PIC16LC72A-04I/SP - 8-bit MCU, 4MHz, 3.5KB OTP, 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC72A-04I/SP β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.4 | $2.40 |
| 10 | $2.21 | $22.10 |
| 100 | $1.96 | $196.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC16LC72A-04I/SP Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, RAM, I/O peripherals, and timers onto one IC, with a data path 8 bits wide. Microcontrollers sit at the bottom of the embedded computing hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The PIC16LC72A belongs to Microchip's PIC16 mid-range family, the industry reference architecture for low-cost, deterministic embedded control since the mid-1990s.
Key features include a wide operating voltage range of 2.5 V to 6.0 V (suitable for both 3.3 V and 5 V rails), 22 I/O pins with individual direction control, an on-chip brown-out reset circuit, an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface, and an industrial temperature range of -40 C to +85 C as denoted by the I suffix. The 28-SPDIP package is breadboard-friendly, making this part popular in education, prototyping, and legacy industrial designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16LC72A uses a Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction fetch plus execution. The OTP program memory is programmed once at production time, making the part economical for medium-volume embedded products where field firmware updates are not required. The C suffix in the die variant indicates a CMOS process revision A, and the -04 speed grade limits operation to 4 MHz. Program branches resolve in two instruction cycles, providing deterministic interrupt latency for real-time control.
Typical applications include appliance control boards, automotive interior modules, industrial sensor interfaces, HVAC thermostats, and consumer electronics subsystems. The on-chip ADC supports direct interface with potentiometers, thermistors, and low-bandwidth analog sensors, eliminating external ADC cost in many designs.
When designing with this device, ensure the ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) are accessible on the PCB for factory programming and field firmware recovery. The industrial (-I) suffix guarantees operation from -40 C to +85 C, so the part is qualified for outdoor enclosures and automotive cabin environments.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC72A-04I/SP 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 PIC16LC72A-04I/SP (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Mounting Type, Timers, ADC, Maximum Clock Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC72-04I/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.64 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LC72A-04/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F72-I/SP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC72A-04I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC72-04I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.72 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LC72A-04I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Mid-Range) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (at 20 MHz clock input) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (Timer0), 1 x 16-bit (Timer1) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-Out Reset | Yes, on-chip |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, I suffix) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (Skinny DIP) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Microchip product page) |
PIC16LC72A-04I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF β PORTA bit 3 / ADC channel 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS β PORTA bit 5 / ADC channel 5 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 β PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 β PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 β PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 β PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 β PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 β PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 β PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC72A-04I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: HVAC Thermostat Control, Appliance Control Board, Automotive Interior Lighting Module, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Consumer Remote Control Transmitter, Educational Development Platform.
HVAC Thermostat Control
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP fits HVAC thermostat designs thanks to its 5-channel 8-bit ADC for reading thermistor temperature sensors and potentiometer setpoints, plus 22 I/O pins for driving relays, LCD segments, and triac zero-cross triggers. The 4 MHz clock is sufficient for slow PID control loops, and 128 bytes of RAM holds the temperature history buffer. At 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating range, the part can be powered directly from a 24 VAC wall adapter via a small bridge rectifier, eliminating separate regulation. Compared with a 32-bit ARM MCU, the PIC16LC72A-04I/SP offers 70% cost savings at qty 1000 ($1.62 vs ~$5.50) for this cost-sensitive consumer product class.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP is well suited for washing machine, dishwasher, and microwave oven control boards. The 22 I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, keypads, status LEDs, and triac outputs for motor and heater control. The on-chip 16-bit Timer1 captures zero-cross timing for triac phase-angle firing, eliminating external timer ICs. OTP memory prevents accidental field reprogramming, which is a safety benefit for certified appliances. Industrial -40 C to +85 C rating handles the kitchen thermal environment. At $1.62 unit cost at qty 1000, the PIC16LC72A-04I/SP supports aggressive BOM targets typical of consumer white goods.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting Module
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP drives LED arrays, RGB mood lighting, and capacitive touch buttons in automotive interior modules such as door trim panels and overhead consoles. The 22 I/O pins multiplex up to 64 LEDs via Charlieplexing, while the 5-channel ADC reads photoresistor ambient sensors for automatic brightness adjustment. Operating voltage to 6.0 V tolerates 12 V battery transients after a 5 V regulator. The I suffix industrial temperature grade -40 C to +85 C handles cabin temperatures but not under-hood. For under-hood environments, an AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F1xx variant is required.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP interfaces 4-20 mA loop-powered sensors, thermistors, and bridge sensors in industrial instrumentation. The 8-bit ADC with 5-channel mux reads multiple analog inputs without external multiplexer ICs. The 16-bit Timer1 provides accurate pulse-width measurement for frequency-output flow meters. Brown-out reset prevents undefined behavior during power glitches common in 24 V industrial supplies. Watchdog timer recovers the MCU from firmware lockup. ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) allow factory calibration via 2-wire programming without removing the chip from the PCB.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP serves as the controller in IR/RF remote control units for televisions, set-top boxes, and ceiling fans. The 22 I/O pins scan a 5x5 keypad matrix, drive an LCD or LED indicator, and modulate an IR LED or 433 MHz transmitter. Sleep mode current in the microamp range extends battery life to multi-year timescales. The 4 MHz internal oscillator accuracy is sufficient for 38 kHz IR carrier generation. OTP memory locks the firmware to prevent unauthorized cloning of the IR protocol - a security advantage over flash parts.
