PIC16C63A-20E/SO - 8-bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 7KB ROM, SOIC-28 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63A-20E/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.5 | $9.50 |
| 10 | $8.55 | $85.50 |
| 100 | $7.6 | $760.00 |
| 500 | $6.84 | $3,420.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.08 | $6,080.00 |
PIC16C63A-20E/SO Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a RISC-based CMOS MCU that uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. The PIC16C series belongs to the mid-range PIC family, offering 35 single-word instructions, hardware multiply, and interrupt-driven peripherals. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU) -> embedded controllers -> semiconductors, and dominate cost-sensitive embedded applications due to their deterministic instruction timing, low power consumption, and mature toolchain ecosystem centered on MPLAB X IDE.
Key features include 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory, dual capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules, an asynchronous serial port (USART/SCI), a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I²C, an 8-channel 8-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers (TMR0/TMR2) and one 16-bit timer (TMR1), and a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, enabling field updates without removing the chip from the board.
Architecturally, the PIC16C63A uses a 14-bit instruction word with a 2-stage pipeline, allowing most instructions to execute in a single 200ns cycle at 20MHz. Its Harvard bus structure enables simultaneous instruction fetch and data access, improving throughput compared to von Neumann MCUs at the same clock rate. The 8-bit ADC uses successive approximation and shares pins with digital I/O, offering 8 channels of analog input. The CCP modules support PWM output, capture for frequency measurement, and compare for timed event generation.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, motor control interfaces, smart sensor hubs, automotive body electronics, appliance control boards, and consumer product embedded controllers. The wide SOIC-28 footprint also makes it suitable for hand-soldered prototypes and breadboard-friendly designs.
When designing with this part, note that OTP variants cannot be erased and re-programmed - they are intended for production runs where firmware is final. Use the PIC16F63A flash equivalent during development. The "E" temperature grade supports -40°C to +125°C operation, making the part suitable for outdoor, automotive, and industrial environments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16C63A-20 family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone. The PIC16C63A is marked Not Recommended for New Designs by Microchip, so consult the PIC16F877A or PIC18F equivalents for new product development.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A-20E/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-20E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-10/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C62B-20I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C65B-20E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-20E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 7KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 8-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | TMR0 (8-bit), TMR1 (16-bit), TMR2 (8-bit) |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART (SCI), SSP (SPI / I²C) |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V (typical, 3.0V-6.0V range) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C (E grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (contains Pb, OTP windowless package) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP (2-wire) |
PIC16C63A-20E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive power supply (+5V typical) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data (programming) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A-20E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Smart Sensor Hub with Aggregator, Automotive Body Electronics, Appliance Control Board, HVAC Thermostat Controller, Consumer Product Embedded Controller, Security and Access Control Panel.
Industrial Motor Control
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO is well-suited for industrial motor control due to its dual CCP modules generating complementary PWM outputs for H-bridge drives, 8-channel 8-bit ADC for current/voltage feedback, and 20MHz instruction rate enabling 200ns control loop cycles. The extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade ensures reliable operation near motor heat sources and in outdoor cabinets. The 22 digital I/O pins handle direction signals, encoder inputs, fault flags, and brake controls. Engineers typically use TMR1 (16-bit) for precise PWM timing, the USART for Modbus RTU communication with a host PLC, and the SSP port for SPI-connected gate drivers. Compared to MCU-only brushless DC solutions, the integrated ADC and dual CCP reduce external component count and BOM cost in fan controllers, conveyor speed regulators, and small pump drives.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Hub with Aggregator
