PIC16C710-04/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 4x ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C710-04/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
PIC16C710-04/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, volatile data RAM, and configurable peripheral interfaces. PIC16C7XX MCUs belong to Microchip's mid-range architecture that sits between the baseline 12/14-bit cores and the enhanced 16-bit cores, offering a balance of code efficiency, peripheral integration, and low cost. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16C710 belongs to: 8-bit MCU -> CMOS OTP microcontroller -> PIC16C mid-range family -> PIC16C71X sub-family. The OTP (One-Time-Programmable) variant uses EPROM-based program memory that can be programmed once but cannot be electrically erased, distinguishing it from Flash-based PIC16F parts that support in-circuit reprogramming.
Key features of the PIC16C710-04/SO include 4 channels of 8-bit ADC, 13 digital I/O pins, 36 bytes of RAM, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation, power-saving SLEEP mode, and a wide 2.5V to 6.0V operating voltage range. The '04' speed grade designates a 4MHz maximum clock frequency. The 18-pin SOIC (Small Outline IC) package offers a compact footprint suitable for surface-mount designs where board space is constrained. The mid-range architecture executes most instructions in a single 200ns instruction cycle at 4MHz, providing deterministic throughput for control loops.
Typical applications include entry-level A/D signal acquisition in automotive sensor interfaces, industrial process control front-ends, appliance control boards, and consumer electronics. The integrated ADC eliminates the need for an external converter, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The PIC16C710 is well-suited for low-volume, cost-sensitive designs and as a development platform before migrating to flash-based PIC16F variants for production flexibility.
When designing with the PIC16C710-04/SO, ensure VDD decoupling with 0.1uF ceramic capacitors placed close to the supply pin. The OTP memory programming window requires a high-voltage programming supply (typically 13V) - this is performed via ICSP using Microchip development tools. Consider migrating to PIC16F710 for in-circuit reprogrammability, or to PIC16C711 for 4KB program memory, both of which share pin-compatibility.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C710-04/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 PIC16C710-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, Supply Voltage (VDD).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F710-04/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F716-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C710-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14 words) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Data RAM Size | 36 B |
| CPU Core | PIC16C mid-range 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (at 4 MHz) |
| ADC Channels | 4 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Power-Saving SLEEP Mode | Yes |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
PIC16C710-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Port A bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | /MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 17 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 6.0V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C710-04/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Sensor Interface (Entry-Level A/D), Industrial Process Control Front-End, Appliance Control Board (Consumer), Battery-Powered Sensor Module, Consumer Electronics A/D Front-End, Smart Home Sensor Hub Node.
Automotive Sensor Interface (Entry-Level A/D)
The PIC16C710-04/SO is well-suited for low-cost automotive sensor signal conditioning where the integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC eliminates external converter ICs. Its 2.5V-6.0V VDD range tolerates 5V automotive rails with headroom, and the 13 I/O pins connect directly to sensor bridges and indicator LEDs. The 4MHz CPU provides deterministic 200ns instruction cycles for sample-loop control. Place 0.1uF decoupling close to VDD (pin 14) and use the watchdog timer to recover from transient EMI events typical of 12V automotive environments. Migration to PIC16F710 is recommended for new designs to enable field firmware updates via ICSP without removing the MCU from the board.
