PIC16LC620-04E/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC620-04E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.34 | $234.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
PIC16LC620-04E/SO Overview
What is a PIC 8-bit OTP microcontroller? An OTP (One-Time Programmable) microcontroller is a CMOS device that uses EPROM-based non-volatile program memory, allowing a single factory or production programming cycle. The PIC16C family implements a RISC architecture with only 35 instructions, a two-level deep hardware stack, and direct/indirect/relative addressing. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, it sits as: microcontroller -> embedded microcontroller -> CMOS logic IC -> semiconductor. The 'LC' prefix designates a low-power CMOS variant designed for battery-friendly applications.
Key features of the PIC16LC620-04E/SO include a 12-bit wide instruction word and 8-bit wide data path, seven or eight special function hardware registers, brown-out detect and power-on reset peripherals, a programmable watchdog timer, and a wide operating voltage range from 2.5 V to 6.25 V. The 'E' suffix denotes the extended automotive temperature range (-40C to +125C), making this part suitable for harsh environment designs. The 4 MHz maximum clock input yields a 200 ns instruction cycle, providing balanced throughput for low-power embedded control.
The PIC16LC620 architecture uses a Harvard-style bus with separate program and data paths, enabling deterministic single-cycle execution for most instructions. Program branches are two-cycle. The 4 MHz internal clock rate is generated from an external crystal or RC oscillator, and the device includes power management features such as brown-out reset and power-on reset to improve system reliability. The OTP program memory cannot be erased, which makes this part best suited for production volumes where field firmware updates are not required.
Typical applications include automotive body electronics, low-power remote controls, sensor signal conditioning, simple appliance controls, and industrial automation subsystems. The extended temperature grade and low-power CMOS design make it ideal for automotive under-hood or cabin modules operating across wide thermal ranges. It is also frequently used in legacy PIC-based designs that have been qualified and certified over many production cycles.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed - use the PIC16F or PIC16LF flash variants if in-field firmware updates are required. Always include decoupling capacitors (0.1 uF ceramic) near the VDD pin, and ensure the MCLR pin is properly biased for reliable reset behavior.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, drop-in alternative MPNs, and design notes not consolidated in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC620-04E/SO — 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 PIC16LC620-04E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature Range, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC620-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC620A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC620T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC620-04E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Clock Speed (Max) | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (single-cycle) |
| Program Memory | 896 B (512 x 14) OTP |
| RAM Memory | 80 B |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 64 B |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.25 V |
| I/O Ports | 12 |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect, Power-on Reset, Watchdog Timer |
| Number of Instructions | 35 |
| Stack Depth | 2 levels (hardware) |
PIC16LC620-04E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (bidirectional I/O, open-drain option) |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (bidirectional I/O / MCLR alternate) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (bidirectional I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (bidirectional I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (bidirectional I/O, in-circuit debug) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (bidirectional I/O, in-circuit debug) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 6.25 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (bidirectional I/O, analog input) |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (bidirectional I/O, analog input) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC620-04E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Electronics, Low-Power Remote Control Transmitter, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Simple Appliance Control, Legacy Industrial Automation Subsystem, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Edge Node.
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO fits automotive body electronics thanks to its extended -40C to +125C temperature range, low-power operation, and 12 general-purpose pins for switches and LEDs. At 4 MHz with 200 ns instruction cycles it executes simple control loops in real time, and 896 B of OTP memory holds proven firmware. Placed on a body control module PCB it drives wiper controllers, mirror adjusters, and interior lighting; the wide 2.5-6.25 V supply range tolerates cranking transients on the automotive 12 V bus after regulation.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO is well suited for handheld remote controls because of its low-power CMOS 'LC' process and 2.5-6.25 V operating range, which enables direct battery operation from 2 x AA cells. Its 80-byte RAM is sufficient for momentary button states and timing variables, while the 4 MHz clock delivers responsive debouncing and transmit routines. Brown-out reset prevents firmware corruption when battery voltage droops below 2.5 V under load.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO is ideal for industrial sensor modules that need extended temperature tolerance (-40C to +125C) and the ability to read analog signals via comparator peripherals. Its 12 I/O pins drive 4-20 mA loops, indicator LEDs, and serial interfaces to higher-level controllers. The OTP memory secures the calibration coefficients against field tampering, and the 200 ns instruction cycle handles real-time linearization of bridge sensors.
