PIC16C64A-04/PT - 8-bit OTP MCU 4MHz 3.5KB TQFP-44 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C64A-04/PT β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| 10 | $8.05 | $80.50 |
| 100 | $7.15 | $715.00 |
| 500 | $6.4 | $3,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.7 | $5,700.00 |
PIC16C64A-04/PT Overview
An OTP microcontroller is a non-erasable, field-programmable MCU that retains firmware for the device lifetime after one programming pass. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16C64A sits in the 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor hierarchy. PIC16C devices use CMOS fabrication for low-power operation (typically < 2 mA active at 4 MHz, < 1 Β΅A standby) and execute most instructions in a single 200 ns instruction cycle at 4 MHz, making them well-suited to deterministic real-time control.
Key features include 33 I/O pins with individual direction control, a four-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with multiple reference options, three timer/counters (Timer0 with programmable prescaler, Timer1 16-bit, Timer2 with 8-bit period register), a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C master/slave, a parallel slave port for external bus expansion, and a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator. The PIC16C64A also provides multiple oscillator modes including RC, XT, HS, and LP, plus an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface for field updates before the OTP window closes.
The architecture centers on a Harvard-style RISC CPU with separate program and data buses, a 14-bit program word, and a small instruction set that allows most operations to complete in one instruction cycle. Compared with earlier PIC16C6x parts, the "A" revision refined brown-out detect behavior and refined the ADC sampling path. The PIC16C64A is marked "Not Recommended for new designs" on the Microchip product page, with PIC16C65B cited as the newer version to consider.
Typical applications include industrial control front-ends, appliance control boards, motor control signal conditioning, instrumentation sensor interfaces, and embedded control in legacy factory automation. The wide operating voltage range (typically 3.0 V to 6.0 V) and the 33 I/O pins support mixed analog/digital designs where the PIC16C64A acts as a glue controller between sensors, actuators, and a host MCU.
When designing with this part, calculate worst-case active and sleep current from the datasheet curves, place decoupling capacitors as close as possible to VDD/VSS pins, and confirm that the chosen oscillator mode matches the external crystal or resonator. For new designs, evaluate the recommended successor (PIC16C65B family) before committing.
This page consolidates datasheet specifications, distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not assembled on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C64A-04/PT 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 PIC16C64A-04/PT (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Timers, Program Memory Type, Watchdog Timer, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C64A-04I/PT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.61 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C64A-04E/PT
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$7.35 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C64A-20/PT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C65B-04/PT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C65B-20/PT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C65A-04/PT
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C64A-04/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16C |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns at 4 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1 16-bit, Timer2) |
| Communication | SSP (SPI / I2C), Parallel Slave Port |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V (typical) |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (TQFP lead-free) |
PIC16C64A-04/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input or external clock in |
| Pin 2 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output |
| Pin 3 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear reset (active low) or programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 7 | RA3/AN3/VREF β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Voltage reference |
| Pin 8 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 9 | RA5/SS/AN4 β PORTA bit 5 / SSP slave select / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 10 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 13 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB3 β PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 16 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 17 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 18 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 19 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output or clock input |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 24 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SSP serial clock |
| Pin 26 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SSP serial data in / I2C data |
| Pin 27 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SSP serial data out |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / clock |
| Pin 29 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / data |
| Pin 30 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 31 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 32 | RD0/PSP0 β PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 33 | RD1/PSP1 β PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 34 | RD2/PSP2 β PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 35 | RD3/PSP3 β PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 36 | RD4/PSP4 β PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 37 | RD5/PSP5 β PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 38 | RD6/PSP6 β PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 39 | RD7/PSP7 β PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 40 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 41 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | RE0/RD/AN5 β PORTE bit 0 / Read control / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 43 | RE1/WR/AN6 β PORTE bit 1 / Write control / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 44 | RE2/CS/AN7 β PORTE bit 2 / Chip select / Analog input 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C64A-04/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Front-End, Appliance Control Board, Motor Control Signal Conditioning, Instrumentation Sensor Interface, Embedded Legacy Industrial Module, User Interface Controller.
Industrial Control Front-End
The PIC16C64A-04/PT fits industrial control front-ends because of its 33 I/O pins, 8-bit 4-channel ADC, and deterministic single-cycle instruction execution. The 3.0 V to 6.0 V operating range accommodates 24 V industrial rails after regulation, and the wide temperature grade variants (/PT I and /PT E) suit factory floor environments. Placed on a control board, the MCU reads 4 to 20 mA analog sensors through the ADC, drives relays or solid-state outputs via PORTB, and communicates with a host PLC through the SSP (SPI/I2C) port. Compared with a discrete logic controller, the integrated PIC16C64A reduces BOM count and PCB area while maintaining deterministic response time for closed-loop control loops. The watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator adds a layer of fault recovery essential for unattended industrial deployments.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C64A-04/PT is well-matched to appliance control boards that require digital I/O density, a built-in ADC for sensing, and cost-effective OTP programmability. The 33 I/O pins drive keypads, LED indicators, relay coils, and triac interfaces, while the 4-channel ADC reads temperature sensors, water level probes, and motor current feedback. The 4 MHz CPU grade provides sufficient headroom for state-machine control of washers, dryers, dishwashers, and microwave user interfaces. Because the part is OTP, production programming is performed once during board test, simplifying logistics for high-volume appliance manufacturing. The PIC16C64A's hardware SSP (SPI/I2C) port connects to peripheral driver ICs and EEPROM memory for user settings, while the watchdog timer resets the MCU on firmware lock-up.
