PIC16LCE625-04I/P - 4MHz 8-bit OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LCE625-04I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.1556 | $4.16 |
| 10 | $3.74 | $37.40 |
| 100 | $2.97 | $297.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.25 | $2,250.00 |
PIC16LCE625-04I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripheral interfaces optimized for embedded control tasks. PIC microcontrollers use a modified Harvard RISC architecture with 14-bit-wide instruction words for compact code density, and the PIC16LC sub-family is the low-power CMOS evolution of the original PIC16C EPROM-based devices. Within Microchip's portfolio hierarchy, the PIC16LC sits between the PIC10/12/16 baseline family and the higher-performance PIC18 and dsPIC families, targeting cost-sensitive embedded applications with modest code size requirements.
Key features of the PIC16LCE625 include an integrated precision comparator with programmable on-chip voltage reference, a 5-channel 8-bit ADC, one 8-bit timer/counter and one 16-bit timer/counter, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and 8MHz internal RC operation. The brown-out reset (BOR) circuitry and power-on reset (POR) ensure reliable startup across the 2.5V-5.5V supply range. Power management features include idle and sleep modes with wake-on-interrupt, drawing microampere-level standby currents ideal for battery-powered designs.
The device's PIC16C legacy architecture has a 2-stage pipeline executing most instructions in a single 200ns instruction cycle at 20MHz (or 1us at 4MHz for this part). This CISC-flavored RISC instruction set balances code density with deterministic interrupt response, and the 8-bit data path is sufficient for sensor interfacing, simple user I/O, and protocol conversion tasks. The 13 I/O pins share functionality with the comparator, ADC, and timers, allowing flexible pin allocation.
Typical applications include industrial sensor conditioning with the on-chip comparator and ADC, low-power battery-powered instrument clusters, home appliance control boards, automotive body electronics nodes, and consumer white-goods control panels. The integrated analog peripherals eliminate external comparator and reference ICs in many designs.
When designing with the PIC16LCE625, note that the OTP memory cannot be re-programmed - engineers should prototype with the pin-compatible PIC16F676 (Flash-based) and migrate to OTP only for production. The internal RC oscillator saves external crystal cost but may not meet timing-critical serial protocol requirements without calibration.
This page synthesizes cross-reference drop-in alternatives, distributor pricing as of 2026-09-22, and practical design considerations not found in the Microchip datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LCE625-04I/P — 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 PIC16LCE625-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Mounting Type, Comparators, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LCE625-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LCE625-04E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LCE624-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F676-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LCE625-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16C 8-bit RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit wide, 35 instructions |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 us @ 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Comparators | Yes, programmable on-chip voltage reference |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Power-on Reset (POR) | Yes |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial grade "I") |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
PIC16LCE625-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — Digital I/O / analog input 2 / comparator voltage reference output |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/C1OUT — Digital I/O / analog input 3 / comparator 1 output |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O (open-drain) / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input 4 / SPI slave-select select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer 1 oscillator output / Timer 1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI — Digital I/O / Timer 1 oscillator input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM module 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LCE625-04I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Monitoring, Battery-Powered Consumer Appliance Control, Home Appliance User Interface Boards, Automotive Body Electronics Nodes, Industrial Control Panel Logic, Security System Sensor Nodes.
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Monitoring
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P's integrated 8-bit ADC, programmable comparator with on-chip voltage reference, and -40C to +85C industrial temperature range make it well suited for industrial sensor signal conditioning. A typical design uses the on-chip comparator for threshold detection of sensor outputs (thermistor bridges, photo-diodes, level switches) and the ADC for ratiometric measurements of strain gauges or pressure sensors. The 13 I/O pins multiplex the ADC channels, comparator outputs, and timer capture inputs, while the 3.5KB OTP holds calibration tables and linearization algorithms. The 2.5V-5.5V supply allows direct connection to 3.3V or 5V industrial sensor rails, and the brown-out reset prevents erroneous readings during supply dips. Power consumption in idle mode stays below 100 uA, enabling 4-20mA loop-powered designs with microcontroller housekeeping. The PIC16LCE625's ICSP allows field firmware updates via test points, simplifying commissioning. Compared with discrete op-amp + ADC solutions, the integrated approach reduces BOM cost and improves long-term drift performance by eliminating separate reference and comparator ICs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P's microamp-level sleep current and 2.5V minimum supply suit battery-powered consumer appliances such as wireless thermostats, remote controls, and smart home sensor nodes. The "LC" low-voltage CMOS process enables operation from a single CR2032 coin cell down to 2.5V, while sleep mode with watchdog disabled draws under 1 uA per the Microchip datasheet. The integrated ADC reads battery voltage, temperature, or user inputs without external components, and the integrated comparator wakes the MCU on user button press. The 3.5KB OTP stores state machine firmware, RF timing tables, and user preference settings; OTP prevents accidental reprogramming during field deployment. The 13 I/O pins drive LEDs, buzzers, and RF transmitter enables directly, and ICSP allows final calibration before shipping. Compared with the PIC16C baseline, the LC variant extends battery life by 30-50% due to lower active current at 4MHz. Designers should add an external voltage reference for ADC accuracy better than ±2 LSB.
