PIC16C63AT-04E/SS - 8-bit 4MHz PIC MCU 7KB OTP 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C63AT-04E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.92 | $7.92 |
| 10 | $7.13 | $71.30 |
| 100 | $6.34 | $634.00 |
| 500 | $5.71 | $2,855.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.08 | $5,080.00 |
PIC16C63AT-04E/SS Overview
A mid-range 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a fully-static CMOS processor built around a Harvard architecture that separates program and data memory paths. The PIC16CXX family executes most instructions in a single cycle (four oscillator periods), with only program branches taking two cycles, and offers approximately 35 single-word instructions to learn. These MCUs integrate Brown-out Detect/Reset, Power-on Reset, a Watchdog Timer, PWM peripherals, and serial communication controllers, forming a complete embedded control subsystem on a single die.
Key specifications include: 8-bit PIC core architecture, 7KB OTP program memory organized as 4K x 14 words, 192 x 8 bytes of RAM, 22 digital I/O pins, and three serial communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, and UART/USART). The Brown-out Detect block protects against unexpected code execution when VDD droops below the safe threshold, while the integrated PWM module simplifies motor, lighting, or analog control tasks. The 28-SSOP package offers a compact footprint suitable for space-constrained PCB layouts.
Architecturally, the device uses Microchip's classic mid-range CPU core with a 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path. The OTP program memory is programmed once and cannot be electrically erased, which makes this part most suitable for high-volume production runs where firmware is finalized and cost-per-unit dominates over in-field reprogrammability. Compared to flash-based PIC16F equivalents, OTP devices typically offer lower unit cost but lack field-update capability.
Typical applications include industrial control modules, white-goods and appliance motor control, HVAC fan and damper drivers, simple sensor interfacing nodes, automotive body electronics sub-modules, and legacy embedded systems that require continued OTP-based production. The combination of UART, SPI, and I2C allows connection to sensors, displays, and other MCUs in mixed-protocol networks. Designers commonly pair this part with external EEPROM for parameter storage, RS-232/RS-485 transceivers, and low-side MOSFET drivers.
When designing with this device, confirm that OTP programming flow is acceptable for your product lifecycle. Plan production programming with a Microchip-supported device programmer, allow sufficient margin for the extended temperature grade in worst-case thermal environments, and verify that the SSOP land pattern matches your PCB footprint. Consider PIC16F-series flash alternatives if in-field firmware updates are required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving procurement and engineering teams a single source for parametric data, supply-chain risk analysis, and selection guidance.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C63AT-04E/SS — 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 PIC16C63AT-04E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Instruction Set, Operating Temperature, Package, Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C63A-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63AT-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C63AT-04E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16CXX mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP |
| RAM Size | 192 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 4 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Package / Case | 28-SSOP (0.209 inch, 5.30 mm width) |
| Supplier Device Package | 28-SSOP |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions; single-cycle except branches (2 cycle) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (E suffix) |
| Speed Grade Suffix | 04 = 4 MHz max clock |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
PIC16C63AT-04E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS/AN4 — Port A bit 5 / SPI slave select / analog input 4 |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / CCP1 (PWM/capture/compare) |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / UART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / UART RX / USART data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/PGM — Port B bit 3 / LVP programming |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply (4V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C63AT-04E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: White-Goods Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, HVAC Fan and Damper Driver, Automotive Body Electronics Sub-Module, Legacy Embedded System Sustained Production, Simple RS-232/RS-485 Sensor-to-Host Bridge.
White-Goods Appliance Control
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS suits white-goods appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators) because its 22 I/O pins directly drive relay coils, triac gates, and keypad matrices without external mux logic, while the integrated PWM module generates the motor speed-control signal for universal AC or brushless-DC drives. Its 192-byte RAM is sufficient for state-machine user-interface code plus sensor-filtering scratch buffers, and the 7 KB OTP holds complete wash-cycle programs including EEPROM emulation routines. The Brown-out Detect block prevents corrupted EEPROM writes when AC-line dips cause VDD droop - critical for code that must not skip steps mid-cycle.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS integrates I2C, SPI, and UART/USART peripherals, enabling it to act as a multi-protocol sensor aggregation node that bridges legacy 4-20 mA loops, SPI-connected ADCs, and I2C digital sensors into a single UART stream for a host PLC. The 4 MHz clock is more than adequate for polling sensors at 100 Hz with debounce and linearization in firmware. Its extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) handles factory-floor and outdoor enclosure environments. The 28-SSOP footprint allows the module to fit inside standard M12 cable-end housings alongside RS-485 transceivers.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Driver
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS PWM module drives TRIAC-commutated fan motors in HVAC air-handling units, generating zero-cross-synchronized phase-control pulses that regulate airflow without acoustic hum. Its 22 I/O pins simultaneously read multiple thermistor inputs (10 kohm NTC), control damper stepper motors through Darlington drivers, and communicate with the central building management system via UART. The 7 KB OTP accommodates lookup tables for non-linear thermistor curves plus PID control loops for temperature regulation. Extended temperature operation ensures reliability in unconditioned rooftop and mechanical-room spaces.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Sub-Module
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS handles seat-controller, mirror-adjust, or interior-lighting sub-modules in automotive body-electronics networks where each node requires local intelligence but communicates to a central body control module via LIN or UART. Its extended temperature rating (-40C to +125C) covers cabin and under-hood-adjacent zones, while the small 28-SSOP footprint integrates into compact door-module PCBAs alongside CAN/LIN transceivers. The PWM module drives LED dimming and small motor speed-control without additional timer ICs. OTP memory protects firmware from unauthorized field-tampering while keeping unit cost low for high-volume car platforms.
