PIC16LC712-04/P - 8-bit 20MHz 1.75KB EPROM MCU DIP-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC712-04/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.42 | $34.20 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC16LC712-04/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals on one die. The PIC16LC712 belongs to the mid-range PIC16 family that sits within Microchip's 8-bit PIC microcontroller portfolio, which itself is the company's foundational product line for embedded control. Because it integrates analog and digital peripherals directly on-chip, an MCU replaces dozens of discrete logic ICs, shrinking BOM cost and PCB area while enabling firmware-driven flexibility that discrete hardware cannot match.
Key features of the PIC16LC712-04/P include only 35 single-word instructions to learn, all single-cycle except program branches (which take two cycles), an integrated 8-bit A/D converter, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, three timers (Timer0 8-bit, Timer1 16-bit with sleep-mode crystal increment, Timer2 8-bit), 13 digital I/O pins, and a programmable code-protection mechanism. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range makes it compatible with both 3.3 V and 5 V system rails, simplifying mixed-voltage designs. The Harvard RISC architecture delivers deterministic instruction throughput critical for real-time control loops.
The internal architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with separate program and data buses (Harvard architecture), allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same clock cycle. The 1.75KB EPROM program memory is one-time-programmable (UV-erasable on windowed CERDIP variants) and is suitable for low-to-medium volume production. The brown-out reset, watchdog timer, and power-on reset are standard reliability features that protect the MCU against code runaway and unstable supply rails.
Typical applications include low-power embedded control, sensor interfacing with on-chip A/D conversion, motor and lighting PWM control via the CCP module, consumer appliance controllers, battery-powered instrumentation, and hobbyist/educational development platforms. Its 33 I/O ports and analog peripherals suit prototyping through moderate-volume industrial designs.
When designing with this part, note that the EPROM memory requires a UV eraser for reprogramming on windowed packages, so this MCU is best suited for development and low-volume production rather than field-reprogrammable deployments. Ensure decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic plus bulk) are placed close to VDD/VSS, and verify the chosen oscillator mode matches your crystal specification and load capacitance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16 alternatives, and practical design notes for the PIC16LC712-04/P that complement the manufacturer datasheet and help engineers quickly evaluate replacement and upgrade paths.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC712-04/P — 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 PIC16LC712-04/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, A/D Converter, Mounting Type, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C712-04/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC711-04/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F712-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C711-04/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F716-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →PIC16LC712-04/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Package | PDIP-18 (through-hole DIP, 0.300 INCH) |
| Terminal Form | Through-Hole |
| Number of Terminals | 18 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
| A/D Converter | 8-bit on-chip |
| CCP Module | Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16LC712-04/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 — Port A bit 3 / analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3/CCP1 — Port B bit 3 / Capture/Compare/PWM channel 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC712-04/P is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, PWM Motor Speed Controller, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Hobbyist and Educational Development Platform, Industrial Control and Instrumentation, Lighting Control and Dimming Systems.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LC712-04/P is well suited to battery-powered sensor nodes because its 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range lets it run directly from a single lithium cell or two AAs without an additional boost regulator. Its on-chip 8-bit A/D converter samples analog sensors such as temperature, photocell, or soil-moisture probes without external ADC hardware, reducing BOM count. At slower clock speeds the LC process delivers measurably lower active current than the standard C variant, which is critical for duty-cycled sleep modes. Designers should set the brown-out reset voltage just below the cell cutoff to protect data integrity, and leverage Timer1's sleep-mode crystal increment for low-power timekeeping between samples.
