PIC16LC72A-04I/SS - 4MHz 8-bit MCU 3.5KB OTP 22 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC72A-04I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.34 | $2.34 |
| 10 | $2.21 | $22.10 |
| 100 | $1.97 | $197.00 |
| 500 | $1.74 | $870.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC16LC72A-04I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (ROM/Flash/OTP), working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16LC72A is part of Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family, which sits between the baseline PIC10/12/16 family and the high-performance PIC18 family. MCUs serve as the decision-making element in embedded systems, replacing discrete logic and reducing BOM count. The "LC" prefix designates the low-voltage CMOS variant, optimized for portable and battery-powered designs, and the "04" suffix indicates the 4 MHz maximum operating frequency.
Key differentiating features include hardware I2C and SPI peripherals (the first PIC16 mid-range device to add dedicated I2C/SPI), a 5-channel 8-bit ADC, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, and an 8-bit parallel slave port. The architecture uses a Harvard design with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle opcode fetch and most instructions executing in one instruction cycle (250 ns at 4 MHz). It supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, allowing OTP memory to be programmed after PCB assembly.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, automotive body electronics, sensor interfaces, low-end consumer appliances, and battery-powered instrumentation. The wide voltage range and OTP memory make it ideal for moderate-volume production where mask-ROM cost is not amortized but in-system reprogrammability is not required. It is commonly used as a glue logic replacement in designs migrating from discrete 74HC logic or older PIC16C5x/PIC16C7x parts.
When designing with the PIC16LC72A-04I/SS, pay attention to the OTP memory constraint: parts can be programmed only once, so firmware must be production-final before programming. The 22 I/O pins share function with the ADC inputs, I2C, SPI, and parallel slave port, so peripheral allocation should be finalized before PCB layout. The "I" suffix denotes the industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C), suitable for non-automotive environments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible PIC16C72A variants, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet, supporting engineering selection and procurement decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC72A-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 PIC16LC72A-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Timers, Operating Temperature, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC72A-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC72-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC72-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.64 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC72-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC72A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC72A-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Family | PIC16C PIC16LC7x |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| CCP Module | 1 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | I2C + SPI (hardware) |
| Parallel Slave Port | Yes (8-bit) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm, 209 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Cycle | 250 ns at 4 MHz (4 x clock period) |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (in-circuit serial programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
PIC16LC72A-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Port A bit3 / Analog input 3 / ADC reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 — Port E bit0 / Parallel slave port read / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — Port E bit1 / Parallel slave port write / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — Port E bit2 / Parallel slave port chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit2 / CCP1 capture/compare/PWM output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — Port D bit0 / Parallel slave port data bit0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — Port D bit1 / Parallel slave port data bit1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — Port D bit2 / Parallel slave port data bit2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — Port D bit3 / Parallel slave port data bit3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — Port D bit4 / Parallel slave port data bit4 |
| Pin 28 | RB0/INT — Port B bit0 / External interrupt input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC72A-04I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Sensor Interface Hubs, Consumer Appliance Controls, Automotive Body Electronics, LED Lighting Controllers.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS fits industrial control panels because it integrates 22 I/O pins, hardware I2C/SPI for sensor hubs, and a 5-channel 8-bit ADC for analog signal conditioning - sufficient for relay drivers, keypad scanning, and 4-20 mA loop interfaces. At 4 MHz, it executes instruction cycles in 1 us, allowing up to 1 million instructions per second for real-time control loops. The 2.5V to 6.0V supply range accepts 24V-derived industrial rails after a simple buck conversion, and the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade ensures reliable operation inside enclosures near heat sources. OTP memory makes the part cost-effective for high-volume panel production runs where firmware is finalized.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS's wide 2.5V to 6.0V operating range and CMOS "LC" process make it suitable for battery-powered instrumentation such as portable meters, data loggers, and handheld test gear. Per the Microchip datasheet, sleep current is in the microamp range with peripherals disabled, enabling months of standby on 3.6V Li-SOCl2 primary cells. The 22 I/O pins drive LCD segments via external drivers, and I2C connects to low-power ADCs and temperature sensors for unattended data acquisition. Hardware I2C/SPI offloads bit-banging and further reduces active current versus software-only implementations.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Hubs
