PIC16LC770T-I/SS - 8-bit PIC MCU, 3.5KB OTP, 20MHz, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC770T-I/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.55 | $4.55 |
| 10 | $4.07 | $40.70 |
| 100 | $3.62 | $362.00 |
| 500 | $3.27 | $1,635.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.91 | $2,910.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.58 | $7,740.00 |
PIC16LC770T-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral set on one die. PIC16 series MCUs from Microchip are RISC-based, meaning each instruction executes in one oscillator cycle except for program branches. The PIC16 mid-range family sits between the smaller PIC10/12 baseline parts and the PIC18 enhanced core; it is a workhorse for cost-sensitive, low-power consumer and industrial control such as appliance timers, sensor conditioning, and human-interface peripherals. The PIC16LC770 family extends the family with an enhanced USART, multiple timer modules, a 12-bit ADC, and capture/compare/PWM capability, which differentiates it from the smaller PIC16C7x baseline.
Key features of the PIC16LC770 include a 12-bit ADC with up to six input channels, an Enhanced USART supporting RS-232/RS-485, dual 8-bit timer/counters with dedicated prescalers, one 16-bit Capture/Compare/PWM module, and 16 digital I/O pins with individually programmable direction registers. The device also provides an internal watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator for unattended recovery, two on-chip analog comparators, and an external interrupt source. Brown-out Reset / Power-on Reset with on-chip POR timer ensures a known startup state on every power cycle.
Architecturally the PIC16LC770 uses a Harvard bus design with separate instruction and data paths, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in parallel. The OTP program memory offers one-time-programmable storage, locking the firmware into the die once programmed, which is well-suited to production-cost-sensitive designs that do not require firmware upgrades. The wide 3.0 V to 5.5 V supply window lets the same part run from a 3.3 V digital rail, two alkaline cells, or a 5 V regulated bus. Two power-managed Idle and Sleep modes reduce quiescent current for battery-powered designs, with the analog peripherals shut down in Sleep to avoid false wakeups.
Typical applications include appliance control boards, sensor signal conditioning, low-speed serial bridge peripherals, industrial sensor interfaces, small human-interface controllers (keypads and LED indicators), and battery-operated handheld instruments. Designers favor the PIC16LC770 when they need more peripheral capability than the PIC16C711 but do not need the larger flash and code memory of a PIC18 or PIC24 device. Compared to flash-based siblings such as the PIC16F716, the OTP variant lowers per-unit cost in mature, unchanging firmware designs at the expense of field upgradability.
For successful design-in, ensure the brown-out voltage is configured above the lowest expected supply rail and that the watchdog timer is enabled for any unattended deployment. The enhanced USART supports both synchronous and asynchronous modes, but its baud-rate generator relies on the system oscillator; an external crystal is recommended when RS-485 timing tolerance is tighter than Β±2 %.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, including a comparison_table that lines up package, memory, and ADC parameters against verified pin-compatible drop-in alternatives.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC770T-I/SS 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 PIC16LC770T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC770-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC717-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC717T-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC716-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC73BT-04I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LC770T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC mid-range |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP (2K Γ 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 6 channels |
| Timers | 2 Γ 8-bit + 1 Γ 16-bit |
| Communication | 1 Γ Enhanced USART (RS-232/RS-485) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 Γ 16-bit ECCP |
| Comparators | 2 Γ on-chip analog comparators |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset / POR | Yes |
| Power-Saving Modes | Idle and Sleep |
| Operating Temperature | -40 Β°C to +85 Β°C (industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes (per VLSIweb supplier package code) |
