PIC16C925-I/L - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB OTP MCU LCD Driver | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C925-I/L β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.58 | $7.58 |
| 10 | $6.95 | $69.50 |
| 100 | $6.12 | $612.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
PIC16C925-I/L Overview
An OTP-based 8-bit microcontroller is a one-time-programmable MCU that uses non-volatile EPROM/OTP memory for program storage instead of flash. OTP MCUs sit in the broader microcontroller taxonomy: microcontroller (MCU) -> 8-bit MCU -> CMOS MCU -> PIC16 family. Microchip's PIC16C family is known for its compact 35-instruction RISC-like instruction set, deterministic interrupt latency, and excellent code density, making it well-suited for cost-sensitive embedded control applications where program memory is finalized in production.
The PIC16C925 integrates 5 channels of 10-bit Analog-to-Digital converters (ADC), enabling direct measurement of analog sensors without external signal conditioning. Peripherals include a 16-bit timer/counter with capture/compare/PWM (CCP), a USART module for asynchronous serial communication, an I2C/SPI synchronous serial port, and a watchdog timer for reliable operation in noisy environments. The 52 I/O pins are 5V-tolerant and configurable for digital input, output, or peripheral function multiplexing.
The architecture is built on Harvard-style separated program and data buses, a 14-bit wide instruction word for compact code, and a 200ns instruction cycle (5 MIPS at 20MHz). The integrated LCD module supports static, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 duty cycles with user-selectable bias generation, eliminating the need for external charge-pump components in many designs. Brown-out Reset (BOR), Power-on Reset (POR), and a wide operating temperature range of -40C to +85C industrial grade ('I' suffix) provide robustness for harsh-environment deployments.
Typical applications include industrial control panels with LCD readouts, medical instrumentation displays, consumer appliance user interfaces, metering equipment, and point-of-sale terminals. The combination of LCD driver, ADC, and ample I/O on a single die reduces BOM cost and PCB area for human-interface products.
When designing with this device, ensure the OTP programming step is integrated into the production flow, as OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed. Decouple VDD with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the supply pin, and reserve pin assignments to allow in-circuit programming access if prototype iteration is required.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone Microchip datasheet, helping engineers and buyers make informed component decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C925-I/L 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 PIC16C925-I/L (same form factor and footprint) β differing in LCD Driver, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C924-04I/L
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C925T-I/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC925-I/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C923-08I/L
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.75 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F925-I/L
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C925-I/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions (14-bit wide) |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 176 bytes |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 52 |
| ADC | 5 channels, 10-bit resolution |
| LCD Driver | Up to 32 segments x 4 commons |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 with CCP |
| Communication | USART, I2C/SPI (SSP) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial grade) |
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (24.23 x 24.23 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket or direct) |
PIC16C925-I/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / Chip Select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / External clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0/SEG0 β PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1/SEG1 β PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2/SEG2 β PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3/SEG3 β PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4/SEG4 β PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5/SEG5 β PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6/SEG6 β PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7/SEG7 β PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port / LCD segment 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / In-circuit debugger clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / In-circuit debugger data |
| Pin 41 | SEG8 β LCD segment line 8 |
| Pin 42 | SEG9 β LCD segment line 9 |
| Pin 43 | SEG10 β LCD segment line 10 |
| Pin 44 | SEG11 β LCD segment line 11 |
| Pin 45 | SEG12 β LCD segment line 12 |
| Pin 46 | SEG13 β LCD segment line 13 |
| Pin 47 | SEG14 β LCD segment line 14 |
| Pin 48 | SEG15 β LCD segment line 15 |
| Pin 49 | SEG16 β LCD segment line 16 |
| Pin 50 | SEG17 β LCD segment line 17 |
| Pin 51 | SEG18 β LCD segment line 18 |
| Pin 52 | SEG19 β LCD segment line 19 |
| Pin 53 | SEG20 β LCD segment line 20 |
| Pin 54 | SEG21 β LCD segment line 21 |
| Pin 55 | SEG22 β LCD segment line 22 |
| Pin 56 | SEG23 β LCD segment line 23 |
| Pin 57 | SEG24 β LCD segment line 24 |
| Pin 58 | SEG25 β LCD segment line 25 |
| Pin 59 | SEG26 β LCD segment line 26 |
| Pin 60 | SEG27 β LCD segment line 27 |
| Pin 61 | SEG28 β LCD segment line 28 |
| Pin 62 | SEG29 β LCD segment line 29 |
| Pin 63 | SEG30 β LCD segment line 30 |
| Pin 64 | SEG31 β LCD segment line 31 |
| Pin 65 | COM0 β LCD common plane 0 |
| Pin 66 | COM1 β LCD common plane 1 |
| Pin 67 | COM2 β LCD common plane 2 |
| Pin 68 | COM3 β LCD common plane 3 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C925-I/L is suitable for 8 applications: Industrial Control Panel with LCD Readout, Medical Instrumentation Display, Consumer Appliance User Interface, Electricity Meter and Energy Monitor, Point-of-Sale Terminal User Display, HVAC Thermostat Control, Automotive Dashboard LCD Cluster, IoT Sensor Hub with Local Display.