Recommended
Simple Appliance Control
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO handles small kitchen and white-goods appliance control where cost dominates and firmware is fixed at production. At 4 MHz it can scan keypads, drive triacs for heater elements, time washing cycles, and read NTC thermistors through analog channels. The wide voltage range accepts rectified mains-derived 5 V or 3.3 V rails; OTP memory protects the calibration tables and timing presets from accidental field writes.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Automation Subsystem
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO is still deployed in certified long-life industrial systems that were designed 15-20 years ago around the PIC16C62X family. Its ACTIVE lifecycle status and broad distributor stocking mean it can replace field returns without re-certification. Engineers retrofitting old PLCs, conveyor controllers, and HVAC actuators benefit from its 5 V tolerance, 12 I/O, and proven OTP firmware image that matches the legacy BOM.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Edge Node
The PIC16LC620-04E/SO fits simple edge sensor nodes where firmware is fixed and battery life dominates. The low-power CMOS 'LC' process minimizes sleep current, the 2.5-6.25 V range supports Li-coin and 2xAA battery chemistries, and the 12 I/O pins connect to I2C sensors and a low-power RF transmitter chip. Brown-out reset prevents corruption at end-of-life battery voltage. With only 896 B of OTP the firmware must be tight, but for simple periodic readings it suffices.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC620-04E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC620-04/SO | PIC16LC620A-04I/SO | PIC16LC620T-04/SO | PIC16C620A-04/SO | PIC16C620-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same |
| Clock Speed (Max) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 1 K OTP | 896 B OTP |
| RAM Memory | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 128 B | 80 B |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Silicon Revision | Original ('-') | Original | A | Original | A | Original |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage floor in the PIC16C620 family (vs PIC16C620-04/SO)
- Automotive temperature grade at the same price point (vs PIC16LC620-04/SO)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to higher clock speed (vs PIC16C620-04/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 14) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin; add a 10 uF bulk capacitor if VDD is shared with switching loads. Brown-out reset triggers below 2.5 V (approximately 4.0 V on the 'C' non-LC variant) so design your power-rail sequencing to ensure VDD rises monotonically and stays above the brown-out threshold during MCU operation. The 'LC' process draws significantly less current than the standard 'C' process for the same clock frequency.
Route the oscillator traces (OSC1, OSC2) as short, symmetric loops and keep them away from switching signals. For HS crystal mode add 20-30 pF load capacitors to ground from each oscillator pin. If using a ceramic resonator, follow the resonator manufacturer's recommended capacitor values. The MCLR pin (typically on RA5) must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation and should include a 100 nF capacitor for noise immunity in noisy automotive environments.
Do not assume OTP memory can be re-programmed during development - use the PIC16F flash variants or a JW windowed package for firmware iteration. Watchdog timer is enabled by default after configuration fuses are programmed; clear WDT in long main loops or risk unexpected resets. PORTB pins RB0 and RB4-RB7 are interrupt-on-change capable - design external RC filters if mechanical switches are connected to avoid spurious interrupts. Finally, when migrating PIC16LC620-04E/SO firmware to the 'A' revision, verify the configuration bits mapping because some fuse locations changed between silicon revisions.
Compliance Information
RoHS, lead-free, and halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web data; AEC-Q100 marked not_applicable because this is an older PIC16C OTP part predating widespread AEC-Q100 microcontroller qualification - the extended temperature grade is the automotive compliance signal for this family. Conflict-minerals compliance inferred from Microchip corporate policy.