PIC16C73BT-04I/SS - 8-Bit 4MHz MCU, 7KB OTP, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C73BT-04I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.68 | $46.80 |
| 100 | $4.15 | $415.00 |
| 500 | $3.72 | $1,860.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.3 | $3,300.00 |
PIC16C73BT-04I/SS Overview
A PIC microcontroller (also called MCU - Microcontroller Unit) is a self-contained computer-on-a-chip integrating an 8-bit RISC CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, peripheral set (I/O ports, timers, A/D converter, USART, SPI/I2C), and brown-out / watchdog circuitry on a single silicon die. PIC16C73B sits inside the mid-range PIC16 architecture (PIC16CXX), itself a branch of Microchip's 8-bit PIC family - one of the longest-running, most license-friendly MCU architectures in the industry, known for deterministic single-cycle execution across all but branch instructions.
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins, an on-chip 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer with capture/compare/PWM, a USART with SPI master-mode and I2C (Master/Slave), an 8-level hardware stack, and 35 single-word instructions. Operating voltage is 4.0 V to 5.5 V from a single rail, and the industrial temperature range covers -40 °C to +85 °C. Brown-out reset, power-on reset, watchdog timer and code-protection are all integrated.
The architecture is fully static CMOS with Harvard-style separate program and data buses, an internal 8-bit data path and a 14-bit instruction word, plus a programmable code-protection scheme. The 4 MHz clock rate, combined with a 4 Tcy per instruction cycle pipeline, gives an effective 1 MIPS instruction throughput, which is more than sufficient for motor control, sensor interfaces and small protocol bridges.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, consumer electronics appliances, automotive body and comfort modules, instrument front-ends with analog signal acquisition, and battery-friendly white-goods control boards. The 28-SSOP footprint and rich peripheral mix make it well suited to designs where PCB real estate is constrained but multiple analog channels and a serial interface are required.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD, keep analog AVss/AVdd routing separate from digital returns, and confirm the chosen OTP programmer supports the 28-SSOP package variant. OTP memory cannot be erased; for iterative development the equivalent Flash-based PIC16F73 may be a more practical engineering choice.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C73BT-04I/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-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Core Architecture, Package, Operating Temperature, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C73B-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73BT-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| A/D Converter | 8-channel, 8-bit on-chip |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit (CCP) |
| Serial Communication | USART, SPI (master), I2C (Master/Slave) |
| Package Type | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, "I" suffix) |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel ("T" suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16C73BT-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / A/D VREF |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / clock in |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground (secondary) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C73BT-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics Module, Sensor Signal Front-End, HVAC-CMI or Inventory Tracker, Small Protocol Bridge / Sensor Hub.
Industrial Automation Controller
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS fits industrial automation controllers because its 4 MHz PIC16 RISC core delivers deterministic 1 MIPS throughput, its 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter acquires up to eight sensor channels, and its -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature grade tolerates factory-floor thermal swings. The 22 GPIO pins drive relays, opto-isolators and indicator LEDs, while the USART plus SPI and I2C peripherals link the controller to HMI panels, motor drivers and remote I/O blocks. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset increase field reliability. The 28-SSOP package is compact enough for DIN-rail-mount PCB assemblies.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS suits washing-machine, dishwasher and microwave control boards where 8-bit MCU cost targets are tight and a 5 V supply rail is already present. The 4 MHz core handles keypad scanning, LCD driving via software, and PWM-based load control; the 8-bit A/D reads temperature, level and current sensors; the on-chip timers deliver buzzer tones and timeout sequences. OTP memory is acceptable because the firmware is locked at production and unit cost dominates BOM decisions in high-volume white goods.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Module
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS is well-positioned for non-safety automotive body-electronics modules such as interior lighting, seat controllers and climate panel keypads, where its 8-bit PIC16 core, 22 GPIO, and 8-channel A/D cover typical BLDC driver feedback and switch-scanning tasks. Its USART interfaces with vehicle body networks, and its industrial temperature grade handles most cabin thermal environments. For under-hood or safety-critical modules, designers must select the AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16 family members instead, because this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Front-End
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS works well as a sensor signal front-end because its 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter can digitize thermocouple, thermistor, strain-gauge or process-current signals at modest sample rates, and its 35-instruction RISC core runs linearization and filtering algorithms in real time. The USART streams the digitized data to a host processor or display, while GPIO pins control excitation relays and alarm outputs. The 4.0 V to 5.5 V supply range is compatible with industrial 5 V loops, and the industrial temperature range supports outdoor installations.
