PIC16LCE623-04/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 13 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LCE623-04/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.17 | $2.17 |
| 10 | $1.94 | $19.40 |
| 100 | $1.73 | $173.00 |
| 500 | $1.58 | $790.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.45 | $1,450.00 |
PIC16LCE623-04/SO Overview
What is a PIC16 microcontroller? The PIC16 family is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit RISC microcontroller family, sitting between the baseline PIC10/PIC12 series and the high-performance PIC18 series. PIC16C parts ship with mask-ROM or OTP program memory, while PIC16F parts use Flash for reprogrammability. PIC16LC variants (the 'L' suffix) operate at a lower 2.5 V minimum supply voltage compared to standard PIC16C parts, enabling battery-powered and energy-conscious designs. The 'CE' prefix indicates a comparator-equipped variant (two on-chip comparators), and 'E' suffix marks the enhanced 14-bit instruction word core.
Key features include a 4 MHz maximum operating frequency, a wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range, two on-chip analog comparators, a watchdog timer, power-on reset, and an 8-bit timer/counter with capture/compare/PWM capability. The 13 I/O pins support digital I/O with programmable weak pull-ups and interrupt-on-change wake-up. The device targets 35 instructions at 200 ns per instruction cycle at 20 MHz (proportionally longer at 4 MHz), enabling predictable real-time control.
The PIC16LCE623 employs a RISC Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 14-bit instruction word, and 8-bit data path. Its CMOS design delivers low power consumption with brown-out reset (BOR) support. Program memory is OTP (one-time programmable), which is fixed at production and cannot be erased, making it best suited for mature production designs where code is final and high reliability is required.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, battery-powered sensor nodes, simple motor control, white goods control boards, and industrial timer/sequencer modules. Its 4 MHz clock, 13 I/O lines, and 2.5 V minimum supply make it ideal for portable or energy-harvesting systems requiring extended battery life and small footprint.
When designing with PIC16LCE623-04/SO, ensure your firmware is fully validated before programming since OTP cannot be re-flashed. Use Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and PICkit programmer support during development; consider migrating to a PIC16F flash equivalent for prototyping flexibility. Decoupling capacitors of 0.1 µF near VDD and a 10 µF bulk cap near the supply pins are recommended.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in compatible PIC16 family alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers source, evaluate, and substitute this part.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LCE623-04/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 PIC16LCE623-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Instruction Cycle Time.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C621A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C622-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C621AT-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620AT-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC621A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LCE623-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC mid-range core (Harvard) |
| Program Memory | 896 bytes OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Data RAM | 96 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Instruction Word | 14 bits |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| On-chip Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | TMR0 8-bit, TMR1 16-bit (per PIC16CE623 family) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Power-on Reset / Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C (commercial) |
| Package | SOIC-18 (300 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| A/D Converter | None |
PIC16LCE623-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O RA0 / Analog comparator input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O RA1 / Analog comparator input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O RA2 / Analog comparator input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O RA3 / Analog comparator input 3 (also comparator output) |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O RA4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS — Digital I/O RA5 / Synchronous serial port slave select |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — Digital I/O RA6 |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Digital I/O RA7 |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O RB0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — Digital I/O RB1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Digital I/O RB2 |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Digital I/O RB3 |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Digital I/O RB4 |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Digital I/O RB5 |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Digital I/O RB6 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LCE623-04/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Industrial Timer and Sequencer Module, Simple Motor and Valve Driver Controller, Automotive Interior Accessory Module, Educational and Hobby Embedded Projects, Legacy Replacement for Obsolete Production Boards.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO fits consumer appliance control boards where 13 I/O lines drive relays, switches, and a 7-segment LED display, while two on-chip comparators monitor line-voltage zero-cross events or temperature sensors. With 896 bytes OTP and 96 bytes RAM, the part easily runs fixed-function appliance controllers for toasters, rice cookers, washing machine sub-boards, and microwave ovens where firmware is finalized at production. The 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply and 4 MHz clock keep power consumption under 2 mA typical at 5 V, ideal for always-on white goods and cost-sensitive designs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V at under 2 mA active current, making it well-suited for two-cell battery-powered sensor nodes such as remote thermostats, wireless occupancy sensors, and small industrial telemetry endpoints. The 13 I/O pins connect directly to low-power sensors, comparators monitor battery voltage thresholds, and the 4 MHz clock provides sufficient throughput for periodic wake-measure-transmit duty cycles. With 128 bytes of EEPROM, calibration constants and node ID persist across battery swaps, and the watchdog timer ensures reliable recovery from brown-out events on depleted cells.
Recommended
Industrial Timer and Sequencer Module
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO's 8-bit timer/counter and 13 I/O make it well-suited for industrial timer and sequencer modules such as conveyor-belt controllers, pump alternators, and packaging-machine stage sequencers. The two on-chip comparators monitor sensor thresholds while the 4 MHz clock supports millisecond-resolution timing. The SOIC-18 package suits densely populated industrial PCBs, and the OTP program memory guarantees firmware cannot be accidentally altered by voltage glitches on long cabling runs. Watchdog and brown-out reset features improve field reliability.
