PIC16C72T-10E/SS - 8-Bit 3.5KB EPROM MCU, 10MHz, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72T-10E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.42 | $8.42 |
| 10 | $7.59 | $75.90 |
| 100 | $6.78 | $678.00 |
| 500 | $6.05 | $3,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.42 | $5,420.00 |
PIC16C72T-10E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip microcomputer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, peripherals (timers, ADC, communication ports), and I/O onto one silicon die. The PIC16C7X family belongs to the PIC mid-range architecture, itself a member of the broader 8-bit MCU category, which sits hierarchically beneath microcontrollers and embedded processors in the semiconductor taxonomy. Mid-range PIC cores combine deterministic single-cycle instruction execution with a small RISC instruction set of 35 single-word instructions, making them accessible to legacy embedded designs and easy to program in assembly or C.
Key features of the PIC16C72T-10E/SS include 22 digital I/O lines, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I²C, a USART with 9-bit address masking, 8 channels of 8-bit ADC, and 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory on-chip. The 10MHz oscillator drives a 4-clock-per-instruction pipeline that delivers an effective 10 MIPS throughput. Brown-out reset, power-on reset, watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and an in-circuit debugger (ICD) interface round out the on-chip peripherals.
Typical applications include industrial control loops, sensor conditioning and signal acquisition, motor drive gating, HVAC controllers, automotive body and interior subsystems, and small white-goods appliances. The integrated ADC eliminates external converter ICs in many low-channel-count analog front ends, while the USART enables communication with operator panels or host processors.
Designers should note that the PIC16C72 is OTP-based, so firmware cannot be field-upgraded; for flash-based drop-in alternatives from the same family, consider PIC16F72. Programming requires a Microchip ICD or third-party programmer supporting mid-range PIC devices.
This page synthesizes current distributor inventory, family-aware drop-in pin-compatible devices, and engineering design notes not collected on a single manufacturer datasheet page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72T-10E/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 PIC16C72T-10E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Timers, I/O Pins, Maximum Clock Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-10I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-10/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F72-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72T-10E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes (on-chip) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 10 MIPS |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC Channels | 8 channels x 8-bit |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication Peripherals | SSP (SPI/I2C), USART/SCI |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended 'E') |
| Package Type | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape and Reel ('T' suffix) |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
PIC16C72T-10E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (active low reset) / 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 reference voltage |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O (open-drain) / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 / SSP slave select |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 module |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 module (PWM/Capture/Compare) |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SSP SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SSP SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SSP SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART asynchronous transmit / synchronous clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART asynchronous receive / synchronous data |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 20 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72T-10E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Acquisition, Automotive Body and Interior Subsystems, HVAC and Building Climate Control, Small White-Goods Appliance Control, Power-Supply Secondary-Side Monitoring, Educational and Hobby Embedded Platforms.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Acquisition
The PIC16C72T-10E/SS is well-suited for industrial sensor-conditioning front ends because its 8-channel 8-bit ADC multiplexes multiple analog inputs onto a single chip, eliminating an external converter IC. The integrated ADC, combined with 22 digital I/O pins, supports up to 8 sensor channels plus digital I/O expansion for relay drivers or status LEDs. Operating at 10 MIPS gives designers enough throughput to run linearization, scaling, and digital filtering in software while maintaining update rates compatible with thermocouple, RTD, and bridge-sensor bandwidths. The extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade tolerates harsh factory-floor environments without additional thermal hardening.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Interior Subsystems
Within automotive body controllers - door modules, seat controllers, mirror adjusters - the PIC16C72T-10E/SS offers the right mix of I/O count, ADC channels, and serial communication for low-rate multiplexing tasks. The USART and SSP (SPI/I²C) peripherals allow communication with LIN bus transceivers, switch-scan matrices, and small graphic or LED segment displays. The 10 MHz core and 35-instruction mid-range core deliver deterministic interrupt latency for time-critical body-control loops, and the extended temperature grade (-40 °C to +125 °C) covers under-dash and under-hood-adjacent compartments. Designers targeting automotive should still validate AEC-Q100 status with Microchip FAE.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Climate Control
HVAC controllers need to read multiple temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors while driving triacs, relays, and display modules - a workload well-matched to the PIC16C72T-10E/SS. The 8-channel ADC handles mixed analog inputs from NTC thermistors and pressure transducers without external multiplexers. SSP and USART support wall-thermostat or remote-sensor connectivity, while 22 I/O pins drive triac-fired blower motors and damper actuators. Extended temperature operation supports rooftop-unit enclosures, and the small SSOP-28 footprint fits inside compact control boards. Programming in C with the MPLAB XC16C compiler (or third-party compilers) eases firmware development.
