PIC16C620-20E/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620-20E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.5 | $5.50 |
| 10 | $4.95 | $49.50 |
| 100 | $4.4 | $440.00 |
| 500 | $3.85 | $1,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.3 | $3,300.00 |
PIC16C620-20E/SO Overview
What is an 8-bit OTP microcontroller? An OTP microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, using one-time programmable non-volatile memory to store firmware; once programmed, the code cannot be erased, which makes OTP parts cost-optimized for high-volume, fixed-function products where field firmware updates are not required. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, OTP MCUs sit beneath the microcontroller umbrella, alongside flash-based MCUs, and below the integrated-circuit hierarchy that includes logic ICs, interface ICs, and DSPs.
Key features of the PIC16C620-20E/SO include an instruction set of only 35 single-word instructions, two 8-bit timer/counters with 8-bit programmable prescalers, a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, an analog comparator with programmable on-chip voltage reference, and 13 CMOS-compatible bidirectional I/O pins with high-current sink/source capability. The device supports a wide 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating voltage range and is qualified to the Automotive temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C), making it suitable for harsh-environment designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16C620-20E/SO uses a RISC Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses, an 8-level deep hardware stack, and direct, indirect, and relative addressing modes. The enhanced PIC16C62x core adds internal/external oscillator selection and a higher 20 MHz throughput compared to the 4 MHz base PIC16C620, giving it four times the compute headroom while remaining pin-compatible with lower-speed variants in the same 18-pin SOIC footprint.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, appliance control boards, simple sensor interfaces, and battery-powered consumer devices. The integrated analog comparator and programmable voltage reference allow direct connection of resistive sensors without an external op-amp.
When designing with this part, note that the device operates from a 2.5 V to 6.0 V rail; if the application needs in-circuit reprogramming, choose a flash-based PIC16F62x instead, but for cost-sensitive high-volume production the OTP version remains the most economical choice.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620-20E/SO — 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 PIC16C620-20E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in RoHS Status, Program Memory Size, RAM Size, Timers, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C620-20/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.52 / Unit
PIC16C620-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-20/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-20E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-04I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-04/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-20E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16C62x RISC |
| Architecture | Harvard (separate code/data buses) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 896 bytes (512 x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 80 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | None (not present on this family) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (single-cycle, except branches 400 ns) |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 instructions |
| Hardware Stack | 8 levels |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 CMOS bidirectional |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit with 8-bit programmable prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Analog Comparator | 1 with programmable on-chip voltage reference |
| Internal RC Oscillator | 8 MHz calibrated, +/-1% typical accuracy |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive grade) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free finish, RoHS-compliant |
PIC16C620-20E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator reference input |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator reference output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / TOCKI (Timer0 clock input) |
| Pin 4 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear reset (active-low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1/CLKIN — External oscillator input or crystal pin 1 |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT — External oscillator output or crystal pin 2 / Fosc/4 output in RC mode |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator non-inverting input |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog comparator inverting input |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620-20E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body and Chassis Controllers, Appliance Control Boards, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Interfaces, Consumer Remote Controls and IR Receivers, LED Drivers and Display Multiplexers.
Automotive Body and Chassis Controllers
The PIC16C620-20E/SO is well suited to automotive body and chassis controllers because of its Automotive temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C), 2.5 V to 6.0 V operating range, and 13 high-current CMOS I/O capable of sourcing or sinking 25 mA per pin. With 896 bytes of OTP program memory and 80 bytes of RAM, the part can host a simple state machine for tasks such as seat-position memory, mirror-fold, wiper-interval, or central-locking control. The on-chip analog comparator plus programmable voltage reference allows direct conditioning of a wiper-park or door-switch input without an external op-amp. Its RISC core at 20 MHz finishes a typical control loop in tens of microseconds, leaving plenty of margin for polled I/O handling.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
