PIC12C508/JW - 8-Bit EPROM MCU 4MHz 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC12C508/JW ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.2 | $8.20 |
| 10 | $7.55 | $75.50 |
| 100 | $6.8 | $680.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
PIC12C508/JW Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip integrating an 8-bit CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripheral interfaces on a single die. The PIC12C5XX family uses a RISC architecture with only 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions, making the device classifiable within the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor. The JW windowed package variant specifically targets prototyping, development, and field-reprogrammable applications where firmware iteration is required, unlike the OTP (one-time-programmable) plastic PDIP versions intended for production.
Key features include 6 I/O pins with individual direction control, Power-On Reset (POR), Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator, code protection, and power-saving SLEEP mode. The PIC12C508/JW's EPROM-based memory enables hundreds of erase/write cycles, distinguishing it from flash-based successors in the PIC12F and PIC16F families. The 4 MHz internal/external oscillator capability and DC to 4 MHz operating speed suit slow-control and timing-deterministic applications.
Architecturally, the PIC12C508/JW employs a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 12-bit instruction word, and 7 special function registers controlling the 25 general purpose registers. This minimal core delivers predictable 1-microsecond per-instruction execution at 4 MHz, ideal for interrupt-driven and state-machine designs where determinism outweighs raw throughput.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, appliance control, low-power remote sensors, security systems, and consumer electronics where a small pin-count, deterministic 8-bit core reduces BOM cost and PCB area. The JW windowed ceramic DIP is favored for engineering builds and educational platforms.
When designing with this device, note that the 8-CDIP windowed package is significantly larger than modern SOT or DFN microcontrollers. Confirm your firmware development tools (e.g., MPLAB X IDE) support legacy EPROM parts, and budget for a UV eraser if iterative code development is planned.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, application guidance, and engineering design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet front-matter - information specifically curated for component selection and sourcing decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12C508/JW — 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/JW (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12C508A/JW
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508-04/JWG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C508A/JW
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518/JW
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C509/JW
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508T-04/JW
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C508/JW Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (UV-erasable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) |
| RAM | 25 x 8 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 1 microsecond |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Package Type | 8-CDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) Window |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C |
PIC12C508/JW Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O pin / Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O pin / Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (1/4 fosc) |
| Pin 3 | GP3/MCLR/Vpp — Bidirectional I/O pin / Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 4 | GP2/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O pin / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 5 | GP1 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | GP0 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12C508/JW is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Appliance Control, Low-Power Remote Sensors, Security and Alarm Systems, Consumer Electronics Toy Controllers, Industrial Control Logic Replacement.
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC12C508/JW fits automotive body controller applications via its qualified supply voltage range (2.5V-5.5V) supporting 12V automotive rails with regulator headroom, plus its 6 I/O pins sufficient for driving relays, lamps, and switch inputs. The PIC12C5XX family is qualified per Microchip automotive documentation for body electronics including mirror control, lighting, and accessory switching. Its 1-microsecond deterministic instruction execution at 4 MHz suits real-time control loops for window lifters and door locks. The 25-byte RAM and 768-byte EPROM hold small state-machine firmware typical of body controller nodes. For volume automotive builds, however, select AEC-Q100-qualified OTP variants (PIC12C508A-I/P automotive grade) rather than the JW windowed development SKU.
Recommended
Appliance Control
The PIC12C508/JW serves appliance control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) where its 6 I/O pins drive relays, triacs, LEDs, and read keypad/encoder inputs. The 25-byte RAM and 768-byte EPROM hold compact state-machine firmware managing wash cycles, temperature ramps, and user interface states. The 4 MHz clock and 1-microsecond instruction execution deliver deterministic timing for motor control loops. The 2.5V-5.5V supply range simplifies 5V regulator integration directly from rectified mains. The wide operating temperature range (-40C to +85C) handles appliance environment thermal stress. For production builds migrate to PIC12C508-04/P (OTP plastic DIP); the JW variant is best for firmware development and pre-production validation.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Sensors
The PIC12C508/JW fits battery-powered remote sensor nodes where its 8-bit RISC core, 1-microsecond instruction execution, and SLEEP mode with Watchdog Timer wakeup minimize quiescent current. Six I/O pins interface to low-power sensors (temperature, humidity, contact closure) and transmit via UART or simple GPIO bit-banging. The 2.5V minimum supply voltage supports two AA alkaline cells or single Li-ion with boost regulator. The 768-byte EPROM holds sensor calibration tables and protocol stacks for short-range telemetry. The 25-byte RAM is sufficient for sampled-data buffering. For volume IoT sensor production migrate to PIC12F508 (flash-based) for ICSP field updates; the JW windowed variant is ideal for prototype firmware iteration on the bench.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Systems
The PIC12C508/JW fits entry-level security panels, PIR motion detectors, and door/window sensor transmitters where its 6 I/O pins read zones, drive piezo buzzers, and toggle status LEDs. The Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator prevents firmware lockup in unattended deployments. Power-On Reset ensures clean state at battery insertion. The 1-microsecond deterministic instruction execution suits timing-critical alarm-loop debounce and tamper detection routines. The 768-byte EPROM holds compact alarm-state firmware; the 25-byte RAM handles concurrent zone monitoring. Wide supply range (2.5V-5.5V) supports battery backup with simple LDO regulator.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Toy Controllers
The PIC12C508/JW fits cost-sensitive consumer toy and hobby controllers where its 6 I/O pins drive LEDs, motors, speakers, and read buttons/switches. The 768-byte EPROM holds behavior-tree firmware for toy interactions; the 25-byte RAM supports real-time event sequencing. The 4 MHz core runs simple sound effects, LED patterns, and motor PWM via software. The 2.5V-5.5V supply range supports 3V coin-cell or 4.5V battery packs. The Windowed JW package is preferred for engineering samples during toy development cycles where firmware is iterated rapidly under UV-erase.
