PIC12C508-04I/P - 8-bit OTP MCU 4MHz 768B | Microchip PDIP-8
MPN: PIC12C508-04I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC12C508-04I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that contains a CPU, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and peripheral I/O. The PIC12C508 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller category, which is a sub-class of embedded processors within the broader semiconductor taxonomy: 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. RISC-based 8-bit MCUs like the PIC12 family remain widely deployed in cost- and pin-constrained applications.
Key features include 33 single-word/single-cycle RISC instructions, a 4 MHz internal oscillator option, an 8-bit timer/counter, a watchdog timer, power-on reset, and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) capability. The device operates from 2.5V to 5.5V across the industrial temperature range and offers low-power consumption suitable for battery-operated designs. The 4 MHz speed grade supports 1 us instruction execution.
Architecturally, the PIC12C508 uses a Harvard-style RISC core with separate code and data buses, providing deterministic single-cycle instruction execution. The OTP program memory (one-time programmable) means code is permanently written at production time, which is typical for high-volume cost-sensitive products.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, sensor signal conditioning, simple motor control, automotive subsystems, LED driver controllers, and battery chargers. The 6 I/O pins, while limited, are sufficient for applications with minimal external interfaces.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed, so code must be fully verified before programming. Designers should also use ICSP for development and production programming to avoid socketed programming complexity.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with the information needed to specify, source, and integrate the PIC12C508-04I/P in volume production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12C508-04I/P — 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 PIC12C508-04I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Timers, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12C508-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508A-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508-04E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F508-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508-04I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 1 us at 4 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | None |
| Number of Instructions | 33 (single-word, single-cycle) |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit timer/counter |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-PDIP (8-pin PDIP, 0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| Oscillator Type | External/Internal RC |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12C508-04I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — General-purpose I/O / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — General-purpose I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 3 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — General-purpose input / master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | GP2/T0CKI — General-purpose I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 5 | GP1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | GP0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC12C508-04I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics Subsystems, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Simple LED Lighting Controllers, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Remote Control and IR Transmitter Devices.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC12C508-04I/P is well-suited for consumer appliance control boards such as coffee makers, toasters, washing machine sub-systems, and microwave oven user interfaces. Its 6 I/O pins can drive 7-segment displays, LED indicators, and keypad scanning matrices, while the 4 MHz core and 1 us instruction cycle handle button debouncing, timing sequences, and relay control. The industrial -40C to +85C rating ensures reliable operation in enclosed appliance environments where ambient temperatures may rise significantly. The OTP memory suits high-volume consumer products where firmware is finalized at production. The 768-byte program memory and 33-instruction RISC architecture allow compact C or assembly implementations of state-machine-based control logic.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Subsystems
The PIC12C508-04I/P's industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) and PDIP-8 robustness make it a candidate for non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, seat position memory, and simple sensor interfaces. The 6 I/O pins can read switch inputs and drive low-side MOSFETs for lamp control. The watchdog timer and power-on reset enhance reliability in noisy automotive electrical environments. For safety-critical automotive applications, AEC-Q100 qualified parts like the PIC12F615 should be specified instead. The OTP program memory prevents accidental firmware corruption in the field. The 25-byte RAM supports modest state variables for lamp dimming or sensor calibration.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC12C508-04I/P's low operating voltage (down to 2.5V) and Sleep mode make it viable for battery-powered sensor nodes that periodically wake to measure and transmit. The 4 MHz internal RC oscillator eliminates external crystal cost and power drain. The 25-byte RAM is sufficient for buffering 1-2 sensor readings between transmissions. The 6 I/O pins support an SPI or I2C sensor interface plus a wake-up interrupt source. With a CR2032 lithium coin cell, the MCU can sustain years of operation at duty cycles below 0.1 percent. The OTP memory is appropriate for nodes with fixed measurement and reporting algorithms.
Recommended
Simple LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC12C508-04I/P can drive multi-channel LED arrays for decorative lighting, accent lighting, and RGB color cycling applications. Its 6 I/O pins can PWM-drive up to 6 LED channels via the 8-bit timer/counter, or fewer channels with software PWM. The 4 MHz core and 1 us instruction cycle enable smooth color transitions and dimming. The OTP memory suits fixed-pattern lighting products. The industrial temperature range accommodates enclosed luminaire environments. For DMX512 or DALI controlled professional lighting, an external communication interface is required. For battery-powered portable LED applications, the low-voltage operation (2.5V min) supports 2xAA battery packs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12C508-04I/P can perform local signal conditioning in industrial sensor modules, converting analog sensor outputs to digital protocols. The 6 I/O pins can interface to resistive bridges via ratiometric measurement, then output UART or one-wire digital signals. The watchdog timer and brown-out reset (on select variants) ensure reliable operation in electrically noisy industrial environments. The 25-byte RAM supports calibration constants and recent measurement history. For 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters, the low 2.5V minimum supply enables operation from minimal loop voltage. The PDIP-8 package simplifies through-hole assembly for industrial DIN-rail modules.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR Transmitter Devices
The PIC12C508-04I/P's small pin count and low cost suit simple IR remote control transmitters, where the 6 I/O pins can scan 16-key keypads and drive an IR LED via the 8-bit timer PWM. The 4 MHz core and 1 us instruction cycle generate standard 38 kHz / 40 kHz / 56 kHz carrier frequencies accurately via software or hardware PWM. The OTP memory locks the IR protocol, key code, and pairing information at production. Battery life of years is achievable with a CR2032 and Sleep mode between button presses. The 25-byte RAM is sufficient for multi-protocol remotes with toggle/hold states.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12C508-04I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12C508-04/P | PIC12C508A-04/P | PIC12F508-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP | 1024 words OTP (2x larger) | 512 words Flash (reprogrammable) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade as standard for the I-suffix variant (vs PIC12C508-04/P)
- Upgrading path to Flash memory without PCB redesign (vs PIC12C508A-04/P)
- PIC RISC 8-bit architecture with deterministic single-cycle instruction execution (vs PIC12C508A-04/P)
Design Notes
The PIC12C508-04I/P has OTP (one-time programmable) program memory that cannot be erased or rewritten. This means any bug discovered in production firmware requires scrapping the parts. For development and prototyping, use the PIC12F508-I/P which has Flash memory and is pin-compatible in PDIP-8, or use a socketed ICD (in-circuit debugger) part. The MCLR/GP3 pin (pin 3) is input-only and cannot be used as a digital output, which is a frequent source of pinout confusion for engineers accustomed to other PIC families. The GP3/MCLR/VPP pin must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, and is driven high during ICSP programming.
Estimated: At VDD = 5V, 4 MHz, and typical code with the internal RC oscillator, the PIC12C508-04I/P draws approximately 1-2 mA active current. In Sleep mode, current drops to microampere levels. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 8), with a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the board input. For battery-powered designs, leverage the Sleep mode aggressively: use the watchdog timer or an external interrupt to wake the MCU only when needed. The wide 2.5V to 5.5V supply range supports both 3.3V and 5V system designs without a separate voltage regulator.
The 8-pin PDIP package has a 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) pin pitch, which is breadboard-friendly and easy to hand-solder. For new surface-mount designs, consider the PIC12F508-I/SN (SOIC-8) or PIC12F508-I/MC (DFN-8) variants which are pin-compatible in firmware. When designing the PCB, leave a 2-3 mm copper pour around the package to act as a thermal and ground reference. The ICSP programming header should include PGD, PGC, VPP, VDD, and VSS pins, with 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR to enable production programming without removing the part from the board.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; not recommended for safety-critical automotive applications without additional qualification.