Recommended
HVAC-CMI or Inventory Tracker
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS serves building-management HVAC controllers and inventory tracker modules by combining a low-power 8-bit core, 8-channel A/D for temperature/pressure inputs, and USART plus I2C interfaces for talking to smart sensors and network bridges. Its 22 GPIO can scan keypads, drive character LCDs, and switch relay outputs for fans, valves and locks. The 5 V supply range simplifies integration with industrial sensor power, and the OTP memory prevents firmware tampering in field-deployed units.
Recommended
Small Protocol Bridge / Sensor Hub
The PIC16C73BT-04I/SS functions as a small protocol bridge that converts between SPI, I2C and UART sensor formats, because all three interfaces are integrated on-chip. The 4 MHz core re-packets sensor data at modest rates, the 192-byte RAM buffers short frames, and the 22 GPIO can strap configuration jumpers or drive status LEDs. The 28-SSOP package fits on compact bridge PCBs that plug into larger backplanes, and the OTP memory locks in the bridge firmware to prevent field misconfiguration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C73BT-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C73B-04I/SS | PIC16C73B-04I/SP | PIC16C73B-04I/SO | PIC16C73B-20/SS | PIC16C73B-04/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-SPDIP - different land pattern | 28-SOIC - different land pattern | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB Flash |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| A/D Converter | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit |
| Memory Type | OTP, non-erasable | OTP, non-erasable | OTP, non-erasable | OTP, non-erasable | OTP, non-erasable | OTP, non-erasable | Flash, 10k cycles |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel ("T" suffix) | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial-grade temperature rating vs commercial-only siblings (vs PIC16C73B-04/SS)
- Tape-and-Reel packaging for SMT production lines (vs PIC16C73B-04I/SS (tube pack))
- Drop-in compatible with Flash-based PIC16F73-I/SS (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (Pin 19) with the ground return via a short trace to the nearest VSS pin (Pin 18 or Pin 28). For multi-card designs add a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor near the regulator output. The PIC16C73B core draws tens of mA only during EEPROM-programming pulses; the steady-state run current at 4 MHz is well under 10 mA, but the I/O source/sink current of 25 mA per pin can cause local VDD sag if multiple pins switch simultaneously.
Remember that OTP (One-Time-Programmable) memory cannot be erased - any firmware bug in the programmed image is permanent and forces board scrappage. For development, qualification builds, or low-volume production, always substitute the Flash-based PIC16F73-I/SS (same 28-SSOP package, same instruction set). Also note the ICSP pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD share PORTB functionality; ensure your in-circuit programmer hardware does not interfere with pull-ups on the application board.
Route the analog AVdd/AVss rails separately from the digital VDD/VSS nets when the on-chip A/D converter is used, and place the AVdd pin bypass capacitor close to the IC. Keep digital switching traces (PORTB, OSC2) physically separated from analog traces (PORTA, VREF) to minimize digital-to-analog crosstalk. The 28-SSOP package has a center lead-frame but no exposed thermal pad; thermal dissipation is negligible for typical 4 MHz PIC16 designs.
Estimated crystal load capacitance for the HS or XT oscillator modes: typical Microchip reference designs use 22 pF on each side of the crystal to GND, with short symmetric traces from OSC1 (Pin 8) and OSC2 (Pin 9). For EC or RC oscillator modes, OSC2 can be left as a CLKOUT output to drive other logic - useful for synchronizing peripheral chips. Keep the crystal within a few millimeters of the IC and guard the area with a ground ring.
Compliance Information
RoHS status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; legacy PIC16C OTP family typically pre-dates full RoHS transition in some package options. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for AEC-Q100 automotive applications consult Microchip automotive-grade PIC16F family. Conflict-mineral compliance per Microchip standard policy.
