PIC16C64A-04I/P - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C64A-04I/P β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.85 | $9.85 |
| 10 | $8.92 | $89.20 |
| 100 | $7.84 | $784.00 |
| 500 | $6.95 | $3,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.1 | $6,100.00 |
PIC16C64A-04I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16C family uses a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture with only 35 single-word instructions, making it one of the easiest 8-bit MCU families to learn. MCUs sit within the broader embedded-computing hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The OTP variant means the program memory is user-programmable exactly once via a device programmer, then becomes read-only, making it suitable for low-cost, high-volume production where firmware is finalized.
Key features include 33 digital I/O pins, an 8-bit timer/counter, a 16-bit timer/counter with capture/compare/PWM, an analog comparator, and a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C master/slave modes. The PIC16C64A's RISC pipeline executes most instructions in a single instruction cycle (200 ns at 20 MHz, 1 us at 4 MHz), giving deterministic timing suitable for real-time control loops. Power consumption is optimized through sleep mode with wake-up via interrupt or watchdog.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, appliance controllers, automotive body electronics, simple sensor interfaces, and replacement of discrete logic circuits. The 40-pin PDIP package remains popular for through-hole prototyping, breadboarding, and educational platforms where socketed or hand-soldered parts simplify development. Industrial-grade temperature qualification supports factory-floor deployment.
The newer Microchip PIC16F877A is the recommended Flash-memory successor with the same 40-pin pinout, in-circuit debugging, and 10x more program memory. The legacy PIC16C64A is generally used today only for legacy maintenance or exact BOM-replication tasks where OTP is acceptable. Engineers should confirm long-term availability before designing in this part.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in compatible PIC16C alternatives, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers evaluate whether PIC16C64A-04I/P fits their application or whether a Flash-based successor is more appropriate for new designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C64A-04I/P β 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 PIC16C64A-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Timers, Watchdog Timer, Mounting Type, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C64B-04I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C65B-04I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C64A-04I/L
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F74-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877A-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C622A-04I/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C64A-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 us at 4 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Min | 2.5 V |
| Operating Voltage Max | 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit with CCP |
| Analog Peripherals | Analog Comparator |
| Serial Interfaces | SSP (SPI / I2C master-slave), USART |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (Plastic DIP, 0.600 in) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Pin Count | 40 |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (contains lead, PDIP) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life, no bake required) |
PIC16C64A-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR β Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF β PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / VREF |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS/AN4 β PORTA bit 5 / SPI slave select / analog input 4 |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 β PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 β PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 β PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 β PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RD4/PSP4 β PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RD5/PSP5 β PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RD6/PSP6 β PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RD7/PSP7 β PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 28 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 29 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 30 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 31 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 32 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 33 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 34 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 35 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 36 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / read control / analog input 5 |
| Pin 37 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / write control / analog input 6 |
| Pin 38 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / chip select / analog input 7 |
| Pin 39 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (second VDD pin) |
| Pin 40 | VSS β Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C64A-04I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Appliance Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics, Sensor Interface Hubs, Educational Development Platforms, Legacy Replacement / Maintenance.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16C64A-04I/P fits industrial control applications thanks to its industrial-grade temperature range (-40C to +85C), 4 MHz deterministic RISC execution, and 33 GPIO pins for sensor and actuator interfacing. With a 1 us instruction cycle at 4 MHz, the MCU provides tight loop timing for PID control loops, conveyor sequencing, and machine-tool auxiliary logic. The OTP memory and PDIP-40 through-hole package simplify field-replacement and legacy-system maintenance in factory-floor installations where socketed parts are favored.
Recommended
Appliance Controllers
White-goods appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) historically use PIC16C64A-series MCUs because the OTP memory locks firmware at production and the 40-pin PDIP package accepts hand-soldered rework. The PIC16C64A's analog comparator enables zero-crossing detection for triac-driven heater and motor loads, while the USART supports simple keypad or display panel interfaces. Sleep mode with interrupt wake-up extends battery life in cordless appliance variants.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Automotive body modules (window lift controllers, mirror adjusters, seat controllers, lighting drivers) commonly use PIC16C64A-class MCUs because of their industrial temperature range, robust RISC architecture, and 25 mA sink capability on each I/O pin for direct relay driving. The synchronous serial port (SSP) interfaces to SPI-controlled LED drivers or keypad scanners. For new designs, automotive-grade equivalents like PIC16F877A-I/P with AEC-Q100 qualification are preferred, but PIC16C64A-04I/P remains in legacy vehicle platforms.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Hubs
Sensor interface and signal-conditioning hubs benefit from PIC16C64A-04I/P's analog comparator for threshold detection, 16-bit timer for pulse-width measurement, and 33 digital I/O for multiplexing multiple sensor channels. The 4 MHz clock and 1 us instruction cycle deliver deterministic sampling rates suitable for low-bandwidth sensor fusion (temperature, humidity, simple motion). The 128-byte RAM accommodates small data buffers; larger buffers require migration to PIC16F877A's 368 bytes RAM.
