PIC16LC715T-04I/SS - 3.5KB OTP MCU 4MHz 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC715T-04I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.97 | $3.97 |
| 10 | $3.58 | $35.80 |
| 100 | $3.21 | $321.00 |
| 500 | $2.84 | $1,420.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.49 | $2,490.00 |
PIC16LC715T-04I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and configurable peripherals on a single silicon die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LC715 belongs to the 8-bit MCU class -> RISC microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC hierarchy. Microchip's mid-range PIC16 architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word and an 8-level-deep hardware stack, which provides deterministic real-time response well-suited to control loops and bit-banged protocols.
Key features of the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS include its integrated ADC, three timer/counter peripherals (Timer0 8-bit, Timer1 16-bit with sleep-mode crystal increment capability, and Timer2 8-bit), a watchdog timer for safety-critical code lockup recovery, and a power-saving SLEEP mode. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range supports both 3.3 V and 5 V rails, while the 13 I/O pins with programmable weak pull-ups reduce BOM cost in keypad and switch-input designs. The 4 MHz maximum oscillator speed keeps dynamic power consumption low while still servicing typical control-loop update rates.
Architecture-wise, the PIC16LC715 uses a Harvard-class RISC core with separated program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access in the same cycle. Its OTP program memory (versus flash in PIC16F-series) makes it a cost-optimized choice for high-volume mature products where firmware is finalized and field updates are not required. The integrated analog front-end eliminates an external ADC, saving PCB area in sensor-interface boards.
Typical applications for the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS include low-cost consumer appliances, industrial sensor signal conditioning, simple motor and valve control loops, LED lighting controllers, security-system I/O expanders, and battery-powered instrumentation where the "LC" low-voltage operation and SLEEP mode extend runtime. It is also commonly used in white-goods control boards and as a glue-logic replacement for discrete 74-series TTL in legacy designs.
When designing with this part, engineers should note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit - firmware must be validated before commitment. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF minimum) should be placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, and unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs to minimize supply current draw during SLEEP.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand and cross-brand alternatives in the 20-SSOP footprint, and practical design notes not found in the bare datasheet - the information gain an engineer needs to qualify or substitute this part quickly.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC715T-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 PIC16LC715T-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Packaging.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC715-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC711T-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C715-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F716T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1827T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC715T-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 mid-range RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| ADC | 4-channel, 8-bit |
| Max Oscillator Frequency | 4 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, "I") |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209", 5.30 mm width) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel ("T" suffix) |
| Timers | Timer0 (8-bit), Timer1 (16-bit), Timer2 (8-bit) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| SLEEP Mode | Yes (low-power CMOS "LC") |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit, 35 instructions |
| Stack | 8-level hardware |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LC715T-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / ADC analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / ADC analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / ADC analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / ADC analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/SS — Digital I/O / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RE0/RD — Digital I/O port E bit 0 (some variants) |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Digital I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Digital I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V - 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC715T-04I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Battery-Powered Sensor Modules, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting Controllers, Security System I/O Expanders, White Goods and HVAC Control, Automotive Aftermarket Accessories.
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16LC715T-04I/SS fits consumer appliance control boards (washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers) where cost-optimized MCU plus integrated ADC matters. Its 2.5 V-5.5 V supply tolerates rectified 5 V rails, 13 I/O pins drive relays/LEDs/keypads directly, and the 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads temperature, level, and humidity sensors without external analog ICs. SLEEP mode keeps standby power under 1 µA, important for ENERGY STAR appliances. The OTP memory locks firmware to prevent field tampering, while the industrial -40 °C to +85 °C range survives under-cabinet heat. The 20-SSOP package sits in a tight corner of the appliance control PCB.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Modules
The PIC16LC715T-04I/SS suits battery-powered sensor modules such as wireless thermostats, leak detectors, and remote controls where the "LC" low-voltage CMOS core extends runtime. Operating from 2.5 V down to a single Li-ion cell's end-of-life voltage, and drawing <1 µA in sleep, it pairs with an ADC front-end to wake periodically, sample, transmit, and return to sleep. The 13 I/O pins interface buttons and a low-power RF module. Industrial temperature range supports outdoor installations. OTP memory prevents accidental firmware overwrite during brown-out events on depleted batteries. Cost is critical at consumer price points.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
In industrial sensor conditioning boards, the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS reads 4-20 mA or 0-10 V transducer signals via its 4-channel 8-bit ADC and drives digital outputs or HMI displays. The 2.5 V-5.5 V supply tolerates 24 V industrial bus rails stepped down by a simple linear regulator. The 13 I/O handle limit-switch inputs and indicator LEDs. Industrial -40 °C to +85 °C operation suits factory floor cabinets. OTP memory locks calibration constants to prevent field re-calibration errors. The 20-SSOP sits alongside op-amps and references on a compact analog/digital mixed-signal PCB.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LC715T-04I/SS drives LED lighting dimmers and color-mixing controllers where its PWM-capable CCP peripherals and 13 I/O pins manage multiple LED strings. The integrated ADC reads ambient light sensors or potentiometer dimmer inputs, while the 4 MHz instruction cycle executes dimming algorithms with sufficient resolution. The 2.5 V-5.5 V supply accepts common 3.3 V and 5 V LED driver rails. Industrial temperature range covers outdoor fixture environments. OTP memory locks color-calibration tables for production consistency. Compact 20-SSOP leaves board space for high-current LED driver FETs.
