PIC16CR76-I/SS - 14KB ROM 8-bit MCU 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16CR76-I/SS β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $14.1 | $1,410.00 |
| 500 | $12.4 | $6,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.95 | $10,950.00 |
PIC16CR76-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and on-chip peripherals. The PIC16CR76-I/SS belongs to the enhanced mid-range PIC16 architecture, which sits in Microchip's portfolio between baseline PIC10/12/14 devices and the high-performance PIC18/dsPIC families. ROM-programmed variants like the CR76 are intended for high-volume production runs where the firmware is fixed and the lower unit cost of masked ROM justifies tooling charges, in contrast to flash-based siblings used in prototyping and low-volume builds.
Key features include 368 bytes of data RAM, 22 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit multi-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), three timers (Timer0, Timer1, and Timer2), a Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (USART), a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting SPI and I2C, and capture/compare/PWM (CCP) peripherals. The Harvard RISC core executes most instructions in a single 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz, and a hardware interrupt controller supports up to 14 sources. On-chip peripherals are mapped through a memory-mapped Special Function Register (SFR) space using the banked memory architecture characteristic of mid-range PIC MCUs.
Typical applications include consumer appliance controllers, industrial sensor interfaces, automotive body and chassis subsystems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) front panels, instrumentation front-ends, motor drive signal conditioning, and embedded white-goods user interfaces. The PIC16CR76-I/SS is most often paired with small-signal op-amps, RS-232/RS-485 transceivers, and low-power LCD or LED driver stages.
When designing with this part, verify in-system programming availability (CR variants are ROM-only - code is masked at fabrication), confirm the 22 I/O pins are sufficient for the target pin budget, and observe the 5.5 V absolute maximum on VDD to avoid latch-up. The SSOP thermal pad aids dissipation in enclosed housings, but CR devices are inherently single-source - use a pin-compatible flash equivalent (PIC16F76-I/SS) for development and field firmware updates.
This page consolidates lifecycle, drop-in alternative, and substitution guidance not presented in the manufacturer datasheet, intended for engineers maintaining legacy designs and procurement teams sourcing the part against an End-of-Life notice.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16CR76-I/SS 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 PIC16CR76-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Communication Peripherals, Instruction Set, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F76-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C76-10I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C773-I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C770-I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.98 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16CR76-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Type | ROM (masked) |
| Program Memory Size | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes |
| CPU Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication Peripherals | USART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| CCP Modules | Capture / Compare / PWM |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package Type | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16CR76-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | /MCLR β Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- β Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI β Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS β Port A bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / T1 clock in |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 β Port C bit 2 / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL β Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA β Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO β Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK β Port C bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT β Port C bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference (second VSS) |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC β Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD β Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16CR76-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Controller, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics Module, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Front Panel, Instrumentation Front-End Controller, Embedded White-Goods User Interface.
Industrial Sensor Interface Controller
The PIC16CR76-I/SS is well-suited to industrial sensor interface designs that demand deterministic ROM-based firmware, multi-channel analog acquisition, and serial telemetry. The 10-bit ADC (typically 5 channels in 28-pin SSOP) and 22 digital I/O pins support direct connection to bridge sensors, thermocouples, and 4-20 mA loops without external signal conditioning. At 20 MHz the MCU delivers a 200 ns instruction cycle, sufficient for 1 kHz closed-loop sampling without CPU saturation. The MSSP peripheral handles SPI or I2C sensor buses, while the USART interfaces to RS-485 transceivers for industrial networks. Production deployments favor CR ROM over Flash when firmware is stable, reducing per-unit cost on multi-year manufacturing runs.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
Washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens frequently use PIC16CR76-I/SS controllers for user-interface management, motor drive sequencing, and safety interlocks. The 22 I/O pins comfortably drive 7-segment or character LCD displays, keypad matrices, triac control outputs, and zero-cross detection inputs. The CCP module generates PWM for variable-speed motor and valve control, while the 10-bit ADC monitors temperature sensors and water level probes. ROM-based firmware prevents field tampering - a safety feature for compliance with IEC 60335 household appliance standards. The 28-SSOP package fits compact PCB assemblies with limited rear-panel access, and industrial temperature rating covers the under-cabinet thermal environment.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Module
The PIC16CR76-I/SS serves in body and chassis subsystems such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, lighting modules, and auxiliary HVAC controls where its industrial temperature range and ROM-based code security meet automotive Tier-1 supplier requirements. The USART interfaces to LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus transceivers for communication with the vehicle's central body controller, while the MSSP handles SPI-based smart FET drivers and dashboard dimmer ICs. The 22 I/O lines manage switch inputs, relay drive outputs, and PWM-controlled lighting channels. Note that the industrial -40C to +85C rating limits deployment to cabin-comfort modules rather than under-hood ECUs, which require AEC-Q100 qualified parts. The CR76's ROM programming prevents unauthorized firmware modification - a key compliance factor for OEM-supplied modules.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Front Panel
UPS front-panel controllers benefit from the PIC16CR76-I/SS combination of 10-bit ADC (for battery voltage and load current sensing), USART (for status reporting to the main DSP controller), and PWM-capable CCP module (for buzzer and fan speed control). The 22 I/O pins drive a 2x16 character LCD, status LEDs, and front-panel push-button matrix. ROM-based firmware ensures consistent firmware behavior across thousands of units - critical for safety certifications and regulatory compliance. At 20 MHz, the MCU executes display refresh and button debounce logic with substantial headroom for the main monitoring loop. The 28-SSOP package fits the slim front-panel PCB behind a 1U rack bezel, and the industrial temperature rating tolerates the warm battery compartment environment.
