PIC16C74A-04/PQ - 8-Bit CMOS MCU 7KB OTP 44-MQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74A-04/PQ ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.17 | $9.17 |
| 10 | $8.25 | $82.50 |
| 100 | $7.34 | $734.00 |
| 500 | $6.55 | $3,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.8 | $5,800.00 |
PIC16C74A-04/PQ Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computing device built around an 8-bit data path CPU, integrated program memory, data RAM, and peripheral interfaces such as timers, communication ports, and ADCs. Microcontrollers belong to the broader semiconductor integrated-circuit family and sit within the embedded-systems hierarchy: MCU -> microprocessor -> computing SoC. The PIC16CXX mid-range family introduced by Microchip popularized the Harvard RISC architecture, separate program and data buses, and OTP/EPROM program memory, which became foundational for low-cost industrial and consumer embedded designs.
Key features include 33 digital I/O pins, high sink/source current of 25/25 mA per pin suitable for direct LED or relay drive, low-power operation drawing approximately 15 uA typical at 5V/4 MHz and 1 uA typical standby at 3V/32 kHz, two 8-bit and one 16-bit timer/counter modules, a USART for serial communication, and a synchronous serial port (SSP) supporting SPI and I2C master/slave modes. The integrated ADC provides up to 8 input channels with 8-bit resolution, allowing direct interface with analog sensors without external conversion hardware.
The PIC16C74A uses a 14-bit instruction word RISC engine executing most instructions in a single 200 ns cycle at 4 MHz, plus a 35-instruction set designed for compact C and assembly code generation. On-chip peripherals include a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, a brown-out reset circuit, and a programmable code-protection scheme, enabling robust single-chip embedded control without external supervisor ICs.
Typical applications include industrial process control and sensor interfacing, automotive body and chassis subsystems (non-safety), consumer appliance control, motor control, instrument panels, and embedded data-acquisition front ends. The wide operating voltage range and high-current I/O make it especially suitable for directly driving relays, solenoids, and LED arrays in industrial environments.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory can be programmed only once, so the production firmware must be fully verified before device programming. Designers transitioning to flash-based parts should consider the recommended Microchip successor PIC16F74 or PIC16F877A, which offer reprogrammability, lower power, and wider tool-chain support. The 44-MQFP (PQ) footprint requires adequate PCB area and standard QFP soldering techniques.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from Microchip datasheet DS30390E that are not consolidated on a single manufacturer page, helping procurement and design engineers make informed selection decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74A-04/PQ — 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 PIC16C74A-04/PQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Operating Temperature Range, Core Architecture, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C74A-04I/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-10/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-20/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C76-04/PQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C77-04/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74A-04/PQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | None |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Word Width | 14 bits |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 instructions |
| I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | USART + SSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA |
| Typical Active Current | 15 uA at 5 V, 4 MHz |
| Typical Standby Current | 1 uA at 3 V, 32 kHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Package | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C74A-04/PQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Read control for parallel slave port / Analog channel 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Write control for PSP / Analog channel 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Chip select for PSP / Analog channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (also ICSP clock) |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / In-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / In-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74A-04/PQ is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Control, Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body and Chassis Modules, Instrument Panel and HMI, Motor Control and PWM Drives, Data Acquisition Front Ends.
Industrial Process Control
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ suits industrial process controllers requiring direct sensor interface and robust I/O. Its 8-channel 8-bit ADC directly reads thermocouple amplifiers, pressure transducers, and 4-20 mA loop signals without external conversion ICs, while the 33 GPIO pins with 25 mA sink/source drive relay coils, solenoid valves, and indicator lamps directly. The 2.5V to 6.0V operating range tolerates unregulated 24V-to-5V industrial supplies, and the integrated brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect against brown-out-induced firmware corruption common in factory environments. According to the Microchip datasheet, the device operates across 0C to +70C commercial temperature, making it appropriate for enclosed control cabinets. For new industrial designs, designers should target the flash-based PIC16F74-I/PQ successor.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ is well matched to consumer appliance controllers such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, where it must interface with multiple sensors and actuators at low cost. The 8-bit ADC reads temperature, water level, and motor current feedback; the 33 GPIO pins drive triac optocouplers, buzzer indicators, seven-segment displays, and keypad matrices directly without external logic. The PIC16C7X RISC core executes 35 instructions in a single 200 ns cycle at 4 MHz, giving ample processing headroom for state-machine-based control loops. The wide 2.5V-6.0V supply tolerance accommodates rectified-and-regulated mains-derived rails typical in appliance designs. OTP memory locks the production firmware to prevent field tampering.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Chassis Modules
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ handles non-safety automotive body electronics such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting modules where 8-bit processing and moderate I/O are sufficient. Its 25 mA per-pin sink/source capability directly drives small incandescent bulbs, LEDs, and relays common in body electronics, while the 8-channel ADC reads switch contact positions and ambient light sensors. The integrated watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator prevents firmware lockup in the high-EMI automotive environment. Note: commercial temperature grade limits deployment to cabin-mounted modules; under-hood applications require the industrial-grade PIC16C74A-04I/PQ or AEC-Q100-qualified PIC18 alternatives. OTP memory locks production calibration.
