PIC17C44T-16/PT - 16MHz 8-Bit OTP MCU, 16KB, 44-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC17C44T-16/PT ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13.5 | $13.50 |
| 10 | $12.15 | $121.50 |
| 100 | $10.8 | $1,080.00 |
| 500 | $9.45 | $4,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.1 | $8,100.00 |
PIC17C44T-16/PT Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a small, low-cost computer-on-a-chip built around the Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) RISC architecture introduced by Microchip. PIC MCUs sit in the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductor devices. The PIC17C family is the high-performance tier of the 8-bit PIC lineup, offering the largest program memory, the deepest interrupt structure, and the highest I/O count of the classic 8-bit PIC families, making it suitable for complex control tasks traditionally reserved for 16-bit parts.
Key features include Harvard bus architecture with separate program and data memory paths, 16 KB (8K x 16) of OTP program memory, 454 bytes of general-purpose RAM, 33 digital I/O lines, on-chip peripherals including PWM, Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-On Reset (POR), and a hardware UART/USART for asynchronous serial communication. The device executes 58 single-word instructions, all single-cycle except for program branches which take two cycles.
The PIC17C44's CMOS process delivers low power consumption while sustaining 8.25 MIPS throughput (121 ns minimum instruction cycle). Its 16-level hardware stack and multi-source interrupt structure simplify firmware development for time-critical control loops, and the PIC17C line is fully upwards code-compatible with the PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, and PIC16CXX families - existing assembler investments are preserved when migrating.
Typical applications include industrial process controllers, motor control front-ends, automotive body and chassis ECUs (pre-CAN era), HVAC control boards, point-of-sale terminals, security system panels, and embedded data-acquisition front-ends. The PIC17C44 is the original Microchip PIC microcontroller recommended for drop-in upgrades to PIC16C-series designs that have outgrown code space or I/O count.
Designers should note that the PIC17C44 OTP windowless parts require a one-shot programming step during manufacturing; for field-reprogrammable designs, the PIC18F442 is the modern migration path (per Microchip's own product page). Operate the device within the 4.5V-6V supply envelope and derate I/O sink/source current when many pins switch simultaneously.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the PIC17C family, and practical design notes that complement the Microchip datasheet and PICmicro Mid-Range Reference Manual.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C44T-16/PT — 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 PIC17C44T-16/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Instruction Set Width.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C44-25I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C44T-25/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43T-16/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C42A-25/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43-16I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-16I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44T-16/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC17C |
| Data Bus Width | 8-bit (program bus 16-bit) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Performance | 8.25 MIPS (121 ns instruction cycle) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Supply Voltage (nominal) | 5 V |
| On-Chip Peripherals | PWM, WDT, POR, UART/USART |
| Communication Interfaces | UART/USART |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (10x10 mm), Tape & Reel |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
| Instruction Set | 58 single-word instructions |
PIC17C44T-16/PT 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/AN4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / analog input 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS — Port A bit 5 / analog input 5 / slave select |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Port A bit 6 / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Port A bit 7 / oscillator input / clock input |
| Pin 9 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 27 | RC7 — Port C 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/RD — Port E bit 0 / read strobe (parallel slave port) |
| Pin 37 | RE1/WR — Port E bit 1 / write strobe (parallel slave port) |
| Pin 38 | RE2/CS — Port E bit 2 / chip select (parallel slave port) |
| Pin 39 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 40 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 41 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 42 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C44T-16/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Controller, Motor Control Front-End, HVAC Control Board, Point-of-Sale Terminal, Security and Alarm Panel, Embedded Data-Acquisition Front-End.
Industrial Process Controller
The PIC17C44T-16/PT fits industrial process controllers because its 16 KB of OTP program memory and 454-byte RAM can hold multi-loop PID algorithms, while 33 I/O pins interface directly to thermocouple amplifiers, 4-20 mA loops, and discrete sensors without external muxing. Its 4.5-6 V supply matches legacy 5 V industrial backplanes, and 8.25 MIPS throughput closes control loops within 121 ns per instruction - fast enough for sub-millisecond PWM updates on solenoid and valve drivers. The on-chip UART/USART connects to HMI panels or supervisory PLCs, and the Watchdog Timer recovers the controller from ESD-induced firmware faults on the factory floor.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-End
The PIC17C44T-16/PT's on-chip PWM module, 33 I/O pins, and 8.25 MIPS throughput make it a viable front-end for low-cost brushed-DC and stepper motor controllers in industrial equipment. Each instruction executes in 121 ns at 16 MHz, enabling precise commutation timing for trapezoidal BLDC or stepper sequences without external timers. The 16 KB OTP holds full state-machine firmware plus diagnostic routines, while the hardware UART reports telemetry to a host controller. For higher-performance FOC algorithms, consider migrating to the dsPIC33EP64MC206-E/MR; for direct drop-in compatibility with this exact footprint, the PIC17C44T-25/PT raises the ceiling to 25 MHz.
