PIC16C72-04E/SP - 4MHz OTP 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB, 28-DIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-04E/SP β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.45 | $64.50 |
| 100 | $5.6 | $560.00 |
| 500 | $4.95 | $2,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.4 | $4,400.00 |
PIC16C72-04E/SP Overview
What is an 8-bit OTP microcontroller? An 8-bit OTP (one-time programmable) microcontroller is a programmable logic device whose on-chip non-volatile program memory can be written exactly once after manufacture, after which the program is permanent. It belongs to the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC, and is commonly used for cost-sensitive, high-volume consumer and industrial embedded applications where firmware stability after programming is acceptable.
Key features include 13 or 22 programmable digital I/O lines depending on variant, two 8-bit timer/counters (Timer0 with 8-bit prescaler, Timer1 with capture), a 5-channel 8-bit ADC, synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C, capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation, and brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry to protect against low-Vdd conditions.
Technically, the PIC16C72-04E/SP is fabricated on a fully-static CMOS process, supports DC to 4 MHz clock input, draws low operating current, and includes power-on reset (POR), power-saving SLEEP mode, and an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface via RB6/RB7. The "-04E" suffix indicates the 4 MHz speed grade with the "E" enhanced (-40C to +125C) industrial/automotive operating temperature range, and the "/SP" suffix denotes the SPDIP-28 (Skinny Plastic DIP) through-hole package.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, automotive body electronics, appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, low-power instrumentation, motor control via PWM, and any volume-driven 8-bit embedded design that benefits from PIC mid-range code compatibility. Its rich peripheral mix and broad third-party tool support make it a long-time workhorse for legacy designs.
When designing with this part, ensure your programmer supports OTP devices (most modern PIC programmers do via ICSP) and that your firmware budget stays within 2K x 14 words. For new designs that may need firmware field updates, consider migrating to a Flash-based PIC16F7X successor rather than committing to OTP.
This page synthesizes real distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16C7X family, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-04E/SP β 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 PIC16C72-04E/SP (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Mounting Type, Package, Program Memory Size, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72A-04E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F72-I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-04I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-04E/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F73-I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711-04E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-04E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 22 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 5 channels, 8-bit |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI (via SSP) |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM (CCP), WDT |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit, 8-bit prescaler), Timer1 (16-bit with capture) |
| Oscillator Type | External (XT, HS, LP, RC modes) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions, 200 ns cycle at 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (-04E = enhanced) |
| Package | 28-DIP (SPDIP, 0.300 inch, through-hole) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| ROM Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
PIC16C72-04E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RA5 β Master clear reset (active low) / ICSP programming voltage / PORTA bit 5 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF- β PORTA bit 3 / analog input channel 3 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / analog input channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS/AN5 β PORTA bit 5 / SPI slave select / analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input or external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output or clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 capture/compare/PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM β PORTB bit 3 / ICSP low-voltage programming entry |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 / general purpose I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP serial clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP serial data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-04E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Automotive Body Electronics Modules, Home Appliance Control Boards, Low-Power Instrumentation and Data Loggers, Hobbyist and Educational 8-bit Development, Small DC Motor and PWM Control.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C72-04E/SP suits industrial 4-20 mA sensor transmitters and bridge-sensor front ends because its 5-channel 8-bit ADC digitizes thermocouple, RTD, or strain-gauge signals at up to ~10 kS/s while the PIC mid-range core runs linearization, averaging, and HART-style framing on a single IC. Operating from 4.0-5.5 V lets it share a regulated 5 V rail with op-amp signal chains, and the -40 C to +125 C enhanced range survives outdoor enclosures. The 22 I/O pins drive LED indicators, relay outputs, and isolated UART links. Compared with a discrete ADC plus 8051, the PIC16C72 integrates ADC, timers, PWM, and CPU in one 28-DIP package, reducing BOM cost for high-volume industrial sensor modules.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Modules
The PIC16C72-04E/SP is widely deployed in 1990s-2000s automotive body controllers for seat adjusters, mirror controls, wiper timers, and lighting modules because its -40 C to +125 C enhanced temperature range meets under-hood thermal stress, while the 4 MHz PIC mid-range core delivers deterministic 200 ns instruction cycles for time-critical relay sequencing. The CCP/PWM module drives small DC motors and lamp dimmers, and the SSP supports SPI for dashboard LED driver ICs. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer provide automotive-grade reliability in noisy 12 V supply environments. Drop-in replacement PIC16C72A-04E/SP extends sourcing life for aftermarket service, while PIC16F72-I/SP allows field firmware updates for newer vehicle programs.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C72-04E/SP is a long-time workhorse in washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave oven control boards because its 22 I/O lines drive 7-segment displays, keypads, triac-fired heaters, and buzzer feedback, while the CCP/PWM module generates the precise 50/60 Hz phase-angle or zero-cross control signals that resistive loads require. Operating from a single 5 V rail with internal brown-out reset, it tolerates the sags and surges of rectified mains without crashing. The 3.5 KB OTP budget comfortably holds appliance state machines, EEPROM emulation, and diagnostic routines. For cost-down redesigns targeting lower energy standby, PIC16F72-I/SP in the same SPDIP-28 footprint allows firmware reuse while cutting quiescent current via SLEEP modes.