Recommended
Small White-Goods Appliance Control
Low-end white-goods appliances - washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and countertop cookers - benefit from the PIC16C72T-10E/SS because it integrates ADC, timers, and communication in one low-cost 8-bit core. The USART can interface with operator keypads or LED segment displays, while the SSP supports EEPROM storage of user preferences. The 22 I/O pins drive triac optocouplers, water-level sensors, motor relays, and buzzer outputs. For cost-sensitive designs, OTP-EPROM memory is acceptable when the firmware is finalized; PIC16F72 should be considered for service-updateable designs.
Recommended
Power-Supply Secondary-Side Monitoring
The PIC16C72T-10E/SS can serve as a secondary-side monitor in switch-mode power supplies, sampling output voltage and current via its 8-bit ADC and reporting status through USART or I²C to a system controller. Its 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range allows direct operation from a 5 V housekeeping rail, eliminating auxiliary regulators. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator give two layers of fault protection when firmware lockup could damage downstream loads. The 35-instruction mid-range core executes deterministic control loops at 10 MHz, fast enough for voltage-mode secondary regulation in sub-500 W supplies.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Embedded Platforms
The PIC16C72T-10E/SS remains a popular teaching and hobbying MCU because the PIC16C7X mid-range architecture is well-documented and supported by Microchip's MPLAB X toolchain, simulators, and in-circuit debuggers. The SSOP-28 footprint breaks out enough I/O for breadboard-friendly breakout boards, while the integrated ADC, USART, and SSP give students hands-on exposure to mixed-signal embedded design. Programming examples cover assembly language, C, and Basic, and the OTP nature reinforces firmware-budget discipline. However, learners often migrate to PIC16F72 or PIC18F equivalents for re-programmability.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72T-10E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-10I/SS | PIC16C72-10/SS | PIC16C72-20I/SS | PIC16C72-20E/SS | PIC16F72-I/SS | PIC16F73-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - 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 OTP EPROM | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
| Maximum Clock | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 8 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | Flash |
| Packaging Media | Tape and Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade in SSOP-28 form factor (vs PIC16C72-10I/SS)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT (vs PIC16C72-10/SS)
- Drop-in flash upgrade path (vs PIC16C72-10/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple Vdd (pin 20) and Vss (pins 8 and 19) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package. For ADC accuracy, add a 10 µF bulk capacitor on Vdd and a local 100 nF at AVdd if used. The PIC16C72T-10E/SS can source/sink up to 25 mA per I/O, so LED-driving lines should use series resistors to limit continuous current. Brown-out reset should be enabled in configuration fuses to guarantee safe startup when Vdd falls below 4.0 V.
The 28-SSOP package has a 0.65 mm pitch and a thermal pad-free lead frame, so standard 4-layer PCB stack-ups provide adequate thermal dissipation for the few-hundred-mW power budget of this MCU. Place an unbroken ground pour directly under the SSOP body to minimize ground bounce and provide a low-impedance return path for switching outputs. Keep the oscillator crystal and load capacitors within 5 mm of OSC1 and OSC2 to avoid stray capacitance that could detune the oscillator.
Two common pitfalls when designing with the PIC16C72T-10E/SS: (1) forgetting that the device is OTP-EPROM, which means firmware cannot be rewritten after programming - use PIC16F72-I/SS if field updates are required; (2) the MCLR/Vpp pin must rise cleanly above Vih with a minimum rise time of 1 µs or the part may intermittently fail to start; tie MCLR to Vdd through a 10 kΩ resistor and add a diode if Vpp injection is used during in-circuit programming. Also note that PORTE pins (RE0, RE1, RE2) on the PIC16C73/74 are absent on the PIC16C72 because it has fewer ADC channels.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free and halogen-free status not provided in the verified web data; designers should consult Microchip product environmental compliance portal for definitive certificates.
