PIC16C72T-20/SO - 8-bit 20MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C72T-20/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $7.05 | $70.50 |
| 100 | $6.3 | $630.00 |
| 500 | $5.62 | $2,810.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.1 | $5,100.00 |
PIC16C72T-20/SO Overview
The PIC16C7X family belongs to the broader PIC mid-range architecture, a Harvard-style 8-bit RISC core that sits between baseline PIC10/12/16 devices and the high-end PIC18 family in Microchip's microcontroller taxonomy. With 35 single-word instructions, single-cycle execution on most opcodes, and a wide 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range, the PIC16C72T-20/SO is engineered for cost-sensitive control applications where deterministic timing and low power are required.
Key features include 20 MHz maximum clock for 200 ns instruction cycle, hardware multiply assist, 8-level deep hardware stack, programmable code protection, power-on reset, brown-out reset, watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and four oscillator options (XT, HS, RC, LP). The integrated 8-bit ADC supports up to 5 channels at conversion speeds suitable for slow process-variable monitoring, and the two CCP modules can independently drive PWM outputs or capture timing events on external signals.
Typical applications span industrial sensor conditioning, motor speed control loops, HVAC damper and valve actuators, and consumer appliance front-panel controllers. The PIC16C72T-20/SO is supplied in tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory requires one-pass programming - no firmware updates are possible once the bit cells are written. For field-reprogrammable designs, migrate to the pin-compatible flash-based PIC16F72-I/SO, which is recommended by Microchip as the modern functional replacement. The 28-pin SOIC footprint is also shared with PIC16C71X and PIC16C66 series, enabling easy board-level reuse.
The 8-bit microcontroller category includes LDO regulators, ADC/DAC converters, and serial interface ICs as supporting analog functions in a typical embedded power tree; the PIC16C72T-20/SO is positioned as the digital brain for cost-sensitive control designs. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and design guidance not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C72T-20/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-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, RoHS Status, ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C72-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-10I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72T-10I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-10/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C72-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72T-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16C7X mid-range 8-bit microcontroller |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC, Harvard |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (at 20 MHz) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present on OTP mid-range core |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 8-bit, up to 5 channels |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | SSP (SPI / I2C) + USART (SCI) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Stack Depth | 8 levels (hardware) |
| Oscillator Modes | XT, HS, RC, LP |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial, per -20 suffix family) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-ROHS (SnPb finish on SO package, per legacy OTP family) |
PIC16C72T-20/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC channel 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC channel 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / SSP slave select / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SSP SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SSP SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SSP SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C72T-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning, DC Motor Speed Control Loop, HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator, Consumer Appliance Front-Panel Controller, Battery Charger State Machine, Automotive Accessory Controller (non-safety).
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16C72T-20/SO's integrated 8-bit ADC with up to 5 channels (RA0/AN0 through RA4/AN4) and 20 MHz CPU throughput make it well-suited for industrial sensor conditioning front-ends. The 200 ns instruction cycle enables real-time linearization of thermocouple, RTD, and bridge-pressure signals without external DSP. The part's 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range tolerates 24 V industrial rails stepped down through common LDO regulators, and the 22 digital I/O pins handle multiplexed sensor select lines and alarm outputs. The 5-channel ADC samples at approximately 50 ksps aggregate, adequate for process-variable bandwidths below 1 kHz. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer provide field-deployment reliability required in unattended industrial installations.
Recommended
DC Motor Speed Control Loop
The PIC16C72T-20/SO's two CCP modules drive independent PWM channels into H-bridge gate drivers, while the 5-channel 8-bit ADC samples motor current and back-EMF for closed-loop speed regulation. The 20 MHz CPU bandwidth supports PID update rates of several kHz with software overhead. USART (RC6/RC7) reports telemetry to a supervisory controller, and the SSP (SPI/I2C) port interfaces to a digital potentiometer for setpoint input. The 28-pin SOIC footprint fits inside small BLDC or brushed-DC drive modules. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure the motor halts safely on firmware hang or rail collapse.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator
The PIC16C72T-20/SO's combination of 22 I/O pins, two CCP/PWM channels, and integrated 5-channel 8-bit ADC delivers a complete HVAC damper/valve actuator controller in a single chip. One CCP channel drives the actuator motor PWM while the second handles proportional-valve control; the ADC reads position feedback, supply voltage, and temperature. The USART supports BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RTU connectivity at 9.6 to 115.2 kbaud for building-management integration. The 4.0-5.5 V supply range accepts common 24 VAC wall adapters with rectification. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure fail-safe actuator parking on power or firmware faults.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Front-Panel Controller
The PIC16C72T-20/SO integrates all peripherals needed for a washing-machine, dishwasher, or microwave front-panel MCU: 22 I/O for keypad matrix and 7-segment/LED display, two CCP channels for buzzer tone generation and timer outputs, SSP for EEPROM or LED-driver expansion, and 5 ADC channels for water level, temperature, and door-switch sensing. The 20 MHz CPU supports RTOS-lite round-robin scheduling of appliance state machines. OTP program memory at production volume pricing (under $6 at qty 1000) keeps the BOM low. The 28-SOIC package is hand-solder-friendly for prototyping and supports high-volume SMT assembly.
