PIC16C72-04I/SS - 8-Bit 4MHz MCU, 3.5KB OTP, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-04I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.95 | $6.95 |
| 10 | $6.42 | $64.20 |
| 100 | $5.78 | $578.00 |
| 500 | $5.05 | $2,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.42 | $4,420.00 |
PIC16C72-04I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral blocks into a single chip. The PIC16C7X family uses a Harvard-architecture RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, simplifying embedded firmware development and producing deterministic instruction timing that simplifies real-time task scheduling. The PIC16C72 specifically sits in the mid-range PIC family hierarchy: PIC16C7X -> mid-range 8-bit MCU -> 8-bit microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16C72-04I/SS include its 4 MHz maximum clock rate (the -04 speed grade), 3.5 KB OTP program memory suitable for fixed-function products, integrated 8-bit ADC that removes the need for an external converter in sensor-reading applications, and CCP/PWM peripherals that simplify motor and lighting control. The SSOP-28 package offers a compact 5.30 mm body width, saving board area versus the standard SOIC-28.
The device uses NMOS/CMOS EPROM/OTP process technology and Microchip's standard mid-range core, providing mature tooling support across MPLAB X IDE, the XC8 compiler, and a wide library of application notes. Compared with flash-based successors, OTP requires UV or one-time programming and is targeted at production volumes where code is finalized.
Typical applications include appliance control, HVAC fan and damper actuators, small motor control via CCP/PWM, sensor front-ends (temperature, pressure, level) read through the on-chip ADC, and low-cost consumer products such as coffee makers and battery chargers. The 22 I/O pins also suit human-interface boards with keypads and 7-segment LED displays.
When designing with this part, ensure Vdd stays within 3.0 V to 6.0 V, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor near the supply pin, and respect the 4 MHz oscillator ceiling for the -04 speed grade. Because the memory is OTP, plan firmware carefully before mask/program commitment; consider the flash-based PIC16F72 as a drop-in development alternative.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that are not consolidated on a single manufacturer datasheet page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-04I/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 PIC16C72-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72A-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F72-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C716-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package / Case | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Connectivity | I²C, SPI |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT, CCP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | RoHS3 Compliant (per distributor data) |
PIC16C72-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input channel 3 / ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / ADC input channel 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input channel 5 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RE0/RD/AN6 — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read / analog input 6 |
| Pin 8 | RE1/WR/AN7 — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write / analog input 7 |
| Pin 9 | RE2/CS/AN8 — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select / analog input 8 |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 13 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 14 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 15 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 16 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 17 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 23 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 24 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 25 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 26 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 27 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 28 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control (Coffee Makers, Toasters), HVAC Fan and Damper Actuators, Small Motor Control via CCP/PWM, Sensor Front-Ends with On-Chip ADC, Battery Chargers and Power Management, Human-Interface Boards (Keypads, 7-Segment, LCD).
Appliance Control (Coffee Makers, Toasters)
The PIC16C72-04I/SS suits white-goods appliance control where the firmware is finalized and 3.5 KB of OTP memory suffices. Its 22 digital I/O lines drive keypad scanning, 7-segment LED multiplexing, and relay/MOSFET control of heating elements and pumps. The on-chip CCP/PWM output regulates heating-element duty cycle, while the 8-bit ADC reads temperature from an NTC thermistor. Per the Microchip PIC16C7X datasheet, the 4 MHz -04 speed grade delivers 1 MIPS at 5 V, which is ample for time-based control loops in entry-level appliances. The SSOP-28 footprint keeps the PCB compact enough for space-constrained toaster-oven or coffee-maker housings, and the industrial -40 °C to +85 °C grade survives kitchen thermal environments.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Actuators
The PIC16C72-04I/SS is well suited to HVAC damper and fan actuator controllers because its CCP/PWM module generates variable-duty fan-speed commands while its 8-bit ADC samples thermistor or pressure-sensor inputs. With 22 I/O lines, the device can drive triac outputs for AC fan speed control, read multiple temperature zones, and interface to a wall-thermostat bus over I²C. The 3.5 KB OTP memory holds fixed HVAC control firmware, and the industrial -40 °C to +85 °C rating ensures reliable operation in plenum-mounted equipment. Compared with logic-only solutions, integrating the ADC on-chip removes the BOM cost of an external converter and the layout burden of a separate analog front end.
Recommended
Small Motor Control via CCP/PWM
The PIC16C72-04I/SS integrates a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module that produces a hardware PWM output, eliminating software-loop jitter and freeing the core for housekeeping. This makes it a strong fit for small brushed DC motors in toys, low-power pumps, and valve actuators where 22 I/O lines are sufficient for direction H-bridge control, current-sense amplification, and tachometer feedback. The 4 MHz -04 grade gives 1 µs instruction cycle, allowing accurate 10-bit-equivalent PWM frequency synthesis via the CCP module's 10-bit resolution. The OTP memory holds production-fixed motor profiles, while brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect against brown-out-induced firmware corruption in motor inrush conditions.