Recommended
Motor Control Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C64A-04/PT serves as a signal-conditioning front-end for low-voltage motor control, leveraging its 8-bit ADC and PWM-capable Timer2 to read back EMF and drive low-side MOSFETs. The 4 MHz CPU grade runs a 200 ns instruction cycle, enabling tight control loop timing for small DC and stepper motors used in printers, scanners, and small appliances. The parallel slave port (PORTD/PORTE) offloads encoder or quadrature decoding to external logic, freeing the core for higher-level motion tasks. The integrated watchdog timer recovers the controller if firmware enters an invalid state during a stall event. OTP programming suits high-volume motor control modules where firmware is fixed and unit cost matters more than field upgrades.
Recommended
Instrumentation Sensor Interface
The PIC16C64A-04/PT can serve as a smart sensor interface in portable instrumentation, reading multiple analog channels via the 8-bit ADC and reporting results through the SSP (SPI/I2C) port. The 128-byte RAM is sufficient to buffer samples, average readings, and apply simple linearization before transmission to a host display or data logger. The wide 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply range supports battery-powered handheld meters where VDD decays over the discharge cycle. The PIC16C64A's low-power CMOS design keeps active current below 2 mA at 4 MHz, extending battery life in field measurement tools. The PIC16C64A-04/PT also supports an LP oscillator mode for low-frequency crystal operation in noise-sensitive analog front-ends.
Recommended
Embedded Legacy Industrial Module
The PIC16C64A-04/PT is the canonical upgrade target for legacy PIC16C6x-based modules in industrial automation, where designers must maintain pin and code compatibility. Its 8-bit PIC RISC core preserves instruction-set behavior with earlier PIC16C parts, allowing migration of existing firmware with minimal rewrite. The TQFP-44 footprint matches that of the PIC16C65B family, simplifying PCB drop-in for lifecycle extensions. The 33 I/O pins and integrated peripherals (ADC, timers, SSP, parallel slave port) support the same sensor, actuator, and communication wiring as the original design. For modules that must remain in service for years, the PIC16C64A-04/PT remains a viable Microchip NRND option while PIC16C65B-04/PT serves as the forward-compatible replacement.
Recommended
User Interface Controller
The PIC16C64A-04/PT acts as a user interface controller in compact products where it scans keypads, drives character LCDs, and handles LED feedback. Its 33 I/O pins support a 4x4 matrix keypad, an HD44780-compatible LCD interface via 6 to 10 PORT pins, and several status LEDs. The Timer0/Timer1/Timer2 trio handles debounce timing, LCD enable pulse generation, and PWM LED dimming. The SSP (SPI/I2C) port offloads menu data to a host CPU or EEPROM, keeping the PIC16C64A focused on real-time user input. OTP programming locks the firmware to the product variant, which suits high-volume consumer products where firmware customization is undesirable.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C64A-04/PT β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C64A-04I/PT | PIC16C64A-04E/PT | PIC16C64A-20/PT | PIC16C65B-04/PT | PIC16C65B-20/PT | PIC16C65A-04/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TQFP-44 | TQFP-44 (same) | TQFP-44 (same) | TQFP-44 (same) | TQFP-44 (same) | TQFP-44 (same) | TQFP-44 (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Frequency (max) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 3.5 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP (larger) | 7 KB OTP (larger) | 7 KB OTP (larger) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 192 bytes (larger) | 192 bytes (larger) | 192 bytes (larger) |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active (recommended) | Active (recommended) | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Officially recommended Microchip successor with same footprint (vs PIC16C65B-04/PT)
- Higher CPU clock option in same package (vs PIC16C64A-20/PT)
- Industrial and extended temperature options (vs PIC16C64A-04I/PT and PIC16C64A-04E/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD/VSS pairs with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of each VDD pin (the PIC16C64A-04/PT TQFP-44 has four VDD and four VSS pins, each requiring local decoupling). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the package to support transient current peaks when the ADC switches or PORTB drives high. For battery-powered designs, drive MCLR through a 10 kohm pull-up to avoid spurious resets and configure the brown-out detect (or external supervisor) to prevent code execution below the minimum VDD.
Because the PIC16C64A-04/PT is OTP, firmware bugs cannot be field-patched; build a thorough validation harness before programming production parts. Verify the oscillator mode (RC/XT/HS/LP) matches the external resonator or crystal load capacitance; an HS crystal at 4 MHz will not start if load caps are sized for XT. Confirm ICSP pins RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) are accessible on the PCB for programming, since OTP parts must be programmed before final conformal coating or potting.
Route the parallel slave port (PORTD and PORTE control lines) with matched trace lengths if the bus runs above 4 MHz to avoid skew between CS, RD, WR, and data lines. Place the crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 and guard the oscillator traces with a ground ring to minimize EMI coupling. Keep ADC analog traces (AN0 to AN7) away from digital switching lines, and provide a separate AGND island tied to VSS at a single location if ADC accuracy matters.
Compliance Information
Lead-free TQFP-44 package is RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable for general industrial/consumer PIC16C family parts. Operating temperature grade depends on the suffix variant (commercial on -04/PT, industrial on -04I/PT, extended on -04E/PT).
