PIC16C715T-20/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB EPROM SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C715T-20/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.92 | $3.92 |
| 10 | $3.51 | $35.10 |
| 100 | $3.12 | $312.00 |
| 500 | $2.83 | $1,415.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16C715T-20/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral set. Within the PIC16 family hierarchy, the PIC16C715 sits in the mid-range architecture (14-bit instruction word) above the baseline PIC16C5X (12-bit) and below the enhanced PIC16F/18F families, balancing code density against peripheral integration for cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Key features include the 20 MHz instruction throughput (200 ns instruction cycle), an integrated 8-bit A/D converter with four input channels, 13 digital I/O pins, a hardware 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit prescaler, and a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator. The OTP program memory is windowless and non-erasable, making the part suited to mature production code that does not require in-system firmware updates. The part operates from a single 2.5V to 5.5V supply.
The architecture is fully static CMOS with a RISC instruction set of 35 single-word instructions, allowing precise control of program counter branches, bit-level I/O manipulation, and deterministic interrupt latency. The internal A/D converter uses successive-approximation topology with sample-and-hold, suitable for low-speed sensor acquisition at the kilohertz range. Brown-out Reset and Power-on Reset are integrated to prevent code-execution errors during supply transients.
Typical applications include sensor signal conditioning front-ends, low-cost appliance controllers, white-goods user-interface modules, industrial push-button panels, simple closed-loop fan or pump controllers, and hobbyist / educational embedded platforms. Designers choose the PIC16C715T-20/SS when the production code base is fixed, code size is below 3.5KB, and a 4-channel 8-bit A/D is sufficient.
When designing with this device, observe the OTP-programming voltage requirements (VPP = 12V-14V typical during ICSP) and provide adequate decoupling (0.1 uF plus 10 uF bulk) on VDD. The SSOP-20 package has a thermal resistance of approximately 90 C/W, and the I/O sink/source current is 25 mA per pin, 200 mA total package, so plan load drive accordingly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in Microchip-family alternatives, and practical design notes for engineers evaluating the PIC16C715T-20/SS for new designs or maintenance of legacy systems.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C715T-20/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-20/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, ADC, RoHS Status, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C715-20/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C715T-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715T-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F715-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C712T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C711T-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715T-20/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (mid-range, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Data Bus Width | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | None |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated internal RC oscillator |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Brown-out Reset / Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.3 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30 C / 85% RH) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (contains Pb, OTP-EPROM windowless process) |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), 12V-14V VPP |
PIC16C715T-20/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 15 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock-out (crystal mode) |
| Pin 17 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / clock-in (crystal or external clock mode) |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C715T-20/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Low-Cost Appliance Controller, HVAC Fan / Pump Speed Controller, Industrial Push-Button / Keypad Panel, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, Educational / Hobbyist Embedded Platform.
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16C715T-20/SS is well matched to multi-sensor acquisition front-ends because its 4-channel 8-bit ADC provides 256 quantization levels across the 0-VDD analog range. At a 20 MHz Fosc the ADC can complete a conversion in approximately 19.5 us, supporting per-channel sample rates up to ~20 kSPS. The 13 digital I/O pins drive status LEDs, relay coils, and an SPI/I2C link to a host processor, while the 3.5 KB OTP holds the calibration table, linearization, and threshold logic. Compared with a discrete ADC + 8051 design, the integrated approach reduces PCB area to roughly 1 cm^2 and BOM cost by ~30%.
Recommended
Low-Cost Appliance Controller
White-goods appliance controllers (rice cookers, microwaves, washing-machine UI panels) commonly use the PIC16C715T-20/SS because the OTP program memory is sufficient for the control state machine, the 13 I/O drive keypad matrix plus 7-segment LEDs, and the 4-channel ADC monitors thermistor and humidity inputs. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range accommodates both 3.3 V and 5 V designs, and the integrated brown-out reset prevents undefined behaviour during AC-line brown-out events typical of motor-driven appliances. The 20 MHz Fosc executes the 35-instruction RISC set fast enough to multiplex a 4-digit display without flicker.
Recommended
HVAC Fan / Pump Speed Controller
Closed-loop fan or pump controllers benefit from the PIC16C715T-20/SS's TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler, which generates the PWM edges for a TRIAC or MOSFET driver. The 4-channel ADC reads the speed sensor (Hall or tachogenerator) plus a temperature setpoint, and the 8-bit PWM duty cycle adjusts the TRIAC firing angle. At 20 MHz the control loop runs every 1.6 ms, fast enough for a 1 Hz thermal time constant. The SSOP-20 surface-mount package fits inside a small inline control box, and the OTP memory keeps the unit cost under $0.50 in production.
