PIC16LC715-04/P - 3.5KB EPROM 8-bit MCU w/ ADC | Microchip DIP-40
MPN: PIC16LC715-04/P β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.11 | $2.11 |
| 10 | $1.95 | $19.50 |
| 100 | $1.78 | $178.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.57 | $1,570.00 |
PIC16LC715-04/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals on one die. The PIC16 mid-range family is one of Microchip's long-running 8-bit RISC architectures (hypernyms: microcontroller -> MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC). PIC16C/LC devices use 14-bit instruction words and a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, optimized for deterministic interrupt latency. The "LC" prefix denotes the CMOS low-power process, while "C" denotes the standard EPROM process; the "L" prefix typically supports a lower VDD minimum than the C counterpart.
Key differentiating features include 13 I/O lines, 4-channel 8-bit ADC with selectable reference voltages, an on-chip brown-out reset (BOR) generator, and a windowed CERDIP package that allows the EPROM to be erased via UV exposure for prototyping and field updates. The device's 4 MHz maximum oscillator frequency keeps power consumption low, and its instruction cycle is one-quarter of the oscillator period (1 Β΅s at 4 MHz). The integrated ADC eliminates the need for an external converter, reducing BOM cost and PCB area for sensor-interface designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16LC715 uses an enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit program word and 8-bit data path, an 8-level deep hardware stack, and direct/indirect addressing modes. The brown-out reset holds the MCU in reset when VDD drops below a programmable threshold, protecting EPROM and register contents. The combination of internal ADC, EPROM (rather than one-time-programmable OTP), and the UV-erasable CERDIP package makes the PIC16LC715-04/P especially useful for low-cost, low-volume production where firmware iteration is expected.
Typical end uses include sensor signal conditioning, industrial control logic, building automation nodes, simple closed-loop PID controllers, battery-powered instrumentation, and educational or hobbyist platforms where EPROM reprogrammability is valuable. Compared with newer PIC16F1xxx devices, the LC715 trades Flash for EPROM and offers a smaller pin count, but provides a familiar, well-documented mid-range core with abundant third-party code examples.
When designing with this part, note that the -04 speed grade requires an oscillator up to 4 MHz; for 20 MHz operation, the -20 suffix variant (PIC16LC715-20/P) is required. Always honor the VDD ramp-rate requirements to ensure clean BOR behavior, and place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical engineering guidance that is not consolidated in any one manufacturer document.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC715-04/P 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 PIC16LC715-04/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, I/O Pins, Mounting Type, Supply Voltage (VDD), Timers.
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PIC16LC715-04I/P
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$1.56 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LC715-20/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC715-20I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C715-04/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C715-04I/P
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$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LC715-04/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit MCU |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (UV-erasable, windowed CERDIP) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2048 x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (the "-04" speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle | 1 us at 4 MHz oscillator |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 (with individual direction control) |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Brown-Out Reset (BOR) | Yes, on-chip |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, on-chip |
| Package | CERDIP-40 (windowed, 0.600 in) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | Commercial (0C to +70C) - confirm per lot |
| RoHS Status | Not compliant (contains lead, windowed CERDIP) |
PIC16LC715-04/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 β PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/SS/AN4 β PORTA bit 5 / slave select / analog input 4 |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input or external clock input |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output or clock output |
| Pin 8 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 9 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 10 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 11 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 12 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 13 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 16 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 17 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 19 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6 β PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RB7 β PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 27 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 28 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 29 | RC0 β PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 30 | RC1 β PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 31 | RC2 β PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 32 | RC3 β PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 33 | RC4 β PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 34 | RC5 β PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 35 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 36 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 37 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 38 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 39 | NC β Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 40 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) - second VDD |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC715-04/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Building Automation Nodes, Educational and Hobbyist Platforms, Simple Closed-Loop PID Controllers, Legacy Equipment Drop-In Replacement.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LC715-04/P's integrated 4-channel 8-bit ADC and 13 digital I/O lines make it a cost-effective MCU for industrial sensor-interface nodes. The 2.5-5.5 V supply range lets it sit directly on a 24V->5V regulated rail while the on-chip BOR holds the MCU in reset during supply droops, preventing bad ADC reads during brown-outs. With 3.5 KB EPROM and 128 bytes RAM, it has room for linearization tables and PID loops that drive a 4-20 mA loop. The windowed CERDIP enables field firmware updates via UV erasure during commissioning or maintenance. At 4 MHz the ADC conversion takes approximately 20 us, fast enough for thermal/flow sensor sampling at 1 kHz.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The LC suffix designates the low-power CMOS process, so the PIC16LC715-04/P is the natural fit for battery-powered data loggers and portable meters that draw single-digit mA active current. Operating from 2.5 V allows direct connection to two AA cells (3.0 V nominal) without a boost regulator, extending battery life. The BOR module protects EPROM contents when the cells discharge below the brown-out threshold, and the 4 MHz oscillator limits worst-case active power. The 8-bit ADC samples battery voltage and sensor inputs while the on-chip watchdog timer resets the MCU on firmware lockup. UV-erasable CERDIP lets designers iterate firmware without scrapping assembled boards.
