PIC16LC712T-04/SS - 8-bit CMOS MCU, 4MHz, 1.75KB OTP, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC712T-04/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.16 | $3.16 |
| 10 | $2.84 | $28.40 |
| 100 | $2.38 | $238.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
PIC16LC712T-04/SS Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller is a small processor on a single IC that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals such as timers, ADCs, and serial interfaces. Microcontrollers sit at the lower tier of the computing hierarchy below microprocessors and System-on-Chips, and they dominate embedded control applications where deterministic, low-power, low-cost operation matters more than raw performance. The PIC16 family, a long-running product line from Microchip, occupies the entry-level 8-bit segment, and the PIC16C sub-family provides one-time-programmable and UV-erasable variants for industrial and legacy designs.
Key features of the PIC16LC712T-04/SS include Timer0 (8-bit with 8-bit prescaler), Timer1 (16-bit with prescaler, capable of increment during sleep via an external crystal or clock), and Timer2 (8-bit). The ADC operates with 10-bit resolution across up to 4 input channels, while the CCP module supports PWM generation, capture, and compare operations. Brown-out Reset, Power-on Reset, and a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip oscillator enhance reliability in noisy industrial environments, and the device supports in-circuit serial programming.
Internally, the PIC16LC712T-04/SS uses an OTP EPROM cell for code storage - a one-time-programmable memory technology that was the standard for small-volume and configuration-locked applications before Flash became mainstream. This makes the part well suited to designs where the firmware is fixed during production rather than in the field. Its 8-bit accumulator-based architecture, 35 single-word instruction set, and 2-deep hardware stack simplify firmware and development-tool investment compared with more modern 16- or 32-bit MCUs.
Typical applications include factory automation sensors, simple motor control loops, white-goods user interfaces, low-end consumer appliances, and battery-powered instrument front-ends. The internal ADC, PWM, and timer resources let the IC stand alone as a complete data-acquisition and control element. Designers also use it for educational platforms and for sustaining legacy industrial equipment where retooling production lines is not cost-justified.
A key design consideration when using this part is OTP programming: code can be written only once at the factory, and there is no in-field firmware update path through the application. For prototypes and field-upgradable designs, choose a Flash-based sibling such as the PIC16F716 to keep the SSOP-20 footprint. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative lists, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC712T-04/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 PIC16LC712T-04/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Mounting Type, Timers, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC712T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC712-04/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC711T-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC712T-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC71-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC710T-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC712T-04/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC® 16C |
| Series | PIC16LC712 |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| RAM | 128 B |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | Yes (1 CCP module) |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (independent on-chip oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 in / 5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel |
PIC16LC712T-04/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 3 | RA4/TOCKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open drain) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock output |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 19 | CCP1 — Capture/Compare/PWM output |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC712T-04/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Board, Small Motor Control (DC and Stepper), White Goods and Consumer Appliances, Educational and Training Platforms, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor / IoT Edge, Legacy Industrial Equipment Sustainment.
Industrial Sensor Interface Board
The PIC16LC712T-04/SS is well suited to industrial 4-20 mA loop and bridge-sensor conditioning boards because its 10-bit, 4-channel ADC and CCP/PWM module front-end conversion and motor actuation in a single IC. Its 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range directly accepts 3.3 V analog rails and 5 V logic, while the 4 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle sustain 10 kHz sampling loops for thermocouple, strain-gauge, and pressure-sensor front-ends. Compared with a discrete ADC-timer implementation, this part saves PCB area, BOM cost, and design time. Brown-out Reset and Watchdog Timer with their own on-chip RC oscillator ensure reliable startup under noisy industrial supply rails, a critical requirement for IEC 61000-compliant industrial control equipment.
Recommended
Small Motor Control (DC and Stepper)
For low-power brushed DC and unipolar stepper motor control, the PIC16LC712T-04/SS provides a single CCP module outputting a 10-bit PWM waveform at adjustable duty and frequency, with Timer2 setting the PWM period. Running at 4 MHz from a 3.3 V or 5 V rail, it produces 200 ns resolution PWM edges and can drive logic-level half-bridge gate drivers directly. The 13 digital I/O pins handle direction, enable, and fault feedback signals concurrently with motor PWM, eliminating the need for an external timer IC. Typical applications include small appliance pumps, fans, and instrument drives where the MCU plus MOSFET driver fits in less than half the volume of a discrete timer-driver solution, while the on-chip ADC reads back current-sense shunt voltage for closed-loop control.
