PIC17C44-16I/PT - 8-Bit 16MHz 16KB OTP MCU, 44-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC17C44-16I/PT ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.04 | $7.04 |
| 10 | $6.5 | $65.00 |
| 100 | $5.85 | $585.00 |
| 500 | $5.2 | $2,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.65 | $4,650.00 |
PIC17C44-16I/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip processor with an 8-bit data path, integrated program memory, RAM, and peripherals designed for deterministic control tasks. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, an MCU sits under microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device, and the PIC17C44 family sits at the upper end of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio, between the PIC16 mid-range and PIC18 enhanced families. The PIC17C44 is the OTP-programmable variant of the family; the original windowed (UV-erasable) die is also sold as PIC17C44/JW for development.
Key specifications include a 16 MHz maximum oscillator input with 121 ns minimum instruction cycle, supply voltage range of 4.5 V to 6.0 V, and industrial-grade -40 °C to +85 °C operating temperature range. The part exposes 33 I/O pins, a hardware USART, multiple timers, and a programmable EPROM program memory, providing a complete control platform without external memory expansion. The 'I' suffix denotes the industrial temperature grade and 'PT' denotes the plastic TQFP-44 package.
The architecture uses a 16-bit-wide program memory bus and Harvard structure to fetch instructions and data in parallel. Most instructions execute in a single 121 ns cycle (8.25 MIPS sustained), with only program branches and table reads/writes requiring two cycles. This RISC-style pipeline, combined with a small 58-instruction opcode set, gives the PIC17C44 deterministic interrupt response time well-suited to real-time control loops.
Typical applications for the PIC17C44-16I/PT include industrial motor and process control, HVAC and appliance controllers, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and embedded instrumentation front-ends. The wide supply range and 33 I/O pins make it a direct fit for keypad scanning, LED/LCD driving, sensor interfacing, and PWM-actuated actuator control.
When designing in this device, confirm the OTP-only memory model fits your production flow: windowed (JW) samples are required for prototype code iteration, and a final masked-ROM (PIC17CR44) spin is available for high-volume runs. Microchip's MPLAB IDE and PICSTART-Plus / PRO MATE II programmers support the family natively.
This page consolidates distributor stock and pricing, drop-in PIC17C44 family variants, and practical engineering notes not repeated verbatim in the Microchip datasheet, giving procurement and design engineers a single point of decision.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C44-16I/PT — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C44-16/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C44T-16I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-25/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$7.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-33I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$13.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17CR44-16I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C44-16I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC 17C |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Instruction Set Width | 16-bit opcodes |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (one-time programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes |
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit (external) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz (33 MHz clock input variant available) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 121 ns (single-cycle for most instructions) |
| MIPS (Peak) | 8.25 MIPS at 16 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT), 10 x 10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | USART, Timers, PWM, Watchdog Timer |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC17C44-16I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 3 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| Pin 4 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (digital I/O, open-drain) |
| Pin 9 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 22 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O / external bus) |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 24 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 25 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 26 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 29 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 30 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 (external data bus low byte) |
| Pin 31 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 (external data bus high byte) |
| Pin 39 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 |
| Pin 40 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 |
| Pin 41 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 42 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 43 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C44-16I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor and Process Control, HVAC and Appliance Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Embedded Instrumentation Front-Ends, Keypad, LED, and LCD User Interfaces, Legacy Field-Replacement and Repair Boards.
Industrial Motor and Process Control
The PIC17C44-16I/PT's 33 I/O pins and PWM peripherals make it well-suited for industrial motor drive and process control. With 8.25 MIPS throughput (16 MHz, 121 ns instruction cycle), it closes current and torque control loops fast enough for brushed-DC and stepper systems. The -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature grade supports factory-floor environments. Designers wire the 33 I/O to encoder inputs, Hall sensors, and H-bridge FET drivers without external glue logic.
