PIC16C72-10I/SO - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-10I/SO β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.5 | $6.50 |
| 10 | $5.85 | $58.50 |
| 100 | $5.2 | $520.00 |
| 500 | $4.7 | $2,350.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.25 | $4,250.00 |
PIC16C72-10I/SO Overview
An OTP-based 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around a Harvard-architecture RISC CPU that executes one instruction per clock cycle. The 'C' suffix indicates OTP EPROM program memory, which is programmed once and not erasable - well-suited to volume production of embedded products where firmware is final. In the broader taxonomy, OTP MCUs sit between one-time-programmable EPROM devices and modern flash-based MCUs, with PIC16C72 falling under mid-range PIC microcontrollers -> 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors.
Key features include a 10 MHz maximum clock frequency, 5-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (A/D), one 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler (Timer0), a watchdog timer, and brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry. The device supports both RC oscillator and crystal/resonator clock modes, plus an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface for production programming. The integrated peripherals reduce external component count, allowing compact and cost-sensitive embedded designs.
The PIC16C72 architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with a 35-instruction set, enabling compact code generation and predictable interrupt response. A two-stack hardware call return mechanism simplifies subroutine management, while the Harvard bus separates program and data memory to prevent fetch collisions during pipelined execution - a hallmark of PIC mid-range performance efficiency.
Typical applications include appliance control, automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, security and alarm panels, and white-goods user-interface controllers. The industrial temperature grade makes the PIC16C72-10I/SO particularly suited for factory-floor equipment and outdoor enclosures.
When designing with this device, ensure program memory usage stays below 2K instructions (3.5KB), because OTP parts cannot be field-upgraded. Migration to PIC16F72 flash-based variant is recommended for prototypes, while reserving OTP PIC16C72 for production runs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in OTP MCU alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-10I/SO 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 PIC16C72-10I/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Core Architecture, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-10/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-04I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.71 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F72-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72A-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-04I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C716-04I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C72-10I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16C, 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit with 8-bit prescaler), WDT |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO, wide-body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 35 instructions, 14-bit word |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C72-10I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC reference voltage |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock input |
| Pin 13 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data I/O |
| Pin 14 | VSS β Ground reference (second VSS) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal/Resonator input or external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal/Resonator output or clock output |
| Pin 17 | RC0 β PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC1 β PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM module 1 |
| Pin 20 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 21 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 22 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 23 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock line |
| Pin 24 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data line |
| Pin 25 | VSS β Ground reference (third VSS) |
| Pin 26 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (+5V typical) |
| Pin 27 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-10I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics, Security and Alarm Panels, HVAC Thermostat Controller, Vending Machine Controller, Battery Charger Front-End.
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16C72-10I/SO suits industrial sensor interfaces where 5 analog inputs, robust 5V I/O, and -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade are required. Its 5-channel 8-bit ADC samples thermocouples, pressure transducers, and 4-20 mA loop signals at typical conversion rates near 20 us per channel. The 22 digital I/O pins drive relays, optocouplers, and LED indicators, while 3.5 KB OTP holds compact PID and calibration code. Brown-out reset (BOR) protects against supply glitches common on factory floors.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
White-goods control boards such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens rely on the PIC16C72-10I/SO for user-interface handling, motor timing, and sensor monitoring. The OTP program memory locks the firmware at production to prevent field tampering, while the 10 MHz clock executes 10 MIPS for real-time keypad scanning and triac drive. The 22 I/O pins connect directly to LED displays, keypads, and zero-cross detectors, and the 5-channel ADC reads temperature and water-level sensors with 8-bit resolution.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
In automotive body modules such as window controllers, mirror adjusters, and seat positioners, the PIC16C72-10I/SO provides the 5V I/O tolerance, 22 GPIO, and ADC needed to interface with switches, potentiometers, and Hall sensors. Its industrial temperature grade covers cabin environments, and the brown-out reset prevents code corruption during cranking voltage dips. The 3.5 KB OTP memory holds fixed calibration tables, while the 10 MHz CPU executes 10 MIPS for debouncing and PWM generation without external timing chips.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panels
Security alarm panels leverage the PIC16C72-10I/SO for zone monitoring, siren driver control, and keypad interfacing. Its 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads loop current and battery voltage for supervision, while the 22 I/O pins scan up to 16 zones and drive piezo sirens, relay outputs, and LED indicators. The OTP memory prevents firmware reverse engineering by unauthorized parties - an advantage in security applications. The watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure continuous, unattended operation across power events.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16C72-10I/SO is well matched to HVAC thermostat controllers requiring analog temperature sensing, triac output drive, and low BOM cost. The 5-channel ADC digitizes NTC thermistor inputs and setpoint potentiometers, while 22 digital I/O lines switch relays, triacs, and 7-segment or LCD displays. Brown-out reset protects against brown-outs during compressor inrush, and the 10 MIPS throughput runs the PID control loop without external ASICs. The OTP memory locks calibration data into production.
