PIC16C715-20E/SS - 8-bit CMOS MCU, 20MHz, 3.5KB OTP, 20-SSOP
MPN: PIC16C715-20E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.8 | $68.00 |
| 100 | $5.95 | $595.00 |
| 500 | $5.2 | $2,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.6 | $4,600.00 |
PIC16C715-20E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16C715 belongs to the PIC16CXX mid-range architecture family, positioned between the baseline PIC16C5X and the enhanced PIC17CXX. The 8-bit core executes one instruction every 200ns at 20MHz, with only 35 single-word instructions to learn, making this MCU category the foundational tier in the broader microcontroller hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC.
Key features include 4 ADC input channels with 8-bit resolution, 13 I/O pins supporting individual TRIS direction control, hardware Brown-out Reset for reliable supply-voltage monitoring, and an extended operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. The /E suffix denotes the extended temperature grade, while /SS indicates the 20-pin Shrink Small Outline Package (5.3mm body width) for compact surface-mount designs.
The PIC16C715 employs a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The 14-bit wide instruction word improves code density compared with 12-bit baseline PIC cores, and the CMOS static design enables full stop/oscillator operation with minimal current draw. On-chip RC oscillator support and a wide 4.0V–5.5V supply range simplify power-tree design.
Typical applications include industrial sensor conditioning front-ends, consumer appliance control boards, automotive body modules (non-safety), HVAC thermostat controllers, and battery-powered instrumentation. The integrated ADC reduces external component count where 8-bit conversion accuracy is sufficient.
When designing with this device, note that Microchip recommends PIC16F716 as a newer flash-based replacement with equivalent peripherals and pinout; migration from the OTP PIC16C715 to the flash PIC16F716 allows in-circuit reprogramming while preserving the development toolchain investment.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C715-20E/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 PIC16C715-20E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Timers, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C715-20/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C715-20E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C711-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F716-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C710-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit CMOS Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC16CXX Mid-Range (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 bits) |
| Data RAM | 128 Bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns @ 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit |
| ADC Channels | 4 |
| I/O Pins | 13 (with individual direction control) |
| Timers | Timer0: 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended, /E suffix) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16C715-20E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock in |
| Pin 17 | RC0/T1OSO — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 18 | RC1/T1OSI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 19 | RC2/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16C715-20E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Consumer Appliance Control, HVAC Thermostat Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, LED Lighting Controllers, Smart Home Sensor Nodes.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16C715-20E/SS fits industrial sensor-conditioning front-ends by integrating a 4-channel 8-bit ADC and 13 GPIO in a 20-SSOP. Its 4.0-5.5V supply tolerates 5V regulated rails and the extended -40°C to +125°C grade supports factory-floor environments. The 20MHz core executes a sensor-read-and-decide loop in well under 200ns per instruction, allowing multi-channel scanning of temperature, pressure, or level sensors without external ADC ICs. Brown-out Reset prevents code corruption during industrial supply transients, and the 200ns deterministic instruction timing simplifies timing-sensitive control loops.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C715-20E/SS is well suited to consumer appliance control boards (washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers) where cost dominates the bill of materials. The integrated ADC reads key switches, temperature sensors, and motor-current shunts, while 13 GPIO drive relays, triac gates, and seven-segment displays. OTP EPROM eliminates the need for programming voltage and reduces per-unit cost at high volume. The 35-instruction PIC16CXX mid-range instruction set allows compact assembly code for state-machine-driven appliance sequences, and the 200ns instruction cycle keeps response latency below perceptible thresholds for HMI feedback.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controllers