Recommended
Industrial Control Logic Replacement
The PIC12C508/JW replaces legacy discrete logic in industrial control boards where a programmable state machine simplifies BOM and adds flexibility. Its 6 I/O pins interface to 24V industrial signals via opto-isolators, and the 1-microsecond instruction execution handles encoder counting and pulse-width measurement. The wide supply range (2.5V-5.5V) tolerates industrial rail transients when paired with a TVS-protected regulator. The PIC12C5XX family industrial-grade silicon supports -40C to +85C operating temperature. The Watchdog Timer mitigates firmware lockup in unattended factory-floor deployments. For production industrial builds select the PIC12C508A-I/P industrial grade variant; the JW windowed SKU is for engineering development.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12C508/JW — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12C508A/JW | PIC12C508-04/JWG | PIC12CE518/JW | PIC12C509/JW | PIC12C508T-04/JW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-CDIP Window (0.300 inch) | 8-CDIP Window - same | 8-CDIP Window - same | 8-CDIP Window - same | 8-CDIP Window - same | 8-CDIP Window - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 768 B EPROM (512 x 12) | 768 B EPROM | 768 B EPROM | 768 B EPROM + 16 B EEPROM | 1.5 KB EPROM (1024 x 12) | 768 B EPROM |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B + 16 B EEPROM | 41 B | 25 B |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Memory Type | UV EPROM (windowed) | UV EPROM (windowed) | UV EPROM (windowed) | UV EPROM (windowed) + 16B EEPROM | UV EPROM (windowed) | UV EPROM (windowed) |
| Core | PIC RISC 8-bit | PIC RISC 8-bit | PIC RISC 8-bit | PIC RISC 8-bit | PIC RISC 8-bit | PIC RISC 8-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Windowed ceramic DIP supports hundreds of UV-erase/reprogram cycles (vs PIC12C508-04/P (OTP variant))
- Updated silicon revision with improved characteristics (vs PIC12C508/JW vs PIC12C508A/JW)
- Same pinout, 2x program memory for firmware headroom (vs PIC12C508/JW vs PIC12C509/JW)
Design Notes
The PIC12C508/JW (JW suffix) is a windowed ceramic DIP intended for development - it is NOT ICSP (in-system programmable). For production firmware burn-in, migrate to the OTP variant (PIC12C508-04/P). UV-erase cycles require ~20 minutes of UV-C exposure at 12,000 uW/cm2; budget erase time during firmware iteration. Failure to mask the windowed package from ambient UV/visible light can cause slow memory corruption in deployed prototypes - use opaque tape when bench-testing.
The 8-CDIP through-hole package requires a 7.62 mm (0.300 inch) row pitch - larger than modern SMD footprints. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 8) with a short ground return to VSS (pin 7). Add a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR (pin 3) for normal operation; tie directly to VDD only if reset is not required. For oscillator stability, place the crystal (or resonator) within 10 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 1 and 2) and guard the traces with a ground pour.
Estimated: At 4 MHz clock, 5V supply, and active mode with all 6 I/O pins toggling, the PIC12C508/JW typical supply current is approximately 2 mA. In SLEEP mode, the WDT-disabled current drops below 1 uA per Microchip PIC12C5XX datasheet (Document 40139E). For battery-powered designs, leverage SLEEP mode between sensor reads and use the WDT to wake the MCU at fixed intervals - SLEEP + WDT wake duty cycling yields years of battery life on a 3V coin cell.
Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetrical to minimize clock skew and EMI. Avoid routing high-current switching signals (relay drives, PWM outputs) parallel to the oscillator traces. Place the ICSP/programming connector footprint (Vpp, ICSPCLK, ICSPDAT) accessible even in production PCBs to enable field firmware updates via Microchip ICD or PICkit programmers.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance not explicitly stated in the verified web data for the JW windowed ceramic DIP variant. Windowed ceramic packages are often exempt from RoHS due to the hermetic ceramic body; consult Microchip product environmental compliance documentation. AEC-Q100 status not applicable to the JW development SKU; PIC12C508A automotive grade variants are qualified separately.
