PIC16C620-04I/P - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 13 I/O, 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620-04I/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.5 | $3.50 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.75 | $275.00 |
| 500 | $2.4 | $1,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC16C620-04I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory, and peripheral interfaces onto one silicon die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, MCUs sit inside the embedded computing hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) MCUs like the PIC16C620 use a small, fixed instruction set to deliver deterministic execution and small code size; OTP program memory is programmed once at production with the firmware image.
Key features include 4 MHz maximum clock, 13 bidirectional digital I/O pins, an internal watchdog timer, a programmable code protection mechanism, power-saving SLEEP mode, and an analog comparator module. The device supports DC to 4 MHz operation with a 200 ns instruction cycle, providing efficient control for simple embedded tasks. The industrial temperature grade (-40 °C to +85 °C) and wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating voltage range allow deployment in harsh environments and battery-powered systems.
The PIC16C620-04I/P uses a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, 35 single-word instructions, and a hardware stack. Internal peripherals include a timer/counter, capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module support, and an analog comparator. The wide operating voltage (2.5 V to 6.0 V) supports both 3.3 V and 5 V designs, while low typical quiescent current makes it suitable for power-sensitive applications.
Typical applications include appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, LED lighting controllers, automotive interior modules, simple motor control loops, and industrial automation subsystems. Designers choose this MCU for its small footprint, deterministic interrupt response, and Microchip's mature MPLAB development ecosystem. It is also frequently used as a drop-in compatible companion in legacy designs that already standardized on PIC16C6X-family pinouts.
When designing with this device, note that OTP program memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit; for prototyping or field updates, choose the flash-memory PIC16F62X equivalent (e.g., PIC16F628). Decoupling capacitors (0.1 µF) must be placed close to VDD/VSS pins, and the MCLR reset pin must be tied through a resistor to VDD for proper power-on reset behavior.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620-04I/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 PIC16C620-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Instruction Cycle Time, Timers, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C620A-04I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620-04/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C621-04I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C622-04I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F628-04I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Series | PIC16C62X |
| Core Architecture | PIC (RISC) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 80 x 8 (80 bytes) |
| EEPROM Size | None (no on-chip EEPROM) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range (I grade) | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300 in / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Peripherals | Watchdog Timer, Analog Comparator, Power-Saving SLEEP |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (PDIP package, contains lead) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16C620-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/VREF — Bidirectional IO / analog channel 2 / voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/CMP1 — Bidirectional IO / analog channel 3 / comparator 1 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI/CMP2 — Bidirectional IO / Timer0 clock / comparator 2 output |
| Pin 4 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional IO / master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional IO / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional IO |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal / clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional IO / analog channel 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional IO / analog channel 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620-04I/P is suitable for 7 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Sensor Signal Conditioning and Alarm Panels, Automotive Interior Modules, LED Lighting Controllers, Small Motor Control Loops, Industrial Automation Subsystems, Battery-Powered Remote Control and Toys.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C620-04I/P fits appliance control because its 13 digital I/O pins and analog comparator handle keypad scanning, relay drivers, and triac-based load switching without external glue logic. Its 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating voltage supports both 3.3 V logic-level interfaces and 5 V relay/triac drive rails, while 200 ns instruction execution is fast enough for zero-cross detection and PWM-based temperature or fan-speed loops. With 896 B of OTP program memory it accommodates small fixed-function control firmware, and the wide -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade handles laundry-room, kitchen-hood, and garage environments. Placed as the single MCU on the main control PCB, it accepts user inputs and drives outputs directly. Pair it with a ULN2003 driver for high-current loads.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Alarm Panels
The PIC16C620-04I/P is well suited for sensor-conditioning and alarm-panel roles because its analog comparator and 13 I/O can directly interface PIR sensors, reed switches, thermistors, and keypads while remaining within the 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply window. The internal watchdog timer resets the MCU on firmware lockup, critical for always-on security hardware. With 896 B OTP it stores the alarm-state machine and supervision logic, and the 200 ns instruction cycle supports debouncing and timing windows without external timer ICs. Place it between the sensor front-end and the alarm siren/relay driver. Trade-off: OTP memory means firmware cannot be patched in the field - design carefully and add a hardware watchdog window for safety-critical paths.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Modules
The PIC16C620-04I/P can be used in automotive interior modules such as dome-light controllers, mirror adjusters, and seat-position switches where a small 8-bit MCU replaces discrete logic. Its 13 I/O drive LED drivers, switch matrices, and small brushed-motor H-bridge controls, while the 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply matches the automotive 12 V rail after regulator drop. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range covers cabin environments; for under-hood modules choose a Q-grade or AEC-Q100 part instead. Pair it with a CAN or LIN transceiver for body-network nodes; note that this PIC16C620 part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so validate against automotive EMC and transient requirements.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16C620-04I/P is a strong fit for simple LED lighting controllers because its PWM-capable timer module drives MOSFETs or LED-driver ICs to dim constant-current LED strings with no flicker. The 4 MHz clock gives 200 ns resolution, fine for 8-bit PWM dimming at 1 kHz refresh, while the analog comparator closes the loop on current-sense feedback. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply simplifies integration with both 3.3 V logic-level and 5 V MOSFET gate drives. Place the MCU on the low-voltage side of the LED driver and route PWM to the driver's DIM input. Trade-off: OTP memory requires commitment to firmware at production, so use a flash equivalent for tunable-white or firmware-upgradable luminaires.
