PIC16C620A-04I/SS - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 13 I/O SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620A-04I/SS β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.55 | $35.50 |
| 100 | $3.16 | $316.00 |
| 500 | $2.84 | $1,420.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16C620A-04I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path, an ALU, program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), data RAM, and a set of on-chip peripherals such as timers, capture/compare/PWM modules, and I/O ports. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16C620A belongs to the PIC16C family, which is a sub-family of the PICmicro 8-bit RISC architecture, which itself is a category of microcontrollers, which are ICs, which are semiconductors. The 8-bit MCU class typically targets cost-sensitive, deterministic, low-power embedded control tasks rather than compute-intensive workloads handled by 32-bit Cortex-M devices.
Key features of the PIC16C620A-04I/SS include a Harvard RISC architecture with only 35 single-word instructions to learn, 8-bit data bus width, two 8-bit timers, a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, programmable code protection, power-saving SLEEP mode, and a wide operating voltage range of 2.5 V to 6.0 V (the /04 speed grade denotes a 4 MHz maximum clock input). The 'I' suffix indicates the industrial temperature grade of -40 C to +85 C. The 20-pin SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package) is a compact surface-mount option with roughly half the board footprint of a standard SOIC-20.
Typical applications for the PIC16C620A-04I/SS include low-end appliance control, sensor signal conditioning, automotive body electronics (non-safety), industrial control logic, and battery-powered remote controllers. The combination of OTP memory (one-time field or factory programmable), small pin count, and deterministic interrupt latency makes it well-suited to high-volume, fixed-function, cost-driven designs.
When designing with the PIC16C620A-04I/SS, confirm whether OTP or windowed-EPROM (JW) is acceptable for the production flow, since OTP prevents firmware updates. Provide a robust decoupling network (typically 0.1 uF near VDD) and reserve the MCLR pin with the proper external reset circuit if internal reset is not used. Note that this part is in the PIC16C OTP family - if re-programmability is required, consider the PIC16F62X Flash-based successors for a near-pin-compatible migration path.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620A-04I/SS β 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 PIC16C620A-04I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Architecture, Program Memory Size, Package, RoHS Status, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C620A-04/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C622A-04I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
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View Datasheet βPIC16F627A-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F628A-I/SS
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PIC16C620-04I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C620A-20I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C620A-04I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC 16C |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 96 B |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (single cycle, branches 2 cycles) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Speed Grade | 04 (4 MHz max clock input) |
| Number of Instructions | 35 |
| RoHS Status | Non-RoHS (legacy OTP EPROM device) |
| Lead-Free | Contains lead (legacy windowed/OTP EPROM process) |
PIC16C620A-04I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β Digital I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β Digital I/O port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP β Master Clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β Digital I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Digital I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Digital I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Digital I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Digital I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0 β Digital I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 β Digital I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RA5 β Digital I/O port A bit 5 |
| Pin 20 | VSS β Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620A-04I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Low-End Appliance Control, Sensor Signal Conditioning and Front-End, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Battery-Powered Remote Controllers, Industrial Control Logic Replacement, Consumer Electronics User Interface, Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Projects.
Low-End Appliance Control
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS fits low-end appliance control (washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers) because of its 13 digital I/O pins, 96 bytes RAM, and industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range. The 4 MHz clock provides deterministic 200 ns instruction timing for relay drivers, keypads, and LED indicators, while OTP memory locks firmware against unauthorized copying in high-volume white goods. Brown-out reset and Watchdog Timer protect against mains transients and code lockup in noisy motor environments.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Front-End
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS serves as a sensor signal conditioning front-end in industrial sensor modules, where its 13 I/O pins interface to thermistors, photocells, and 4-20 mA loops. The 96-byte RAM and 8-bit ADC-free architecture suit simple threshold detection and PWM output to drive actuator signals. Operating from 2.5 V to 6.0 V allows direct battery or 5 V regulated supply use, and the Watchdog Timer with dedicated RC oscillator prevents field lockup in unattended sensor nodes.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS targets non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, window regulators, and seat-position memories, where its industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range and 13 I/O pins handle switch inputs and motor-driver logic. The 4 MHz 200 ns cycle supports deterministic control loops for stepper motors and LED PWM dimming. OTP memory locks the calibration tables against tampering in service environments. Note: AEC-Q100 qualification is NOT specified for this part; for safety-critical ECUs use a Q-qualified PIC16F counterpart.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Controllers
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS works in battery-powered IR/RF remote controllers because of its 2.5 V minimum operating voltage (works from 2x AA cells down to 2.0 V under load), low-power SLEEP mode, and 13 I/O pins for key matrix scanning and IR LED drive. The 896-byte OTP holds the key code, transmit protocol, and pairing ID without external memory. Industrial temperature grade ensures reliable operation in outdoor environments such as garage-door openers and gate controllers.
