PIC16C72T-04/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72T-04/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.85 | $5.85 |
| 10 | $5.2 | $52.00 |
| 100 | $4.55 | $455.00 |
| 500 | $4.1 | $2,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.65 | $3,650.00 |
PIC16C72T-04/SO Overview
A PIC16C-series microcontroller is a classic Harvard-architecture RISC device built around a 14-bit instruction word and a separate data bus, providing deterministic single-cycle instruction execution for embedded control. The 'C' suffix indicates CMOS OTP technology - the part is mask-free and field-programmable using a device programmer, but memory cannot be erased electrically, so OTP is typically chosen for low-cost production runs after firmware has been finalized. The PIC16C7X family sits within Microchip's mid-range PIC® microcontroller line, between the baseline PIC10/12/16 and the high-performance PIC18/dsPIC families, and integrates analog peripherals such as an on-chip A/D converter for mixed-signal applications.
Key features include 22 general-purpose I/O pins arranged across multiple ports, an on-chip 8-bit A/D converter with up to 5 analog input channels, two PWM output modules, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, brown-out reset and power-on reset, plus serial connectivity via I2C and SPI. The 4 MHz oscillator speed yields a 250 ns instruction cycle, and the device operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V across the commercial 0 °C to +70 °C temperature range.
Architecturally, the PIC16C72T-04/SO uses a 14-bit instruction set with an 8-level hardware stack, supporting interrupts from both internal peripherals and external sources. The OTP program memory (2K x 14) is writable via Microchip's ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) interface, allowing firmware to be loaded after PCB assembly when the device is socketed or has ICSP header access. This combination of integrated ADC, PWM, and serial peripherals makes the PIC16C7X a versatile mid-range controller for industrial and consumer products.
Typical applications include motor-control front-ends where the PWM and ADC combine for sensor feedback, white-goods and appliance controls, security-system user-interface panels, low-cost sensor-conditioning boards, and general-purpose embedded control where deterministic RISC execution and OTP one-time programming are preferred over flash reprogrammability.
When designing with this device, remember that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit - any firmware change requires a new part. For prototyping or designs requiring firmware iteration, the flash-based PIC16F72 is typically recommended as a development substitute sharing the same pinout.
This page synthesizes distributor availability, same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design considerations beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers source and apply the PIC16C72T-04/SO confidently.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72T-04/SO — 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 PIC16C72T-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, ADC, Core Architecture, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72T-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F72-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-10/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.73 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72T-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Architecture | RISC, Harvard |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 250 ns at 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | None (OTP only) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels (on-chip) |
| Number of PWM Channels | 2 |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
PIC16C72T-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / analog input channel 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72T-04/SO is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods and Appliance Control, Motor Control and PWM Drive, Sensor Signal Conditioning and Display, Security and Access Control Panels, Industrial Sensor Front-End and AFE Boards, Consumer Remote Controls and User Interfaces.
White Goods and Appliance Control
The PIC16C72T-04/SO is well suited to white-goods appliance controllers because its on-chip A/D converter (8-bit, 5 channels) reads temperature, voltage, and current sensors directly without external ADC chips, reducing BOM cost. The 4 MHz RISC core runs the control loop in 250 ns per instruction, supporting fast response to thermistor, water-level, and door-switch inputs. Two PWM channels drive motor-speed or buzzer-tone outputs for washers, dryers, and dishwashers. The OTP memory locks final firmware so production boards cannot be reflashed by service technicians, a security-plus-cost advantage in consumer appliances. The 28-SOIC footprint handles production wave-solder and reflow profiles cleanly. Operating temperature 0 °C to +70 °C covers indoor appliance environments; for under-counter or outdoor units, choose the industrial PIC16C72T-04I/SO instead.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drive
Two on-chip PWM modules let the PIC16C72T-04/SO drive brushed DC motors, fans, solenoids, and small stepper coils directly from digital outputs after external MOSFET drivers. The 4 MHz instruction cycle (250 ns) lets the firmware execute a 10 kHz PWM control loop with ample margin, supporting smooth speed control of low-voltage motors. Brown-out reset and the watchdog timer protect the MCU against supply glitches and firmware lockup common in motor-drive environments with inductive switching noise. The A/D converter reads back-EMF or current-sense resistor values for closed-loop control. Operating voltage 2.5 V to 6.0 V covers 3.3 V and 5 V motor-drive rails. For higher PWM frequency or finer duty resolution, the 20 MHz PIC16C72-20/SO variant doubles the effective PWM resolution at the same pinout.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Display
