PIC16LC773-I/SO Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The PIC16LC773-I/SO is an 8-bit microcontroller from Microchip Technology's PIC® 16C series, designed for embedded applications requiring low-power operation across a 2.5V to 5.5V supply range. This device features 7KB of OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory, 256 bytes of RAM, and integrated peripherals including PWM, watchdog timer, and brown-out detection. The part is currently in active production status with 2456 units available in stock.

Substitute parts are identified when design requirements shift toward higher performance specifications, increased memory capacity, or when OTP memory limitations necessitate reprogrammable FLASH alternatives.

Substiute Parts

PIC16LC773-I/SO

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2521PIC16LC773-I/SO Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

PIC18F2423-I/SO

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2068PIC18F2423-I/SO Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the PIC16LC773-I/SO is determined by the following criteria:

Package Compatibility: The substitute part must use the 28-SOIC surface-mount package to ensure mechanical and electrical compatibility with existing PCB layouts.

Core Architecture: Both the main part and substitute must be 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology to maintain instruction set compatibility and peripheral integration patterns.

Supply Voltage Range: The substitute must operate within or encompass the 2.5V to 5.5V range of the original part. Substitutes with narrower voltage ranges (such as 4.2V minimum) represent a constraint that requires circuit-level verification.

Memory Type Transition: The PIC16LC773-I/SO uses OTP memory, which is non-reprogrammable. Substitutes using FLASH memory technology enable field reprogramming and design iteration, making them suitable for development and production scenarios where code updates are necessary.

Peripheral Set: The substitute must include the core peripherals present in the original part: I2C, SPI, UART/USART connectivity, PWM, watchdog timer, and brown-out detection.

Compliance & Certifications: Both parts must maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status to meet regulatory requirements for the target market.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

PIC18F2423-I/SO as a Direct Substitute:

The PIC18F2423-I/SO qualifies as a substitute for the PIC16LC773-I/SO based on the following engineering criteria:

Both parts maintain identical operating temperature ranges (-40°C to 85°C) and identical moisture sensitivity levels (MSL 1), ensuring equivalent reliability in storage and field deployment.

Both parts are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, meeting regulatory requirements for the same market segments and applications.

The 28-SOIC package is identical, enabling direct PCB layout compatibility without redesign.

The PIC18F2423-I/SO provides enhanced specifications across multiple dimensions: 40MHz operation versus 20MHz, 16KB FLASH memory versus 7KB OTP, 768 bytes of RAM versus 256 bytes, and 25 I/O pins versus 22. These improvements support more complex application logic and faster processing without introducing incompatibility.

Voltage Supply Consideration:

The PIC18F2423-I/SO specifies a minimum supply voltage of 4.2V, compared to 2.5V for the PIC16LC773-I/SO. Applications requiring operation below 4.2V must retain the original part or verify that circuit design accommodates the higher minimum voltage threshold.

Memory Technology Transition:

The shift from OTP to FLASH memory in the substitute part enables field reprogramming, supporting development cycles, firmware updates, and production flexibility that OTP technology does not provide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the PIC18F2423-I/SO be used as a direct replacement in existing PIC16LC773-I/SO designs?

A: The PIC18F2423-I/SO is mechanically compatible (identical 28-SOIC package) and functionally compatible (8-bit PIC architecture, same peripheral set). However, the minimum supply voltage increases from 2.5V to 4.2V. Designs operating below 4.2V require the original part. Designs operating at 4.2V or higher can transition to the substitute without PCB modifications.

Q: What are the key advantages of substituting to the PIC18F2423-I/SO?

A: The substitute provides doubled program memory (16KB FLASH versus 7KB OTP), tripled RAM (768 bytes versus 256 bytes), doubled processing speed (40MHz versus 20MHz), three additional I/O pins (25 versus 22), and reprogrammable FLASH memory instead of one-time programmable OTP. These enhancements support more sophisticated firmware implementations and design iteration.

Q: Does the PIC18F2423-I/SO require external oscillator components?

A: No. The PIC18F2423-I/SO includes an internal oscillator, whereas the PIC16LC773-I/SO requires an external oscillator. This reduces component count and PCB area in designs using the substitute part.

Q: Are both parts available in the same packaging options?

A: Both parts are supplied in 28-SOIC surface-mount packages with identical physical dimensions (0.295" × 7.50mm width). No packaging variants are required for substitution.

Q: What compliance certifications apply to both parts?

A: Both the PIC16LC773-I/SO and PIC18F2423-I/SO are ROHS3 compliant, REACH unaffected, and carry MSL 1 (unlimited moisture sensitivity level) ratings. Both are suitable for the same regulatory environments and applications.