PIC16C72AT-20E/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz CMOS MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72AT-20E/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.92 | $6.92 |
| 10 | $6.23 | $62.30 |
| 100 | $5.54 | $554.00 |
| 500 | $4.85 | $2,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.16 | $4,160.00 |
PIC16C72AT-20E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions one byte at a time. PIC microcontrollers use a Harvard RISC architecture in which program and data memory live on separate buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in the same cycle. The PIC16C mid-range family is positioned as a low-cost OTP/UVEPROM platform for embedded control, sitting above the baseline PIC16C5X in peripheral richness while remaining compatible with the PICmicro mid-range instruction set documented in DS33023.
Key specifications include a 20 MHz clock input delivering 200 ns instruction cycle, 22 I/O pins, hardware USART, two Capture/Compare/PWM modules, an 8-bit A/D converter with five input channels, and a watchdog timer. Power-managed SLEEP mode draws typical standby current well below full-run levels, and the device includes an in-circuit serial programming interface plus the standard mid-range interrupt controller.
The PIC16C72AT is implemented in Microchip's CMOS process with on-chip EPROM (erasable via windowed package) or OTP variants; the 'A' suffix denotes the enhanced revision of PIC16C72 with improved ADC and timer modules. The architecture provides 35 single-word instructions with single-cycle execution except for program branches, which take two cycles.
Typical applications include appliance control, industrial instrumentation, low-end motor control, sensor interface modules, and general-purpose embedded control where a 5 V supply rail is available and code can be committed to OTP memory. It is also widely used as a migration path or as a budget drop-in for designs originally prototyped on windowed CERDIP parts.
When designing with this device, verify that the OTP program memory size, 5-channel ADC count, and USART availability match your firmware requirements. Note that 'C' devices are OTP/UVEPROM rather than Flash; new designs targeting in-field reprogramming should consider PIC16F72 or PIC16F882 from the same pin-compatible footprint family.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, drop-in PIC16C72 family alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from Microchip datasheet DS30262 and the PICmicro Mid-Range Reference Manual (DS33023) - context not aggregated on any single vendor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72AT-20E/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 PIC16C72AT-20E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, ADC, Timers, I/O Pins, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72AT-04E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$6.08 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C72A-20I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72AT-20/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F72-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C716-04E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C72AT-20E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Series | PIC16C |
| Core | PIC RISC (Harvard architecture) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| ROM Type | UVPROM (One-Time Programmable) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| USART | 1 |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix = Extended) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions, single-cycle (branches 2-cycle) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (Pb-bearing SOIC variant) |
PIC16C72AT-20E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| 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 |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / read control / analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / write control / analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / chip select / analog input channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 module |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 23 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 24 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 30 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 31 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72AT-20E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control, Industrial Instrumentation, Low-End Motor Control, Sensor Interface Modules, Automotive Body Control (Non-Safety), General Embedded Control.
Appliance Control
The PIC16C72AT-20E/SO suits appliance control boards - washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and HVAC actuators - where 5 V power is available and a 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads sensors such as temperature thermistors, water level probes, and motor current shunts. The 20 MHz core delivers 5 MIPS, sufficient for PID loops on motor speed and temperature. Its 22 I/O pins drive relay coils, triac gates, LEDs, and seven-segment displays without external mux logic. The Extended -40C to +125C grade handles under-hood or compressor-adjacent mounting, while OTP memory protects firmware from reverse engineering for OEM IP. The 5 V USART interfaces to a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module for smart-appliance variants. Estimated: at 5 V, 20 MHz, 4 mA active, total power is 20 mW - well within appliance standby budgets.
Recommended
Industrial Instrumentation
For industrial panel meters, process transmitters, and remote sensor nodes, the PIC16C72AT-20E/SO provides the 5-channel 8-bit ADC, 22 I/O, and -40C to +125C Extended temperature range required in factory-floor environments. The integrated USART drives RS-232 or RS-485 transceivers for MODBUS RTU or proprietary protocols. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure reliable operation through industrial supply transients. The 20 MHz instruction rate supports 200 ns deterministic interrupt response for time-critical control loops. OTP program memory is well suited to fixed-function industrial products where firmware is locked at production. Per datasheet DS30262, the ADC achieves +/-1 LSB typical INL at 20 MHz - adequate for 8-bit process monitoring. Use an MCP602 op-amp to buffer high-impedance sensor signals before the ADC pins.
