PIC16C74A-10/P - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 7KB 192 RAM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74A-10/P β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.75 | $67.50 |
| 100 | $5.95 | $595.00 |
| 500 | $5.25 | $2,625.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.65 | $4,650.00 |
PIC16C74A-10/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, memory (ROM/RAM), and peripheral blocks on a single silicon die, executing instructions from a Harvard-architecture instruction set. The PIC16C7X family belongs to the mid-range PIC16CXX lineage of microcontrollers -> RISC microcontrollers -> embedded microcontrollers -> microprocessors -> semiconductors. These MCUs are widely used for industrial control, motor drive, instrumentation, and consumer product designs because of their deterministic instruction timing, low power consumption, and mature toolchain support.
Key features of the PIC16C74A-10/P include a 10 MHz maximum operating frequency (200 ns instruction execution), 8 channels of 8-bit analog-to-digital conversion, two capture/compare/PWM modules, a USART serial port, and a synchronous serial port (SSP) for SPI/I2C communication. The OTP program memory allows one-time factory or in-circuit programming, distinguishing this part from flash-based F-series PIC16 devices that permit in-field re-programming.
Architecturally, the PIC16C74A-10/P uses a RISC-based core with only 35 single-word instructions, simplifying software development while delivering deterministic throughput. The integrated analog comparator, watchdog timer, and brown-out reset circuit further reduce external component requirements in typical designs. Operating from 4V to 5.5V, the device is tailored for legacy 5V industrial systems.
Typical applications include industrial motor control, HVAC actuator interfaces, instrumentation front-ends, security system controllers, and consumer appliance control boards. The wide I/O count and analog integration suit designs that previously required separate logic and ADC chips.
When designing with this part, note that the OTP memory cannot be re-programmed; if in-field firmware updates are required, the user should evaluate PIC16F74 or PIC16F877A flash-based alternatives in the same 40-pin PDIP footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16C7X family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74A-10/P β 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-10/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Mounting Type, Timers, Core Architecture, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C74A-10/L
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C74A-04I/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.5 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C74B-20I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F877A-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-10/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16CXX mid-range RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns (10 MHz, single cycle) |
| Supply Voltage | 4 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8-channel, 8-bit |
| PWM Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| USART | 1 (Addressable) |
| Synchronous Serial Port | Yes (SPI / I2C master) |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip, software-enabled) |
| Brown-Out Reset | Yes |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C74A-10/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / Analog channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β PORTA bit 3 / Analog channel 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog channel 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog channel 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM1 |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 β PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 β PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 β PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 β PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 β PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 β PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 β PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 β PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD β Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/PGM β PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 37 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74A-10/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor Control, HVAC Actuator Interface, Security System Controller, Instrumentation Front-End, Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Aftermarket Modules.
Industrial Motor Control
The PIC16C74A-10/P is well suited to industrial motor control designs because its 8-channel 8-bit ADC and dual Capture/Compare/PWM modules drive H-bridge MOSFET stages directly from a 5V rail. At 10 MHz CPU clock (200 ns instruction cycle), the device executes the PI control loop fast enough to handle sub-millisecond torque updates for small DC and stepper motors. The 33 I/O pins allow direct interface to encoder inputs, limit switches, and fault indicators without external logic. According to the PIC16C7X datasheet, the PWM modules support up to 10-bit duty resolution, sufficient for variable-speed drives from 100 Hz to 25 kHz. Brown-out reset protects motor parameters in noisy 24V-bus derived 5V supplies typical of industrial cabinets.
Recommended
HVAC Actuator Interface
In HVAC actuator interfaces, the PIC16C74A-10/P reads thermistor or 4-20 mA sensor signals through its 8-channel ADC and drives damper/servo outputs via PWM. The wide 4V to 5.5V supply range accommodates 5V linear regulators fed from 24V HVAC rails. Built-in USART supports BACnet or Modbus slave communication over RS-485 transceivers. The 35-instruction RISC core is well documented and supported by Microchip's MPLAB assembler and HI-TECH C compiler, simplifying IEC 60730 safety-class firmware development. The 192-byte RAM is sufficient for PID state variables, sensor filtering, and protocol buffers in typical HVAC zone controller designs.