Recommended
Educational Development Platform
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP is widely used in university microcontroller courses and hobbyist prototyping due to the 28-SPDIP package's breadboard compatibility and Microchip's free MPLAB X IDE plus XC8 compiler support. The 35-instruction RISC instruction set is small enough to teach assembly language fundamentals in a single semester, while the on-chip ADC introduces mixed-signal concepts. The industrial temperature range means students' lab prototypes survive shipping and storage. Cost under $3 at qty 1 keeps student kit budgets manageable. ICSP programming allows quick firmware reload between lab sessions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC72A-04I/SP β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC72-04I/SP | PIC16LC72A-04/SO | PIC16F72-I/SP | PIC16LC72A-04I/SO | PIC16LC72-04I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (through-hole) | 28-SPDIP (through-hole) - same | 28-SOIC (surface-mount) | 28-SPDIP (through-hole) - same | 28-SOIC (surface-mount) | 28-SSOP (surface-mount) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 2 KB Flash (reprogrammable) | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz (-04 grade) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (+400%) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| ADC | 5-channel 8-bit | 5-channel 8-bit | 5-channel 8-bit | 5-channel 8-bit | 5-channel 8-bit | 5-channel 8-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Approximate Unit Price (qty 1000) | $1.62 | $1.60 (similar, legacy variant) | $1.55 (similar, SOIC package) | $1.95 (flash variant, +20%) | $1.60 (similar, SOIC package) | $1.70 (similar, SSOP package) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature range with same die as commercial variant (vs PIC16LC72A-04/SO)
- Flash reprogrammability with 5x clock speed (vs PIC16F72-I/SP)
- Surface-mount compatibility via same silicon in SOIC package (vs PIC16LC72A-04I/SO)
- Pre-A silicon revision for legacy compatibility (vs PIC16LC72-04I/SP)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 5 V VDD and 4 MHz active operation, the PIC16LC72A-04I/SP draws approximately 2-5 mA active and <1 uA in Sleep mode per the Microchip datasheet. For battery-powered applications, place the MCU in Sleep between ADC samples and wake via the Watchdog Timer to extend battery life. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum at the regulator output. The brown-out reset circuit triggers at approximately 4.0 V (BOAR configured) and prevents undefined execution during supply droop.
Place the ICSP connector (or test pads) so that pins RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) are accessible on the PCB without removing the chip, enabling factory programming and field firmware recovery. Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and symmetric, with the crystal or resonator within 10 mm of the IC. Keep ADC analog traces (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching lines to minimize crosstalk. Add a ground pour under the IC for thermal dissipation and EMI shielding. The 28-SPDIP package is through-hole, so allow adequate through-hole pad clearance and use a socket for development kits.
Do not connect MCLR directly to VDD without a 10 kohm pull-up resistor; the reset line requires a controlled rise time and the ICSP programmer drives this pin during programming. Ensure the configuration bits (fuses) are set correctly: oscillator selection (HS vs XT vs LP), watchdog enable, brown-out enable, and code protection bits. Setting the wrong oscillator configuration can prevent the MCU from starting or cause erratic behavior. When migrating from PIC16LC72 (pre-A) to PIC16LC72A (A revision), consult the PIC16LC72A errata document for silicon revision-specific anomalies that may require firmware workarounds.
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SP 8-bit ADC achieves approximately 8-9 ENOB effective resolution in typical conditions. For best ADC accuracy, add a 100 nF bypass capacitor at each active analog input pin (RA0-RA5) to filter high-frequency noise. Use the dedicated AVdd/AVss supply pins (when available) and decouple them separately from the digital VDD/VSS rails. Acquire the ADC by setting the GO/DONE bit and waiting for conversion completion; the minimum acquisition time is approximately 20 us per the datasheet. For multi-channel ADC scanning, allow sufficient settling time between channel switches.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F72-I/SP or AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F1xx variants for automotive applications. Lead-free and matte-tin finish confirmed per datasheet.
