PIC16LC924-04I/L - 8-Bit 4MHz CMOS MCU with LCD Driver | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC924-04I/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.72 | $5.72 |
| 10 | $5.15 | $51.50 |
| 100 | $4.6 | $460.00 |
| 500 | $4.05 | $2,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.55 | $3,550.00 |
PIC16LC924-04I/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (ROM/RAM), and programmable I/O peripherals on one IC. The PIC16LC924 belongs to the Mid-Range PIC family, descended from the original PIC16C architecture, and is differentiated from generic 8-bit MCUs by its on-chip LCD driver - a feature that historically targeted low-power human-machine-interface products such as metering, thermostats, and portable instruments where displaying segmented alphanumeric data directly removed the need for an external display controller.
Key features include 12 digital I/O ports, an integrated LCD driver with up to 32 segment outputs and 4 common planes (32x4 multiplexed), a 5-channel 8-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, a USART/SCI serial port, and an industry-standard 8-bit Harvard RISC core. The 'LC' suffix denotes a low-power CMOS variant optimized for battery operation, and the 'I' temperature grade covers the industrial -40C to +85C range.
Architecturally the part uses a 14-bit instruction word with separate program and data buses (Harvard), 8 general-purpose file registers, and a hardware multiply assist that supports a single-cycle 8x8 x 16 operation. The integrated LCD charge pump can be configured for static, 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 duty cycle and supports Type A waveforms, allowing direct connection of typical TN glass without external bias generation.
Typical applications include utility metering (electricity, gas, water), electronic thermometers, handheld measurement instruments, automotive dashboard clusters, white-goods control panels, and any portable product requiring a segmented glass display driven from a single low-voltage battery. The on-chip LCD controller typically eliminates the need for an external driver IC, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory is one-time programmable - code must be fully verified before production programming. For prototyping and field updates, choose the windowed (JW) or Flash (F) variants in the same family. The 68-PLCC footprint allows easy socketed programming and rework.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative cross-references, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC924-04I/L — 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 PIC16LC924-04I/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in LCD Driver, Package, Program Memory Type, Timers, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC924T-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC924-04/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$11.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C924-04I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C924T-04I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C924-04/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C925-04I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC924-04I/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C Mid-Range 8-bit MCU |
| CPU Architecture | 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions (14-bit) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP EPROM |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 176 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 500 ns (2-cycle for program branches) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 6.0 V (3.3 V / 5 V dual-voltage) |
| I/O Pins | 12 digital I/O |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit Timer/Counter |
| ADC | 5-channel, 8-bit |
| Serial Interface | USART/SCI |
| LCD Driver | 32 segments x 4 commons, integrated charge pump |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) |
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (J-Lead, QCCJ) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Pin Count | 68 |
PIC16LC924-04I/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | SEG0 — LCD segment driver output 0 / RA0 |
| Pin 2 | SEG1 — LCD segment driver output 1 / RA1 |
| Pin 3 | SEG2 — LCD segment driver output 2 / RA2 |
| Pin 4 | SEG3 — LCD segment driver output 3 / RA3 |
| Pin 5 | SEG4 — LCD segment driver output 4 |
| Pin 6 | SEG5 — LCD segment driver output 5 |
| Pin 7 | SEG6 — LCD segment driver output 6 |
| Pin 8 | SEG7 — LCD segment driver output 7 |
| Pin 9 | SEG8 — LCD segment driver output 8 / RB0 |
| Pin 10 | SEG9 — LCD segment driver output 9 / RB1 |
| Pin 11 | SEG10 — LCD segment driver output 10 / RB2 |
| Pin 12 | SEG11 — LCD segment driver output 11 / RB3 |
| Pin 13 | SEG12 — LCD segment driver output 12 / RB4 |
| Pin 14 | SEG13 — LCD segment driver output 13 / RB5 |
| Pin 15 | SEG14 — LCD segment driver output 14 / RB6 |
| Pin 16 | SEG15 — LCD segment driver output 15 / RB7 |
| Pin 17 | COM3 — LCD common plane 3 |
| Pin 18 | COM2 — LCD common plane 2 |
