PIC16LCE623-04E/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LCE623-04E/SS β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.05 | $30.50 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.4 | $1,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
PIC16LCE623-04E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, RAM, and peripheral interfaces onto one IC. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC-based Harvard architecture where the program bus and data bus are separated, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in the same cycle. The PIC16LC family is the low-power (LC) variant, typically supporting operation from 2.5V to 5.5V with sleep currents in the microamp range. Within Microchip's portfolio, the LC line sits beneath the F (Flash) line and is generally aimed at high-volume OTP-based designs rather than field-reprogrammable products. MCUs occupy the broader category of embedded processors, distinct from microprocessors by integrating memory and peripherals on-chip.
Key features include a 4 MHz maximum clock frequency, 200 ns single-cycle instruction execution (with two cycles for program branches), a 35-instruction instruction set, 8-bit timer/counter, capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, and an analog comparator. Brown-out reset (BOR) and power-on reset (POR) are integrated, alongside a watchdog timer (WDT) for reliable operation in electrically noisy environments. The SSOP-20 footprint is compatible with the standard 0.300-inch 18-pin DIP outline when PCB layout permits.
Architecturally, the PIC16LC6xx core uses a 14-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, with dedicated peripheral registers mapped into the data memory space. The OTP program memory is programmed once and cannot be erased, making the part ideal for mature, stable production designs rather than iterative prototyping. The external oscillator option supports crystal, resonator, or external clock operation up to 20 MHz, with internal divide-by-N for CPU clock generation.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, low-power remote controls, LED lighting controllers, and small-form-factor industrial interfaces. The device's combination of EEPROM, timers, and comparators makes it well-suited for closed-loop control of fans, pumps, and motor drivers, as well as for replacement of discrete logic in compact embedded boards.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed; therefore the production firmware must be fully validated before programming. Ensure the supply voltage stays within the LC variant's 2.5V-5.5V range; using the standard PIC16F equivalent may be preferable for in-circuit reprogrammability. Consider the PIC16LCE623-04/P variant only when a DIP package is needed for through-hole designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16LC6xx family, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LCE623-04E/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 PIC16LCE623-04E/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Instruction Set, Package, RAM Size, Instruction Cycle Time.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LC622-04I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC622-04E/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F627-04/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F628-04/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC621A-04E/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LCE623-04E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC (PIC16) |
| Series | PIC16LC6xx (PIC16C family) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 96 B |
| EEPROM Size | 128 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (single-cycle) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (LC variant) |
| Oscillator Type | External (crystal/resonator/clock) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 in / 5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | Timer, CCP, Analog Comparator, WDT, BOR, POR |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix = Extended) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Instruction Set | 35 instructions |
PIC16LCE623-04E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA7/OSC1 β Port A bit 7 / oscillator input |
| Pin 2 | RA6/OSC2 β Port A bit 6 / oscillator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR β Port A bit 5 / master clear reset |
| Pin 4 | RA4/AN4 β Port A bit 4 / analog input 4 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3 β Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2 β Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 7 | RA1/AN1 β Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 8 | RA0/AN0 β Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 9 | RB7 β Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | RB6 β Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 16 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 17 | VSS β Ground |
| Pin 18 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | RC6 β Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 20 | RC7 β Port C bit 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LCE623-04E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Board, Low-Power Sensor Conditioning, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control Transmitter, Small Motor Control (Fan/Pump), Industrial Interface / Display Driver.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS fits appliance control boards where cost dominates and firmware is locked at production. Its 13 I/O pins interface directly to button matrices, relay drivers, and triac controls for washing machines, microwaves, and dishwashers. The 128-byte EEPROM stores user-configurable parameters (cycle counts, calibration values) across power cycles without external NVRAM. With 2.5V to 5.5V operation, it accepts unregulated 5V rails typical of rectified mains supplies. Compared with discrete logic implementations, this MCU reduces BOM count by 60-70% and enables firmware-based feature differentiation without hardware changes - critical for product-line variants sharing one PCB.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS suits battery-powered sensor nodes where 8-bit computation, low sleep current, and integrated analog comparator provide the right balance. The on-chip analog comparator triggers wake-up from sleep on threshold crossing, eliminating a dedicated external comparator IC. At 4 MHz from a 32.768 kHz crystal divided by PLL, active current drops below 1 mA while sleeping below 1 uA - ideal for HVAC remote sensors and wireless thermostat transmitters. The 96-byte RAM is ample for periodic sensor averaging; 128-byte EEPROM retains calibration coefficients. Compared with bare 8051 cores, this part integrates timer, comparator, and EEPROM in a single 20-SSOP.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS drives dimmable LED lighting controllers using its CCP module for PWM generation up to 4 MHz / 1024 = ~4 kHz PWM frequency - sufficient to avoid flicker in most residential applications. The 13 I/O pins support multiple PWM channels for RGBW fixtures or independent LED strings. EEPROM stores the last dim level and color scene across power cycles, enabling instant-on behavior at user preference. The extended -40 to +125 C temperature grade handles enclosed fixture environments without thermal derating. Compared with analog dimmer circuits, this digital approach eliminates triac hold-current issues with LED loads.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS integrates the encoding logic, button matrix scanning, and IR modulation timer functions of an IR/RF remote control transmitter in a single chip. Its 4 MHz internal-external oscillator chain is fast enough for 38 kHz carrier generation while consuming <2 mA active. The 96-byte RAM and 128-byte EEPROM store device codes and pairing tables. The watchdog timer prevents lockup if the IR LED is shorted. Compared with dedicated encoder ICs (PT2262, EV1527), this MCU-based approach allows custom protocols without changing hardware, valuable for OEM-branded remote controls.
