PIC16C773-E/SP - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB OTP MCU 12-bit ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C773-E/SP β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.4 | $9.40 |
| 10 | $8.46 | $84.60 |
| 100 | $7.52 | $752.00 |
| 500 | $6.58 | $3,290.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.64 | $5,640.00 |
PIC16C773-E/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable integrated circuit that combines a CPU, memory, and peripherals on a single die. The PIC16C architecture is a Harvard RISC design, separating program and data buses to allow simultaneous instruction fetch and operand access, which improves throughput over von-Neumann designs. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16C family falls under microcontrollers, a sub-category of microprocessors and digital ICs. The 16C series uses OTP EPROM technology, meaning each chip is one-time field-programmable and retains code without a window (unlike the JW ceramic-windowed variants used for prototyping).
Key features include 22 digital I/O pins, three timer/counters, a synchronous/asynchronous USART with 9-bit address detection, a 12-bit ADC with 6 channels, and a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module. The integrated 12-bit ADC provides 4096 discrete steps, enabling discrimination of small analog signal changes without external signal-conditioning circuitry. Brown-out Reset (BOR) circuitry and a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator enhance reliability in unattended or electrically noisy environments. The device operates from 4.0V to 5.5V supply and supports In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) via two pins, allowing firmware updates after PCB assembly.
Typical applications include industrial process-control sensor interfaces, HVAC damper/valve actuators, multi-channel data acquisition front-ends, instrumentation panels with keypad/display, and embedded motor-control interfaces. The extended temperature range makes it suitable for outdoor or under-hood industrial environments.
When designing with this device, ensure VDD decoupling includes both bulk (e.g. 10 uF) and high-frequency (100 nF) capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins. For ADC accuracy, add a 10 uF + 100 nF analog supply (AVDD) bypass network. The OTP nature means firmware cannot be erased; use JW windowed parts for development cycles and only move to OTP for production runs.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, parametric cross-references, and engineering design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C773-E/SP 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 PIC16C773-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Product Type, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F873-I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873-E/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876A-I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-20I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73A-10I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C76-20I/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$8.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C773-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC16C (Harvard RISC) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present (OTP family) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (5 MIPS) |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 6 channels |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (extended, -E suffix) |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication | USART (SCI), SSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | Yes (1 CCP module) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT with on-chip RC) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
PIC16C773-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 9 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / T1 clock in |
| Pin 10 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 11 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 12 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 13 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 14 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 15 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 16 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 17 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 18 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RB3/PGM β PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage ICSP programming |
| Pin 21 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 24 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 25 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | VDD β Positive supply (4.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 27 | AVSS β Analog ground |
| Pin 28 | AVDD β Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16C773-E/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Process Control Sensor Interface, HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator Controller, Multi-Channel Data Acquisition Front-End, Instrumentation Panel with Keypad and LCD, Embedded Motor Control Interface Board, Smart Sensor / IoT Edge Node, Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Module.
Industrial Process Control Sensor Interface
The PIC16C773-E/SP fits multi-channel industrial sensor interface boards because its 12-bit 6-channel ADC provides 4096 discrete codes for accurate pressure, temperature, and flow measurements, while the -40C to +125C extended operating temperature supports outdoor panel installations and factory-floor enclosures. The 22 digital I/O pins handle discrete sensor inputs and actuator outputs without external I/O expanders. The USART enables Modbus RTU or proprietary serial communication to a PLC or HMI master. With 7 KB of OTP program memory, the part can hold a complete PID loop control algorithm plus a sensor linearization table. Brown-out Reset and Watchdog Timer circuitry guard against brown-out-induced code corruption in electrically noisy industrial environments.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator Controller
HVAC damper and valve actuators benefit from the PIC16C773-E/SP because the 12-bit ADC accurately reads thermistor or RTD sensor bridges, while the Capture/Compare/PWM module drives triac phase-control or PWM servo motor outputs directly. The PWM channel can be software-configured from a few Hz to tens of kHz, supporting both slow damper modulation and faster proportional valve control. The extended -40C to +125C operating range covers rooftop unit, chiller plant, and boiler room environments. With 256 bytes of RAM, the controller can buffer a Modbus transaction, a calibration table, and the actuator setpoint state machine simultaneously without external memory.
Recommended
Multi-Channel Data Acquisition Front-End
Data-acquisition front-ends use the PIC16C773-E/SP to digitize multiple analog signals concurrently because the 12-bit ADC with 6 input channels offers 4096-step resolution without external signal conditioning. The internal sample-and-hold and programmable acquisition time allow direct connection to slow-settling sensor outputs. The USART streams samples to a host PC or embedded gateway at up to several ksamples/s depending on baud rate. The 7 KB OTP holds channel-sequencing logic, calibration coefficients, and a small command interpreter. The Watchdog Timer ensures unattended data loggers recover automatically from firmware lockup due to EMI-induced glitches in field installations.
