PIC16C74A-20E/PQ - 8-Bit CMOS MCU, 7KB OTP, 33 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74A-20E/PQ ⚠ Last Time Buy| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14.5 | $14.50 |
| 10 | $12.95 | $129.50 |
| 100 | $11.2 | $1,120.00 |
| 500 | $9.85 | $4,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.4 | $8,400.00 |
PIC16C74A-20E/PQ Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, integrating CPU, program memory, RAM, and peripherals into one IC. It belongs to the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> microcontrollers (MCU) -> embedded computing -> semiconductors. The PIC16C7X family specifically targets cost-sensitive embedded control designs requiring on-chip A/D conversion, timers, synchronous/asynchronous serial ports, and parallel I/O in a single device.
Key features include 33 digital I/O pins across five ports, 25/25 mA high sink/source current capability per pin, an instruction set of only 35 single-word instructions with all single-cycle except program branches (two cycles), and three timer/counter modules. Brown-out reset and a watchdog timer enhance field reliability. The 'E' suffix indicates the extended industrial temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C.
Architecture-wise, the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ uses a Harvard RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word and separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access in one cycle. The integrated successive-approximation A/D converter supports 8 channels with 8-bit resolution, and dual analog comparators plus a Capture/Compare/PWM module make it suitable for closed-loop control.
Typical applications include industrial process control nodes, automotive body controllers (extended temp), appliance motor control, smart sensor signal conditioning, and embedded data acquisition systems. The high-current I/O allows direct LED and relay drive without buffers.
When designing with this part, ensure Vdd decoupling with a 100 nF ceramic close to the pins and respect the maximum clock frequency (20 MHz at 4.0–6.0 V). OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit, so production programming via ICSP is required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16C7X family, and practical design notes not found in the original Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74A-20E/PQ — 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-20E/PQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Core Architecture, Watchdog Timer, ADC, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C74A-20/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-20I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-04/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-10/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74AT-20E/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C67-20E/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74A-20E/PQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC16C mid-range RISC |
| Program Memory (ROM) | 7 KB OTP EPROM |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 192 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (extended 'E') |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8-channel, 8-bit |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA per pin |
| Standby Current (typ) | 15 µA at 5 V, 4 MHz; 1 µA at 3 V, 32 kHz |
| Package | 44-pin MQFP (Metric Quad Flat Pack) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Extended-temp; check lot for lead-free status |
PIC16C74A-20E/PQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (reset, active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / analog channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref — Port A bit 3 / analog channel 3 / A/D Vref+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / analog channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 20 | Vdd — Positive supply |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 29 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 30 | Vdd — Positive supply |
| Pin 31 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 32 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 33 | RD0/PSP0 — Port D bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | RD1/PSP1 — Port D bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RD2/PSP2 — Port D bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RD3/PSP3 — Port D bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RD4/PSP4 — Port D bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RD5/PSP5 — Port D bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RD6/PSP6 — Port D bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 40 | RD7/PSP7 — Port D bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 41 | RE0/RD/AN5 — Port E bit 0 / read control / analog channel 5 |
| Pin 42 | RE1/WR/AN6 — Port E bit 1 / write control / analog channel 6 |
| Pin 43 | RE2/CS/AN7 — Port E bit 2 / chip select / analog channel 7 |
| Pin 44 | AVss — Analog ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74A-20E/PQ is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Process Control Nodes, Automotive Body Controllers, Smart Sensor Signal Conditioning, Appliance Motor and PWM Control, Embedded Data Acquisition Systems, Educational and Hobbyist Robotics, Point-of-Sale Terminal Peripherals.
Industrial Process Control Nodes
The PIC16C74A-20E/PQ's 8-bit A/D converter, 33 I/O lines, and 25 mA sink/source capability suit it for distributed industrial sensor nodes measuring temperature, pressure, and flow in factory automation. The extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade allows deployment inside unheated enclosures or near motor-drive heat sources. The 20 MHz clock and 35-instruction RISC core deliver 5 MIPS, enabling PID loops and Modbus-style polling without external logic. A 100 nF ceramic Vdd decoupling capacitor close to pins and a 10 µF bulk cap on the analog supply are recommended for A/D accuracy.
Recommended
Automotive Body Controllers
Body and chassis controllers such as lighting modules, seat controllers, and HVAC actuators benefit from the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ's extended temperature range and high-current 25 mA per-pin drive, which can sink relays and LEDs directly. The Capture/Compare/PWM module generates the control signals for DC motor speed, and the integrated timers support multiplexed switch-scanning routines. Although this part is OTP and pre-AEC-Q100, the extended temperature grade keeps it in service for underhood and underbody retrofit applications where cost dominates the BOM.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C74A-20E/PQ's 8-channel 8-bit A/D combined with two analog comparators allows direct interfacing to thermocouples, RTDs, and bridge-style pressure sensors with on-chip excitation. The 192-byte RAM is sufficient for sensor linearization tables and the 7 KB OTP holds calibration coefficients. The 20 MHz CPU executes sample-and-average filters and serial-protocol output to a host PLC or HMI. A separate AVdd pin pair with its own LC filter is recommended to keep switching noise out of the A/D conversion.
