PIC16C72-20I/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU 3.5KB OTP 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72-20I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.2 | $8.20 |
| 10 | $7.45 | $74.50 |
| 100 | $6.5 | $650.00 |
| 500 | $5.75 | $2,875.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.1 | $5,100.00 |
PIC16C72-20I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data RAM, and peripheral interfaces (ADC, timers, communication ports) into one package. Microcontrollers are the heart of embedded systems, sitting below microprocessors in the system hierarchy: SoC -> microcontroller -> microprocessor. The PIC16C7X family in particular targets low-cost, high-performance, fully-static 8-bit designs with RISC-like instruction sets.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16C72-20I/SS include only 35 single-word instructions (all single-cycle except program branches at two cycles), an 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler, brown-out detection (BOR) for safe system reset, and 200 ns instruction cycle at 20MHz input. The OTP program memory allows one-time factory or in-circuit programming at low cost.
Architecturally the PIC16C72 uses a Harvard RISC core with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and execution to overlap. The 8-level deep hardware stack supports subroutine nesting. Power consumption is controlled via SLEEP mode and the on-chip watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation independent of the system clock.
Typical applications include motor control (small BLDC and stepper drives), industrial instrumentation, sensor signal conditioning, appliance control boards, and battery-powered measurement devices. The integrated ADC and USART simplify designs that need analog sensing and serial communication without external components.
A key design consideration is OTP memory limitation - code cannot be re-programmed, so PIC16C72 is best for mature, high-volume production where field firmware updates are not required. For in-development or field-upgradable designs, the PIC16F72 or PIC16C72A Flash/EPROM variants are recommended by Microchip.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand and cross-brand drop-in alternatives, parametric comparisons, and practical design notes not found in the Microchip datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72-20I/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 PIC16C72-20I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Package, Program Memory Type, RoHS Status, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-20I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F72-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F716-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-20I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16CXX mid-range RISC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | None (external only) |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Communication | USART, SSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Brown-Out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated RC oscillator |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Stack Depth | 8 levels hardware |
PIC16C72-20I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 10 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 15 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/PGM — Port B bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 27 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (second VDD pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72-20I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Small Motor Control, Industrial Sensor Interface, Appliance Control Board, Battery-Powered Measurement Device, Automotive Body Electronics, HVAC Control System.
Small Motor Control
The PIC16C72-20I/SS suits small DC and stepper motor control with its 20MHz clock providing 200ns instruction cycle for tight control loops. The Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module generates precise PWM signals up to 10-bit resolution, while the 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads motor current via shunt resistors and back-EMF feedback. The USART enables communication with a host controller or display for closed-loop speed and position control. Industrial temperature rating ensures reliable operation in motor housings.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16C72-20I/SS integrates a 5-channel 8-bit ADC that interfaces directly with analog sensors such as temperature probes, pressure transducers, and photocells. With 22 I/O pins it can scan multiple sensor arrays while the USART reports data to a host PLC or SCADA system. The brown-out reset (BOR) prevents erroneous readings during supply transients in factory environments. Combined with the 35-instruction RISC core, the MCU handles linearization math without external DSP circuitry.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
Consumer and commercial appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and HVAC controllers benefit from the PIC16C72-20I/SS's integrated peripherals and OTP cost efficiency. The MCU drives relays and triacs via its 22 I/O pins, reads user keypads, and monitors sensors through the 8-bit ADC. USART enables display module communication for user feedback. OTP memory reduces per-unit cost in high-volume appliance production runs above 10K units annually.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Measurement Device
The PIC16C72-20I/SS SLEEP mode with watchdog timer wakeup suits battery-powered measurement devices like portable multimeters and handheld data loggers. The watchdog timer's dedicated RC oscillator keeps timing accurate even in low-power states. With 128 bytes RAM it can buffer 64 12-bit-equivalent ADC samples before transmitting via USART. Brown-out reset prevents data corruption during battery end-of-life voltage droop below 4.0V threshold.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
While not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16C72-20I/SS has been used in non-safety automotive body electronics such as lighting controllers, seat position memory, and accessory multiplexers. The 22 I/O pins handle multiple LED drivers and switch inputs. USART interfaces with body control modules for status reporting. Designers should validate the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range against under-hood or exterior lighting thermal profiles per application requirements.
Recommended
HVAC Control System
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control boards use the PIC16C72-20I/SS to read temperature sensors via its 5-channel ADC, drive fan relays and valve actuators through PWM outputs, and communicate with thermostats via USART. The brown-out detection protects against HVAC power supply fluctuations during compressor cycling. Industrial temperature range accommodates equipment room installations with ambient temperatures up to 85C without derating.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72-20I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-20I/SP | PIC16C72-20E/SS | PIC16C72A-20I/SS | PIC16F72-I/SS | PIC16F716-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SPDIP (thru-hole, not 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 Flash | 2 KB Flash | |
| Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash | Flash | |
| Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 13 | |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Industry-standard OTP PIC16C7X family with mature toolchain support (vs Generic 8051 microcontrollers)
- Integrated 5-channel 8-bit ADC and USART on-chip (vs PIC16C71 (predecessor))
- Same 28-SSOP pinout across PIC16C72, PIC16F72, and PIC16C72A (vs PIC16C72A-20I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C72-20I/SS uses OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory - code is permanently burned and cannot be erased or rewritten. Plan firmware development using a Flash-based equivalent like PIC16F72-I/SS during prototype and pre-production phases, then transition to PIC16C72 for high-volume production to minimize per-unit cost. Attempting to reprogram the PIC16C72 will render the part unusable.
Ensure VDD is decoupled with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the VDD/VDD pins (16 and 28) and a bulk 10uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the supply rail. The brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry requires VDD to rise cleanly above 4.0V; slow-rising supplies may trigger repeated BOR events. For battery applications use the PIC16C72's SLEEP mode plus watchdog timer wakeup for lowest average current consumption.
Estimated: at 20MHz clock with VDD=5V and all I/O pins switching at maximum capacitive load, the PIC16C72-20I/SS typically draws 15-25 mA active current, dissipating approximately 75-125 mW. The 28-SSOP package thermal resistance (theta_JA) is approximately 90 C/W, resulting in a junction temperature rise of 7-11C above ambient - well within the 85C industrial limit at room temperature operation.
Place the crystal oscillator or ceramic resonator within 10mm of the OSC1 and OSC2 pins (6 and 7) to minimize parasitic capacitance. Use a ground plane under the oscillator area and route high-frequency signals (USART, SPI) away from analog ADC inputs. Keep the MCLR/VPP reset circuit trace short and decoupled with 10k pull-up to VDD per Microchip ICSP recommendations.
For ADC accuracy, route analog inputs (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching signals, especially the oscillator traces. Use a single ground plane if possible; if split grounds are required, place the analog ground reference point adjacent to the VSS pin. Add 100nF bypass capacitors close to each VDD-VSS pair to suppress digital switching noise from coupling into ADC measurements.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; recommend confirming with Microchip product page for current compliance documentation. NRND lifecycle status indicates Microchip does not recommend the part for new designs - migration to PIC16F72-I/SS recommended.
