PIC16C63A-04E/SP - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 7KB Flash, 28-SPDIP
MPN: PIC16C63A-04E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.5 | $8.50 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
PIC16C63A-04E/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripherals on one die; the PIC mid-range core uses a Harvard RISC architecture with 35 single-word instructions, only one of which (program branch) takes two cycles, while the rest execute in a single instruction cycle. This design simplifies coding while delivering deterministic interrupt latency that is critical for real-time embedded control.
Key features of the PIC16C63A-04E/SP include 22 digital I/O pins, three serial communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, and UART/USART), Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules for motor and lighting control, an 8-bit ADC, and Brown-out Detect/Reset plus Power-On Reset (POR) for robust supply supervision. The 'E' suffix designates the Extended industrial temperature range of -40C to +125C, while '04' denotes a 4 MHz maximum oscillator frequency.
Architecturally, the PIC16C63A uses a 14-bit instruction word with separate code and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. Its CMOS static design means the clock can be stopped and the device put into Sleep mode for ultra-low standby power, making it well-suited for battery-backed or energy-conscious industrial applications.
Typical applications include industrial control logic, sensor interface boards, motor control subsystems, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and legacy embedded systems requiring long-term parts continuity. The OTP memory and SPDIP package also make this part attractive for through-hole prototyping and low-volume production runs.
When designing with the PIC16C63A-04E/SP, ensure the oscillator circuit uses the correct crystal or resonator values for the chosen clock frequency (4 MHz max), and always place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of the VDD pins. Because this part is OTP, firmware must be fully validated before programming; for in-system reprogrammability, consider the Flash-based PIC16F73/74 equivalents.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, same-family and cross-brand drop-in alternatives, pin-level comparison, and engineering design notes that go beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A-04E/SP — 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-04E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-10/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (at 20 MHz), 1 us (at 4 MHz) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Communication Peripherals | 1x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x USART |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | Yes (CCP module) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP, 0.300 inch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| Brown-out Detect / Reset | Yes |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16C63A-04E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 13 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture-Compare-PWM 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 15 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 16 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 17 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 18 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 19 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A-04E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Logic, Motor Control Subsystems, Sensor Interface Boards, Automotive Body Electronics, Legacy Embedded Replacement, HMI Keypad and Display Interface.
Industrial Control Logic
The PIC16C63A-04E/SP's 22 digital I/O, three serial peripherals (I2C/SPI/UART), and Extended -40C to +125C temperature range make it well suited for industrial control logic boards that must survive harsh factory environments. Its 7 KB OTP holds substantial state-machine code for relay drivers, sensor multiplexing, and HMI button scanning. The Brown-out Detect and Power-On Reset ensure deterministic startup on noisy 24V/5V industrial rails, while the 4 MHz clock provides 1 us instruction cycle time that is sufficient for sub-millisecond control loop updates typical of PLC I/O modules.
Recommended
Motor Control Subsystems
The Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module on the PIC16C63A-04E/SP generates the PWM signals needed for small DC and stepper motor drives up to a few hundred Hz switching frequency. With 4 MHz CPU clock and 1 us instruction cycle, the firmware can update PWM duty cycle and process quadrature encoder feedback in real time. The 22 I/O pins can drive H-bridge logic, read end-of-travel switches, and run the serial diagnostic channel back to a host controller. For higher PWM frequencies, the 20 MHz PIC16C63A-20/SP sibling provides 200 ns instruction cycles.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Boards
The PIC16C63A-04E/SP integrates I2C, SPI, and USART peripherals on-chip, allowing direct connection to digital temperature sensors, accelerometers, EEPROMs, and RS-485 transceiver front-ends without external glue logic. Its 192 bytes of RAM are sufficient to buffer multi-sensor scan frames and run simple digital filtering (moving average, hysteresis) before reporting over the UART. The PIC16C63A-04E/SP's Extended -40C to +125C range enables outdoor and under-hood sensor hubs. For designs needing higher-throughput sensor I/O, migrate to the 20 MHz grade.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16C63A-04E/SP is a common choice for non-safety automotive body modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, interior lighting, and door-lock actuators where AEC-Q100 qualification is not strictly required. Its 4 MHz CPU, 22 I/O, and PWM module can drive small solenoids and lamp dimmers; its Extended -40C to +125C range covers cabin and under-hood thermal stress. For designs requiring formal AEC-Q100 compliance, migrate to a Q-graded PIC such as PIC16F73-I/SP which carries automotive PPAP documentation.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded Replacement
The PIC16C63A-04E/SP is widely specified in long-lifecycle industrial products originally designed in the late 1990s, where manufacturers need a pin-compatible 28-SPDIP MCU to keep legacy boards in production. Because the PIC16CXX mid-range architecture and instruction set have remained stable, existing firmware (assembled for PIC16C6X) typically runs without modification when ported from earlier PIC16C63 to PIC16C63A silicon. The OTP memory and Extended temperature range make this part attractive for low-volume industrial control boards, vending machines, and test fixtures where in-field reprogrammability is not required.
Recommended
HMI Keypad and Display Interface
The PIC16C63A-04E/SP's 22 digital I/O are enough to scan a 4x4 or 5x5 matrix keypad (16-25 keys) and drive a character LCD through parallel PORTB/C interfacing. Its 4 MHz clock supports debounce timers, key repeat logic, and SPI control of LCD modules with sub-millisecond response. The Brown-out Detect prevents false key entries during power-down. This part is a popular choice for industrial panel meters, access-control keypads, and small appliance user interfaces where cost and Extended temperature range matter more than high CPU throughput.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A-04E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-04I/SP | PIC16C63A-04/SP | PIC16C63A-20/SP | PIC16C63A-10/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| 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 | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range (vs PIC16C63A-04/SP)
- 22 I/O pins and three serial peripherals in a 28-SPDIP (vs PIC16C62B-04I/SP)
- On-chip CCP module for hardware PWM (vs PIC16C56A-04E/SP)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 10 and a second 10 uF tantalum or aluminum bulk capacitor near the MCU. The PIC16C63A-04E/SP can source/sink up to 25 mA per I/O pin (100 mA total VDD/200 mA total VSS), so design the 5 V rail to handle peak transient current when multiple outputs switch simultaneously. The Brown-out Detect voltage is configurable; program BOREN to enable a clean reset on a sagging industrial 5 V rail.
Route the MCLR line directly from the supervisor or RC reset network to pin 1 with no stubs; a long MCLR trace can pick up noise that falsely resets the MCU. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces short and symmetric, and place the load capacitors within 5 mm of pins 8-9. Use a ground plane under the MCU to reduce EMI; for noisy industrial environments add a ferrite bead in series with VDD.
Because PIC16C63A-04E/SP is OTP, firmware bugs cannot be field-reprogrammed. Always validate the hex file on a windowed CERDIP version (PIC16C63A/JW) or a Flash-based sibling (PIC16F73-I/SP) before committing to OTP programming. Note that the PIC16C63A 'A' silicon revision adds the dedicated USART baud-rate generator; code written for PIC16C63 (no 'A') using software baud-rate generation still runs on PIC16C63A but you must re-verify timing.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not visible in the Verified Web Data snippet. PIC16C63A is a legacy mid-range MCU family; for new designs requiring RoHS/REACH compliance, verify the specific date code with Microchip or request a CoC from the distributor.