PIC16LC770T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 β Port A bit 2 / Analog channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ β Port A bit 3 / Analog channel 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4 β Port A bit 4 / Analog channel 4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5/SS β Port A bit 5 / Analog channel 5 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 7 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 9 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 10 | RC2/CCP1 β Port C bit 2 / CCP1 (16-bit ECCP) |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCK/SCL β Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 12 | RC4/SDI/SDA β Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 13 | RC5/SDO β Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RC6/TX/CK β Port C bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 15 | RC7/RX/DT β Port C bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 16 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 17 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 18 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 19 | RB3/PGM β Port B bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC770T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Industrial Sensor Interfaces, Human-Interface Controllers (Keypad & LED), Battery-Operated Handheld Instruments, Low-Speed Serial Bridge Peripherals, Motor and Solenoid Control.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16LC770T-I/SS suits appliance control boards that need an Enhanced USART for diagnostics plus a 16-bit ECCP for triac or motor phase-angle control. With 3.5 KB of OTP it fits compact state-machine firmware in washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens where firmware is locked at production. The 12-bit ADC reads thermistor or NTC sensor inputs directly, and the analog comparators handle zero-cross detection for line-powered loads. Designers use the 20 MHz core and 16-bit PWM to drive triac-based heater or motor controls, while the wide 3.0-5.5 V supply lets the board accept either 3.3 V regulated or 5 V unregulated rails without rework. Compared to an MCU without a dedicated ECCP, the LC770 removes the firmware overhead of bit-banging the phase control, freeing code space for safety timers. Recommended companion: an MOC3021 optotriac driver for line-isolated switching.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfaces
For industrial sensor interface modules the PIC16LC770T-I/SS provides a 12-bit ADC with up to six channels and an Enhanced USART for RS-485 multi-drop sensor buses. The 3.0-5.5 V supply lets the module accept 24 V industrial rails after a switching regulator drops to 5 V, while the industrial -40 to +85 Β°C temperature grade is mandatory for cabinet or field-mount deployments. Brown-out Reset and the on-chip POR timer guarantee a deterministic startup after a noisy industrial power event, and the watchdog timer with internal RC oscillator provides unattended recovery. The 16-bit ECCP can output a current-loop 4-20 mA PWM signal, and the analog comparators implement threshold alarms for over/under-range detection. Compared with discrete analog front ends, the LC770 cuts BOM count by integrating conditioning logic into firmware. Recommended companion: an isolated RS-485 transceiver such as the ADM2483 for robust bus isolation.
Recommended
Human-Interface Controllers (Keypad & LED)
The PIC16LC770T-I/SS fits keypad-and-LED human-interface controllers that scan up to 4Γ4 matrix keypads and drive multiplexed seven-segment or discrete LED displays. With 16 GPIO pins the part can directly interface a 4Γ4 keypad plus an 8-digit display without external I/O expanders, while the 20 MHz instruction rate handles contact-debounce and LED multiplexing without flicker. The Idle mode reduces current when no key is pressed, extending battery life in portable remote-style interfaces. The 12-bit ADC is unused here, so it can be disabled in firmware to further cut quiescent draw. Compared with a baseline PIC16C711, the LC770 adds the Enhanced USART that lets the panel talk to a host controller for menu updates. Recommended companion: a TM1637 LED driver if you prefer dedicated display hardware over firmware multiplexing.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Handheld Instruments
The PIC16LC770T-I/SS supports battery-operated handheld instruments thanks to its 3.0-5.5 V supply (works directly from two alkaline cells) and Idle/Sleep power-saving modes that drop current into the microamp range. The 12-bit ADC reads sensor inputs with sufficient resolution for handheld thermometers, pH meters, or simple DMMs, while the analog comparators flag low-battery or out-of-range conditions. Sleep mode with watchdog wakeup enables unattended duty-cycled measurement intervals of seconds to minutes, dramatically extending battery life versus continuous-run designs. The Enhanced USART supports firmware-update diagnostics via a serial boot port, even though the OTP memory cannot be field-updated. Compared with PIC18 flash parts, the LC770 OTP variant lowers BOM cost in mature, unchanging instrument firmware. Recommended companion: an MCP1700 low-dropout regulator for clean 3.3 V supply from depleted batteries.
Recommended
Low-Speed Serial Bridge Peripherals
Use the PIC16LC770T-I/SS as a low-speed serial bridge between a host processor and a legacy RS-232 or RS-485 peripheral. The Enhanced USART supports both synchronous and asynchronous modes at standard baud rates up to the oscillator limit, and the 16 GPIO can bit-bang custom protocols such as I2C-to-UART or SPI-to-UART bridges. The 3.5 KB OTP holds bridge firmware plus small protocol-translation tables, and the 256 B RAM buffers full UART frames between endpoints. Industrial temperature grade makes it suitable for serial-attached card readers, POS terminals, or factory-floor gateways. Compared with software UART on a larger MCU, a dedicated bridge reduces host CPU load and isolates protocol complexity. Recommended companion: a MAX3232 RS-232 line driver for legacy host connectivity.
