PIC16C770-I/SO - 8-Bit CMOS MCU, 20MHz, 3.5KB OTP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C770-I/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.65 | $4.65 |
| 10 | $4.19 | $41.90 |
| 100 | $3.72 | $372.00 |
| 500 | $3.34 | $1,670.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.98 | $2,980.00 |
PIC16C770-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory, RAM, and peripheral set, used to embed control logic directly into a product. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16C770 belongs to the 8-bit MCU class, which itself is a subcategory of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors. The PIC16 mid-range family sits between the baseline PIC10/12/16C5X and the enhanced PIC17/PIC18 families, balancing code density, peripheral integration, and cost.
Key features of the PIC16C770 include 6 channels of 12-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion (enabling high-precision sensor measurement without external ADC circuitry), a 200 ns instruction cycle, an integrated oscillator option, and on-chip peripherals typical of the PIC16 mid-range family such as timers, a watchdog timer, and a synchronous/asynchronous serial port. The 12-bit ADC resolution is unusual for a general-purpose 8-bit MCU, allowing the device to discriminate very small analog signal changes.
The architecture combines a Harvard bus structure (separate program and data paths) with CMOS process technology, delivering deterministic interrupt latency and very low standby current. Because the part uses OTP EPROM rather than Flash, firmware is committed during production programming and cannot be field-updated, which is appropriate for high-volume, cost-sensitive, closed-spec products where firmware is stable.
Typical applications include industrial sensor signal conditioning with on-chip 12-bit ADC, motor-control feedback loops, automotive body and chassis subsystems, embedded control subsystems in white goods and HVAC equipment, and analog front-end interfaces for instrumentation. The 6-channel 12-bit ADC particularly suits multi-sensor platforms where board area and BOM cost must be minimized.
When designing with this part, plan OTP programming into the production flow and verify code protection bits to prevent unauthorized firmware read-back. Confirm the 20-pin SOIC land pattern matches the chosen footprint variant (0.295" / 7.50mm body width) and budget adequate decoupling near VDD to keep the ADC SNR within datasheet limits.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, parametric pricing, and design considerations for the PIC16C770-I/SO in a single engineering reference, beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C770-I/SO β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C770-I/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C770T-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C770-E/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F76-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876A-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C770-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes |
| CPU Speed (Max) | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 6 channels |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (0.295" / 7.50mm body width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, "-I") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16C770-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 β PORTA bit 3 / analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4 β PORTA bit 4 / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β PORTB bit 6 / in-circuit debug clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β PORTB bit 7 / in-circuit debug data |
| Pin 14 | VSS β Ground reference (second bond pin) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 β Oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C770-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Motor Control Feedback Loops, HVAC and White Goods Control, Automotive Body and Chassis Subsystems, Analog Front-End Interface for Instrumentation, Embedded Control Subsystems.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C770-I/SO fits industrial multi-channel sensor conditioning because its 6-channel 12-bit ADC delivers roughly 1 mV step resolution at a 5V reference, eliminating external ADC ICs. With 20MHz CPU and 200ns instruction cycle the device runs real-time linearization and averaging on strain-gauge, RTD, or thermocouple inputs while the 256-byte RAM buffers calibration tables. The 16 GPIO handle digital sensors and optocoupler inputs alongside the analog channels. Operating from 4.0V to 5.5V, the part pairs with 5V industrial sensor rails directly. Designers should budget a precision 5V reference for the ADC VREF+ pin to maintain the 12-bit linearity budget over the industrial -40C to +85C range.
Recommended
Motor Control Feedback Loops
The PIC16C770-I/SO is a strong fit for closed-loop motor control feedback because its 20MHz CPU executes PID calculations in 200ns per instruction, easily supporting 10kHz control loops on small BLDC or stepper motors. The 12-bit ADC quantizes back-EMF or current-sense signals with sufficient resolution for smooth torque control, while the 16 GPIO drive H-bridge enable lines, encoder inputs, and fault outputs. The 4V-5.5V supply rail matches typical motor-driver logic domains. Place a 10uF bulk plus 0.1uF ceramic near VDD and route the analog sense traces away from switching node edges to keep ADC SNR within datasheet limits.
Recommended
HVAC and White Goods Control
The PIC16C770-I/SO serves HVAC and white-goods controllers where multi-sensor analog inputs, modest compute, and cost dominate. Its 6-channel 12-bit ADC reads thermistor, pressure, and humidity sensors simultaneously, while the 20MHz PIC16 mid-range core schedules valve and compressor drivers via PWM timers. OTP EPROM ensures firmware cannot be tampered with in the field, an advantage for sealed appliance controllers. The industrial -40C to +85C grade covers appliance back-panel environments, and the 20-pin SOIC footprint fits compact control boards. Designers should add watchdog timer enable in firmware to recover from brown-out events during compressor inrush.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis Subsystems
The PIC16C770-I/SO (industrial grade) is suited to non-safety automotive body electronics such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting modules. The 12-bit ADC handles multi-channel position feedback, the 16 GPIO drive relays and indicator LEDs, and the PIC16 architecture has decades of proven automotive field reliability. For under-hood or safety-critical modules choose the PIC16C770-E/SO extended-temperature variant. The 5V supply rails align with traditional automotive body electrical systems, and the OTP memory locks firmware against unauthorized modification. Validate ESD and load-dump protection per OEM requirements around the MCU supply pins.
