PIC17C44T-25/PQ - 25MHz 8-Bit CMOS OTP MCU, 44-MQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC17C44T-25/PQ ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.2 | $162.00 |
| 100 | $13.85 | $1,385.00 |
| 500 | $11.4 | $5,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $9.75 | $9,750.00 |
PIC17C44T-25/PQ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and programmable I/O peripherals on one IC. The PIC17C family sits at the high end of Microchip's original 8-bit PIC hierarchy, offering RISC throughput, upwards compatibility with PIC16C5X/PIC12CXXX/PIC16CXX devices, and only 58 single-word instructions. PIC17C44 is the family's flagship part, later superseded by PIC18F442 per Microchip's product migration notice.
Key specifications include a 25 MHz maximum operating frequency (8.25 MIPS sustained throughput), 16-bit-wide instruction word with Harvard architecture, 33 I/O ports, a hardware multiplier, and an 8-level deep hardware stack. The chip operates from a 4.5 V to 6.0 V supply and supports both commercial and industrial temperature grades depending on suffix. The 'T' suffix denotes tape-and-reel packaging; the /PQ suffix denotes the MQFP-44 surface-mount package.
The PIC17C44's RISC pipeline and 16-bit-wide program path give it roughly 4x the throughput of legacy PIC16C5X parts at the same clock, making it suitable for real-time control loops, encoder/counter applications, and motor control. Hardware peripherals include a 16-bit timer/counter with capture/compare/PWM, a USART, and 8 channels of 10-bit (or 8-bit) analog-to-digital conversion on selected package variants.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, motor drives, HVAC control boards, instrumentation front-ends, and legacy embedded designs ported from PIC16C5X/PIC16CXX firmware. The wide instruction set and C-compiler support (MPC, CCS, IAR) make it usable for mid-complexity state machines. Automotive-grade -40 C to +125 C variants exist with the /I suffix.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory requires one-time programming via a device programmer; if in-field firmware updates are required, migrate to a flash-based PIC18F or PIC16F equivalent. Decoupling: place 100 nF + 10 uF tantalum on VDD near the IC. MCLR must be pulled high through 10 kohm for normal operation, and the oscillator block needs the standard XT/LP/HS capacitor network documented in the datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor stock data, drop-in Microchip PIC17C family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C44T-25/PQ — 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-25/PQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Core, Operating Temperature, Performance.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C44-25/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44T-25I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-25I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C43T-25/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-16I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44T-25/PQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC17C RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 16 bits (Harvard) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 25 MHz |
| Performance | 8.25 MIPS (121 ns instruction cycle) |
| Number of Instructions | 58 single-word |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16 words) |
| RAM | 454 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit (internal instruction bus) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Package | 44-MQFP (10x10 mm), surface mount |
| Terminal Form | Gull wing |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (commercial grade per /PQ suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Hardware Multiplier | Yes (8x8 in one cycle) |
| Stack | 8-level hardware |
| Timers/Counters | Multi 16-bit timer/counter with CCP |
| Family Migration | Microchip recommends PIC18F442 as replacement |
PIC17C44T-25/PQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input 4 / Timer0 clock |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/AN6 — PORTA bit 6 / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7/AN7 — PORTA bit 7 / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5-6.0 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 29 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 30 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5-6.0 V) |
| Pin 40 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / Read strobe |
| Pin 41 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / Write strobe |
| Pin 42 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select |
| Pin 43 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 44 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC17C44T-25/PQ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Motor Control and PWM Drives, HVAC Control Boards, Legacy Instrumentation Front-Ends, Firmware Migration from PIC16C5X / PIC16CXX, Educational and Development Systems.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ's 8.25 MIPS throughput and 16 KB OTP program memory fit legacy industrial automation controllers running PID loops, discrete I/O scanning, and machine state machines. Its 33 I/O pins interface directly to relays, opto-isolators, and 24 V industrial signal conditioning circuits commonly used on factory floor PLCs. The 4.5-6.0 V supply and 25 MHz operation handle real-time control tasks at 121 ns per instruction. Compared to PIC16C5X-based designs, the 16-bit Harvard path delivers roughly 4x throughput, allowing consolidation of multiple 16C parts into a single 17C44. The hardware 8x8 multiplier accelerates sensor linearization (thermocouple, strain gauge) without software overhead. The MQFP-44 footprint is compatible with PIC17C44 family drop-in alternatives, simplifying board revision across temperature grades.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drives
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ's 16-bit timer/counter with capture/compare/PWM peripherals supports multi-channel DC and stepper motor control. Its 25 MHz clock drives 10-bit PWM at up to 25 kHz with sufficient CPU bandwidth for closed-loop commutation. The 33 I/O lines route PWM, quadrature encoder feedback, direction, and brake signals without external muxing. The hardware multiplier accelerates field-oriented control math (Park/Clarke transforms) where integer multiply performance matters. Compared to PIC16F parts with the same pin count, the 17C44 offers wider 16-bit instructions and more deterministic interrupt latency due to its hardware stack depth of 8. For new designs, migrate to PIC18F4431 which adds motor-control PWM but requires a board footprint change.
Recommended
HVAC Control Boards
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ suits HVAC control boards managing temperature, humidity, damper actuators, and blower speeds. Its 454 bytes RAM is sufficient for PID control variables, sensor filtering, and a small display driver. The 16 KB OTP stores HVAC firmware including scheduling, fault logging, and EEPROM emulation routines. The 25 MHz throughput enables simultaneous sampling of multiple NTC thermistors with cycle times under 1 ms. Compared to PIC16C73 predecessors used in legacy HVAC designs, the 17C44 provides 4x program memory and dedicated hardware CCP peripherals. The commercial 0-70 C temperature grade covers indoor HVAC control boxes. For outdoor units needing -40 to +85 C operation, use the PIC17C44T-25I/PQ industrial-grade alternative in the same MQFP-44 footprint.
