PIC16C74A-04I/PQ
PIC16C74A-04I/PQ - 8-Bit 4MHz MCU 7KB OTP 44-MQFP | Microchip
The Microchip Technology PIC16C74A-04I/PQ is an 8-bit CMOS RISC microcontroller from the PIC16C7X mid-range family, integrating 7KB (4K x 14) of One-Time-Programmable (OTP) program memory, 192 bytes of RAM, 33 digital I/O lines, and an on-chip 8-channel 8-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter, all packaged in a 44-pin Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP, 10x10 mm). It executes instructions at a 4 MHz clock rate from a 4.0 V to 6.0 V supply, supporting the classic PIC mid-range instruction set with 35 single-word instructions and a 14-bit instruction word.
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, I/O peripherals, and often timers, communication interfaces, and ADCs onto one IC. MCUs sit within the embedded computing hierarchy as programmable logic devices, bridging discrete logic ICs on the low end and full microprocessor-based systems on the high end. The PIC16C74A belongs to the OTP-programmable, ROM-based branch of the PIC family, meaning the program memory can be written only once - suitable for low-cost, high-volume production where code stability is final.
Key features of the PIC16C74A include three timer/counters (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (USART) for serial communication, a Master Synchronous Serial Port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C, an 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and brown-out reset / power-on reset circuitry. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) is denoted by the "I" suffix, while "04" specifies the 4 MHz maximum operating frequency and "/PQ" indicates the 44-pin MQFP package supplied in tray.
Architecturally, the PIC16C74A uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 14-bit wide program memory bus, and a two-stage pipeline for deterministic single-cycle instruction execution. The CMOS process yields very low power consumption (typically < 2 mA at 5 V, 4 MHz) and full static operation, allowing the clock to be stopped without losing register state. Power management is supported via Sleep mode with wake-up on interrupt or watchdog timeout.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, automotive body and chassis electronics, appliance controllers, security and alarm panels, and instrumentation requiring on-chip A/D conversion. The combination of OTP memory, integrated analog, and a robust USART makes the PIC16C74A a cost-effective solution for fixed-code, mid-volume embedded products.
When designing with the PIC16C74A-04I/PQ, note that Microchip recommends PIC16F74 as the recommended modern replacement - it is flash-based, re-programmable, and offers the same peripheral set in a pin-compatible or near-pin-compatible package, easing migration for new designs. The OTP nature of the PIC16C74A means firmware cannot be field-updated; provision for bootloader or external EEPROM is essential if in-system updates are required.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, a cross-brand drop-in alternatives matrix, and design notes compiled from the manufacturer datasheet - a synthesis not found on any single distributor or datasheet page.
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