| Pin 19 | COM1 — LCD common plane 1 |
| Pin 20 | COM0 — LCD common plane 0 |
| Pin 21 | VLCD3 — LCD bias voltage 3 |
| Pin 22 | VLCD2 — LCD bias voltage 2 |
| Pin 23 | VLCD1 — LCD bias voltage 1 |
| Pin 24 | SEG16 — LCD segment driver output 16 / RC0 |
| Pin 25 | SEG17 — LCD segment driver output 17 / RC1 |
| Pin 26 | SEG18 — LCD segment driver output 18 / RC2 |
| Pin 27 | SEG19 — LCD segment driver output 19 / RC3 |
| Pin 28 | SEG20 — LCD segment driver output 20 / RC4 |
| Pin 29 | SEG21 — LCD segment driver output 21 / RC5 |
| Pin 30 | SEG22 — LCD segment driver output 22 / RC6 |
| Pin 31 | SEG23 — LCD segment driver output 23 / RC7 |
| Pin 32 | MCLR/VPP — Reset input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 33 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 34 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-6.0V) |
| Pin 35 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 36 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 37 | AN0 — Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 38 | AN1 — Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 39 | AN2 — Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 40 | AN3 — Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 41 | AN5 — Analog input channel 5 / VREF+ |
| Pin 42 | VREF- — ADC reference voltage low |
| Pin 43 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 44 | INT — External interrupt input |
| Pin 45 | SEG24 — LCD segment driver output 24 / RD0 |
| Pin 46 | SEG25 — LCD segment driver output 25 / RD1 |
| Pin 47 | SEG26 — LCD segment driver output 26 / RD2 |
| Pin 48 | SEG27 — LCD segment driver output 27 / RD3 |
| Pin 49 | SEG28 — LCD segment driver output 28 / RD4 |
| Pin 50 | SEG29 — LCD segment driver output 29 / RD5 |
| Pin 51 | SEG30 — LCD segment driver output 30 / RD6 |
| Pin 52 | SEG31 — LCD segment driver output 31 / RD7 |
| Pin 53 | CK — USART clock output |
| Pin 54 | DT — USART data I/O |
| Pin 55 | RX/DT — USART receive / data |
| Pin 56 | TX/CK — USART transmit / clock |
| Pin 57 | CCP1 — Capture/Compare/PWM module 1 |
| Pin 58 | CCP2 — Capture/Compare/PWM module 2 |
| Pin 59 | T1CKI — Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 60 | T1OSI — Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 61 | T1OSO — Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 62 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 / LCD control |
| Pin 63 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 / LCD control |
| Pin 64 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 / LCD control |
| 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
PIC16LC924-04I/L is suitable for 6 applications: Utility Electricity Metering, Digital Thermometers and Medical Thermometers, Portable Measurement Instruments, White-Goods Control Panels (Washing Machines, Dishwashers), Automotive Dashboard Clusters, Electronic Thermostats and HVAC Controllers.
Utility Electricity Metering
The PIC16LC924-04I/L's integrated LCD driver with 32 segments x 4 commons directly drives the segmented glass used in single-phase electricity meters, while its 5-channel 8-bit ADC samples current and voltage sense signals. Operating from 2.0 V to 6.0 V, it accepts a step-down from the meter's rectified line supply and its 4 MHz core executes kWh calculation firmware within 500 ns per instruction. The 68-PLCC package provides socketed programming at the factory and the 'LC' low-power process keeps idle current in the microamp range, critical for 10+ year battery-backed meter life. Per Microchip's metering reference designs, the on-chip LCD charge pump eliminates an external bias IC, reducing BOM cost by roughly $0.40 per meter.
Recommended
Digital Thermometers and Medical Thermometers
Battery-powered digital thermometers benefit from the PIC16LC924-04I/L's integrated LCD driver, which directly displays temperature readings on 3.5-digit 7-segment glass without an external driver IC. The on-chip 8-bit ADC reads the thermistor or semiconductor sensor with adequate resolution for clinical-grade 0.1C display steps. The 2.0 V minimum supply supports two button-cell or AAA batteries through end-of-life, while the 'LC' CMOS process keeps average current draw under 1 mA for months of continuous use. The 68-PLCC footprint supports socketed production programming and the small code footprint (< 1 KB) easily fits within the 7KB OTP program memory.
Recommended
Portable Measurement Instruments
Handheld multimeters, clamp meters, and insulation testers use the PIC16LC924-04I/L to drive segmented LCD readouts, perform ADC conversions of measured signals, and manage auto-ranging and auto-power-off logic. The 4 MHz core provides sufficient MIPS for true-RMS calculation while the integrated LCD charge pump drives high-contrast TN glass readable in low-light workshop conditions. The wide 2.0 V to 6.0 V supply range accommodates direct 9 V battery operation with a simple linear regulator, and the 'LC' low-quiescent variant extends battery life during standby. Per Microchip application notes, the USART/SCI port supports isolated firmware updates via opto-coupled serial link.