Recommended
Security System Controller
Security system panels benefit from the PIC16C74A-10/P's 33 I/O count, which accommodates multiple zone inputs (PIR, door contact, glass-break), keypad scanning, and siren/strobe output drivers without external mux ICs. The integrated synchronous serial port (SSP) supports SPI EEPROMs for event-log storage, while the USART drives a central-station modem or GSM module. The OTP memory ensures firmware cannot be tampered with by simple external reprogramming, an advantage for anti-tamper applications. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset protect against code runaway and supply glitches, both critical for UL-listed security installations requiring continuous fault monitoring.
Recommended
Instrumentation Front-End
Test and measurement front-ends use the PIC16C74A-10/P to digitize analog signals via its 8-channel ADC, drive character LCDs through parallel PORTD/PORTE pins, and stream readings over UART to a host PC. The 10 MHz instruction cycle supports >20 kHz ADC sampling for low-bandwidth vibration and strain-gauge measurement. On-chip comparators and capture modules enable frequency-to-count conversion for tachometer inputs. The 7 KB OTP program memory accommodates calibration tables and linearization routines needed in sensor signal conditioning paths. RoHS-compliant PDIP packaging allows hand-soldered prototype construction common in lab instrumentation.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
Washing machines, dishwashers, and small kitchen equipment leverage the PIC16C74A-10/P's integrated peripherals to replace discrete logic: timers drive motor phases, ADC monitors water level/temperature, PWM modulates heater elements, and I/O reads button matrix and rotary encoders. The 5V supply rail simplifies power supply design using low-cost linear regulators from rectified mains. The 33 I/O count accommodates all user-interface and load-control wiring in a single chip, reducing BOM cost. Microchip's mature MPLAB toolchain and reference designs shorten consumer appliance time-to-production, while OTP memory prevents unauthorized cloning of firmware in cost-sensitive high-volume products.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Modules
Aftermarket automotive modules such as gauge clusters, alarm systems, and auxiliary lighting drivers use the PIC16C74A-10/P at its 4V to 5.5V supply range, which is compatible with 12V vehicle electrical systems after regulation. The 8-channel ADC reads multiple sensor inputs (temperature, voltage, switch positions) while the PWM modules drive LED dimmers and motor actuators. The 33 I/O count supports matrix keypads and RGB indicator rings without external expanders. Operating temperature of -40C to +85C covers under-dash and engine-bay-adjacent installations. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure reliable operation across automotive cranking transients typical of 12V lead-acid battery systems.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74A-10/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74A-10/L | PIC16C74B-20I/P | PIC16F74-I/P | PIC16F877A-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin CERDIP (windowed) | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (7 KB) | Windowed EPROM (7 KB, prototype use) | OTP (7 KB) | Flash (7 KB) | Flash (14 KB) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes |
| ADC | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 8-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Supply Voltage | 4 V to 5.5 V | 4 V to 5.5 V | 4 V to 5.5 V | 4 V to 5.5 V | 4 V to 5.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | Production (legacy) | Active (recommended replacement) | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Higher CPU performance (vs PIC16C74A-04I/P)
- Re-programmable flash memory (vs PIC16F74-I/P)
- More program memory and RAM (vs PIC16F877A-I/P)
Design Notes
Decouple both VDD pins (pin 11 and pin 32) with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each pin, plus a single 10 uF bulk electrolytic near the package. The PIC16C74A-10/P draws up to 25 mA active at 10 MHz and 5 V; ensure the regulator provides 50% headroom for transient spikes. Tie MCLR/VPP (pin 1) high through a 10 kohm resistor and add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity, per Microchip PIC16C7X datasheet section on reset circuitry. Do not power the MCU through long wire harnesses without local bulk capacitance.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 13-14) as short as possible and keep them away from PORTC switching lines to avoid coupling noise into the system clock. Use a guarded ground ring around the crystal can to reduce EMI. For through-hole PDIP prototypes, place a ground plane on the opposite PCB side to give the MCU a low-impedance return path; this also helps dissipate the small amount of heat (~125 mW at full speed). Avoid running high-current traces under the IC to prevent ground-bounce during switching events.
Do not assume code compiled for PIC16F74 will run on PIC16C74A without checking oscillator configuration bits and watchdog enable state - the C-variant uses different CONFIG word addresses. When designing with the OTP variant, ensure firmware is fully validated on a windowed PIC16C74A-10/L before committing to OTP programming, because OTP cannot be erased. Brown-out reset must be enabled in the configuration word for reliable 5V industrial operation; leaving BOR disabled risks corrupted EEPROM variables during power dips.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial grade MCU. Choose PIC16F77 automotive-grade variants for AEC-Q100 requirements.