Recommended
Educational Development Platforms
PIC16C64A-04I/P's 40-pin PDIP package and breadboard-friendly 0.1-inch pin pitch make it a popular choice for university microcontroller courses and embedded-systems training. The PIC16C RISC instruction set (35 single-word instructions) is documented in countless textbooks, and the OTP nature teaches students about production-grade firmware commitments. Modern curricula typically use Flash-based PIC16F877A-I/P for in-circuit reprogramming, but PIC16C64A-04I/P remains in legacy lab kits.
Recommended
Legacy Replacement / Maintenance
PIC16C64A-04I/P is most commonly specified today as a maintenance replacement for legacy equipment where OEM firmware was written for this exact OTP die. Industrial controllers, scientific instruments, and military systems designed in the late 1990s often require this exact part number to preserve firmware compatibility. The 40-pin PDIP socketed package simplifies field replacement without desoldering. Active production status at Microchip supports ongoing supply for installed-base maintenance through 2026 and beyond.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C64A-04I/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C64B-04I/P | PIC16C65B-04I/P | PIC16F74-I/P | PIC16F877A-I/P | PIC16C622A-04I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash | Flash | OTP |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB | 7.2 KB | 7.2 KB | 4 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| ADC | None | None | None | 8-ch 8-bit | 8-ch 10-bit | None |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial | Industrial |
Key Differentiators
- OTP memory locks firmware for tamper-proof production (vs PIC16F877A-I/P)
- Industry-standard 40-pin PDIP pinout enables drop-in upgrades (vs PIC16C622A-04I/P)
- Industrial temperature range for factory-floor deployment (vs PIC16C64A-04/P)
Design Notes
PIC16C64A-04I/P typically draws 10-15 mA at 5V and 4 MHz active, dropping to microampere-level sleep currents (typically <5 uA). Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 11 and 32), and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board's power entry. For battery-backed designs, route the MCLR pin through a 10 kohm pull-up to ensure clean reset behavior across voltage drops. Estimated: based on datasheet typical I_DD figures for PIC16C family at 4 MHz.
When laying out the 40-pin PDIP footprint, reserve a 0.1-inch pin pitch through-hole pattern with at least 0.6 inch row spacing (standard PDIP-40 mechanical outline). Keep the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and surrounded by a ground guard ring to minimize EMI coupling. Place the ICSP clock and data lines (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) near an in-circuit programming header for production programming convenience. For high-noise industrial environments, add TVS diodes on MCLR and external interrupt pins.
Critical OTP consideration: PIC16C64A-04I/P program memory is one-time-programmable - once programmed, it cannot be erased or rewritten. Plan firmware versions carefully and use a UV-erase windowed package variant (PIC16C64A-04I/L, ceramic LCC) for development, then transition to the plastic PDIP for production. Verify configuration bits (oscillator selection, watchdog enable, code protect) before programming because incorrect settings cannot be reversed. Always read back and verify the programmed device before soldering or shipping.
The analog comparator inputs (RA0-RA5) share pins with digital I/O; when used in analog mode, decouple these traces from digital switching signals and route them away from clock lines. Place the comparator reference voltage (RA3/VREF) source close to the pin with a 100 nF bypass capacitor. For SPI/I2C bus lines (RC3/RC4/RC5), keep series resistors (typically 100 ohm) close to the MCU end to dampen reflections in longer bus runs.
Compliance Information
PDIP-40 plastic package contains lead solder, making this part non-RoHS compliant. For RoHS-compliant applications, use the surface-mount PIC16C64A-04I/SO or PIC16F877A-I/P variants. REACH compliance is per Microchip product declarations. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not applicable for this industrial-grade part; for automotive use, consider PIC16F877A-I/P automotive variants.
