP (One-Time-Programmable) memory can be written exactly once and cannot be erased, which makes these parts well-suited to high-volume production where code changes are infrequent. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16C63A belongs to: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> PIC16C6x sub-family -> CMOS RISC architecture -> semiconductor IC. This hierarchy governs tool selection, peripheral compatibility, and migration paths.
Key features of the PIC16C63A-04/SO include a 35-instruction RISC instruction set where only program branches take two cycles, four 8-bit digital I/O ports (PORTA, PORTB, PORTC, plus shared lines), an enhanced USART with baud-rate generator for serial communications, a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter, and two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer. Supply voltage spans 4.0 V to 5.5 V and the device draws low operating current, with a power-saving SLEEP mode that halts the oscillator and peripherals.
Architecturally, the PIC16C63A uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling instruction fetch and operand access in a single cycle. The CMOS process delivers low power consumption and high noise immunity. The 28-SOIC package is a wide-body surface-mount format suitable for hand-solderable prototypes and automated assembly lines.
Typical applications include industrial control, automotive body electronics, consumer appliances, security and alarm systems, motor control, and instrumentation front-ends. The integrated USART, CCP and 10-bit ADC reduce external component count in many designs.
Design considerations: place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD and ensure the MCLR pin is pulled high through a resistor for normal operation. OTP memory programming requires the ICSP interface and a programmer such as the MPLAB PM3.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A-04/SO 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 PIC16C63A-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-04E/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-04I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-20/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F73-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63-04I/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C63A-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Architecture | PIC16C, 8-bit CMOS RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP |
| Program Memory Type | One-Time-Programmable (OTP) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | None (OTP device) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 instructions (RISC) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit (TMR0, TMR1, TMR2) |
| Communication Interfaces | Enhanced USART with baud-rate generator |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 x CCP module |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free SOIC package) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16C63A-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR#/VPP β Master Clear (active-low reset) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 β PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O or analog input AN0) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 β PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O or analog input AN1) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O or analog input AN2) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 β PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O or analog input AN3 / VREF+) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 β PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O / Timer0 clock input) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 β PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O / analog input AN4 / SS#) |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0 β PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O or Timer1 oscillator output) |
| Pin 12 | RC1 β PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O or Timer1 oscillator input) |
| Pin 13 | RC2 β PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O or CCP1 output) |
| Pin 14 | RC3 β PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O or SCK/SCL for SPI/I2C) |
| Pin 15 | RC4 β PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O or SDI/SDA for SPI/I2C) |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O or SDO for SPI) |
| Pin 17 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O or TX for USART) |
| Pin 18 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O or RX for USART) |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 (digital I/O or external interrupt input) |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O or PGM for LVP) |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 27 | RB6 β PORTB bit 6 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / PGC for ICSP) |
| Pin 28 | RB7 β PORTB bit 7 (digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / PGD for ICSP) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A-04/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control and Automation, Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer Appliance Control, Security and Alarm Systems, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Front-End, Motor Control and PWM Drivers, Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platforms.
