PIC16C771-I/SS - 8-bit 20MHz MCU, 7KB OTP, 12-bit ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C771-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.5 | $7.50 |
| 10 | $6.85 | $68.50 |
| 100 | $6.2 | $620.00 |
| 500 | $5.55 | $2,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.95 | $4,950.00 |
PIC16C771-I/SS Overview
What is a PIC16C microcontroller? The PIC16C family is a legacy line of 8-bit OTP-programmable microcontrollers from Microchip Technology based on a RISC Harvard architecture. An 8-bit MCU executes one byte per instruction cycle, providing deterministic timing suitable for embedded control. Positioned in the taxonomy: PIC16C771 -> PIC16C family -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The PIC16C771 is a mid-range PIC16 device with 14-bit instruction word width, offering a balance of code density, peripheral integration, and I/O count for cost-sensitive industrial and consumer designs.
Key features include 16 digital I/O pins, a 12-bit ADC (6 channels), two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, a USART for serial communication, and a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C master/slave modes. The device operates from 2.5V to 5.5V, supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and includes programmable code protection. The I/SS industrial temperature grade supports -40C to +85C operation, suitable for harsh environments.
From an architectural perspective, the PIC16C771 employs a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand read in a single cycle. Its 14-bit instruction word provides compact code representation, and the 8-level deep hardware stack simplifies interrupt handling. OTP memory enables low-cost prototyping with quick turnaround for production runs under ~10K units.
Typical applications include industrial sensor signal conditioning, precision temperature and pressure measurement, motor control feedback loops, analog front-end interfaces for instrumentation, and embedded control nodes where on-chip 12-bit ADC resolution eliminates external converters. The wide I/O count makes it well suited for keypad scanning, LCD driving, and small multi-sensor nodes.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling capacitors (0.1uF ceramic) are placed within 5mm of the VDD pins, and consider using ICSP for field updates during prototyping. Note that OTP memory cannot be erased electrically - use flash-based PIC16F equivalents for re-programmable designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C771-I/SS — 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 PIC16C771-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, ADC, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C771T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C771-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C770-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C717-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C771-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present (OTP family) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit, 6 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Digital I/O Pins | 16 |
| Communication | USART, SSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP supported |
| Programmable Code Protection | Yes |
PIC16C771-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RA5 — Master Clear / Programming voltage / I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS/AN4 — Port A bit 5 / SPI slave select / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| 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 voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16C771-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Precision Temperature Measurement, Motor Control Feedback Loops, Analog Front-End for Instrumentation, Embedded Keypad and LCD Control Nodes, Battery-Powered Sensor Transmitters.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C771-I/SS's 12-bit ADC with 6 input channels makes it well suited for multi-sensor industrial measurement nodes that require simultaneous digitization of strain gauges, thermocouples, or pressure transducers. The 20 MHz CPU delivers 5 MIPS, enabling real-time linearization, cold-junction compensation, and digital filtering on each ADC channel. With 256 bytes RAM, the device can buffer several 12-bit samples before forwarding results over USART to a host controller. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range supports direct interface to 3.3 V or 5 V sensor bridges. Compared with an 8-bit ADC MCU, the 12-bit resolution provides 16x more code steps, reducing quantisation error in closed-loop industrial control applications where every LSB of ADC precision matters.
Recommended
Precision Temperature Measurement
The PIC16C771-I/SS supports precision temperature measurement using external RTD or thermocouple sensors paired with its 12-bit ADC. The 6 analog input channels allow multi-zone temperature monitoring, while the 16-bit timer/counter enables precise ADC sampling intervals for noise rejection. With the synchronous serial port (SSP), the device can interface with external EEPROM for logging calibration constants and temperature history. According to Microchip application notes, combining the 12-bit ADC with software oversampling can yield effective resolution approaching 14-bit. The -40C to +85C industrial operating range matches the environmental envelope of most process-control and HVAC equipment, while the SSOP-20 footprint enables compact PCB designs.
Recommended
Motor Control Feedback Loops
The PIC16C771-I/SS provides feedback-loop computation for small DC motor controllers by sampling current-sense and back-EMF voltages through its 12-bit ADC at up to 6 channels. The 16-bit timer/counter with capture/compare supports PWM generation for closed-loop speed or torque control. At 20 MHz CPU clock (5 MIPS), the device executes PID control loops with sample periods under 200 microseconds, sufficient for low-to-medium bandwidth motor control. The USART provides communication with a master controller for command updates and telemetry. Per Microchip motor-control reference patterns, this PIC16C family part is appropriate for brushed DC motors, small stepper drives, and BLDC trapezoidal commutation up to a few hundred watts.
