PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO - 8-bit MCU, 7KB OTP, 4MHz, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.8 | $7.80 |
| 10 | $7.02 | $70.20 |
| 100 | $6.24 | $624.00 |
| 500 | $5.46 | $2,730.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.68 | $4,680.00 |
PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus, optimized for embedded control tasks such as sensor reading, actuator driving, and simple protocol handling. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LC73B belongs to the mid-range 8-bit MCU family -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The 'LC' prefix indicates a low-voltage CMOS variant, typically specified for operation down to 2.5 V, while the 'T' suffix denotes tape-and-reel packaging and 'I' denotes the industrial -40 C to +85 C operating range.
Key features include Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, 14-bit instruction word optimized for single-cycle execution on most instructions, two 8-bit timer/counters and one 16-bit timer/counter, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, and an internal oscillator option. The mid-range core provides deterministic interrupt latency and a compact instruction set that simplifies assembler and C development with Microchip's MPLAB XC8 toolchain.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, industrial control panels, low-end sensor interfaces, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and battery-powered instrumentation where the wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V operating range, 4 MHz throughput, and integrated peripherals reduce external component count.
Design consideration: OTP memory is one-time-programmable, so firmware must be fully validated before programming; plan for prototypes on flash-based siblings such as PIC16F73 during development, then move to PIC16LC73B for cost-down production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO — 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 PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Type, Program Memory Size, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC73B-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC73BT-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC73AT-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC73A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$4.19 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F73-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 8-bit, multi-channel |
| PWM Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | UART/USART, SPI, I2C (via SSP) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (low-voltage LC variant) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP (2-wire) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Low-End Automotive Body Electronics, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, HVAC Thermostat Controller, LED Lighting Controller.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO fits consumer appliance control boards because its 7 KB OTP holds full state-machine firmware for washing-machine cycles, microwave user interfaces, and rice cooker timing logic. The 22 digital I/O lines drive keypads, LED/LCD modules, relay coils, and triac gates directly, while the on-chip ADC reads thermistor or weight-sensor inputs. The 4 MHz mid-range core executes the instruction set in single cycles, giving deterministic loop timing for safety interlocks. Operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V, the part works directly from rectified 5 V rails without an additional regulator. Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range covers kitchen and laundry environments. OTP memory protects firmware IP once finalized, lowering per-unit cost compared to flash-based PIC16F73 in high-volume SKUs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO serves well as a 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitter front-end because its 8-bit ADC, USART, and 22 I/O provide everything needed for sensor linearization and HART-style protocol bridging. The integrated brown-out reset prevents data corruption when the loop supply dips during cable faults, and the watchdog timer recovers from firmware lockups in unattended field installations. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range accepts the regulated loop voltage directly. The SSP module supports I2C for external EEPROM calibration storage and SPI for a front-end instrumentation amp. Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature rating is mandatory for outdoor process plants and skid-mounted equipment.
Recommended
Low-End Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO targets non-safety automotive body modules such as mirror controllers, seat-heater timers, ambient lighting, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Its 22 I/O drive MOSFET half-bridges and read Hall sensors, while the 2 PWM channels generate motor speed commands without an external timer IC. The 8-bit ADC reads position potentiometers and temperature sensors. Automotive 12 V supply is regulated down to 5 V by a small LDO and fed directly to the LC73B. Industrial -40 C to +85 C temp range handles cabin environments. Note that this is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for safety-relevant ECUs choose PIC16F1936 or dsPIC33CH family.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO fits handheld instruments like digital multimeters, IR thermometers, and portable gas detectors because of its 2.5 V minimum VDD that lets it run from two AA cells. The low-voltage CMOS LC variant reduces active current draw versus the standard C version, extending battery life in duty-cycled measurement applications. The on-chip ADC reads battery voltage for fuel-gauging, and the watchdog timer wakes the MCU from sleep between measurements. The 4 MHz core completes a measurement-and-display cycle in a few milliseconds, then the firmware parks the CPU in sleep for the rest of the sample interval.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO controls residential and light-commercial thermostats by reading temperature from an external sensor via the 8-bit ADC, driving a character LCD or e-ink display via PORTD/GPIO, and switching 24 VAC furnace and air-handler relays through opto-isolated triac drivers. The 7 KB OTP comfortably holds multi-stage scheduling, hysteresis logic, and remote-sensor averaging firmware. Two PWM outputs drive variable-speed fan modulation. Brown-out reset is essential because HVAC control transformers deliver poorly regulated AC that dips during furnace igniter cycling. -40 C to +85 C handles basement and attic installations.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO drives addressable RGB LED strips and architectural lighting fixtures by buffering DMX-512 or SPI-based pixel protocols through the USART or SSP module. Its 22 I/O and 2 PWM channels support either 2-channel analog dimming or addressable data-line injection. The 4 MHz core sustains 24-channel DMX refresh without flicker. Operating from 2.5 V to 5.5 V, the part interfaces directly to 3.3 V LED driver ICs. Industrial temperature range handles outdoor signage and stage-lighting enclosures. OTP memory locks the color sequence to prevent unauthorized firmware changes in commercial installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC73B-04I/SO | PIC16LC73BT-04/SO | PIC16LC73AT-04I/SO | PIC16LC73A-04I/SO | PIC16F73-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (7 KB / 4K x 14) | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (7 KB) | OTP (4K x 14) | OTP | Flash (7 KB) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz max |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C | UART, SPI, I2C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Mature / Active |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel packaging option on a mature mid-range MCU (vs PIC16LC73B-04I/SO)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range (vs PIC16LC73BT-04/SO)
- Flash reprogrammability for development (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
Design Notes
PIC16LC73B uses one-time-programmable (OTP) program memory, so firmware bugs become permanent after programming. Validate on a flash-based sibling like PIC16F73 first, then port the verified image to the LC73B for production. Set the configuration bits (oscillator, watchdog, brown-out, code protect) before programming; once programmed, the configuration word cannot be changed. Use Microchip's ICSP socket or a production-grade programmer like PICkit 3 / MPLAB PM3.
Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board power entry. The 28-SOIC has two VSS pins (8 and 19); connect both to ground for low-impedance return paths, especially for ADC accuracy. Brown-out reset should be enabled in the configuration word to prevent code execution at low VDD, which can corrupt EEPROM or behave unpredictably.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1 pin 9, OSC2 pin 10) short and symmetric, with the load capacitors placed within 3-5 mm of the MCU. Keep the crystal away from PWM and relay-switching traces to avoid coupling noise into the oscillator. If using an external clock, drive OSC1 only and leave OSC2 floating. For ADC accuracy, use a separate analog ground return for the AVss path and decouple VREF+ with 100 nF plus 10 uF.
At 4 MHz and 5 V, the PIC16LC73BT-04I/SO typically draws about 2-5 mA active, which yields negligible self-heating. However, in sealed enclosures with ambient temperatures at +85 C, ensure the package junction stays below the +125 C max (no external heatsink needed for this SOIC). Estimated: at 5 mA and 5 V, dissipation is 25 mW - well within the SOIC's thermal envelope.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not stated in the Verified Web Data. The PIC16LC73B family is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications use PIC16F1936 or dsPIC33CH. RoHS/REACH compliance should be confirmed directly with Microchip for production orders.