The PIC16C715-20E/SS anchors HVAC thermostat designs by combining an 8-bit ADC for thermistor readout, 13 GPIO for relay switching and LCD drive, and Brown-out Reset for power-rail reliability. The 4-channel ADC reads indoor temperature, setpoint potentiometer, and humidity sensor sequentially, while the 20MHz core runs PID-style thermostat algorithms with deterministic timing. The 20-SSOP surface-mount package enables slim wall-thermostat form factors. Extended -40°C to +125°C operation tolerates attic-mounted control boxes and plenum-temperature environments.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16C715-20E/SS can serve non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, and seat-position memories. The extended -40°C to +125°C temperature grade meets automotive cabin environmental specs, while the 4-channel ADC reads switch positions and potentiometer wipers for analog trim controls. The 13 GPIO drive LEDs, relays, and small motor bridges via external drivers. The integrated Brown-out Reset is critical in the noisy 12V automotive environment where load-dump and cranking transients can pull VDD below regulation thresholds.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16C715-20E/SS supports battery-powered handheld instruments such as digital multimeters, portable gas detectors, and field data loggers. The CMOS static design allows the CPU to stop via sleep mode between ADC conversions, reducing average current draw to microamp levels. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC captures sensor inputs with sufficient resolution for indicator-style measurements, while 13 GPIO drive LCD segments, pushbutton inputs, and buzzer outputs. The 4.0-5.5V supply accepts 4-cell alkaline or 5V USB-derived rails commonly used in portable test gear.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16C715-20E/SS drives cost-sensitive LED lighting controllers including dimmable retrofit lamps, RGB color-mixing fixtures, and signage illumination. The 4-channel ADC reads ambient-light sensors and dimmer-level potentiometers, while 13 GPIO generate PWM outputs via timer-driven software loops to control LED current via external MOSFETs. The 20MHz core provides enough instruction throughput to refresh multiple PWM channels at frequencies above 100Hz, avoiding visible flicker. Extended temperature operation supports enclosed-luminaire thermal environments reaching 70-85°C ambient.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Nodes
The PIC16C715-20E/SS fits simple smart-home sensor nodes (door/window contacts, leak detectors, basic occupancy sensors) where low cost outweighs wireless connectivity. The integrated 4-channel ADC reads multiple sensor types per node, and 13 GPIO drive indicator LEDs, tamper switches, and low-power radios. The CMOS design supports sleep-mode operation for multi-year battery life on coin cells. The 20-SSOP surface-mount package enables compact PCB layouts that fit inside standard wall-box devices and miniature sensor enclosures used in residential IoT deployments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C715-20E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C715-20/SS | PIC16C712-20E/SS | PIC16C711-20I/SS | PIC16F716-I/SS | PIC16C710-20E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 1 KB OTP |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 68 B | 128 B | 36 B |
| ADC | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | No ADC |
| CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to +125 °C (Extended) | 0 to +70 °C (Commercial) | -40 to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 to +125 °C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40°C to +125°C industrial temperature grade in 20-SSOP (vs PIC16C715-20/SS)
- Largest OTP memory in the PIC16C71X 20-SSOP family (vs PIC16C711-20I/SS)
- Higher pin-count SSOP integration vs smaller PIC16C71X variants (vs PIC16C710-20E/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=5V and 20MHz active CPU current, the PIC16C715-20E/SS draws approximately 10-15 mA. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the IC. The integrated Brown-out Reset triggers below ~4V; add a 5V LDO with at least 200 mV headroom to suppress supply ripple during relay or motor switching transients.
Estimated: keep the 20MHz crystal or resonator traces under 10 mm and surround them with a ground guard ring to limit EMI radiation. Place the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kΩ) close to the MCLR pin; a series diode and 100 nF cap on MCLR form the recommended ICSP programming interface. Route ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA3) away from switching digital lines (RB, RC ports) to avoid crosstalk into the 8-bit conversion result.
OTP memory is one-time programmable - verify firmware with a UV-erasable CERDIP or Q-window package during development (e.g., PIC16C715/JW) before committing to the SSOP OTP volume part. The /E temperature-grade part costs more than the commercial-grade PIC16C715-20/SS; ordering the wrong grade is a common BOM error. The 8-bit ADC has no internal reference; use VDD as Vref and add external filtering if ratiometric sensing accuracy is critical.
The 8-bit ADC requires source impedance below 10 kΩ to avoid acquisition-time errors at 20MHz; add an op-amp buffer (e.g., MCP6002) when sensing high-impedance sensors. The 13 GPIO pins sink/source 25 mA per pin but total package dissipation is limited to 800 mW - budget LED and relay drive currents against this limit. The OSC1/OSC2 pins are sensitive to stray capacitance; keep traces short and avoid routing digital signals adjacent to them.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The /E temperature grade extends to +125°C but the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety applications - check Microchip automotive-grade PIC16F alternatives for AEC-Q100 needs.