Recommended
Appliance Motor and PWM Control
Brush-DC and small universal-motor controllers in washers, dryers, and kitchen appliances use the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ's Capture/Compare/PWM module for closed-loop speed control. The 25 mA sink/source I/O directly drives optocouplers and low-side FETs without external buffers, reducing the BOM. Five I/O ports give plenty of keypad, LED, and tachometer inputs. A typical 50 Hz or 60 Hz mains-isolated design runs the part at 4 MHz to minimize EMI, leaving 16 MHz headroom.
Recommended
Embedded Data Acquisition Systems
Standalone data loggers for environmental monitoring, energy metering, and remote telemetry leverage the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ's 8-bit A/D, three timers, and asynchronous serial port. The 7 KB OTP holds sampling schedules and Modbus-RTU framing, while the 192-byte RAM buffers samples between transmissions. Sleep current under 1 µA at 3 V (with WDT) allows battery-powered deployments lasting years. Brown-out reset prevents corrupted logs during power dips.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Robotics
The PIC16C74A-20E/PQ is popular in hobbyist robotics and university embedded courses because its 35-instruction RISC set is straightforward to teach and its 33 I/O pins can drive small DC servos, H-bridges, and IR sensors. The 20 MHz clock provides ample throughput for line-following and PID motor loops. The 44-MQFP package suits surface-mount breakout boards, and the ICSP programming header makes classroom flashing straightforward with PICkit tools.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal Peripherals
Bar-code scanners, receipt printers, and PIN-pad peripherals historically used the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ for keyboard scanning, LCD driving, and serial-port uplink. Its 25 mA per-pin capability directly drives LCD backlight transistors, while the 8-bit A/D reads battery voltage and temperature-compensation sensors. Although new POS designs use flash parts, this OTP variant remains in service in legacy retail terminals, with last-time-buy inventory available from authorized brokers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74A-20E/PQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74A-20/PQ | PIC16C74A-20I/PQ | PIC16C74A-04/PQ | PIC16C74A-10/PQ | PIC16C74AT-20E/PQ | PIC16C67-20E/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-MQFP | 44-MQFP - same | 44-MQFP - same | 44-MQFP - same | 44-MQFP - same | 44-MQFP - same | 44-MQFP - same |
| Max Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 8 KB OTP (no A/D) |
| A/D Converter | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | 8-ch, 8-bit | None |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E) | 0 to +70 C | -40 to +85 C (I) | 0 to +70 C | 0 to +70 C | -40 to +125 C (E) | -40 to +125 C (E) |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V | 4.0-6.0 V |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 to +125 C temperature grade (vs PIC16C74A-20/PQ)
- Highest 20 MHz clock in the PIC16C74A family (vs PIC16C74A-04/PQ)
- Integrated 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter (vs PIC16C67-20E/PQ)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V the PIC16C74A-20E/PQ draws about 15-25 mA. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each Vdd pin (44-MQFP has multiple Vdd pins at 20 and 30), plus a 10 µF bulk tantalum or ceramic on the main supply. Use a ferrite bead or LC filter between digital Vdd and analog AVdd to keep digital switching noise out of the A/D converter.
The 44-MQFP land pattern requires careful thermal relief on the pads to ease hand-rework and inspection. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) short and routed away from digital Port D traces and the parallel-slave-port bus. The MCLR/Vpp pin must have a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd; the ICSP clock and data lines (RB6/RB7) should each have a series resistor of about 4.7 kohm for in-circuit programming isolation.
Do not exceed 4.0 V minimum Vdd; operation below this trips brown-out reset. The 'E' suffix parts operate to +125 °C but with derated clock speed. Watchdog timer must be cleared in firmware or it will reset the MCU every ~18 ms nominal. Remember that OTP memory cannot be erased - use PIC16F74 for development and only migrate to PIC16C74A-20E/PQ for production.
For long-trace oscillator operation, place the crystal and its load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) within 5 mm of OSC1 and OSC2. Avoid routing the parallel slave port (RD0-RD7, RE0-RE2) near the oscillator to prevent capacitive crosstalk. If using the analog comparators, separate their inputs from digital switching signals by a guard trace tied to AVss.
Compliance Information
OTP EPROM PIC16C7X family predates AEC-Q100 qualification; not AEC-Q100 qualified. RoHS/lead-free status varies by lot - check manufacturer certificate for specific date code. Microchip product page recommends migration to PIC16F74 for new designs.