Recommended
PWM Motor Speed Controller
The PIC16LC712-04/P's Capture/Compare/PWM module generates accurate PWM signals to drive small DC motors, fans, or solenoids at variable duty cycles. Its 20 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle provide deterministic PWM period resolution that suits brushed-DC and low-power stepper control loops. The three on-chip timers support closed-loop tachometer feedback using Timer0 for pulse counting while the CCP module drives the power stage. The wide 2.5-5.5 V supply range simplifies integration with both 3.3 V logic gate drivers and 5 V H-bridge stages. For added robustness, the watchdog timer resets the MCU if a stall-detection algorithm hangs.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LC712-04/P is a strong fit for consumer appliance control boards such as coffee makers, washing-machine sub-modules, and small kitchen appliances where cost matters more than field-reprogrammability. Its 1.75 KB EPROM holds appliance firmware plus calibration tables, while the 128-byte RAM comfortably manages state machines for heating profiles or timer sequences. The on-chip A/D reads thermistor or water-level sensors directly, and the CCP module drives triac-trigger pulses for heater or pump switching. The 18-pin PDIP package is friendly to through-hole wave soldering on low-cost appliance PCBs and survives high-humidity factory environments with proper conformal coating.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Development Platform
The PIC16LC712-04/P is a classic mid-range PIC for hobbyists learning embedded programming, supported by Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, the XC8 compiler, and a vast library of application notes, tutorials, and community code. Its 35-instruction PIC16 mid-range core is widely documented in textbooks and online courses, lowering the learning curve. The 18-pin PDIP through-hole package is breadboard-friendly, accepts standard 0.1-inch headers, and is easy to socket and swap. Programming is performed via ICSP using any PICkit programmer, which makes classroom labs inexpensive to set up. The on-chip A/D and PWM peripherals let students progress from LED blinking to motor control on the same chip.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Instrumentation
The PIC16LC712-04/P handles industrial control tasks such as panel meters, setpoint controllers, and process-loop sub-assemblies where 5 V or 24 V-derived rails are common. Its 8-bit A/D converter reads 4-20 mA loop signals via a sense resistor, while the CCP module drives indicator LEDs or buzzer alerts. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect against the supply transients typical of industrial cabinets with inductive loads. Although EPROM-based and not field-reprogrammable, the part is well-suited to fixed-function industrial designs where firmware rarely changes after commissioning. Conformal coating and proper grounding extend reliability in factory environments with motor drives and relay switching.
Recommended
Lighting Control and Dimming Systems
The PIC16LC712-04/P delivers dimming and color-mixing control for low-voltage LED strips and accent lighting. Its CCP module outputs PWM dim signals at audio-immune frequencies above 100 Hz, eliminating flicker while supporting logarithmic eye-response curves via software gamma correction. The on-chip A/D reads ambient light sensors or potentiometer dim knobs, and Timer2's PWM mode provides hardware-based PWM with minimal CPU overhead. The wide supply range accepts both 3.3 V logic levels and 5 V analog sensor rails, simplifying mixed-signal lighting designs. Its small 18-pin PDIP package fits compact inline dimmer modules and DMX-512 sub-node controllers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC712-04/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C712-04/P | PIC16LC711-04/P | PIC16F712-I/P | PIC16F716-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-18 (through-hole) | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (1.75 KB) | EPROM (1.75 KB) | EPROM (1.75 KB) | Flash (1.75 KB) | Flash (3.5 KB) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| A/D Converter | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels | None | 8-bit, 4 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| CCP/PWM Module | Yes (1 channel) | Yes (1 channel) | Yes (1 channel) | Yes (1 channel) | Yes (enhanced, multiple) |
| Field Reprogrammable | No (EPROM, UV-erase on windowed only) | No (EPROM) | No (EPROM) | Yes (Flash, in-circuit) | Yes (Flash, in-circuit) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 8-bit A/D converter on-chip (vs PIC16LC711-04/P)
- Flash-based in-circuit reprogrammability (vs PIC16F712-I/P)
- Low-voltage operation down to 2.5 V (vs PIC16C712-04/P)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) with the ground return directly to the VSS pin (pin 5) using a short, wide PCB trace. Add a bulk electrolytic capacitor (10 uF or larger) on the same supply rail near the MCU to suppress voltage transients when the CCP module switches inductive loads. The PIC16LC712's brown-out reset should be enabled in the configuration bits to protect RAM and register state when the battery voltage sags below 2.5 V during heavy motor or relay switching.
The EPROM on PIC16LC712-04/P is one-time-programmable in the plastic /P package - it cannot be erased by UV light because the package has no quartz window. For development work, use the windowed CERDIP variant (PIC16LC712-04/W) or migrate to the Flash-based PIC16F712-I/P for in-circuit reprogrammability. Also verify the oscillator configuration bits match your chosen crystal or resonator; a mismatched mode (HS vs XT vs RC) prevents the MCU from running or causes erratic clock behavior at start-up.
The 18-pin PDIP through-hole footprint uses standard 0.100 inch (2.54 mm) pin pitch with 0.600 inch (15.24 mm) row spacing, breadboard-friendly. Keep the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kohm) close to pin 4, and add a diode from VDD to MCLR if your application requires power-on reset rise-time control. Route the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric, and place the load capacitors immediately adjacent to the crystal to minimize parasitic capacitance that would otherwise pull the oscillator off-frequency.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, and lead-free status were not present in the verified web data for PIC16LC712-04/P; left as 'unknown' per data authenticity rules. This is a commercial-temperature-grade 8-bit MCU, not an AEC-Q100 automotive part.
