PIC16C710-20/SO - 8-Bit OTP MCU 20MHz 4ch ADC SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C710-20/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.45 | $345.00 |
| 500 | $3.1 | $1,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.8 | $2,800.00 |
PIC16C710-20/SO Overview
What is a PIC16CXXX microcontroller? The PIC16C family is Microchip's classic mid-range OTP-based 8-bit MCU line built around a Harvard RISC architecture that separates program and data memory. The PIC16C710 specifically combines a 14-bit instruction word, 8-bit data path, on-chip ADC, brown-out reset, and Timer0 in a compact 18-pin package. The 35 single-word instruction RISC core delivers ~5 MIPS at 20 MHz, and the integrated analog peripherals enable mixed-signal sensing without an external ADC.
Key features include 4 channels of 8-bit A/D conversion (with one channel shared with the external voltage reference pin), an 8-bit Timer0 with an 8-bit programmable prescaler, brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry for reliable power-on behavior, an internal RC oscillator option, and wide operating voltage range from 3.0V to 6.0V. Power management includes sleep mode with wake-up via interrupt or watchdog timer, supporting battery-friendly designs. The 18-pin SOIC package measures 7.50 mm body width with standard 1.27 mm pitch.
The PIC16C710 uses an enhanced CMOS process with static operation and a wide operating voltage window, with power dissipation rated below 1 W in active mode and a fraction of that in idle/sleep. The brown-out reset threshold is internally set to approximately 4.0V, guarding against VDD brown-out conditions that could corrupt program execution. Programming is via ICSP for development prototypes, while production units ship with one-time-programmable EPROM for cost-sensitive volume.
Typical applications include white goods and appliance control boards, automotive body modules (under-hood and cabin), battery chargers, power-supply monitoring, HVAC sensor interfaces, and low-cost consumer products with mixed digital and analog requirements. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC is particularly well-suited to thermocouple, thermistor, potentiometer, or current-sensing front-ends.
When designing with the PIC16C710-20/SO, place decoupling capacitors (0.1 µF ceramic plus 10 µF bulk) as close as possible to VDD/VSS pins and reserve the MCLR pin for an external reset network. For ADC accuracy, drive unused analog inputs to either rail and average multiple conversions to reduce noise.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives from Microchip's pin/code compatibility chart, and design notes drawn from Microchip application notes and datasheet typical application circuits.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C710-20/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 PIC16C710-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Timers, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C710-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C710-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710T-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F716-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16CXX 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 896 bytes (512 x 14) |
| Data RAM | 36 bytes |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC Channels | 4 channels, 8-bit |
| Timers | Timer0: 8-bit with 8-bit prescaler |
| Brown-Out Reset (BOR) | Yes (internal) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Package | SOIC-18 (SO), 7.50 mm body width, 1.27 mm pitch |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (OTP EPROM, Pb-containing windowed/ceramic variants historically) |
| Lead-Free | unknown |
PIC16C710-20/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — GPIO RA2 / analog channel 2 input |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF — GPIO RA3 / analog channel 3 / external voltage reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — GPIO RA4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset (active low) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — GPIO RB0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — GPIO RB1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — GPIO RB2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — GPIO RB3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — GPIO RB4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — GPIO RB5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6/PGC — GPIO RB6 / ICSP serial clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7/PGD — GPIO RB7 / ICSP serial data |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — GPIO RA0 / analog channel 0 input |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — GPIO RA1 / analog channel 1 input |
Typical Applications
PIC16C710-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods & Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics, Battery Chargers & Power Supply Monitors, HVAC Sensor Interface Boards, Low-Cost Consumer Remote Controls, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
White Goods & Appliance Control
The PIC16C710-20/SO fits white-goods main control boards because its 13 GPIO pins can drive relays, triacs, switches, and seven-segment displays directly, while the 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors for temperature regulation, water-level probes, and motor current sensing. The 20 MHz core delivers 5 MIPS - ample for proportional control loops and user-interface multiplexing without an external MCU. Brown-out reset guards against line-voltage dips that are common in washer/dryer/microwave environments. Compared to discrete logic, it shrinks BOM cost and PCB area substantially.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Automotive body modules - mirror controls, seat-position memory, lighting controllers, climate sensors - benefit from the PIC16C710-20/SO's integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC and 13 GPIO. With the industrial-grade -20I/SO variant, the part tolerates -40C to +85C cabin temperatures. Brown-out reset handles crank-cold-start voltage drops. The Harvard RISC core gives deterministic 200 ns instruction cycles for pulse-width modulation of LED drivers and brushed DC motors. The compact SOIC-18 package fits behind instrument clusters and inside door modules.
