PIC16C712T-04I/SS - 4MHz 8-Bit OTP MCU, 1.75KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C712T-04I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.5 | $6.50 |
| 10 | $5.85 | $58.50 |
| 100 | $5.2 | $520.00 |
| 500 | $4.55 | $2,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.9 | $3,900.00 |
PIC16C712T-04I/SS Overview
What is a PIC microcontroller? A PIC microcontroller is a family of Harvard-architecture 8/16/32-bit microcontrollers originally developed by Microchip Technology, featuring RISC instruction sets, integrated peripherals (ADC, timers, PWM, communication), and on-chip non-volatile memory. The PIC16C sub-family uses One-Time Programmable EPROM for program storage, which is well-suited to high-volume production where firmware is final and code protection is required. The PIC16C712T-04I/SS sits within this OTP-based 8-bit MCU hierarchy as: 8-bit microcontroller -> RISC MCU -> PIC16C OTP family -> PIC16C7xx series with ADC and PWM.
Key features include 1.75 KB of program memory organized as 1K x 14 bits, 128 bytes of data RAM, 13 I/O pins, four 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channels, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, and integrated peripherals such as Brown-out Detect/Reset, Power-on Reset, and a Watchdog Timer. The 35 single-word RISC instruction set and DC to 4 MHz oscillator range simplify firmware development, while the 20-pin SSOP form factor supports compact surface-mount designs.
The PIC16C712 uses a modified Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in the same cycle. The 14-bit wide instruction word provides compact code density, while the 8-bit data path keeps peripheral control straightforward. The integrated 8-bit ADC offers up to four channels with configurable reference voltages, supporting sensor and analog signal conditioning tasks.
Typical applications include industrial control subsystems, sensor signal acquisition modules, low-cost consumer appliance controllers, and embedded control boards requiring on-chip ADC plus PWM motor or lighting control. The wide 2.5V to 5.5V supply range and 13 I/O pins provide ample headroom for switches, relays, sensors, and communication interfaces. The OTP memory architecture is intended for production volumes where firmware is fixed and code security is desired.
When designing with the PIC16C712T-04I/SS, verify whether OTP or Flash-based memory is appropriate: OTP prevents field firmware updates, so production-grade firmware validation must be complete before programming. For prototype and pre-production work, designers may prefer the Flash-based PIC16F712 equivalent, which supports in-circuit reprogramming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, including pin-compatible OTP and Flash PIC16 variants and a comparison table for sourcing decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C712T-04I/SS — 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 PIC16C712T-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, RoHS Status, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C712-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710T-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712T-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712T-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Architecture | RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit |
| Number of ADC Channels | 4 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (5 V typical) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, /I suffix) |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM (CCP), WDT |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Lead free / RoHS Compliant |
PIC16C712T-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O port A bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Digital I/O port A bit 3 / analog input channel 3 / ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 5 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O port C bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM output |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — Digital I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — Digital I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RC5 — Digital I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — Digital I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RC7 — Digital I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 16 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 19 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C712T-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Acquisition Module, PWM Motor Speed Control, Cost-Sensitive Consumer Appliance Controller, Hobbyist and Educational Development Board, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, Replacement / Maintenance Board Drop-In.
Industrial Sensor Acquisition Module
The PIC16C712T-04I/SS fits sensor acquisition modules because its four integrated 8-bit ADC channels sample multiple analog sensors (temperature, pressure, light) without an external ADC IC, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 13 I/O pins provide headroom for switches, status LEDs, and a UART or I2C bus to a host controller. The 4 MHz oscillator with 200 ns instruction cycle comfortably executes scan-and-decide loops at sub-millisecond latency for closed-loop control. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating covers factory-floor enclosures. Designers should size decoupling on VDD (pin 20) and AVdd analog supply lines to keep ADC readings within +/-1 LSB at full sampling rate.
Recommended
PWM Motor Speed Control
The PIC16C712T-04I/SS drives small DC motors or LED dimmers via its Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, which generates a hardware PWM output independent of CPU execution. The 4 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle allow precise timing for low-to-medium frequency PWM (typical 1 kHz to 10 kHz), and the Brown-out Detect and Watchdog Timer protect the motor driver from brown-out stalls or firmware lockups. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range supports direct operation from a 3.3 V or 5 V rail. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic bypass close to VDD and an RC snubber across the motor terminals to reduce EMI back into the analog supply.
