PIC16CR73T-I/SS - 8-Bit CMOS ROM MCU, 7KB, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16CR73T-I/SS β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.65 | $46.50 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.05 | $3,050.00 |
PIC16CR73T-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (ROM/RAM), and peripherals on one die. Within the taxonomy, an 8-bit MCU sits below 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs in computational throughput, but above simple logic controllers in flexibility. The PIC16CR73T is a member of Microchip's mid-range PIC16 family, which uses a 14-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. The 'CR' suffix denotes a ROM-based variant (factory-programmed, not field-reprogrammable), and the '73' designation places it in the PIC16C7x sub-family that adds a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter and enhanced peripherals.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16CR73T-I/SS include 7KB of one-time-programmable (mask ROM) program memory, 192 bytes of data RAM, 22 I/O pins capable of driving LED loads directly, three timer modules (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a 10-bit multi-channel ADC with up to 8 input channels, a USART for serial communication, an MSSP module supporting both SPI and I2C protocols, and dual capture/compare/PWM modules for motor and signal control. The device operates across an industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C and supports DC supply voltages of 2.5V to 6.0V.
Architecturally, the PIC16CR73T employs Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with a 14-bit instruction set, hardware stack, and instruction pipelining that allows most instructions to execute in a single 200ns instruction cycle at 20MHz oscillator. The Harvard architecture separates program and data memory spaces, eliminating bus contention and improving throughput compared to von Neumann designs. Power management features include Sleep mode with wake-up on interrupt, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation, and selectable oscillator options including RC, XT, HS, and LP modes.
Typical applications for the PIC16CR73T-I/SS include industrial automation controllers, HVAC control boards, automotive body electronics, appliance control panels, sensor signal conditioning, motor control for small DC and stepper motors, and battery-powered instrumentation. The PIC16CR7x family was historically popular in 1990s-2000s designs but has since been largely superseded by flash-based mid-range PIC16F7x and PIC18 devices for new designs.
When designing with this device, note that the 'CR' suffix indicates ROM-only program memory - firmware must be committed during manufacturing (mask ROM), which requires high-volume production to be cost-effective. For prototypes and low-volume designs, the flash-based PIC16F73-I/SS is the pin-compatible drop-in alternative.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16CR73T-I/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 PIC16CR73T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Timers, Operating Temperature Range, ADC, Capture/Compare/PWM.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F73-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873A-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-04/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16CR73-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$4.7 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16CR73T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC mid-range (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory Type | Mask ROM (factory programmed) |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (ROM-based part) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 2 CCP modules |
| Serial Communication | USART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (at 20 MHz) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package Type | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16CR73T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 β PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 β PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 β PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF- β PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI β PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS/LVDIN β PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SSP slave select / low-voltage detect input |
| Pin 7 | AVDD β Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | AVSS β Analog ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI β PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 β PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 β PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL β PORTC bit 3 / SSP SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA β PORTC bit 4 / SSP SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO β PORTC bit 5 / SSP SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK β PORTC bit 6 / USART async transmit / USART sync clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT β PORTC bit 7 / USART async receive / USART sync data |
| Pin 19 | RB0/INT β PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 20 | RB1 β PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RB2 β PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RB3/PGM β PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming input |
| Pin 23 | RB4 β PORTB bit 4 / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 24 | RB5 β PORTB bit 5 / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB6/PGC β PORTB bit 6 / Interrupt-on-change / ICSP clock |
| Pin 26 | RB7/PGD β PORTB bit 7 / Interrupt-on-change / ICSP data |
| Pin 27 | VSS β Digital ground |
| Pin 28 | VDD β Digital supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16CR73T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, HVAC Control Boards, Appliance Control Panels, Automotive Body Electronics, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Sensor Signal Conditioning Hubs.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS fits industrial control applications thanks to its 22 I/O pins, hardware USART for RS-485 communication, and integrated 10-bit ADC for sensor signal acquisition. With 7KB of mask ROM and 192 bytes of RAM, it can host ladder-logic-style control programs while monitoring analog process variables such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate via the 5-channel front-end ADC. The 20 MHz oscillator and 200 ns instruction cycle deliver deterministic interrupt response within tens of microseconds, suitable for PID control loops at typical industrial sampling rates of 100 Hz to 1 kHz. Compared with discrete logic controllers, this MCU integrates timing, communication, and analog functions in a single 28-SSOP device, reducing board area and BOM cost. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and 2.5V-6.0V supply range allow deployment in factory-floor cabinets with unregulated 5V or 24V-derived rails.
Recommended
HVAC Control Boards
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS is well suited for HVAC thermostats and blower controllers because of its dual CCP modules (for PWM fan/valve control), 10-bit ADC (for NTC thermistor temperature sensing), and integrated MSSP for I2C communication with peripheral sensors or display drivers. At 20 MHz, the mid-range core can multiplex multiple temperature zones, run PI control loops for damper actuators, and refresh character LCDs while handling keypad input via PORTB interrupts. The wide 2.5V-6.0V supply tolerance supports direct operation from rectified 5V or battery-backup rails without a separate LDO. With 22 I/O pins, the MCU can drive triac interfaces, opto-isolated relays, and LED status indicators from a single device. The 192-byte RAM is sufficient for control variables, setpoints, and a small state machine, while 7KB of ROM holds lookup tables for nonlinear thermistor linearization and hysteresis compensation routines.