Recommended
HVAC and Appliance Controllers
The PIC17C44-16I/PT is a classic fit for HVAC control boards, washing machines, and dishwasher control panels where deterministic real-time behavior matters. Its 16 KB OTP program memory holds a fixed control algorithm, while 454 bytes of RAM manages thermostat inputs, valve drivers, and timer interrupts. The 4.5 V to 6.0 V supply range aligns with regulated 5 V appliance rails; industrial temperature grade handles garage and basement installations.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
Pre-CAN era automotive body modules used PIC17C44-class MCUs for seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting controls. The PIC17C44-16I/PT's 33 I/O handle multiple switch inputs and lamp outputs; its industrial temperature grade tolerates under-dash thermal loads. Note that this part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical automotive, use AEC-Q100 graded PIC18F variants. This application is appropriate for hobby and legacy field-replacement only.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation Front-Ends
The PIC17C44-16I/PT serves well as an embedded instrumentation front-end for digital panel meters, weighing scales, and data loggers. Its 16-bit external data bus interfaces to external ADCs and DACs without wait-state glue logic, and 8.25 MIPS throughput supports 7-segment multiplexed display refresh and keypad scanning concurrently. The 454-byte RAM buffers measurement packets before serial transmission via the on-chip USART.
Recommended
Keypad, LED, and LCD User Interfaces
With 33 I/O pins and a 121 ns instruction cycle, the PIC17C44-16I/PT can scan a 4x4 matrix keypad while simultaneously driving multiplexed 7-segment LED or character LCD displays. Its 16 KB OTP holds the lookup-table-driven menu logic, and the on-chip USART relays commands to a host controller. Designers often pair it with a character LCD like the HD44780 for human-machine-interface panels.
Recommended
Legacy Field-Replacement and Repair Boards
For OEM service depots and industrial maintenance contracts, the PIC17C44-16I/PT remains the only drop-in part for legacy control boards that have been in service since the 1990s. Although NRND, Microchip continues limited production for industrial customers. Drop-in 44-TQFP variants in the same family (PIC17C44T-16I/PT, PIC17C44-25/PT) provide alternative stock channels when the original part is out of supply.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C44-16I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C44-16/PT | PIC17C44T-16I/PT | PIC17C44-25/PT | PIC17C44-33I/PT | PIC17CR44-16I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (PT) | 44-TQFP (PT) - same | 44-TQFP (PT) - same | 44-TQFP (PT) - same | 44-TQFP (PT) - same | 44-TQFP (PT) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB Masked ROM |
| Maximum Clock | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 25 MHz | 33 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Masked ROM (factory programmed) |
| Packaging | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tray |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Higher clock rate variant in same package (vs PIC17C44-33I/PT)
- Reel-ready variant for SMT production (vs PIC17C44T-16I/PT)
- Masked-ROM variant for cost reduction (vs PIC17CR44-16I/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple the PIC17C44-16I/PT with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 11, 21, 42), plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or electrolytic on the 5 V rail. The three VDD pins (11, 21, 42) all require decoupling - omitting any one will cause brownout during oscillator transients. Hold MCLR high through a 10 kohm pull-up and 100 nF to ground for clean reset release.
Because the PIC17C44-16I/PT uses OTP EPROM (not flash or windowed UV EPROM in the PT package), the firmware must be fully verified on a PIC17C44/JW windowed sample or PIC18F442 flash prototype before committing to OTP programming. A single OTP programming error bricks the part; there is no field upgrade path. Verify clock oscillator stability before programming - marginal crystals pass programming but fail at temperature extremes.
Route the 16-bit external data bus (PORTC low byte, PORTD high byte) with matched lengths to within 25 mm, and keep trace capacitance under 50 pF by minimizing stubs. Place a ground guard ring around the external bus area to limit noise injection into the PORTA/PORTB analog-sensitive lines. The OSC1/OSC2 pins must be guarded by a ground trace and the crystal placed within 10 mm of the IC.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free package finish (Pb-free matte tin). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications use PIC18F or dsPIC33 variants with AEC-Q100 Grade 1 or 0 certification.