PIC12CE518-04E/SN - 8-bit OTP MCU, 768B EPROM, 4 MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC12CE518-04E/SN ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.96 | $19.60 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
PIC12CE518-04E/SN Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, program memory (ROM/OTP/Flash), data RAM, and peripherals such as timers, I/O ports, and serial interfaces. The PIC12CE518 belongs to Microchip's PIC® 12C family, which is a subfamily of the broader PIC microcontroller architecture. Within the embedded-system hierarchy, this MCU sits below 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers but above discrete logic ICs, offering a programmable platform for simple control, sensing, and user-interface tasks. The integrated EEPROM allows small data sets such as configuration values, calibration coefficients, or serial numbers to be retained without external memory.
Key features of the PIC12CE518-04E/SN include a RISC instruction set of only 33 single-word instructions (all single-cycle except program branches, which are two-cycle), an internal 4 MHz oscillator (-04 speed grade), 6 I/O pins with individually programmable direction, a watchdog timer for reliable operation, and an extended operating temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix). The 'CE' variant adds an on-chip 16-byte EEPROM data space accessible through dedicated SFRs.
The PIC12CE518 architecture combines Harvard bus separation (separate program and data paths) with a 12-bit-wide instruction word, enabling compact code density and predictable interrupt latency. The integrated brown-out detector and power-on reset support robust cold-start behavior. Compared with newer PIC12F devices such as the recommended PIC12F629, this part uses one-time-programmable memory rather than Flash, which makes it attractive for low-cost, high-volume, fixed-function products where code is finalized at production.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, simple sensor-interface nodes, automotive accessory modules, and industrial control subsystems where a small I/O count and minimal BOM are required. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply range simplifies integration with both 3.3 V and 5 V system rails. This part is also frequently chosen for replacement of legacy 8-pin discrete-logic boards with a programmable solution.
When designing with the PIC12CE518-04E/SN, note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit; code must be programmed before or during board assembly. Because Microchip indicates a newer device (PIC12F629) is preferred for new designs, this part is best suited to long-life-cycle products, maintenance replacements, or designs where a stable, mature toolchain is required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping sourcing engineers evaluate lifecycle risk and pin-to-pin substitutes for the PIC12CE518-04E/SN.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12CE518-04E/SN — 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 PIC12CE518-04E/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12CE518-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE519-04/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE519-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518-04E/SM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518-04E/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit OTP Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Family | PIC® 12C |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes |
| On-chip EEPROM | 16 bytes |
| Clock Input Frequency | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 µs (single-cycle instructions) |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word RISC instructions |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix, extended) |
| Package | SOIC-8 (SN, 3.90 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip) |
| Power-On Reset / Brown-Out | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Replacement Recommendation | PIC12F629 (per manufacturer product page) |
PIC12CE518-04E/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | OSC1/CLKIN — External clock input or crystal connection |
| Pin 3 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal output or instruction-cycle clock output |
| Pin 4 | GP0 — General-purpose bidirectional I/O pin 0 |
| Pin 5 | GP1 — General-purpose bidirectional I/O pin 1 |
| Pin 6 | GP2 — General-purpose bidirectional I/O pin 2 |
| Pin 7 | GP3/MCLR — General-purpose input GP3 or Master Clear (reset) when configured |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12CE518-04E/SN is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Accessory Module, Industrial Sensor Interface Node, Battery-Powered Remote Control, White Goods Timer Module, Hobbyist and Educational Platform.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC12CE518-04E/SN fits low-cost consumer appliance controllers because its 6 I/O pins comfortably drive a keypad, LED indicators, and a triac/MOSFET gate, while its 3.0-5.5 V supply range accepts both 3.3 V logic sensors and rectified 5 V rails. The 768-byte OTP holds a complete appliance state machine and timing logic, the 25-byte RAM supports a small RTOS-like main loop, and the 16-byte EEPROM retains user settings such as fan speed or timer preferences across power cycles. At 1 µs instruction cycle, the 4 MHz core executes switch-debounce, PWM, and serial protocols in real time. Engineers should note OTP precludes field firmware updates, so the firmware must be frozen at production.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory Module
The PIC12CE518-04E/SN is well suited to simple automotive accessory modules such as interior lighting controllers, HVAC flap drivers, or seat-position sensors because its -40 to +125 °C extended temperature grade covers cabin and engine-bay-adjacent environments. The on-chip brown-out reset handles crank-down to 3 V and cold-start transients on a 12 V regulated rail, while the watchdog timer recovers the MCU from ESD-induced lockups. Six I/O pins read Hall sensors, drive small relays through transistors, and bit-bang LIN or one-wire bus protocols. The 16-byte EEPROM stores per-vehicle calibration values such as seat-end-stop or trim level, and the 768-byte OTP holds the fixed accessory firmware. AEC-Q100 qualification is not present, so designers should target non-safety accessory functions.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Node
In distributed industrial sensor nodes, the PIC12CE518-04E/SN provides a programmable front end that reads analog sensors through an external ADC or simple comparator, applies linearization in firmware, and presents the result on a bit-banged UART or I²C link. The 6 I/O pins handle two analog inputs via on-chip comparators, two digital outputs, and a serial link, while the 16-byte EEPROM stores per-node calibration coefficients such as sensor offset and slope. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply range accepts 24 V industrial rails stepped down through a small LDO or shunt regulator. The extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade supports sealed factory-floor enclosures. OTP memory is acceptable because sensor calibration is locked at production.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control
The PIC12CE518-04E/SN fits battery-powered remote controls because its 3.0 V minimum supply accepts two alkaline or NiMH cells directly, and its low-power sleep modes extend battery life between button presses. The 4 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The MCU reads a 4 x 3 keypad matrix through 6 I/O pins, encodes the active key into an infrared or sub-GHz transmit sequence, and stores last-channel or last-volume in the 16-byte EEPROM. The 768-byte OTP holds complete RC5/RC6 or proprietary IR protocols with margin for future features. The extended temperature range supports garage-door, gate, and outdoor lighting remotes.
