PIC17C756A-16E/L - 8-Bit 16MHz OTP MCU 32KB | 68-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC17C756A-16E/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $17.2 | $172.00 |
| 100 | $15.95 | $1,595.00 |
| 500 | $14.5 | $7,250.00 |
| 1,000 | $13.2 | $13,200.00 |
PIC17C756A-16E/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (program + RAM), and peripherals (I/O, timers, ADC, communication ports) onto one silicon die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the class of embedded processors -> microcontrollers -> 8-bit microcontrollers. The PIC17C family sits at the high end of Microchip's 8-bit lineup, distinguished by a wider 16-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture that separates program and data buses for simultaneous fetch and execute.
Key features of the PIC17C756A include a 16-level hardware stack, eight 16-bit timer/counters, a 12-bit 8-channel ADC, two USART ports, and an instruction set of only 58 single-word instructions (121 ns single-cycle), with program branches and table reads/writes being two-cycle (242 ns). The "-16E" suffix indicates 16 MHz maximum clock with extended temperature grade, and the "/L" suffix denotes the 68-pin PLCC package.
The PIC17C756A uses a CMOS process with a 16-bit instruction bus and 8-bit data bus, enabling 16K x 16 OTP program memory while keeping RAM access on a separate 8-bit bus for throughput. The 16 MHz oscillator drives a four-phase internal clock that completes most instructions in one cycle, achieving the 8.25 MIPS throughput at maximum frequency. Multiple interrupt sources (up to 17 vectors) support real-time control applications.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, automotive body and chassis electronics (extended temp grade), building automation HVAC systems, motor control front-ends, and white-goods appliance controllers. Its 50 I/O pins and 12-bit ADC make it well suited to multi-channel sensor aggregation and human-machine interface panels where 8-bit processing and ample I/O are sufficient.
When designing with the PIC17C756A, note that OTP memory requires a device programmer for firmware loading - for in-system reprogrammability, Microchip recommends migrating to the flash-based PIC18F6520 successor. The 68-PLCC package uses J-leads for through-hole-style socket mounting that is also compatible with surface-mount sockets.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17C756A-16E/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-16E/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Program Memory Type, ADC, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17C756A-16E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$16.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756AT-16E/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$13.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756AT-16I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756AT-16I/L020
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC17C756AT-16E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$12.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C756A-16E/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| RAM | 902 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 8.25 MIPS (121 ns/instruction) |
| Instruction Set Size | 58 single-word instructions |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 50 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 8-channel |
| Timers | 4 x 16-bit Timer/Counters |
| Communication | 2 x USART (SCI) |
| Package | 68-PLCC (24.23 x 24.23 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole / Socket |
PIC17C756A-16E/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Port A bit 3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Port A bit 4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Port A bit 5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/AN6 — Port A bit 6 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7/AN7 — Port A bit 7 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT0 — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/INT1 — Port B bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/INT2 — Port B bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/INT3 — Port B bit 3 / External interrupt 3 |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | RC0/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 20 | RC1/T1OSI — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 21 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 22 | RC3/CCP2 — Port C bit 3 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX1 — Port C bit 6 / USART1 transmit |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX1 — Port C bit 7 / USART1 receive |
| Pin 27 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 29 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 30 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 31 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 33 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 36 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 37 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 38 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 39 | RE4 — Port E bit 4 |
| Pin 40 | RE5 — Port E bit 5 |
| Pin 41 | RE6 — Port E bit 6 |
| Pin 42 | RE7 — Port E bit 7 |
| Pin 43 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 45 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 46 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 47 | MCLR — Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 48 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 49 | RF0 — Port F bit 0 |
| Pin 50 | RF1 — Port F bit 1 |
| Pin 51 | RF2 — Port F bit 2 |
| Pin 52 | RF3 — Port F bit 3 |
| Pin 53 | RF4 — Port F bit 4 |
| Pin 54 | RF5 — Port F bit 5 |
| Pin 55 | RF6 — Port F bit 6 |
| Pin 56 | RF7 — Port F bit 7 |
| Pin 57 | RG0 — Port G bit 0 |
| Pin 58 | RG1 — Port G bit 1 |
| Pin 59 | RG2 — Port G bit 2 |
| Pin 60 | RG3 — Port G bit 3 |