Industrial Control and Automation
The PIC16C63A-04/SO fits industrial control applications because its 8-bit PIC16C RISC core delivers deterministic 200 ns instruction execution, which is essential for real-time PLC signal handling and sensor multiplexing. The integrated 10-bit ADC, CCP module, and enhanced USART let a single chip interface to 4-20 mA loops, RS-485 nodes, and PWM-controlled actuators without external glue logic. The 28-SOIC package is hand-solderable for prototype runs and survives the thermal cycling of factory-floor enclosures.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
In automotive body modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters and lighting drivers, the PIC16C63A-04/SO provides the deterministic response times required for LIN-bus-style networks and PWM dimming of LED arrays. Its 22 GPIO pins can directly drive relays and high-side switches via discrete MOSFETs, while the USART interfaces to the body control module. The 4 MHz clock is adequate for body-electronics loop rates of a few hundred Hz, and the SOIC package tolerates the under-hood thermal environment when paired with conformal coating.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
White-goods and small appliances (microwave ovens, washing machines, coffee makers) use the PIC16C63A-04/SO as the main controller because the OTP memory secures firmware against field tampering and the RISC core handles keypad scanning, seven-segment display multiplexing, and sensor readout in real time. The integrated CCP module generates the PWM signals that drive motor-speed control for fans and pumps. A typical design uses the USART for diagnostic interfaces and the ADC for temperature and water-level sensing.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Systems
Alarm panels and access-control terminals benefit from the PIC16C63A-04/SO's combination of low power consumption, 22 GPIO for zone inputs and siren/keypad outputs, and USART for communication with a central station modem. The PIC16C6x instruction set is small enough to implement sliding-window sensor debouncing and PIN-code verification without an external RTC. The OTP memory prevents reverse-engineering of the alarm logic, and the SOIC package fits inside compact wall-mounted enclosures.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition Front-End
Low-speed data-acquisition front-ends (handheld multimeters, temperature loggers, bench-top test fixtures) use the PIC16C63A-04/SO to read sensors through its 10-bit ADC and stream results over the USART to a PC or display. The 4 MHz clock is sufficient for sampling rates up to a few kilosamples per second, and the 7 KB OTP program memory holds calibration tables alongside the application code. The SOIC package drops onto prototype boards using standard 0.05 in pitch SOIC-to-DIP adapters for breadboard development.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drivers
Small DC and stepper motor controllers (robotic toys, vending machine dispensers, HVAC dampers) use the PIC16C63A-04/SO's CCP module to generate the PWM waveforms that drive H-bridge power stages. The 16-bit Timer1 module provides the time base for closed-loop speed control, and the USART accepts set-point commands from a master controller. Operating from a single 5 V rail, the SOIC package dissipates the modest switching losses of a 4 MHz MCU comfortably without a heatsink.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platforms
Universities, hobbyists and makers use the PIC16C63A-04/SO on development boards and trainer kits because the PIC16C6x instruction set is small enough to learn in a semester, and the SOIC package is easy to hand-solder on breakout boards. The ICSP interface lets instructors flash OTP parts in-lab with a PICkit 3, and the 7 KB program memory accommodates full class projects. The part's longevity in the Microchip portfolio also makes it a stable reference design for textbook examples.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A-04/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-04E/SO | PIC16C63A-04I/SO | PIC16C63A-20/SO | PIC16F73-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory Type | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider range) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| ADC | 10-bit (channel count TBD) | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND (Not Recommended for new designs) | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active (recommended for new designs) |
Key Differentiators
- OTP memory secures firmware against unauthorized read-back (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
- Wider industrial/extended temperature options in the same package (vs PIC16C63A-04/SO (commercial grade))
- Industrial temperature grade with active new-design status (vs PIC16C63A-04I/SO (NRND))
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=5.0 V, 4 MHz clock, all peripherals disabled, the PIC16C63A-04/SO draws approximately 2 mA active and 1 uA in SLEEP. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the board supply entry. The MCLR#/VPP pin (pin 1) must be pulled to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor; do not leave it floating because noise on MCLR# can cause spurious resets.
The 28-SOIC package has 1.27 mm pin pitch; route power traces with at least 0.2 mm width to the VDD/VSS pins and provide a ground pour under the IC to reduce EMI. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short (under 10 mm) and surround them with a ground guard ring to attenuate clock harmonics. For ICSP programming, expose the RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD pins to a 5-pin header (plus MCLR#, VDD, VSS) so production boards can be programmed without removing the MCU.
Critical: PIC16C63A-04/SO uses OTP (one-time-programmable) memory - any code bug or misconfiguration word becomes permanent after programming. Always program at least two engineering samples and validate firmware before committing to production runs. Configuration word settings (oscillator mode, watchdog enable, code protection) cannot be reversed on the same part, so a wrong code-protect bit will brick the device. Use the windowed ceramic DIP variant PIC16C63A-04/JW during development to allow UV erasure.
When using the USART in RS-232 or RS-485 mode, add a 100 ohm series resistor at the MCU TX pin to dampen reflections on cables longer than 0.5 m. The enhanced USART on the PIC16C63A supports baud rates up to several hundred kbps at 4 MHz clock; if you need higher baud rates, consider the -20 or PIC16F73 variants. For SPI communication, ensure the SCK signal has a clean rise/fall time - if the slave device is far from the MCU, use a 10 kohm pull-up on MISO to prevent floating during bus idle.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive designs should use the AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F variants or perform additional qualification testing.