Recommended
Legacy Instrumentation Front-Ends
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ integrates 33 I/O lines and 16-bit math throughput for instrumentation front-ends digitizing sensor signals, driving LCDs, and communicating via RS-232. The hardware USART supports 9600-115200 baud serial links to host PCs. The 454 bytes RAM buffers acquisition bursts without external memory. Compared to discrete 8051 designs, the PIC17C44 single-chip solution reduces BOM and board area. The OTP program memory locks firmware at production, preventing unauthorized copy of calibration coefficients. The MQFP-44 10x10 mm footprint was industry-standard for late-1990s instrumentation. For new designs, consider PIC18F4420 with USB or migrate to PIC18F46K22 with 12-bit ADC for improved measurement resolution.
Recommended
Firmware Migration from PIC16C5X / PIC16CXX
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ is the upwards-compatible high-performance target for designs migrating from PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, and PIC16CXX devices. Microchip documentation states the 17C44 preserves source-level compatibility for the basic instruction set while adding 16-bit instructions, deeper hardware stack (8 vs 2-4), and wider memory addressing. The 25 MHz clock delivers 4x throughput versus PIC16C5X at the same frequency, often eliminating the need for assembly optimization. The 16 KB OTP accommodates larger firmware images that would not fit on PIC16C5X/PIC16CXX. Compared to staying on legacy PIC16C silicon, the 17C44 provides access to hardware CCP peripherals and a hardware multiplier. Migration requires only a recompile plus pinout review since the MQFP-44 is unique to PIC17C44.
Recommended
Educational and Development Systems
The PIC17C44T-25/PQ appears in late-1990s university curricula and Microchip development boards demonstrating RISC architecture, Harvard memory model, and OTP programming workflows. The 44-MQFP package is breadboard-compatible via breakout adapters used in EE labs. Its 58-instruction set is small enough for students to master in a semester while illustrating the performance gains of 16-bit instructions over 12/14-bit PIC16C predecessors. Compared to PIC16F84A-based courses, the PIC17C44 exposes students to higher pin counts (33 I/O), wider buses, and real hardware CCP. Educational stock is widely available on the secondary market. For modern teaching, Microchip recommends migrating labs to PIC18F or dsPIC33 families.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C44T-25/PQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C44-25/PQ | PIC17C44T-25I/PQ | PIC17C44-25I/PQ | PIC17C43T-25/PQ | PIC17C44-16I/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-MQFP (10x10) | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same | 44-MQFP (10x10) - same |
| Maximum Clock | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz (-36%) |
| Program Memory | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 8 KB OTP (-50%) | 16 KB OTP |
| RAM | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5-6.0 V | 4.5-6.0 V | 4.5-6.0 V | 4.5-6.0 V | 4.5-6.0 V | 4.5-6.0 V |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- PIC17C44 family offers 16 KB OTP - 2x the program memory of PIC17C43 family at the same price tier (vs PIC17C43T-25/PQ)
- 25 MHz speed grade gives 8.25 MIPS versus 5.28 MIPS on the 16 MHz grade (vs PIC17C44-16I/PQ)
- Industrial temperature grade option in the same MQFP-44 package (vs PIC17C44T-25I/PQ)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for SMT assembly lines (vs PIC17C44-25/PQ)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 25 MHz clock with all 33 I/O pins driving 20 pF loads at 50 % toggle duty, the PIC17C44T-25/PQ draws approximately 35-50 mA from VDD. Decoupling requirements per Microchip datasheet DS30262: place a 100 nF ceramic + 10 uF tantalum within 5 mm of the VDD/AVDD pins. A bulk 47-100 uF aluminum cap is recommended on the board supply rail. AVDD must be tied to VDD if the ADC is not used, and AVSS to VSS.
Oscillator traces (OSC1, OSC2) must be kept short and routed away from high-current switching signals. For HS-mode 25 MHz crystal, use 15-33 pF load capacitors as specified in the datasheet's oscillator table. MCLR requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity. Place the MCLR pull-up close to the IC and route MCLR away from noisy sources. Avoid running clock or PWM traces under or near the crystal leads.
PIC17C44T-25/PQ uses One-Time-Programmable (OTP) EPROM - firmware cannot be erased or rewritten once programmed. For development, use a JW (windowed) ceramic package variant or a PIC17C44 socket adapter. The 16-bit Harvard architecture is not binary-compatible with PIC16C/PIC16F or PIC18F families - source-level porting is required for migration to flash-based PIC18F442 (Microchip's recommended successor). The 8-level hardware stack cannot be extended in software - deeply nested ISRs or recursive calls will overflow and reset the device.
Estimated: at 25 MHz, 5 V VDD, and 40 mA typical supply current, the PIC17C44 dissipates approximately 200 mW in the 44-MQFP package. MQFP thermal resistance (theta_JA) is approximately 50-60 C/W on a standard JEDEC 4-layer test board. Worst-case junction temperature at 70 C ambient reaches 80-82 C, well within the 150 C commercial maximum. Industrial -40 C to +85 C variants (PIC17C44T-25I/PQ) need thermal verification if operated at maximum CPU activity in enclosed housings.
Compliance Information
PIC17C44 family was originally released before RoHS took effect; later production runs may include RoHS-compliant batches. Contact Microchip with the lot date code to verify compliance. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this is an industrial/consumer part, not automotive grade.
