PIC17LC44-08I/P - 8-bit 8MHz 16KB OTP MCU 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC17LC44-08I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.74 | $4.74 |
| 10 | $4.27 | $42.70 |
| 100 | $3.8 | $380.00 |
| 500 | $3.42 | $1,710.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.04 | $3,040.00 |
PIC17LC44-08I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces on one die. The PIC17LC44 belongs to the PIC17 high-performance family - one rung below the PIC18 and far above the baseline PIC10/12/16 architectures in terms of interrupt handling, linear addressing, and peripheral richness. PIC17 was Microchip's first architecture to offer a true 16-bit program word with an 8-bit data path, giving it a balance of code density and ALU speed that suited industrial control and instrumentation in the mid-1990s onward. The 'LC' suffix denotes the low-voltage CMOS variant, which is the direct 2.5 V to 5.5 V descendant of the original 5 V-only PIC17C44 OTP device.
Key features include 33 bidirectional I/O pins grouped into up to five ports, an asynchronous UART/USART, 16 capture/compare/PWM timer channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, brown-out reset, watchdog timer, and a 10-bit ADC. The 8 MHz external clock combined with the 4-clock-per-instruction-cycle pipeline yields an 8 MIPS peak throughput, which is notably faster than contemporary 8-bit cores from competing vendors in the same era. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) is guaranteed by the '-I' suffix.
Architecturally, the PIC17LC44 uses a Harvard memory layout with a 16-bit program bus and 8-bit data bus; this asymmetry is precisely why it carries an 8-bit CPU label while still shipping 8K x 16 of program storage. The LC revision added a wider supply tolerance (2.5 V to 5.5 V) and lower static current than the original PIC17C44, enabling battery-friendly operation without sacrificing interrupt latency. The OTP program memory - one-time programmable - means firmware is locked at production time, which is acceptable for high-volume industrial SKUs.
Typical applications include industrial process controllers, motor control drivers, HVAC system nodes, security alarm panels, instrumentation front-ends, point-of-sale terminals, and embedded control boards that benefit from the 33 I/O count and PWM-rich timers. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range also allows direct battery operation on 3 V lithium or 3.3 V regulated rails, which is unusual for 1990s-era PIC17 silicon.
When designing with this device, plan firmware around the Harvard boundary: constants must be placed via table-read instructions rather than as ordinary data, and the 16-bit program word must be respected when computing flash/ROM budgets. The 454-byte RAM is tight; large buffers should be placed in external memory or be selected with care. The 40-pin PDIP footprint is friendly to breadboards and through-hole rework, but new designs should evaluate PIC18F or dsPIC33 equivalents for migration paths.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative listings, pin-by-pin compatibility notes, and practical design guidance that goes beyond what the original Microchip datasheet provides, including cross-package considerations and modern cross-brand guidance where applicable.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC17LC44-08I/P — 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 PIC17LC44-08I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Mounting Type, Program Memory Type, Data Bus Width.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC17LC44-08/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17LC44-08I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17LC44-08/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44T-25I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17C44-16I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$15.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17LC43-08I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$18.24 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC17LC44-08I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC® 17C / PIC17LC44 |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (Harvard, 16-bit program bus, 8-bit data bus) |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) OTP EPROM |
| RAM Size | 454 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (not present) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz external input |
| Instruction Cycle | 121 ns (single cycle, 4 clocks/instruction) |
| Instruction Set Size | 58 single-word instructions |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 bidirectional digital I/O |
| Package | PDIP-40 (DIP-40, 0.600 in. wide, plastic, through-hole) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, '-I' suffix) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit timers |
| Connectivity | UART/USART (SCI) |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Reset, Watchdog Timer, PWM, Capture/Compare |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC (per family datasheet) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lifecycle Status | Active (per DigiKey listing) |
PIC17LC44-08I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4 — Port A bit 5 / analog input 4 |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD — Port E bit 0 / read control for external memory |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR — Port E bit 1 / write control for external memory |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS — Port E bit 2 / chip select for external memory |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 / capture input |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 / compare output |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 / PWM output |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 19 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / USART transmit / clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / USART receive / data |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT0 — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 34 | RB1/INT1 — Port B bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2/INT2 — Port B bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 40 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC17LC44-08I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Controllers, Motor Control and PWM Drivers, HVAC System Nodes, Security and Alarm Panels, Point-of-Sale Terminals, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
Industrial Process Controllers
The PIC17LC44-08I/P's 8 MHz clock, 33 I/O lines, and deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle make it ideal for industrial process control loops where latency must be bounded. With 16 KB of OTP code space, a controller can host a PID loop, keypad scan, and UART telemetry in a single chip. The 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range lets designers run the MCU directly from 24 V industrial bus rails via a linear regulator. The wide -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade supports factory-floor environments without additional thermal conditioning.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drivers
The PIC17LC44-08I/P provides PWM, capture, and compare peripherals suited to brushed DC and stepper motor control. With three timer modules (two 8-bit, one 16-bit) and capture/compare channels, designers can drive multiple PWM channels for H-bridge control while sampling feedback encoders simultaneously. The Harvard architecture's deterministic interrupt response is critical in motor control where jitter produces audible torque ripple. Operating at 3.3 V directly from lithium battery packs enables portable power tools and robotics.
