PIC16C63A-20/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 7KB, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63A-20/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.45 | $9.45 |
| 10 | $8.92 | $89.20 |
| 100 | $8.15 | $815.00 |
| 500 | $7.4 | $3,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.85 | $6,850.00 |
PIC16C63A-20/SO Overview
An OTP microcontroller (One-Time-Programmable MCU) is a non-volatile programmable logic device whose program memory can be written exactly once after manufacture using a device programmer; once programmed, the code is permanent. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader category hierarchy: 8-bit microcontroller -> RISC microcontroller -> microcontroller unit (MCU) -> embedded processing -> semiconductor. The PIC16C63A specifically belongs to Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family using a 14-bit instruction word and 35 single-word instructions, balancing code density with deterministic execution for real-time control tasks.
Key features include Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, interrupt handling with hardware context saving, power-saving SLEEP mode, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) capability, and a wide operating voltage range suitable for both 3.3 V and 5 V systems. The 28-SOIC package (7.50 mm / 0.295 in body width) supports surface-mount assembly in legacy through-hole retrofits and modern SMT production lines.
The PIC16C63A uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with a two-stage instruction pipeline, two 8-bit and one 16-bit timer, a capture/compare/PWM module, a synchronous serial port configurable as SPI or I2C, and a USART for asynchronous serial communication. Watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator provides system recovery without external components.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, appliance controllers, automotive body electronics (pre-CAN era), sensor interfaces, and consumer product embedded logic. The combination of OTP, USART, and I/O count makes this device well suited to legacy replacement and brownfield designs where code stability matters more than in-field reprogrammability.
When designing with this device, allocate the oscillator startup delay per the configuration bits and validate the Vdd rise-time to ensure proper Power-On Reset behavior. The OTP memory cannot be erased, so development should occur on a windowed (JW) or Flash equivalent variant before committing to PIC16C63A for production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers source a viable replacement or pin-compatible equivalent for the PIC16C63A-20/SO which Microchip classifies as Not Recommended for new designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A-20/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 PIC16C63A-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Timers, Program Memory Size, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit MCU |
| Core Architecture | RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz maximum (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | USART, SSP (SPI / I2C) |
| A/D Converter | None (PIC16C63A); 8-channel 8-bit on PIC16C73B family |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial grade) |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lifecycle Status | Not Recommended for new designs (NRND) |
PIC16C63A-20/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS — PORTA bit 5 / SSP slave select |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SSP clock (SPI SCK / I2C SCL) |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SSP data in (SPI SDI / I2C SDA) |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SSP data out (SPI SDO) |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground reference (second Vss pin) |
| Pin 20 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O, PGM in LVP mode) |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (serial programming) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (serial programming) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Appliance Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-CAN Era), Sensor Interface Modules, Consumer Product Embedded Logic, Legacy Drop-In Replacement Designs.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16C63A-20/SO fits industrial control panels because its 20 MHz RISC core delivers deterministic 200 ns instruction execution for real-time relay, solenoid, and contactor sequencing. The 22 digital I/O pins handle keypad scanning, LED indicators, and switch debouncing directly without external logic. The 28-SOIC package solders onto standard control board footprints, and the USART links to operator HMI displays or PLC networks. Compared with a Cortex-M0 alternative, the PIC16C63A's 35-instruction RISC keeps firmware simpler for panel-level logic where code review and long-term maintenance outweigh raw MIPS.
Recommended
Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C63A-20/SO suits appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) because its 7 KB OTP memory holds fixed control algorithms that must not be field-modified, providing security against tampering. The three timer modules (Timer0/1/2) drive motor PWM, buzzer timing, and cycle counting without external counters. Operating from 2.5 V to 6.0 V, it tolerates rectified 5 V supplies typical in white goods. Compared to a flash MCU, OTP forces code to be qualified via windowed samples, eliminating field firmware corruption from power-line glitches.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-CAN Era)
The PIC16C63A-20/SO works in pre-CAN automotive body modules (window lift, seat controller, mirror adjustment) where it drives 22 I/O lines for H-bridge control and switch scanning. The USART supports LIN-bus master communication in 12 V automotive environments with proper external transceivers. Operating across -40 °C to +125 °C (E temp grade variant), the part survives under-hood and cabin thermal stress. The OTP memory prevents end-user firmware tampering. Compared with modern CAN-capable MCUs, the PIC16C63A is the legacy choice when an existing body ECU design cannot be re-qualified.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16C63A-20/SO is well-matched to legacy sensor interface modules where it aggregates switch, thermistor, and encoder inputs through its 22 I/O pins and forwards processed data via USART or SSP (SPI/I2C). The 192-byte RAM buffers sensor arrays before serial transmission, and the 20 MHz core runs simple Kalman filters or moving averages in real time. With 5 V tolerance on all digital I/O, it accepts 5 V sensor signals directly without level shifters. Compared with a Cortex-M0, the PIC16C63A offers lower BOM cost and simpler firmware for low-channel-count sensor nodes.
