PIC16C715T-04I/SS - 8-Bit PIC MCU, 3.5KB OTP, 4MHz, 20-SSOP
MPN: PIC16C715T-04I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.5559 | $1.56 |
| 10 | $1.49 | $14.90 |
| 100 | $1.39 | $139.00 |
| 500 | $1.28 | $640.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16C715T-04I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), working RAM, and peripherals such as timers, ADC, and I/O ports. The PIC16C71X family belongs to Microchip's mid-range PIC architecture (14-bit instruction word), sitting above the baseline PIC16C5X in instruction set power and below the PIC18 family in performance. This hierarchy (OTP-based 8-bit MCU -> PIC mid-range -> 8-bit microcontroller family -> embedded MCU category) makes the PIC16C715 a workhorse for cost-sensitive, low-power control applications.
Key features include 200 ns instruction execution time (5 MIPS at 4 MHz), 35 single-word instructions, an 8-level deep hardware stack, four interrupt sources, and a programmable code-protection bit. The 8-bit ADC delivers 4 channels with selectable reference voltages, supporting sensor and signal-acquisition tasks. The CMOS process delivers low power consumption suitable for battery-operated and industrial embedded designs.
Architecturally, the device uses a Harvard bus architecture with separate program and data paths, enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and operand access. The RISC-style 35-instruction set simplifies code development while supporting bit-level manipulation, a hallmark of PIC microcontrollers. Two 8-bit timer/counters and one 16-bit timer/counter provide flexible event timing, while the watchdog timer enhances system reliability.
Typical applications include sensor signal conditioning, simple motor control, white goods and appliance control, industrial automation peripherals, and battery-powered instrumentation. The industrial temperature range and integrated ADC make it well suited for harsh-environment embedded systems.
When designing with this device, note that OTP program memory requires one-time programming during manufacturing and cannot be field-updated; for prototype or low-volume production, consider the flash-based PIC16F716 equivalent recommended by Microchip. Brown-out reset, power-on reset, and watchdog timer features must be configured by firmware for robust operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16C71X family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C715T-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 PIC16C715T-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Timers, Mounting Type, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C715-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C715T-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C712T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C711T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F716-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C710T-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715T-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16C71X mid-range 8-bit MCU |
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 5 V nominal |
| I/O Pins | 13 digital I/O |
| ADC | 4 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit timer/counter |
| Stack Depth | 8 levels hardware |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial, "I" grade) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Tape & Reel ("T") |
| Recommended Modern Replacement | PIC16F716 (flash-based) |
PIC16C715T-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 9 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear (reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 10 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (5 V nominal) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | Vss — Ground reference (secondary) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C715T-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, White Goods and Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Simple Motor Control (Brushed DC and Stepper), Automotive Aftermarket Modules, Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platforms.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS's integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC and 13 digital I/O make it a strong fit for industrial sensor signal conditioning front-ends. The MCU samples analog inputs from temperature, pressure, or flow sensors, applies digital filtering, and drives actuators or communication lines. At 4 MHz the 200 ns instruction execution sustains 5 MIPS, sufficient for closed-loop control loops running at sub-kilohertz rates. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range matches factory floor environments. Compared with discrete ADC-plus-logic designs, the integrated ADC and core reduce BOM count and PCB area by roughly 30 percent. The PIC16C715's OTP memory is acceptable for fixed-function industrial modules where firmware does not require field updates.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Control
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS is well suited for white goods controllers such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. Its 13 digital I/O pins drive relays, triacs, LEDs, and seven-segment displays while the 4-channel ADC reads temperature sensors and water-level probes. The 35-instruction RISC set is simple enough for short development cycles on 8-bit appliance firmware. OTP program memory and the industrial temperature range suit sealed consumer appliances where firmware is fixed at production. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer features protect against line-voltage brown-outs common in appliance environments, increasing field reliability. The SSOP-20 footprint keeps PCB area small for space-constrained appliance control boards.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS's CMOS process and low-power sleep modes make it a viable choice for battery-powered instrumentation such as portable data loggers and remote sensor nodes. The 4 MHz oscillator is gated off during sleep, dropping quiescent current to microampere levels while RAM content is preserved. The integrated 8-bit ADC handles direct sensor digitization without external converters. The 128-byte RAM buffers small sample blocks before transmitting over UART or I/O pins. Compared to 32-bit Cortex-M alternatives, the PIC16C715 reduces active power roughly five-fold, extending battery life in low-duty-cycle applications. The industrial temperature range supports outdoor and uncontrolled-environment deployments.