Recommended
Motor and Solenoid Control
The PIC16LC770T-I/SS drives small DC motors and solenoids through its 16-bit ECCP module, generating precise PWM duty cycles from 0 to 100 % at up to 20 MHz instruction throughput. The 12-bit ADC reads current-sense or back-EMF feedback from the motor, while the analog comparators implement hardware overcurrent shutdown without firmware latency. The 3.0-5.5 V supply accepts either 3.3 V or 5 V H-bridge drivers, and Idle mode reduces quiescent current when the motor is stopped. Compared with software-PWM-only baseline PICs, the LC770's ECCP gives hardware PWM dead-band control, improving efficiency in brushed DC or unipolar stepper drives. Recommended companion: a DRV8871 brushed-DC motor driver with integrated current sense.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC770T-I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC770-I/SS | PIC16LC717-I/SS | PIC16LC717T-I/SS | PIC16LC716-I/SS | PIC16LC73BT-04I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP (same die) | 3.5 KB EPROM | 3.5 KB EPROM | 2 KB EPROM (-43%) | 4 KB EPROM (+14%) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz (-80%) |
| ADC | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 12-bit, 6 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels (lower resolution) | 12-bit, 5 channels |
| USART | 1 Γ Enhanced USART | 1 Γ Enhanced USART | 1 Γ Enhanced USART | 1 Γ Enhanced USART | None (-100%, pinout compatible) | 1 Γ USART |
| ECCP (PWM) | 1 Γ 16-bit | 1 Γ 16-bit | 1 Γ 16-bit | 1 Γ 16-bit | 1 Γ 10-bit (lower resolution) | 1 Γ 16-bit |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 (-19%) | 16 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| On-chip EEPROM / Data Flash | None (OTP only) | None | 256 B EEPROM (extra) | 256 B EEPROM (extra) | None | None |
Key Differentiators
- Enhanced USART plus 16-bit ECCP in a 20-pin SSOP (vs PIC16LC716-I/SS)
- 12-bit ADC resolution across 6 channels (vs PIC16LC716-I/SS)
- Same-die drop-in for tube-packaging builds (vs PIC16LC770-I/SS)
- 3.5 KB OTP versus 8 KB flash alternatives (vs PIC16F716-I/SO)
Design Notes
Power the PIC16LC770T-I/SS from a regulator with at least 100 mV headroom above the brown-out threshold to ensure clean POR. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 10 Β΅F tantalum or ceramic on the supply rail. For battery applications use MCP1700 LDO; its 1.6 Β΅A quiescent current is well below the LC770's Sleep current, so the LDO does not extend life and can be omitted if the supply is two alkaline cells regulated by the MCU's wide VIN window.
Place a low-ESR 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor directly on the VDD pin of the SSOP-20 footprint; place a 10 Β΅F bulk capacitor on the same rail within 25 mm. Route the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric, with a guard ground plane beneath to reduce EMI pickup into the analog references. If you use the ADC, route analog inputs RA0-RA5 on the opposite side of the board from switching signals and keep them away from the USART TX line to avoid digital-coupling noise into ADC samples.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD - the PIC16LC770 LC variant is not rated for 6 V operation and may latch up. Configure the brown-out voltage in CONFIG1 above the lowest expected VIN to avoid spurious resets in weak-battery designs. The "T" suffix in PIC16LC770T-I/SS is Tape & Reel only and does not change the silicon; programming files generated for the non-T tube version work on the T variant. When migrating to PIC16LC717-I/SS for the on-chip EEPROM, double-check that I/O mapping is identical because some peripheral pin assignments differ at the register level.
The Enhanced USART supports synchronous mode, but at 20 MHz the Fosc/4 instruction rate limits reliable synchronous reception to about 5 Mbaud; for higher rates use an external baud-rate generator. The 12-bit ADC achieves datasheet accuracy only with a clean VREF; if using the internal reference, add a 10 Β΅F + 100 nF capacitor pair on VREF+ to suppress switching-noise injection from the digital rails. The analog comparators share the same input pins as Port A, so disable the digital input buffer on those pins via the CMCON register to avoid spurious interrupts.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey environmental data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part targets industrial and consumer markets.
