PIC16C72A-04E/SS - 4MHz 8-bit CMOS MCU, 3.5KB EPROM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72A-04E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.81 | $1.81 |
| 10 | $1.68 | $16.80 |
| 100 | $1.52 | $152.00 |
| 500 | $1.35 | $675.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16C72A-04E/SS Overview
An 8-bit PIC RISC microcontroller is a member of the reduced-instruction-set computing family of microcontrollers designed around a Harvard architecture, which separates program and data memory to enable single-cycle instruction fetch plus simultaneous data access. The PIC16C72A belongs to Microchip's PIC16C7x mid-range family, which sits between the baseline PIC16C5x and the enhanced PIC16C9x families in the broader PICmicro taxonomy: microcontroller → MCU → embedded controller → semiconductor. This architecture provides deterministic timing, low power consumption, and code density that has made the PIC16 mid-range platform one of the most widely deployed 8-bit microcontroller families in industrial, automotive, and consumer embedded designs since the mid-1990s.
Key features include 5 channels of 8-bit Analog-to-Digital (A/D) conversion, a Synchronous Serial Port (SSP) configurable for either 3-wire SPI or 2-wire I²C operation, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, two additional timers (Timer1 16-bit and Timer2 8-bit), 35 single-word instructions, and Brown-out Reset (BOR) circuitry for reliable brown-out recovery. The PIC16C72A operates from 4.0 V to 5.5 V and integrates 13 interrupt sources with an 8-level hardware stack. The SSOP-28 footprint enables compact PCB layouts in applications where the legacy 28-pin DIP PIC16 footprint is too large.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, automotive body electronics, appliance control boards, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, and legacy embedded system retrofits where pin-compatible PIC16 drop-in upgrades are required. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC and CCP PWM make it particularly well-suited to closed-loop motor speed control and temperature monitoring designs.
When designing with the PIC16C72A, note that the device uses One-Time-Programmable (OTP) EPROM for program storage; therefore the firmware is permanently locked after programming. Designers should validate firmware in flash-based PIC16F equivalents or in-windowed UV-erasable ceramic parts before committing to the OTP SSOP-28 form factor for production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72A-04E/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 PIC16C72A-04E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Core Architecture, Package, ADC, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72A-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72A-04/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72A-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F72-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F882-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C712-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72A-04E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| CPU Core | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, Harvard architecture) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2048 x 14 word instructions per variant spec) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| A/D Converter | 5 channels x 8-bit |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Serial Communication | SSP (SPI / I²C) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 CCP module |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Interrupt Sources | 13 |
| Package | SSOP-28 (gull-wing, surface-mount) |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Extended Industrial (-40C to +125C) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Compliant per Microchip product page |
PIC16C72A-04E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| 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 channel 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture1 compare2/PWM2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture1 compare1/PWM1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SSP SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SSP SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SSP SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART asynchronous transmit / synchronous clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART asynchronous receive / synchronous data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB3/PGM — Digital I/O / Low-voltage ICSP programming input |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / In-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / In-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference (alternate) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72A-04E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Automotive Body Electronics, Appliance Control Boards, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends, Legacy Embedded System Retrofits, Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Boards.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS fits industrial control panels because its 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads analog sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, level), its CCP module generates PWM for valve or motor control, and its SSP port drives I²C or SPI peripherals like LCDs and EEPROMs. The Extended Industrial -40C to +125C temperature rating handles factory-floor thermal cycling, while 22 GPIO pins drive relays, optocouplers, and HMI keypads. The 3.5 KB OTP EPROM stores locked ladder logic that cannot be cloned, and Brown-out Reset prevents corruption during brown-out events. The SSOP-28 footprint fits standard 0.65 mm pitch PCB layouts.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS is suitable for automotive body electronics modules such as central locking, mirror control, and lighting controllers because its Extended Industrial -40C to +125C temperature rating covers automotive under-hood and cabin thermal requirements, while the 5-channel 8-bit ADC handles sensor inputs for current sensing or position feedback. The CCP PWM module drives LED dimming, motor speed control, or HVAC damper actuators. OTP EPROM prevents unauthorized firmware cloning by aftermarket ECU replicators. The 22 I/O pins and SSP (SPI/I²C) interface allow direct connection to LIN transceivers, dashboard LED drivers, and EEPROM-based configuration storage.