Recommended
Building Automation Nodes
Building automation controllers - HVAC damper actuators, lighting keypads, and access-control readers - need a low-cost 8-bit MCU with mixed-signal I/O and proven long-term reliability. The PIC16LC715-04/P fits with its 4 ADC channels (for temperature, humidity, light, and potentiometer feedback), 13 digital I/O (for relays, buttons, LEDs, and a serial link), and the PIC16 mid-range core that engineers have shipped in millions of units since the 1990s. The CERDIP-40 through-hole package survives mechanical stress in wall-mounted enclosures better than fine-pitch SMD. BOR + watchdog timer ensure unattended nodes recover automatically from supply glitches.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Platforms
Universities, technical schools, and hobbyists continue to use the PIC16LC715-04/P because the UV-erasable windowed CERDIP lets students repeatedly erase and reprogram the same chip during lab sessions, lowering per-lab cost. The PIC16 mid-range instruction set is well documented in textbooks and online, and the 4 MHz instruction rate is slow enough to follow execution on a logic analyzer. The 13 I/O pins can drive LEDs, switches, and a UART link to a host PC. The CERDIP-40 through-hole form factor fits standard 0.6 in DIP breadboards and ZIF sockets, simplifying lab wiring. Third-party tools (MPLAB IDE, PICSTART+) support the PIC16LC715 family natively.
Recommended
Simple Closed-Loop PID Controllers
Low-bandwidth closed-loop controllers for temperature, pressure, or flow regulation fit well within the PIC16LC715-04/P's 3.5 KB EPROM and 4 MHz execution rate. The 8-bit ADC samples the process variable, while a PWM output (Timer2 drives the PWM peripheral) modulates a heater, valve, or pump. The PID algorithm runs in 128 bytes of RAM using fixed-point math, and the on-chip watchdog timer recovers the loop on firmware lockup. The windowed CERDIP enables last-minute tuning-table updates during factory commissioning without discarding the MCU. BOR ensures the loop restarts cleanly after supply interruptions.
Recommended
Legacy Equipment Drop-In Replacement
The PIC16LC715-04/P remains in active production primarily as a long-term drop-in replacement for legacy 1990s and 2000s designs that originally used PIC16C715 or PIC16LC715 chips. Industrial equipment with 20+ year service lives - factory PLCs, motor drives, test fixtures - often needs exact form-fit-function replacements to avoid PCB rework. The windowed CERDIP-40 package, the 4 MHz oscillator, and the original pinout are preserved across all -04/-20 and C/LC variants, so spares can be stocked without redesign. Engineers maintaining such equipment should order PIC16LC715-04I/P for industrial temperature range.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC715-04/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC715-04I/P | PIC16LC715-20/P | PIC16LC715-20I/P | PIC16C715-04/P | PIC16C715-04I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | CERDIP-40 (windowed) | CERDIP-40 (windowed) - same | CERDIP-40 (windowed) - same | CERDIP-40 (windowed) - same | CERDIP-40 (windowed) - same | CERDIP-40 (windowed) - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Process | CMOS Low-Power (LC) | CMOS Low-Power (LC) | CMOS Low-Power (LC) | CMOS Low-Power (LC) | Standard CMOS (C) | Standard CMOS (C) |
| Temperature Range | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial (0C to +70C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM |
| RAM / I/O Pins / ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC | 128 B / 13 I/O / 4-ch 8-bit ADC |
Key Differentiators
- UV-erasable windowed CERDIP-40 enables repeated firmware updates without scrapping the chip (vs PIC16F716-I/P (Flash, one-time-erase-window-free but in PDIP-18))
- On-chip 4-channel 8-bit ADC eliminates an external converter (vs PIC16F84A (no ADC, requires external ADC chip))
- CMOS Low-Power (LC) process for battery-friendly operation (vs PIC16C715-04/P (standard CMOS process))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (pins 5/14/40 share supply). For boards with long supply traces, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU. The on-chip brown-out reset holds the device in reset until VDD crosses the BOR threshold; ensure your regulator's rise time meets the BOR spec to avoid in-rush reset loops.
Do not assume the PIC16LC715-04/P can operate at 20 MHz - the -04 suffix limits the oscillator to 4 MHz. For 20 MHz designs, choose the -20 suffix variant (PIC16LC715-20/P). Also, the CERDLC-40 package is not RoHS compliant because of the lead-containing glass and Kovar leads; for RoHS builds, use the SO or SS package suffix parts or migrate to the PIC16F716 Flash family.
Keep the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 6/7) short and surrounded by a ground guard ring to limit EMI coupling into the analog ADC inputs. Place the analog signals (AN0-AN3 on PORTA) away from digital switching lines, and route the analog ground (VSS at pin 3 or 5) directly to the power-supply ground star point. For UV-erasable windowed CERDLC, avoid placing the window under a heatsink or opaque housing.
Compliance Information
Windowed CERDIP-40 package contains lead-bearing glass and Kovar leads, so the part is not lead-free. REACH and conflict-minerals status per Microchip product declarations. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive applications should use AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F equivalents.
