PIC16LC63A-04I/SS - 4MHz 8-bit MCU 7KB OTP 192 RAM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC63A-04I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.4 | $8.40 |
| 10 | $7.65 | $76.50 |
| 100 | $6.5 | $650.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.65 | $4,650.00 |
PIC16LC63A-04I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral I/O on one IC. Within the broader product hierarchy, this part belongs to the 8-bit PIC family, which sits under the PIC16CXX mid-range family, then microcontrollers, then embedded processors, then semiconductors. The 'LC' suffix denotes the low-power CMOS variant optimized for 3.3 V / 5 V dual-voltage operation, which reduces active current draw compared to the standard PIC16C63A. This part has been documented by Microchip as part of the PIC16C63A/65B/73B/74B device group.
Key features include an integrated 8-channel 8-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), I²C/SPI/USART serial communication peripherals, a programmable 8-bit timer/counter with an 8-bit prescaler, and a watchdog timer for unattended recovery. The 4 MHz maximum clock rate produces a 250 ns instruction cycle, which is adequate for slow control loops, sensor polling, and low-bandwidth human-machine interface panels. The 22 I/O pins are 5 V tolerant on the digital domain.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, low-speed UART/I²C bridges, smart battery management, low-power remote sensor nodes, white-goods and appliance controllers, and small consumer devices. Engineers frequently select this part for designs migrated from the legacy PIC16C63A where field-proven code and a familiar toolchain (MPLAB IDE, MPASM, MPLAB C17) are required.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit; the ICE/ICD variants are recommended for development. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD and use a hardware or software reset of adequate width (≥ 72 ms typical with PWRT enabled) to guarantee oscillator stabilization on cold start. Operating voltage is 3.0 V to 5.5 V.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that are not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing information gain beyond standard component listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC63A-04I/SS — 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 PIC16LC63A-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Mounting Type, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC63A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC63A-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC63AT-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC63-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC63A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC63A-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Max CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 192 B |
| Number of I/O | 22 |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (3.3 V / 5 V) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm / 0.209 inch body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 8-channel, 8-bit |
| Connectivity | I²C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Instruction Cycle | 250 ns (4 MHz clock) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LC63A-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / External clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSC0/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / Clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / Data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0–5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference (second ground pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC63A-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Low-Speed UART/I²C Bridge, White Goods and Appliance Controllers, Low-Power Remote Sensor Nodes, Legacy PIC16CReplacement to Flash Migration Target.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS fits industrial control panels because of its -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature grade, 22 digital I/Os, and 3.0–5.5 V dual-voltage supply. According to Microchip application patterns for PIC16C mid-range parts, the 4 MHz CPU and 8-channel 8-bit ADC are sufficient for reading pushbuttons, scanning key matrices, and driving relay/SSR outputs at panel scan rates under 1 ms. With the integrated I²C and UART, the MCU can host a master HMI display or report telemetry to a PLC over RS-485. Compared to flash alternatives, this OTP part is preferred in mature control panels where firmware is locked and unit cost matters.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS is a natural fit for low-speed sensor signal conditioning front-ends because its integrated 8-channel 8-bit ADC, 192 bytes RAM, and 22 I/Os allow direct connection to multiple thermistors, photocells, or strain gauges without a separate analog front-end. According to the Microchip datasheet, the ADC achieves a 20 µs conversion time, adequate for 1 kSPS multi-channel scanning. The 4 MHz clock yields a 250 ns instruction cycle, enabling simple moving-average digital filtering. Engineers typically pair this MCU with a SPI-connected 12-bit ADC for higher precision, while using the on-chip ADC for housekeeping telemetry.