The PIC16C72T-04/SO integrates a 5-channel 8-bit A/D converter plus 22 GPIO pins, enabling a single chip to read multiple analog sensors, drive an LCD or LED display, and communicate with a host via I2C or SPI. The 8-bit ADC resolution is adequate for temperature, light, and battery-voltage monitoring where 1% precision is sufficient. With 128 bytes of RAM and 3.5 KB OTP program memory, the firmware can implement basic filtering, scaling, and serial protocols without external memory. Brown-out reset prevents corrupted LCD writes during supply dips. The 28-SOIC package keeps the design compact for handheld instruments. Designers should reserve at least one ADC channel for supply monitoring to detect low-battery conditions and shut down cleanly.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panels
The PIC16C72T-04/SO is well suited to alarm-panels, door-access controllers, and keypad-based security interfaces due to its OTP security advantage: once programmed, the firmware cannot be read back, protecting proprietary access-control algorithms. The 22 GPIO pins directly drive a 4x4 keypad matrix, status LEDs, and a relay/buzzer without external logic. The on-chip watchdog timer auto-resets the MCU on firmware lockup, ensuring the alarm panel remains responsive. I2C or SPI connectivity links the controller to a host panel or remote-display module. Operating temperature 0 °C to +70 °C covers indoor installation; for outdoor or unheated enclosures, choose the industrial-temperature PIC16C72T-04I/SO with the same pinout. OTP one-time programming prevents field firmware tampering in commercial deployments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-End and AFE Boards
Industrial sensor-front-end boards use the PIC16C72T-04/SO to multiplex analog inputs, digitize signals with the on-chip 8-bit ADC, and forward results to a host controller via I2C or SPI. Five ADC channels handle thermocouple-amplifier, pressure-transducer, or flow-sensor inputs through external op-amp signal conditioning. The 4 MHz core executes scaling and linearization routines in firmware, replacing discrete analog signal-conditioning circuits. Brown-out reset and the watchdog timer support reliable operation in electrically noisy industrial environments. The 28-SOIC package is suitable for automated SMT assembly lines. For designs needing field calibration or firmware updates during deployment, the flash-based PIC16F72-I/SO is the recommended drop-in replacement.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and User Interfaces
The PIC16C72T-04/SO fits low-cost consumer remote controls and user-interface panels where its 22 GPIO pins drive a matrix keypad plus several LEDs and accept analog inputs from rotary encoders or sliders. Brown-out reset ensures clean key-state recovery when batteries are changed in remotes, and the 128-byte RAM supports debounced key scanning with low interrupt overhead. I2C or SPI lets the unit communicate with an RF or IR transceiver IC, a host TV/STB main board, or a small character LCD. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range supports both 3 V lithium coin-cell and 5 V powered interfaces. OTP memory locks the firmware so competitors cannot read or modify it, a security advantage in consumer remote designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72T-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-04/SO | PIC16C72T-04I/SO | PIC16F72-I/SO | PIC16C72-10/SO | PIC16C72-20/SO | PIC16C72-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same | 28-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 4 KB Flash (reprogrammable) | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz (20 MHz PLL available) | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Memory Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | OTP | OTP | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Shipping Format | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube (default) | Tube | Tube | Tube |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Active-lifecycle flash sibling in same package (vs PIC16F72-I/SO)
- Industrial-temperature sibling in same package (vs PIC16C72T-04I/SO)
- Faster clock speed grades in same package (vs PIC16C72-20/SO)
Design Notes
OTP memory cannot be electrically erased. Every PIC16C72T-04/SO unit must be thrown away if firmware has a bug after programming. For development, order the flash-based PIC16F72-I/SO in the same 28-SOIC footprint, validate firmware, then migrate to the OTP PIC16C72T-04/SO only for production runs of known-good firmware. Programming must be done via the ICSP header (MCLR/VPP, RB6, RB7) or a third-party device programmer; verify the programming voltage (typically 13.4 V on VPP) is clean before connecting to a live board.
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and an additional 10 µF bulk capacitor near the chip. The PIC16C72T-04/SO draws typically 2-5 mA at 4 MHz depending on I/O loading. Brown-out reset must be enabled in configuration bits so the MCU resets cleanly when supply voltage falls below the BOR threshold - this prevents corrupted EEPROM variables and unexpected I/O states during power dips in motor-drive or industrial environments.
Layout the 28-SOIC package with the standard JEDEC SO-300 mil land pattern; pin-1 is identified by the dot or beveled edge. Place the ICSP header (5-pin: VPP/MCLR, VDD, VSS, RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) on the board edge or test points so firmware can be programmed after assembly. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and guard-band the oscillator crystal area with a ground ring to reduce EMI. Avoid routing digital switching lines (PWM, I2C) directly adjacent to the ADC analog inputs on RA0-RA5 to minimize digital-noise coupling.
When using the on-chip 8-bit ADC, add an external 1 kΩ-10 kΩ series resistor between the analog source and the AN0-AN4 pins to limit surge current during the S/H capacitor charge step. Place a 100 nF ceramic bypass cap on each analog input pin as close to the MCU as possible. If higher ADC precision is required, use an external 10-bit or 12-bit ADC (such as MCP3201) connected via SPI - the PIC16C72T-04/SO SPI peripheral supports up to ~1 MHz clock at 4 MHz MCU clock.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not present in the provided Verified Web Data; values marked [DATA_NEEDED]. The PIC16C72T-04/SO is a Microchip legacy OTP part and is obsolete as of 2026-09-18.
