PIC16C63A/JW - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB EPROM MCU, 28-CDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63A/JW ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23.5 | $23.50 |
| 10 | $21.4 | $214.00 |
| 25 | $19.85 | $496.25 |
| 100 | $17.95 | $1,795.00 |
PIC16C63A/JW Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16CXX family employs a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture that uses only 35 single-word instructions, making assembly programming unusually simple for an 8-bit core. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16C63A is a mid-range PIC microcontroller, itself a sub-family of the PIC microcontrollers (8-bit), which sit within the larger class of embedded microcontrollers and ultimately the semiconductor power management and embedded processing hierarchies used across nearly every electronic product category.
Key differentiating features include fully-static operation (clock can be stopped to save energy), 192 bytes of data RAM, 22 digital I/O lines, a hardware USART for asynchronous serial links, an MSSP module (SPI / I2C), and a 20 MHz clock input that delivers 200 ns instruction execution. The PIC16C63A runs from a 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply and consumes only about 15 uA typical at 5 V, 4 MHz and 1 uA typical at 3 V, 32 kHz, making it well suited to low-power embedded designs.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, instrumentation front panels, sensor interfaces, motor-control co-processors, low-cost consumer appliances, and educational/development platforms where UV-erasable windowed parts remain preferred for iterative code changes. The /JW windowed ceramic package also makes the part useful for low-volume prototype runs and code-development workbenches where the chip must be erased and reprogrammed many times.
A key design consideration is that the /JW package is through-hole ceramic and targets bench use rather than high-volume SMT manufacturing. For production designs, design engineers should plan to migrate code to the OTP (-04/-10/-20 speed grades in plastic SO, SP, or SS packages) once firmware is frozen. Because the PIC16C63A is from the C-series EPROM family, RoHS compliance varies by specific package and is generally not lead-free on the /JW package.
This page synthesizes distributor availability and pricing, drop-in compatible PIC16CXX mid-range alternatives in the same windowed CDIP-28 footprint, and practical engineering notes - a combination of information not available on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63A/JW — 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/JW (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Instruction Set, Architecture, Package, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C65B/JW
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$10.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B/JW
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$9.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74B/JW
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C63A-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A/JW Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) EPROM, UV-erasable |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 22 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (typical 4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Operating Temperature Range | Commercial / Industrial (per datasheet) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word RISC instructions |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Peripherals | USART, MSSP (SPI / I2C), 8-bit Timer, WDT |
| Package Type | 28-pin Windowed Ceramic DIP (CDIP-28, MO-058) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Erasable | Yes (UV-erasable, windowed) |
| Architecture | RISC, fully static |
| Low-Power Consumption | 15 uA typical at 5 V / 4 MHz; 1 uA typical at 3 V / 32 kHz |
PIC16C63A/JW Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (active-low reset) / 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 — PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O, open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 (digital I/O / control) |
| Pin 9 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 (digital I/O / control) |
| Pin 10 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 (digital I/O / control) |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 13 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O / USART TX) |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O / USART RX) |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O / CCP1) |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O / SCL for I2C) |
| Pin 19 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 (digital I/O / PSP) |
| Pin 20 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 (digital I/O / PSP) |
| Pin 21 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 (digital I/O / PSP) |
| Pin 22 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 (digital I/O / PSP) |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O / SDA for I2C) |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O / SDO for SPI) |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O / TX for USART) |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O / RX for USART) |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 (digital I/O / PSP) |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 (digital I/O / PSP) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63A/JW is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Logic, Sensor Interface and Data Acquisition Front-Ends, Educational Microcontroller Development Platforms, Low-Volume Legacy Product Sustainment, Communication Co-Processor in Multi-MCU Systems, Motor Control and PWM Driver Co-Processors.
Industrial Control Logic
The PIC16C63A/JW is widely deployed in legacy industrial control systems where 8-bit deterministic control, 22 I/O lines, and a USART for RS-232/RS-485 communication are required. The 20 MHz clock delivering 200 ns execution and 7 KB EPROM is sufficient for sequencing relays, scanning keypads, and driving indicator displays. The hardware USART supports Modbus ASCII/RTU slaves commonly found in PLCs and process instrumentation. Compared with flash MCUs, the /JW windowed part excels for prototyping firmware revisions because UV erasure returns the part to a blank state in 20-30 minutes - ideal for iterative industrial product development. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range lets it run directly from 24V-bus-derived 5V without flapping one-to-one regulators.
