PIC17C44-33/L - 8-bit 33MHz OTP MCU 16KB | Microchip 44-PLCC
MPN: PIC17C44-33/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15.95 | $15.95 |
| 10 | $14.5 | $145.00 |
| 100 | $12.75 | $1,275.00 |
| 500 | $10.95 | $5,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.45 | $9,450.00 |
PIC17C44-33/L Overview
Background: An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU core, program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), data RAM, and peripheral interfaces on one die. The PIC17C family was Microchip's first architecture to use a 16-bit program word width and a 4-stage pipeline, predating the now-dominant PIC18F and dsPIC families. OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory can be written exactly once, making these parts economical for mature, high-volume production where firmware is finalized, and they remain a classic choice for legacy industrial control.
Key features include the PIC RISC instruction set with 58 single-word instructions, multiple interrupt sources, a hardware multiplier, and a 16-bit wide instruction path. The 33 I/O pins each support digital I/O with programmable direction, and the device operates from a 5 V supply. External memory and peripheral expansion are accessible through the PIC17C44's external memory bus.
Architecturally, the PIC17C44 uses a Harvard memory organization (separate program and data buses) and a 4-stage instruction pipeline, which is the source of its 8.25 MIPS throughput. The OTP program memory is windowless and cannot be erased, so design teams typically prototype with UV-erasable windowed variants (e.g., PIC17C44JW) before committing to OTP for production.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, motor control, instrumentation, and embedded products requiring deterministic 8-bit processing. The 5 V supply and 33 MHz speed are well-matched to legacy sensor interfaces and actuator drivers.
When designing with this device, verify that the 5 V supply tolerance matches your analog front-end and that pull-ups on MCLR are present. Because the part is OTP and now classified NRND/Obsolete, plan a migration path to PIC18F442 (recommended by Microchip) for new designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, legacy lifecycle status, drop-in alternative MPNs, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C44-33/L — 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 PIC17C44-33/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C44-25/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C44-16/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C44T-33I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44T-33/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-16I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-33/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC 17C |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 33 |
| Speed | 33 MHz |
| Performance | 8.25 MIPS (121 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V nominal |
| Package / Case | 44-PLCC (J-Lead), 16.59 x 16.59 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Instruction Set | 58 single-word instructions |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
PIC17C44-33/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/SS — Port A bit 5 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | OSC1 — Oscillator crystal input |
| Pin 8 | OSC2 — Oscillator crystal output |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 10 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 13 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 14 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 15 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 16 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 17 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 28 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 29 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 30 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 31 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 32 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 33 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 34 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 35 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 36 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 37 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 38 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C44-33/L is suitable for 7 applications: Legacy Industrial Control Systems, Motor Control and PWM Drives, Embedded Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics, Security and Access Control Panels, Consumer Appliance Controllers, Point-of-Sale and Vending Machine Controllers.
Legacy Industrial Control Systems
The PIC17C44-33/L's 8.25 MIPS deterministic throughput at 33 MHz and 33 digital I/O pins make it well-suited to legacy industrial controllers driving relays, solenoids, and stepper motors. Its 16 KB OTP program memory holds substantial state machines for conveyor sequencing, tank-level control, and HVAC damper actuators. The 5 V I/O tolerance simplifies interfacing to 5 V optocouplers and 24 V driver boards via pull-ups, and the PIC17C family's 4-stage pipeline gives predictable 121 ns instruction timing that older PLC-style code relies on. Use the PIC17C44-25/L as a same-footprint drop-in if the 33 MHz throughput is not required.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drives
The PIC17C44-33/L's 33 MHz core and 33 I/O pins provide sufficient bandwidth for trapezoidal and simple sinusoidal commutation of brushless DC motors up to a few hundred RPM. The CCP and PWM peripheral set supports multiple PWM channels for H-bridge drive, and the Harvard bus with 16-bit instructions lets the firmware service current-sense ADCs while maintaining commutation timing. Designers typically use 4 PWM channels for a 3-phase inverter plus a brake channel. For higher-frequency drives, migrate to dsPIC33EP64MC203-I/SP which adds dedicated motor-control PWMs and 70 MIPS throughput.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
