PIC16LCE625-04E/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LCE625-04E/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.65 | $265.00 |
| 500 | $2.31 | $1,155.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.98 | $1,980.00 |
PIC16LCE625-04E/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, I/O peripherals, and often non-volatile data storage. The PIC16C family uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction execution and deterministic interrupt latency. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LCE625 sits in the PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor hierarchy, targeting cost-sensitive embedded control rather than high-throughput signal processing.
Key features include ultra-low-power "LC" operation across the 2.5 V to 5.5 V range, an internal watchdog timer, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and a capture/compare/PWM (CCP) peripheral. The 'E' suffix designates the Extended commercial temperature range of -40C to +125C, while '04' specifies a 4 MHz maximum oscillator frequency. The 'SO' package is the 18-pin SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm body width), a wide-body variant suitable for hand-soldered prototypes and production SMT lines alike.
Typical applications span consumer appliance controllers, sensor signal conditioning, low-speed UART-based human-interface boards, and battery-backed instrumentation. The 13 I/O pins are sufficient for keypad scanning, LED driving, and small LCD interfaces. The 128-byte EEPROM provides convenient storage of calibration constants, user preferences, or device serial numbers without an external memory chip.
When designing with this MCU, verify that the chosen 4 MHz resonator or crystal meets the timing requirements in the oscillator section of the datasheet and that decoupling capacitors (typically 100 nF) are placed within a few millimetres of VDD. For new designs, prefer the Flash-based PIC16F equivalents (e.g., PIC16F628A) for in-circuit re-programmability; the PIC16LCE625 OTP variant suits only production volumes where firmware is final.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LCE625-04E/SO 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 PIC16LCE625-04E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Number of I/O Pins, Operating Temperature Range, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LCE625-04I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LCE625-04/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LCE625T-04E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F628A-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.32 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16LCE625-04E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16C RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (single cycle) |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 instructions |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V (LC variant) |
| Oscillator Type | External (crystal/resonator) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix) |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | CCP, WDT, Power-On Reset, Brown-Out Reset |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LCE625-04E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF β GPIO RA2 / Analog input 2 / Voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/CMP1 β GPIO RA3 / Analog input 3 / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI/CMP2 β GPIO RA4 / Timer0 clock input / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear reset / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β GPIO RB0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β GPIO RB1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β GPIO RB2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β GPIO RB3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β GPIO RB4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β GPIO RB5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β GPIO RB6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β GPIO RB7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / Clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 β GPIO RA0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 β GPIO RA1 / Analog input 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LCE625-04E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Controllers, Sensor Signal Conditioning & Display, Battery-Backed Instrumentation, Automotive Interior Accessories, Remote Control & Human-Interface Boards, Educational & Hobbyist Electronics.
Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO suits consumer appliance controllers such as coffee makers, microwave ovens, washing machines, and air conditioners. Its 4 MHz PIC16C RISC core executes 35 instructions in 200 ns cycles, enough throughput to scan keypads, drive LED or 7-segment displays, and manage relay or TRIAC outputs. The 13 GPIO pins support typical appliance I/O: 4-7 keypad rows, 2-4 status LEDs, 1-2 relay drivers, and 1 buzzer. The 128-byte EEPROM stores user-set parameters (brew strength, fan speed, timer values) across power cycles, and the integrated brown-out reset prevents firmware corruption during brown-out conditions common with motor-driven inductive loads. The Extended -40C to +125C operating range tolerates the heat inside an enclosed appliance.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning & Display
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO serves as a sensor-conditioning and display-driving MCU in industrial measurement instruments. Its 10-bit ADC (referenced in the PIC16C62x family datasheet) reads analog sensor outputs from thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, or load cells. The MCU applies linearization and calibration coefficients stored in the 128-byte EEPROM, then drives a 4-digit 7-segment LCD or LED display via the 13 GPIO pins. The CCP peripheral generates PWM for sensor excitation or 4-20 mA loop current. The 4 MHz clock supports 100 Hz display refresh rates while leaving CPU bandwidth for averaging and filtering algorithms. This application benefits from the part's Extended -40C to +125C rating for factory-floor deployment.
Recommended
Battery-Backed Instrumentation
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO fits battery-backed instrumentation such as portable data loggers, environmental monitors, and remote sensor nodes. The 'LC' low-voltage variant operates from 2.5 V to 5.5 V, enabling direct connection to two AA cells (3.0 V nominal) or a single lithium coin cell. The integrated power-on reset and brown-out reset protect EEPROM-resident calibration data during battery end-of-life voltage drop. Sleep mode with watchdog wakeup draws microamp-level current, allowing multi-year battery life in periodic-sampling applications. The 128-byte EEPROM stores thousands of measurement samples with timestamp markers, and the 13 GPIO pins drive indicator LEDs, button inputs, and an optional UART link for data offload.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO handles non-safety automotive interior accessories such as dome-light controllers, seat-heater switches, mirror-adjust modules, and aftermarket alarm remotes. The 13 GPIO pins drive MOSFET switches for incandescent or LED loads, read momentary push-button inputs, and pulse-width-modulate seat heaters or mirror position motors via the CCP peripheral. The Extended -40C to +125C rating handles under-dash and cabin temperatures. The 4 MHz clock debounces switch inputs and generates 100 Hz PWM for heater elements. Note: safety-critical automotive functions should use the PIC16F or dsPIC families with AEC-Q100 qualification; the PIC16LCE625 is suitable only for comfort/convenience loads.
