PIC17C43-33/P - 8-Bit 33MHz OTP MCU 8KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC17C43-33/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13.13 | $13.13 |
| 10 | $12.55 | $125.50 |
| 100 | $11.2 | $1,120.00 |
| 500 | $10.05 | $5,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.18 | $9,180.00 |
PIC17C43-33/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer with an 8-bit data path, on-chip program memory, RAM, and a set of I/O peripherals. The PIC17C43 sits within the broader taxonomy: PIC17C family -> PIC microcontroller family -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Within Microchip's portfolio it preceded the PIC18F generation, which now supersedes PIC17C43 in new designs (Microchip's product page recommends PIC18F4220). The PIC17C43 nevertheless remains in distribution for legacy industrial, instrumentation, and telecom control designs where firmware revision-locks the platform.
Key differentiating features include 33 I/O pins, three timer modules, a USART for serial communication, a Watchdog Timer, and an instruction set of 58 single-word instructions. The wide operating voltage range of 2.5V to 6.0V and an extended temperature range of -40C to +85C let this part serve commercial and industrial applications. The 40-pin PDIP (Plastic DIP) package supports hand prototyping and rework, attractive for low-volume production, educational kits, and field service replacements.
Architecturally, the PIC17C43 combines a Harvard bus (separate program/data paths) with a RISC instruction set that executes one 16-bit instruction word per cycle. The OTP program memory suits mature firmware that does not require in-application re-programming, contrasting with modern Flash-based MCUs that allow iterative code updates. Brown-out Reset, Power-on Reset, and a programmable Watchdog Timer improve field reliability in unattended installations.
Typical applications include industrial motor control loops, instrumentation front-ends, telecom equipment, point-of-sale terminals, and embedded control boards where PIC17C firmware already exists and qualification costs of migration are prohibitive. The 33 MHz clock rate and ~8 MIPS throughput comfortably drive UART protocols, simple PID loops, and human-machine interface scanning.
When designing with PIC17C43-33/P, note that OTP memory requires windowless ceramic or one-time-only programming - choose this part only when firmware is fully validated. For new designs, Microchip recommends migrating to PIC18F4220 (Flash-based, pin-compatible in many 40-pin DIP layouts). Stock availability should be confirmed at order entry - legacy OTP supplies are increasingly constrained as Microchip discontinues PIC17C variants.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C43-33/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 PIC17C43-33/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Mounting Type, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C42A-33I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C42A-33/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-25E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-16E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-16/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-16I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-33/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC17C |
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 33 MHz |
| Performance | 8.25 MIPS (121 ns instruction cycle) |
| Instruction Set | 58 single-word instructions |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Timers | 3 (per family datasheet) |
| Communication | USART (1 channel per family datasheet) |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
PIC17C43-33/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Analog input 4 / Timer 0 clock in |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 5 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal/Resonator input or external clock |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal/Resonator output or clock out |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer 1 oscillator out / clock in |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer 1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART TX / Clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART RX / Data |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 — Port D bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 — Port D bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 — Port D bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 — Port D bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RD4/PSP4 — Port D bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RD5/PSP5 — Port D bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RD6/PSP6 — Port D bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RD7/PSP7 — Port D bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 28 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 29 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 30 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 31 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 32 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 33 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 34 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 35 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 36 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 37 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 38 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 39 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C43-33/P is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control Boards, Point-of-Sale Terminal Controllers, Telecom Line-Card Controllers, Embedded Instrumentation Front-Ends, Educational MCU Trainer Boards, Medical Device Display Controllers, Vintage / Legacy Board Repair.
Industrial Motor Control Boards
The PIC17C43-33/P's 33 MHz CPU and 8.25 MIPS throughput make it well suited to legacy industrial motor control loops running PID calculations at fixed sample rates. Its 33 digital I/O pins map directly to opto-isolated driver signals for H-bridge stages and to encoder/feedback inputs. Brown-Out Reset and Watchdog Timer provide the field reliability expected in unattended factory installations, while the 40-pin PDIP package simplifies hand-rework for maintenance technicians. The part is a proven migration path from older HC11/8051 motor control platforms.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal Controllers
POS terminals built on PIC17C firmware use the PIC17C43-33/P's USART channel for keypad/display panels and its timer modules for button debouncing and backlight PWM. With 8 KB of OTP program memory, sufficient code space exists for the menu handling, transaction logging, and printer handshaking typical in retail terminals. Operating from 2.5 V to 6.0 V, it co-exists with both legacy 5 V and modern 3.3 V subsystems. The 40-pin PDIP layout simplifies field-replacement service kits.
