PIC16C620A-20E/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C620A-20E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.83 | $1.83 |
| 10 | $1.65 | $16.50 |
| 100 | $1.45 | $145.00 |
| 500 | $1.28 | $640.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
PIC16C620A-20E/SO Overview
An OTP microcontroller is a non-erasable, non-flash MCU whose program memory is written once via an external programmer and cannot be re-programmed in-circuit; this makes OTP parts cost-optimized for mature, stable firmware in high-volume products where field updates are not required. PIC16C-series MCUs sit in the broader taxonomy of 8-bit Microcontroller -> Microcontroller (MCU) -> Integrated Circuit -> Semiconductor, and the PIC16C620A specifically is the lower-memory sibling (896B program) of the PIC16C622/PIC16C622A (which add 1K/2K program memory).
Key features include 35 single-word RISC instructions, single-cycle execution (except program branches which take two cycles), a wide 2.5V to 6.0V operating voltage range supporting both 3.3V and 5V rails, and a 200 ns instruction cycle. The extended (-40C to +125C) temperature grade (denoted by the "E" suffix) and SOIC package footprint make this part suited to industrial control boards where through-hole PIC16C parts cannot be used.
Architecture at the silicon level: PIC16C620A is implemented in CMOS EPROM technology with a Harvard-style RISC core, an internal oscillator option, and a peripheral set including a comparator, timer, and watchdog. The "20" speed suffix denotes the 20 MHz maximum clock and 200 ns instruction cycle; the "-04" variants run at 4 MHz / 1 us.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, white-goods motor control front-ends, and automotive under-hood sub-assemblies where OTP cost advantage outweighs the lack of field-update capability.
When designing, note that the EPROM windowless package means code cannot be erased by UV; prototypes should use a JW (windowed) or flash PIC16F equivalent for development and switch to PIC16C620A-20E/SO for production.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C620A-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 PIC16C620A-20E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Watchdog Timer, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C620A-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-20E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C620-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.52 / Unit
PIC16C620A-20E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16C 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (OTP) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14) |
| RAM Size | 96 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| I/O Supply Voltage | 3.3 V / 5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E" suffix) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16C620A-20E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (I/O / analog) |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (I/O / analog) |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 (I/O / T0CKI) |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 (I/O / analog) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (I/O / PGM) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (I/O / PGC) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (I/O / PGD) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (analog / I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (analog / I/O / VREF) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C620A-20E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, White-Goods Motor Control Front-Ends, Automotive Under-Hood Sub-Assemblies, Consumer Appliance Keypads and HMI, Sensor Signal Conditioning Modules, Smart Card and Security Token Readers.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The PIC16C620A-20E/SO fits industrial automation controllers because its extended -40C to +125C operating range tolerates factory-floor thermal swings, and its 200 ns instruction cycle handles deterministic I/O scan loops at 20 MHz. The 13 I/O pins drive relays, opto-isolators, and sensor inputs in PLC-style sub-assemblies, while the 896B OTP program memory holds a fixed ladder-logic or state-machine firmware that does not require field updates. Unlike flash alternatives, the OTP architecture eliminates the need for in-circuit programming circuitry in the final assembly, lowering BOM cost.
Recommended
White-Goods Motor Control Front-Ends
For washing machines, dishwashers, and similar white goods, PIC16C620A-20E/SO provides the timing, PWM, and over-current detection required by motor-control front-ends. The 35-instruction RISC core executes motor commutation loops with sub-microsecond latency, while the internal comparator handles zero-crossing and over-current sensing. OTP memory secures the firmware against inadvertent field updates, and the SOIC surface-mount package supports automated high-volume assembly. A 5V supply rail is typical, well within the 2.5V to 6.0V operating range.
Recommended
Automotive Under-Hood Sub-Assemblies
The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade of PIC16C620A-20E/SO supports under-hood automotive sub-assemblies such as sensor interface modules and actuator drivers. Its 20 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle handle CAN-bus bit-timing assistance, sensor sampling, and actuator PWM in real time. OTP memory locks the firmware at production, an advantage for automotive volume runs where code is qualified once and shipped identically across the model year. Designers should add automotive-grade variants where AEC-Q100 qualification is mandated.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Keypads and HMI
PIC16C620A-20E/SO is well suited to consumer HMI front panels (keypad scanning, LED driving, buzzer control) because its 13 I/O pins handle a 4x4 matrix keypad with room for status LEDs and a piezo buzzer. The 35-instruction RISC core supports debounce and key-encoding in tight loops, while OTP locks the keymap at production to prevent aftermarket tampering. The SOIC package integrates cleanly into single-layer consumer boards.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Modules
The internal analog comparator of PIC16C620A-20E/SO pairs with the digital core to provide low-cost sensor signal conditioning for temperature, pressure, and level sensors in industrial loops. The 20 MHz clock supports oversampling of low-frequency analog signals, while the 13 I/O lines multiplex multiple sensors through a single MCU. OTP memory locks the calibration coefficients at production, a clear advantage over flash for fixed-setpoint industrial sensors.
Recommended
Smart Card and Security Token Readers
PIC16C620A-20E/SO serves in legacy serial-interface smart-card readers and security token peripherals where OTP code-locking prevents firmware extraction. The 35-instruction RISC core handles the ISO 7816 T=0/T=1 protocol layer in real time, while the 96-byte RAM buffers APDU commands. OTP memory is itself a security feature: code cannot be read back after programming, making it harder to clone the reader. The 18-SOIC package suits compact OEM reader boards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C620A-20E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C620A-20I/SO | PIC16C620A-20/SO | PIC16C620A-04I/SO | PIC16C620A-04/SO | PIC16C620-20E/SO | PIC16C620-20/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz (-80%) | 4 MHz (-80%) | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) | 896 B EPROM (OTP) |
| RAM | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B | 96 B |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| 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 | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Silicon Revision | A (PIC16C620A) | A | A | A | A | Original (pre-A) | Original (pre-A) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC16C620A-20I/SO)
- Higher 20 MHz clock vs 4 MHz -04 grade (vs PIC16C620A-04I/SO)
- Advanced silicon revision with improved electrical characteristics (vs PIC16C620-20E/SO)
Design Notes
PIC16C620A-20E/SO uses One-Time-Programmable EPROM and cannot be re-flashed in-circuit. Prototypes must use either a flash-based PIC16F equivalent (e.g., PIC16F88-I/SO, PIC16F628A-I/SO) or a JW-windowed PIC16C620A for code iteration; switch to PIC16C620A-20E/SO only for production. Confirm MCLR is held low during power-up ramp per the datasheet, otherwise the part may execute errant code before VDD stabilizes.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) of the PIC16C620A-20E/SO, with a short ground return to pin 5. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same VDD rail within 25 mm. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and surrounded by a ground guard ring to reduce EMI susceptibility of the external crystal or resonator.
Estimated: at 20 MHz clock with all 13 I/O pins switching and a 5V supply, PIC16C620A-20E/SO core current is roughly 10 mA plus I/O loading. With SOIC theta_JA near 100 C/W, the junction-to-ambient rise is on the order of 5C above ambient - well within the -40C to +125C extended-temperature limit. No heatsink is required for typical industrial use; verify in enclosed housings where ambient may exceed 85C.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free and halogen-free status for PIC16C620A-20E/SO were not present in the verified distributor data; consult Microchip's product material declaration for an authoritative answer before designing in for RoHS-bound applications. AEC-Q100 is not stated in the verified data; check Microchip automotive-grade listings for qualified variants.