PIC16C64A-20E/PT - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C64A-20E/PT ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.75 | $18.75 |
| 10 | $17.1 | $171.00 |
| 100 | $15.2 | $1,520.00 |
| 500 | $13.65 | $6,825.00 |
| 1,000 | $12.4 | $12,400.00 |
PIC16C64A-20E/PT Overview
An 8-bit OTP microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path and Harvard architecture, executing one instruction per instruction cycle (four clock cycles). Within the broader product hierarchy, the PIC16C64A belongs to the PIC16C family -> PIC16 mid-range microcontrollers -> 8-bit MCUs -> microcontrollers -> microprocessors and logic devices -> semiconductors. One-Time Programmable memory means the device is programmed once and cannot be erased, which makes this part well suited for high-volume, cost-sensitive, fully matured production runs where firmware is final. The PIC16C64A is now considered a legacy/obsolete device in the Microchip portfolio.
Key features include 33 general-purpose digital I/O pins, an integrated USART for asynchronous and synchronous serial communication, a Synchronous Serial Port (SSP) supporting both SPI and I²C master/slave modes, three hardware timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), an 8-bit ADC with 8 input channels (on 'A' revision parts), and a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module. Brown-out Reset and a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator provide system-level robustness. The device operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V and is fabricated on a low-power CMOS process.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, automotive body electronics, white goods and appliance control, instrumentation, and any cost-sensitive embedded design that has transitioned out of the prototyping phase and into stable volume production. The wide temperature range supports both outdoor and under-hood deployments, while the integrated peripherals eliminate external UART and SPI bridges.
When migrating from OTP to flash memory, designers should evaluate the PIC16F77 or PIC16F877A as flash-based equivalents. The PT suffix indicates lead-free matte-tin TQFP termination suitable for modern reflow profiles. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in TQFP-44 alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C64A-20E/PT — 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-20E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in RoHS Status, Operating Temperature Range, Package, Instruction Cycle Time, Maximum Clock Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C64A-10I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C64A-04I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C64A-04E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C65B-20E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C64A-20E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16C mid-range |
| Program Memory Type | One-Time Programmable (OTP) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 0 bytes (none on this part) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 35 instructions, 14-bit word |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (extended 'E' grade) |
| Package | TQFP-44 (PT), 10 x 10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART, SSP (SPI / I²C) |
| CCP Modules | 1 (capture / compare / PWM) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free matte-tin finish) |
PIC16C64A-20E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset input / programming voltage |
| 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 / ADC reference |
| 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 supply (2.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / capture compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / data |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 / low-voltage programming |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C64A-20E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Appliance and White-Goods Control, Automotive Body Electronics, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, HVAC and Building Automation, Embedded Educational Platforms.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT's 20 MHz CPU and 33 digital I/O pins give it ample throughput to scan sensors, drive relays, and orchestrate PID loops in PLCs and motor starters. Its extended -40 °C to +125 °C operating range supports deployment inside unventilated control cabinets where ambient temperatures swing widely. The integrated USART plus the SSP (SPI/I²C) module eliminate external bridge ICs when talking to digital sensors and EEPROMs, while the 8-channel 8-bit ADC handles analog feedback from transducers. Because OTP memory is written once and is permanent, this part suits only fully validated control firmware that has finished its design-cycle iteration phase. Use the PIC16F74-I/PT flash variant if any field firmware revision is anticipated. The TQFP-44 package exposes enough I/O to control a four-quadrant H-bridge with brake and enable logic on a single chip.
Recommended
Appliance and White-Goods Control
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT integrates the peripherals needed for washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and refrigerator controllers - 33 I/O for keypad, LED display, motor relay, and triac interfaces, plus PWM for valve and pump control. The CCP module generates accurate timing signals for triac firing, while Timer1's gate-mode capability supports low-power standby with battery-backed RTC operation. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range matches directly with rectified 5 V rails from small SMPS bricks inside appliances. The extended -40 °C to +125 °C operating range tolerates the temperature peaks near motor housings. Because these designs ship millions of units, the OTP memory model reduces per-unit cost relative to flash. Engineers should still provision an in-system programming header during design to recover from a misprogrammed batch.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT's extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade and 33 I/O pins make it a fit for under-hood and body-domain modules such as wiper controllers, mirror positioners, seat controllers, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Its USART plus SSP provide the serial channels required to interface with LIN transceivers and dashboard clusters. The PIC16C64A is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so for safety-critical ECUs a Q-graded part such as the PIC16F74-I/PT is required, but for body-control convenience loads the standard grade is widely deployed in pre-AEC-Q100 design eras. The 20 MHz execution speed handles CAN-LIN gateway timing without external logic, and the watchdog timer plus brown-out reset cover the electrical noise environment of an automotive 12 V bus.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT's 20 MHz throughput, integrated 8-channel 8-bit ADC, and PWM output make it a cost-effective controller for hand-held multimeters, bench DMMs, panel meters, and simple data loggers. The ADC input channels accept signal-conditioned analog signals from current shunts, voltage dividers, and temperature sensors such as thermistors. The PWM drives LCD contrast bias and buzzer alert tones without a dedicated audio DAC. The USART streams measured values to a host PC over RS-232 or RS-485, while the SSP port supports SPI displays or external EEPROMs for logged data storage. The 128-byte RAM is sufficient for running-average and peak-hold algorithms on the ADC stream. Because OTP memory is single-shot, this part suits fully characterised instrumentation where calibration coefficients are fixed at production.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Automation
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT delivers the digital I/O count needed for thermostat, damper actuator, and zone controller designs. The 33 I/O pins support multiple push-button inputs, triac outputs for compressor and fan control, and LCD segment drivers. The USART plus SSP interfaces with central building controllers via RS-485 or Modbus using a small external transceiver. The extended temperature range tolerates plenum and rooftop equipment enclosures. The PWM drives proportional valves and variable-speed fan references, while the 8-bit ADC reads thermistor, humidity sensor, and pressure transducer inputs. Use the PIC16F74-I/PT if firmware updates are anticipated for seasonal control law refinements, otherwise OTP ensures a fixed unit price over the product lifetime.
