PIC16C712-04I/P - 8-bit 4MHz OTP MCU with ADC, 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C712-04I/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.75 | $3.75 |
| 10 | $3.4 | $34.00 |
| 100 | $3.05 | $305.00 |
| 500 | $2.7 | $1,350.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.4 | $2,400.00 |
PIC16C712-04I/P Overview
What is an OTP microcontroller? An OTP (one-time programmable) microcontroller is a type of embedded processor whose on-chip non-volatile program memory can be written exactly once during production programming, after which the code becomes permanent. OTP sits within the broader microcontroller taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> CMOS IC -> semiconductor device. OTP parts are typically chosen over flash-based MCUs when unit cost is paramount and firmware is fully matured, such as in high-volume appliance, sensor, and toy controllers.
Key features include 13 digital I/O pins with individual direction control, an 8-bit Timer0 with 8-bit prescaler, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry, a watchdog timer, and an interrupt controller supporting up to seven internal/external sources. The PIC16C712 executes instructions in a single instruction cycle (4 clock periods) except for program branches, which take two cycles, yielding 200 ns instruction execution at 20 MHz.
The PIC16C712 architecture uses a Harvard-style RISC core with only 35 single-word instructions to learn, dramatically reducing code development time. Its CMOS process yields very low power consumption suitable for battery-powered applications, and the on-chip ADC provides a low-cost analog interface for sensor reading without an external converter IC.
Typical applications include appliance control boards, sensor signal conditioning, simple motor control via the CCP/PWM module, battery chargers, security keypads, and industrial sensor interfaces. The 4-channel ADC and 13 I/O lines make this device particularly well suited to low-cost mixed-signal front ends.
When designing with the PIC16C712, mind that the OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit - choose the flash-based PIC16F7X family if in-field firmware updates are required. The PIC16C712 is well supported by MPLAB X IDE and the MPLAB XC8 C compiler for both assembly and C code development. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in any single manufacturer or distributor source.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C712-04I/P — 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 PIC16C712-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Operating Temperature, Watchdog Timer, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C712-04E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712-04/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C712-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C711-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C711-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 us at 4 MHz (200 ns at 20 MHz) |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 instructions |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC | 4 channels, 8-bit |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit with 8-bit prescaler), Timer1, Timer2 |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 CCP module |
| Brown-Out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial ("I" suffix) |
PIC16C712-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Digital I/O port B bit 6 (interrupt-on-change / ICSP clock) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Digital I/O port B bit 7 (interrupt-on-change / ICSP data) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output (crystal mode) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C712-04I/P is suitable for 7 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Battery-Powered Sensor Interfaces, PWM Motor Speed Control, Security Keypads and Access Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting and Sign Controllers, Hobby and Educational Development.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C712-04I/P fits appliance control boards - washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and refrigerators - where its 13 digital I/O lines and 4-channel 8-bit ADC handle sensor multiplexing, relay drive, and keypad scan duties in a single IC. The 1.75 KB OTP program memory accommodates mature fixed-function appliance firmware without field reprogrammability concerns, lowering unit cost versus flash alternatives. Operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V and -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature, it tolerates the kitchen-environment thermal envelope and direct 5 V logic interface. The Capture/Compare/PWM module drives motor-speed control and triac-based heating-element phase-angle modulation.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Interfaces
The PIC16C712-04I/P suits low-duty-cycle battery-powered sensor nodes - remote thermostats, environmental loggers, and irrigation sensors - because the PIC16C7X family's CMOS architecture minimizes active current and supports sleep modes between ADC samples. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC multiplexes thermistor, photodiode, and moisture-sensor inputs through a single IC, eliminating external ADC cost. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect battery-discharge transients and firmware-lockup conditions in unattended deployments. Industrial -40 C to +85 C operating range handles outdoor enclosures across most climates.
Recommended
PWM Motor Speed Control
The PIC16C712-04I/P is well matched to small brushed-DC and PWM-driven load applications - fans, pumps, vibrators, and toy motors - because of its integrated Capture/Compare/PWM module. Hardware PWM generation produces stable duty-cycle output without CPU bit-banging, freeing the core for closed-loop speed measurement via Timer0 and feedback arithmetic. The 13 I/O lines accommodate direction-control H-bridge logic, tachometer feedback, and fault inputs. Operating at 5 V with industrial temperature, it directly interfaces to common H-bridge drivers and opto-isolated gate drivers.