Recommended
Remote Control & Human-Interface Boards
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO drives remote-control transmitters, IR learning receivers, and human-interface boards that scan key matrices and emit IR, RF, or wired UART commands. The 13 GPIO pins handle a 4x4 keypad matrix (8 lines) plus 5 control/status lines for IR LED drivers or RF modules. The 4 MHz clock and 35-instruction RISC core decode IR protocols (RC5, NEC, Sony SIRC) and produce carrier-frequency modulated outputs (typically 38 kHz) via Timer0/CCP. The 128-byte EEPROM stores learned IR codes for universal-remote applications. The wide 2.5-5.5 V supply range supports operation from 3 V coin cells or 5 V USB-powered receivers.
Recommended
Educational & Hobbyist Electronics
The PIC16LCE625-04E/SO is a long-time favorite in university embedded courses, hobbyist projects, and beginner microcontroller kits because of its simple architecture (only 35 instructions), wide availability, and low cost. The 18-SOIC package fits standard breadboard adapter boards, the 13 GPIO pins connect directly to LEDs, buttons, and character LCDs, and the 4 MHz speed is fast enough for blinking, UART, and PWM experiments without overwhelming a beginner. The datasheet's assembly-language programming model is taught in many EE curricula. Hobbyists should note the OTP limitation: a Flash-based PIC16F628A is recommended for iterative development, while the PIC16LCE625 suits only "burn once" production projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LCE625-04E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LCE625-04I/SO | PIC16LCE625-04/SO | PIC16LCE625T-04E/SO | PIC16F628A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 in) | 18-SOIC (0.295 in) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 in) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 in) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 in) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (3.5 KB / 2K x 14) | OTP (3.5 KB / 2K x 14) | OTP (3.5 KB / 2K x 14) | OTP (3.5 KB / 2K x 14) | Flash (3.5 KB) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 224 bytes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Reprogrammable | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | Yes (Flash) |
| Packaging Form | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube |
| Approximate Unit Price (qty 100) | $2.65 | $2.50 (approx, web data) | $2.45 (approx, web data) | $2.65 (approx, web data) | $2.85 (approx, web data) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range (vs PIC16LCE625-04I/SO)
- Tube packaging for hand-assembly and prototyping (vs PIC16LCE625T-04E/SO)
- True drop-in for legacy designs without firmware changes (vs PIC16F628A-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk capacitor (10 uF or larger) near the supply entry point. The PIC16LCE625 draws roughly 2 mA at 4 MHz and 5 V; for battery applications the LC variant can be clocked below 1 MHz and dropped to under 1 mA. Brown-out reset triggers around 4.0 V on a 5 V supply - if your design operates near this threshold add external reset supervision or hold VDD above 4.5 V at all times.
For 4 MHz operation, choose a parallel-resonant crystal with 20-33 pF load capacitors on OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15). Series resistors (typically 100-330 ohm) on OSC2 limit crystal drive and improve startup margin at low temperatures. If using a ceramic resonator instead of a crystal, follow the manufacturer's recommended capacitor values exactly - resonator load capacitance differs from crystal load capacitance and mismatched values shift the effective clock by 1-3 percent.
OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten - a single programming failure or firmware bug bricks the device. Estimated: the cost of a programming failure on a 1000-unit production run at $2.65 per unit exceeds $2,650. Always program a small engineering batch (5-10 units) first and validate in-circuit functionality before committing to volume programming. For prototypes, migrate to the Flash-based PIC16F628A in the same 18-SOIC footprint to avoid scrapping parts during firmware development.
Route the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) directly to a reset supervisor or pull-up resistor; long traces pick up noise and cause spurious resets. Keep the crystal traces short (under 10 mm), symmetric, and routed over a continuous ground plane; place crystal load capacitors immediately adjacent to OSC1/OSC2 with no other signals crossing underneath. The 18-SOIC pad pattern is standard 1.27 mm pitch and is compatible with hand-soldering using a fine-tipped iron or reflow soldering using standard JEDEC J-STD-020 profiles.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed by Orelectronics and DigiKey listings as of 2026-09-22. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this part is NOT recommended for safety-critical automotive applications; choose PIC16F628A or dsPIC variants for AEC-Q100 qualified designs.