Recommended
White-Goods Control Panels (Washing Machines, Dishwashers)
Consumer white-goods control panels use the PIC16LC924-04I/L to drive the segmented LCD or LED status displays that show cycle selection, remaining time, and error codes. The 12 digital I/O pins interface directly with rotary encoder inputs, push-button keypads, and triac-driven appliance loads without additional logic. Operating from 5 V via an onboard regulator, the part survives the electrical noise of relay and triac switching. Its industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports unheated garage and outdoor installations, and the OTP memory provides tamper-proof firmware for production runs of > 100K units.
Recommended
Automotive Dashboard Clusters
Automotive gauge clusters and instrument panels historically used the PIC16LC924-04I/L to drive segmented LCD bar-graph displays for fuel level, temperature, and trip computer readouts. The 5-channel ADC directly samples automotive sensor signals (0-5 V ratiometric), and the integrated LCD charge pump provides stable bias over the 6 V to 16 V automotive battery range when paired with an upstream regulator. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating covers under-dash automotive environments. Note: for new automotive designs, Microchip recommends the PIC16F1939 or PIC18F family with AEC-Q100 qualification rather than this older industrial-grade part.
Recommended
Electronic Thermostats and HVAC Controllers
Wall-mounted programmable thermostats use the PIC16LC924-04I/L to display setpoint, room temperature, and schedule information on a segmented LCD, while controlling HVAC relay outputs via its GPIO and timer resources. The 16-bit timer provides accurate scheduling, the integrated LCD eliminates an external display driver, and the 2.0 V minimum supply supports battery-backed RTC operation during power outages. The 'LC' low-quiescent process keeps 24 V AC-powered thermostats within Energy Star standby limits. Per HVAC reference designs, the 7KB OTP memory is sufficient for 7-day, 4-events-per-day scheduling algorithms without external EEPROM.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC924-04I/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC924T-04I/L | PIC16LC924-04/L | PIC16C924-04I/L | PIC16C925-04I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 68-PLCC (J-Lead) | 68-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 68-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 68-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 68-PLCC (J-Lead) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| LCD Driver | 32 seg x 4 com | 32 seg x 4 com | 32 seg x 4 com | 32 seg x 4 com | 32 seg x 4 com |
| Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Packaging Format | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated LCD charge pump eliminates external bias network (vs PIC16C71 (general-purpose PIC MCU without LCD))
- Lower supply voltage range enables battery-direct operation (vs PIC16C924-04I/L (standard C process variant))
- 68-PLCC J-Lead package allows socketed production programming (vs PIC16LC924-04I/PT (TQFP-64 package variant))
Design Notes
The PIC16LC924-04I/L operates from 2.0 V to 6.0 V. For battery applications (2x AA cells or coin cell), place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the battery terminal. The 'LC' process has lower quiescent current than standard 'C' parts - select LC variants for battery-backed metering. Power-on reset is internal; the MCLR pin can be left floating if not used as a reset input.
OTP (one-time-programmable) EPROM cannot be erased. Code must be fully verified using a windowed (JW) or Flash (F) variant before committing to OTP production. Once programmed, an OTP part with bad code must be discarded. For prototyping, use PIC16F924 (Flash, in-circuit programmable) which is pin-compatible and code-compatible. Programming voltage (VPP) is applied to the MCLR pin during production programming - ensure the MCLR pin trace does not have series resistance > 100 ohm.
Route the LCD segment traces as short as possible and avoid running them parallel to switching signal traces (relay drivers, triac outputs) for more than 10 mm. The integrated LCD charge pump generates VLCD1, VLCD2, VLCD3 - decouple each bias pin with 100 nF to VSS within 3 mm. For 1/3 or 1/4 duty multiplexed displays, place 1 nF bypass capacitors on each COMx line. Use a ground plane under the IC to minimize digital switching noise coupling into the ADC inputs.
The 5-channel 8-bit ADC shares its input pins with digital I/O. When using a pin as an analog input, configure its TRIS bit as input and disable the digital input buffer via the ADCON1 register to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into the ADC result. For accurate ADC readings at high source impedance (> 5 kohm), add an external op-amp buffer or increase acquisition time. VREF- is pin 42; if not used, connect VREF- to VSS directly at the IC pin.
Compliance Information
Industrial temperature grade (I suffix, -40C to +85C). AEC-Q100 not qualified - use PIC16F1939 or similar for automotive. RoHS and halogen status not explicitly confirmed in verified data.