Recommended
HVAC System Nodes
The PIC17LC44-08I/P is well suited for HVAC system nodes that need to read multiple analog sensors (temperature, pressure, humidity), drive relays or triacs, and communicate over UART to a building controller. Its 33 I/O count can directly interface to 7-segment displays, keypad matrices, and status LEDs without external expanders. The 10-bit ADC handles thermistor and 4-20 mA loop readbacks with adequate resolution. Low quiescent current from the LC variant supports 24 V thermostat rail designs.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panels
The PIC17LC44-08I/P integrates sufficient I/O and code space for alarm panel applications that scan 8 to 16 zones, drive a keypad, and dial out over a modem or cellular uplink. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer are critical for unattended security equipment and are both provided on this part. The 16 KB OTP memory stores zone configurations and dial-out phone numbers without requiring external EEPROM. The 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply supports battery-backed operation during AC mains loss.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals
The PIC17LC44-08I/P's 16 KB OTP, 33 I/O, and UART/USART make it a strong fit for point-of-sale terminals that interface to barcode scanners, receipt printers, magnetic stripe readers, and keypads. Its deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle ensures reliable scanner decoding without buffer overruns. The wide supply range permits direct 3.3 V operation from battery-backed rails common in handheld POS devices. Industrial temperature grade covers outdoor kiosk and restaurant environments.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
The PIC17LC44-08I/P's 10-bit ADC, PWM outputs, and UART connectivity provide the analog and digital I/O required for entry-level bench instruments such as panel meters, data loggers, and process calibrators. With 33 I/O, it can drive multiplexed 7-segment or LCD displays alongside the ADC front end. The Harvard architecture's single-cycle instruction time keeps control loops tight during autoranging transitions. Operating down to 2.5 V lets designers build portable, battery-powered field instruments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC17LC44-08I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC17LC44-08/PT | PIC17LC44-08I/L | PIC17LC44-08/P | PIC17C44T-25I/PQ | PIC17C44-16I/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PDIP-40 (P) | TQFP-44 (PT) | PLCC-44 (L) | PDIP-40 (P) - same | MQFP-44 (PQ) | MQFP-44 (PQ) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 25 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB OTP |
| RAM | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes | 454 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
| Per 1-unit Price (USD) | $4.74 | $5.10 | $5.40 | $4.55 (obsolete) | $6.20 (obsolete) | $5.80 (obsolete) |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range covers modern low-voltage designs (vs PIC17C44 (original 4.5 V to 5.5 V only))
- Highest 8-bit MIPS throughput of its 1996 generation (vs PIC16C77 / PIC16F877A)
- 33 I/O pins without external bus-expander ICs (vs PIC16F877A (22 I/O pins))
- Deterministic 121 ns instruction cycle for real-time control (vs PIC18F family (variable 4 to 12 clocks per instruction))
Design Notes
Estimated: At 8 MHz clock and 5.5 V VDD, the PIC17LC44-08I/P draws approximately 16 mA active current per Microchip datasheet typical characteristics. A 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor must be placed within 6 mm of the VDD pins (11 and 32) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic must be placed at the regulator output. For battery operation below 3 V, an additional 100 nF capacitor should be placed near the MCLR pin to suppress brown-out reset glitches.
Estimated: For through-hole PDIP-40 layouts, allow at least 2.54 mm clearance between IC pin rows for socket compatibility and at least 6 mm vertical clearance above the package for IC extractor tools. A ground plane on the bottom copper layer is recommended with via stitching at every VSS pin. The MCLR pin must be pulled to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor and a 100 nF cap to ground to filter ESD events. Programming connector pads (ICSP) for OTP programming must be brought out to a 5-pin header with PGC, PGD, VDD, VSS, and MCLR/VPP.
Three common pitfalls to avoid: (1) Using the wrong config bits - the PIC17LC44 must have the watchdog timer, brown-out reset, and oscillator configuration bits explicitly set in the OTP fuse area before programming; an unprogrammed configuration defaults to no watchdog, which can cause runaway code. (2) Treating RAM as 16-bit - although program memory is 16-bit wide, the data RAM is byte-addressable; do not assume long pointer operations work on data. (3) Exceeding maximum current per I/O pin of 20 mA sink/source - total package dissipation is limited to 800 mW across all I/O combined.
Estimated: Place the crystal oscillator within 10 mm of OSC1 and OSC2 pins with load capacitors rated for the specific crystal CL value (typically 15-33 pF). Route the oscillator traces first with a ground guard ring on both sides and avoid running digital signal traces parallel to or beneath the crystal traces. The analog reference (VREF+) should be bypassed with 100 nF ceramic and 10 uF tantalum capacitors as close to the pin as possible. ADC inputs should be routed away from switching signals and surrounded by ground pour to minimize coupling noise.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive designs should use PIC18F or dsPIC33 automotive-grade parts. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided datasheet.
