PIC16C63AT-20/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 7KB, 20MHz, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63AT-20/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.4 | $8.40 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.92 | $692.00 |
| 500 | $6.2 | $3,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.55 | $5,550.00 |
PIC16C63AT-20/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer integrating an 8-bit CPU core, program memory (ROM/Flash/OTP), data RAM, I/O peripherals, and timers onto one silicon die. The PIC16C63A belongs to Microchip's PIC16C mid-range architecture, sitting within the broader hierarchy of PIC microcontrollers -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. Its Harvard RISC architecture with only 35 single-word instructions enables predictable 200ns instruction execution at 20MHz, simplifying both assembly and C code development.
Key features include 22 I/O pins supporting digital I/O, three 8-bit timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) and two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, a USART for asynchronous/synchronous serial communication, an MSSP module supporting SPI and I2C, and a 10-bit multi-channel analog-to-digital converter for mixed-signal applications. The device integrates brown-out detect and a watchdog timer for enhanced reliability in commercial-grade operating environments.
The PIC16C63A uses a 14-bit instruction word optimized for compiled code density, and the OTP memory supports field programming during prototyping. Internal oscillator options and the wide 2.5V to 5.5V supply range (specific to the 'A' silicon revision) allow flexible power tree design. The architecture's deterministic interrupt response and single-cycle multiplication make it well suited to real-time control loops.
Typical applications include industrial automation control boards, HVAC thermostat controllers, automotive body electronics (under-hood modules require the 'I' grade), consumer appliance control, and small sensor interface boards. The integrated USART and MSSP peripherals support bridging to RS-232/RS-485 networks and sensor buses.
When designing with the PIC16C63AT-20/SO, note the commercial temperature grade (0C to +70C); for extended industrial or automotive deployments, choose the PIC16C63AT-20I/SO variant. Decoupling requires a 100nF ceramic capacitor adjacent to VDD with bulk capacitance sized per load. The 'T' suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume assembly lines.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63AT-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 PIC16C63AT-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Timers, Package, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.85 / 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 →PIC16C63-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-10/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63AT-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 bits) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pin Count | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit multi-channel |
| Timers | 3 x 8-bit (Timer0/1/2) |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART + MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (Unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (legacy OTP) |
| Lead-Free | No (contains lead in finish) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T-suffix) |
PIC16C63AT-20/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| 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 / VREF+ |
| 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 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive power supply (+5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 23 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 24 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63AT-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, HVAC Thermostat Controller, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics, Sensor Interface Module, Small Motor Control (BLDC/PWM).
Industrial Automation Controller
The PIC16C63AT-20/SO fits industrial control boards because its 20MHz core delivers 5 MIPS with deterministic 200ns interrupt latency, essential for PLC scan loops and motor-control timing. The 22 I/O pins drive relays, optocouplers, and discrete sensors directly, while the integrated USART bridges to RS-485 field networks. Three timers plus two CCP modules generate PWM for proportional valve control and frequency-to-voltage conversion. The 10-bit ADC samples 4-20mA loop signals with sufficient resolution for process-variable feedback. For panel-mount controls the commercial 0-70C range is adequate; chassis-mount deployments should migrate to the PIC16C63AT-20I/SO industrial variant in the same 28-SOIC footprint.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16C63AT-20/SO is well suited to HVAC thermostat main boards: the 14-bit instruction width executes the control algorithm efficiently, and 7KB OTP holds scheduler tables, hysteresis curves, and serial bootloader code. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor-divider voltage with better than 0.5C resolution across the residential comfort band. CCP modules drive triac firing pulses for compressor and fan control, while the USART supports Modbus or BACnet MS/TP communication to building management systems. The 28-SOIC package profile fits slim wall-mount enclosures, and the integrated brown-out reset prevents lock-up during brown-out conditions common in legacy HVAC wiring.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C63AT-20/SO serves as the main MCU in washing-machine controllers, dishwasher panels, and microwave user interfaces. Its 22 I/O lines handle keypad scanning, 7-segment LED or LCD drive, and relay switching for solenoid valves and heater elements. The MSSP module supports I2C to EEPROM for user-setting storage and SPI to dot-matrix displays. PWM outputs control universal motor speed via triac phase-angle firing. OTP memory locks the firmware to prevent field-tampering of safety-critical appliance logic, and the small 28-SOIC footprint fits space-constrained appliance chassis while keeping BOM cost low for high-volume consumer products.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
For under-dash body controllers - window lifts, mirror adjusters, seat controls - the PIC16C63AT-20/SO is unsuitable due to its commercial 0-70C temperature rating. Designers should specify the PIC16C63AT-20I/SO industrial variant, which retains the same 28-SOIC footprint and pinout but operates across -40C to +85C. The MCU's PWM channels drive DC motor H-bridges, the ADC reads current-sense amplifiers for stall detection, and the USART supports LIN bus communication for body electronics. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure recovery from load-dump transients, although AEC-Q100 Grade 0 qualification is absent for this family.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16C63AT-20/SO works well in industrial sensor-interface modules reading strain gauges, pressure transducers, and process-level signals. Its 10-bit ADC with multiple channels handles bridge-sensor ratiometric measurements, while the MSSP in SPI mode interfaces to digital sensor front-ends. The 192-byte SRAM holds calibration constants, and 7KB OTP stores linearization tables for non-linear sensors. The USART converts Modbus RTU or proprietary protocols to USB or RS-485 for SCADA integration. With 20MHz throughput, the MCU performs 1kHz sample rates with linearization in real time - adequate for most industrial monitoring nodes.
