PIC16LC74A-04/PQ - 4MHz 8-bit OTP MCU, 7KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC74A-04/PQ ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.78 | $3.78 |
| 10 | $3.4 | $34.00 |
| 100 | $3.02 | $302.00 |
| 500 | $2.71 | $1,355.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.43 | $2,430.00 |
PIC16LC74A-04/PQ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and integrated I/O peripherals, designed to be embedded inside a larger electronic system to execute control logic in real time. Within Microchip's portfolio, the PIC16C7X family sits at the mid-range tier of the classic PIC architecture, between the baseline PIC16C5X/6X and the enhanced PIC16F/18F families. The 'LC' suffix designates a low-voltage CMOS variant; the 'A' suffix denotes the enhanced mid-range core with A/D and improved peripherals; the '04' suffix indicates a 4 MHz maximum clock; and the '/PQ' suffix indicates a 44-pin Plastic Metric Quad Flat Pack.
Key features include 7 KB of one-time-programmable (OTP) EPROM program memory, 192 bytes of data RAM, three I/O ports (PORTA/PORTB/DLUT/ECT enabling up to 33 I/Os), a 5-channel 8-bit A/D converter, USART/SCI serial port, MSSP (SPI/I2C) module, two 8-bit timers with one 16-bit timer, capture/compare/PWM modules, and a programmable watchdog timer. The device supports 2.5V to 6.0V operation in the LC variant.
Architecturally, the PIC16C7X uses a Harvard RISC core with separate program and data buses, 14-bit instruction word, and a 2-stage pipeline. The OTP memory allows one-time programming in volume manufacturing, while the LC+ low-voltage CMOS process supports battery-powered applications. The integrated A/D converter eliminates the need for external analog front-end components.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, motor control, instrumentation, automotive subsystems, and consumer electronics requiring embedded intelligence with analog sensing. The wide operating voltage range and integrated peripherals make the PIC16LC74A well suited for battery-backed devices, smart sensors, and human-interface panels.
When designing with this device, designers must consider that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed and that firmware revision requires a different part. The 4 MHz clock is adequate for basic control loops but limits signal-processing throughput; designs requiring higher MIPS should consider PIC18F or dsPIC alternatives. The 44-pin MQFP package is suited for surface-mount manufacturing but requires careful PCB layout for thermal dissipation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC74A-04/PQ — 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 PIC16LC74A-04/PQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC74A-04I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC74B-04I/PQ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$7.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-04I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74B-04I/PQ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC74A-04/PQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C7X mid-range |
| Core | 8-bit PIC RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| CCP Modules | Yes |
| USART | Yes (SCI) |
| SSP (SPI/I2C) | Yes (MSSP) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Package | 44-MQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (legacy PQ package) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (programmable) |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
PIC16LC74A-04/PQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog channel 3 / A/D Vref+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control for parallel slave port |
| Pin 6 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog channel 6 |
| Pin 7 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog channel 7 |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI2 — PORTC bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 29 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 30 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 31 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 40 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog channel 0 |
| Pin 41 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog channel 1 |
| Pin 42 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 43 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear / Programming voltage |
| Pin 44 | VSS — Ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC74A-04/PQ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Motor Control and PWM Drivers, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels, Sensor Monitoring and Data Acquisition, Automotive Subsystems (Legacy).
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ's 33 I/O pins, integrated 5-channel 8-bit A/D converter, and 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating range make it well-suited for industrial control panels. It can read sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, level) via the A/D, drive relays and indicator LEDs via digital I/O, and communicate with a PLC via the integrated USART. The 4 MHz clock is adequate for slow control loops (10 to 100 ms update rates typical for industrial applications), while the OTP memory keeps unit cost low in high-volume production. Place the PIC16LC74A-04/PQ as the central controller on a DIN-rail PCB with optocouplers on inputs and relay drivers on outputs, with 100 nF decoupling on VDD/VSS pairs.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drivers
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ's integrated Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules and 16-bit timer allow direct PWM generation for brushed DC motor control, LED dimming, or simple stepper motor sequencing. At 4 MHz (1 MIPS), the PWM frequency tops out near 20 kHz (8-bit preset for 100 kHz) - well above audible noise but with coarse headroom. The wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating range enables direct motor power-rail sensing without additional level shifters. The 33 I/O can drive H-bridge enable pins, sense current via A/D channels, and read quadrature encoder feedback from a motor shaft.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ's LC low-voltage CMOS process and 2.5 V minimum operating voltage allow direct operation from two alkaline (1.5 V) or three NiMH cells, making it ideal for portable instruments. The integrated 8-bit A/D converter reads battery voltage and sensor signals; the 192-byte RAM supports basic data logging. USART allows tethered data download to a host. Use the watchdog timer to wake from sleep periodically for ultra-low average current consumption, extending battery life to months in typical duty-cycled applications.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ's 33 I/O can directly drive 4-digit 7-segment LED displays (28 segments + 4 digit selects) or 4x4 keypad matrix (8 lines) without external drivers. USART supports external module integration such as LCD or Bluetooth. The 5-channel A/D reads analog inputs from operator controls. At 4 MHz, scan rates up to 30 Hz for a 4x4 keypad with debouncing are easily achievable, providing responsive user feedback. This makes the PIC16LC74A-04/PQ ideal for cost-sensitive HMI front panels in appliances.