With 16 KB of program memory and 454 bytes RAM, the PIC17C44-33/L serves well in 8-channel data-acquisition front ends for laboratory and process instrumentation, where the firmware implements autocalibration, linearization, and RS-232/485 communication. The 33 I/O pins multiplex 7-segment displays, keypads, and relay outputs while the external memory bus can address off-chip RAM for capture buffers. Sample-rate is software-paced via timer interrupts; designers targeting >10 kHz aggregate throughput should consider PIC18F4550 or dsPIC33EP64GP504 variants.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis Electronics
The PIC17C44-33/L is found in legacy automotive body controllers, instrument clusters, and seat-memory modules where 5 V operation and deterministic timing outweigh modern AEC-Q100 needs. Industrial-temp-grade variants like PIC17C44T-33I/L were qualified for under-hood and cabin modules. Use only existing inventory for service replacements; new automotive designs should target PIC18F4620 or dsPIC33EP512MP parts that are AEC-Q100 qualified. The PIC17C44-33/L itself is commercial-temperature grade.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panels
The PIC17C44-33/L's 16 KB OTP and 33 I/O pins comfortably handle keypad scanning, 7-segment display multiplexing, magnetic-card reader interfaces, and relay/keypad-matrix decoding for commercial alarm panels and door access controllers. The Harvard bus keeps keypad-scan jitter below 50 microseconds, important for debounce reliability, while the OTP memory prevents firmware extraction by attackers. For new designs requiring encryption or wireless, PIC16LF88 or PIC18F46K22 add AES and RF peripherals.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC17C44-33/L was a workhorse for high-end washing machines, dishwashers, and oven controllers in the late 1990s and 2000s, where its 33 MHz throughput handled user-interface state machines, sensor sampling, and triac-fire timing. The 33 I/O lines drive 7-segment or dot-matrix displays, scan keypads, and switch zero-cross triacs. Service replacements for legacy appliance production lines continue to use the PIC17C44 family; new appliance platforms have migrated to PIC18F46K22 or PIC18F67K22 for energy-star compliance.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale and Vending Machine Controllers
The PIC17C44-33/L's program memory, I/O count, and 5 V I/O tolerance made it a popular choice for vending machine controllers that interface to coin acceptors, bill validators, and multi-drop RS-485 peripherals. The deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle keeps bill-validator timing loops reliable. With 33 I/O pins the same board handles keypad, segment display, vend-motor drivers, and serial links. For new designs, PIC18F67K22 or dsPIC33EP512MU810 add USB and CAN peripherals for telemetry.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C44-33/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C44-25/L | PIC17C44-16/L | PIC17C44T-33I/L | PIC17C44T-33/L | PIC17C44-16I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) 16.59x16.59mm | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Architecture | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions | PIC 8-bit, 16-bit instructions |
| Max Clock Frequency | 33 MHz | 25 MHz (-24%) | 16 MHz (-52%) | 33 MHz (0%) | 33 MHz (0%) | 16 MHz (-52%) |
| Performance (MIPS) | 8.25 MIPS | 6.25 MIPS (-24%) | 4 MIPS (-52%) | 8.25 MIPS (0%) | 8.25 MIPS (0%) | 4 MIPS (-52%) |
| Program Memory | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed variant of the PIC17C44 family in PLCC package (vs PIC17C44-25/L)
- Commercial temperature grade with full 33 MHz operation (vs PIC17C44-16/L)
- Commercial temperature range optimized for cost-sensitive legacy designs (vs PIC17C44T-33I/L)
Design Notes
Do NOT assume PIC18F442 is pin-compatible with PIC17C44-33/L. A Microchip forum thread on this exact question confirms the pinouts differ. For drop-in service replacements on existing 44-PLCC boards, only PIC17C44 family variants at the L (PLCC) suffix are pin-compatible. Plan PCB redesign if migrating to PIC18F442.
PIC17C44-33/L is a 5 V-only part. Unlike the PIC16LF/PIC18F LF (low-voltage) variants, it does NOT operate from 2.0-3.6 V. Provide a regulated 5 V supply with at least 100 mA headroom; VDD pin decoupling requires a 0.1 uF ceramic plus 10 uF electrolytic near the package. MCLR must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD to avoid spurious resets.
PIC17C44-33/L is classified NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs). For new designs, Microchip officially recommends PIC18F442 as the successor; for service replacements of legacy 44-PLCC boards, the PIC17C44T-33I/L (industrial temp, same PLCC footprint) is the preferred choice. Order sufficient inventory for the expected service lifetime.
The 44-pin PLCC package has J-leads on all four sides with 1.27 mm pitch. Allow at least 0.5 mm clearance between PLCC body and adjacent components for cleaning and inspection. Place a low-ESR 0.1 uF decoupling cap directly under the PLCC socket (between VDD/VSS pins) on multi-layer boards to reduce ground bounce on the 33 MHz switching edges.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in distributor listings. RoHS and lead-free status depend on date code - request RoHS-compliant date code from distributor for new production. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; not applicable for automotive new designs.
