PIC16LC773T/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz 7KB OTP MCU | Microchip | 28-SOIC
MPN: PIC16LC773T/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.95 | $5.95 |
| 10 | $5.4 | $54.00 |
| 100 | $4.85 | $485.00 |
| 500 | $4.3 | $2,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.85 | $3,850.00 |
PIC16LC773T/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and a rich set of peripheral interfaces (ADC, timers, UART, I/O ports). The PIC16LC773T/SO uses a 14-bit instruction word with a single accumulator-based architecture, drawing just microamps of active current at 4 MHz / 5 V — therefore making it a member of the linear regulator hierarchy: MCU -> embedded controller -> 8-bit microcontroller -> CMOS microcontroller -> semiconductor IC.
Key features include an 8-channel 12-bit (or 8-bit software-selectable) Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, a USART with RS-485 support, an SPI/I2C master/slave synchronous port, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and a brown-out reset (BOR) circuit. The 28-SOIC footprint provides 22 general-purpose I/O pins, and the commercial temperature grade (0°C to +70°C) makes it suitable for benign-environment designs.
The PIC16LC773 uses a modified Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand read in the same cycle. The 14-bit instruction word encodes an opcode plus literal/address operand, and the device executes one instruction every four clock cycles (4:1 instruction-to-clock ratio). This means 5 MIPS throughput at 20 MHz, which was substantial for an 8-bit MCU at the part's introduction. The "LC" prefix indicates low-power CMOS, supporting operation down to 2.5 V with quiescent currents in the microamp range for battery-aware applications.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor signal conditioning, motor drive front-ends, instrumentation front-end controllers, and embedded communication bridges. The integrated 12-bit ADC is particularly useful for closed-loop PID control loops in HVAC, lighting ballasts, and appliance control subsystems where the MCU must digitize multiple analog feedback signals while driving PWM outputs to power switches.
When designing with the PIC16LC773T/SO, ensure decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor directly across VDD and VSS as close to the IC as possible, plus a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor on the supply rail. The MCLR (master clear) reset pin should be pulled up to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor with an optional 100 nF cap for noise filtering, and OSC1/OSC2 should follow Microchip's oscillator layout guideline (short traces, ground guard ring) to avoid noise injection into the internal ADC.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing (as of 2026-09-22), pin-to-pin compatible SOIC-28 alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in any single manufacturer datasheet. The T-suffix indicates Tape & Reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly, while the /SO suffix specifies the 7.50 mm body-width 28-pin SOIC gull-wing package.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC773T/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 PIC16LC773T/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC773-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC773T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.69 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC773/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC773T-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC771T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC773T/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit mid-range (35 instructions) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (not present in OTP variant) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Performance | 5 MIPS @ 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 8-channel 12-bit |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | USART (RS-485), SPI, I2C |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| I/O Pins | 22 general-purpose |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm body width |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to +70°C (Commercial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SMD) |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| Package Code | SOP |
| RoHS Status | Unknown - part marked obsolete; pre-dates RoHS transition |
PIC16LC773T/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKO — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| 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 / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5-5.5 V) |
| Pin 28 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC773T/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panel MCU, HVAC Thermostat Controller, Appliance Control Board, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Embedded Communication Bridge, Lighting Ballast Controller.
Industrial Control Panel MCU
The PIC16LC773T/SO's 8-channel 12-bit ADC and two CCP/PWM modules make it ideal for industrial control panels that monitor analog sensors (temperature, pressure, flow) and drive PWM-controlled actuators. Per Microchip's PIC16C7xx datasheet, the 5 MIPS throughput at 20 MHz supports real-time PID control loops, while the integrated USART enables communication with a master PLC. Engineers typically connect the 12-bit ADC inputs to 4-20 mA current loop sensors via op-amp signal conditioning, and use the PWM outputs to drive opto-isolated TRIAC or IGBT gate drivers. The 28-SOIC package provides sufficient board area for industrial wiring harnesses. Note: at 5 V supply and 20 MHz clock, the LC773T dissipates approximately 75 mW active, so no heatsink is required. Engineers migrating to active production should consider the PIC16F877A-I/SO which adds flash memory and EEPROM for parameter storage.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controller
The PIC16LC773T/SO is well-suited for HVAC thermostat controllers that need to read multiple temperature sensors, drive a graphical or segment LCD, and control HVAC relays. Per Microchip's datasheet 30224E, the 8-channel 12-bit ADC can directly interface with NTC thermistor voltage dividers (0.1°C resolution achievable with proper signal conditioning), while the 22 GPIO pins drive LCD segments, button matrix scans, and relay triacs. The 256 bytes of additional IEC RAM support scheduling logic and PID control loops for multi-stage heating/cooling systems. Power consumption is critical in battery-backed thermostats: the LC773T draws 2-15 µA in sleep mode per datasheet, enabling multi-year battery life. The commercial 0-70°C temperature grade is adequate for indoor thermostat deployment.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
Per Microchip datasheet 30224E, the PIC16LC773T/SO is engineered for white-goods appliance control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, ovens) where the 8-bit PIC core, 7 KB OTP memory, and 8-channel ADC are matched to motor control, water level sensing, and user-interface button matrix requirements. The two CCP/PWM outputs directly drive TRIAC or relay coils for heater elements and pump motors at up to 20 kHz PWM frequency. The USART enables diagnostics via a service tool port. The OTP memory locks firmware against field modification - a critical IP protection feature for consumer appliances. Commercial temperature grade (0-70°C) is suitable for indoor appliance environments. Engineers should verify that the part's VDD range (2.5-5.5 V) accommodates brown-out conditions during motor inrush.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16LC773T/SO's 12-bit ADC and USART make it a strong fit for sensor signal conditioning front-ends in distributed measurement systems, such as multi-channel data acquisition modules or strain gauge bridges. Per the Microchip datasheet, the 8 analog input channels can be time-multiplexed at the ADC's ~10 µs conversion rate, supporting 8-channel scanning at >1 kHz aggregate throughput. The USART transmits digitized readings to a master controller via RS-485 (with external transceiver) or RS-232. The 256-byte RAM buffer accommodates up to 128 12-bit samples for local averaging. Low operating current (~3 mA active) simplifies panel counts during multi-channel installations. Note: for precision sensor signal conditioning, the PIC16F877A-I/SO offers the same 12-bit ADC with flash memory for calibration constants.
