PIC16C71-20I/P - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 1.75KB, 20MHz, 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C71-20I/P β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.6 | $5.60 |
| 10 | $4.95 | $49.50 |
| 100 | $4.2 | $420.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.1 | $3,100.00 |
PIC16C71-20I/P Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a compact Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor that integrates CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals onto a single CMOS die. PIC16C-series devices sit in the 8-bit MCU product hierarchy (PIC10/PIC12/PIC16/PIC18), belong to the broader category of microcontrollers and microcontrollers/MCUs, and ultimately fall under the system-level class of embedded controllers in power management, motor control, and signal acquisition subsystems. The PIC16C71 was Microchip's first PIC16 family member to integrate an on-chip ADC, enabling single-chip sensor-interface designs.
The PIC16C71-20I/P executes a single 14-bit instruction word in 200ns at 20MHz and features only 35 single-word instructions, which simplifies code generation. The four-channel 8-bit successive-approximation ADC allows direct interface with analog sensors such as thermistors, potentiometers, or bridge outputs. Brown-out reset protects against code corruption during supply dips, and the 13 individually-direction-controlled I/O pins drive LEDs, keypads, low-side FETs, or UART/I2C bit-banged peripherals.
Typical applications include low-cost 8-bit embedded control, sensor front-ends, industrial appliance controllers, and battery-powered instrument readouts. For each of these use cases the integrated ADC, low part count, and through-hole PDIP footprint favor hand-soldered prototypes and educational platforms where ease of reprogramming and breadboard compatibility outweigh the need for in-system flash updates.
When designing with the PIC16C71-20I/P, verify that the chosen compiler toolchain (MPLAB XC8 legacy mode, CCS, or Hi-Tech PICC) supports the OTP EPROM variant, and ensure that the ICSP programming header is brought out to allow device programming after PCB assembly. The OTP memory can be programmed only once, so plan development iterations using a windowed (JW) or flash-based PIC16F equivalent first.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the same 18-PDIP footprint, and practical design notes not assembled in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C71-20I/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 PIC16C71-20I/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Package, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C711-20I/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.92 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C710-20I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C71-20/P
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C71-20I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F716-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C71-20I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16C 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| RAM Size | 36 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| ADC | 4 channels x 8-bit successive approximation |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit Timer0 with 8-bit prescaler |
| I/O Pins | 13 with individual direction control |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
PIC16C71-20I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / ADC channel 2 input |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 β PORTA bit 3 / ADC channel 3 input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master Clear (active-low reset input) |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β PORTB bit 6 digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β PORTB bit 7 digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply (3.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal connection 2 / clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal connection 1 / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / ADC channel 0 input |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / ADC channel 1 input |
Typical Applications
PIC16C71-20I/P is suitable for 7 applications: 8-Bit Sensor Interface with ADC, Industrial Appliance Controller, Battery-Powered Instrument Readout, Educational Microcontroller Platform, Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Controller, Hobbyist and Maker Projects, Replacement of Obsolete PIC16C5X Designs.
8-Bit Sensor Interface with ADC
The PIC16C71-20I/P is well matched to 8-bit sensor-interface designs where 4 ADC channels are sufficient and a through-hole footprint simplifies prototyping. The 20MHz CPU delivers a 200ns instruction cycle, allowing the ADC acquisition loop to run with minimal latency. With 1.75KB of OTP program memory and 36 bytes RAM, the part comfortably runs a polled sensor-read sequence plus UART bit-bang output. Compared to discrete ADC-plus-logic designs, integrating the ADC on-chip reduces BOM count and PCB area.