Recommended
Appliance Control Panels
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS serves as the main controller in washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and similar home appliances where its 22 I/O lines can scan matrix keypads, drive 7-segment or LCD displays, and switch power loads via triacs or relays. The PIC16CR73's hardware USART enables diagnostic interfaces for factory test or field service, while the MSSP module interfaces with digital potentiometers and EEPROM for storing user settings. With the 10-bit ADC, the MCU reads water-level sensors, motor current shunts, and temperature probes without external signal conditioning. The 200 ns instruction cycle provides fast scan rates for keypads and accurate timing for motor acceleration ramps. The industrial temperature range ensures reliable operation in appliance enclosures that may reach 60-70C ambient. ROM-based variants like the PIC16CR73 are cost-effective for high-volume appliance production.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16CR73T-I/SS has been used historically in non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror position adjusters, and seat control modules. Its 22 I/O pins can drive multiple LED channels via PWM (using the 2 CCP modules) for ambient lighting effects, read switch inputs for door/trunk status, and communicate via LIN or proprietary protocols through the USART with an external transceiver. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range covers cabin environments, and the 2.5V-6.0V supply range handles 12V battery transients when paired with a voltage regulator. The hardware CCP module simplifies PWM generation for mirror actuators and small DC motor speed control. For new automotive designs, Microchip recommends AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants or dsPIC33 parts instead.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS is appropriate for portable measurement instruments where its low-power Sleep mode (with wake-up on interrupt) and LP oscillator option minimize battery drain. With the LP oscillator at 32.768 kHz, the MCU consumes microamps while still able to wake periodically to take measurements from the 10-bit ADC and update displays. The PIC16CR73's 22 I/O pins support LCD multiplexing, button inputs, and serial data logging to external memory. The wide 2.5V-6.0V supply range allows direct operation from 3V lithium or 4.5V alkaline battery packs. The integrated watchdog timer with dedicated RC oscillator ensures reliable recovery from software faults in unattended field deployments. While the PIC16CR73 is ROM-based, its low per-unit cost at volume makes it attractive for high-volume disposable or semi-disposable instruments.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Hubs
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS acts as a sensor hub that aggregates multiple analog and digital sensor inputs and forwards processed data via USART, SPI, or I2C to a host processor or gateway. The 10-bit ADC can read up to 5 analog channels directly from PORTA, while the MSSP interfaces with digital sensors that use I2C or SPI protocols. The PIC16CR73's 192-byte RAM holds sensor calibration coefficients and recent sample history for simple digital filtering (moving average or median filter). With 7KB of ROM, the MCU can run polynomial compensation routines for nonlinear sensors (thermistors, bridge-type pressure sensors) and compute engineering units before transmission. The 22 I/O pins support digital inputs from switches and outputs to status LEDs or alarm buzzers. Industrial temperature range and robust ESD performance make this MCU suitable for factory sensor nodes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16CR73T-I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F73-I/SS | PIC16F873A-I/SS | PIC16C73B-04/SS | PIC16CR73-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | SOIC-28 (different footprint) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB mask ROM | 7 KB flash | 7 KB flash | 4 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB mask ROM |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Max Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V (wider range) | 2.0 V to 6.0 V (wider range) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | Active (recommended for new designs) | Active | Obsolete | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Mask ROM at lowest per-unit cost for high-volume production (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
- Drop-in pin-compatible with flash-based PIC16F73 (vs PIC16F73-I/SS)
- 22 I/O with high-current drive (25 mA per pin) (vs PIC16C73B-04/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16CR73T-I/SS operates from 2.5V to 6.0V and requires a decoupling network of 100nF ceramic plus 10uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic bulk capacitor close to the VDD pin. Place the 100nF cap within 5 mm of the IC pin with short traces to minimize switching noise. AVDD and VDD should be tied together at the MCU, with separate analog and digital ground planes joined at a single point near the MCU to avoid ground loops that couple ADC switching noise into analog inputs.
Do not confuse the PIC16CR73 (mask ROM, factory programmed) with the PIC16C73 (OTP EPROM, field programmable via programmer) - both share the 28-SSOP pinout but require different programming flows. For prototypes, use the PIC16F73-I/SS which is flash-based and supports ICSP (in-circuit serial programming). The MCLR pin must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; a 100 nF cap to VDD adds optional hardware reset filtering. Brown-out reset should be enabled in configuration bits to recover from power glitches.
When using the ADC, route analog signals on PORTA on a separate analog ground plane and avoid running digital signals parallel to analog traces to prevent capacitive coupling. Keep the oscillator traces short (under 10 mm) and surround them with a ground guard ring. For high-speed SPI or USART traces, use series termination resistors near the driver and keep traces matched in length for clean edges at 20 MHz. Place the ICSP connector (PGC/PGD on RB6/RB7) on a 6-pin header for in-circuit debugging during development.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free finish (matte tin). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - use AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants (e.g. PIC16F1937-I/SS) for automotive designs. NRND status indicates this part is not recommended for new designs; production may continue for existing customers.
