PIC16C73BT-04/SS - 4MHz 8-Bit OTP MCU, 7KB, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C73BT-04/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
| 10 | $4.45 | $44.50 |
| 100 | $3.95 | $395.00 |
| 500 | $3.5 | $1,750.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.05 | $3,050.00 |
PIC16C73BT-04/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable processor with an 8-bit data path that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces on a single silicon die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the class of microcontrollers, which sit under microprocessors, integrated circuits (ICs), and ultimately semiconductors. The PIC16C mid-range family occupies the middle tier of Microchip's portfolio, above the PIC16C base line and below PIC17C/PIC18 enhanced devices, balancing instruction simplicity, deterministic timing, and peripheral richness for cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Key features of the PIC16C73BT-04/SS include five 8-bit I/O ports, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a USART with SPI/I2C master capability, an 8-bit ADC with 5 analog input channels, and a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module. The device operates across a commercial 0 °C to +70 °C temperature window, accepts a supply voltage of 2.5 V to 6.0 V, and provides 25 mA source/sink per I/O pin to drive LEDs and small loads directly. The OTP program memory is one-time programmable, which is suitable for mature, fixed-code production rather than in-field firmware updates.
Technically, the PIC16C73BT-04/SS uses a 14-bit instruction word and a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, executed through a pipelined RISC engine producing most instructions in a single instruction cycle (4 oscillator clocks). This yields ~1 MIPS at 4 MHz, well-matched to slow control loops, sensor reading, and human-interface tasks rather than high-throughput DSP workloads. The integrated brown-out reset, watchdog timer, and power-on reset reduce the need for external supervisory components in harsh or battery-powered systems.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, appliance control boards, automotive body electronics (non-safety), consumer white goods, sensor signal conditioning front ends, and low-cost remote-control / IR transmitter nodes. In each case the part's small memory size, deterministic interrupt latency, and integrated peripherals reduce total BOM cost while keeping firmware complexity manageable.
When designing with the PIC16C73BT-04/SS, ensure the supply rail is decoupled with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor close to VDD and that the MCLR pin is tied high through a resistor for normal operation. Because OTP memory cannot be erased, design engineers must commit the firmware image before volume programming - prototype validation should use a windowed (JW) or Flash (PIC16F73) variant during development.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C73BT-04/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 PIC16C73BT-04/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Timers, ADC, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C73B-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1827T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73BT-04/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16C mid-range RISC |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 (5 ports) |
| ADC | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| CCP Modules | 1 (Capture / Compare / PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART (SPI / I2C master mode) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (0.209", 5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
PIC16C73BT-04/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2, analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3, analog input 3, ADC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4, Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 4 | RA5/SS/AN4 — PORTA bit 5, SPI slave select, analog input 4 |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0, external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3, low-voltage programming |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6, ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7, ICSP data |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0, Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1, Timer1 oscillator input, CCP2 output |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2, CCP1 PWM/Capture/Compare |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3, SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0, parallel slave port data 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1, parallel slave port data 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2, parallel slave port data 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3, parallel slave port data 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4, SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5, SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6, USART TX / clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7, USART RX / data |
| Pin 27 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0, analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1, analog input channel 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C73BT-04/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Appliance Control Boards, Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer Remote-Control / IR Transmitters, Sensor Signal-Conditioning Front End, Battery-Powered Remote Monitoring, Educational and Hobbyist Projects.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16C73BT-04/SS fits industrial control panels where deterministic 8-bit processing, integrated analog channels, and proven OTP reliability are required. Its 4 MHz CPU delivers approximately 1 MIPS, enough to scan 4x4 keypads, drive multiplexed LED or character-LCD displays, and toggle relay drivers through the 25 mA source/sink I/O pins. The 8-bit, 5-channel ADC reads 0-5 V sensor signals such as thermistor bridges, pressure transducers, or 4-20 mA loop sense resistors, while the CCP module generates PWM outputs for proportional valve or heater control. The USART supports RS-485 links to a master PLC through an external transceiver. Compared with newer ARM Cortex parts, the PIC16C73BT-04/SS offers lower BOM cost, no need for in-system firmware updates (a benefit in locked production), and Microchip's decades-long supply history for this mature part number.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
Within washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, the PIC16C73BT-04/SS operates as the main control MCU driving triac-gated mains loads and reading user inputs. Its five 8-bit I/O ports connect directly to button matrices and 7-segment displays, while the CCP module produces phase-angle or zero-crossing triac triggers for heater elements and motor speed control. The integrated ADC monitors NTC thermistors for temperature regulation and senses water level via conductive probes. OTP memory is a deliberate feature here: the firmware is fixed at production, eliminating field re-flash liability. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer provide the ruggedness expected in white-goods environments.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Non-safety body modules - such as central locking, mirror adjustment, ambient lighting, and seat-position controllers - frequently use the PIC16C73BT-04/SS as the embedded controller. The 4 MHz CPU is sufficient to debounce switch inputs, drive small DC motors via H-bridge drivers, and PWM-modulate interior LED lighting through the CCP module. While the commercial-grade part is used for cabin applications, designers needing under-hood or outdoor exposure select the PIC16C73B-04I/SS industrial variant for -40 °C to +85 °C operation. The OTP memory guarantees that the firmware cannot be altered by end users, an attractive feature in cost-sensitive automotive aftermarket products.