Recommended
Industrial Control Logic Replacement
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS replaces discrete logic ICs (74HC gates, CD4000-series CMOS) in industrial control panels by consolidating timing, counting, and sequencing functions into one 20-pin SSOP device. Its two 8-bit timers replace NE555 oscillators, and the Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator catches firmware lockup that discrete logic cannot detect. Industrial -40 C to +85 C operation and 2.5-6.0 V supply suit 24 V industrial bus systems regulated down to 5 V. OTP locks the control sequence, preventing field modification.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Interface
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS handles user interface tasks in consumer electronics (toys, audio gear, small appliances) by scanning key matrices, driving 7-segment or dot-matrix LED displays, and managing power-on sequencing. The 13 I/O pins support up to 16-key matrix scanning via 4x4 multiplexed arrangement, and the 4 MHz clock provides 5 kHz refresh for flicker-free LED multiplexing. OTP memory prevents firmware cloning in cost-sensitive high-volume products, and the SSOP-20 footprint is small enough for sub-30 mm x 30 mm PCBAs.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Projects
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS is suitable for educational embedded-systems training and hobbyist projects because of its 35-instruction RISC architecture, deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle, and broad hobbyist documentation heritage. Students learn timer/counter interrupts, Watchdog Timer concepts, and assembly-language programming on a device whose internal architecture is fully documented in Microchip application notes. The SSOP-20 package requires breakout-board adapters for breadboarding, making the PDIP-18 variant (PIC16C620A-04I/P) sometimes preferred in classroom kits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620A-04I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C620A-04/SS | PIC16C622A-04I/SS | PIC16F627A-I/SS | PIC16F628A-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 896 B OTP (512 x 14) | 2 K OTP (2048 x 14) | 1 K Flash | 3.5 K Flash |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | Flash |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM Size | 96 B | 96 B | 128 B | 128 B | 224 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Commercial 0 to +70 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C |
| EEPROM | None | None | None | 128 B | 128 B |
Key Differentiators
- Larger memory than PIC16C620 predecessor (vs PIC16C620-04I/SS)
- Industrial temperature range vs commercial-only alternative (vs PIC16C620A-04/SS)
- Industry-standard PIC16C mid-range architecture (vs PIC16F627A-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C620A-04I/SS operates from 2.5 V to 6.0 V and requires proper supply decoupling. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14), with a short trace to the VSS pin (pin 5 or 20). For battery-powered designs with intermittent high-current loads, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the supply pins. The internal Brown-Out Reset (BOR) circuit holds the device in reset when VDD drops below the BOR threshold, preventing code corruption; ensure the supply rise time meets the datasheet requirement (typically < 0.1 V/ms).
The PIC16C620A is an OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM device - once programmed, the firmware CANNOT be erased or rewritten. For prototypes and field-updatable products, choose the PIC16F627A-I/SS or PIC16F628A-I/SS drop-in alternatives with Flash memory. If OTP is acceptable for production, ensure final firmware is fully debugged using a windowed EPROM version (e.g., PIC16C620A-04/JW) or a Flash equivalent before committing to OTP programming. Also note: this part is marked NRND - confirm Microchip's migration guidance before designing in.
For the SSOP-20 package, follow standard 0.65 mm pitch PCB layout practices: use a ground plane on the bottom layer, route all signal traces on the top layer, and keep the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and surrounded by ground to minimize EMI pickup. Place the crystal or resonator within 5 mm of pins 15-16 to reduce clock jitter. Avoid routing high-speed or switching signals under the SSOP-20 footprint to prevent injected noise into the analog-sensitive MCLR/VPP pin during in-circuit programming.
Compliance Information
Legacy EPROM-based OTP device in SSOP-20 package; not lead-free and not RoHS compliant due to legacy lead-containing finish. AEC-Q100 qualification not specified; PIC16F automotive-grade variants should be used for safety-critical automotive. REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not explicitly stated by manufacturer for this legacy part.