Recommended
Sensor Interface and Data Acquisition Front-Ends
The PIC16C63A/JW is well matched to multi-channel sensor interface front-ends that need 22 I/O lines for digital sensor arrays plus a USART to forward data to a host controller. The 192 bytes of RAM buffer small packet frames, while the 7 KB EPROM holds sensor calibration tables and command parsers. The MSSP peripheral supports SPI sensor chains (temperature, accelerometer) and I2C peripherals (EEPROM, RTC), giving designers flexibility to mix sensor types on one bus. The fully-static CMOS core keeps active current at 15 uA typical at 5 V / 4 MHz, and standby current drops to 1 uA at 3 V / 32 kHz, which is valuable for battery-backed sensor nodes. Using /JW during development enables fast firmware iteration without throwing away OTP parts.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Development Platforms
The PIC16C63A/JW remains a popular teaching platform because the 28-pin windowed CDIP fits standard breadboards and the UV-erasable window lets students erase and re-flash the same chip dozens of times across labs. The 35-instruction RISC architecture is famously easy to teach, with all instructions fitting in a single 14-bit word and most executing in one cycle. The 7 KB EPROM accommodates complete class projects including interrupt handlers, USART communication, and PWM motor control, while the 192-byte RAM is large enough for small lookup tables and stack depth for recursive interrupt priority experiments. Compared with modern Flash MCUs, the /JW teaches students the engineering discipline of planning erase/reprogram cycles.
Recommended
Low-Volume Legacy Product Sustainment
Long-life industrial, aerospace, and medical products often remain in production for 15-25 years, and the PIC16C63A/JW continues to serve as a sustainment part for equipment shipped in the late 1990s and 2000s. Because the entire firmware baseline for these legacy products targets PIC16C63A silicon, replacing the MCU with a different family would require revalidation, recertification, and regulatory re-filing - costs that manufacturers avoid by stocking original-spec /JW parts. The windowed ceramic DIP also makes field rework feasible: a service technician can erase and re-flash the chip with the original firmware image to repair out-of-spec units. Microchip supports these sustainment customers with on-demand C-series production runs.
Recommended
Communication Co-Processor in Multi-MCU Systems
The PIC16C63A/JW serves as a dedicated communication co-processor in larger multi-MCU systems where a host processor offloads protocol parsing, USART framing, or Modbus/GPIB stack handling. The hardware USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and 22 I/O lines provide enough peripheral bandwidth for typical field-bus and point-to-point links, while the 20 MHz / 200 ns instruction execution keeps up with 115200 baud and even higher bitrates. The 7 KB EPROM is sufficient for full protocol stacks including framing, CRC, and command dispatchers, leaving the host processor free to run real-time control loops. The /JW windowed package makes field firmware updates trivial during commissioning.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Driver Co-Processors
The PIC16C63A/JW can be paired with power-stage gate drivers to implement cost-sensitive BLDC, stepper, or DC motor control in white goods, fans, pumps, and small appliances. The 22 I/O drive direction and brake signals for H-bridges, while the Capture/Compare/PWM peripheral generates switching waveforms. The 20 MHz clock provides 200 ns PWM resolution - sufficient for sub-1% duty cycle precision at 20 kHz switching frequency. The wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply lets the part operate directly from rectified 5 V rails without an extra regulator. Compared with newer motor-control MCUs, the PIC16C63A/JW is favored in cost-sensitive legacy designs where the firmware is already validated.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63A/JW — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C65B/JW | PIC16C73B/JW | PIC16C74B/JW | PIC16C63A-04I/SP | PIC16C63A-20I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin Windowed Ceramic DIP (CDIP-28) | 28-pin Windowed Ceramic DIP (CDIP-28) - same | 28-pin Windowed Ceramic DIP (CDIP-28) - same | 28-pin Windowed Ceramic DIP (CDIP-28) - same | 28-pin Plastic SPDIP (SP) | 28-pin Plastic SPDIP (SP) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB EPROM (4K x 14) | 7 KB EPROM + 2 KB aux EPROM | 7 KB EPROM | 7 KB EPROM | 7 KB EPROM (OTP) | 7 KB EPROM (OTP) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 22 | 22 | 22 | 33 | 22 | 22 |