Recommended
Embedded Communication Bridge
Per Microchip datasheet 30224E, the PIC16LC773T/SO's hardware USART, SPI, and I2C peripherals make it suitable for protocol conversion bridges - for example, UART-to-I2C, SPI-to-UART, or RS-232-to-RS-485 converters. The 5 MIPS CPU throughput handles real-time byte-level protocol translation at typical industrial baud rates (9600-115200 bps) without buffering overruns. The 7 KB OTP memory is sufficient for full protocol state machines, and 256 bytes RAM accommodates multi-byte protocol buffers. The 28-SOIC package fits standard through-hole-to-SMD adapter boards. Commercial temperature grade (0-70°C) is adequate for indoor control panel installations. For active production, engineers should specify the PIC16F877A-I/SO which provides identical peripherals with flash memory for protocol firmware updates.
Recommended
Lighting Ballast Controller
The PIC16LC773T/SO is widely used in fluorescent and LED ballast controllers due to its two CCP/PWM modules that generate complementary PWM outputs for half-bridge driver topologies. Per Microchip datasheet 30224E, the 12-bit ADC monitors ballast current and voltage for closed-loop dimming control, while the USART enables DALI or 0-10 V dimming interface communication. The 7 KB OTP stores ballast firmware with dimming curves, fault handling, and power factor correction algorithms. At 20 MHz clock, the LC773T provides 50 µs control loop update rates - sufficient for 40 kHz ballast switching frequency with 10:1 headroom. Commercial 0-70°C temperature grade is suitable for indoor fixture deployment. Migration to active production should use PIC16F877A-I/SO with flash for late-stage firmware tuning.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC773T/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC773-I/SO | PIC16LC773T-I/SO | PIC16LC773/SO | PIC16LC773T-20/SO | PIC16LC771T-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 | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial 0-70°C | Industrial -40°C to +85°C | Industrial -40°C to +85°C | Commercial 0-70°C | Commercial 0-70°C | Industrial -40°C to +85°C |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
| Speed Designator | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | -20 (20 MHz rated) | Standard |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade variant available (vs PIC16LC773/SO (commercial temp grade))
- Same-family sibling with identical 28-SOIC footprint (vs PIC16LC771T-I/SO)
- Speed designator variant for legacy BOMs (vs PIC16LC773T-20/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple the PIC16LC773T/SO with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 27), plus a bulk 10 µF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor on the supply rail. Per Microchip's MCU analog design guide, the ADC's reference voltage (pin 5, RA3/VREF) requires its own dedicated 100 nF ceramic bypass even when using VDD as the reference. Estimated: at 5 V VDD and 20 MHz active clock, the LC773T draws ~3.4 mA active current and ~15 µA in sleep mode per datasheet 30224E - sufficient for battery-backed thermostat deployments.
Place the 28-SOIC MCU over a continuous ground pour on the top layer to provide thermal spreading and a low-impedance return path. Route the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces as short, symmetrical traces (<10 mm length) with a ground guard ring to prevent noise injection into the internal ADC. Per Microchip's oscillator layout guideline, the crystal should be placed within 10 mm of pins 8-9 with no signal traces crossing the crystal-IC ground path. Add a 100 nF cap on MCLR (pin 1) with a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD to suppress ESD-induced resets.
Do not confuse the PIC16LC773T/SO (commercial 0-70°C) with the PIC16LC773-I/SO (industrial -40-85°C) when sourcing - the temperature grade affects warranty and operating range but not pin compatibility. Verify the OTP memory programming voltage on MCLR/VPP (pin 1): per Microchip datasheet, VPP must be 13.0-13.5 V during programming with specific timing per the ICSP specification. Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD; the LC773 lacks the over-voltage protection of newer flash parts and sustained over-voltage can permanently damage the silicon. Watchdog timer (WDT) must be enabled via configuration bits or firmware will hang on code lockup.
When using the USART for RS-485 communication, add a 120 Ω termination resistor at the bus ends (not at every node) to prevent signal reflections at baud rates above 115200 bps. Per the PIC16C7xx datasheet 30224E, the USART baud rate generator (SPBRG) requires precise calculation: for 20 MHz Fosc and 9600 baud, SPBRG = 129 (asynchronous mode, high baud rate). For SPI master operation at 10 MHz with long PCB traces (>50 mm), add a 33 Ω series resistor at SCK (pin 13) to dampen ringing. Keep analog inputs (AN0-AN5) away from switching signals to minimize ADC crosstalk.
Compliance Information
PIC16LC773T/SO is marked obsolete by Microchip and pre-dates the RoHS transition (2006); RoHS/REACH compliance status not verified in provided data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; commercial temperature grade only (0-70°C). For automotive applications use PIC16F877A-I/SO with industrial temperature grade.