Recommended
Cost-Sensitive Consumer Appliance Controller
For high-volume appliances such as coffee makers, kitchen timers, or simple HVAC controllers, the PIC16C712T-04I/SS offers 1.75 KB of OTP memory, four ADC channels for temperature/humidity sensing, and PWM for heater or fan control, all in a compact 20-SSOP footprint. The OTP architecture ensures code security once the appliance firmware is finalized and shipped, which protects against reverse engineering. The 35-instruction RISC set keeps firmware small, leaving headroom for state machines, look-up tables, and user-interface logic. Industrial temperature grade handles under-cabinet or outdoor-rated enclosures. Note that OTP prevents field firmware updates, so production firmware validation must be complete before programming.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Development Board
The PIC16C712T-04I/SS, in 20-SSOP, is a cost-effective entry point for embedded systems education. Its 35-instruction RISC set, four ADC channels, and PWM module teach core concepts (I/O, timing, analog sampling, control) without overwhelming a beginner. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range lets students experiment with sensor circuits in varied conditions. Note that OTP prevents code erasure - hobbyists typically program once and discard or use the JW windowed package for repeatable erasure. For learning, Flash-based PIC16F712 is often preferred since mistakes can be reprogrammed. The PIC16C712T-04I/SS is still useful for teaching final-product silicon security concepts.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
The PIC16C712T-04I/SS operates across 2.5 V to 5.5 V, enabling direct battery operation from a 3 V coin cell or two AA cells without an additional LDO. The 4 MHz operation and integrated Brown-out Detect reduce sleep-mode transitions, and the Watchdog Timer wakes the MCU from sleep on fault to reset peripherals safely. Four 8-bit ADC channels support temperature, light, or gas-sensor inputs for remote environmental nodes. The 20-SSOP package provides a small PCB footprint suitable for sealed enclosures. Estimated: at 4 MHz active with periodic ADC sampling, average current draw in the low milliamp range; use a 0.1 uF decoupling cap and a 10 uF bulk cap to maintain ADC accuracy during transmit bursts.
Recommended
Replacement / Maintenance Board Drop-In
For legacy equipment maintenance where an existing 20-SSOP PIC16C712T-04I/SS footprint is already on the PCB, the same part or its tube-packaging variant PIC16C712-04I/SS can serve as a direct replacement. The identical pinout and electrical characteristics ensure no firmware re-validation is required - the new MCU simply programs with the same hex file. For long-term maintenance planning, the Flash-based PIC16F712-I/SS is pin-compatible and offers in-circuit reprogramming, simplifying future field updates. The OTP nature of the PIC16C712T-04I/SS means spares should be stocked carefully: each programmed unit cannot be re-used if firmware needs correction.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C712T-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C712-04I/SS | PIC16C711T-04I/SS | PIC16C710T-04/SS | PIC16C712T-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SOIC (different land pattern) |
| Core / Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instructions | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instructions | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instructions | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instructions | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM, 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | OTP EPROM, 1.75 KB | OTP EPROM, 1.75 KB | OTP EPROM, 1K x 14 | OTP EPROM, 1.75 KB |
| Data RAM Size | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 36 bytes (-72%) | 128 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 4 channels, 8-bit | 4 channels, 8-bit | 0 channels (no ADC) | 4 channels, 8-bit | 4 channels, 8-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Higher ADC channel count than PIC16C710T-04/SS (vs PIC16C710T-04/SS)
- Includes ADC module, unlike PIC16C711T-04I/SS (vs PIC16C711T-04I/SS)
- Compact SSOP-20 footprint versus SOIC-20 (vs PIC16C712T-04I/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 20) with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor if VDD is shared with noisy loads. The PIC16C712T-04I/SS operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V; for 5 V analog reference accuracy on the ADC, use a low-noise regulator rather than the digital rail. The Brown-out Reset trip voltage is internally trimmed - if a tight voltage supervisor is needed (e.g., for automotive cranking), add an external voltage supervisor IC and gate it into the MCLR input through a diode OR.
The 'T' suffix indicates Tape and Reel packaging, NOT a temperature grade - the 'I' suffix denotes the industrial -40C to +85C rating. Confusing the two leads to selecting a commercial-grade part for outdoor or factory-floor designs. Additionally, the OTP PIC16C712 cannot be field-reprogrammed: once a programmed unit is committed to a board, firmware errors cannot be corrected without replacing the MCU. For prototype runs or small production volumes, choose the Flash-based PIC16F712-I/SS in the same 20-SSOP package, which supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and unlimited rewrite cycles.
Place the 4 MHz crystal or resonator as close as possible to pins 4 (OSC1) and 5 (OSC2), with the load capacitors grounded to a low-impedance ground island. Keep crystal traces short and routed away from the ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA3) and the PWM output (RC2/CCP1) to avoid coupling clock harmonics into analog readings. The 20-SSOP package has a 209 mil body width with 0.65 mm pitch - the land pattern must comply with IPC-7351 SSOP-20 nominal dimensions. Add a ground pour under the SSOP body (not connected to pin pads) to reduce radiated emissions.
Compliance Information
Lead-free and RoHS compliant per Microchip product documentation. Halogen-free status not stated in verified web data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F equivalents.