Recommended
Analog Front-End for Instrumentation
The PIC16C771-I/SS acts as a low-cost analog front end for laboratory and field instrumentation, replacing dedicated external ADCs with its 12-bit on-chip converter. The 6 analog input channels accept simultaneous signals from instrumentation amplifiers, while the 256 bytes of RAM provide sample buffering for averaging algorithms. Designers can implement digital filtering (moving average, median, IIR) directly on the MCU without needing an external DSP. According to Microchip, the PIC16C771's 12-bit ADC has typical integral non-linearity below +/- 1 LSB, suitable for industrial data-acquisition modules. The SSOP-20 package and 2.5-5.5 V supply allow direct connection to 5 V analog front ends common in test equipment.
Recommended
Embedded Keypad and LCD Control Nodes
The PIC16C771-I/SS with its 16 digital I/O pins can scan up to a 4x4 matrix keypad (8 pins) while driving a parallel character LCD (6 pins) and still retaining two pins for serial communication or interrupt inputs. The 7 KB program memory holds keypad debounce state machines, LCD menu rendering, and simple command interpreters without external memory. At 20 MHz, the device refreshes the LCD at well above the 50 Hz flicker threshold. Per Microchip application note patterns, this PIC16C part is commonly deployed in security keypads, HVAC thermostat interfaces, and small industrial HMI panels where 16 I/O is sufficient and OTP memory cost savings apply.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16C771-I/SS is suitable for low-duty-cycle battery-powered sensor transmitters because it operates down to 2.5 V, allowing continued operation as primary cells discharge. The integrated 12-bit ADC digitizes sensor data with sufficient resolution for remote telemetry, while the USART or SSP ports feed low-power radio modules such as sub-1 GHz transceivers. Sleep current is minimised by stopping the CPU between measurements, with the watchdog timer or external interrupt waking the device. According to Microchip low-power application guidance, average current draw of under 100 microamps is achievable for periodic-sensing applications. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range covers outdoor remote-sensor deployments, while OTP memory cost savings apply at volume.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C771-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C771T-I/SS | PIC16F876A-I/SS | PIC16C770-I/SS | PIC16C717-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-20 | SSOP-20 (same) | SSOP-20 (same) | SSOP-20 (same) | SSOP-20 (same) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP (same die) | 14 KB Flash | 4 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit (same) | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| ADC Channels | 6 | 6 (same) | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes (same) | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Memory Type | OTP | OTP (same) | Flash | OTP | OTP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C (same) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC with 6 channels vs 10-bit/5-channel on PIC16C770 (vs PIC16C770-I/SS)
- 12-bit ADC vs 10-bit ADC in flash-based drop-in alternative (vs PIC16F876A-I/SS)
- 7 KB OTP program memory vs 2 KB on PIC16C717 (vs PIC16C717-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple the PIC16C771-I/SS with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20), and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or electrolytic capacitor on the supply rail. According to Microchip hardware design guidelines, proper decoupling prevents logic errors during high-current transitions in the I/O drivers. The -I industrial grade part supports 2.5 V to 5.5 V operation; for 3.3 V systems ensure regulator tolerance remains within spec across temperature. Estimated: at 20 MHz clock, core current consumption is approximately 10-15 mA, plus I/O sink/source contributions.
Route the crystal or resonator traces from OSC1 (pin 9) and OSC2 (pin 10) as short and symmetric as possible, with a ground guard ring on both sides to reduce noise coupling. Place the crystal within 5 mm of the MCU to minimise parasitic capacitance. Keep high-speed switching traces (PWM, SPI clock) away from the oscillator area. Per Microchip layout guidance, an RC oscillator option is available for cost-sensitive designs where frequency accuracy below 1 percent is acceptable.
Do not forget the MCLR pull-up resistor on pin 1; the MCLR input requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation and must be driven low only during ICSP programming. According to Microchip application notes, omitting the MCLR pull-up causes intermittent resets and unreliable startup. Also note that OTP memory cannot be electrically erased; verify firmware thoroughly before programming production parts. For prototypes that may need firmware revisions, choose the PIC16F876A-I/SS drop-in alternative with flash memory instead.
When using the 12-bit ADC, add a small RC low-pass filter (typically 1 kohm + 100 nF) on each analog input to prevent switching noise from digital I/O lines from coupling into the ADC sample. The PIC16C771 ADC acquisition time requires the internal sample-and-hold capacitor to charge fully; allow at least 19.7 microseconds at 20 MHz clock before initiating conversion for full 12-bit accuracy. According to Microchip datasheet ADC timing diagrams, insufficient acquisition time degrades effective ADC resolution by 1-2 LSB.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals compliance not explicitly confirmed in the verified web data sources. The PIC16C771 is a legacy OTP part originally released before widespread RoHS adoption; designers should request the latest manufacturer declaration of conformity before production commit. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not available for this part.