Recommended
Small Motor Control Loops
The PIC16C620-04I/P suits small DC-motor and stepper-motor control loops where its 13 I/O pins drive half-bridges, sense Hall-effect or back-EMF, and read encoder or limit-switch inputs. The 200 ns instruction cycle closes a 1 kHz PID loop on motor velocity with comfortable margin, and the analog comparator supports overcurrent protection by watching a shunt sense amplifier. With 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply, it is compatible with 3.3 V gate drivers and 5 V logic-level H-bridges. Place the MCU between the user interface (PWM/encoder) and the gate-driver stage. Trade-off: only 896 B OTP fits a small control loop, so plan firmware carefully for limit handling and stall detection.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Subsystems
The PIC16C620-04I/P is appropriate for industrial-automation subsystems such as simple PLC-style logic blocks, IO-Link-like point-to-point links, or remote sensor nodes. Its 13 I/O, watchdog timer, and 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply withstand 24 V industrial rails after regulation, while the 4 MHz clock supports deterministic control-loop timing. Industrial enclosures benefit from the -40 C to +85 C temperature range, and the 200 ns instruction cycle gives sub-microsecond deterministic response for safety interlocks. Place it on the logic board with opto-isolated I/O for line-voltage isolation. Trade-off: the part is obsolete - design with the flash-memory PIC16F628 to ensure long-term supply continuity for industrial life-cycle programs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control and Toys
The PIC16C620-04I/P fits battery-powered remote controls and toys because its low typical current draw at 3 V / 32 kHz (1 uA typical) extends coin-cell or AA battery life, and the wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply accepts 2 x AA / 2 x AAA alkaline or 1 x Li-ion packs. The 13 I/O drive buttons, LEDs, IR LEDs, or small buzzers, while the analog comparator acts as a low-battery detector. The 200 ns instruction cycle decodes IR remote-control bitstreams with margin. Place the MCU on the handheld board between the keypad and the IR/LED driver stage. Trade-off: OTP memory locks the IR protocol, so product-line variants require separate firmware masks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620-04I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C620A-04I/P | PIC16C620-04/P | PIC16C621-04I/P | PIC16C622-04I/P | PIC16F628-04I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-PDIP | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (896 B) | OTP (896 B) - same | OTP (896 B) - same | OTP (1.75 KB) | OTP (2 KB) | Flash (3.5 KB) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| RAM Size | 80 B | 80 B - same | 80 B - same | 128 B | 128 B | 224 B |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same | 16 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V - same | 2.5 V to 6.0 V - same | 2.5 V to 6.0 V - same | 2.5 V to 6.0 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) | Commercial (0 C to +70 C) | Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 C to +85 C) |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in upgrade path to flash-based PIC16F628 family (vs PIC16C620A-04I/P)
- Memory-upgrade variants preserve 18-PDIP footprint (vs PIC16C621-04I/P)
- Mature MPLAB toolchain with extensive legacy support (vs PIC16F628-04I/P)
Design Notes
Power the PIC16C620-04I/P from a regulated rail between 2.5 V and 6.0 V; place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the same supply trace. The MCLR/VPP/RA5 pin (pin 4) must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor to guarantee a clean power-on reset; do not leave MCLR floating. For battery-powered designs, drive the MCLR line through the same supply rail to ensure predictable startup from low battery voltages.
Route the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces (pins 16 and 15) short and symmetric, with the load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF, crystal-dependent) placed as close to the MCU pins as possible. Keep the crystal traces away from switching traces and digital I/O edges to avoid injection of jitter. For external clock input, drive OSC1 with a clean 50%-duty clock and leave OSC2 floating unless CLKOUT is needed. Place a ground guard ring around the crystal area to reduce EMI coupling into the oscillator.
OTP program memory cannot be erased, so firmware bugs become silicon bugs - thoroughly prototype on the flash-memory PIC16F628-I/P first, then commit to PIC16C620-04I/P OTP only after validation. Do not exceed 6.0 V on VDD; the part has no internal clamping for overvoltage. The MCLR pin must NOT be left floating; an open MCLR causes spurious resets or, worse, an in-circuit programming failure. When migrating from PIC16C620 to PIC16C620A, verify any silicon errata applicable to your firmware (especially the comparator and interrupt-on-change behavior).
The PIC16C620-04I/P's 18-PDIP package has a thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 70 C/W in still air, but this MCU typically dissipates only a few milliwatts so thermal management is rarely a concern. In enclosed industrial enclosures above +60 C ambient, ensure the case design provides natural convection or forced airflow. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade covers most indoor and sheltered outdoor applications; for under-hood automotive environments select an AEC-Q100-qualified PIC instead.
Compliance Information
PIC16C620-04I/P is supplied in 18-PDIP (through-hole) package, which historically contains lead solder finish and is therefore non-RoHS compliant. Lead-free (Pb-free) variants of the same die are available in SOIC and SSOP packages under different suffixes. REACH compliance applies for chemical-substance declarations. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications choose an AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variant. Conflict-minerals declaration per Microchip standard policy.