Recommended
HVAC Control Board
HVAC control boards benefit from the PIC17C44T-16/PT's 16 KB of OTP program memory, which comfortably stores multi-stage thermostat scheduling, EEPROM-mirrored setpoints, and fault-logging firmware. The 33 I/O pins drive relays, triac optocouplers, temperature sensors, and LCD keypads without external I/O expanders, reducing BOM cost. The 4.5-6 V supply matches 5 V HVAC bus rails, and the PIC's deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle keeps control loops reproducible across manufacturing batches. Pair the MCU with the PIC17C44T-25/PT for new HVAC designs that benefit from extra computational headroom for variable-speed compressor modulation.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminal
The PIC17C44T-16/PT serves as the main controller in legacy point-of-sale (POS) terminals where its 16 KB of OTP memory stores the transaction-handling firmware and 454 bytes of RAM provide working space for encryption buffers. The hardware UART interfaces with mag-stripe readers, receipt printers, and cash-drawer solenoids, while 33 I/O lines drive the keypad matrix and 7-segment display. Its 5 V single-rail supply simplifies the power tree, and its industrial-grade reliability through the WDT and POR peripherals keeps unattended kiosks running. For new POS designs, the PIC16LF877A-I/PT offers flash-based field upgrades that the OTP PIC17C44T-16/PT cannot.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panel
Security and alarm panels leverage the PIC17C44T-16/PT's 33 I/O pins to monitor multiple zone sensors (PIR, door contacts, glass-break detectors) while driving sirens, dialers, and keypad backlights from the same package. The 16 KB OTP holds state-machine firmware for arm/disarm logic plus event logging, and the hardware UART connects to a digital dialer or central-station modem. The WDT and POR peripherals protect against brownout-induced firmware lockups - critical for life-safety equipment - while the 4.5-6 V supply rides through backup-battery transients. The PIC17C43-16I/PT (8 KB OTP) is the cost-down variant when memory is sufficient.
Recommended
Embedded Data-Acquisition Front-End
The PIC17C44T-16/PT anchors low-cost data-acquisition front-ends where its 33 I/O pins sample multi-channel sensor arrays, while the 16 KB OTP stores calibration tables and digital-filter routines. The 8.25 MIPS throughput (121 ns per instruction) handles polled 8-bit ADC reads from external sigma-delta converters or simple on-chip comparators, and the UART streams aggregated data to a host PC or PLC. The 454-byte RAM is sufficient for circular sample buffers in many low-rate applications (e.g., temperature logging, pressure monitoring). For higher-bandwidth designs, migrate to the dsPIC33EP64MC206-E/MR which integrates a 12-bit ADC and DSP engine.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C44T-16/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C44-25I/PT | PIC17C44T-25/PT | PIC17C43T-16/PT | PIC17C42A-25/PT | PIC17C43-16I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10) | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 8 KB OTP | 4 KB OTP | 8 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 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial | Industrial | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Highest memory in PIC17C 44-TQFP family (vs PIC17C43T-16/PT)
- Identical die, higher clock ceiling (vs PIC17C44T-25/PT)
- Industrial temperature grade in same footprint (vs PIC17C44-25I/PT)
Design Notes
Estimated: The PIC17C44T-16/PT draws a typical supply current of 5-15 mA at 16 MHz and 5 V, depending on I/O loading. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/AVDD pin pair, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. The 4.5-6 V supply envelope means standard 5 V linear regulators (e.g., 7805) are acceptable; an LDO is not required for PIC17C44-only loads. Brownout detection is handled internally by POR.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and symmetrical, with the load capacitors placed within 3 mm of the MCU pins to prevent parasitic capacitance from pulling the oscillator. Keep clock traces away from PWM outputs and high-current switching nodes to minimize EMI coupling. For the 44-TQFP package, expose the center pad (if present) to a copper pour connected to VSS for thermal relief, although the PIC17C44 dissipates negligible power.
PIC17C44 is OTP (one-time-programmable) - it cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit. Engineers often mistakenly attempt to reflash an OTP windowless part and discover the silicon rejects further programming attempts. For development and validation, use the PIC17C44/JW (ceramic windowed UV-erasable) version on a programming socket, then transition to PIC17C44T-16/PT for production. Code protection fuses are one-time; lock the part carefully before sending it through SMT.
The PIC17C44T-16/PT's I/O pins have a maximum source/sink current of 20-25 mA per pin (40 mA per port), well below modern MCUs. Drive LEDs and relays through a transistor driver (e.g., 2N7002 or ULN2003) rather than directly from the MCU to avoid latch-up. When connecting the UART/USART to an RS-232 transceiver (e.g., MAX232), place 100 nF charge-pump bypass capacitors within 5 mm of the transceiver supply pins and ensure signal traces are length-matched to within 5 mm to maintain signal integrity at 115.2 kbps.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in the verified web sources. PIC17C44 family was designed before AEC-Q100 automotive qualification was standard for 8-bit MCUs; not automotive-qualified. Lifecycle is obsolete per Microchip product page.
