PIC12CE518/JW - 4MHz 8-Bit OTP MCU w/ EEPROM, 8-CDIP Window
MPN: PIC12CE518/JW β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 10 | $7.4 | $74.00 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $6.2 | $3,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.55 | $5,550.00 |
PIC12CE518/JW Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, on-chip program memory, RAM, and configurable I/O. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the Integrated Circuits > Microcontrollers hierarchy; it sits one level below "embedded processor" and above bare logic ICs. PIC12C-series parts implement Microchip's RISC instruction set with only 33 single-word instructions, enabling very small code size and predictable interrupt latency. This category is widely used in cost-sensitive and space-constrained embedded designs such as appliance controls, sensor interfaces, and replacement of discrete logic.
Key features of the PIC12CE518/JW include on-chip EEPROM for non-volatile parameter storage (16 bytes), a hardware universal synchronous/asynchronous receiver-transmitter (USART/SPI), an 8-bit timer/counter, a watchdog timer with its own RC oscillator, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and a programmable code-protection bit. Its 8-bit timer with 8-bit prescaler and the 4 MHz oscillator provide deterministic timing for simple control loops. Power-down sleep mode drops the supply current to the microampere range, allowing battery-friendly standby operation. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply range tolerates common 3.3 V and 5 V rails.
The windowed 8-CDIP package exposes the EPROM die so engineers can erase the program memory with UV light and reuse the part during prototyping. That makes the PIC12CE518/JW especially attractive for engineering development, firmware regression testing, and low-volume pilot builds where OTP blank-window chips are economical. The CERDIP body is hermetic, supporting industrial and defense applications that demand through-hole reliability. The same silicon die is also offered in plastic OTP and flash equivalents (PIC12C518, PIC12CE518, PIC12F629), giving designers an upgrade path once firmware stabilizes.
Typical applications include low-cost remote-control encoders, battery-powered sensor nodes, simple motor and relay drivers, security-system keypads, and white-goods user-interface controllers. The on-chip EEPROM allows storage of calibration coefficients, channel settings, or counters that survive power cycles, eliminating an external serial EEPROM. USART/SPI enables direct connection to peripherals such as LCD drivers, EEPROMs, or simple RF links, while the watchdog timer recovers the MCU from software lock-ups.
When designing with this device, treat the OTP window carefully: exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent UV can erase the program. Always store windowed parts in opaque tubes or light-tight containers and apply a protective sticker over the window before deployment if the design will see UV light in service. Programming must follow Microchip's ICSP timing exactly; out-of-spec Vpp or programming-pulse widths will permanently damage the cell. PICmicro is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet values, distributor pricing, and drop-in CERDIP-window alternatives that are not collected on a single manufacturer page, giving engineers a one-stop comparison view for procurement and redesign decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12CE518/JW β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12CE518-04/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12CE518-04I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C518-04/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12C518/JW
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F629-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12CE518/JW Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (OTP, UV-erasable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit words) |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 16 B |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 us |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 5 |
| Package / Case | 8-CDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm) with quartz window |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit Timer/Counter with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with dedicated RC oscillator |
| Communication Interface | USART/SPI |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0C to +70C (commercial, per JW suffix family) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Microchip product page) |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Lead-free process; halogen status unknown |
PIC12CE518/JW Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP2/T0CKI β General-purpose I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP3/MCLR/Vpp β General-purpose input / Master Clear reset / Programming voltage |
| Pin 3 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT β General-purpose I/O / Oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 4 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN β General-purpose I/O / Oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 5 | Vss β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | GP0/ICSPDAT β General-purpose I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 7 | GP1/ICSPCLK β General-purpose I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 8 | Vdd β Positive supply (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12CE518/JW is suitable for 7 applications: Universal Remote-Control Encoder, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, White-Goods User Interface Controller, Security-System Keypad Reader, Automotive Accessory Controller, Industrial Timer and Relay Sequencer, Development / Firmware Regression Platform.