Recommended
Embedded Educational Platforms
The PIC16C64A-20E/PT is a classical teaching vehicle for Harvard-architecture 8-bit microcontrollers. Its 35-instruction RISC-style instruction set, 14-bit program word, and visible peripheral registers give students a clean view of MCU internals without abstraction layers. The 20 MHz execution speed is fast enough to demonstrate real-time signal processing, while the integrated USART and SSP let students build serial and I²C peripherals from scratch. The 44-pin TQFP package exposes every I/O for breadboard adapter boards, and the extended temperature range supports lab equipment use. Because the PIC16C64A is OTP, classroom exercises typically use the equivalent PIC16F74-I/PT flash part on the same footprint so that students can repeatedly reprogram and iterate. The PIC16C64A-20E/PT remains a useful reference device for studying the architectural lineage leading to modern PIC16F1xxx parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C64A-20E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C64A-10I/PT | PIC16C64A-04I/PT | PIC16C64A-04E/PT | PIC16C65B-20E/PT | PIC16F74-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB Flash |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (in-circuit reprogrammable) |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Highest CPU frequency in the PIC16C64A family (vs PIC16C64A-10I/PT)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16C64A-10I/PT)
- More code space than other speed grades (vs PIC16C64A-04E/PT)
- Drop-in OTP path with second USART (vs PIC16C65B-20E/PT)
- Pin-compatibility with flash migration path (vs PIC16F74-I/PT)
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC16C64A-20E/PT draws a typical operating supply current of approximately 5 mA at 5 V and 20 MHz and a quiescent current under 1 uA in sleep mode, so a 100 nF decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pair (pins 11/12 and 31/32) is required to suppress switching transients. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the supply entry point. The MCLR/VPP pin on pin 1 needs a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation; if in-circuit serial programming is desired, route MCLR through a diode-resistor network so that the programmer's VPP can overdrive it without disturbing the rest of the system.
Route the two oscillator pins (OSC1/CLKIN on pin 13 and OSC2/CLKOUT on pin 14) as a guarded differential pair with a ground ring on both sides. Keep the crystal, loading capacitors, and series resistor within 8 mm of the MCU. For high-speed 20 MHz operation, choose a crystal with an ESR under 60 ohm and an effective load capacitance matched to your capacitor choice. Avoid routing digital switching signals under or adjacent to the oscillator traces, because capacitive coupling can shift the operating frequency and increase jitter.
Because the PIC16C64A-20E/PT uses One-Time Programmable memory, there is no way to recover from a programming error without physically replacing the part. Always validate the full configuration word, ID locations, oscillator calibration, and code checksum in a PICkit or ICD socket emulator before committing the OTP array. Verify VDD during programming stays above 4.5 V (per datasheet DS30261 VDD specification) because brown-outs during the OTP write can corrupt the entire device. Production programmers should issue a post-program verify and read back the entire code space to catch bit errors before socket insertion.
Allocate each PORTB pin (RB0-RB7 on pins 33-40) with a 100 ohm series resistor when driving external loads, because PORTB has internal weak pull-ups but limited sink current. PORTD pins (RD0-RD7 on pins 19-22 and 27-30) and PORTC UART pins (RC6/RC7 on pins 25-26) are commonly routed to off-board connectors and benefit from TVS diodes and 100 ohm termination for ESD protection. Keep the analog inputs (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) physically separated from the digital switching lines by a ground trace, and use a star-ground topology returning all analog returns to a single point near the AVSS/VDD pair.
Compliance Information
Lead-free matte-tin finish (lead-free PT suffix). RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The PIC16C64A is not AEC-Q100 qualified; AEC-Q100 automotive parts require the PIC16F or dsPIC33 families.
