PIC16LC923-04I/L - 8-Bit MCU, 4MHz, 7KB OTP, 52 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC923-04I/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.45 | $9.45 |
| 10 | $8.62 | $86.20 |
| 100 | $7.81 | $781.00 |
| 500 | $7.05 | $3,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.42 | $6,420.00 |
PIC16LC923-04I/L Overview
What is a PIC16C microcontroller? The PIC16C family is Microchip's classic 8-bit OTP-programmable MCU line based on a RISC Harvard architecture. PIC microcontrollers integrate CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, peripherals (timers, ADC, USART, I/O), and in many variants a LCD driver on a single die. They occupy the low-power, deterministic-execution tier of the embedded MCU hierarchy: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC family -> PIC16C sub-family. Compared with flash-based PIC16F parts, PIC16C OTP devices ship with one-time-programmable EPROM and target cost-sensitive volume production.
Key features of the PIC16LC923 include 35 single-word instructions with 500 ns single-cycle execution (except program branches which are two cycles), 8-level hardware stack, four 8-bit I/O ports (PORTA-PORTD partially), and a wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range thanks to its LC (low-voltage, low-power CMOS) process. The device integrates peripherals such as timers, a USART, and capture/compare/PWM modules, supporting both 3.3 V and 5 V system designs.
The PIC16LC923 uses a 14-bit instruction word and a separate 8-bit data path, with all single-cycle instructions completing in 500 ns at 4 MHz, providing deterministic timing for interrupt-driven control loops. The LC process variant reduces power consumption and allows operation down to 2.5 V, while the -04 speed suffix denotes a 4 MHz maximum clock. Internal RC oscillator and crystal modes are supported, giving flexibility in BOM cost versus timing accuracy.
Typical applications include LCD-display-based industrial keypads and front-panel controllers, white-goods and consumer appliances, instrument front panels with LED/LCD indicator logic, and legacy embedded control boards being maintained for long-life programs. The 52 I/O count supports keypad scanning, multiplexed LCD drive, and parallel bus peripherals in a single chip.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory requires windowed parts for verification; engineering units should be ordered in ceramic-windowed packages or pre-programmed before assembly. The 68-pin PLCC footprint allows socketed programming and field replacement, but PLCC tooling and sockets are increasingly scarce - plan second-source or migration paths early in the design cycle.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing across Mouser, DigiKey and LCSC, drop-in alternatives within the PIC16LC923 product family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC923-04I/L — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC923T-04I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC923-04/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C923-04/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC923-04I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC923-04I/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C |
| Core | 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 176 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 500 ns |
| Number of I/O Pins | 52 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I') |
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (24.23 x 24.23 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Data Bus Width | 8-bit |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
PIC16LC923-04I/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O / T0CKI) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O / AN4) |
| Pin 8 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 (digital I/O / RD) |
| Pin 9 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 (digital I/O / WR) |
| Pin 10 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 (digital I/O / CS) |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O / T1CKI) |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O / CCP1) |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O / SDI) |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O / SDO) |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O / TX) |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O / RX) |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (digital I/O / INT) |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 39 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (digital I/O / PGC) |
| Pin 40 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (digital I/O / PGD) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 45 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 46 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 47 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 48 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 49 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 50 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 51 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 52 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 53 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 54 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 55 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 56 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 57 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 58 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 59 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 60 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 61 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 62 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 63 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 64 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 65 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 66 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 67 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 68 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC923-04I/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Front-Panel Keypad Controller, LCD-Driven Appliance Control Board, Legacy Industrial Instrumentation, Parallel-Bus Peripheral Interface Board, Educational 8-bit Microcontroller Trainer, Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Controller.
Industrial Front-Panel Keypad Controller
The PIC16LC923-04I/L is well suited to industrial front-panel keypad and HMI controllers thanks to its 52 digital I/O pins and 7 KB OTP program memory. The 4 MHz clock and 500 ns instruction cycle provide deterministic scan timing for 8x8 matrix keypads without jitter. The wide 2.5-6.0 V supply tolerance supports both 3.3 V and 5 V backplane designs. The LC process variant keeps quiescent current low for always-on operator panels. Note that OTP memory requires windowed parts for code-validation builds - budget engineering units in ceramic packages separately.
Recommended
LCD-Driven Appliance Control Board
With 52 I/O and adequate code space for character-mapped LCD driver routines, the PIC16LC923-04I/L fits white-goods and consumer appliance control boards where a character LCD is multiplexed with relays and sensors. The 4 MHz CPU cycle yields 500 ns deterministic instruction throughput for time-slice refresh loops. The 2.5-6.0 V supply range allows direct connection to rectified 5 V rails typical in appliance power supplies. The 68-PLCC package supports socketed field serviceability in long-lifecycle appliance SKUs.