Recommended
Sensor Front-Ends with On-Chip ADC
The PIC16C72-04I/SS embeds a 5-channel 8-bit ADC that directly digitizes analog sensors such as NTC thermistors, photodiodes, or potentiometer-set thresholds. This eliminates the BOM cost and PCB area of an external ADC in cost-sensitive products like battery chargers, level sensors, and environmental monitors. The on-chip ADC achieves conversion via successive approximation with user-selectable acquisition timing per the PIC16C7X datasheet. Combined with the 22 I/O lines, the MCU can drive an SPI/I²C sensor expansion bus, a status LED, and a relay or buzzer output alongside the analog inputs, while the industrial temperature grade supports outdoor and under-hood environments.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Power Management
The PIC16C72-04I/SS integrates the necessary peripherals for entry-level NiCd/NiMH/Li-ion charger controllers: the 8-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and charge current, the CCP/PWM modulates a switching-FET or linear-regulator drive, and the watchdog timer protects against firmware lock-up in long charge cycles. The 22 I/O lines accommodate a 4×4 keypad, an LCD interface, multiple LED indicators, and charger-enable logic. Per Microchip's datasheet, the device operates from 3.0 V to 6.0 V, allowing direct connection to a 4-cell NiMH pack or 1S Li-ion via a low-dropout regulator. Brown-out detection prevents in-rush firmware corruption when the AC adapter is hot-plugged.
Recommended
Human-Interface Boards (Keypads, 7-Segment, LCD)
The PIC16C72-04I/SS drives multiplexed 7-segment LED displays and 4×4 keypad matrices in industrial human-machine interface (HMI) front panels. With 22 I/O lines, the MCU can scan up to 32 keys via a 4×8 matrix or drive up to 8 digits of common-anode 7-segment displays through BCD decoder ICs. The I²C peripheral allows connection to character-LCD modules or expansion I/O chips for larger HMIs. Per Microchip's PIC16C7X datasheet, the on-chip timers support key-debounce timing and display-multiplex refresh without burdening the main loop. OTP memory holds finalized HMI firmware where code updates are unnecessary.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72A-04I/SS | PIC16F72-04I/SS | PIC16C72-20I/SS | PIC16C73B-04I/SS | PIC16C716-04I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit | PIC16F mid-range 8-bit (flash) | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit (flash) |
| Program Memory Type | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB OTP | 7.2 KB OTP | 2 KB Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7.2 KB (+106%) | 2 KB (-43%) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (+400%) | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (+400%) |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 192 bytes (+50%) | 128 bytes |
| ADC Resolution / Channels | 8-bit / 5 channels | 8-bit / 5 channels | 8-bit / 5 channels | 8-bit / 5 channels | 8-bit / 11 channels | 8-bit / 4 channels |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Active (recommended replacement) | Active (recommended replacement) | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Refreshed silicon with active lifecycle (vs PIC16C72A-04I/SS)
- Flash-based re-programmability (vs PIC16F72-04I/SS)
- Five-fold higher clock headroom (vs PIC16C72-20I/SS)
Design Notes
Operate the PIC16C72-04I/SS within 3.0 V to 6.0 V on Vdd (pin 10). Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the Vdd pin, ideally within 3 mm, and add a 10 µF bulk capacitor at the board's power-entry point. For designs migrating to PIC16F72, note that the flash variant accepts the same Vdd range but typically benefits from a slightly higher bulk-capacitance ratio to support flash-write peak currents.
The -04 speed suffix caps the oscillator at 4 MHz; do not substitute a 20 MHz crystal on a -04 grade part or the device will malfunction. Also, because PIC16C72 uses OTP program memory, firmware bugs cannot be field-updated — plan for a flash-based development cycle using PIC16F72 first, then port the validated image to PIC16C72 or PIC16C72A for production. Failing to do this often results in scrapping fully-assembled boards.
The 28-pin SSOP has a 0.65 mm pin pitch; route the SSOP land pattern with 0.4 mm trace width and 0.2 mm clearance per IPC-2221, and add a ground plane beneath the device to reduce EMI coupling into the analog ADC inputs on PORTA. Keep digital switching traces (PORTB, PORTC outputs) at least 5 mm away from PORTA analog traces, or shield PORTA with a grounded trace to preserve ADC accuracy at the 8-bit resolution limit.
For I²C and SPI peripherals, place 4.7 kΩ pull-up resistors on SDA/SCL (I²C) close to the PIC16C72-04I/SS side, and keep the SPI bus traces under 50 mm to avoid ringing. The CCP/PWM output on RC2 is a high-frequency digital signal; route it away from the PORTA ADC inputs and from the OSC1/OSC2 traces. If the PWM frequency exceeds 10 kHz, add a small RC low-pass filter (100 Ω + 100 pF) to reduce radiated emissions near the analog section.
Compliance Information
RoHS3 compliance per distributor listing (mcu-supplier.com). Automotive AEC-Q100 qualification not claimed; PIC16C72 family is intended for industrial/consumer use. REACH and conflict-minerals status per Microchip corporate statements, not separately listed for this part number.