Recommended
Low-End Motor Control
The PIC16C72AT-20E/SO controls small BLDC, stepper, and brushed-DC motors in fans, pumps, and small actuators. The two CCP modules generate PWM outputs up to 20 kHz for FET driver stages like the TC4427. At 20 MHz, the 200 ns instruction cycle enables tight current-control loops with sub-microsecond latency. The 5-channel ADC samples motor current via shunt resistor and back-EMF for sensorless commutation. Enhanced PWM mode supports center-aligned switching for low-ripple torque. Hardware USART interfaces to position encoders or host controllers. The Extended temperature range supports outdoor and under-hood motor enclosures. Estimated: PWM resolution is approximately 10 bits at 20 kHz, adequate for variable-speed pump control. Add TC4427 driver and IRF7507 FETs for a complete half-bridge.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16C72AT-20E/SO is well matched to multi-sensor interface modules such as environmental monitors, IoT edge nodes, and data loggers. The 5-channel 8-bit ADC reads thermistors, photodiodes, gas sensors, and humidity probes simultaneously. The 22 I/O pins interface to SPI or I2C sensors via bit-banging, since PIC16C72A lacks dedicated I2C/SPI peripherals. The 20 MHz core executes 5 MIPS - enough to bit-bang 400 kHz I2C while servicing ADC conversions. The USART outputs MODBUS frames or serial ASCII for host data collection. OTP memory locks calibration coefficients and security tokens. Estimated: at 4 MHz, 5 V, sleep current is below 1 uA typical, supporting battery-powered sensor nodes with duty-cycled wake.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive modules such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memories, and accessory timers, the PIC16C72AT-20E/SO Extended grade provides -40C to +125C operation and the 5-channel ADC for switch and potentiometer inputs. The 20 MHz core and USART interface to body-CAN via an MCP2515 stand-alone CAN controller. Note: this part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical modules use PIC16F882 or dsPIC33 families. The 22 I/O pins drive relay drivers and LED arrays. OTP memory locks firmware against unauthorized reflashing. Brown-out reset handles automotive load-dump transients. The PIC16C72A revision improves ADC performance over the original PIC16C72 for reliable switch-contact debouncing in noisy automotive environments.
Recommended
General Embedded Control
The PIC16C72AT-20E/SO is a versatile general-purpose MCU for OEM products requiring 5 V operation, mid-range compute (5 MIPS), and code-locked OTP memory. It fits vending-machine controllers, RFID readers, security keypads, display drivers, and consumer toys. The 22 I/O pins multiplex keypad scanning, LCD bias generation, and LED matrix drive via Charlieplexing. The 5-channel ADC reads battery voltage and joystick potentiometers. The USART links to Bluetooth modules (RN42) or XBee radios. The Enhanced PIC16C72A silicon includes brown-out reset and a low-power SLEEP mode - typical sleep current below 1 uA at 5 V. Estimated: average active current at 4 MHz, 5 V is ~2 mA, allowing coin-cell or 2-AA battery operation in duty-cycled designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72AT-20E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72AT-04E/SO | PIC16C72A-20I/SO | PIC16C72AT-20/SO | PIC16F72-I/SO | PIC16C716-04E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB Flash | 2 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Memory Type | OTP/UVEPROM | OTP/UVEPROM | OTP/UVEPROM | OTP/UVEPROM | Flash (in-circuit programmable) | OTP/UVEPROM |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Series | PIC16C | PIC16C | PIC16C | PIC16C | PIC16F | PIC16C |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C operating range in 28-SOIC (vs PIC16C72A-20I/SO)
- 20 MHz max clock for 5 MIPS deterministic compute (vs PIC16C72AT-04E/SO)
- Drop-in Flash upgrade path via PIC16F72-I/SO (vs PIC16F72-I/SO)
- OTP/UVEPROM code-locked security (vs PIC16F72-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: PIC16C72AT-20E/SO draws approximately 4 mA active at 5 V, 20 MHz and below 1 uA in SLEEP. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin (pin 11 and pin 32) with a low-ESR return to the adjacent VSS pin. A bulk 10 uF tantalum on the 5 V rail handles inrush during ADC bursts. Configure the Brown-out Reset (BOR) bit to the enabled state in the configuration word so the part recovers cleanly from supply dips below 4.0 V. The 'E' extended grade guarantees operation to -40C, but the ADC VREF accuracy may degrade below 4.5 V - hold VDD above 4.75 V for precision ADC sampling per datasheet DS30262.
Use a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane under the SOIC footprint to keep the 20 MHz oscillator and ADC references quiet. Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 13/14) symmetrically and within 5 mm of the MCU, with the crystal case grounded. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) short and away from PWM/CCP outputs to minimize ADC crosstalk. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) needs a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; do NOT leave it floating. If ICSP is used, isolate the PGC/PGD pins (RB6/RB7, pins 29/30) from LEDs or relays that would interfere with programming.
Critical: PIC16C72A is OTP - firmware is committed at programming time and CANNOT be erased on the SOIC package. Use the CERDIP (JW) windowed variant for prototype development only. The USART on PIC16C72A shares pins RC6/RC7 with PORTC - if bit-banging I2C on RC3/RC4, ensure the TRIS direction bits are reset before re-enabling USART. The ADC reference defaults to VDD; for stable readings tie RA3/VREF to a low-noise 5 V source via an op-amp buffer rather than VDD directly. The watchdog timer (WDT) has its own RC oscillator independent of the system clock - enable WDT in code paths that could hang, but clear it regularly.
Estimated: at 5 V, 20 MHz active and 4 mA, the SOIC package dissipates 20 mW - junction temperature rise is negligible (~0.5C) at 25C ambient. However, when operating continuously at -40C to +125C ambient, total power dissipation including ADC reference and output-pin loading can reach 100 mW; in a 28-SOIC with theta_JA ~70 C/W this still keeps Tj below 132C - within the 150C absolute maximum. For high-density designs with multiple MCUs, ensure 5 mm clearance between devices to allow convection. No heatsink is required for normal SOIC operation.
Compliance Information
PIC16C72AT-20E/SO SOIC variant is NOT RoHS-compliant (Pb-bearing solder finish per datasheet ordering information). For RoHS-compliant applications choose the industrial -I or -E grade Flash part. The 'C' family is OTP/UVEPROM, not AEC-Q100 - for safety-critical automotive use a dsPIC33 or PIC16F882 family part.