Recommended
Security System I/O Expanders
Security system panels and alarm I/O expanders use the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS to scan multiple zones (PIR, door contacts, glass-break detectors) and report status over a serial link to the main panel. The 13 I/O pins cover up to 13 zones per chip, with cascading chips for larger installs. The watchdog timer recovers from code lockup or electrical transients. The integrated ADC monitors backup battery voltage and PIR analog outputs. OTP memory prevents firmware tampering that could disable alarm logic. Industrial temperature range supports unheated garages and outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
White Goods and HVAC Control
White goods controllers (refrigerators, HVAC thermostats, washing machines) leverage the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS for cost-sensitive user-interface and temperature-loop control. The 13 I/O drive 7-segment displays, keypads, buzzer, and relay outputs. The 4-channel 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors, water level sensors, and door-switch states. The 2.5 V-5.5 V supply tolerates rectified mains-derived 5 V rails. SLEEP mode reduces standby to comply with ENERGY STAR. The industrial temperature range handles under-cabinet heat up to +85 °C. OTP locks in factory calibration values.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessories
Automotive aftermarket accessories such as alarm systems, remote starters, and gauge clusters use the PIC16LC715T-04I/SS as the central logic controller. The 13 I/O drive relays, LEDs, and buzzer outputs; the integrated ADC reads battery voltage and sensor inputs. The 2.5 V-5.5 V supply accepts regulated 5 V derived from 12 V vehicle rails. Industrial temperature range handles cabin environments (-40 °C to +85 °C). Note: this part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for OEM automotive designs, Microchip recommends AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants in the same 20-SSOP footprint. OTP locks in vehicle-specific calibration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC715T-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC715-04I/SS | PIC16LC711T-04E/SS | PIC16C715-04I/SS | PIC16F716T-I/SS | PIC16F1827T-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP (tape & reel) | 20-SSOP (tube) | 20-SSOP (tape & reel) | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (tape & reel) | 20-SSOP (tape & reel) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 1.75 KB OTP | 3.5 KB EPROM (UV-erasable) | 1 KB flash | 7 KB flash |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 384 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 |
| ADC | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 4-ch 8-bit | 12-ch 10-bit |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V - 5.5 V | 2.5 V - 5.5 V | 2.5 V - 6.0 V | 4.5 V - 5.5 V | 2.0 V - 5.5 V | 1.8 V - 5.5 V |
| Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | EPROM (UV-erasable) | Flash (ICSP) | Flash (ICSP) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage CMOS ("LC") operation down to 2.5 V (vs PIC16C715-04I/SS)
- Field-upgradable flash for new designs (vs PIC16F716T-I/SS)
- 50% larger program memory than the smaller-sibling PIC16LC711 (vs PIC16LC711T-04E/SS)
- Mid-range 14-bit core vs enhanced 14-bit core (vs PIC16F1827T-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 20) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor on the same rail. The PIC16LC715T-04I/SS draws <2 mA active at 4 MHz / 5 V and <1 µA in SLEEP, but high-current I/O transitions cause brief VDD dips that can reset the MCU without adequate bulk capacitance. Use a low-ESR ceramic (X7R/X5R) for the 100 nF decoupling.
OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten. Once programmed, firmware bugs require a new chip - there is no ICSP update path on the PIC16LC715 family. For development and field-updateable products, choose PIC16F716 (1 KB flash) or PIC16F1827 (7 KB flash) instead, both in the same 20-SSOP footprint. OTP is appropriate only for fully-validated production firmware where cost-per-unit matters more than iteration flexibility.
Configure unused I/O pins as outputs (set TRIS bits) and drive them low to minimize SLEEP current and reduce EMI. Enable weak pull-ups on inputs only where needed (switches, keypads) - each enabled weak pull-up adds ~250 µA of bias current. Place the 4 MHz crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 16-17) with grounded guard traces to reduce clock noise coupling into the ADC.
Route ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA3, pins 1-4) away from digital switching signals and the oscillator traces. Add a ground guard ring around the analog section if mixed-signal sensitivity is critical. The internal 8-bit ADC has ~±1 LSB quantization noise; for >8-bit effective resolution, average multiple samples in firmware or upgrade to PIC16F1827's 10-bit ADC in the same footprint.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for OEM automotive designs use AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants in the same 20-SSOP footprint.