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS acts as a sensor interface hub by aggregating I2C and SPI peripherals with its 5-channel 8-bit ADC. The MSSP module supports both master and slave modes, enabling the MCU to read multiple digital sensors simultaneously while the ADC monitors analog channels like thermistors, photocells, and strain gauges. At 4 MHz, real-time sensor fusion for simple systems is achievable. The 128 bytes RAM accommodates small FIFO buffers for sample averaging before forwarding via I2C to a host controller.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controls
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS targets consumer appliance controls such as coffee makers, washing machines, microwave ovens, and small kitchen devices. OTP memory provides the lowest per-unit cost for high-volume SKUs, and the 22 I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, triac controls, and keypad inputs directly. Hardware I2C/SPI interfaces to EEPROM for user setting storage, and the 8-bit ADC reads temperature, water level, and humidity sensors. The 5V tolerant operation simplifies integration with existing 5V analog signal conditioning.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS is appropriate for non-safety automotive body electronics such as window lift controllers, seat adjusters, climate control panels, and lighting modules. The hardware I2C and SPI buses interface with body control modules and LIN transceivers, and the 22 I/O pins drive relay coils and switch inputs. Per Microchip's product family documentation, the industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade handles under-dash and cabin environments. OTP memory keeps per-unit cost minimal for high-volume car platforms.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LC72A-04I/SS drives LED lighting controllers with its 22 I/O pins handling multiple LED strings and the CCP module providing hardware PWM for dimming. The MSSP module interfaces with LED driver ICs like WS2801 or TLC5947 for high-channel-count addressable lighting, while the ADC monitors current-sense amplifiers for feedback. Per the Microchip datasheet, the wide 2.5V to 6.0V supply range accepts rectified 5V mains rails directly with minimal regulation, simplifying compact LED lamp designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC72A-04I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC72A-04I/SP | PIC16LC72-04I/SS | PIC16LC72-04I/SP | PIC16LC72-04/SO | PIC16LC72A-04I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 28-SPDIP (through-hole) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SPDIP (through-hole) | 28-SOIC (wider SMD) | 28-SOIC (wider SMD) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP (same) | 3.5 KB OTP (same) | 3.5 KB OTP (same) | 3.5 KB OTP (same) | 3.5 KB OTP (same) |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes (same) | 128 bytes (same) | 128 bytes (same) | 128 bytes (same) | 128 bytes (same) |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 (same) | 22 (same) | 22 (same) | 22 (same) | 22 (same) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (same) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (same) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (same) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (same) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (same) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (same) | Industrial (same) | Industrial (same) | Commercial (no 'I') | Industrial (same) |
| Silicon Revision | Rev A | Rev A (same) | Pre-A revision | Pre-A revision | Pre-A revision | Rev A (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Only PIC16 mid-range MCU with hardware I2C + SPI + 8-bit parallel slave port (vs PIC16C71/C72 (predecessor without SPI))
- Wide 2.5V to 6.0V operating range covers both 3.3V and 5V rails (vs PIC16C72 (5V only))
- 128 bytes RAM versus older PIC16C71 (36 bytes) and PIC16C72 (128 bytes) (vs PIC16C71 (predecessor with 36 bytes RAM))
Design Notes
OTP memory can be programmed only once. Ensure firmware is final and verified before programming. For prototypes, use the PIC16F72-I/SS Flash equivalent (same SSOP-28 package) which allows field reprogramming. Also note that MCLR must be pulled high with a 10k resistor for normal operation, and leaving it floating causes intermittent resets or unpredictable behavior.
Decoupling is critical: place a 100nF ceramic capacitor as close to pins 11 (VDD) and 12 (VSS) as possible, with PCB trace length under 5 mm. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the supply rail for transient load response. Per Microchip datasheet, the part will malfunction with more than 50 mV ripple on VDD. Watch the AVDD reference pin (RA3/VREF) configuration to ensure stable ADC reference if used.
For 28-SSOP (0.65 mm pitch), use ENIG or OSP surface finish and JEDEC-compliant SSOP land patterns. Keep crystal traces short (under 10 mm) and guard the oscillator with a ground ring to avoid switching noise injection. Route ADC analog inputs (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) away from high-speed digital lines; the 8-bit ADC is sensitive to digital coupling. Use a star-ground topology for analog and digital sections to minimize ground bounce.
If using the parallel slave port (PSP), the 8-bit PSP bus (RD0-RD3 plus RD4) and control lines (RE0-RE2) must be routed together with matched trace lengths under 50 mm. PSP throughput is limited by MCU clock - at 4 MHz with 200 ns instruction cycle, handshaking via RD/WR/CS requires careful timing analysis. Consider connecting the PSP to external DMA controllers or FPGA for high-bandwidth parallel interfaces.
I2C and SPI signals require proper pull-up resistors on SDA/SCL (typically 4.7k to 10k ohm depending on bus speed and capacitance). For long I2C buses, use 2.2k to 3.3k pull-ups. SPI CLK can be as fast as the MSSP module supports; ensure proper series termination if trace lengths exceed 50 mm. Keep the parallel slave port lines well-separated from clock traces to avoid coupling.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive safety-critical applications require PIC16F72 or PIC18 variants. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade suits non-automotive deployments.
