PIC16C72-10E/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-10E/SS ⚠ Last Time BuyPIC16C72-10E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals. Within the component taxonomy, the PIC16C72 sits in the 8-bit MCU tier of the broader microcontroller category, which itself belongs to the integrated circuit and embedded semiconductor hierarchy. OTP program memory means the device can be programmed exactly once and is intended for cost-sensitive production runs where field reprogrammability is not required. The RISC architecture executes 35 single-word instructions, with all instructions completing in one instruction cycle except program branches, which take two cycles.
Key features include 22 digital I/O lines, an integrated I2C/SPI peripheral interface, a Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) module, a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for safe operation, Brown-out Detect/Reset, and Power-On Reset (POR). The integrated 8-bit ADC provides five input channels for direct sensor interfacing without an external converter, which simplifies BOM and board area. The PIC16C72 family is well documented in the official Microchip datasheet and supported by the standard PICmicro mid-range toolchain (MPLAB IDE, MPASM assembler, and ICD in-circuit debug).
Typical applications include automotive body and chassis controllers, small appliance control, sensor signal conditioning nodes, low-end consumer electronics, and industrial control modules. The 28-SSOP package offers a compact surface-mount footprint for space-constrained designs while retaining through-hole-style ease of hand-rework on the bench.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be erased or reprogrammed; plan for code revision control and use a windowed (JW) or flash-based PIC16F72 for development and prototype runs. Power supply decoupling of 0.1 uF close to VDD and proper ground layout are required for reliable ADC operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and engineering design notes not aggregated on a single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-10E/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 PIC16C72-10E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, I/O Pins.
PIC16C72-10I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-10/SS
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16C72A-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F72-I/SS
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-I/SS
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-10E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16C RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI |
| PWM Channels | Yes (1 channel per datasheet) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes (BOR) |
| Power-On Reset | Yes (POR) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E" grade) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Pin Count | 28 |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16C72-10E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer 1 oscillator output / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-10E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body and Chassis Controllers, Small Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes, Low-End Consumer Electronics, HVAC and Environmental Control Modules, Battery Charger and Power Management Controllers.
Automotive Body and Chassis Controllers
The PIC16C72-10E/SS's Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade and 22 digital I/O lines make it well-suited to under-hood and body-electronics modules such as lighting controllers, seat controllers, and accessory multiplexers. The integrated 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads analog sensor inputs (e.g., temperature, position, current shunt) directly, eliminating an external ADC and reducing BOM cost in OBD and HVAC subsystems. The 10 MHz core provides a 200 ns instruction cycle, which is sufficient for slow-loop control loops with millisecond-scale time constants typical in body ECUs.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
White-goods and small kitchen appliances (coffee makers, microwaves, washing-machine user-interface boards) use the PIC16C72-10E/SS for its 3.5 KB OTP program memory, PWM module for motor or heater drive, and 22 I/O for keypad and display scanning. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads thermistor, weight, or water-level sensors directly. OTP memory suits high-volume appliance production where firmware is fixed and cost per unit dominates; the SSOP package allows compact main-control boards.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes
Distributed industrial sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16C72-10E/SS's 8-bit ADC, I2C/SPI interfaces, and robust SSOP packaging on conformal-coated boards. The MCU can read 4-20 mA loop or 0-10 V analog signals through the ADC, perform linearization and threshold detection, and forward results over I2C or SPI to a supervisory PLC or gateway. Operating temperature of -40C to +125C (E grade) supports outdoor panel and factory-floor enclosures.
Recommended
Low-End Consumer Electronics
Cost-sensitive consumer products (remote controls, toys, simple user interfaces, LED drivers) leverage the PIC16C72-10E/SS's low unit cost, OTP memory, and built-in PWM for brightness or motor-speed control. The 35-instruction RISC core is easy to program in assembly for ultra-low-MIPS tasks, and the 22 I/O lines accommodate keypads, IR receivers, and LED arrays. The 28-SSOP footprint fits thin consumer enclosures where every square millimeter counts.
Recommended
HVAC and Environmental Control Modules
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning control boards use the PIC16C72-10E/SS to read temperature/humidity sensors via the 8-bit ADC, drive triacs or relays through PWM or digital outputs, and communicate with room sensors over I2C. The 128-byte RAM and 3.5 KB OTP memory hold scheduling logic and lookup tables. The Extended temperature grade supports installations in attics, basements, and outdoor HVAC equipment exposed to wide thermal swings.
Recommended
Battery Charger and Power Management Controllers
Small-form-factor battery chargers and DC-DC supervisor modules use the PIC16C72-10E/SS's ADC to monitor battery voltage and current, the PWM channel to drive the charger MOSFET, and I2C/SPI to report state to a host. The Brown-out Detect and Power-On Reset functions provide safe startup and brownout protection without external components. The Extended temperature grade enables use in outdoor solar charge controllers and automotive battery maintainers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-10E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-10I/SS | PIC16C72-10/SS | PIC16C72A-10E/SS | PIC16F72-I/SS | PIC16F873A-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
| Max Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 8-bit, 5 ch | 10-bit, 5 ch |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Standard) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Last-Time-Buy | Last-Time-Buy | Last-Time-Buy | Active (newer) | Active (recommended) | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Extended automotive temperature grade in same 28-SSOP package (vs PIC16C72-10I/SS)
- Drop-in compatibility with flash-based PIC16F72-I/SS for development (vs PIC16F72-I/SS)
- Original silicon revision explicitly documented by Microchip (vs PIC16C72A-10E/SS)
Design Notes
OTP memory on PIC16C72-10E/SS cannot be erased or rewritten. Engineers must verify firmware with a JW (windowed ceramic) or PIC16F72-I/SS flash sample before committing to OTP production parts. A single bit error in production firmware requires scrapping the part. Source: Microchip PIC16C72 datasheet memory architecture section.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) with a short trace to the VSS pin (pin 19). For ADC accuracy, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on VDD and an additional 0.1 uF near AVdd if used. Inadequate decoupling is the leading cause of ADC noise and erratic reset behavior on PIC16C7X designs.
Route the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces short and symmetric, with the crystal and load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) within 5 mm of the MCU. Keep clock traces away from high-current switching lines and ADC analog inputs to avoid coupling noise into ADC conversions. The 28-SSOP package requires thermal relief on pads for hand-rework.
The I2C/SPI pins (RC3/RC4 for I2C, RC3-RC5 for SPI) share functions with digital I/O; configure SSPEN properly before peripheral use. Use 4.7 kohm pull-ups on SCL and SDA for standard-mode I2C at 100 kHz. ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA5) should be buffered with an op-amp if source impedance exceeds 2.5 kohm to avoid conversion errors.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, and lead-free status not explicitly stated in the verified distributor listings for PIC16C72-10E/SS; marked as [DATA_NEEDED]. The E temperature grade indicates automotive qualification intent, but AEC-Q100 conformance is not_applicable for general-purpose MCU datasheets unless explicitly listed. Source: distributor pages (DigiKey, Heisener) do not surface compliance badges for this part.