Recommended
Low-Power Instrumentation and Data Loggers
The PIC16C72-04E/SP fits battery-powered portable instrumentation such as handheld multimeters, environmental loggers, and medical point-of-care devices because its PIC mid-range core supports a low-power SLEEP mode with wake-up on watchdog timer or external interrupt, while the 5-channel 8-bit ADC digitizes sensor inputs on demand. The I2C/SPI SSP talks to external EEPROM, RTC, and digital sensors, extending logging endurance beyond the internal 128 bytes of RAM. Brown-out reset preserves data integrity during battery end-of-life. Compared with newer Cortex-M0 parts, the PIC16C72 has lower absolute MIPS but lower cost and decades of regulator-stable supply, making it suitable for long-life industrial logger SKUs.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational 8-bit Development
The PIC16C72-04E/SP is a popular subject for university embedded systems courses and hobbyist projects because its 35-instruction PIC mid-range ISA is small enough to teach assembly in a single semester, while the 28-DIP through-hole package is breadboard-friendly for hands-on labs. The on-board ADC, PWM, I2C, and SPI peripherals let students build complete projects - line-following robots, IR remote controllers, digital thermometers - without external ICs. PICkit programmers support ICSP via RB6/RB7 for in-circuit debugging. For teaching use the OTP limitation is acceptable; for prototyping where firmware will iterate, PIC16F72-I/SP is the preferred educational choice with identical pinout.
Recommended
Small DC Motor and PWM Control
The PIC16C72-04E/SP drives small brushed DC motors, solenoids, and proportional valves in printers, vending machines, and small pumps because its CCP/PWM module generates up to a 10-bit resolution PWM output suitable for H-bridge half-bridge drivers, while Timer0 and Timer1 provide the precise period base. The 22 I/O lines handle quadrature encoder feedback, limit switches, and H-bridge enable signals without external logic. Brown-out reset prevents MOSFET cross-conduction during supply transients. The PIC16F72-I/SP drop-in successor provides identical PWM behavior with Flash memory, enabling field tuning of motor acceleration profiles for OEM differentiation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-04E/SP β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72A-04E/SP | PIC16F72-I/SP | PIC16C73B-04E/SP | PIC16C711-04E/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SPDIP-28 (0.300 inch) | SPDIP-28 (0.300 inch) | SPDIP-28 (0.300 inch) | SPDIP-28 (0.300 inch) | SPDIP-28 (0.300 inch) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP |
| Memory Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | OTP | Flash (re-programmable) | OTP | OTP |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 192 bytes | 68 bytes |
| ADC | 5 ch x 8-bit | 5 ch x 8-bit | 5 ch x 8-bit | 5 ch x 8-bit | 4 ch x 8-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = enhanced) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I = industrial) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete (channel dependent) | Active | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Enhanced -40C to +125C automotive temperature grade (vs PIC16F72-I/SP)
- On-board 5-channel 8-bit ADC with PORTA analog inputs (vs PIC16C711-04E/SP)
- Mature PIC mid-range ecosystem with 20+ years of compiler/library support (vs PIC16F73-I/SP)
Design Notes
PIC16C72-04E/SP is OTP (one-time programmable), so every firmware bug requires a new chip during development. For prototyping, source a small quantity of PIC16F72-I/SP (Flash equivalent, same 28-DIP footprint) for bring-up, then port the final code to the OTP PIC16C72-04E/SP for production. Also note the 4 MHz speed grade: do not connect a 20 MHz crystal - use a 4 MHz resonator or external 4 MHz clock. Driving the IC above its rated clock will violate timing parameters without generating an error.
The PIC16C72-04E/SP operates from a single 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply on Vdd (pin 20), with Vss on pins 8 and 19. Both Vss pins must be connected for proper operation. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the Vdd pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the board's 5 V rail. For OTP programming via ICSP, ensure the MCLR/VPP rail can be raised to ~13 V during programming without disrupting the rest of the circuit - many designers add a programming isolation diode or jumper.
The 28-pin SPDIP through-hole package requires a 28-pin DIP socket or plated through-holes on 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) pitch. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short (< 5 mm) and shield them with a ground ring to reduce EMI pickup; a series resistor (typically 100 ohm to 1 kohm) on OSC2 can dampen oscillator overdrive. Place the ICSP pins (RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD) on a 6-pin header with MCLR/VPP, Vdd, Vss, and a reserved pin for in-circuit programming without removing the chip from the board.
Compliance Information
PIC16C72-04E/SP is a legacy Microchip part now classified Obsolete. RoHS, REACH, and AEC-Q100 status were not present in the verified web data and are marked unknown rather than fabricated. Confirm compliance with the manufacturer or distributor lot documentation before use in regulated applications.