Recommended
Consumer Remote-Control / IR Transmitters
Low-cost infrared remote-control handsets benefit from the PIC16C73BT-04/SS because its 4 MHz CPU, USART, and CCP combine to deliver precisely-timed 38 kHz carrier bursts for RC5, NEC, or SIRC protocols. The 25 mA I/O pins can directly drive an external NPN transistor switching the IR LED, while 7 KB of OTP memory holds the full button-to-command lookup table and protocol encoding. With only a 100 nF decoupling capacitor, a 4 MHz resonator, and a couple of passive components, the bill of materials stays minimal - a key requirement for high-volume consumer accessories.
Recommended
Sensor Signal-Conditioning Front End
The PIC16C73BT-04/SS serves as a smart front-end for analog sensors, conditioning inputs through the 8-bit, 5-channel ADC and transmitting processed data via the USART or SPI master port to a host processor. Sample applications include thermistor linearization, load-cell scaling, and bridge-type pressure-sensor readout, where the MCU computes calibration constants and outputs engineering units. Internal timers provide accurate sample-rate generation without burdening the main CPU, and brown-out reset ensures that incomplete ADC readings are not transmitted during power events. The OTP nature of the program memory prevents end-user calibration tampering.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Monitoring
For low-duty-cycle remote-monitoring nodes such as irrigation controllers, weather stations, and gas-meter readers, the PIC16C73BT-04/SS offers a balance of low cost and acceptable power consumption when used with its 4 MHz low-power resonator. The integrated USART and timer wake-up functions allow the MCU to sleep between measurements, waking only on a scheduled timer overflow or external interrupt. Brown-out detection preserves data integrity during battery droop, while the small 28-SSOP footprint is friendly to compact, potted sensor enclosures.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Projects
The PIC16C73BT-04/SS is a popular choice in college embedded-systems curricula and hobbyist projects where learners need to understand RISC architecture, timer-based interrupts, and ADC sampling without the complexity of modern Cortex-M peripherals. Its simple instruction set, deterministic timing, and well-documented peripheral library in MPLAB X with XC8 make it ideal for teaching register-level programming. A PIC16F73 equivalent (same SSOP-28 footprint, Flash memory) is preferred for student projects because code can be re-flashed during development.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C73BT-04/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C73B-04/SS | PIC16C73B-20/SS | PIC16F73-I/SS | PIC16F873A-I/SS | PIC16F1827T-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16C mid-range RISC | 8-bit PIC16C mid-range RISC | 8-bit PIC16C mid-range RISC | 8-bit PIC16F mid-range RISC | 8-bit PIC16F mid-range RISC | 8-bit PIC16F enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (7 KB) | OTP EPROM (7 KB) | OTP EPROM (7 KB) | Flash (7 KB) | Flash (7 KB) | Flash (7 KB) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 384 bytes |
Key Differentiators
- Wider industrial temperature range option in same package (vs PIC16C73B-04I/SS)
- Flash-based equivalent available for development (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
- Higher performance enhanced-mid-range option (vs PIC16F1827T-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C73BT-04/SS operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 28 / VSS pin 14), and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the same rail to suppress dips during high I/O switching transients. For battery-powered applications, switch the CPU clock to a 32.768 kHz low-power oscillator configuration between active events; this reduces quiescent current significantly while the brown-out reset keeps the part stable across battery droop.
Keep the MCLR pin (internally weakly pulled on PIC16C devices; on this part the reset network is typically implemented externally) tied high through a 10 kohm resistor to VDD for normal operation, and add a 100 nF capacitor from MCLR to ground for noise immunity on long PCB traces. Route the 4 MHz crystal or ceramic resonator close to OSC1 (pin 9) and OSC2 (pin 10) with short, symmetric traces, and guard the analog inputs (RA0-RA3, RA5) with a digital ground island to keep ADC readings stable.
Because the PIC16C73BT-04/SS uses One-Time Programmable EPROM, the firmware image cannot be erased or rewritten after programming. Always validate the entire firmware on a windowed (JW) part, on a PIC16F73 Flash equivalent, or in MPLAB X simulation before committing to OTP volume programming. Confirm the OTP programming voltage and timing against the Microchip programming specification (DS30312B). Misprogramming OTP devices results in scrapped silicon and lost device cost.
The 28-SSOP package has 0.65 mm lead pitch and gull-wing leads, which is friendly to standard 1 oz copper FR-4 PCB assembly. Maintain at least 0.2 mm clearance between adjacent traces under the package body and add solder mask defined (SMD) pads with a 0.1 mm solder mask dam to prevent solder bridges. For high-vibration environments, consider underfilling the SSOP body with a low-stress epoxy to improve thermal-cycle and vibration endurance, especially in automotive under-hood designs.
Compliance Information
PIC16C OTP parts predated RoHS in many cases; confirm the specific date code with the distributor before using in RoHS-required assemblies. The standard part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - select automotive-qualified variants for under-hood use.
