PIC16C72-20E/SS - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 20MHz, 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-20E/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.31 | $6.31 |
| 10 | $5.68 | $56.80 |
| 100 | $5.05 | $505.00 |
| 500 | $4.54 | $2,270.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.04 | $4,040.00 |
PIC16C72-20E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates an 8-bit CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and ADCs. PIC microcontrollers belong to the broader category of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors, and within Microchip's portfolio they sit in the mid-range PIC16 family. The 'C' suffix denotes the OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM-based process, which is cost-optimized for production runs where field reprogramming is not required.
Key features include a high-performance RISC architecture with only 35 single-word instructions to learn, a Timer0 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler, a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, brown-out detection circuitry for Brown-out Reset (BOR), power-on reset, and 13 I/O pins. The ADC block supports up to 5 channels of 8-bit resolution, allowing direct interfacing with analog sensors.
The device is fabricated on a CMOS process and uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches which take two cycles. The PIC16C72-20E/SS suffix codes indicate 20 MHz maximum clock, the 'E' for extended temperature, and '/SS' for the 28-pin SSOP package. Compared to the PIC16C72A or PIC16F72 successors, this part lacks flash memory and ICD debugging but offers lower unit cost for high-volume mature designs.
Typical applications include appliance control, industrial sensor interfaces, automotive body electronics (non-safety), consumer white goods, and embedded motor control. Its small SSOP footprint and integrated ADC make it well suited for space-constrained analog monitoring boards.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed; for prototype or low-volume development, choose the flash-based PIC16F72 equivalent to reuse code. Brown-out reset must be properly configured to prevent code corruption during supply droops.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SSOP-28 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers select and source a drop-in compatible replacement for legacy designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-20E/SS 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 PIC16C72-20E/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in I/O Pins, Instruction Cycle Time, Maximum Clock Frequency, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-20/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-10/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F72-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72A-20E/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.61 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C72-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (at 20 MHz) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| ADC | 5 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | Timer0: 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| Package Type | 28-pin SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (per industry standard) |
PIC16C72-20E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| 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 voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 10 | RC0 β PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 β PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RC2 β PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC3 β PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 14 | RC4 β PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 15 | RC5 β PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 16 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 17 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 19 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6 β PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RB7 β PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 28 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-20E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Consumer White Goods Control, Embedded Motor Control (Low-Power DC), Analog Sensor Monitoring Boards.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C72-20E/SS fits appliance control boards because its 13 I/O pins and 5-channel 8-bit ADC are sufficient for switch scanning, sensor monitoring, and LED or relay drive in washing machines, dishwashers, and microwaves. The 20 MHz clock provides 200 ns instruction cycle, enough for time-critical control loops reading thermistors via the ADC. Its 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply matches the rectified 5 V rails typical in white goods. Compared to flash MCUs, the OTP memory is acceptable for mature appliance firmware that rarely changes.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16C72-20E/SS suits industrial sensor interface modules requiring on-board signal conditioning, ADC conversion, and digital reporting via serial protocols. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC handles up to five analog sensors such as temperature, pressure, or light per board, while the extended -40 C to +125 C temperature range supports factory-floor deployment. Brown-out Reset and Watchdog Timer protect against supply noise and firmware lockups common in industrial environments. The 28-pin SSOP package keeps the footprint small enough for DIN-rail sensor pods.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16C72-20E/SS is used in non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, seat position modules, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Its extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade handles under-dash thermal stress, and the 5-channel ADC reads multiple position sensors or temperature inputs. Brown-out Reset and Watchdog Timer improve robustness against automotive supply transients. For safety-critical functions like airbag or braking controllers, a modern PIC18 or dsPIC with CAN and AEC-Q100 qualification is required instead.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16C72-20E/SS powers consumer white goods controllers including coffee machines, air purifiers, and rice cookers where cost dominates over firmware flexibility. Its 3.5 KB OTP memory holds well-tested control firmware at a lower unit cost than flash equivalents, supporting high-volume Asian and European OEM production. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC monitors temperature, water level, or humidity sensors, and the 13 I/O pins drive keypads, displays, and triac-based heater controls. OTP-based programming prevents accidental field firmware changes.
Recommended
Embedded Motor Control (Low-Power DC)
The PIC16C72-20E/SS handles low-power DC motor control applications such as small fans, pumps, and valve actuators. The 20 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle support closed-loop PWM generation and tachometer feedback processing in software, while the 5-channel ADC reads current-sense amplifiers and position sensors. Its 13 I/O pins are sufficient to drive H-bridge logic, direction-control lines, and fault inputs. The Watchdog Timer protects against runaway motor states in unattended systems.
Recommended
Analog Sensor Monitoring Boards
The PIC16C72-20E/SS is well-matched to analog sensor monitoring boards that aggregate multiple analog signals and forward them via digital interfaces. Its 5-channel 8-bit ADC samples thermistors, photodiodes, or strain gauges at the modest 8-bit resolution typical of cost-sensitive monitoring. The 13 I/O pins can implement I2C or SPI master interfaces using bit-banged firmware, and the 3.5 KB OTP holds sensor linearization tables and calibration constants. The 28-pin SSOP package suits compact PCBAs mounted inside instrument enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-20E/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-20/SS | PIC16C72-10/SS | PIC16F72-I/SS | PIC16C72A-20E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-28 | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz (-50%) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB OTP (enhanced) |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) | OTP | OTP | Flash (in-circuit reprogrammable) | OTP (enhanced) |
| ADC Channels | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit (enhanced) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade available (vs PIC16C72-20/SS)
- Higher clock speed than 10 MHz family member (vs PIC16C72-10/SS)
- Flash reprogrammability via same-package successor (vs PIC16F72-I/SS)
Design Notes
Power the PIC16C72-20E/SS from a regulated 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply with a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 27) and a bulk capacitor of 10 uF or larger on the same rail. According to the PIC16C7X datasheet, VDD rise time must be fast enough to ensure proper Power-on Reset; too-slow ramps below 0.2 V/ms may cause undefined behavior. Add a reverse-polarity protection diode if the supply can be mis-wired during service.
Do not assume OTP memory can be re-programmed in-circuit. The PIC16C72-20E/SS uses EPROM-based OTP memory that requires UV erasure on a windowed package or one-time-only programming on production parts. During firmware development, use the flash-based PIC16F72-I/SS as a code-compatible surrogate, then commit to OTP only for production runs. Configuration bits (oscillator, watchdog, brown-out) must be set at program time and cannot be changed in the field.
Place the external crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1 (pin 8) and OSC2 (pin 9) to minimize parasitic capacitance that could detune the oscillator. Use short, parallel traces for both oscillator pins and surround them with a ground pour to reduce EMI coupling. If using a two-pin ceramic resonator, add the datasheet-recommended load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) close to each oscillator pin. Keep high-frequency digital switching traces away from the oscillator loop.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product documentation. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical automotive applications use PIC18 or dsPIC families with explicit AEC-Q100 qualification. Lead-free reflow-compatible per JEDEC J-STD-020. Conflict-mineral compliance per Microchip's annual CMRT filing.