Universal Remote-Control Encoder
The PIC12CE518/JW's 768-byte EPROM, 4 MHz core, and on-chip 16-byte EEPROM suit it for low-cost infrared or RF remote-control transmitters. Its single-cycle 1 us instruction time is fast enough to bit-bang standard RC5, NEC, or proprietary 38 kHz carrier protocols from GP0/GP1 with no external UART. The on-chip EEPROM lets the encoder remember learned device codes and pairing keys across battery swaps, eliminating a serial EEPROM. The 5-I/O pin count fits a 3x4 keypad matrix plus an IR LED driver with one spare line for status LED. Sleep current in the microamp range keeps coin-cell remote controls alive for years.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC12CE518/JW fits battery-powered sensor nodes where its 3.0-5.5 V supply range accepts a 3 V lithium coin cell or two AA cells, and its low microamp sleep current extends battery life to multi-year timeframes. The internal 25-byte RAM buffers a handful of ADC-free sensor readings, while the 16-byte EEPROM retains calibration constants and node ID across power cycles. Its hardware USART/SPI on GP0/GP1 talks to external digital sensors like the TMP36 or DS18B20 with no extra logic. The watchdog timer with its own RC oscillator resets the MCU if the firmware locks up in the field. Windowed EPROM aids prototype firmware regression during the design phase.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interface Controller
The PIC12CE518/JW is a typical choice for user-interface controllers in washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, where its 5-I/O pin map drives a 7-segment LED display and scans a 4x4 keypad matrix via charlieplexing. The 4 MHz CPU executes deterministic scan loops in well under 1 ms, ensuring flicker-free LED multiplexing. The on-chip EEPROM stores user-set programs (delicates, heavy-duty, sanitize) that survive power-loss and brown-outs. The integrated watchdog timer recovers from ESD-induced firmware lockups on the front-panel traces. Its wide 3-5.5 V supply accepts the rectified 5 V rail common in white-goods SMPS designs.
Recommended
Security-System Keypad Reader
In a wired security keypad the PIC12CE518/JW scans a 3x4 matrix and validates PIN codes against the 16-byte on-chip EEPROM-resident master code, eliminating the need for an external serial EEPROM. The 1 us instruction cycle gives a sub-millisecond debounce time, so key presses feel responsive even with multiple keys held. Sleep mode plus the watchdog timer let the keypad draw microamps during standby and wake on the first key interrupt. The USART/SPI on GP0/GP1 connects to the alarm-panel bus with only a line driver. The wide 3-5.5 V supply accepts both legacy 5 V and modern 3.3 V alarm panels.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory Controller
Although the standard PIC12CE518/JW is commercial grade (0C to +70C), the same die in industrial-temperature variants (PIC12CE518-04I/JW) supports under-dash automotive accessory controllers for window lifts, mirror adjustments, and interior lighting. Its 5-I/O pins drive MOSFET gates through the GP outputs, and the on-chip EEPROM remembers end-of-travel calibration. The watchdog timer recovers from automotive load-dump transients that disrupt the MCU clock. The wide supply range tolerates the 9-16 V vehicle rail after pre-regulation to 5 V. Microchip's automotive-grade PIC16F equivalent is preferred for new OEM designs.
Recommended
Industrial Timer and Relay Sequencer
The PIC12CE518/JW's 8-bit hardware timer with 8-bit prescaler gives the part enough resolution to time events from 1 us to several seconds, which makes it a low-cost choice for industrial time-delay relays and pump sequencers. Its 5-I/O pins drive a status LED, a start button, a relay coil via a MOSFET, and two sensor inputs. The 16-byte EEPROM stores the user-selected delay constant and sequence step count, surviving power-cycle reconfigurations. The watchdog timer prevents a software lockup from leaving a relay latched indefinitely. Its through-hole CERDIP body tolerates conformal coating and the vibration of an industrial enclosure.