Recommended
Small Motor Control (BLDC/PWM)
The PIC16C63AT-20/SO drives small brushless DC and brushed DC motors in pumps, fans, and small appliances. Its two CCP modules produce complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-band insertion for half-bridge drivers. Timer0 in counter mode reads Hall-sensor feedback for commutation, and the ADC monitors back-EMF for sensorless control schemes. The 20MHz clock yields 200ns PWM resolution at 8-bit duty - adequate for fans and small pumps under 100W. For variable-frequency operation the MSSP drives intelligent power modules over SPI, while brown-out reset prevents MOSFET shoot-through during low-voltage transients.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63AT-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-20/SO | PIC16C63A-20I/SO | PIC16C63A-20E/SO | PIC16C63-20/SO | PIC16C63-10/SO | PIC16C63-20I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit (original) | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit (original) | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit (original) |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Silicon Revision | A (enhanced) | A (enhanced) | A (enhanced) | A (enhanced) | Original (non-A) | Original (non-A) | Original (non-A) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel (T-suffix) | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16C63A-20/SO)
- A-silicon revision with enhanced peripheral set (vs PIC16C63-20/SO (original silicon))
- Commercial 0-70C temperature grade matches indoor appliances (vs PIC16C63A-20I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the VDD pin (pin 11) with the trace to ground kept short and direct. Add a 10uF tantalum bulk capacitor at the board entry point to suppress motor and relay switching transients. The PIC16C63A's brown-out detect thresholds (BOR) protect OTP code integrity during VDD dips; enable BOR via configuration bits to avoid executing corrupted instructions during slow power-down events.
Do not confuse the 'T' suffix (tape-and-reel packaging) with industrial temperature grade - the PIC16C63AT-20/SO is commercial (0C to +70C). For automotive or industrial deployments, specify the PIC16C63AT-20I/SO. MCLR (pin 1) must be tied to VDD through a 10k resistor with a 100nF cap to ground for proper reset; floating MCLR causes erratic behavior. OSC1/OSC2 require a crystal with 22pF load capacitors for stable oscillation across the full 20MHz spec.
The 28-SOIC land pattern follows JEDEC SO-127 standard with 1.27mm pin pitch. Keep analog inputs (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) routed away from digital switching traces to prevent ADC noise injection - add a ground guard ring around the analog section. Place the crystal within 10mm of OSC1/OSC2 pins with the load capacitors adjacent to the crystal can to minimize parasitic capacitance. For in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), dedicate test pads to RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) per Microchip programming specification.
Estimated: at 20MHz and 5V supply, the PIC16C63AT-20/SO typically draws 20mA active, dissipating 100mW - well within SOIC thermal limits (theta_JA ~70 C/W on 2-layer board, 50 C/W on 4-layer). No heatsink is required. However, in sealed enclosures above +60C ambient, junction rise can exceed 7C; derate clock speed to 10MHz using PIC16C63-10/SO variant for thermal margin. Industrial deployments (-40C to +85C) require the PIC16C63A-20I/SO variant which is qualified for the wider range.
Compliance Information
PIC16C63AT-20/SO is non-RoHS compliant due to lead-bearing finish (legacy OTP product). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not suitable for automotive safety-critical applications. REACH status compliant per Microchip product declarations.
