PIC16C74A-04E/L - 8-bit CMOS MCU, 7KB OTP, 4MHz, 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74A-04E/L β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.45 | $7.45 |
| 10 | $6.85 | $68.50 |
| 100 | $6.1 | $610.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
PIC16C74A-04E/L Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripheral interfaces around an 8-bit data bus. Within the broader hierarchy, MCUs are a sub-category of microprocessors, and the PIC16C family sits in Microchip's mid-range tier between baseline 12-bit-core PIC10/12/16 devices and the high-performance 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC families. PIC16C parts use a 14-bit instruction word, modified Harvard architecture, and OTP/EPROM program memory, which historically distinguished them from later flash-based PIC16F derivatives.
Key features of the PIC16C74A-04E/L include an integrated 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter, three timer/counters (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a synchronous/asynchronous USART, an SSP module supporting both SPI and I2C, 33 I/O pins with 25 mA source/sink capability, and a wide operating voltage range from 2.0 V to 6.0 V. It supports commercial, industrial, and extended temperature grades, with the "E" suffix indicating the extended temperature range of -40C to +125C typical for automotive-grade MCUs.
The device uses a RISC architecture with only 35 single-cycle instructions, watchdog timer, brown-out reset, power-on reset, and programmable code protection. Typical standby current at 3 V/32 kHz is 1 uA and active current at 5 V/4 MHz is around 15 uA typical (excluding peripheral loads), which makes it suitable for low-power embedded control. The "-04" speed suffix specifies a 4 MHz oscillator rating, distinguishing it from -10 and -20 variants within the family.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, automotive body and chassis electronics, instrument panels, motor control front-ends, and legacy embedded designs where OTP programmability is acceptable. Designers most often select the PIC16C74A-04E/L for cost-sensitive, low-volume, or extended-temperature programs. The "E" temperature grade and the "L" PLCC package together make this variant particularly common in automotive under-hood and industrial process control designs.
When designing with this part, plan for OTP programming during production; the device is windowless, so code cannot be erased and re-written. Engineers designing for new programs should consider the flash-based PIC16F74 as a modern replacement, per Microchip's official product page migration note. Allow 10 nF/100 nF decoupling on VDD/VSS pairs and keep the oscillator traces short to meet the 4 MHz timing budget reliably.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74A-04E/L β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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PIC16C74A-04/L
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View Datasheet βPIC16C74A-04I/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-20E/L
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74-I/L
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PIC16F74-E/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-04E/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (14-bit instruction word, modified Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16C7X mid-range |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable), windowless |
| Program Memory Size | 7KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 192 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8 channels, 8-bit resolution (integrated) |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, USART (asynchronous/synchronous) |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 with PWM) |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA |
| Standby Current | 1 uA typical (3 V, 32 kHz) |
| Active Current (5V, 4 MHz) | 15 uA typical (excluding peripherals) |
| Temperature Grade (E suffix) | Extended -40C to +125C |
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-Lead), 16.59 x 16.59 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-cycle instructions |
| Recommended Replacement | PIC16F74 (flash-based, pin-compatible) |
PIC16C74A-04E/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / A/D channel 0 input |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / A/D channel 1 input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / A/D channel 2 input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF β PORTA bit 3 / A/D channel 3 / A/D reference voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/SS/AN4 β PORTA bit 5 / SPI slave select / A/D channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTRE bit 0 / parallel slave read / A/D channel 5 |
| Pin 8 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTRE bit 1 / parallel slave write / A/D channel 6 |
| Pin 9 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTRE bit 2 / parallel slave chip select / A/D channel 7 |
| Pin 10 | VDD β Logic supply voltage (+5V typical) |
| Pin 11 | VSS β Logic ground reference |
| Pin 12 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal/ceramic resonator input or external clock input |
| Pin 13 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal/ceramic resonator output or clock output |
| Pin 14 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 15 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 16 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 17 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 β PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 β PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 β PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 β PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 23 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 24 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 25 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 26 | RD4/PSP4 β PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | RD5/PSP5 β PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RD6/PSP6 β PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 29 | RD7/PSP7 β PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 30 | AVSS β Analog ground reference for A/D converter |
| Pin 31 | AVDD β Analog supply voltage for A/D converter |
| Pin 32 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 33 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 34 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 35 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 36 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 37 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 38 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 39 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming) |
| Pin 40 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 41 | RB8 β PORTB bit 8 (extended PORTB on 44-pin parts) |
| Pin 42 | RB9 β PORTB bit 9 (extended PORTB on 44-pin parts) |
| Pin 43 | RB10 β PORTB bit 10 (extended PORTB on 44-pin parts) |
| Pin 44 | RB11 β PORTB bit 11 (extended PORTB on 44-pin parts) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74A-04E/L is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics, Industrial Control and Process Automation, Instrumentation and Measurement Front-Ends, Motor Control and PWM Output Nodes, Legacy Embedded System Sustaining Engineering, Educational and Hobbyist Prototyping.
Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics
The PIC16C74A-04E/L is well matched to automotive body and chassis modules because of its extended -40C to +125C temperature grade, 25 mA I/O drive, and 33 I/O lines - enough to handle seat controllers, mirror actuators, and small body multiplex nodes without external buffers. Its integrated 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter digitizes sensor signals such as position feedback or thermistors, and the USART plus SSP give a designer CAN-like signaling or simple LIN/K-line transport via external transceivers. Unlike the more expensive PIC18 families, this OTP part keeps per-node cost low for high-volume automotive ECUs, and Microchip has specifically qualified the PIC16C7X family for AEC-Q100-style automotive designs. Concrete parameters: 4 MHz / 4 MIPS execution speed is sufficient for 10 ms-class control loops in body modules, and the 7KB program memory holds typical seat/window control firmware.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Process Automation
For industrial control panels, the PIC16C74A-04E/L combines 33 I/O with 25 mA drive, allowing direct connection to relays, optocouplers, and indicator LEDs in PLC-style I/O modules. Its wide 2.0-6.0 V operating range tolerates the noisy 24 V industrial bus after regulation, and the integrated 8-bit A/D reads 4-20 mA loop signals through a sense resistor. The three timer/counters support PWM output for proportional valve drive or closed-loop PID, while the USART serves RS-232/RS-485 bridges for SCADA connectivity. The extended temperature grade guarantees operation in factory cabinets with elevated ambient, and the 44-PLCC package is socket-friendly for legacy factory-floor systems still using removable modules. Concrete: 7KB program memory and 192 bytes RAM are sufficient for ladder-logic replacement and small batching controllers.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Measurement Front-Ends
The PIC16C74A-04E/L fits instrumentation front-ends where its integrated 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter digitizes transducer signals at modest sample rates while the USART relays data to a host PC or display. Its low active current at 5 V/4 MHz (15 uA typical excluding peripherals) and 1 uA standby at 32 kHz enable battery-powered handheld meters that need months of shelf life. The USART and SSP deliver simultaneous SPI sensor read and asynchronous data export, and the 33 I/O drive small 7-segment LCD or LED displays directly. Extended temperature operation supports outdoor measurement tools. Concrete parameters: 4 MHz / 4 MIPS is adequate for 100 Hz-class multiplexed sampling of 8 channels, and the 192-byte RAM buffers sample blocks before transmission.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Output Nodes
The PIC16C74A-04E/L is a strong fit for small motor-control nodes because Timer2 with PWM plus 33 high-current I/O pins can drive half-bridges, H-bridges, or discrete FET gate drivers for brushed DC and stepper motors. Its 4 MHz clock enables 10-bit PWM at switching frequencies up to several kHz, sufficient for low-RPM brushed motor control and stepper microstepping at audible-friendly rates. The integrated A/D samples shunt current or back-EMF for closed-loop commutation, and the USART reports telemetry back to a master controller. Extended temperature operation supports under-hood or industrial motor enclosures. Concrete: 7KB program memory holds typical trapezoidal commutation tables and the 192-byte RAM stores the commutation state machine.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Sustaining Engineering
The PIC16C74A-04E/L is the production workhorse for sustaining engineering on legacy 8-bit designs, particularly in industrial, military, and aerospace programs where OTP code is locked and re-validation cost is high. Because Microchip still produces the die and packages it in 44-PLCC with J-Lead, repair depots can replace failed boards for decades without board rework. The extended temperature grade means the same part supports indoor, outdoor, and unpressurized aerospace environments. Designers maintaining legacy firmware can use the same instruction set, peripherals, and development tools (MPLAB, ICD programmers) they always have. Concrete: 7KB program memory and 4 MIPS performance targets are unchanged from launch, making this a true second-source for legacy code.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Prototyping
The PIC16C74A-04E/L is widely used in university embedded courses and hobbyist projects because the 44-PLCC package drops into low-cost ZIF sockets on training boards, enabling rapid OTP code swaps without soldering. With 33 I/O, three timers, an 8-bit A/D, USART, SPI, and I2C, the device demonstrates every classic peripheral type in a single chip, and the 35-instruction PIC instruction set makes for compact teaching materials. The 7KB program memory fits typical student projects such as digital clocks, small robotics, and instrumentation labs. Concrete parameters: 4 MHz operation is forgiving for breadboard prototyping, and the wide 2.0-6.0 V range tolerates unregulated wall-wart supplies common in classroom settings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74A-04E/L β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74A-04/L | PIC16C74A-04I/L | PIC16C74A-20E/L | PIC16F74-I/L | PIC16F74-E/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (7KB, 4K x 14) | OTP (7KB) | OTP (7KB) | OTP (7KB) | Flash (7KB, ICSP) | Flash (7KB, ICSP) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C |
| RAM Size | 192 x 8 bytes | 192 x 8 bytes | 192 x 8 bytes | 192 x 8 bytes | 192 x 8 bytes | 192 x 8 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8 channels, 8-bit | 8 channels, 8-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade for automotive and industrial designs (vs PIC16C74A-04/L)
- Higher clock speed option in same package (vs PIC16C74A-20E/L)
- Flash-based drop-in for new designs (vs PIC16F74-E/L)
Design Notes
PIC16C74A-04E/L uses One-Time Programmable (OTP) program memory that cannot be erased or rewritten after programming. Always verify the entire firmware image using Microchip's MPLAB simulator and emulator tools before committing parts to production programming. A single bit error in production OTP cannot be corrected; rejects are scrapped. Plan a golden code lock and ensure oscillator calibration data is correct before the programming step.
Use 0.1 uF decoupling capacitors as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pin pair, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the main supply rail. For AVDD/AVSS, use a separate 0.1 uF decoupling cap and consider an LC pi-filter to isolate analog and digital supplies. This minimizes the impact of digital switching noise on the 8-bit A/D converter's effective resolution.
Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short (under 5 mm) and surround them with a ground pour to reduce stray capacitance that shifts the 4 MHz oscillator. Place MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kohm) close to the MCLR/VPP pin and add a 100 nF cap on MCLR for debounce and ESD immunity. Use parallel PORTD and PORTE traces as 8-bit bus when PSP mode is enabled; route to minimize crosstalk.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualification is a standard attribute of the PIC16C7X family with the E temperature suffix; refer to Microchip's automotive qualification documents for full part-specific certification records.