Recommended
Legacy Embedded System Sustained Production
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS is the production-sustaining MCU for long-life industrial products originally designed around the PIC16C6X family - including medical-device sub-assemblies, instrumentation peripherals, and government/military support contracts that forbid firmware changes. The OTP memory and mature silicon guarantee bit-identical behavior with the originally qualified part, while Microchip's continued production commitment provides 10+ year supply stability. Designers replacing EOL PIC16C5X parts often migrate here because the same MPLAB toolchain, ICD programmers, and assembly-language libraries work without rewriting. The 28-SSOP package accommodates existing PCB layouts with no respin.
Recommended
Simple RS-232/RS-485 Sensor-to-Host Bridge
The PIC16C63AT-04E/SS with its integrated UART/USART acts as a low-cost protocol-conversion bridge between a sensor (SPI or I2C) and an RS-232 or RS-485 host network, eliminating the need for a dedicated protocol-converter ASIC. At 4 MHz it runs at 1 MIPS, sufficient to format ASCII or Modbus RTU frames at 9600-115200 baud with adequate processing margin for sensor linearization and checksum calculation. The 192-byte RAM holds a transmit buffer and receive state-machine without overflow risk at typical polling rates. The 22 I/O pins allow optional local LED status indicators and pushbutton overrides alongside the serial bridge function.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C63AT-04E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C63A-04I/SS | PIC16C63AT-04I/SS | PIC16C63A-20I/SS | PIC16C63A-04E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART | I2C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP |
| Peripherals | BOD, POR, PWM, WDT | BOD, POR, PWM, WDT | BOD, POR, PWM, WDT | BOD, POR, PWM, WDT | BOD, POR, PWM, WDT |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade for high-thermal environments (vs PIC16C63A-04I/SS)
- Identical pinout and firmware across all PIC16C63A family members (vs PIC16C63A-20I/SS)
- Higher pin count and richer peripherals than PIC16C62B sister family (vs PIC16C62B-04E/SO)
Design Notes
OTP memory cannot be electrically erased or rewritten. Any code change after production requires a new part, a new PCB build, and new inventory. Before committing to PIC16C63AT-04E/SS for production, fully validate firmware on a flash-based equivalent (e.g., PIC16F877A or PIC16F72) and freeze the final image. Always order pre-programmed parts from Microchip or a certified programming house rather than handling OTP programming in-house unless volume justifies the capital cost of a gang programmer.
Estimated: at VDD=5.0V, 4 MHz clock, all peripherals enabled, the PIC16C63AT-04E/SS typical supply current is approximately 5-7 mA per the PIC16C6X datasheet electrical characteristics table. Brown-out Detect should be enabled and configured for a threshold just below the minimum operating voltage (typically 4.0V VBOR) to halt code execution before EEPROM corruption occurs. Add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor directly across VDD (pin 26) and VSS (pin 27), plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor within 25 mm of the supply pins for noisy industrial environments.
The 28-SSOP package has a 0.65 mm pin pitch and 5.30 mm body width per the Microchip package outline. Maintain at least 0.20 mm trace clearance between adjacent SSOP pins to allow reliable soldering and inspection. Use a ground plane on the layer beneath the SSOP for thermal dissipation and EMI reduction. The MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to VSS for proper reset behavior - never leave MCLR floating, as noise can trigger spurious resets.
Route the oscillator traces (OSC1 pin 8, OSC2 pin 9) as short and symmetric as possible, surrounded by ground pour on both sides. For crystal operation, place the load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF depending on crystal specification) within 2-3 mm of the OSC pins. Avoid routing high-current switching traces (relay coils, motor phases) parallel to and close to the oscillator traces - coupling can cause clock jitter and unreliable serial communication.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified web data - request certificate of compliance from Microchip. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive safety-critical applications use a Q-graded alternative.