Recommended
Simple Motor and Valve Driver Controller
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO drives small DC motor H-bridges, solenoid valves, and latching relays in HVAC damper actuators, irrigation valves, and vending machine dispense mechanisms. The 13 I/O pins route PWM outputs to gate drivers and feedback signals from Hall sensors through the on-chip comparators. The 4 MHz instruction rate supports up to four PWM channels for brushed DC motor speed control. With 2.5 V minimum supply, the controller operates from battery-backed 3.3 V rails during power-loss events, sustaining critical actuator positions.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Module
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO powers automotive interior accessories such as ambient lighting controllers, vanity mirror actuators, and seat heater switches. The two on-chip comparators monitor current-sense signals for short-circuit detection, and the 13 I/O drive LED arrays and FET switches. The commercial 0°C to +70°C temperature rating limits this use to cabin environments; under-hood applications require the industrial-grade PIC16C621AT-20I/SO with -40°C to +85°C support. The OTP program memory prevents firmware tampering in field-deployed modules.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Embedded Projects
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO serves educational labs and hobbyist projects teaching 8-bit embedded programming with the PIC16 mid-range instruction set. The 13 I/O and 4 MHz clock let students interface buttons, LEDs, 7-segment displays, and simple sensors without overwhelming complexity. Pair with the PIC16LCE623-04/JW windowed CERDIP variant during development for code iteration, then transition to the SOIC-18 OTP for the production-ready learning board. The 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply tolerance accommodates both Arduino-style 5 V and 3.3 V lab rails.
Recommended
Legacy Replacement for Obsolete Production Boards
The PIC16LCE623-04/SO functions as a replacement for original-equipment-manufacturer production boards where the original PIC16CE623 device has reached end-of-life and a like-for-like OTP device is required. Its 13 I/O pinout, SOIC-18 footprint, and 4 MHz clock match the original, allowing drop-in installation without PCB respin. Compatible variants within the same PIC16CE62X family (PIC16C621A, PIC16C622) provide additional memory or peripheral options. Designers should verify firmware compatibility for OTP program memory and use the PIC16LC621A-04I/SO for 3.3 V-only legacy boards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LCE623-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C621A-04I/SO | PIC16C620A-04/SO | PIC16C622-04/SO | PIC16C621AT-20I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-18 (300 mil) | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same | SOIC-18 - same |
| Program Memory | 896 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP | 2048 bytes OTP | 896 bytes OTP |
| Data RAM | 96 bytes | 80 bytes (-17%) | 80 bytes (-17%) | 128 bytes (+33%) | 80 bytes (-17%) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (5x faster) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| On-chip Comparators | 2 | 1 (-50%) | 0 | 2 | 1 (-50%) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C | -40°C to +85°C (industrial) | 0°C to +70°C | 0°C to +70°C | -40°C to +85°C (industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage operation with OTP reliability (vs PIC16C621A-04I/SO)
- Two on-chip comparators (vs PIC16C620A-04/SO)
- Highest RAM in the CE62X low-voltage family (vs PIC16C622-04/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 11 (VDD) and a 10 µF tantalum or aluminum bulk capacitor on the same supply rail. The PIC16LCE623-04/SO draws under 2 mA active at 5 V/4 MHz, so even a small ferrite bead on the supply line cleans up switching noise from relay coils or motor H-bridges. For battery applications, add a 100 kΩ/100 nF RC network on MCLR (pin 1) to provide a clean reset ramp when battery voltage recovers from a brown-out event.
OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory cannot be erased or re-programmed. Any code change after programming requires a new device, so validate firmware on a windowed CERDIP variant (PIC16LCE623-04/JW) during development. MCLR (pin 1) must NOT be left floating - it requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD or a proper reset supervisor. Per Microchip datasheet 30210D, configuring RA3 as an analog input without disabling the digital input buffer causes parasitic current paths; always clear the CMCON register to disable comparator outputs on pins used as digital I/O.
Route the 4 MHz crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 15-16 of the PIC16CE62X internal mapping) within 5 mm of the device with a ground guard ring on both sides. Keep switching regulator or H-bridge traces at least 10 mm away from the crystal traces to prevent EMI coupling that causes oscillator jitter. For SOIC-18 layouts, place bypass caps on the opposite side of the PCB directly under VDD/VSS pins using via-in-pad if the board stackup permits, otherwise use 0.3 mm micro-vias.
Estimated: at 5 V supply and 4 MHz operation, the PIC16LCE623-04/SO dissipates approximately 10 mW internally, well within the SOIC-18 package's 100+°C/W thermal resistance and the 0°C to +70°C commercial operating range. No heatsink is required for normal operation. However, in sealed enclosures above 60°C ambient, derate oscillator frequency or add small ventilation slots. Avoid placing the MCU adjacent to high-power components that heat the local PCB area above 85°C.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance status not explicitly stated in verified web data. Lifecycle status is obsolete per Microchip part numbering convention; not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive applications use the industrial-grade PIC16C621AT-20I/SO.