Recommended
Vending Machine Controller
Vending machine controllers use the PIC16C72-10I/SO for coin validation, keypad entry, and stepper motor control. The 5-channel ADC reads coin sensor outputs and battery voltage, while 22 I/O lines drive multiplexed displays, dispense motors, and inventory sensors. The OTP program memory locks pricing and payout logic at production, reducing tamper risk. The 10 MHz clock enables accurate timing for multi-drop coin validation routines and pulse-width control of dispense solenoids.
Recommended
Battery Charger Front-End
In lead-acid or NiMH charger designs, the PIC16C72-10I/SO monitors charge voltage and current via its 5-channel ADC and drives MOSFET gate signals through PWM-capable I/O. The brown-out reset prevents firmware lockup during deep discharge events, and the 10 MIPS throughput performs real-time charge-profile calculations. OTP memory ensures the safe-charge algorithm cannot be modified by end users, which is important for warranty and certification compliance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-10I/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-10/SO | PIC16C72-04I/SO | PIC16F72-I/SO | PIC16C72A-I/SO | PIC16C73B-04I/SO | PIC16C716-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (wide-body) | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same | 28-SOIC (wide-body) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Speed | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 192 bytes | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| ADC | 5-ch, 8-bit | 5-ch, 8-bit | 5-ch, 8-bit | 5-ch, 8-bit | 5-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 5-ch, 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with 10 MHz throughput (vs PIC16C72-04I/SO)
- OTP memory prevents firmware reverse engineering (vs PIC16F72-I/SO)
- More code space and ADC channels for richer designs (vs PIC16C716-04I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 26) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply trace within 1 inch. The PIC16C72-10I/SO VDD range is 4.0V to 5.5V; operation below 4.0V triggers brown-out reset (BOR) per the datasheet. For analog ADC accuracy, route a separate AVSS trace tied to the same ground as digital VSS to avoid digital return currents coupling into analog measurements.
Route the crystal traces between OSC1 (pin 15) and OSC2 (pin 16) symmetrically with short, equal-length traces, and place the load capacitors within 0.25 inch of the oscillator pins. Avoid routing high-speed digital signals (USART, SPI) directly under the crystal area to prevent injected noise. The 28-SOIC wide-body package has generous lead pitch (1.27 mm) which simplifies hand-soldering and rework; preserve at least 0.2 inch clearance around the package for probe access during debug.
PIC16C72 uses OTP EPROM that can be programmed ONLY ONCE. Programming errors or code bugs after programming cannot be corrected by erasing. For development, use PIC16F72 or PIC16C72A which support flash or improved EPROM cycles. Also note that ICSP pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD are shared with PORTB and must be left in high-impedance state during programming - external pull-ups on these lines can prevent successful programming. Per the datasheet, ensure VDD rises monotonically during power-on or BOR will trigger.
Estimated: at maximum 10 MHz operation from 5V supply, the PIC16C72-10I/SO core current is approximately 5 mA per the datasheet DC characteristics, giving power dissipation near 25 mW. The 28-SOIC package provides adequate thermal dissipation (theta-JA around 85 C/W) for typical -40C to +85C industrial environments. No heatsink is required. However, output pin sourcing/sinking currents up to 25 mA per pin can raise package power dissipation; derate total PORTB and PORTC sink currents per the datasheet electrical specifications.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free terminal finish (Matte Tin). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive designs should consider AEC-Q100-grade PIC16 variants. Halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