Recommended
Home Appliance User Interface Boards
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P is well matched to home appliance user-interface boards - washing machine control panels, microwave keypads, dishwasher displays, and HVAC thermostats. The 13 I/O pins drive 7-segment LED displays, scan matrix keypads (up to 8x8 via charlieplexing), and indicator LEDs. The internal oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost. The 8-bit timer generates the multiplexed display refresh without CPU intervention, leaving the main loop free for user input processing. The brown-out reset protects against mains brown-outs that cause spurious EEPROM writes. The 4MHz clock supports simple serial protocols (UART bit-banged, I2C master) for inter-MCU communication or sensor expansion. Compared with logic-IC + EEPROM discrete solutions, the integrated MCU reduces PCB area by 60% and adds user-programmable customization via OTP. Designers should add ESD protection (TVS diodes) on keypad inputs and debounce in firmware using the built-in timer.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Nodes
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P's -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and 5V supply tolerance suit automotive body-electronics nodes such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, and seat position sensors. While not AEC-Q100 qualified, the industrial temperature grade covers most cabin environments. The integrated comparator detects switch positions and the ADC reads potentiometer positions for mirror/seat adjusters. The 13 I/O pins drive relays, LEDs, and H-bridge enables for small DC motors. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer handle the noisy automotive electrical environment (load dump, cranking transients). Compared with PIC18 alternatives, the PIC16LCE625's OTP memory and lower pin count reduce per-unit cost by 30-40% in cost-sensitive body nodes. Designers should add TVS protection on supply and signal lines, and use the MCLR pin as a reset input rather than tying to VDD for field-recoverable resets via ICSP.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel Logic
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P serves as a logic controller for industrial control panels, implementing discrete I/O glue logic with the flexibility of firmware updates. The 13 I/O pins interface to pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lamps, and small relays. The 8-bit timer counts events or generates pulse trains for stepper motor control. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure recovery from industrial electrical noise, and the wide 2.5V-5.5V supply tolerates 24V industrial bus voltage drops after DC-DC conversion. Compared with discrete 74HC logic, the integrated MCU replaces 5-10 logic ICs and adds user-customizable sequencing without board rework. The OTP memory prevents unauthorized firmware extraction in OEM-locked industrial panels. Designers should follow IPC-2221 PCB layout guidelines for industrial control board creepage and clearance, and use optocouplers on all I/O crossing the isolation barrier.
Recommended
Security System Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P's low sleep current, integrated comparator for PIR sensor interfacing, and ICSP for secure firmware loading make it suited for security system sensor nodes - PIR motion detectors, door/window contacts, glass-break sensors. The internal comparator connects directly to a PIR sensor's analog front-end, generating an interrupt on motion detection. The ADC reads battery voltage, ambient light, and PIR signal amplitude. The 3.5KB OTP stores signal processing algorithms (filtering, false-trigger rejection) that cannot be extracted or reverse-engineered, addressing security IP protection concerns. Sleep current under 1 uA enables multi-year battery life on lithium AA cells. The brown-out reset prevents lock-ups during battery end-of-life. The 13 I/O pins connect to reed switches, tamper switches, RF transmitter enables, and status LEDs. Compared with dedicated PIR ASICs, the PIC16LCE625 allows firmware customization for different sensor types and detection algorithms. Designers should add a hardware watchdog and lock the configuration bits in OTP to prevent unauthorized code modification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LCE625-04I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LCE625-04/P | PIC16LCE625-04E/P | PIC16LCE624-04I/P | PIC16F676-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP (-43%) | 4 KB Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (in-system programmable) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (+400%) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 (one fewer) |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 64 bytes (-50%) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) versus commercial grade (vs PIC16LCE625-04/P)
- Same PIC16LC62x family with more program memory (vs PIC16LCE624-04I/P)
- Reprogrammable Flash memory versus OTP EPROM (vs PIC16F676-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16LCE625-04I/P draws approximately 2-5 mA active at 4 MHz and 5V supply, dropping to under 1 uA in sleep mode with watchdog off. For battery-powered designs, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the supply entry point. Add a series ferrite bead or inductor if the supply comes from a switching regulator to prevent conducted noise from corrupting ADC readings. Use the brown-out reset feature by enabling it in the configuration word to prevent code execution during supply dips below the BOR threshold (typically 2.3V-2.7V).
For the 18-pin PDIP package, follow IPC-2221 through-hole design rules: 0.8 mm minimum pad diameter, 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pin pitch, and 0.5 mm annular ring. Place a ground pour on the bottom layer under the MCU body for thermal dissipation and EMI shielding. Keep analog signals (AN0-AN4, CVREF) separated from digital switching signals (RC0-RC6) by at least 3 mm or a ground trace to prevent digital noise coupling into ADC readings. The OSC1/OSC2 traces should be short and routed away from digital I/O to minimize clock crosstalk.
Common pitfalls with the PIC16LCE625-04I/P include: (1) Assuming OTP memory can be reprogrammed - OTP cannot be erased, so all firmware bugs become permanent; use PIC16F676-I/P for development. (2) Forgetting to configure the watchdog timer disable bit during ICSP programming - an enabled WDT may cause unexpected resets in some applications. (3) Using RA4 as a digital output without noting its open-drain characteristic - it requires an external pull-up resistor. (4) Operating above 4 MHz at voltages below 4.5V - the Microchip datasheet specifies frequency derating below 4.5V supply. (5) Leaving the MCLR pin floating - it must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for proper reset behavior.
When using the on-chip ADC, ensure the analog source impedance is below 10 kohm to avoid ADC sample-and-hold settling errors. Add an external 100 nF capacitor on each analog input pin for noise filtering. For accurate comparator operation, the CVREF voltage reference output requires a 0.1 uF bypass capacitor and should not drive more than 1 mA of external load. When using the CCP1 module for PWM generation at 4 MHz, the PWM frequency is limited to approximately 4 kHz with 10-bit resolution; lower PWM frequencies can achieve higher resolution up to 10 bits.
Compliance Information
Compliance information not available in verified web data. The -I suffix indicates industrial temperature grade; no AEC-Q100 automotive qualification. Lead-free and RoHS status should be verified against the manufacturer datasheet 30212D and lot-specific certificate of conformance before production deployment.
