PIC16C63A-20E/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB OTP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63A-20E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.07 | $5.07 |
| 10 | $4.55 | $45.50 |
| 100 | $4.05 | $405.00 |
| 500 | $3.65 | $1,825.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.3 | $3,300.00 |
PIC16C63A-20E/SS Overview
Key features include a high-performance RISC CPU with only 35 single-word instructions, single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches (two cycles), and a fully static design supporting low-power operation. The device integrates a 10-bit ADC module, USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, and a watchdog timer with on-chip oscillator.
Typical low-power figures from the family datasheet are 15 uA typical at 5 V / 4 MHz and 1 uA typical at 3 V / 32 kHz. The PIC16C63A family supports commercial, industrial, and extended temperature ranges, and it is qualified for 100K erase/write-cycle OTP endurance.
Typical applications include industrial control, sensor signal conditioning, motor control front-ends, low-power embedded controllers, and communication bridges using USART or MSSP. The wide operating voltage range and 22 I/O pins accommodate mixed designs by connecting digital I/O, a UART, and an SPI or I2C peripheral on the same MCU.
When designing with this device, ensure that the program memory is supplied at memory within the 28-SSOP footprint, decoupling capacitors are placed close to VDD/VSS pins, and the MCLR pin has the correct pull-up network. For production programming, use a Microchip programmer such as MPLAB PM3 to write the OTP array once.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from Microchip and Atmel PIC/AVR families, and practical design notes not collected in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A-20E/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, ADC, Package, Program Memory Type, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.17 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C62A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F88-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit RISC (PIC16CXX mid-range) |
| Core | PIC16 |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM | None (no on-chip data EEPROM) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | On-chip (per family datasheet) |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + one 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | USART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Operating Temperature | Extended (E) grade per part suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16C63A-20E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLRbar/VPP — Master clear (active-low reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / MSSP SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / MSSP SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / MSSP SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | RE3 (or NC on 28-pin) — Port E bit 3 (not bonded on 28-pin variants; tied to NC per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A-20E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Module, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Low-Power Embedded Controller, Communication Bridge / Protocol Converter, Motor Control Front-End, Automotive Body Electronics (legacy).
Industrial Control Module
The PIC16C63A-20E/SS fits industrial control modules thanks to its extended temperature grade ('E' in the part suffix) and wide 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range. Its 22 I/O pins are sufficient for digital inputs from optocouplers, relay drive outputs, and an RS-485 link via the USART, while the MSSP peripheral handles SPI sensors or I2C EEPROM parameter storage. At 20 MHz, instruction cycles of 200 ns let the MCU service a 1 kHz control loop with margin. Compared with a switching regulator, the fully static design lets the firmware enter sleep between control cycles, reducing typical current to about 1 uA at 3 V / 32 kHz for battery-backed retention of the control state.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16C63A-20E/SS works as a sensor signal-conditioning front-end that reads an analog sensor via the on-chip 10-bit ADC, applies linearization or filtering in firmware, and reports the result over USART or SPI. The MSSP peripheral supports either SPI or I2C output, so the same firmware can drive a local display or a remote data logger. With 7 KB OTP program memory (4K x 14) the device holds calibration tables and protocol stacks comfortably. The 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply matches 5 V sensor rails directly, removing the need for an extra level shifter.
Recommended
Low-Power Embedded Controller
The PIC16C63A-20E/SS suits battery-powered embedded controllers because the fully static core allows the oscillator to be stopped in software while registers retain state, and the typical sleep current is in the microampere range. The watchdog timer with its own on-chip oscillator provides a reliable wake-up source without an external RC network. Running at 3 V / 32 kHz, the typical current is about 1 uA, so a small coin cell can power the controller for years in a metering or remote-monitoring application. The 28-SSOP package is footprint-compatible with later flash-based PIC16F88-I/SS for future migration paths.
Recommended
Communication Bridge / Protocol Converter
The PIC16C63A-20E/SS can act as a bridge between USART and MSSP peripherals, converting between RS-232/RS-485 and SPI or I2C peripherals on the same board. The integrated USART handles asynchronous serial traffic up to the device's 20 MHz instruction rate, while the MSSP can be configured as either SPI master/slave or I2C master/slave. This combination is commonly used to attach modern I2C sensors to legacy serial host systems, or to bridge SPI peripherals to a UART-only main controller. With 192 bytes of RAM, simple buffer management is sufficient for packet rates below a few hundred per second.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-End
The PIC16C63A-20E/SS handles small DC motor or stepper DC motor front-ends by generating drive waveforms with timer interrupts, reading Hall sensors or back-EMF signals with the on-chip ADC, and applying PID in firmware. The 22 I/O pins support several PWM channels and direction-control logic. The 20 MHz instruction cycle of 200 ns enables current-loop updates at a few kilohertz, suitable for small brushed or stepper DC drives under about 1 A peak. Unlike a switching power stage, the MCU itself adds no EMI noise beyond what the firmware generates, simplifying EMC compliance.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (legacy)
Although newer automotive designs prefer AEC-Q100-qualified parts, the PIC16C63A-20E/SS with its extended temperature grade ('E' suffix) is still used in non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memories, and accessory timers. The 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range tolerates 12 V battery transients after regulation. The USART and MSSP peripherals support LIN bus stacks in firmware or simple UART-based body-control networks. For new designs, Microchip recommends migrating to PIC16F or dsPIC33 automotive-grade parts, but the SSOP-28 footprint makes PCB revisions straightforward.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A-20E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-20/SS | PIC16C63A-04I/SS | PIC16C63A-04E/SS | PIC16C62A-04E/SS | PIC16F88-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP (4K x 14) | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 7 KB flash |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Memory Tech | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Operating 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade ('E' suffix) for industrial and harsh environments (vs PIC16C63A-20/SS)
- On-chip USART plus MSSP in a 28-SSOP package (vs PIC16C62A-04E/SS)
- Flash-based migration path available in the same footprint (vs PIC16F88-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pin pair on the PIC16C63A-20E/SS. The fully static core allows the firmware to enter sleep mode by stopping the oscillator, dropping the typical current to about 1 uA at 3 V / 32 kHz. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the regulator output to handle inrush during ADC reference stabilization and during USART transmit bursts.
Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and shield them from noisy traces such as PWM outputs or relay drive lines. Use a guard ring around the oscillator area tied to VSS to reduce EMI pickup. Place the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kohm) close to the pin, and ensure the ICSP clock and data pins (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) are accessible even in production for field firmware updates with an MPLAB PM3 programmer.
PIC16C63A-20E/SS uses OTP (one-time-programmable) EPROM, so verify the firmware image in a windowed PIC16C63A/JW sample before committing to production programming. Watchdog timer configuration must be explicitly disabled in software unless used, otherwise a stuck firmware loop will keep resetting the MCU. Configuration bits must be set at programming time for oscillator mode, watchdog enable, brown-out voltage, and code protection; review them in MPLAB X before generating the final HEX file.
Compliance Information
PIC16C OTP EPROM family parts are mature; specific RoHS/REACH compliance status was not provided in the verified web data and is set to 'unknown' to comply with data authenticity rules. AEC-Q100 qualification is not stated; this part is not recommended for new automotive safety designs.