Recommended
Battery Chargers & Power Supply Monitors
Smart battery chargers use the PIC16C710-20/SO's 8-bit ADC to sense charge current (via shunt) and battery voltage, while the GPIO controls MOSFET gate drivers via PWM or simple on/off logic. Brown-out reset prevents undervoltage charging that would damage cells. The OTP-based architecture holds calibration firmware in non-volatile EPROM for the life of the product. Operating from 3.0V to 6.0V covers 4-cell NiMH packs, single Li-ion, and 5V regulated adapters.
Recommended
HVAC Sensor Interface Boards
HVAC indoor units, thermostats, and duct sensors use the PIC16C710-20/SO as a low-cost sensor aggregator. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads temperature (NTC), setpoint potentiometer, and humidity sensors, while GPIO controls relays, fan triac drivers, and LED status indicators. The 5 MIPS throughput handles proportional-integral control loops in firmware. Operating from 3.3V or 5V, the part fits 24V AC-derived rails after rectification and regulation.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Remote Controls
Universal remote controls and IR/RF transmitter keypads use the PIC16C710-20/SO to scan key matrices, encode IR protocols, and drive status LEDs. The 13 GPIO drives up to a 4x4 key matrix plus indicators with no external logic. Brown-out reset ensures clean wake-up after battery replacement. The Harvard RISC core delivers deterministic bit timings critical for NEC, RC5, and Sony IR protocols. OTP memory locks the firmware against copying.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Industrial 4-20 mA loop transmitters, RTD conditioners, and bridge sensor front-ends use the PIC16C710-20/SO as a digital post-processor. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC samples strain gauge, RTD, or thermocouple signals after analog front-end amplification, then linearizes and outputs via GPIO or PWM. Brown-out reset protects against industrial line disturbances. The commercial 0C to +70C rating suits factory-floor enclosures; for outdoor or unconditioned sites use the -I/SO industrial variant.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C710-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C710-20I/SO | PIC16C711-20/SO | PIC16C710-04/SO | PIC16C710T-20/SO | PIC16F716-20/SO | PIC16C711-20I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-18 (SO) | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same |
| Program Memory | 896 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP | 1024 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP | 2048 bytes Flash | 1024 bytes OTP |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 4 ch / 8-bit | 4 ch / 8-bit | 4 ch / 8-bit | 4 ch / 8-bit | 4 ch / 8-bit | 4 ch / 8-bit (or higher in some variants) | 4 ch / 8-bit |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete (2026) | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- OTP EPROM-based mid-range PIC with on-chip 4-channel 8-bit ADC (vs PIC16C711-20/SO)
- Commercial temperature grade for indoor/consumer products (vs PIC16C710-20I/SO)
- Active flash-based successor with field re-programmability (vs PIC16F716-20/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 14), and add a bulk 10 µF electrolytic or tantalum capacitor near the VDD/VSS pair. Brown-out reset triggers near 4.0V per the datasheet, so verify the VDD rail stays above this threshold during inrush transients (relay activation, motor start). For battery-powered designs, average ADC current consumption by enabling sleep mode between conversions.
Because the PIC16C710-20/SO is OTP (one-time-programmable) EPROM, code bugs cannot be field-updated via ICSP after final assembly. Verify all firmware in development using a windowed ceramic package (PIC16C710-/JW) before committing to the SO-18 OTP production units. The MCLR pin must NOT be left disconnected - either tie to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor or drive from a supervisor/RC network. The ADC's VREF input (RA3/AN3) must be tied to a stable reference if used for ratiometric measurements; floating it produces noisy conversions.
Route the analog inputs (RA0-RA3) away from switching nodes - relay coils, triac gates, oscillator traces - to minimize ADC noise coupling. Use a ground guard ring around analog pins if PCB area permits. The ICSP pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD must be accessible in production; adding 100 ohm series resistors to these pins is acceptable practice but not required. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric for stable oscillator operation; long traces behave as antennas injecting EMI.
Compliance Information
PIC16C710-20/SO uses OTP EPROM technology in a windowed/ceramic-era package lineage and is not RoHS compliant (Pb-containing). Lead-free and REACH status are unknown - verified Microchip datasheet notes for legacy OTP parts typically confirm Pb-bearing termination. AEC-Q100 not applicable as this is not an automotive-qualified part; automotive users should consider PIC16F716 or industrial-grade -I variants.
