PIC16LC73B-04/SP - 8-Bit 4MHz MCU 7KB OTP 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC73B-04/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.18 | $3.18 |
| 10 | $2.86 | $28.60 |
| 100 | $2.55 | $255.00 |
| 500 | $2.27 | $1,135.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.04 | $2,040.00 |
PIC16LC73B-04/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), I/O peripherals, and timers onto one die. The PIC16LC73B-04 is part of Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family — a hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors -> integrated circuits. Its 8-bit data path and 14-bit instruction word make it well-suited for cost-sensitive legacy designs where deterministic timing and minimal BOM are priorities over raw computational throughput.
Key features include 192 bytes of RAM, 22 digital I/O pins, 5 channels of 8-bit A/D converter, two additional timers, two capture inputs, a PWM module, and a synchronous serial port (SSP). The device supports power-saving SLEEP mode, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator for safe operation, and a programmable code protection mechanism. The 28-SPDIP package offers hand-solder-friendly through-hole mechanical compatibility, widely used in industrial controllers, consumer appliances, and educational/prototyping platforms.
The architecture combines an 8-level deep hardware stack, 32 kHz to 4 MHz oscillator range with on-chip crystal support, and parallel slave port for external bus interfacing. On-chip peripherals reduce external component count; for low-power designs the LC series draws substantially less current than the standard PIC16C73B at equivalent clock rates.
Typical applications include industrial control logic, HVAC thermostat controllers, security alarm panels, sensor signal conditioning, small appliance controllers, and legacy 8051/PIC16C replacement boards requiring long-life continuity. When migrating from older PIC16C5X designs, the PIC16LC73B-04 preserves instruction set, register map, and pinout where packages align.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC73B-04/SP — 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 PIC16LC73B-04/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Instruction Execution Time, Operating Temperature, Maximum Clock Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C73B-04/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C73B-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF73-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC73B-04/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC73A-04/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC73B-04/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16C / 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns (single-word, single-cycle) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 192 bytes |
| Max CPU Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (3.3 V / 5 V) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| A/D Converter | 5 channels x 8-bit |
| Timers | 3 (TMR0, TMR1, TMR2) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | Yes (CCP module) |
| Synchronous Serial Port (SSP) | Yes (SPI / I2C) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Code Protection | Programmable |
| SLEEP Mode | Yes (low-power) |
PIC16LC73B-04/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC voltage reference plus |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture Compare PWM 2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture Compare PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock (SSP module) |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data (SSP module) |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out (SSP module) |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP programming data |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected on 28-SPDIP pin 28 (per datasheet pinout) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC73B-04/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, HVAC Thermostat Controllers, Consumer Appliance Controllers (Microwave / Washer User Interface), Security Alarm Panels, Educational Microcontroller Trainer Boards, Legacy PIC16C5X Upgrade Boards, Small PWM Motor Speed Controllers.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Use the PIC16LC73B-04/SP to read multiple analog sensors through its 5-channel 8-bit ADC, compute calibrated values, and drive indicator outputs or relays in factory equipment. The 22 I/O pins and dual 3.3 V/5 V supply support (2.5 V-6.0 V) make it a clean fit for 24 V-bus industrial cards after a regulator, while OTP program memory locks calibration coefficients at production. Compared to a discrete logic implementation, the MCU consolidates scan, debounce, and threshold logic into one device.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controllers
The PIC16LC73B-04/SP's 192 bytes RAM, three timers, and 7 KB OTP program memory are well-suited to domestic and light-commercial thermostat control loops. The CCP module generates PWM outputs to drive triac-controlled heating/cooling stages while the 5-channel ADC reads thermistor temperature inputs. OTP memory locks the control algorithm at production, eliminating firmware-update service calls and keeping BOM cost low for high-volume residential units.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controllers (Microwave / Washer User Interface)
Pair the PIC16LC73B-04/SP with keypads, LED indicators, and small relay or triac loads to build user-interface controllers in microwaves, washing machines, and small kitchen appliances. The 22 I/O scan a 4x5 matrix keypad and 7-segment LED display directly, while the SSP peripheral (SPI or I2C) extends to EEPROM parameter storage. OTP memory prevents accidental field reprogramming that could void warranty compliance, while the LC low-voltage operation preserves standby power budgets.
Recommended
Security Alarm Panels
Build a multi-zone wired alarm panel on the PIC16LC73B-04/SP by scanning up to 22 sensor inputs (PIR, door contacts, glass-break detectors) and driving a siren and keypad. The on-chip watchdog timer protects against firmware runaway in always-on security equipment, and SLEEP mode cuts quiescent current during armed-but-idle periods. OTP memory secures the alarm logic against firmware tampering, while the 5 ADC channels monitor supply and battery voltage.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Trainer Boards
The PIC16LC73B-04/SP is widely used in introductory electronics, embedded-systems, and STEM courses, where its 28-SPDIP through-hole package is hand-solderable and accepts clip-on logic-analyzer probes. Its 35 single-word instruction set teaches RISC fundamentals without overwhelming beginners, and 22 I/O + 5 ADC channels support dozens of lab exercises (LED chasers, A/D sampling, PWM motor control). Many university and vocational lab manuals reference it as a stable teaching platform.
