PIC16C774/L - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB OTP MCU 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C774/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.55 | $8.55 |
| 10 | $7.69 | $76.90 |
| 100 | $6.84 | $684.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
PIC16C774/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (ROM/Flash/OTP), working RAM, peripherals, and I/O on one die. PIC® 16C is Microchip's classic mid-range 8-bit OTP (One-Time Programmable) family using a Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word. The PIC16C774 sits inside the broader product hierarchy: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC® 16C family -> PIC16C7x series, where it adds 12-bit A/D capability compared to the 8-bit ADC predecessors such as PIC16C73/74.
Key features include 10 channels of 12-bit-resolution Analog-to-Digital conversion, two 8-bit and one 16-bit timer/counter blocks, a USART with synchronous and asynchronous modes, an MSSP module supporting SPI and I2C, and a brown-out reset plus watchdog timer for reliable operation. The 12-bit ADC distinguishes signals as small as 1 mV on a 5V full-scale input, eliminating external signal-conditioning circuitry in many precision measurement applications.
The PIC16C774 uses Microchip's OTP one-time-programmable memory, meaning the program is written once at programming time and is non-erasable - a low-cost approach suited to mature, stable production designs where firmware revision churn is minimal. The 20MHz oscillator provides a 200 ns instruction cycle, sufficient for control loops and slow communication stacks.
Typical applications include industrial process control, instrumentation, multi-channel data acquisition front-ends, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and embedded control for office and white-goods equipment. The 10-channel 12-bit ADC makes it particularly attractive for sensor-hub roles where multiple analog transducers must be sampled simultaneously.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit; a flash-based PIC16F or PIC18F equivalent should be considered for prototyping or firmware-frequent designs. The 44-PLCC package requires a through-hole socket or a PLCC-44 SMT footprint, and the J-leads need careful pad geometry to avoid solder-bridging during reflow.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C774/L — 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 PIC16C774/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package, Mounting Type, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F77
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C774-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C774/JW
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F77T-I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMEGA8535-16AU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C774/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 16C, 8-bit Harvard RISC |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (at 20 MHz) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP |
| RAM | 256 x 8 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 10 channels x 12-bit |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Communication Peripherals | USART (sync/async), MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial, /L suffix) |
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-lead, 16.59 x 16.59 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
PIC16C774/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / ADC input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input 5 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RE0/AN6/RD — PORTE bit 0 / ADC input 6 / read control |
| Pin 8 | RE1/AN7/WR — PORTE bit 1 / ADC input 7 / write control |
| Pin 9 | RE2/AN8/CS — PORTE bit 2 / ADC input 8 / chip select |
| Pin 10 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 11 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive supply (4.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 13 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 14 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 15 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 16 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 17 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 20 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 21 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 22 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / clock in |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 24 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 26 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 27 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 29 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 30 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 31 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | AVDD — Analog supply (connect to VDD or filtered analog rail) |
| Pin 39 | AVSS — Analog ground (connect to VSS) |
| Pin 40 | VREF- — ADC negative reference |
| Pin 41 | VREF+ — ADC positive reference (could be tied to AVDD) |
| Pin 42 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (POCC-44 reserved pin, per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (PLCC-44 reserved pin, per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C774/L is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Process Control, Multi-Channel Data Acquisition, White Goods and Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics, Building Automation, Medical Monitoring Front-Ends, Test & Measurement Instruments.
Industrial Process Control
The PIC16C774/L fits industrial process-control PLCs and remote I/O modules because its 10-channel 12-bit ADC delivers 1.22 mV LSB resolution on a 5 V reference - adequate for direct thermocouple, 4-20 mA current-loop, and bridge-sensor interfaces without external instrumentation amplifiers. The 33 I/O pins drive relay coils, optocouplers, and isolated digital outputs. The 44-PLCC package, designed for socketed installation, simplifies field service and board-level rework. With OTP memory, validated firmware is locked in permanently, eliminating field reprogramming risk. USART and MSSP support enable RS-485 / Modbus RTU slave communication.
Recommended
Multi-Channel Data Acquisition
The 10-channel 12-bit ADC makes the PIC16C774/L ideal for data-acquisition front-ends digitizing strain gauges, pressure sensors, and thermistors in laboratory instruments. Each ADC conversion completes in approximately 4-20 us depending on clock pre-scaler, enabling aggregate throughput above 30 ksamples/s when channels are sequenced. The 256-byte RAM is sufficient for a 32-sample circular buffer plus scratch memory; for larger captures the USART streams data to a host processor. Commercial 0-70 C temperature range suits indoor bench-top instruments, while the -I/L variant is preferable for field-portable data loggers.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Control
Washing machines, dishwashers, and HVAC thermostat controllers benefit from the PIC16C774/L's combination of 33 I/O lines, multiple timers for motor PWM and triac firing, and ADC channels for temperature / humidity / water-level sensing. The 20 MHz CPU clock supports algorithm loops at 200 ns per instruction, sufficient for multi-axis triac phase-angle control and PID loops. OTP memory locks validated motor-control firmware permanently, eliminating tampering risk and reducing warranty returns. The commercial 0-70 C temperature window fits indoor appliance environments comfortably.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Non-safety body modules such as seat controllers, mirror positioners, and HVAC blend-door actuators can use the PIC16C774/L with -I/L industrial grade for environments down to -40 C. The USART interfaces to LIN / CAN-capable companion ICs, while the 12-bit ADC reads position potentiometers with sufficient resolution for smooth actuation. Because the part is in its last-time-buy window, automotive module designers in 2026 should validate PIC16F77 or PIC18F alternatives for new platforms to ensure long-term supply.
