PIC16C73A-10E/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU 7KB EPROM 10MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C73A-10E/SO β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.95 | $9.95 |
| 10 | $9.1 | $91.00 |
| 100 | $8.25 | $825.00 |
| 500 | $7.4 | $3,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.55 | $6,550.00 |
PIC16C73A-10E/SO Overview
A PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC device that executes one instruction per instruction cycle (4 clock periods) and supports 35 single-word instructions, which together provide up to 5 MIPS performance at 20 MHz. It belongs to the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> PIC16C7x sub-family, and is commonly used as a drop-in classic-PIC platform for embedded control where program memory can be one-time-programmed at production time rather than re-flashed in the field.
Key features include a 10 MHz oscillator (10 MIPS class core speed), an integrated multi-channel 10-bit ADC, three timer modules (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a synchronous/asynchronous USART, an SSP/SPI/I2C peripheral, five channels of 8-bit PWM (CCP module), and interrupt capability with both edge-selectable external interrupts and peripheral interrupts. The device operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V, supporting 25/25 mA sink/source current per I/O, 15 Β΅A typical standby at 5 V / 4 MHz, and 1 Β΅A typical standby at 3 V / 32 kHz. The EPROM-based architecture requires a quartz windowed package (CERQUAD) for erasure; the SOIC version is therefore intended for one-time-programmed production units.
Typical applications span industrial process controllers, automotive body/comfort electronics, sensor-signal conditioning front-ends, and appliance control boards, where the integrated ADC and PWM peripherals reduce external component count. Because the PIC16C73A is EPROM-based and superseded by the flash-based PIC16F73/PIC16C73B, Microchip's official product page recommends PIC16C73B or PIC16F73 for new designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C73A-10E/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 PIC16C73A-10E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in I/O Sink/Source Current, Maximum Clock Frequency, Mounting Type, Package, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C73B-10I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-10E/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F73-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73A-10I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C73A-10/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73A-10E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| RAM Size | 192 x 8 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | None (EPROM-based MCU) |
| CPU Core | 8-bit PIC16 RISC, 35 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz (10 MIPS class) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Communication Peripherals | USART (SCI), SSP/SPI/I2C |
| PWM / CCP | CCP module, 5 channels of 8-bit PWM |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA per pin |
| Operating Temperature Range (E grade) | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 0.295 inch / 7.50 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, gull-wing leads |
| Tube Packaging | Tube |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (Pb-bearing SOIC variant) |
PIC16C73A-10E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β Port A bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS β Port A bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 9 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 10 | RC2/CCP1 β Port C bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCK/SCL β Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RD0/PSP0 β Port D bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 13 | RD1/PSP1 β Port D bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 14 | RD2/PSP2 β Port D bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | RD3/PSP3 β Port D bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 16 | RC4/SDI/SDA β Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 17 | RC5/SDO β Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 18 | RC6/TX/CK β Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 19 | RC7/RX/DT β Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 20 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 23 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 24 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 25 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 26 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RB6/PGC β Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
Typical Applications
PIC16C73A-10E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Controller, Automotive Body Control Module, Appliance Control Board, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Remote Sensor / IoT Edge Node, HVAC / Climate Control Actuator.
Industrial Process Controller
The PIC16C73A-10E/SO fits industrial process controllers because its 10 MHz core delivers 10 MIPS instruction throughput, the 10-bit multi-channel ADC digitizes 4-20 mA loop signals directly, and the Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade survives factory-floor heat. The integrated CCP module provides 5 channels of 8-bit PWM for valve and actuator drive without external logic. Placing the MCU between sensor front-ends and an HMI display bus, the OTP EPROM secures firmware against in-field tampering while the USART enables MODBUS or RS-485 master/slave links.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module
In automotive body and comfort modules the PIC16C73A-10E/SO provides low-power CMOS standby (15 Β΅A at 5 V / 4 MHz) for door/window/seat controllers that spend most of their life asleep. The 22 I/O lines drive relay coils and read switches directly thanks to 25 mA sink/source capability, while the SPI peripheral talks to a CAN or LIN transceiver. The -40 C to +125 C E-grade matches AEC-Q100 ambient requirements (though the part itself is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified), and the OTP EPROM prevents unauthorized firmware cloning by aftermarket competitors.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C73A-10E/SO is well-matched to white-goods appliance control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) where its integrated ADC reads temperature sensors, its PWM drives motor triacs, and its timers sequence wash cycles. The 7 KB OTP EPROM holds the appliance state machine and diagnostic routines, while the 192-byte RAM supports stack and small data buffers. The wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range tolerates unregulated wall-adapter rails common in cost-sensitive appliance designs.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
As a sensor conditioning front-end, the PIC16C73A-10E/SO digitizes analog transducer signals with its 10-bit ADC, applies digital filtering in firmware, and outputs the processed result via USART or SPI to a host processor. The 192 bytes of RAM hold moving-average buffers and the 35-instruction RISC kernel executes filter loops in tens of microseconds. Placing the PIC between the analog front-end (op-amp or instrumentation amp) and a system controller, the OTP EPROM locks calibration coefficients in production.