Recommended
Simple Motor Control (Brushed DC and Stepper)
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS can drive small brushed DC motors and unipolar stepper motors through PWM signals on its 13 digital I/O pins. The 8-bit timer/counters generate PWM at audio-band frequencies, while the 16-bit timer handles quadrature decoding or step counting. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC samples motor current via shunt resistors for closed-loop torque limiting. At 4 MHz the MCU sustains 5 MIPS, enough for trapezoidal stepper acceleration profiles and brushed DC PI control loops running at 1 kHz. The integrated ADC eliminates the need for external current-sense amplifiers on simple low-voltage motor drives, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Modules
Although the PIC16C715T-04I/SS is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is used in non-safety automotive aftermarket modules such as lighting controllers, accessory timers, and gauge drivers. The industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) covers most cabin environments, and the 13 digital I/O pins drive LED bars, relays, and switch inputs. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads battery voltage, temperature, and tachometer signals. Because OTP memory cannot be field-updated, aftermarket modules with fixed specifications are good fits. For safety-critical automotive applications Microchip's AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F series parts should be selected instead.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Embedded Platforms
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS's simple 35-instruction RISC set, low cost, and integrated ADC make it a teaching vehicle for embedded systems courses and hobbyist electronics. Students learn timer configuration, ADC sampling, and GPIO control without complex toolchains. The SSOP-20 footprint requires a small breakout board for breadboard use, encouraging PCB layout practice. Because the part is OTP, hobbyists can experiment with PIC assembly and C programming on cheaper PIC16F equivalents, then target the PIC16C715 once designs are finalized. The availability of free Microchip MPLAB X IDE and MPASM assembler lowers the entry barrier for learners.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C715T-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C715-04I/SS | PIC16C715T-04/SS | PIC16C712T-04I/SS | PIC16C711T-04I/SS | PIC16F716-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-20 (Tape & Reel) | SSOP-20 (Tube) - same | SSOP-20 (Tape & Reel) - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP - same | 3.5 KB OTP - same | 2 KB OTP (-43%) | 1.75 KB OTP (-50%) | 4 KB Flash (+14%) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 256 bytes (+100%) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 20 MHz (+400%) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM - same | OTP EPROM - same | OTP EPROM - same | OTP EPROM - same | Flash (field-updatable) |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 4 channels x 8-bit | 4 x 8-bit - same | 4 x 8-bit - same | 4 x 8-bit - same | 4 x 8-bit - same | 4 x 8-bit - same |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C - same | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND - same | NRND - same | NRND | NRND | Active (recommended for new designs) |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel delivery for high-volume automated assembly (vs PIC16C715-04I/SS (tube))
- Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) (vs PIC16C715T-04/SS (commercial))
- 3.5 KB OTP program memory (vs PIC16C711T-04I/SS)
- Same SSOP-20 footprint as flash-based modern replacement (vs PIC16F716-I/SS (flash-based))
Design Notes
The PIC16C715T-04I/SS operates from a single 5 V nominal Vdd supply with a typical operating range of approximately 4.5 V to 5.5 V. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the Vdd pin and a bulk capacitor (10 uF or higher) on the supply rail to suppress noise from the internal oscillator and ADC. In battery-powered designs, leverage the SLEEP instruction to drop quiescent current to microampere levels while preserving RAM content.
The SSOP-20 footprint has a 0.65 mm pin pitch and a 5.30 mm body width, requiring careful PCB layout to avoid solder bridging. Use a fine-pitch soldering profile (peak temperature around 250C for lead-free) and ensure proper solder paste stencil aperture design (typically 4 mils thicker than the pad). Keep analog traces (AN0-AN3) short and away from digital switching lines to minimize ADC coupling noise; add a ground pour under the IC for thermal dissipation and shielding.
OTP program memory cannot be erased or rewritten once programmed - verify firmware with a flash-based prototype (PIC16F716-I/SS) before committing to PIC16C715T-04I/SS production. Ensure the MCLR pin has a proper pull-up (typically 10 kOhm) and that the oscillator configuration bits match the external crystal or resonator. Brown-out detection and code-protection fuses must be set in the configuration word during programming; an unconfigured device may not start reliably.
Estimated: at 4 MHz clock and 5 V supply, the PIC16C715T-04I/SS typically draws around 2-5 mA active and microamps in sleep, so total power dissipation is well under 25 mW. The SSOP-20 package provides adequate thermal performance for industrial temperature range without a heatsink. For high-ambient (>70C) sealed enclosures, verify junction temperature rise using standard theta-JA values (~80-100 C/W for SSOP-20) against the dissipation estimate.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance not explicitly listed in verified web data - marked unknown. Part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; not suitable for safety-critical automotive applications. Lifecycle is NRND per Microchip product page.