Recommended
Development / Firmware Regression Platform
The windowed CERDIP package is the single most important reason engineers still specify PIC12CE518/JW: the quartz window lets a UV lamp erase the EPROM die and re-program the part hundreds of times during firmware iteration. With a typical EPROM erase time of 20-30 minutes under a UV-C source, development cycles are slow but reusable, making the JW part a hardware-development workhorse. The PIC12CE518/JW is used in Microchip's own PRO MATE II socket programming fixtures and in legacy ICE-2000 emulator pods. Once firmware is locked, the same silicon is re-ordered in plastic OTP (PIC12CE518-04/P) for production.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12CE518/JW β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12CE518-04/P | PIC12CE518-04I/P | PIC12C518-04/P | PIC12C518/JW | PIC12F629-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-CDIP Window (0.300 inch) | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same footprint, no window | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same footprint, no window | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same footprint, no window | 8-CDIP Window (0.300 inch) - same | 8-PDIP (0.300 inch) - same footprint |
| Program Memory | 768 B EPROM (UV-erasable) | 768 B EPROM (OTP) | 768 B EPROM (OTP) | 768 B EPROM (OTP) | 768 B EPROM (UV-erasable) | 1 K x 14 Flash (re-programmable) |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 64 B |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 16 B | 16 B | 16 B | None (-16 B vs target) | None (-16 B vs target) | 128 B |
| Max CPU Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz (or 4 MHz internal) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Windowed Erasable | Yes (quartz window, UV-erasable) | No (one-time programmable) | No (one-time programmable) | No (one-time programmable) | Yes (windowed, same erase method) | No (in-circuit re-programmable flash) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip 16-byte EEPROM data memory (vs PIC12C518/JW)
- Windowed UV-erasable CERDIP package (vs PIC12CE518-04/P)
- Pin-compatible modern flash successor available (vs PIC12F629-I/P)
Design Notes
Windowed CERDIP PICs such as PIC12CE518/JW can be erased by exposure to UV light, including direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting. Store un-programmed and programmed parts in opaque tubes or IC tubes with the window covered. During PCB assembly, mask the window with opaque tape before flux/solder exposure, and remove it only after conformal coating is complete if the design will see UV light in service. Programmed parts that are inadvertently erased will fail verification and revert to 0x3FFF (blank) at every address.
Vdd must remain within 3.0 V to 5.5 V during normal operation and within Microchip's EPROM programming specification (Vdd 4.5 V to 5.5 V typical, Vpp 12.5 V to 13.5 V) during ICSP. Out-of-spec Vpp damages the EPROM cell permanently and is not recoverable. Add a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor close to Vdd (pin 8) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the board's power-entry point to suppress voltage transients during inrush. Brown-out detection should be enabled in the configuration word to hold the MCU in reset below 3.0 V.
Pin 3 (GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT) and pin 4 (GP5/OSC1/CLKIN) form the oscillator pair. Keep the trace loop between the resonator and these pins under 5 mm to avoid stray capacitance that could shift the oscillation frequency. For a 4 MHz ceramic resonator with built-in capacitors, no external caps are needed; for a crystal, add the load capacitors recommended in the datasheet. Place the MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kohm to Vdd) close to pin 2 to keep the reset line noise-free.
Estimated: at 5 V Vdd, 4 MHz clock, and all 5 I/O pins driving 20 pF loads at 50 percent duty, the dynamic supply current is approximately 2 mA, so power dissipation is 10 mW and the junction-temperature rise is negligible in the CERDIP package. Quiescent current drops below 1 uA in sleep mode, which is the dominant low-power design consideration rather than thermal. The ceramic DIP body tolerates continuous operating temperatures up to +70C (commercial grade) without derating.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. CERDIP body uses a glass frit seal and a quartz window; not all PIC12CE518/JW date codes are fully lead-free on the ceramic package, so verify lot-level compliance for RoHS Category 9 exemptions. AEC-Q100 not applicable for the commercial-temperature JW suffix; the -04I/JW variant is industrial grade and not AEC-Q100 qualified either.