Industrial Control Panel with LCD Readout
The PIC16C925-I/L is purpose-built for industrial control panels, where its integrated 32-segment x 4-common LCD driver directly connects to a glass display, and its 5-channel 10-bit ADC reads sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, voltage) without external signal conditioning. With 52 I/O pins available, designers can scan keypads, drive status LEDs, and control relays all from a single chip. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range ensures reliable operation inside factory enclosures where ambient swings are common, and OTP memory prevents firmware theft or tampering in field deployments.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation Display
Medical instruments such as glucose meters, blood-pressure monitors, and infusion pumps benefit from the PIC16C925-I/L's combination of integrated LCD driver, low-noise 10-bit ADC, and OTP memory security. The 10-bit ADC resolution is sufficient for sensor front-ends measuring pressure, flow, or bioelectric signals when paired with appropriate analog front-end ICs. The OTP program memory prevents unauthorized firmware modification that could compromise patient safety, an important regulatory consideration for FDA-cleared medical devices.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface
Home appliances such as washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and air-conditioner control boards use the PIC16C925-I/L to consolidate user interface, sensor reading, and motor control into a single IC. The 32-segment x 4-common LCD driver directly powers a multi-digit display showing cycle time, temperature, and fault codes, while 5 ADC channels monitor temperature sensors and water level. The 35-instruction PIC16C RISC core provides deterministic interrupt response for real-time motor-control loops, and the OTP memory reduces BOM cost versus flash-based equivalents in high-volume consumer production.
Recommended
Electricity Meter and Energy Monitor
Single-phase electricity meters and energy-monitoring displays rely on the PIC16C925-I/L to drive an LCD readout of kWh consumption while the 10-bit ADC samples current-sensor outputs from shunt resistors or current transformers. The wide 2.5V-5.5V supply range simplifies power-rail design from rectified mains-derived DC. The 52 I/O lines allow direct keypad input for tariff selection and time-of-use configuration. OTP memory prevents tampering with firmware that could alter billing calculations, a regulatory requirement in many metering standards.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal User Display
POS terminals and payment-device customer-facing displays use the PIC16C925-I/L for transaction-amount, message, and barcode rendering on character or graphic LCDs via the integrated segment driver. The USART peripheral interfaces with the main processor, while I2C/SPI handles secure-element communication. The 5-channel ADC reads battery voltage and tamper-switch states. OTP memory secures cryptographic-related firmware that must not be modifiable after deployment, helping POS vendors meet PCI-PTS hardware-integrity requirements.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Control
Wall-mounted HVAC thermostats use the PIC16C925-I/L to drive a backlit LCD showing setpoint temperature, current temperature, humidity, and schedule mode. The 5-channel 10-bit ADC reads onboard NTC temperature sensors and remote indoor/outdoor probes, while 52 I/O pins interface with the keypad, humidity sensor, and triac-driver circuitry that switches compressor and fan relays. OTP memory locks firmware to prevent unauthorized modification of setpoint logic, and the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range tolerates attic-mounted equipment housings.
