PIC16C74A-04I/P - 8-Bit 4MHz 7KB OTP MCU 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74A-04I/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.5 | $12.50 |
| 10 | $11.25 | $112.50 |
| 100 | $10 | $1,000.00 |
| 500 | $8.75 | $4,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.5 | $7,500.00 |
PIC16C74A-04I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripheral interfaces into a single IC. PIC16C microcontrollers sit in the broader PIC mid-range family hierarchy: PIC16C -> PIC mid-range -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. These MCUs serve as the main controller in embedded systems, executing firmware stored in on-chip memory to read sensors, drive actuators, and communicate with other ICs.
Key features of the PIC16C74A-04I/P include a wide operating voltage range of 2.5 V to 6.0 V, 33 digital I/O pins, high sink/source current of 25 mA per pin suitable for direct LED drive, and low-power consumption of 15 uA typical at 5 V/4 MHz plus 1 uA standby at 3 V/32 kHz. The integrated peripherals comprise three timers, a USART, an SSP, and a capture/compare/PWM module.
The architecture employs a Harvard design with separate program and data buses, enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The 14-bit instruction word provides more opcode space than 12-bit PIC cores, enabling richer addressing modes and larger immediate operands. The OTP EPROM program memory allows one-time programming using standard EPROM programmers, while the 192-byte data RAM supports general variables and stack operations.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, motor control, instrumentation, consumer electronics, and automotive subsystems. The industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) makes it suitable for factory automation and outdoor equipment where commercial-grade parts are insufficient.
When designing with the PIC16C74A, ensure the 4 MHz clock limit is respected - higher-frequency variants (PIC16C74B at 20 MHz) exist if more performance is needed. The OTP memory cannot be re-programmed, so code must be fully verified before burning; for in-circuit reprogrammability, consider the flash-based PIC16F74.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74A-04I/P — 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 PIC16C74A-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Core Architecture, Program Memory Type, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C74B-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74B-20I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-04/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-20I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C77-04I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (not present) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (typical 4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8 channels x 8-bit |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication Peripherals | USART, SSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 CCP module |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA per pin |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (DIP-40) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (contains lead) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Reset | POR, MCLR, WDT |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
PIC16C74A-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset, active low) |
| 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/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / 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 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 23 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74A-04I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Motor Control and PWM Drives, Consumer Electronics and Appliances, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics, Educational and Hobby Projects.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16C74A-04I/P is well-suited for industrial control applications including PLCs, sensor interfaces, and actuator drivers. Its 33 digital I/O pins and 25 mA sink/source capability allow direct LED and relay drive without external transistors, reducing BOM cost. The 8-channel 8-bit ADC enables direct connection to temperature, pressure, and flow sensors common in factory automation. Industrial temperature range (-40 C to +85 C) supports harsh factory environments where commercial-grade parts fail.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drives
The integrated Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module and three timers make PIC16C74A-04I/P suitable for brushed DC motor speed control, stepper motor sequencing, and small BLDC applications. The 25 mA I/O drive can handle small signal MOSFET gates directly. For higher-current motors, pair with external H-bridge drivers. The 4 MHz clock provides adequate PWM resolution for motor speeds up to several thousand RPM at typical switching frequencies of 1-10 kHz.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and Appliances
The PIC16C74A-04I/P fits consumer products like washing machine controllers, microwave oven interfaces, and HVAC thermostats where the OTP memory provides low unit cost and the 192-byte RAM handles user interface state machines. Low power consumption (15 uA at 4 MHz/5V, 1 uA standby) suits battery-backed appliance applications. The wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range allows direct operation from rectified mains or battery sources.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
With its 8-channel 8-bit ADC and USART/SSP peripherals, PIC16C74A-04I/P serves as a compact data acquisition front-end for laboratory instruments and test equipment. The 4 MIPS CPU speed at 4 MHz handles 1 kHz sample rates with on-chip averaging. The PIC16C74A-04I/P can serve as a sensor hub aggregating analog signals and forwarding digital data to a host PC via RS-232. Industrial temperature grade supports lab and field deployments.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics
The industrial temperature range and rugged PDIP packaging of PIC16C74A-04I/P make it applicable to non-safety automotive systems like seat controllers, window lift modules, and instrument cluster sub-functions. The 33 I/O pins and USART enable CAN/LIN gateway implementations when paired with external transceivers. Note: AEC-Q100 qualification is NOT present on this part; for safety-critical systems, choose PIC16F74-I/P or PIC18F equivalent with automotive grade.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Projects
The PIC16C74A-04I/P is widely used in university embedded systems courses and DIY electronics due to its through-hole PDIP-40 package that fits standard breadboards and ZIF sockets. Its mature instruction set and abundant online code examples make it ideal for teaching RISC architecture fundamentals. However, the OTP memory requires an external EPROM programmer, which adds cost; the flash-based PIC16F74-I/P is often preferred for educational settings requiring repeated code iteration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74A-04I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74B-04I/P | PIC16C74B-20I/P | PIC16F74-I/P | PIC16C74A-04/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-40 | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same | PDIP-40 - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (+400%) | 20 MHz (+400%) | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (7KB) | OTP EPROM (7KB) | OTP EPROM (7KB) | Flash (7KB, reprogrammable) | OTP EPROM (7KB) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| ADC | 8-ch x 8-bit | 8-ch x 8-bit | 8-ch x 8-bit | 8-ch x 8-bit | 8-ch x 8-bit |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (Pb) | Non-compliant (Pb) | Non-compliant (Pb) | Compliant | Non-compliant (Pb) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) (vs PIC16C74A-04/PQ)
- Established OTP-based design heritage (vs PIC16F74-I/P)
- Mid-range PIC compatibility (vs PIC16C74B-04I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: At 5 V supply and 4 MHz clock, PIC16C74A-04I/P consumes approximately 15 mA active and 1 uA standby according to Microchip datasheet DC characteristics. Add 10 uF bulk and 0.1 uF decoupling ceramic capacitor close to VDD pins (11 and 32) to suppress switching noise. The two VDD/VSS pin pairs should both be connected - leaving one pair floating can cause erratic operation or reset glitches under load.
For the 40-pin PDIP package, place the IC in a DIP-40 socket for prototyping to allow easy replacement. Keep crystal/oscillator traces short (under 10 mm) and route them away from high-current digital lines to prevent clock corruption. MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for proper reset behavior - omitting these causes intermittent reset failures.
Do not confuse PIC16C74A (4 MHz, OTP) with PIC16C74B (20 MHz, OTP) or PIC16F74 (20 MHz, Flash) - the speed suffixes and memory types differ significantly. The OTP memory of PIC16C74A-04I/P cannot be erased, so each burned part is one-time use; verify code thoroughly before programming. According to Microchip, this part is NRND - new designs should consider PIC16F74-I/P for flash reprogrammability and active lifecycle support.
Compliance Information
Non-RoHS PDIP-40 package with SnPb plating. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F74 automotive variants for safety-critical designs. REACH and conflict minerals compliance per Microchip material declarations.