In white-goods and small appliance control boards - washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and induction cooktops - the PIC16C620-20E/SO offers enough compute and I/O to replace a handful of 555 timers and discrete logic. Its two 8-bit timers with 8-bit prescalers handle PWM generation for motor-speed control, while the 13 I/O pins drive relay coils, triac gates, and status LEDs directly. The OTP-only nature suits fixed-function appliances where code changes during the product life would be counterproductive, and the 200 ns instruction cycle is more than fast enough for polled keypad-debounce and segment-display multiplexing.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
For battery-powered sensor nodes such as remote thermostats, occupancy sensors, and irrigation controllers, the PIC16C620-20E/SO provides a useful combination of low-cost OTP, internal RC oscillator calibration to +/-1% typical, and a hardware Watchdog Timer that runs from its own internal RC oscillator and continues to operate during SLEEP. The 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal, saving both cost and PCB area; the 25 mA I/O drive capability can wake up an RF transmitter or piezo buzzer directly. Programming in pure assembly or C with the MPLAB XC8 free compiler keeps the firmware footprint inside the 896-byte OTP limit for typical sensor applications.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfaces
Industrial sensor interfaces - simple current-loop, 4-20 mA loop-powered, or voltage-divider signal conditioners - benefit from the PIC16C620-20E/SO on-chip analog comparator and programmable voltage reference, which eliminate the need for a separate comparator IC in low-side current-shunt monitoring or threshold detection. The 2.5 V to 6.0 V supply range is compatible with industrial 24 V bus systems stepped down to 5 V via an LDO. The 13 I/O pins are CMOS-compatible and can drive opto-isolators, status LEDs, and small relays directly, while the Watchdog Timer protects against lockups in electrically noisy factory environments.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and IR Receivers
Consumer remote controls, IR-to-UART bridges, and simple receiver boards benefit from the PIC16C620-20E/SO 20 MHz throughput, which easily demodulates a 38 kHz IR carrier and decodes common RC5 or NEC protocols in software. The internal 8 MHz RC oscillator at +/-1% calibration is accurate enough for carrier-frequency tuning without a crystal, and the two 8-bit timers can be used as one for carrier generation and one for protocol timing. With 896 bytes of OTP, the part can host both the decoder and a small lookup table for button-to-command mapping.
Recommended
LED Drivers and Display Multiplexers
LED drivers and small dot-matrix or 7-segment display multiplexers benefit from the PIC16C620-20E/SO high-current 25 mA I/O drive, which can sink LED current directly without series resistors in many low-current indicator applications. The two timers support programmable refresh rates without CPU intervention, leaving the 8-bit core free to handle higher-level logic. With 13 I/O pins the part can drive up to a 3x5 matrix display or up to 6 digits of 7-segment plus a decimal point each, suiting status panels, fan tachometers, or numeric keypads.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620-20E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C620-20/SO | PIC16C620-04I/SO | PIC16C620A-20E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm) | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory (OTP) | 896 bytes (512 x 14) | 896 bytes (512 x 14) | 896 bytes (512 x 14) | 896 bytes (512 x 14) |
| Data RAM | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Internal RC Oscillator | Yes (4 MHz or 8 MHz calibrated) | No | Yes (Industrial grade) | Yes (4 MHz or 8 MHz calibrated) |
| Brown-out Reset | No (legacy silicon) | No | No | Yes |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive -40C to +125C | Commercial 0C to +70C (base -20 part) | Industrial -40C to +85C | Automotive -40C to +125C |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- Enhanced core with internal calibrated RC oscillator (vs PIC16C620-20/SO)
- Successor silicon with brown-out reset for noisy supplies (vs PIC16C620-04I/SO)
- Automotive temperature grade as standard (vs PIC16C620-20/SO (commercial grade))
Design Notes
PIC16C620-20E/SO operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V. Estimated: at 20 MHz and 6 V supply, the device draws about 5-10 mA active and around 1-5 uA in SLEEP mode. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor directly between VDD (pin 14) and VSS (pin 5), and bulk-decouple VDD with a 4.7 uF tantalum or 10 uF ceramic if the supply is shared with relays. The MCLR pin should be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation and exposed as a test pad for in-circuit programming with the MPLAB PM3.
Place the 18-SOIC with its 7.50 mm body so the crystal or resonator is within 5 mm of OSC1 (pin 15) and OSC2 (pin 16). Keep digital switching traces (relay drivers, PWM outputs) at least 3 mm away from the oscillator loop and the analog comparator pins (RA0-RA3) to avoid crosstalk into the comparator threshold. A ground plane under the SOIC body is recommended, with the VSS pin tied to that plane with a single via or short trace to keep the return path clean.
The MCLR pin (RA5/MCLR/VPP) is multiplexed with GPIO. If RA5 is used as a GPIO, never drive it low during programming or the device will reset and exit programming mode. The OTP memory is one-time programmable only - firmware bugs cannot be patched, so validate with a flash-based PIC16F620 prototype before committing to the OTP PIC16C620-20E/SO for production. Brown-out reset is NOT available on the -20E silicon; for designs with a noisy automotive supply, choose the PIC16C620A-20E/SO instead.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free finish per Microchip product page. The PIC16C620 family predates formal AEC-Q100 qualification; for new automotive designs requiring AEC-Q100 documentation, use the PIC16F62x or PIC18 families instead. REACH status is reported as compliant by distributors.