Recommended
Instrumentation Front-End Controller
Bench-top multimeters, oscilloscope front panels, and laboratory data-acquisition systems rely on the PIC16CR76-I/SS for button matrix scanning, rotary encoder readout, menu navigation, and low-speed serial telemetry. The 10-bit ADC reads analog inputs from front-panel potentiometers and ambient sensors, while the MSSP drives SPI-controlled DACs or digital potentiometers that set measurement ranges. The USART provides an isolated RS-232 link to the host PC for firmware updates and data export. With 14 KB of program memory, the controller can host sophisticated menu systems, calibration routines, and unit-conversion tables. Production volumes in this segment typically justify the masked ROM tooling charge, justifying the CR-variant selection over flash alternatives.
Recommended
Embedded White-Goods User Interface
Refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher user-interface boards benefit from the PIC16CR76-I/SS combination of sufficient I/O for capacitive touch sensing, character or graphic LCD driving, and buzzer/relay control. The 22 GPIO pins drive a 4x4 keypad matrix, a 128x64 graphical LCD via SPI, multiple status LEDs, and triac-controlled heating element drivers. The 10-bit ADC reads NTC thermistor inputs for oven temperature feedback, while PWM outputs control variable-speed fans and proportional valves. ROM-based code prevents field firmware tampering - important for regulatory certified products. The industrial temperature rating handles the warm enclosure interior of cooking appliances, and the small 28-SSOP footprint enables compact PCB designs behind tight bezel constraints.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16CR76-I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F76-I/SS | PIC16C76-10I/SS | PIC16C773-I/SS | PIC16C770-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Program Memory | 14 KB ROM | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB EPROM | 14 KB EPROM | 4 KB EPROM |
| Data RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit (enhanced) | 12-bit |
| Memory Type | Masked ROM (CR) | Flash (F) | EPROM (C) | EPROM (C) | EPROM (C) |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL | Active | EOL | EOL | EOL |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1, USD) | 18.50 | ~14.00 | ~22.00 | ~20.00 | ~17.00 |
Key Differentiators
- Masked ROM provides lowest unit cost for high-volume production (vs PIC16F76-I/SS)
- Inherently secure firmware - code cannot be extracted or modified (vs PIC16F76-I/SS)
- Enhanced 12-bit ADC resolution in same package footprint (vs PIC16C773-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16CR76-I/SS contains masked ROM and CANNOT be re-programmed in-circuit. Engineers developing new firmware must build prototypes with the flash-based PIC16F76-I/SS, validate the design, then commit to a one-time tooling charge for masked ROM production. Any firmware bug discovered after ROM tooling requires a new silicon spin - budget substantial pre-production verification. According to Microchip documentation, ROM tool lead times are 8-12 weeks plus NRE charges.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk capacitor (4.7-10 uF tantalum or ceramic) within 5 mm of the package. The 28-SSOP package has limited thermal mass - avoid routing high-current traces under the IC body. For applications switching inductive loads, place flyback diodes within 10 mm of the inductive terminals and route the noisy return separately from the analog ground trace. Use guard rings around the ADC input pins (RA0-RA5) when operating in noisy switching environments.
The /MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10-100 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation; do not leave it floating. For in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) on the flash-based PIC16F76 equivalent, dedicate pins RB6/PGC (pin 27) and RB7/PGD (pin 28) to the programming connector with no isolation circuitry in series. Crystal or resonator connections to OSC1 (pin 9) and OSC2 (pin 10) must be short (under 10 mm total trace length) and surrounded by a ground guard ring to prevent EMI coupling into adjacent analog inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS status and lead-free compliance not explicitly stated in verified data for PIC16CR76-I/SS. CR (ROM) legacy parts historically non-RoHS; contact Microchip for compliance documentation. AEC-Q100 not qualified - industrial temperature range only.