Recommended
White Goods and Consumer Appliances
Consumer appliances such as rice cookers, washing-machine control boards, microwave user interfaces, and induction cooktop keypads commonly use the PIC16LC712T-04/SS class of MCU for cost-sensitive user-interface and timing functions. The 1.75 KB OTP holds menu logic and timing routines, the 13 I/O pins drive LED or 7-segment displays, and the on-chip ADC reads thermistor or potentiometer knobs. Operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V lets the device share supply rails with low-voltage logic ICs common in white goods. The internal Watchdog Timer with independent oscillator guards against firmware lock-ups during EMI stress events, a requirement in IEC 60335-compliant appliance design where a runaway MCU must reset deterministically.
Recommended
Educational and Training Platforms
Universities, technical schools, and microcontroller training labs frequently adopt the PIC16LC712T-04/SS and family members in their teaching curricula because the 35-instruction PIC16 RISC ISA is simple to learn in a single semester. The 20-SSOP package is breadboard-friendly through SSOP-to-DIP adapter boards, while only 13 I/O pins are required to demonstrate timers, PWM, ADC, and interrupts. With 1.75 KB OTP, students can fit multi-project example programs and still have headroom; 128 B RAM supports real variables for ADC and PWM demos. The architecture's deterministic instruction cycle of 200 ns at 4 MHz lets learners observe exact waveform frequencies with an oscilloscope, building foundational timing and interrupt intuition that transfers to higher-end ARM Cortex-M parts.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor / IoT Edge
The PIC16LC712T-04/SS suits low-duty-cycle IoT edge nodes that sample slowly and spend most of their time in sleep mode, especially where the on-chip ADC, timer, and PWM reduce external components. At 4 MHz the active current is manageable, while Sleep mode with Watchdog Timer wake-up permits average current well below 100 uA for a 1%-duty-cycle sensor board. Operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V lets the device run directly from two AA alkaline cells or a single Li-ion cell with regulator, and the 13 I/O pins drive an SPI sensor, UART modem, or LED indicator. The internal CCP module produces wake-up PWM pulses for IR transmission; for full radio control add an SPI transceiver IC such as the same-brand Microchip MRF24J40 family.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Equipment Sustainment
Industrial control panels installed in the early 2000s often rely on PIC16C-era microcontrollers, and the PIC16LC712T-04/SS keeps those designs in production as a like-for-like replacement when the original parts reach end-of-life. Its 20-SSOP package, pinout, and peripheral set match several earlier PIC16 designs, allowing drop-in substitution on the same PCB without tooling changes. The 4 MHz rating and 200 ns instruction cycle are sufficient for legacy control-loop firmware that was written against slow, deterministic timing. OTP programming prevents accidental in-field re-flashing by service technicians, which is desirable in safety-critical machinery such as conveyor controllers, hoist interlocks, and pumping-station PLC daughter cards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC712T-04/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC712T-04I/SS | PIC16LC712-04/SS | PIC16LC711T-04E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP | 1 KB OTP |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 68 B |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 8-bit |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C | -40C to +85C |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 10-bit ADC and CCP/PWM in a single PIC16C-series OTP device (vs PIC16LC711T-04E/SS)
- Industrial temperature option without changing package or pinout (vs PIC16LC712-04/SS)
- 1.75 KB OTP suits moderate firmware complexity that PIC16LC710 cannot accommodate (vs PIC16LC710T-04E/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16LC712T-04/SS operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V and is happiest between 3.0 V and 5.5 V where ADC accuracy and oscillator drive are at full spec. Estimated: at 4 MHz, 3.3 V, and 100% active CPU utilization, the typical IDD is around 2 mA; in Sleep mode with Watchdog Timer enabled current drops below 15 uA. Always place 100 nF decoupling ceramic between VDD (pin 16) and VSS (pin 20) within 5 mm of the package, and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor near the supply pin to suppress glitches during PWM transitions.
Keep traces to OSC1 and OSC2 short and symmetric to the crystal or resonator case, surrounded by a ground guard ring. Estimated: stray capacitance above 5 pF on either OSC pin can pull the oscillator off-frequency. For high-noise environments, route analog ADC inputs (AN0-AN3) on a separate analog ground return that joins VSS at a single point near the IC, and place the AVREF bypass capacitor (100 nF) within 5 mm of pin 3. This prevents digital switching noise from coupling into the 10-bit ADC readings.
A common pitfall is forgetting that this part is OTP (One-Time-Programmable); once programmed, the firmware cannot be re-flashed in-circuit. For prototypes and pre-production spins use a Flash-based sibling such as PIC16F716-I/SS to retain the SSOP-20 footprint but gain ISP support. Estimated: programming voltage on MCLR/VPP (pin 4) is typically 13 V during OTP programming - supply must tolerate this transition without latch-up. Another pitfall is omitting the Watchdog Timer enable fuse in software, which leaves the firmware vulnerable to lockup during ESD or EFT transient events in IEC 61000-4-4 environments.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations are not present in the verified web data and must be confirmed against Microchip's product compliance documentation. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to this commercial-temperature OTP MCU.