Recommended
Industrial Appliance Controller
The PIC16C71-20I/P suits low-cost industrial appliance controllers such as pump drivers, fan controllers, and small heating elements. Its industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and brown-out reset ensure robust operation in factory environments with noisy supply rails. The 13 I/O pins drive relays, low-side MOSFETs, status LEDs, and keypad matrices. The 20MHz CPU executes the control loop fast enough for a 1ms PID cycle, leaving margin for display and button-scan tasks.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrument Readout
The PIC16C71-20I/P is a good fit for battery-powered handheld instruments like multimeters, thermometers, and portable data loggers where the integrated 4-channel ADC directly digitizes sensor outputs. The PIC16C core's low-power sleep mode combined with the 3.0V to 5.5V operating range enables single-coin-cell or 2xAA designs. Brown-out reset prevents data corruption when batteries sag, and the 8-bit Timer0 drives a low-power RTC tick. Total BOM cost stays low because the MCU needs no external ADC or reset supervisor.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Platform
The PIC16C71-20I/P serves as an educational platform for teaching 8-bit embedded design because the 18-PDIP through-hole package is breadboard-friendly and hand-solderable. Students can program the OTP device via Microchip's PICSTART Plus or ICD2 programmers and observe the 35-instruction RISC architecture in action. The 4 ADC channels introduce ADC concepts such as acquisition time and reference selection. While OTP restricts reuse, the PIC16C71-20I/P remains in stock for laboratory course consumables.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Controller
The PIC16C71-20I/P fits automotive aftermarket accessory controllers such as alarm LED drivers, lighting sequencers, and auxiliary fan controllers. Although the standard -40C to +85C industrial grade does not cover AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, it remains in widespread use in non-safety-critical aftermarket products. The 13 I/O pins drive relays, LEDs, and the brown-out reset handles crank-dip transients when paired with a TVS-protected 12V supply rail.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Maker Projects
The PIC16C71-20I/P remains popular among hobbyists and makers building retro 8-bit projects, custom MIDI controllers, and discrete Christmas light sequencers. The PDIP package accepts standard IC sockets, and the part's instruction cycle is fast enough to bit-bang WS2812 addressable RGB LEDs with timing margins that satisfy the datasheet's reset low-time requirement. Combined with the integrated ADC, the chip can read potentiometers and pushbuttons while driving PWM-emulated LED dimming via Timer0 ISR.
Recommended
Replacement of Obsolete PIC16C5X Designs
The PIC16C71-20I/P serves as a drop-in upgrade path for legacy designs based on the older PIC16C5X family, offering more program memory (1.75KB vs 0.5-1KB), an integrated ADC, brown-out reset, and 13 I/O pins. The PIC16C7X is upwards source-code compatible with the PIC16C5X and PIC12Cxxx instruction set, so existing assembly code typically recompiles with only minor modifications. Engineers modernizing legacy equipment can swap the chip without re-laying out the PCB.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C71-20I/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C711-20I/P | PIC16C710-20I/P | PIC16F716-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) OTP | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) OTP | 0.875 KB (512 x 14) OTP | 14 KB Flash |
| RAM | 36 bytes | 68 bytes | 36 bytes | 128 bytes |
| ADC Channels | 4 x 8-bit | 6 x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit | 8 x 8-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- First PIC16 family member with integrated ADC (vs PIC16C56 / PIC16C58)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range (vs PIC16C71-20/P (commercial grade))
- Brown-out reset for supply-dip immunity (vs Discreet MCU with external supervisor)
Design Notes
The PIC16C71-20I/P uses OTP EPROM and can be programmed only once. Engineers must validate code on a windowed PIC16C71/JW or a flash-based PIC16F716-I/P development board before committing production units. Estimating: at typical development cycle cost of $20 per blank PIC16C71-20I/P, validation errors late in the design can add $500-$2000 to development budgets. Always use ICSP headers to allow post-assembly programming for the OTP device.
The PIC16C71-20I/P operates from 3.0V to 5.5V with brown-out reset protecting against code corruption at supply dips below 4.0V (typical BOR threshold). For battery applications, an MCP1700 LDO is recommended because of its 1.6 microamp quiescent current. Estimated: at 5V and 20MHz active mode the part draws approximately 5-10mA, dropping to under 1 microamp in sleep mode. Add a 100nF decoupling capacitor directly across VDD and VSS pins 14 and 5.
Place the oscillator crystal or resonator within 0.5 inch of pins 15 (OSC2/CLKOUT) and 16 (OSC1/CLKIN) and guard the traces with a ground ring to reduce EMI susceptibility. The 18-PDIP package has long through-hole leads that add parasitic inductance, so keep ADC analog traces away from digital switching lines. The MCLR pin (pin 4) requires a 10k pull-up to VDD and a 100nF decoupling capacitor for reliable reset behavior during power-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the industrial grade -40C to +85C range is not equivalent to automotive certification. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved product data.