Recommended
Instrument Panel and HMI
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ serves as the controller in instrument panels and human-machine interface (HMI) modules where it must scan keypads, drive character LCDs, and manage indicator LEDs simultaneously. The 33 GPIO pins easily handle 4x4 keypad matrices, 8-character LCD interfaces (4-bit mode), and multiplexed 7-segment displays, while the USART interfaces to a main controller or Bluetooth module for telemetry relay. The PIC16C7X RISC core at 4 MHz executes key-debounce and display-refresh routines with comfortable timing margin. The integrated SSP (SPI/I2C) port drives LED driver expanders for status indicators. For higher-resolution HMIs, designers should consider PIC18 or PIC24 successors with more RAM and code space.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drives
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ provides adequate motor-control capability for small DC brushed motors, unipolar stepper motors, and low-frequency PWM-driven actuators found in pumps, fans, and small appliances. The 16-bit timer/counter combined with the two 8-bit timers generates PWM outputs for brushed DC motor speed control, while the 8-channel ADC reads back EMF sensing or current-shunt amplifier signals for closed-loop regulation. The 25 mA per-pin output can directly drive small MOSFET gates through gate resistors or discrete driver stages. At 4 MHz, the MCU produces PWM frequencies suitable for sub-kHz switching regulators and DC motor drives; for higher-frequency three-phase motor control, consider dsPIC30 or PIC18 derivatives.
Recommended
Data Acquisition Front Ends
The PIC16C74A-04/PQ functions as a low-cost 8-channel data-acquisition front end for environmental monitoring, building automation, and laboratory instruments. Its 8-bit ADC samples at the datasheet-specified rate suitable for slow-changing signals like temperature, humidity, light, and gas-sensor outputs, with on-chip RAM buffering 192 bytes of conversion history. The USART streams logged data to a host PC or wireless modem, while the SSP port expands to external EEPROM for non-volatile storage. The 2.5V-6.0V supply tolerance accommodates battery or solar-powered remote sensor nodes. Combined with the brown-out reset and watchdog, it forms a robust unattended acquisition node; for higher-resolution designs, migrate to PIC18F or dsPIC families with 10-/12-bit ADC options.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74A-04/PQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74A-04I/PQ | PIC16C74A-10/PQ | PIC16C74A-20/PQ | PIC16F74-I/PQ | PIC16C76-04/PQ | PIC16C77-04/PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same | 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB OTP | 7 KB Flash (reprogrammable) | 14 KB OTP | 14 KB OTP |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Active long-term supply and flash memory reprogrammability (vs PIC16F74-I/PQ)
- Wider industrial temperature range for harsh-environment deployment (vs PIC16C74A-04I/PQ)
- Higher compute throughput at same footprint (vs PIC16C74A-20/PQ)
- Larger program memory within the same family and footprint (vs PIC16C77-04/PQ)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with both a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of each VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor. The PIC16C74A-04/PQ has two VDD pins (11 and 32) and two VSS pins (12 and 31), and both pairs must be connected to maintain low-inductance supply distribution. The 100 nF caps handle high-frequency switching transients while the bulk cap supplies instantaneous current during peripheral activity. Per the Microchip PIC16C7X datasheet, brown-out reset is enabled by configuration bit and should be enabled for any application with a slowly rising or potentially drooping supply to prevent code execution from corrupted memory.
Place the 4 MHz crystal or ceramic resonator within 5 mm of the OSC1 (pin 13) and OSC2 (pin 14) pins to minimize parasitic capacitance and stray EMI pickup. The 44-MQFP (PQ) 10x10 mm package has a 0.8 mm pitch and a thermal pad on the underside that should be soldered to a copper pour connected to VSS for improved thermal and electrical performance. Use guard traces around the oscillator area and keep digital signal traces (PORTD parallel slave port) at least 3 mm away to prevent injection of switching noise into the clock input. The MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; do not leave it floating.
OTP memory can be programmed only once. Verify firmware on a windowed/UV-erasable PIC16C74A or PIC16F74 equivalent during development before committing to PIC16C74A-04/PQ production units. Configuration bits CP (code protect) and WDT (watchdog timer enable) cannot be changed after programming - select them carefully. The 192-byte RAM limit constrains stack depth (8 levels hardware) and buffer-heavy applications; plan memory use before coding. Because the part is NRND, second-source qualification with PIC16F74-I/PQ is strongly recommended for new designs to avoid future supply risk. Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 7.0V or current per pin beyond 25 mA to avoid latch-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; automotive body applications should verify against customer-specific qualification requirements. Lifecycle status NRND per Microchip PIC16C74A product page recommending migration to PIC16F74.