Recommended
Low-Speed UART/I²C Bridge
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS serves well as a low-speed protocol bridge because of its integrated USART and MSSP modules, allowing simultaneous I²C and UART operation on independent pins. According to the datasheet, the USART supports baud rates up to 250 kbaud at 4 MHz clock, sufficient for legacy RS-232/RS-485 polling. The 192-byte RAM is enough for buffering small telemetry frames. Designers commonly deploy this MCU as a translator between an I²C sensor cluster and a UART-attached host processor, where the OTP cost advantage matters and the firmware is fixed.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Controllers
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS is widely used in white-goods controllers (washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers) because of its industrial temperature range, OTP cost advantage at high volume, and integrated peripherals. According to Microchip appliance reference designs, the 22 I/Os drive segment displays, keypads, triac-fired heaters, and door switches; the 8-bit ADC reads NTC temperature sensors for closed-loop thermal regulation; and the PWM peripheral dims indicator LEDs. The 3.0–5.5 V dual-voltage support simplifies designs that interface to either 3.3 V or 5 V display drivers.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS suits battery-powered remote sensor nodes because the 'LC' low-voltage CMOS process reduces active current compared to the standard PIC16C63A. According to the Microchip datasheet, the Watchdog Timer, Power-on Reset, and Brown-out Detect peripherals allow unattended recovery after sleep. The 4 MHz clock and 8-channel ADC support periodic wake-and-sample cycles with low average current. Compared to flash MCUs, OTP is acceptable when sensor calibration data is committed at factory.
Recommended
Legacy PIC16CReplacement to Flash Migration Target
The PIC16LC63A-04I/SS serves as a field-deployed replacement for the older PIC16C63A in legacy systems, since it is the same family. According to Microchip migration notes, portable pins-in and peripheral compatibility for the same peripheral register layout enables reuse of legacy code with minimal effort. The OTP cost advantage of 22 I/Os implies a 20 mAh retention at 5 V and 3 mA
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC63A-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC63AT-04I/SS | PIC16LC63A-04I/SO | PIC16LC63A-04I/SP | PIC16LC63-04I/SP | PIC16LC63A-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm) - wider body, different footprint | 28-SPDIP - through-hole, different footprint | 28-SPDIP - through-hole, different footprint | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm) - commercial temp, different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 4 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Max CPU Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM Size | 192 B | 192 B | 192 B | 192 B | 192 B | 192 B |
| Number of I/O | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0–5.5 V | 3.0–5.5 V | 3.0–5.5 V | 3.0–5.5 V | 3.0–5.5 V | 3.0–5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage 3.3 V / 5 V dual-voltage support (vs Standard PIC16C63A)
- Same peripheral set across SSOP/SOIC/SPDIP packages (vs PIC16LC63A-04I/SO (28-SOIC))
- 22 I/Os in 28-SSOP small outline (vs PIC16F88-I/SS (28-SSOP flash equivalent))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 19) and a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the same supply rail near the IC. According to the Microchip PIC16C63A datasheet, the MCU draws brief inrush currents during ADC conversion and clock transitions; without proper decoupling, VDD may dip below the BOR threshold and trigger unintended resets. Add a ferrite bead in series with VDD if the part shares a rail with noisy relay or triac drivers.
Do not assume the OTP memory can be re-programmed. According to Microchip product family documentation, the 'C' in PIC16C63A denotes One-Time-Programmable EPROM; once a bit is programmed to '0' it cannot return to '1' without UV erasure (which the OTP package lacks). For development, order the PIC16LC63A-ICE/ICD windowed ceramic variant or migrate to the flash-based PIC16F88 which retains the same peripheral set. Avoid using the OTP part on prototype boards where firmware will iterate.
Keep the MCLR/VPP reset trace short and routed away from high-current switching nodes. According to the datasheet, the MCLR pin has an internal weak pull-up but is sensitive to voltage transients; add an external 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for hardware reset stability. The OSC1/OSC2 traces should be as short as possible and surrounded by a ground guard ring to minimize radiated EMI. For CE/EMC-sensitive applications, place a series resistor (10–100 Ω) on OSC2 to dampen harmonic ringing.
When routing the SPI bus (RC3/RC4/RC5), use parallel traces with matched lengths and a ground reference plane below them. According to Microchip mid-range MCU design notes, the 4 MHz clock produces a 250 ns instruction cycle, so the SPI peripheral can run up to 1 MHz in master mode at this clock rate. Add 10–33 Ω series termination at the SCK output to dampen reflections on long SPI runs (>50 mm). For I²C, pull up SDA and SCL to VDD with 4.7 kΩ resistors and verify rise times against the I²C specification at the chosen bus speed.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page (DIC datasheets, Mouser listing). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F88 or automotive-grade equivalent if automotive certification is required. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declarations.