Recommended
Automotive Dashboard LCD Cluster
Older automotive dashboard LCD clusters and gauge readouts use the PIC16C925-I/L to drive speedometer, tachometer, odometer, and fuel-level displays across multiple LCD segments. The integrated LCD controller reduces the need for external HV-driver ICs that withstand automotive load-dump transients. The 5-channel ADC reads fuel-level sensors and battery voltage, and the USART/SSP interfaces with the engine-control unit. Note: the PIC16C925-I/L is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so it is more commonly deployed in non-safety-critical display sub-modules rather than primary dashboard ECUs.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Hub with Local Display
IoT sensor hubs that combine wireless connectivity with a local LCD readout for installers and operators deploy the PIC16C925-I/L as the local-display controller. The MCU drives the segment LCD showing sensor values, configuration menus, and network status, while a companion WiFi or LoRa module (connected via UART/SPI) handles cloud communication. The 5-channel ADC reads multiple analog sensors (gas, light, flow) without external multiplexer. OTP memory locks the display firmware to prevent field tampering with calibration constants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C925-I/L β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C924-04I/L | PIC16C925T-I/L | PIC16LC925-I/L | PIC16C923-08I/L | PIC16F925-I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (24.23x24.23 mm) | 68-pin PLCC - same | 68-pin PLCC - same | 68-pin PLCC - same | 68-pin PLCC - same | 68-pin PLCC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (7 KB) | Flash (7 KB) |
| Max Operating Frequency | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 8 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| RAM | 176 bytes | 176 bytes | 176 bytes | 176 bytes | 176 bytes | 176 bytes |
| ADC | 5 channels, 10-bit | None | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit |
| LCD Driver | 32 segments x 4 commons | None | 32 segments x 4 commons | 32 segments x 4 commons | 32 segments x 4 commons | 32 segments x 4 commons |
| I/O Pins | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated LCD driver eliminates external HV-segment ICs (vs PIC16C924-04I/L)
- Integrated 5-channel 10-bit ADC removes external MUX requirement (vs PIC16C924-04I/L)
- 20 MHz operation with 35-instruction RISC core (vs PIC16C923-08I/L)
- Flash-based variant available for development (vs PIC16C925-I/L vs PIC16F925-I/L)
Design Notes
Decouple both VDD pins (11 and 32) with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of each pin, plus a single 10uF bulk tantalum or aluminum capacitor near the IC. The PIC16C925 draws approximately 2-5mA active at 20MHz with all peripherals on; OTP programming mode draws higher peak currents during VPP application. Use a low-ESR ceramic (X7R or X5R dielectric) for the high-frequency decoupling caps to suppress switching transients from the internal LCD charge pump.
OTP memory cannot be field-reprogrammed. Plan production programming step (Microchip ProMate II, MPLAB PM3, or third-party gang programmers) into the manufacturing flow and validate each lot with verification programming. For prototype iteration, use the PIC16F925-I/L flash equivalent (same 68-pin PLCC) during development, then migrate to OTP PIC16C925-I/L for cost-optimized production. The LCD SEG lines multiplexed onto PORTD require careful pin allocation to avoid contention with the Parallel Slave Port.
Place the 20MHz crystal or resonator (or canned oscillator) within 10mm of pins 13 (OSC1) and 14 (OSC2). Use short, symmetric traces and a ground guard ring around the crystal to minimize EMI. The 68-pin PLCC package allows socket mounting for prototyping (production can solder directly). Provide MCLR pull-up (typically 10kohm) to VDD and a 0.1uF cap on MCLR/VPP for noise immunity. Reserve RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) accessible for in-circuit programming during initial bring-up.
The LCD segment lines SEG0-SEG31 share PORTD pins and the COM0-COM3 lines; route these traces away from switching power or high-frequency digital signals to prevent crosstalk into the LCD display. Add a ground plane beneath the LCD routing area and consider a guard trace between SEG traces and noisy signals. If using the on-chip LCD bias generation, add 0.1uF bypass capacitors on each VLCD pin. For multiplexed duty cycles >1/2, ensure the VLCD supply provides adequate contrast voltage headroom per the LCD glass specification.
The 10-bit ADC achieves approximately 9.5 ENOB when the acquisition time is set to the minimum recommended value (refer to datasheet AC characteristics). Use a low-impedance analog source (<10kohm) on the ADC inputs or add an op-amp buffer for higher-impedance sensors. Add a 100nF ceramic bypass cap close to each analog input pin used. The ADC reference voltage (VREF+/VREF-) must be stable; tie VREF+ to a quiet voltage rail or to AVdd, and connect VREF- to clean ground to avoid code-spread variation across temperature.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral compliance status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable to this industrial-grade MCU. The 'I' suffix indicates industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C). For automotive designs, consider AEC-Q100-qualified alternatives.