Recommended
Sensor Monitoring and Data Acquisition
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ's 5-channel 8-bit A/D converter handles analog sensor inputs such as temperature (via NTC/PTC thermistors), light (via photodiodes), and pressure (via bridge outputs) without additional ICs, simplifying BOM. The 192-byte RAM buffers several samples before storage or transmission via USART. At 4 MHz, the A/D conversion completes in microseconds, allowing sub-millisecond sample rates across multiple channels. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V range supports both 3.3 V and 5 V sensor systems.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystems (Legacy)
Although the PIC16LC74A-04/PQ lacks AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, it has historically been used in non-safety automotive subsystems such as interior lighting controllers, climate-control panels, and accessory timers. The integrated PWM modules drive LED backlights or fan motors; the A/D reads temperature and potentiometer inputs; USART interfaces with body control modules. The commercial temperature range (0C to +70C) limits deployment to cabin environments. Always validate against Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) requirements for new automotive designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC74A-04/PQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC74A-04I/PQ | PIC16C74A-04I/PQ | PIC16F74-I/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-MQFP (10x10) | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 4 KB Flash |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| A/D Converter | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels | 8-bit, 5 channels |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (modern replacement) |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating voltage (vs PIC16C74A-04I/PQ)
- Industrial temperature range (vs PIC16LC74A-04/PQ (commercial))
- Flash reprogrammability for prototyping (vs PIC16F74-I/PQ)
- Modern active lifecycle status (vs PIC16LC74A-04/PQ (obsolete))
Design Notes
The PIC16LC74A-04/PQ requires a stable VDD of 2.5 V to 6.0 V with low source impedance. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair (the 44-MQFP has four VDD/VSS pin pairs). For battery-powered designs, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on VDD to handle transient current during A/D conversions and EEPROM writes. A power-on reset (POR) is integrated, but an external brown-out detector is recommended for industrial environments with noisy supplies.
OTP memory cannot be re-programmed: firmware bugs discovered in production require a new PIC order, increasing time-to-launch and severity cost. Always verify firmware on a windowed or flash equivalent (e.g. PIC16F74-I/PQ) before committing to OTP production. The MCLR pin must be pulled high via a 10 kohm resistor; failure to do so prevents normal startup. The /PGM low-voltage programming pin (RB3) must NOT be pulled low during normal operation or the device enters programming mode unexpectedly.
The 44-MQFP package has 0.8 mm lead pitch, which is the practical minimum for hand-soldering but standard for reflow. Use 4 mil (0.1 mm) traces with 4 mil clearance and a ground plane on the layer directly under the device for package sinking. Pin 1 indicator is the dot on the top surface of the package, with counter-clockwise pin numbering. The exposed thermal pad is NOT present on this MQFP variant; for thermally demanding applications, upgrade to the 44-TQFP (PIC16F74-I/PT) with thermal pad.
Estimated: at 4 MHz clock and 5 V VDD, the PIC16LC74A-04/PQ draws approximately 5 mA active current. Power dissipation is approximately 25 mW in active mode. The 44-MQFP package has theta_JA of approximately 50 C/W, resulting in a 1.25 C junction temperature rise above ambient - well within the 0C to +70C commercial range. For sleep mode at 3 V, quiescent current drops below 1 uA, enabling battery-powered designs with multi-year battery life when duty-cycled properly.
Compliance Information
Legacy PQ package (10x10 mm MQFP) uses tin-lead lead finish and is non-RoHS. Industrial variants (I) and modern replacements (PIC16F74-I/PQ) are typically RoHS compliant. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose dsPIC33CH or PIC18F-K40 family for automotive.