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO functions as a low-cost sensor aggregator in industrial IoT nodes, where its 8-channel 8-bit ADC reads multiple analog transducers (temperature, pressure, humidity) and the SSP/I²C master interfaces connect to digital sensors. The 7KB OTP memory holds sensor calibration tables and Modbus mapping logic, while 192-byte RAM accommodates per-channel sample buffers. The 22 I/O pins handle alarm outputs, relay drivers, and status LEDs. At 20MHz with 200ns instruction cycle, the chip can sample and process 1kHz sensor streams without dropping frames. Compared to ASIC sensor conditioners, this PIC-based design offers field-replaceable firmware via ICSP and supports custom linearization in software.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
In automotive aftermarket and accessory modules, the PIC16C63A-20E/SO provides robust control with its -40°C to +125°C extended temperature grade (E suffix), handling under-dash and engine-bay thermal stress. The 22 I/O pins drive interior lighting MOSFETs, window lift relays, mirror actuators, and HVAC blend doors. The dual CCP modules generate PWM signals for LED dimming and motor speed control, while the 8-channel ADC reads battery voltage, illumination sensors, and thermistor inputs. The USART interfaces with CAN transceiver chips like MCP2515 for OBD-II connectivity. Compared to AEC-Q100-qualified parts, this PIC16C63A is appropriate for non-safety aftermarket applications where cost is the priority and qualification is not mandated.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO is widely deployed in appliance control boards for washing machines, dishwashers, and HVAC thermostats, where its OTP memory secures the firmware against unauthorized copy and 7KB of code space holds multi-mode state machines. The 22 I/O drive triac interfaces for AC load switching, valve solenoids, and rotary encoder inputs; the dual CCP modules generate zero-crossing synchronized PWM for power control. The 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors, water level sensors, and line voltage monitoring. At 20MHz, the MCU executes complex wash-cycle algorithms while maintaining real-time responsiveness. Compared to RISC-V or ARM Cortex-M0 alternatives, the PIC16C63A's mature MPLAB toolchain and small footprint reduce time-to-market for cost-driven consumer appliances.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO serves as the brain in HVAC thermostat designs, where its 8-channel ADC reads indoor/outdoor NTC thermistors, humidity sensors, and setpoint dial positions; the CCP PWM drives triac-based furnace/AC control stages; and the SSP/I²C master connects to an LCD character display. The 7KB OTP memory stores comfort schedules, hysteresis algorithms, and EEPROM-backed user preferences (128-byte data EEPROM). The extended -40°C to +125°C grade handles installation in attic or basement enclosures. Compared to dedicated thermostat ASICs, this design adds Wi-Fi/BLE connectivity via an external ESP32 module controlled over USART, enabling smart-home integration without sacrificing the deterministic control loop of the PIC.
Recommended
Consumer Product Embedded Controller
In consumer electronics such as coffee makers, bread machines, and small kitchen appliances, the PIC16C63A-20E/SO provides deterministic control with its 20MHz RISC core executing keypad debounce, LCD updates, and heating-element PWM in real time. The 22 I/O drive 7-segment displays, buzzer PWM, relay coils, and rotary encoder inputs; the ADC reads thermistors and weight sensors. The OTP memory locks the production firmware to prevent reverse-engineering of proprietary brew profiles or cooking curves. Compared to flash-based PIC18F alternatives, the OTP variant provides IP security and slightly lower cost at the expense of field-upgradability, which is acceptable for sealed consumer products.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panel