Recommended
Analog Front-End Interface for Instrumentation
The PIC16C770-I/SO is well-matched as a low-cost analog front-end controller in bench-top instrumentation, data loggers, and process meters. Its 12-bit ADC outperforms most PIC16 peers and eliminates an external ADC in many designs, reducing BOM cost by 1 to 2 USD per board. The 20MHz CPU handles linearization, peak detection, and Modbus or serial output formatting in real time. The 256-byte RAM supports small rolling buffers for sample averaging, while OTP memory secures calibration constants. Add a low-offset op-amp buffer between high-impedance sensor sources and the ADC AN0-AN5 pins to preserve the 12-bit INL specification.
Recommended
Embedded Control Subsystems
The PIC16C770-I/SO works as a dedicated peripheral controller inside larger systems - handling keypad scanning, LCD drive, and analog sensor reading as an I/O expander with on-board intelligence. The 16 GPIO and 12-bit ADC cover most panel-interface requirements, and the 35-instruction PIC16 RISC set is easy to bring up on legacy codebases. Operating from 5V, it interfaces directly with TTL-level host buses without level shifters. The OTP memory and small SOIC footprint suit space-constrained daughter cards. Designers should reserve a UART or I2C connection to the host processor for command and diagnostic traffic.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C770-I/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C770-I/SP | PIC16C770T-I/SO | PIC16C770-E/SO | PIC16F76-I/SO | PIC16F876A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (0.295") | 20-pin PDIP (same family) | 20-pin SOIC - same | 20-pin SOIC - same | 20-pin SOIC - same footprint | 28-pin SOIC - upgraded |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit Flash | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit Flash |
| Program Memory | 3.5KB OTP EPROM | 3.5KB OTP EPROM | 3.5KB OTP EPROM | 3.5KB OTP EPROM | 14KB Flash | 14KB Flash |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip 12-bit ADC with 6 channels - higher resolution than most PIC16 mid-range peers (vs PIC16F76-I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade rating for harsh environments (vs PIC16C770-E/SO)
- OTP EPROM firmware lockdown for tamper-resistant designs (vs PIC16F876A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) of the PIC16C770-I/SO, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same 5V rail within 25 mm. The 12-bit ADC draws fast transient currents during the sample-and-hold acquisition, and inadequate decoupling directly degrades ADC SNR by several LSBs. Use a star-ground topology tying the MCU VSS pins to a single low-impedance ground pour rather than daisy-chaining through signal grounds.
Estimated: at maximum CPU activity of 20 MHz with all peripherals enabled and I/O sourcing 20 mA total, the PIC16C770-I/SO dissipates well under 200 mW, so the SOIC-20 thermal resistance (theta_JA approximately 80 C/W on a 1 oz 4-layer board) yields a junction-to-ambient rise under 16 C. No heatsink is required. Industrial environments above +85 C ambient remain within spec because the I grade rating provides adequate margin. Verify with a thermocouple measurement during worst-case firmware burn-in for safety-critical designs.
Route the analog inputs AN0-AN5 (PORTA pins 17, 18, 1, 2, 3, 4) away from the OSC1/OSC2 oscillator traces and the MCLR reset line to minimize clock feedthrough into the ADC sample window. Keep analog traces short and guard them with a ground pour on both sides of the PCB. If using an external 5V reference for the ADC, place its 0.1 uF bypass within 3 mm of the VREF+ pin and use a star connection from the reference to the ADC pin to avoid IR drop.
Do not assume the PIC16C770-I/SO can be re-programmed in-circuit; OTP EPROM allows only a single programming cycle before the part must be replaced, so use a socketed device or a development PIC16F-series equivalent during firmware bring-up. Always configure the MCLR pin as a reset input (not as a digital I/O) unless your system requires it as a digital input, and place a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD on MCLR to ensure a defined power-on reset state.
When using the 12-bit ADC at 20 MHz CPU clock, ensure the ADC acquisition time is correctly programmed to meet the source-impedance RC requirement. Each AN-input pin presents a small sample capacitance that must charge through the source resistance during the acquisition window; failure to program adequate acquisition time causes gain errors of up to several LSBs. Add a low-pass RC buffer (typically 1 kohm + 100 pF) between high-impedance sensors and the AN inputs to isolate the sample capacitor.
Compliance Information
PIC16C770 is an established OTP EPROM device with mature Microchip datasheet; specific RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not present in provided data and marked [DATA_NEEDED] in specs. AEC-Q100 not applicable to this industrial-grade part; for automotive safety-critical modules confirm with OEM-specific Microchip automotive part numbers.