Recommended
Security Keypads and Access Control
The PIC16C712-04I/P fits security keypad and access-control modules where its 13 I/O pins directly scan a 4x4 matrix keypad without external scan logic, and the on-chip ADC reads analog tamper-switch sensors or piezo vibration detectors. The 1.75 KB OTP memory stores fixed access codes and event-log firmware in a non-erasable form, deterring code-extraction tampering. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer guard against power-line brownouts and firmware lockups in unattended installations. The 18-PDIP through-hole package suits hand-soldered or wave-soldered security-panel assemblies.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C712-04I/P suits industrial 4-20 mA loop transmitters, thermocouple cold-junction compensators, and strain-gauge bridge digitizers because its 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads multiple analog sensors with on-chip multiplexing, eliminating an external ADC. The PIC16C7X RISC core performs linearization, calibration, and HART-style modulation in firmware, shrinking the BOM to one IC plus passives. Operating from -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature, it tolerates factory-floor thermal envelopes. The 18-PDIP through-hole package withstands vibration better than surface-mount equivalents in motor-adjacent installations.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Sign Controllers
The PIC16C712-04I/P drives LED lighting strips, decorative signage, and channel-letter illumination controllers via its hardware PWM module and 13 I/O pins. Multiple PWM channels drive RGB color mixing or brightness sequencing without software overhead, while remaining I/O lines scan keypads, read ambient-light sensors via the on-chip ADC, and switch power MOSFETs. The 35-instruction RISC core keeps firmware compact within the 1.75 KB OTP memory, and the 5 V supply directly interfaces to common LED-driver logic inputs. Industrial temperature supports outdoor signage enclosures.
Recommended
Hobby and Educational Development
The PIC16C712-04I/P is well suited to hobbyist microcontroller trainers, educational kits, and DIY electronics projects because of its through-hole 18-PDIP package (easy to insert into breadboards and stripboards) and simple 35-instruction RISC architecture. MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB XC8 C compiler support this part, lowering the learning curve for first-time embedded developers. The 4-channel ADC and PWM module cover the majority of introductory applications from sensor reading to motor control. While OTP memory limits iteration, the low unit cost and Microchip's PIC architecture ubiquity keep it relevant for teaching purposes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C712-04I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C712-04E/P | PIC16C712-04/P | PIC16C712-04I/SO | PIC16C712-04E/SO | PIC16C711-04I/P | PIC16C710-04I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP - same | 1.75 KB OTP - same | 1.75 KB OTP - same | 1.75 KB OTP - same | 512 B OTP - smaller | |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 36 bytes - smaller | |||
| ADC | 4 ch, 8-bit | 4 ch, 8-bit - same | 4 ch, 8-bit - same | 4 ch, 8-bit - same | |||
| CCP/PWM Module | 1 (hardware PWM) | 1 - same | 0 (software PWM only) | 0 (software PWM only) | |||
| Max Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | |||
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial - same | |||
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated hardware CCP/PWM module (vs PIC16C711-04I/P)
- Industrial temperature grade with same PDIP footprint (vs PIC16C712-04/P)
- 1.75 KB OTP and 128 B RAM on the same 18-PDIP pinout (vs PIC16C710-04I/P)
- Through-hole PDIP package for breadboard and hand-solder assembly (vs PIC16C712-04I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C712-04I/P operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V on the VDD pin (pin 14) with VSS on pin 5. Estimated: at 4 MHz active current is approximately 2 mA typical, and supply decoupling should use a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The brown-out reset (BOR) module monitors VDD and resets the device if voltage drops below the BOR threshold - leave the BOR enabled for battery-operated applications to prevent code-execution errors during voltage droops. Add a series resistor or ferrite bead on the supply line if the part shares a rail with switching converters.
Critical pitfalls when designing with the PIC16C712-04I/P: (1) OTP memory is one-time programmable - firmware must be fully debugged before production programming because in-circuit reprogramming is impossible; for development, use the windowed PIC16C712/JW ceramic-DIP variant or a PIC16F84A-04I/P flash equivalent. (2) The MCLR pin (pin 4) is active-low reset - it must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, with optional momentary-LOW pushbutton to ground for manual reset. (3) The 8-bit ADC's reference voltage defaults to VDD; for accurate conversions route VDD through a clean LDO and add a 100 nF bypass at the VREF/RA3 pin when used as external reference.
PCB layout recommendations for the PIC16C712-04I/P 18-PDIP: place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) with the ground return directly to the VSS pin (pin 5) plane. The oscillator traces for OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15) should be kept short and surrounded by ground copper to minimize EMI pickup; with a crystal oscillator, keep both load capacitors within 5 mm of the IC pins. Route analog signals (RA0-RA3) away from digital switching traces and the PWM output pin to avoid ADC noise coupling; consider a guard ring around analog traces tied to analog ground.
Estimated: at 4 MHz active operation, the PIC16C712-04I/P dissipates roughly 10 mW (5 V x 2 mA), which is well below the 18-PDIP package's thermal limit. The part is rated for -40 C to +85 C industrial operation; for outdoor enclosures in direct sunlight, verify with a thermocouple measurement at the IC case that junction temperature stays below 125 C. In still air, the 18-PDIP package typically runs 5-10 C above ambient - acceptable for most appliance and industrial environments without additional heatsinking.
Compliance Information
PIC16C712-04I/P is marked obsolete by Microchip Technology. RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals compliance status are not explicitly stated in the verified distributor listings and are marked [DATA_NEEDED] or 'unknown' pending a manufacturer compliance certificate. The part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications choose the PIC16C712-04I/P only in non-safety-critical subsystems.