Recommended
Telecom Line-Card Controllers
Telecom line-interface cards historically used PIC17C MCUs to handle relay control, line-test sequencing, and alarm reporting. The PIC17C43-33/P's 33 MHz performance lets it handle multi-channel periodic scans while the USART drives monitor-side telemetry back to the central processor. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range tolerates outdoor cabinet thermal excursions. The 40-pin PDIP package is preferred for the through-hole assembly lines still common in telecom manufacturing.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation Front-Ends
The PIC17C43-33/P serves as a measurement front-end controller in legacy oscilloscope probes, signal analyzers, and calibration instruments. Its 33 I/O lines drive LCD segments, accept trigger inputs, and read rotary-encoder channels. With 454 bytes of RAM, the device holds intermediate scaling buffers between ADC samples and the host interface. The 33 MHz CPU executes one 16-bit instruction per cycle, deterministic latency that simplifies calibration routine timing. Through-hole PDIP eases rework when an instrument returns for service.
Recommended
Educational MCU Trainer Boards
The PIC17C43-33/P, with its 58-instruction RISC set and breadboardable 40-pin PDIP, has long been a candidate for university- and college-level microcontroller courses. The 33 MHz clock delivers real-time peripheral demonstrations (timer-driven toggling, USART-loopback) without intimidating complexity. OTP memory forces students to commit to versions, mirroring real engineering version-control decisions. The exposed MCU pins allow direct oscilloscope probing during lab exercises.
Recommended
Medical Device Display Controllers
Legacy medical monitors (infusion pumps, patient displays, diagnostic carts) using PIC17C code can extend their service life with a PIC17C43-33/P drop-in. With 33 MHz and 8 MIPS, the controller drives character-LCD status panels, keypad input, and bedside bus interfaces. The -40C to +85C range covers clinical equipment thermal envelopes. The PIC17C43-33/P helps OEMs avoid costly firmware re-validation by remaining on a known-validated platform.
Recommended
Vintage / Legacy Board Repair
For factories, labs, and field service shops that still maintain equipment manufactured in the 1990s and early 2000s, the PIC17C43-33/P is the required spare part when an on-board controller fails. The 40-pin PDIP through-hole package is socketed in many legacy designs, enabling two-minute swap-outs. Its OTP memory matches the unique firmware code on each vintage PCB, making a drop-in necessary rather than a feature upgrade. Heisener distributor data (2026-09-25) confirms an active supply channel for legacy repair purposes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C43-33/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C42A-33I/P | PIC17C43-25E/PT | PIC17C43-16E/P | PIC17C43-16/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-PDIP (0.600 inch) | 40-PDIP | 44-TQFP | 40-PDIP | 40-CDIP (windowed) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 33 MHz | 33 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (8 KB) | OTP (similar family) | OTP | OTP | Windowed EPROM |
| Performance (MIPS) | 8.25 MIPS | 8.25 MIPS | 6.25 MIPS | 4.00 MIPS | 4.00 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | 0C to +70C |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest CPU speed grade in the PIC17C43 sub-family (vs PIC17C43-16E/P and PIC17C43-25E/PT)
- Through-hole PDIP package for hand-prototyping and field service (vs PIC17C42A-33/PT (TQFP version))
- 8 KB (4K x 16) program memory - largest in PIC17C series (vs PIC17C42 family members)
Design Notes
OTP memory locks the program at first write - any firmware bug ships permanently. For prototype breadboarding use the windowed PIC17C43/JW variant (UV-erasable) so you can iterate. Once the firmware is stable, switch to the OTP /P part for production. Estimated: a single write cycle takes approximately 30-60 ms per row of program memory per the family datasheet's programming specification.
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 27), in parallel with a 10 uF tantalum or electrolytic bulk capacitor. Brown-Out Reset is enabled by default at 4.0 V (5 V operation); verify this matches your rail tolerance. Estimated: typical active current per the family datasheet is 5-15 mA at 33 MHz depending on I/O loading.
Keep the 40-pin PDIP footprint on a 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) pitch row to support standard DIP sockets and IC test clips. Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and symmetric, within 0.5 inch of the package. Add a guard ring around MCLR/VPP (pin 1) if the board sees ESD events. Estimated: trace length under 0.5 inch keeps oscillator harmonic distortion below the family datasheet's recommended mask.
Estimate junction temperature using theta_JA of approximately 50 C/W (through-hole PDIP, still air). At 33 MHz with 3 mA active current and 5 V supply, dissipation is around 15 mW so thermal rise is only ~0.75 C. However, when driving 33 I/O lines at full load (sourcing 20 mA each), dissipation can climb above 500 mW. Always derate I/O current to 8-10 mA continuous per pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS / lead-free status was not explicitly stated in the verified web data - marked as 'unknown'. The PIC17C family pre-dates strict RoHS enforcement in many product lines; OEM customers should request a RoHS certificate of compliance from Microchip at order entry. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial grade legacy part.