Recommended
Legacy Industrial Instrumentation
Long-life industrial instrumentation programs - process controllers, panel meters, and field transmitters - frequently depend on PIC16C-family parts for proven field reliability. The PIC16LC923-04I/L's -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and NRND-but-supported lifecycle status make it ideal for retrofit and maintenance SKUs where firmware is locked and PCB cannot be reworked. The 4 MHz instruction rate suffices for RTD/thermocouple linearization, scaling, and display-update loops. Sourcing teams should pair this part with a qualified flash-based drop-in to de-risk obsolescence.
Recommended
Parallel-Bus Peripheral Interface Board
The PIC16LC923-04I/L can act as a low-cost parallel-bus bridge or protocol converter in legacy peripheral interface boards because of its 52 I/O and 7 KB OTP code space. Common roles include GPIB-to-UART converters, parallel-keypad to serial bridges, and printer-port emulators. The Harvard architecture with deterministic 500 ns cycles is well-suited to handshake-driven parallel transfers. The 2.5-6.0 V supply tolerance accepts both 3.3 V and 5 V peripheral sides of a level-shifting bridge.
Recommended
Educational 8-bit Microcontroller Trainer
Universities and embedded-training labs adopt the PIC16LC923-04I/L because the 68-PLCC socketable package simplifies student hot-swap and re-programming using windowed engineering parts. The 35-instruction RISC core is the canonical teaching platform for assembly language and embedded fundamentals. With 52 I/O and 7 KB OTP, students can implement full mini-projects (traffic light, keypad lock, frequency counter) on one chip. The wide 2.5-6.0 V supply range also lets labs power boards from USB or bench supplies without regulation.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Controller
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16LC923-04I/L is sometimes deployed in non-critical automotive aftermarket accessories - alarm indicators, auxiliary lighting controllers, and OBD-II diagnostic tools - where its wide 2.5-6.0 V input tolerance handles 12 V vehicle rails after pre-regulation. The 4 MHz core and 52 I/O support multiple relay/sensor inputs in a single chip. Engineers should verify automotive-specific EMC and temperature margins independently, as the -40C to +85C rating meets most cabin applications but not under-hood environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC923-04I/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC923T-04I/L | PIC16LC923-04/L | PIC16C923-04/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 68-PLCC (24.23x24.23 mm) | 68-PLCC - same | 68-PLCC - same | 68-PLCC - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.0 V to 6.0 V (LC vs standard C process) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial, standard C) |
| I/O Pins | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Lifecycle | NRND (as of 2026-09-22) | NRND | NRND | Mature / NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with same 7 KB OTP code space as commercial variant (vs PIC16LC923-04/L)
- LC low-voltage process extends supply range below standard C parts (vs PIC16C923-04/L)
- Standard 68-PLCC socketed package enables field serviceability (vs PIC16LC923-04I/PT (TQFP-64))
Design Notes
The PIC16LC923-04I/L uses OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM. Production parts cannot be re-programmed in the field. Always order engineering samples in windowed ceramic packages (UV-erasable) for code verification, and verify firmware on the windowed version before committing OTP units. Plan a 5-10% OTP programming yield allowance and budget windowed engineering units separately. Microchip's OTP programming specification requires VPP of 13 V typical during programming.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair (the 68-PLCC has multiple VDD/VSS pins on pins 11, 12, 31, 32). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board supply entry. The LC process variant draws lower quiescent current but still requires proper decoupling to handle the 4 MHz internal switching transients. Long VDD traces between decoupling caps and the device will cause logic-level noise on MCLR and reset lines.
The 68-PLCC package has a 1.27 mm pitch and a center thermal/epitaxy pad that should be soldered to a moderate copper pour for mechanical robustness. Keep crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 13/14) short and symmetric, with the load capacitors placed within 5 mm of the pins. Route MCLR (pin 1) separately from high-current switching traces to avoid false resets. Provide a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR and a 100 nF cap to ground for reset noise immunity.
The PIC16LC923-04I/L is classified NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) by Microchip as of 2026-09-22. For new designs, evaluate the flash-based PIC16F equivalent family first. For long production runs, secure a multi-year allocation agreement with Microchip or qualify a second source now. The PLCC tooling and sockets are increasingly scarce - design team should plan migration to TQFP package if PLCC supply tightens.
Compliance Information
Compliance fields marked unknown because the Verified Web Data does not explicitly state RoHS, REACH, lead-free or halogen-free status. PIC16LC923 family is OTP legacy product; AEC-Q100 not applicable / not qualified. Engineers should request compliance documentation directly from Microchip for production qualification.