| Pin 61 | RG4 — Port G bit 4 |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 63 | VDD — Positive supply (4.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 64 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 65 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 66 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 67 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 68 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC17C756A-16E/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics, HVAC and Building Automation, White-Goods Appliance Controllers, Motor Control Front-Ends, Sensor Aggregation Hubs.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The PIC17C756A-16E/L fits industrial PLC and machine controller designs because its 16 MHz / 8.25 MIPS throughput handles deterministic control loops, its 50 I/O pins aggregate many sensors and actuators without external expanders, and the 12-bit 8-channel ADC delivers accurate process-variable digitization. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade tolerates factory-floor thermal stress. Placed on the backplane with a 5V regulator and digital isolators, it executes scan-and-actuate loops within tight cycle budgets. Power consumption at 5V/16 MHz is moderate, making it suitable for chassis-mounted controllers in continuous operation. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC17C756A-16E/L is suitable for body controllers, instrument clusters, and HVAC modules because the -40C to +125C extended temperature grade handles under-dash thermal swings, the 12-bit ADC reads sensor inputs accurately, and 2 USART ports interface body networks. The 50 I/O pins drive lamps, motors, and switches without external mux. Unlike flash parts it uses OTP memory, so firmware must be loaded via a production programmer - acceptable for high-volume automotive runs where cost is critical. Trade-off vs PIC18F6520: no in-system reprogramming. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Automation
The PIC17C756A-16E/L powers thermostats, damper actuators, and access-control panels because its 12-bit ADC and 50 I/O pins support multiple temperature/humidity/pressure sensors simultaneously, while the 16 MHz CPU runs PID control loops with sufficient margin for user-interface servicing. The extended temperature grade tolerates rooftop equipment enclosures. Used with MCP9700 temperature sensors and a character LCD, it forms a low-BOM HVAC controller. Power-down sleep mode reduces quiescent for battery-backed thermostats. Trade-off vs PIC18F6520: OTP memory requires factory programming. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
White-Goods Appliance Controllers
The PIC17C756A-16E/L drives washing-machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator control boards because its 50 I/O pins handle keypad, display, motor relay, and sensor matrix without external expanders, and the 12-bit ADC reads water level, temperature, and motor current. The -40C to +125C extended temp grade survives appliance thermal cycles. Its 16 MIPS throughput runs the user-interface plus the motor-control state machine. OTP memory suits high-volume appliance runs where firmware is fixed at production. Trade-off vs PIC18F6520: cannot field-update. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-Ends
The PIC17C756A-16E/L serves as the command processor in BLDC and stepper motor controllers because its 4 hardware 16-bit timers generate PWM and capture feedback pulses, the 12-bit ADC reads phase currents, and the 50 I/O pins drive gate-driver enable signals. The 16 MHz CPU handles commutation tables and PI loops for low-RPM servos. Used with IR2101 gate drivers and ACS712 current sensors, it forms a complete 3-phase motor controller. Trade-off: at high PWM frequencies the 8-bit throughput becomes a bottleneck vs dsPIC33. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
Sensor Aggregation Hubs
The PIC17C756A-16E/L aggregates multi-channel sensor data because its 12-bit 8-channel ADC and 50 I/O pins handle many analog/digital sensors simultaneously, and the 2 USART ports bridge to upstream MCUs or host processors. It is well suited for data-acquisition front-ends in industrial and environmental monitoring. With an RS-485 transceiver like MAX485, it can serve as a remote sensor node on a Modbus network. Trade-off vs dsPIC33: no DSP extensions but lower cost. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17C756A-16E/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17C756A-16E/PT | PIC17C756AT-16E/L | PIC17C756AT-16I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 68-PLCC (L) | 68-TQFP (PT) | 68-PLCC (L) - same | 68-PLCC (L) - same |
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC17C RISC | 8-bit PIC17C RISC | 8-bit PIC17C RISC | 8-bit PIC17C RISC |
| Program Memory | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB OTP |
| Maximum Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz | 16 MHz |
| RAM | 902 bytes | 902 bytes | 902 bytes | 902 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | $18.50 | $19.20 | $18.50 | $17.80 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade operation (vs PIC17C756AT-16I/L)
- OTP memory vs flash in PIC18F6520 (vs PIC18F6520)
- 50 I/O pins in 68-PLCC package (vs PIC16LF877-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC17C756A-16E/L operates from a single 4.5V to 5.5V supply. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair (the device has 3 supply pin pairs: pins 10/9, 44/43, 63/62). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or low-ESR ceramic capacitor at the regulator output. The MCLR pin (pin 47) should be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up; add a 100 nF capacitor to ground for noise immunity on reset.
Route the 16 MHz oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 45/46) as short as possible and surround with a ground pour to minimize EMI pickup. Keep clock traces away from high-current switching nodes. The 68-PLCC package uses J-leads; use a PLCC socket for in-circuit programming during development. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
OTP memory cannot be erased - a programming error bricks the device. Always verify the firmware image with checksum validation before production programming. The -16E/L suffix is the extended temperature grade; using -I (industrial) variants in extended-temp environments will cause out-of-spec operation. Verify the suffix matches your application environment. Source: Microchip datasheet DS30262A.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance status not provided in source data; PIC17C756A-16E/L is a legacy 5V OTP part originally released in the late 1990s, predating many modern compliance certifications. AEC-Q100 not applicable - the E suffix denotes extended industrial temp grade, not automotive qualification. Refer to Microchip product page or distributor for current compliance documentation.