Recommended
Small Motor Control (Fan/Pump)
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS implements closed-loop speed control for small brushless DC or brushed motors in fans, pumps, and small appliances. The CCP module generates PWM drive signals while Timer0 measures back-EMF or tachometer feedback pulses for PID loop closure. The analog comparator enables zero-crossing detection for synchronous rectification. With 4 MHz CPU and 200 ns instruction cycle, control loop update rates exceed 1 kHz - sufficient for vibration-sensitive applications. EEPROM stores last-set RPM after power loss. Compared with analog motor controllers, this digital design offers soft-start, fault logging, and adaptive ramp profiles in firmware.
Recommended
Industrial Interface / Display Driver
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS drives segmented LCD or LED display panels in industrial HMIs, instrument readouts, and access control keypads. Its 13 I/O pins multiplex 4-digit 7-segment displays with minimal external components. The extended -40 to +125 C operating range suits factory-floor environments. Brown-out reset (BOR) ensures clean recovery from supply glitches common in industrial wiring. The watchdog timer detects firmware lockup from EMI. Compared with dedicated display driver ICs, this MCU-based approach supports custom icons, animations, and multi-language fonts without external character ROM.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LCE623-04E/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LC622-04I/SS | PIC16LC622-04E/SS | PIC16F627-04/SS | PIC16F628-04/SS | PIC16LC621A-04E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 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 | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 1.75 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 1.75 KB OTP |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B | 224 B | 224 B | 80 B |
| EEPROM | 128 B | 64 B | 64 B | 128 B | 128 B | 0 B |
| Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash (reprogrammable) | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Larger EEPROM than PIC16LC622 family (vs PIC16LC622-04E/SS)
- Higher speed than typical OTP competitors (vs PIC16LC621A-04E/SS)
- OTP cost advantage over Flash at high volumes (vs PIC16F628-04/SS)
Design Notes
OTP memory cannot be erased or reprogrammed. Once the PIC16LCE623-04E/SS is programmed, firmware bugs cannot be patched without scrapping the device. For prototype or low-volume production runs where firmware is expected to change, choose the Flash-based PIC16F627 or PIC16F628 instead. Microchip's MPASM assembler and MPLAB X IDE support both OTP and Flash variants, so source code is largely portable.
The PIC16LCE623-04E/SS operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V on VDD. Below 2.5 V, brown-out reset (BOR) will trigger and reset the device. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18), and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. For battery-powered designs, the LC variant's <1 uA sleep current extends battery life significantly compared with F variants running at full speed.
The 20-SSOP package has 0.65 mm pitch, requiring careful PCB layout. Use 0.3 mm-wide traces with 0.2 mm clearance, and avoid running digital traces under the IC body to minimize capacitive coupling. Place the decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin, with the ground return via directly under the capacitor. For oscillator stability, keep the crystal/ceramic resonator traces short (under 10 mm) and shield them with a ground pour.
Pin 3 (RA5/MCLR) is a multi-function pin shared between digital I/O and master-clear reset. To use the internal MCLR function, tie it through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VDD; to disable reset and use as digital I/O only, configure the configuration bit and tie to VDD. Avoid leaving MCLR floating, as noise on the pin can cause spurious resets. The MCLR pin should not be used as a regular output, as driving it low externally will reset the device.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a general-purpose industrial MCU. Lead-free and Pb-free assembly supported. Conflict-mineral compliance per Microchip's standard CMRT reporting.