Recommended
Instrumentation Panel with Keypad and LCD
Bench and panel instrumentation benefits from the PIC16C773-E/SP because the 22 digital I/O pins can matrix-scan a 4x4 keypad (8 lines) and drive a character LCD in 4-bit mode (6 lines) plus status LEDs, with margin for relay or buzzer outputs. The 12-bit ADC delivers calibrated panel-meter accuracy for voltage, current, or temperature readouts. The extended temperature range ensures panel instruments work in cold rooms, foundries, or outdoor test bays. The 7 KB OTP fits menu-driven UI state machines, calibration routines, and serial command parsers, while the Watchdog Timer recovers from keypad-lockup or static-discharge-induced firmware hang.
Recommended
Embedded Motor Control Interface Board
The PIC16C773-E/SP can serve as a motor-control interface MCU that reads encoder or Hall-sensor inputs, computes speed/position, and generates PWM drive signals for a downstream power stage. The Capture/Compare/PWM module produces complementary PWM with programmable dead-time when paired with the timer peripherals. The 12-bit ADC samples DC-bus current and back-EMF for closed-loop torque control. The USART exposes a SCPI-style command set for benchtop motor drives. The -40C to +125C extended grade covers industrial cabinet installations near variable-frequency drives. The 7 KB OTP holds a full PID loop, ramp generator, and serial command parser for production deployment.
Recommended
Smart Sensor / IoT Edge Node
IoT edge nodes benefit from the PIC16C773-E/SP because the 12-bit ADC delivers precise sensor digitization, the USART bridges to a Wi-Fi or LoRa module, and the extended -40C to +125C temperature range supports outdoor and industrial deployments. The 22 digital I/O pins handle multiple sensor types (digital, analog, I2C peripherals) without external glue logic. The 256-byte RAM is adequate to buffer short telemetry packets before forwarding to the radio. The Brown-out Reset prevents corruption during low-battery or solar-power brown-outs common in remote sensor installations. The OTP nature makes code duplication trivial for high-volume sensor rollouts.
Recommended
Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Module
Automotive under-hood modules requiring extended temperature endurance benefit from the PIC16C773-E/SP. The -E grade operates continuously at +125C junction temperatures encountered near engine blocks and exhaust manifolds. The 12-bit ADC handles multiple analog inputs such as oil pressure, coolant temperature, and manifold absolute pressure, while the USART transmits a CAN-style or LIN-bus protocol via an external transceiver. The 22 I/O pins drive indicator LEDs, relay coils, and discrete sensor inputs. Note: this part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive designs the PIC16C773 must be paired with an external safety MCU or qualified with the auto-grade PIC16F family member instead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C773-E/SP β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F873-I/SP | PIC16F873-E/SP | PIC16F876A-I/SP | PIC16C73B-20I/SP | PIC16C76-20I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 5 KB OTP EPROM | 14 KB OTP EPROM |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (-E) | -40C to +85C (-I) | -40C to +125C (-E) | -40C to +85C (-I) | -40C to +85C (-I) | -40C to +85C (-I) |
| Code Update In Field | No (OTP) | Yes (Flash) | Yes (Flash) | Yes (Flash) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC with 6 channels vs 10-bit in PIC16F873 family (vs PIC16F873-I/SP)
- Lower per-unit cost at high volume due to OTP die simplicity (vs PIC16F873-E/SP)
- Industry-standard OTP platform with long-term Microchip support (vs PIC16C773-E/SP itself vs PIC16C73B-20I/SP)
Design Notes
Place both 100 nF and 10 uF (or larger) decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of VDD and AVSS/AVDD pins to suppress switching transients from the internal ADC and core logic. A separate analog supply trace from AVDD back to the regulator (not a branch from VDD) reduces ADC noise coupling. For multi-channel ADC sampling at high rates, an additional ferrite bead between VDD and AVDD is recommended.
The PIC16C773 is OTP EPROM - code cannot be erased or rewritten after programming. Always develop firmware on a JW (windowed) CERDIP variant or PIC16F873-I/SP equivalent, then port the validated hex to the -E/SP OTP part for production. Blowing the wrong code into OTP parts results in scrap. Verify oscillator configuration bits, brown-out reset threshold, and watchdog enable settings before programming.
When migrating from PIC16C773 to PIC16F873 in the same 28-pin SPDIP footprint, verify that the ICSP pin assignments remain compatible (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD, MCLR/VPP). Both families share these assignments but check the LVP (Low-Voltage Programming) bit is configured consistently. Maintain a 100 nF capacitor on MCLR/VPP for proper reset behaviour, even if no in-system programming is intended.
The 28-pin SPDIP package has a thermal resistance of approximately 70 C/W junction-to-ambient. At maximum quiescent current (~5 mA at 20 MHz, 5V) the device dissipates ~25 mW, resulting in a negligible ~1.7 C temperature rise - thermal management is not critical at typical operating currents. Verify the absolute maximum ratings if the design sources significant current through I/O pins, as each I/O pin is rated to source/sink 25 mA maximum.
Compliance Information
Standard -E/SP through-hole SPDIP variant uses SnPb terminations and is not RoHS compliant. Microchip offers Pb-free equivalents in the PIC16F family for new designs. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F automotive-grade equivalent for automotive applications. REACH compliance per Microchip product declaration.