Recommended
Battery Charger State Machine
The PIC16C72T-20/SO's 5-channel 8-bit ADC monitors battery voltage, charge current, and cell temperature simultaneously while two CCP channels drive PWM into a synchronous buck or flyback charger topology. The 20 MHz CPU executes CC/CV state-machine transitions in microseconds, supporting Li-ion, SLA, and NiMH chemistries via firmware configuration. The integrated USART reports SOC (state-of-charge) telemetry to a host BMS, and the SSP port daisy-chains multiple charger modules. OTP memory at this BOM position costs less than an equivalent discrete charger ASIC at low volumes. Brown-out reset protects cells from under-voltage lockout faults.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory Controller (non-safety)
The PIC16C72T-20/SO is suitable for non-safety automotive accessories such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memory modules, or trailer-light interfaces where 0C to +70C commercial temperature grade suffices and the application is sealed from engine-bay heat. The 5-channel ADC reads switch positions and potentiometers, two CCP channels drive PWM dimming or actuator control, and the USART interfaces to a body-control module. The 28-SOIC footprint and PIC mid-range instruction set accelerate firmware development using MPLAB X IDE and the HI-TECH or XC8 compiler. For under-hood or AEC-Q100 qualified applications, migrate to PIC16F72-I/SO or dsPIC33 variants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C72T-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C72-20/SO | PIC16C72-10I/SO | PIC16C72-04/SO | PIC16C72T-10I/SO | PIC16C72-10/SO | PIC16C72-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB |
| ADC Resolution / Channels | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch | 8-bit / 5 ch |
| CCP Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube |
| Unit Price @ 1000 pcs (USD) | 5.10 | 5.10 | 5.40 | 5.00 | 5.40 | 5.20 | 5.30 |
Key Differentiators
- Higher 20 MHz CPU clock versus 4 MHz and 10 MHz same-family variants (vs PIC16C72-04/SO and PIC16C72-10/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging format for SMT assembly (vs PIC16C72-20/SO (tube packaging))
- Full 0C to +70C commercial temperature range versus extended variants (vs PIC16C72-04/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C72T-20/SO accepts 4.0 V to 5.5 V on VDD (pin 20). Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer cap on the same rail. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; if in-circuit programming is not used, route MCLR directly to VDD through the pull-up. Add a diode clamp from MCLR to VDD if the device is exposed to ESD during handling - Microchip recommends the ESD5V0S1B-N for production assemblies.
Place the crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1 (pin 9) and OSC2 (pin 10) to minimize stray capacitance. Use a ground guard ring around the oscillator traces and route the clock signals over a continuous ground plane to avoid noise coupling into the ADC. The ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA4) should be routed away from the USART (RC6/RC7) and PWM outputs (RC1/RC2) to prevent digital switching noise from corrupting conversions. Per Microchip layout guidelines, keep analog traces short and surround them with ground pour on both layers.
Do not program the configuration bits to disable the brown-out reset (BOR) on production builds - the PIC16C72T-20/SO BOR is factory-enabled by default and protects against code corruption on slow-rising supplies. When migrating from PIC16C72T-20/SO (OTP) to PIC16F72-I/SO (Flash) on the same PCB, verify the configuration bits map identically (especially oscillator selection HS/XT/RC/LP and watchdog enable); failure to do so will lock the device or cause the watchdog to unexpectedly reset production units. Finally, always specify the watchdog timer postscaler to a value that yields a 1-2 second timeout for your application - faster timeouts can mask genuine faults while slower timeouts delay fault response.
Estimated: at 20 MHz clock with all peripherals enabled and 22 I/O pins switching at 10 MHz, the PIC16C72T-20/SO core current is approximately 13 mA at 5 V (per PIC16C72 datasheet electrical characteristics). With the 28-SOIC package thermal resistance of approximately 80 C/W (theta_JA, still air), power dissipation of 65 mW yields a junction temperature rise of about 5 C above ambient. No heatsink is required for the 28-SOIC variant under normal conditions; however, ensure ambient temperature stays below 65 C for commercial-grade (0C to +70C) parts to maintain junction temperature below the 125 C absolute maximum.
Compliance Information
PIC16C72T-20/SO uses SnPb (leaded) finish on the 28-SOIC package, which is non-RoHS per Microchip legacy OTP product line. For RoHS-compliant assembly, consider the Flash-based PIC16F72-I/SO. AEC-Q100 not qualified - use PIC16F72 automotive variants for vehicle applications.