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO is used in security panel designs where its OTP memory secures access codes and encryption keys against extraction, and the USART connects to RFID readers, keypads, or external GSM modules for alarm reporting. The 22 I/O handle zone inputs (door/window sensors), siren outputs, status LEDs, and tamper switches; the 8-channel ADC monitors backup battery voltage and PIR sensor signals. The 7KB OTP memory holds zone-configuration logic, while 192-byte RAM holds the active state machine. The -40°C to +125°C extended temperature grade is critical for outdoor or unheated installations such as gate controllers and remote alarm panels where consumer-grade parts would fail.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A-20E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-20I/SO | PIC16C63A-20/SO | PIC16C63-20I/SO | PIC16C63-10/SO | PIC16C63A-04I/SP | PIC16C62B-20I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50mm width | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SPDIP (SP) - through-hole | 28-pin SPDIP (SP) - through-hole |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 7KB (4K x 14) OTP | 7KB OTP - identical | 7KB OTP - identical | 4KB ROM (-43%) | 4KB ROM (-43%) | 7KB OTP - identical | 3.5KB OTP (-50%) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - identical | 20 MHz - identical | 20 MHz - identical | 10 MHz (-50%) | 4 MHz (-80%) | 20 MHz - identical |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes - identical | 192 bytes - identical | 192 bytes - identical | 192 bytes - identical | 192 bytes - identical | 128 bytes (-33%) |
| Temperature Grade | E (-40°C to +125°C) | I (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower | Industrial (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower | I (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower | Industrial (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower | I (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower | I (-40°C to +85°C) - narrower |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 - identical | 22 - identical | 22 - identical | 22 - identical | 22 - identical | 22 - identical |
| ADC Channels | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8x8-bit - identical | 8x8-bit - identical | 8x8-bit - identical | 8x8-bit - identical | 8x8-bit - identical | 5x8-bit - reduced (-38%) |
| CCP Modules | 2 | 2 - identical | 2 - identical | 2 - identical | 2 - identical | 2 - identical | 1 - reduced (-50%) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM - identical | OTP EPROM - identical | One-Time Windowless ROM - one-time | One-Time Windowless ROM - one-time | OTP EPROM - identical | OTP EPROM - identical |
Key Differentiators
- Wider extended temperature range than I-grade variants (vs PIC16C63A-20I/SO)
- Larger program memory than original PIC16C63 (vs PIC16C63-20I/SO)
- Higher clock speed than 10/04 grade parts (vs PIC16C63-10/SO)
- More ADC channels than PIC16C62B family (vs PIC16C62B-20I/SP)
Design Notes
The PIC16C63A-20E/SO operates from 3.0V to 6.0V (5V typical). Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the supply rail. The MCU draws approximately 10-20mA active at 20MHz and 1-2uA in sleep mode. The MCLR pin (pin 1) should be pulled up to VDD through a 10kΩ resistor with a 100nF capacitor to ground for noise immunity - omitting this can cause spurious resets in noisy industrial environments.
The 28-pin SOIC (SO) package is 7.50mm wide (300mil). Route traces with 0.15mm width minimum and use a 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane for optimal EMI performance. Place the decoupling capacitor directly between VDD (pin 20) and VSS (pin 19) - the ground via of the cap should connect to pin 19's via to minimize parasitic inductance. The OSC1/OSC2 traces (pins 9/10) should be kept short (under 5mm) and routed symmetrically to minimize clock skew. The ICSP pins RB6/PGC (pin 27) and RB7/PGD (pin 28) must be accessible for in-circuit programming - do not place large components or shields over these pins.
Critical - Once programmed, OTP memory CANNOT be erased. Use a flash-based PIC16F63A or PIC16F877A for development and prototypes, then migrate to the OTP PIC16C63A only for final production where firmware is locked. Also note that this part is NOT RoHS compliant (contains lead in the SOIC package), so it cannot be used in EU RoHS-restricted products. For RoHS designs, choose the PIC16F877A-I/SO or PIC18F4620-I/SO equivalents. The "E" temperature suffix (-40°C to +125°C) does NOT mean automotive qualification; do not use for AEC-Q100 safety-critical systems.
The PIC16C63A's 8-bit ADC is rated for 8-bit accuracy (1 LSB = 19.5mV at 5V VREF). For best ADC performance, use the AVREF pin (RA3/VREF, pin 5) with a 10uF tantalum and 100nF ceramic bypass capacitor pair. Enable the ADC in the ADCON0/ADCON1 registers with adequate acquisition time (16-20µs minimum for 10kΩ source impedance). For high-speed SPI (>1MHz) on the RC3/RC4/RC5 pins, use series damping resistors (33Ω) to reduce ringing on long PCB traces. The USART baud rate generator requires BRGH=1 setting in TXSTA for reliable 115200 baud at 20MHz.
Compliance Information
RoHS non-compliant due to lead in SOIC package (legacy OTP microcontrollers). PIC16C63A is marked NRND by Microchip as of 2026 - migrate to PIC16F877A for new designs. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable - this part is not automotive-grade qualified despite its extended temperature range.
