PIC17C756A-16/L - 8-bit 16MHz 32KB OTP MCU | Microchip | 68-PLCC
MPN: PIC17C756A-16/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28.5 | $28.50 |
| 10 | $25.6 | $256.00 |
| 100 | $22.4 | $2,240.00 |
| 500 | $19.85 | $9,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $17.2 | $17,200.00 |
PIC17C756A-16/L Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a programmable single-chip CPU whose internal data path is 8 bits wide; it combines a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, USART, I/O ports) on a single die. PIC17C devices sit at the top of Microchip's classic 8-bit hierarchy (PIC16 -> PIC17C -> enhanced PIC18), optimized for high-throughput control where 32 KB of code and a 33 MHz maximum clock are required. The 'A' suffix (PIC17C756A) brings improvements over the original PIC17C756 family including refined ADC performance and enhanced peripheral integration.
Key features of the PIC17C756A-16/L include a maximum 33 MHz external clock input, 121 ns single-cycle instruction execution (two cycles for branches and table reads/writes), built-in 10-bit A/D converter, multiple timers, USART, and parallel slave port. The OTP program memory is one-time programmable, suiting low-to-medium volume production and prototype runs where field firmware updates are not required.
The architecture uses a Harvard-style bus with separate program (16-bit wide) and data (8-bit wide) paths, allowing instruction fetch and operand access in the same cycle. The 8.25 MIPS throughput at 33 MHz, combined with a deterministic instruction set, makes the part attractive for motor control, industrial automation, and instrumentation where predictable latency is more important than raw compute power.
Typical applications include industrial motor and process controllers, automotive body and chassis subsystems (the related PIC17C756A-16I/L is industrial-grade), medical instrumentation requiring deterministic response, and embedded control boards migrating legacy PIC16 designs upward. The OTP-only nature makes it best suited to mature, stable firmware.
Designers should plan a migration path to flash-based PIC18F or PIC16F equivalents, because Microchip's own product page notes that a newer replacement (PIC18F6520) is recommended. The 68-pin PLCC footprint remains mechanically convenient for through-hole or socketed designs requiring field replaceability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand and cross-brand drop-in alternatives, and design notes compiled from the Microchip datasheet and distributor references that a bare datasheet view alone does not provide.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C756A-16/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 PIC17C756A-16/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Program Memory Type, Maximum Clock Frequency, Mounting Type, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C756A-16I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756A-33/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756AT-16/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756A-16E/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756A-16/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC17C |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 33 MHz (16 MHz for this speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle | 121 ns (single cycle, 2 cycles for branches) |
| Throughput | 8.25 MIPS |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (OTP) |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| ADC | 10-bit A/D converter |
| Instruction Set | 58 single-word instructions |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial, /L grade) |
| Package | 68-pin PLCC (24.23 x 24.23 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC) |
| Terminal Form | J-Bend (QCCJ) |
| Package Code | QCCJ |
| Lead Free | yes |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
PIC17C756A-16/L 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 — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input 4 |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 11 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 13 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 14 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 15 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 16 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 17 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 18 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 19 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 |
| Pin 20 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 22 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 23 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 32 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 40 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 41 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 42 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 43 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 |
| Pin 44 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 |
| Pin 45 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 |
| Pin 46 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 47 | RE4 — PORTE bit 4 |
| Pin 48 | RE5 — PORTE bit 5 |
| Pin 49 | RE6 — PORTE bit 6 |
| Pin 50 | RE7 — PORTE bit 7 |
| Pin 51 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 52 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 53 | RF0 — PORTF bit 0 |
| Pin 54 | RF1 — PORTF bit 1 |
| Pin 55 | RF2 — PORTF bit 2 |
| Pin 56 | RF3 — PORTF bit 3 |
| Pin 57 | RF4 — PORTF bit 4 |
| Pin 58 | RF5 — PORTF bit 5 |
| Pin 59 | RF6 — PORTF bit 6 |
| Pin 60 | RF7 — PORTF bit 7 |
| Pin 61 | VDD — Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 63 | RG0 — PORTG bit 0 |
| Pin 64 | RG1 — PORTG bit 1 |
| Pin 65 | RG2 — PORTG bit 2 |
| Pin 66 | RG3 — PORTG bit 3 |
| Pin 67 | RG4 — PORTG bit 4 |
| Pin 68 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C756A-16/L is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control, Process Automation Controllers, Automotive Body and Chassis ECUs, Medical Instrumentation, Legacy Migration from PIC16 Designs, Embedded Control Boards with PLCC Sockets, HVAC and Building Automation.
Industrial Motor Control
The PIC17C756A-16/L suits industrial motor control loops where 8.25 MIPS of deterministic throughput drives trapezoidal or sinusoidal commutation at fixed PWM rates. Its 32 KB OTP accommodates state-machine commutation tables, soft-start ramps, and current-loop PI coefficients, while the 10-bit ADC samples shunt or Hall-effect currents at the required loop bandwidth. The 68-PLCC package provides ample I/O for three-phase gate drivers, fault inputs, and serial diagnostics. Designers should use the deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle to schedule ADC sampling and PWM updates within a fixed interrupt window for low-jitter commutation.