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS powers washing machine, dishwasher, and microwave control boards because its 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads temperature sensors and water-level probes, its CCP module generates PWM for motor speed control, and its 22 GPIO pins drive relay banks and seven-segment displays. The 3.5 KB OTP EPROM stores fixed appliance firmware with built-in copy protection via OTP. The 4 MHz clock with 200 ns instruction cycle handles real-time control loops. Brown-out Reset protects against corruption during power-line brown-outs common in appliance installations. The SSOP-28 fits compact control board layouts.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS is well-suited for sensor signal conditioning front-ends because its 5-channel 8-bit ADC digitizes analog sensor outputs directly, and its SPI/I²C SSP port transmits digitized data to a co-processor or display. The CCP PWM module can drive an excitation source for ratiometric sensors like strain gauges or thermistor bridges. OTP EPROM locks calibration coefficients, and the 128 B RAM buffers sensor reads. With 4 MHz operation, ADC conversion completes in ~30 us per channel, adequate for thermocouple and RTD-based thermal monitoring in process control applications.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Retrofits
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS is ideal for legacy embedded retrofits where pin-compatible PIC16 mid-range upgrades are required, because it shares the same SSOP-28 footprint and instruction set as older PIC16C71, PIC16C711, and PIC16C715 devices, allowing direct PCB drop-in with minimal layout rework. The Extended Industrial -40C to +125C temperature rating supports legacy industrial systems. The 22 GPIO pins, 5x8-bit ADC, and SSP interface replicate the peripheral set of the original mid-range PICs, making this part a one-to-one replacement for end-of-life legacy microcontrollers in field-deployed systems.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Boards
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS is widely used in educational embedded systems and hobbyist boards because its 35 single-word instruction RISC architecture is the canonical teaching platform for PIC microcontroller courses, with abundant assembly-language and C-language tutorials available. The 22 GPIO pins, 5x8-bit ADC, and SSP port expose enough peripherals for basic robotics, sensor interfacing, and motor control projects. OTP EPROM forces deliberate firmware design - students must plan code carefully rather than iteratively flashing prototypes - a discipline still valued in foundational embedded coursework. The SSOP-28 is hand-solderable with practice.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72A-04E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72A-04I/SS | PIC16C72A-04/SS | PIC16C72A-20E/SS | PIC16F72-I/SS | PIC16F882-I/SS | PIC16C712-20E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | 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 | SSOP-28 - same | SSOP-28 - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP EPROM | 3.5 KB OTP EPROM | 3.5 KB OTP EPROM | 3.5 KB OTP EPROM | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash + 256 B EEPROM | 1 KB OTP EPROM |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (typical) | 20 MHz |
| A/D Converter | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit | 11 x 10-bit | None |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 |
| In-Circuit Programming | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | Yes (ICSP) | Yes (ICSP) | No (OTP) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended Industrial temperature range for harsh-environment deployments (vs PIC16C72A-04I/SS)
- OTP EPROM prevents firmware cloning and reverse engineering (vs PIC16F72-I/SS)
- 5-channel 8-bit ADC integrated for sensor signal acquisition (vs PIC16C712-20E/SS)
- SSOP-28 footprint with established PIC16 mid-range ecosystem (vs PIC16F882-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS operates from a single 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply on the VDD pin (pin 19); the SSOP-28 has two VSS pins (18 and 28) that should both be grounded to provide a low-impedance return path. Decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor near the supply input. The Brown-out Reset (BOR) circuit monitors VDD and resets the device when supply voltage drops below the BOR threshold (~4.0 V), preventing code execution from corrupted memory during brown-outs.
Because the PIC16C72A uses One-Time-Programmable (OTP) EPROM, firmware bugs cannot be fixed by re-programming - a programmed OTP cell cannot be erased. Always verify firmware on a windowed ceramic PIC16C72 (PIC16C72/JW) prototype, or use the flash-based PIC16F72-I/SS as an engineering development platform before committing to OTP production parts. The 28-pin SSOP-28 footprint has 0.65 mm pitch, which is hand-solderable only with fine-tip equipment and a steady hand - consider SOIC-28 variants (e.g., PIC16C72A-04I/SO) for breadboard-friendly prototyping.
Place the decoupling capacitor on VDD (pin 19) within 5 mm of the package to minimize supply inductance. The SSOP-28 thermal pad is not present - all heat is dissipated through the gull-wing leads and PCB copper. For applications near 100 mA total I/O sink current, use 1 oz copper pours on both top and bottom layers connected to VDD/VSS to spread heat. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VDD for normal operation; the High-Voltage Programming mode applies VPP (typically 13 V) to this pin during OTP programming.
The PIC16C72A-04E/SS has 5 channels of 8-bit ADC (RA0-RA5) multiplexed to a single sample-and-hold converter. Acquisition time is approximately 20 us per channel at 4 MHz CPU clock. To minimize digital switching noise coupling into analog readings, place analog traces (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching signals (RB0-RB7 port B, OSC1/OSC2 clock traces), and add a 100 ohm isolation resistor or guard ring around sensitive analog inputs. Use the AVdd-AVss pin pair (or VDD-VSS pins 19 and 18) to power the analog section via an RC filter.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not formally listed for PIC16C72A OTP family; for AEC-Q100 qualified apps choose PIC16F882-I/SS instead.