Recommended
Remote Sensor / IoT Edge Node
The PIC16C73A-10E/SO can serve as an IoT edge node that aggregates sensor data and forwards it via UART to a wireless modem. Its 1 Β΅A standby current at 3 V / 32 kHz enables battery-powered deployments running for months on a single cell, while the integrated ADC and timers measure environmental parameters on a wake-cycle schedule. The 22 I/O lines can directly drive status LEDs and accept pushbutton inputs for local override. Compared to flash MCUs the OTP EPROM reduces die cost, an advantage in high-volume disposable sensor tags.
Recommended
HVAC / Climate Control Actuator
The PIC16C73A-10E/SO is suited to HVAC damper and valve actuators where the 5 PWM channels drive MOSFET gates for proportional control, the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor bridges, and the USART interfaces with a building automation bus. The Extended -40 C to +125 C grade tolerates rooftop and plenum temperatures, while the integrated peripherals reduce BOM by replacing a separate ADC + timer + PWM chip trio. The OTP EPROM locks the calibration curve at production and prevents unauthorized field retuning of actuator endpoints.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C73A-10E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C73B-10I/SO | PIC16C73B-10E/SO | PIC16F73-I/SO | PIC16C73A-10I/SO | PIC16C73A-10/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 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 |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB Flash | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB OTP EPROM |
| Max Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz (10 MHz at lower VDD) | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit multi-channel | 10-bit multi-channel | 10-bit multi-channel | 10-bit multi-channel | 10-bit multi-channel | 10-bit multi-channel |
| Pin/Package Compatibility | 28-SOIC baseline | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible | Pin-to-pin compatible (same die, T grade) | Pin-to-pin compatible (same die, C grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade option (vs PIC16C73A-10I/SO)
- OTP EPROM locks firmware against field tampering (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
- Same package as flash successor enables dual-source PCB (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C73A-10E/SO uses One-Time Programmable EPROM, not flash. Once programmed in the SOIC package, firmware cannot be erased or rewritten. For prototype development or designs that may need firmware updates, populate a PIC16F73-I/SO on the same 28-SOIC footprint; the F variant is drop-in pin-compatible with in-circuit reprogrammability via ICSP. Production boards can then be re-qualified to the OTP PIC16C73A for cost once firmware is frozen.
Estimated: at VDD = 5 V, 10 MHz active current is approximately 5 mA, and 32 kHz standby current is 1 Β΅A typical per the PIC16C7X datasheet. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 21) and a 10 Β΅F bulk capacitor on the supply rail. Place the decoupling cap on the same side as the MCU to minimize loop inductance, and route VDD with a wide trace or pour to support ADC reference stability.
Route the 10 MHz crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2 pins 6-7) with short, matched-length tracks and place load capacitors within 3 mm of the crystal. Keep ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching traces - the PIC16C73A shares analog and digital functions on the same pins, so cross-talk can corrupt ADC readings by 1-2 LSB. Provide a ground pour under the analog section to reduce reference noise and keep AVSS (pin 20) separate from noisy digital grounds until they join at a single star point near the MCU.
The PIC16C73A's USART (RC6/TX, RC7/RX) and SSP (RC3/SCK, RC4/SDI/SDA, RC5/SDO) pins are 5 V CMOS with TTL-compatible input thresholds; they tolerate direct connection to 3.3 V peripherals if VDD is at least 4 V. For long-distance serial runs (>1 m) add a series resistor at the driver output to dampen reflections. When using I2C mode, the PIC16C73A does not include on-chip I2C pull-ups, so external 4.7 kohm pull-ups to VDD are mandatory on SCL and SDA.
Compliance Information
Lead-bearing SOIC package is not RoHS compliant; Microchip offers RoHS-compliant variants with different suffix. REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. Not formally AEC-Q100 qualified despite the +125 C E temperature grade - the E grade is commercial/industrial only. For automotive AEC-Q100 needs, choose a PIC16F73A-E/SO or PIC18F family variant that is explicitly qualified.
