PIC16C73BT-20E/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C73BT-20E/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.5 | $8.50 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
PIC16C73BT-20E/SS Overview
A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is a class of 8-bit RISC microcontrollers built on a Harvard architecture, originally developed by General Instrument's Microelectronics Division and now owned by Microchip Technology. PIC MCUs combine a compact instruction set, integrated peripherals, and low power consumption, making them widely deployed in industrial control, consumer electronics, automotive subsystems, and embedded sensing applications. The PIC16CXX mid-range family occupies the middle of Microchip's 8-bit lineup, offering a balance of program memory (ROM/EPROM/OTP/Flash), RAM, and I/O count targeted at cost-sensitive yet feature-rich designs.
Key features of the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS include 22 digital I/O lines, three serial communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, and UART/USART), an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction word, and industrial-grade temperature range (-40C to +125C) as indicated by the "/E" extended-temperature suffix. The device is well suited to legacy industrial controllers, sensor front-ends, and appliance control where an OTP-coded, one-time-programmable part is preferred for low-cost production.
Architecturally, the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS implements a fully-static CMOS design with a 14-bit wide instruction path, an 8-bit data path, and a separate program/data bus structure. The OTP program memory allows one-time field programming of firmware, which lowers per-unit cost for high-volume runs where code revision is not required. The integrated ADC, capture/compare/PWM, and USART peripherals are addressed through a small bank of SFRs and are programmable via the standard PIC mid-range instruction set.
Typical applications include industrial automation modules, sensor signal conditioning boards, motor control front-ends, white-goods appliance controllers, and embedded data acquisition systems. Designers select this part when they need proven mid-range PIC peripherals with a 20MHz clock in an SSOP-28 footprint.
When designing with the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS, confirm crystal or resonator loading and choose appropriate decoupling on VDD/AVDD pairs. For new designs, consider the PIC16F73 flash-based counterpart for in-circuit reprogrammability during prototyping.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C73BT-20E/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-20E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Maximum Clock Frequency, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range, Package, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C73B-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C72-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73BT-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 192 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Package / Case | 28-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, /E suffix) |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bits |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16C73BT-20E/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 / voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output or clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input or CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / UART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / UART RX / USART data |
| Pin 23 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 24 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / low-voltage programming |
| Pin 27 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C73BT-20E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controller, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, White Goods Appliance Control, Automotive Subsystem Modules, Data Acquisition and Logging Systems, Consumer Electronics Embedded Control.
Industrial Automation Controller
The PIC16C73BT-20E/SS is well suited to industrial automation controllers where its 20 MHz mid-range PIC core, 22 digital I/O lines, and integrated I2C/SPI/UART peripherals provide flexible connectivity to sensors, motor drivers, and human-machine interfaces. The 7 KB OTP program memory holds typical PLC-style ladder-equivalent C code for relay sequencing, PID loops, and alarm handling. Its extended -40C to +125C temperature rating ensures reliable operation in factory-floor enclosures. The SSOP-28 footprint allows compact board layouts when paired with digital isolators and RS-485 transceivers for industrial networking.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
For sensor front-end modules, the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS provides 192 bytes of RAM and 22 I/O pins sufficient to interface with analog sensors via its integrated ADC and to pre-process data before forwarding via UART or SPI to a host controller. The 20 MHz instruction rate delivers 5 MIPS, enabling real-time filtering at sub-millisecond rates. Engineers value the OTP configuration for locking calibration constants. The SSOP-28 package fits into compact sensor PCBs alongside op-amps and precision references.
Recommended
White Goods Appliance Control
Washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens historically deploy mid-range PIC MCUs like the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS because of their cost-optimized OTP memory, robust 22-I/O design, and extended temperature operation. The integrated PWM, capture, and timer peripherals drive motor control relays, triac-based heater switches, and seven-segment display drivers from a single chip. The 7 KB program memory accommodates state-machine firmware for wash cycles, and the SSOP-28 package supports automated pick-and-place assembly in high-volume white-goods production.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystem Modules
In automotive body-electronics and accessory modules, the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS serves in HVAC blend-door controllers, instrument cluster drivers, and lighting control modules where 20 MIPS, 22 I/O, and -40C to +125C operation are required. The PIC16C73B family has a long automotive pedigree for non-safety-critical subsystems. Note that for new automotive designs, AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F family members are preferred. The SSOP-28 footprint and proven PIC mid-range toolchain shorten development cycles.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Logging Systems
Portable data loggers benefit from the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS's combination of 7 KB OTP for firmware, 192-byte RAM for circular buffers, and I2C/SPI interfaces for external FRAM or EEPROM storage. The 20 MHz core performs 10 kHz sampling with simple moving-average filters, sufficient for environmental monitoring of temperature, humidity, and pressure. Its SSOP-28 package and low pin count ease hand-soldering for prototype builds, while the OTP memory prevents accidental firmware overwrite in field-deployed units.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Embedded Control
The PIC16C73BT-20E/SS is found in remote controls, small appliances, toys, and audio peripherals where its 20 MHz mid-range core, 22 I/O pins, and integrated UART/SPI/I2C peripherals deliver full-featured control at low BOM cost. The OTP memory prevents end-user firmware tampering, a desirable property in consumer devices. The SSOP-28 package supports slim product enclosures, and Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE plus XC8 compiler chain accelerates development. For new consumer designs the flash-based PIC16F73/SS is the recommended replacement.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C73BT-20E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C73B-20/SS | PIC16C73B-04I/SS | PIC16C72-20I/SS | PIC16F73-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP - same | 7 KB OTP - same | 3.5 KB OTP (-50%) | 7 KB Flash (reprogrammable) |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 128 bytes (-33%) | 192 bytes - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 4 MHz (-80%) | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 - same | 22 - same | 22 - same | 22 - same |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Memory Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART | I2C, SPI, UART - same | I2C, SPI, UART - same | I2C, SPI (no UART) | I2C, SPI, UART - same |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Higher maximum clock frequency (20 MHz vs 4 MHz) (vs PIC16C73B-04I/SS)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range (vs PIC16C73B-20/SS)
- Flash reprogrammability for new designs (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5V VDD the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS typically draws 15-20 mA active and 1-5 uA sleep. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 11) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the VDD rail. Add a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR/VPP (pin 1) to VDD to ensure proper reset behavior at power-up. Avoid long VDD traces by using a star topology from a ferrite bead to digital and analog supply pins.
Estimated: the SSOP-28 package has a 0.65 mm pin pitch requiring reflow soldering with 0.4 mm-wide solder paste apertures. Maintain a clearance of 0.2 mm between adjacent pads and use a NSMD (non-solder mask defined) pad design for improved solder joint reliability. Place the 20 MHz crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 13/14) and guard the oscillator traces with a ground ring to reduce EMI susceptibility per Microchip analog design notes.
Do not program the OTP memory during prototype bring-up - the PIC16C73BT-20E/SS can only be programmed once, so blown parts must be replaced. For development, use the flash-based PIC16F73/SS in the same SSOP-28 footprint which supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and 1000+ erase/write cycles. Always verify configuration bits (oscillator selection, watchdog timer, code protection) before programming the OTP. Per Microchip datasheet DS30228D, leave configuration bit CP (code protect) disabled until final production code is validated.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the PIC16C73B family is intended for industrial and consumer applications, not automotive safety-critical systems. Lead-free /SS package uses NiPdAu lead finish.