Recommended
White Goods Timer Module
White goods such as dishwashers, washing machines, and microwave ovens use the PIC12CE518-04E/SN to run multi-stage timing sequences (wash, rinse, spin, dry) with relay outputs. Six I/O pins drive a triac for the heater, a relay for the motor, an optocoupler-fed zero-cross detector for line synchronization, and a small LCD or 7-segment display. The 16-byte EEPROM stores user-selected cycle, temperature, and delay-start values across power interruptions, while the 768-byte OTP encodes the full cycle state machine. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply works with a simple 5 V regulator, and the extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade supports hot appliance compartments. Engineers should budget OTP programming into the production flow.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Platform
The PIC12CE518-04E/SN remains a popular teaching and hobbyist MCU because the 33-instruction RISC core can be learned in a single afternoon and the SOIC-8 package is hand-solderable on through-hole adapter boards. Hobbyists use the 6 I/O pins to blink LEDs, read push buttons, drive servos, and bit-bang UART for serial debug output. The 16-byte EEPROM provides persistent storage for simple data-logger experiments. The 768-byte OTP enforces disciplined coding because students must commit code to a programmer, mirroring production reality. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply accepts USB-derived 5 V or two AA cells, and the extended temperature range is forgiving of classroom or workshop conditions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12CE518-04E/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12CE518-04I/SN | PIC12CE519-04/SN | PIC12CE519-04I/SN | PIC12CE518-04E/SM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-8 (SN) | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SM/SOIJ) - same footprint family |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes OTP | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same |
| RAM | 25 bytes | 25 bytes - same | 41 bytes (+64%) | 41 bytes (+64%) | 25 bytes - same |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 16 bytes | 16 bytes - same | 16 bytes - same | 16 bytes - same | 16 bytes - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) - same |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 - same | 6 - same | 6 - same | 6 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 16-byte on-chip EEPROM data memory (vs PIC12C518 (non-CE family member))
- Extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade (E suffix) (vs PIC12CE518-04I/SN (industrial grade))
- Mature, fully-documented RISC core with 33 instructions (vs PIC12F629 (Flash replacement))
Design Notes
The PIC12CE518 uses one-time-programmable (OTP) program memory that cannot be erased or rewritten in-circuit. All firmware must be validated and finalized before programming; a single bit error requires scrapping the device. For designs that may need field updates, plan migration to the Flash-based PIC12F629, which shares the same 8-pin footprint family but adds ICSP.
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1). Add a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the same rail if the supply comes from a long cable or switching regulator. The internal brown-out reset triggers near 2.5 V; ensure your regulator stays above 3.0 V under worst-case load transients to avoid unintended resets.
Pin 7 (GP3/MCLR) is shared between a general-purpose input and the device Master Clear function. If MCLR is enabled in the configuration word, leave pin 7 as a reset input with the proper pull-up; using it as a digital input requires disabling MCLR in the config bits, which eliminates the external reset capability. Plan I/O assignments carefully before locking the configuration word.
When using the internal RC oscillator (default), clock accuracy is approximately ±1% over 0-50 °C but degrades outside that range. For UART communication or timing-sensitive applications, switch to an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2 to achieve ±0.01% accuracy. Estimated: internal RC drift is documented in the PIC12C5XX electrical characteristics chapter.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; do not use in automotive safety-critical applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved data.