Recommended
Process Automation Controllers
In PLC-style process controllers, the PIC17C756A-16/L serves as a deterministic supervisor running PID loops for temperature, flow, or pressure regulation. The 32 KB OTP holds loop tables and HMI command interpreters; the 10-bit ADC reads 4-20 mA transducer outputs after signal conditioning. Industrial control demands deterministic scheduling, which the single-cycle RISC instruction pipeline delivers at 121 ns. Designers typically pair the controller with opto-isolated digital I/O and a watchdog supervisor for fail-safe operation in 24V industrial loops.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis ECUs
The PIC17C756A-16/L (and its industrial-grade -16I/L sibling) historically powered automotive body controllers for window, mirror, and lighting subsystems where 32 KB of code and 16 MIPS throughput were sufficient. The PIC17C architecture's deterministic interrupt latency suits CAN-friendly scheduling when paired with an external CAN transceiver. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification is not formally claimed for the PIC17C756A family, so production automotive designs today typically migrate to dsPIC33EP or PIC18 K-line parts with explicit automotive qualification.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation
Bench-top medical instrumentation such as infusion pump controllers, patient monitor front-ends, and lab analyzers used the PIC17C756A-16/L for its deterministic 8-bit core and adequate analog integration. The 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor signals; the 32 KB OTP stores calibration tables and alarm limit logic. Designers appreciated the Harvard bus for predictable execution time, important in safety-relevant subsystems. Modern designs have largely migrated to PIC24 or PIC32 families, but existing installed bases continue to source this part through legacy-stock channels.
Recommended
Legacy Migration from PIC16 Designs
The PIC17C756A-16/L is upward-compatible with the PIC16C5X/PIC12CXXX/PIC16CXX instruction subset, easing migration of mature PIC16 firmware that ran out of code space or required more peripherals. Designers moving from a PIC16F877 to PIC17C756A gain 32 KB of OTP, additional timers, and a 10-bit ADC with more channels, while preserving the RISC programming model. This is a transitional stepping stone before committing to a flash-based PIC18 or dsPIC33 part, allowing reuse of board layout when PLCC-68 sockets are already deployed.
Recommended
Embedded Control Boards with PLCC Sockets
Production boards that retain a 68-pin PLCC socket benefit from the PIC17C756A-16/L for field-replaceable logic. The PLCC socket enables quick swap of programmed parts during service without desoldering, valuable in legacy industrial panels, instrumentation, and avionics subsystems where downtime is expensive. Combined with the OTP-only memory model, the part suits mature firmware that no longer requires field updates. Boards can hold PIC17C756A-16/L in production and PIC17C756A-16I/L or PIC17C756A-33/L as service spares for temperature or speed variants.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Automation
Building automation panels for HVAC zoning, damper control, and energy management historically used the PIC17C756A-16/L as the supervisory controller. The 32 KB OTP holds scheduling rules for setback, occupancy detection, and modulating-valve control loops. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor and pressure transducer inputs, while USART peripherals interface to network transceivers. The 5 V supply matches legacy 24VAC-to-5VDC converter rails common in building automation, simplifying retrofit designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C756A-16/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C756A-16I/L | PIC17C756A-33/L | PIC17C756AT-16/L | PIC17C756A-16E/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 68-PLCC | 68-PLCC | 68-PLCC | 68-PLCC | 68-PLCC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 33 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Program Memory | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP |
| Throughput | 8.25 MIPS (at 33 MHz max) | 8.25 MIPS | 8.25 MIPS | 8.25 MIPS | 8.25 MIPS |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +125C (extended) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- True drop-in with industrial temperature range (vs PIC17C756A-16I/L)
- Higher throughput via -33 speed grade (vs PIC17C756A-33/L)
- Modern flash-based migration path (vs PIC18F6520)
Design Notes
The 68-PLCC package has moderate thermal mass suitable for the PIC17C756A-16/L's typical industrial control dissipation (well under 1 W). Ensure at least 100 mm^2 of ground plane copper beneath and around the PLCC footprint to keep junction temperature rise under 15C above ambient at the rated 16 MHz clock. No external heatsink is required for normal ambient-ventilated enclosures.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to every VDD pin (PLCC-68 has multiple VDD pins) and a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the oscillator section. Route crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and over a continuous ground pour to avoid EMI injection. Keep ADC analog traces (AN0-AN7) away from switching nodes such as PWM outputs to preserve 10-bit ADC accuracy.
Do not assume the PIC17C756A-16/L is drop-in compatible with the PIC18F6520 - the two parts share the same 68-pin count but pinout and architecture differ. Code written for the PIC17C family must be recompiled with an MPASM or XC8 toolchain configured for the PIC17C core. Also note OTP memory cannot be rewritten: budget a small engineering stock of pre-programmed parts for any field service scenario.
When designing a board that may need to migrate to the PIC18F6520 or a PIC18F K-series part, isolate the PLCC-68 socket footprint on its own PCB area to allow a daughter-card swap. The PIC17C and PIC18 K-series parts are not pin-compatible, so a modular PLCC-68 carrier board eases future migration without redesigning the host PCB.
Compliance Information
Lead-free per Microchip product page. RoHS/REACH/AEC-Q100 status not stated in the verified distributor data; verified data did not include explicit RoHS or REACH statements, so those fields are marked unknown. AEC-Q100 is not claimed for the PIC17C756A family per Microchip product naming conventions.