Recommended
Industrial Process Control Front-End
In industrial process monitoring boards, the PIC16C710-04/SO serves as the local data acquisition node, digitizing 4 analog sensor channels (temperature, pressure, flow, level) and reporting via digital I/O to a host controller. The 8-bit ADC resolution is adequate for 1% accuracy instrumentation when paired with calibrated transducers, and the mid-range PIC16C core executes one instruction per 200ns cycle, enabling 4-channel scanning at rates up to 20kSPS. The 18-SOIC package fits standard 0.3-inch-wide DIN-rail module footprints. SLEEP mode reduces quiescent current for battery-backed remote terminal units.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board (Consumer)
The PIC16C710-04/SO is ideal for cost-sensitive appliance controls such as washing machine timers, microwave user interfaces, and HVAC thermostat boards. The 13 digital I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, keypad matrices, relay coils, and triac interfaces. Its 4MHz operation delivers 5 MIPS throughput, sufficient for multiplexed display scanning and key debounce routines. The wide 2.5V-6.0V operating range accommodates unregulated rectified mains-derived rails common in appliance power supplies. OTP memory prevents firmware tampering and reduces per-unit cost versus Flash equivalents at high volume.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Module
For wireless sensor endpoints and remote telemetry nodes, the PIC16C710-04/SO offers low-power SLEEP mode operation, drawing microamp-level standby current when the CPU clock is halted. The watchdog timer wakes the MCU periodically to sample the 4 ADC channels and transmit via a companion radio module. The 36-byte RAM accommodates sensor buffering and protocol framing for protocols like Modbus or proprietary RF schemes. Operating from 2.5V to 6.0V supports 3.6V lithium thionyl chloride primary cells common in metering applications.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics A/D Front-End
The PIC16C710-04/SO serves as a low-cost ADC subsystem in toys, audio peripherals, and educational electronics, providing 4 channels of 8-bit digitization without requiring a dedicated converter IC. The 4 MIPS throughput handles sensor sampling and LED animation concurrently. The compact 18-SOIC package fits inside thin-form-factor consumer housings. The /MCLR pin (pin 16) allows external reset pushbutton integration for user-initiated device reset. Hobbyist developers can use the PICkit 3 or MPLAB SNAP programmer with ICSP to develop and burn firmware.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Hub Node
In distributed smart-home sensor networks, the PIC16C710-04/SO functions as an endpoint node digitizing temperature, humidity, light, and motion sensor inputs via its 4 ADC channels. The 13 I/O pins interface with I2C or SPI sensors not requiring ADC, and SLEEP mode with watchdog wake-up minimizes average power consumption. The mid-range 8-bit core runs deterministic firmware at 4MHz, simplifying real-time scheduling for asynchronous sensor sampling and radio transmission. The 18-SOIC footprint supports both hand-soldered prototyping and high-volume reflow assembly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C710-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F710-04/SO | PIC16C711-04/SO | PIC16C715-04/SO | PIC16F716-I/SO | PIC16C710-04/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-PDIP (through-hole, same die) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP | 896 B Flash | 1.75 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP | 2 KB Flash | 896 B OTP |
| Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP | OTP | Flash | OTP |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM Size | 36 B | 36 B | 68 B | 128 B | 128 B | 36 B |
| ADC Channels | 4 x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5V to 6.0V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 6.0V | 2.5V to 6.0V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 6.0V |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost OTP variant in PIC16C71X family (vs PIC16C711-04/SO)
- Same SOIC-18 footprint as Flash variant (vs PIC16F710-04/SO)
- Slower 4MHz operation vs 20MHz Flash upgrade (vs PIC16F716-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18) with a short ground return to VSS (pin 5). For noise-sensitive analog applications, add a 10uF tantalum or aluminum bulk capacitor near VDD. The PIC16C710-04/SO operates from 2.5V to 6.0V; verify that VDD rise time during power-up does not trigger brown-out reset prematurely by adding a 10kohm pull-up and 100nF delay network on /MCLR if needed.
When using an external crystal oscillator, place the crystal and its two load capacitors (typically 15-33pF each, depending on crystal specifications) within 5mm of pins 6 (OSC1) and 7 (OSC2). Route clock traces away from analog ADC inputs (RA0-RA3) to minimize crosstalk into the ADC conversion. Use a ground guard ring around the crystal to reduce EMI coupling. For cost-sensitive designs, the internal 4MHz RC oscillator mode eliminates external crystal components.
OTP (One-Time-Programmable) memory cannot be electrically erased - a single misprogrammed code cannot be recovered. For development and production ramp-up, use the PIC16F710-04/SO Flash variant (drop-in compatible) until firmware is finalized, then transition to PIC16C710-04/SO for volume cost reduction. The /MCLR pin (pin 16) must be tied to VDD through a 10kohm pull-up resistor for normal operation; leaving it floating causes unreliable reset behavior.
When using the ADC, ensure the analog source impedance is below 10kohm to avoid ADC acquisition time errors - add an op-amp buffer such as MCP6002 if the source impedance is higher. Enable the ADC with adequate acquisition delay (typically 15-20us at 4MHz) before starting conversion. Route analog and digital signals on separate PCB layers with a ground plane between them to minimize digital switching noise coupling into ADC inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data; PIC16C series OTP parts are typically pre-RoHS-era designs. AEC-Q100 not qualified - industrial variant only. Conflict minerals compliance per Microchip corporate policy.