Recommended
Building Automation
Lighting controllers, occupancy-based HVAC nodes, and access-control readers use the PIC16C774/L to aggregate multiple analog sensor channels (light, CO2, temperature, PIR motion pre-amp) and drive relay / triac outputs. The MSSP peripheral drives I2C keypad / LCD front panels, while USART supports RS-485 multi-drop building networks. The 12-bit ADC at 1.22 mV resolution digitizes 0-5 V analog sensor outputs directly. The 44-PLCC J-lead package is socket-compatible for rapid module replacement in service loops.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Front-Ends
Patient monitors and portable medical devices use the PIC16C774/L's 10-channel 12-bit ADC to digitize ECG, SpO2, temperature, and respiration sensor channels. The 5 V supply range accommodates typical medical analog front-end chains, and the 200 ns instruction cycle supports basic DSP filtering on each sample. For new medical designs, however, regulatory path considerations favor migration to the PIC16F77 or PIC18 family to leverage Flash firmware revisions during FDA approval cycles.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Instruments
Bench-top multimeters, oscilloscope front-end controllers, and signal generators use the PIC16C774/L to drive user-interface keypads, rotary encoders, and character LCD displays while sampling multiple measurement channels. The MSSP peripheral in SPI mode connects to high-resolution external ADCs, and the USART streams results to USB-UART bridges. The 256-byte RAM and 7 KB OTP accommodate multi-screen menu firmware for laboratory-grade instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C774/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F77 | PIC16C774-I/L | PIC16C774/JW | PIC16F77T-I/L | ATmega8535-16AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (Atmel line) |
| Package | 44-PLCC | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same | 44-windowed CDIP - same pinout (windowed) | 44-PLCC - same | 44-TQFP - same pinout |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP (4K x 14) | 7 KB Flash | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB UV-erasable windowed | 7 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash |
| RAM | 256 x 8 bytes | 368 x 8 bytes | 256 x 8 bytes | 256 x 8 bytes | 368 x 8 bytes | 512 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 16 MHz |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 10 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Programming Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | Flash (in-circuit reprogrammable) | OTP | Windowed EPROM (UV-erasable) | Flash | Flash |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC vs PIC16C73/74 8-bit ADC (vs PIC16C73A-20I/SP)
- 33 I/O pins suitable for medium-density control (vs PIC16C65 (only 33 I/O but in 40-PDIP))
- Flash-based successor PIC16F77 is preferred for new designs (vs PIC16F77)
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC16C774/L draws up to 20 mA active at 20 MHz / 5 V and roughly 5-15 uA in SLEEP mode. Use a low-dropout regulator (e.g., MCP1700) for digital housekeeping rails; for analog supply AVDD, decouple with 100 nF + 10 uF tantalum close to pins 38 (AVDD) and 39 (AVSS). Brown-out reset should be enabled in CONFIG to ensure defined startup at the 4.0 V minimum supply.
OTP memory cannot be re-programmed once written - always verify firmware on a JW windowed part (PIC16C774/JW) before programming production units. Also note that PIC16F77 vs PIC16C774/L differs in RAM (368 vs 256 bytes), so firmware with large stack/buffer demands may need re-validation. Finally, the VREF+ pin (41) must be tied to a clean reference or to AVDD through a low-pass filter to achieve 12-bit ADC linearity.
The 44-PLCC package is typically deployed with a through-hole socket (Augat 240-3344-00 or equivalent) to allow easy field replacement. SMT PLCC-44 foot prints should use 1.27 mm pitch pads with a generous thermal relief pattern. Decoupling: place 100 nF ceramic caps at each VDD/VSS pair (pins 11/12 and 31/32), plus a single 10 uF bulk cap near the supply entry. Keep analog (AVDD/AVSS) and digital (VDD/VSS) grounds joined at a single point near the MCU.
Estimated: at 20 MHz active, the PIC16C774/L dissipates approximately 100 mW in a 44-PLCC package (theta-JA around 50 C/W on a typical 4-layer FR4 board). For commercial 0-70 C ambient operation this gives comfortable margin; no heatsinking is required. Watchdog timer should be enabled to recover from ESD-induced latchup in fielded units.
Compliance Information
RoHS status and lead-free status were not stated in the Verified Web Data. PIC16C774/L is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F77-Q1 or PIC18F for automotive. Conflict-minerals compliance per Microchip's public statement applies across the legacy PIC16C family.