Recommended
Industrial Push-Button / Keypad Panel
Operator-interface panels in industrial machinery use the PIC16C715T-20/SS to scan a 4 x 4 keypad matrix and drive indicator LEDs. The 13 I/O pins are sufficient for up to 16 keys using a diode-isolated matrix, and the 3.5 KB OTP holds the debounce logic, the macro handler, and the Modbus RTU frame builder. The integrated UART supports the Modbus link to a PLC at 9600/19200 baud. Commercial 0/+70 C operation is acceptable for control-cabinet environments; for outdoor or factory-floor deployments, select the I-suffix industrial temperature variant.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
Battery-powered wireless sensor nodes leverage the PIC16C715T-20/SS in a sleep-mostly architecture: the Watchdog Timer wakes the part every few seconds, the ADC reads the sensor, the result is transmitted, and the part returns to sleep. At sleep current of a few microamps the average system current is dominated by the radio module. The 2.5 V minimum supply allows operation from a single 3 V lithium primary cell, and the 8-bit ADC is sufficient for slow-changing parameters such as temperature, humidity, and battery voltage. The 3.5 KB OTP holds the simple transmit protocol and a coarse battery-life estimator.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Embedded Platform
Universities, training institutes, and hobbyists adopt the PIC16C715T-20/SS for embedded-systems courses because the 8-bit RISC architecture is straightforward to teach, the 35-instruction set fits on one page, and the 13 I/O plus 4-channel ADC are enough for common lab projects (LED blink, keypad scanner, voltmeter, function generator). The SSOP-20 package is breadboard-compatible via carrier boards, and Microchip's MPLAB IDE with the PICkit 3 programmer supports ICSP. The OTP memory teaches students to verify code thoroughly before committing, a discipline often lost when working with flash parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C715T-20/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C715-20/SS | PIC16C715T-20I/SS | PIC16C715T-20E/SS | PIC16F715-I/SS | PIC16C712T-04I/SS | PIC16C711T-20I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (3.5 KB) | OTP EPROM (3.5 KB) | OTP EPROM (3.5 KB) | OTP EPROM (3.5 KB) | Flash (3.5 KB) | OTP EPROM (1.75 KB) | OTP EPROM (1.75 KB) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 68 bytes |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | None |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| RoHS Compliance | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant | Compliant | Non-compliant | Non-compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Lower unit cost than flash PIC16F715-I/SS at high volume (vs PIC16F715-I/SS)
- Higher speed than PIC16C712T-04I/SS (vs PIC16C712T-04I/SS)
- Integrated 4-channel ADC vs no ADC on PIC16C711T-20I/SS (vs PIC16C711T-20I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a 10 uF bulk tantalum or aluminium-polymer capacitor on the same rail. The PIC16C715T-20/SS draws typically 2-5 mA at 5 V / 20 MHz and as low as a few microamps in sleep mode. The internal brown-out reset is factory-trimmed; confirm that VDD rise time at power-on is < 50 ms to avoid the part starting in an undefined state.
The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) is a high-voltage programming entry: during ICSP, VPP must be raised to 12-14 V while VDD is held at 5 V. In-circuit design must isolate MCLR with a series resistor (4.7 kohm typical) and clamp the trace to VSS with a Schottky diode (1N5817) to prevent accidental latch-up. Never tie MCLR directly to VDD without the resistor - it prevents in-circuit programming.
Oscillator traces (OSC1 pin 17 and OSC2 pin 16) should be kept short (< 10 mm), routed over a continuous ground pour, and guarded with a ground ring to minimise capacitive coupling to neighbouring high-speed signals. For crystal mode, use a fundamental-cut parallel-resonant crystal (AT-cut) with load capacitors of 15-33 pF matching the crystal's specified load. For HS mode at 20 MHz, keep the trace impedance below 50 ohm by maintaining a 0.3 mm clearance to adjacent traces.
Compliance Information
PIC16C715T-20/SS is non-RoHS due to lead in the OTP-EPROM SSOP-20 termination. REACH compliance is maintained per Microchip's environmental statement. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part is commercial/industrial temperature only. For automotive applications migrate to PIC16F715-I/SS or contact Microchip for AEC-Q100 qualified replacements.