| Memory Type | UV-EPROM (windowed) | UV-EPROM (windowed) | UV-EPROM (windowed) | UV-EPROM (windowed) | OTP (one-time programmable) | OTP (one-time programmable) |
| Peripherals | USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), Timer, WDT | USART, MSSP, 2x Timer, WDT, PSP | USART, MSSP, CCP, 8-bit A/D | USART, MSSP, CCP, 8-bit A/D, PSP | USART, MSSP, Timer, WDT | USART, MSSP, Timer, WDT |
| Package Material | Ceramic (windowed) | Ceramic (windowed) | Ceramic (windowed) | Ceramic (windowed) | Plastic (SPDIP) | Plastic (SPDIP) |
| RoHS Compliance | Generally not RoHS (windowed ceramic C-series) | Generally not RoHS (windowed ceramic C-series) | Generally not RoHS (windowed ceramic C-series) | Generally not RoHS (windowed ceramic C-series) | Check specific lot - depends on date code | Check specific lot - depends on date code |
Key Differentiators
- UV-erasable windowed ceramic package for repeated bench erasure (vs PIC16C63A-20I/SP (plastic OTP))
- Mid-range PIC core with 35-instruction RISC architecture (vs PIC16C62B (smaller-memory PIC16CXX sibling))
- Integrated hardware USART for asynchronous serial (vs Software UART-only PIC16C5x series)
- MSSP peripheral supporting both SPI and I2C (vs PIC16C63 (original non-A revision))
- 20 MHz / 200 ns instruction execution delivering 5 MIPS (vs PIC16C63A-04I/SP (4 MHz speed grade))
Design Notes
The /JW windowed ceramic package is intended for development and prototyping - it is NOT a production package for high-volume SMT assembly. Plan to migrate code to plastic SPDIP (SP) or SO OTP variants before scaling to production. Trying to use /JW in volume production will create supply chain fragility because Microchip produces windowed C-series parts on demand only.
The PIC16C63A/JW operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V. For 5 V regulated designs, decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a 10 uF bulk electrolytic on the same rail. MCLR must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor and a 100 nF decoupling cap to VDD; leaving MCLR floating will cause spurious resets. Estimated: a typical 5 V / 20 MHz design draws 15-25 mA active, so verify regulator sizing for the entire board.
Place the 20 MHz crystal (or ceramic resonator) within 5 mm of OSC1 and OSC2, with the load capacitors returned to a clean analog ground. Keep high-current traces (motor drivers, relay coils) at least 10 mm away from the oscillator traces to prevent jitter. The 28-pin through-hole footprint is breadboard-friendly but not optimized for SMT reflow profiles; expect to use the plastic SPDIP variant for any reflow-soldered board.
When using the USART at 115200 baud and above, add 100 ohm series resistors on TX/RX lines to damp reflections on long cables. For RS-485 differential links, add 120 ohm termination resistors at both cable ends. The MSSP I2C lines require 4.7 kohm pull-ups to VDD at 100 kHz Standard mode and 2.2 kohm at 400 kHz Fast mode; do not omit these pull-ups or the I2C bus will not rise correctly.
Route the ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) signals PGM, PGC, PGD to a 6-pin header even on production boards - this allows MPLAB debugger and PM3 programmer attachment without removing the chip. The PIC16C63A/JW windowed variant does not need ICSP because the chip is removed for UV erasure, but the same PCB running a plastic OTP variant should expose ICSP for field firmware updates.
Compliance Information
The /JW windowed ceramic C-series package generally does not comply with RoHS because it uses lead-bearing ceramic packaging and a quartz window. RoHS-compliant alternatives require migration to flash-based PIC16F73 or modern PIC18F / PIC24F families. Reach and conflict-minerals compliance per Microchip product declarations.