Recommended
Legacy PIC16C5X Upgrade Boards
The PIC16LC73B-04/SP is upward compatible with the legacy PIC16C5X and PIC12CXXX families, preserving the same instruction set, register layout, and stack semantics — enabling drop-in replacement of older code onto a newer mid-range PIC16 design. Designers migrating older industrial or appliance boards gain RAM (192 bytes), more I/O (22 vs typically 12-13 on PIC16C5X), and integrated ADC/CCP peripherals without rewriting core logic.
Recommended
Small PWM Motor Speed Controllers
Use the PIC16LC73B-04/SP's CCP module to generate PWM drive for low-voltage DC motors, fans, or pumps in 3.3 V-5 V battery-operated equipment. The hardware CCP handles the duty-cycle toggling in the background, freeing the CPU for current sensing via the 5-channel ADC and closed-loop PID computation. OTP memory locks the firmware-tuned control parameters, eliminating trim-pot adjustments on the production line.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC73B-04/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C73B-04/SP | PIC16C73B-04I/SP | PIC16LF73-I/SP | PIC16F73-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP 7 KB | OTP 7 KB (same technology) | OTP 7 KB (same technology) | Flash 7 KB (reprogrammable) | Flash 7 KB (reprogrammable) |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (+400%) | 20 MHz (+400%) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.0 V to 6.0 V (narrower) | 4.0 V to 6.0 V (narrower) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider low end) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider low end) |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 | 22 (same) | 22 (same) | 22 (same) | 22 (same) |
| ADC Channels x Resolution | 5 x 8-bit | 5 x 8-bit (same) | 5 x 8-bit (same) | 5 x 8-bit (same) | 5 x 8-bit (same) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C | 0C to +70C (same) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Wider low-voltage operating range than the standard PIC16C73B (vs PIC16C73B-04/SP)
- Lower per-unit cost than the Flash-based PIC16F73 (vs PIC16F73-I/SP)
- Through-hole 28-SPDIP package enables hand-prototyping (vs PIC16F73-I/SP (often surface-mount SSOP))
Design Notes
The PIC16LC73B-04/SP operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V; place a decoupling capacitor of 0.1 uF ceramic between VDD (pin 27) and VSS (pin 26) within 1 cm of the IC pins, with a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum capacitor on the same rail. Estimated: a 100 mA active load plus 50 mA on a 5 V input drops approximately 0.5 W in the regulator; ensure the upstream regulator is rated above this with thermal margin. Add a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR/VPP and tie through a 10 nF cap to VDD for clean reset behavior.
At typical industrial quiescent current around 2 mA active and 5 uA SLEEP, a 4 MHz / 5 V operating point dissipates approximately 10 mW — well within the 28-SPDIP theta_JA of approximately 70 C/W. Estimated junction-temperature rise above ambient is therefore under 1 C, so no heatsink is required. In an enclosed industrial enclosure with +60 C ambient, junction stays safely below +85 C without forced airflow, even at sustained 4 MHz switching.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 8-9) short and symmetric, with the load capacitors placed within 5 mm of the IC and a guard ground ring to keep digital switching noise off the oscillator. Place the ICSP test points (RB6/PGC pin 24, RB7/PGD pin 25) on a header or test pad accessible without disconnecting the board; the MCLR line (pin 1) must remain accessible to enter programming mode. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5) short and away from PWM traces (RC1/CCP2, RC2/CCP1) to avoid ADC coupling.
Do not assume all six Port C bits 0-7 listed in the table are simultaneously available; pins RC0/RC1 double as Timer1 oscillator I/O and may be disabled if TMR1 oscillator mode is enabled. Never leave the watchdog timer enabled in time-critical loops without servicing the CLRWDT instruction, or the MCU will reset mid-operation. The MCLR pin must NOT be left floating; an external 10 kohm pull-up is mandatory for predictable startup. Finally, OTP-programmed parts cannot be re-flashed — verify firmware with engineering samples (PIC16F73) before committing to OTP volume.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance was not stated explicitly in the Verified Web Data. The PIC16C73B family predates broad RoHS adoption in OTP industrial MCUs; verify the lead-free / RoHS status on the manufacturer product page before committing to RoHS-restricted end products. AEC-Q100 is not applicable — this part is not qualified to automotive standards.