Recommended
Consumer Product Embedded Logic
The PIC16C63A-20/SO fits consumer product embedded logic (toys, fitness equipment, low-end audio peripherals) where its 7 KB OTP holds fixed feature sets that ship unchanged for the product lifetime. The USART and SSP enable connection to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi modules for tethered products. Operating at 2.5 V to 6.0 V, it powers directly from 2-3 AA cells or USB rails. The 28-SOIC is compatible with automated SMT assembly lines. Compared with a modern ARM Cortex-M0, the PIC16C63A's $6-9 price point at qty 1000 keeps BOM costs minimal in cost-sensitive consumer goods.
Recommended
Legacy Drop-In Replacement Designs
The PIC16C63A-20/SO is used in legacy drop-in replacement boards where a discontinued 8-bit MCU socket must be re-populated without PCB redesign. Its standard 28-SOIC pinout matches the original PIC16C63A socket footprint, allowing direct swap to revive end-of-life industrial equipment. The OTP memory emulates the original code set exactly because the PIC16C63 family has the same instruction set. The wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range accommodates aging power supplies with sagging voltage. Compared to a flash MCU, the OTP variant preserves bit-for-bit code compatibility with original firmware ROMs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63-20/SO | PIC16C63A-20I/SO | PIC16F73-I/SO | PIC16F876A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Memory Type | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP - same | 7 KB OTP - same | 7 KB Flash (reprogrammable) | 14 KB Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 14 KB (+100%) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 368 bytes (+92%) |
| A/D Converter | None | None - same | None - same | 8-channel 8-bit ADC (added) | 5-channel 10-bit ADC (added) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C - same | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Direct same-die silicon alternative (vs PIC16C63-20/SO)
- Long-term flash-based replacement (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade option (vs PIC16C63A-20I/SO)
- Extended automotive temperature grade (vs PIC16C63A-20E/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C63A-20/SO requires a stable Vdd ramp from 0 V to target voltage within 72 ms for proper Power-On Reset, per Microchip datasheet DS30430G. Estimated: at 20 MHz with all peripherals enabled, IDD draws approximately 15-20 mA active and under 1 µA in SLEEP mode. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the Vdd pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 µF tantalum at the regulator output to suppress switching-noise-induced brownouts.
Route the ICSP signals (PGC on pin 27, PGD on pin 28) with 5 mm clearance from high-frequency switching nodes like the oscillator traces and PWM outputs. The 28-SOIC land pattern must include a 5 mm × 5 mm copper pour on pin 20 (Vdd) and pin 19 (Vss) to reduce ground bounce during simultaneous I/O switching. Per Microchip layout guidelines, keep OSC1/OSC2 traces (pins 9-10) under 10 mm and guard them with a ground ring to prevent oscillator instability.
Do not confuse PIC16C63A with PIC16C73B - the '73B variant has an 8-channel 8-bit ADC on PORTA, while the PIC16C63A pins RA0-RA5 are digital-only and reading them with the ADC module will return zero. Confirmed by Microchip datasheet: the ADCEN bit in ADCON0 is unimplemented on PIC16C63A. For ADC functionality, use the PIC16F73-I/SO drop-in alternative. Always prototype on a JW (windowed) sample before committing to OTP production parts.
When driving long cables from USART pins (RC6/TX, RC7/RX), add a 100 Ω series resistor at the driver output to dampen reflections on cables longer than 0.5 m. The USART logic levels are 0.2 Vdd/Vdd for low/high respectively, so for 5 V systems, the minimum guaranteed high is 4.0 V at 25 °C. For RS-232 connection, add an external MAX232 or equivalent transceiver - the PIC16C63A outputs are CMOS, not RS-232 compliant.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not confirmed in current Microchip product literature as of 2026-09-17. PIC16C63A-20/SO is classified NRND (Not Recommended for new designs) per Microchip product page. For automotive-grade applications, contact Microchip for a formal compliance certificate.
