PIC12CE518T-04I/SN - 8-bit 4MHz OTP MCU 768B w/EEPROM | Microchip
MPN: PIC12CE518T-04I/SN ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.54 | $2.54 |
| 10 | $2.28 | $22.80 |
| 100 | $2.03 | $203.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC12CE518T-04I/SN Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Peripheral Interface Controller) is a Harvard-architecture 8-bit RISC MCU family originally developed by General Instrument and now dominated by Microchip Technology. PIC MCUs sit in the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. The PIC12C/12CE sub-family is the smallest footprint 8-pin OTP-based line, intended for ultra-compact, cost-sensitive, low-I/O-count designs where assembly simplicity outweighs flash reprogrammability. The 'CE' suffix denotes the inclusion of a small EEPROM data area for non-volatile user parameter storage.
Key features of the PIC12CE518T-04I/SN include 16 bytes of EEPROM data memory, 25 mA source/sink capability per I/O pin (suitable for direct LED drive), four selectable oscillator modes (including the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator with factory-calibrated accuracy and an external clock input), a Power-on Reset (POR) block, and an industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C. The device accepts a supply voltage of 2.5V to 5.5V on VDD, with 3.0V minimum for full-speed operation.
Technically, the PIC12CE518 uses a 12-bit instruction word, two-stage pipeline, and a small register file mapped into banked data memory. Watchdog timer, brown-out detect (on later die revs), and an 8-bit timer (TMR0) are integrated; code-protect and ID-location bits are supported. Compared to flash-based PIC12F successors such as PIC12F629, this OTP part cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit, so it is generally specified for mature, finalized production runs.
Typical applications include remote control transmitters, simple sensor interface boards, household appliance control logic, LED drivers and blinkers, security and access peripherals, toys, timer-based controllers, and general-purpose logic replacement. Its industrial temperature grade makes it suitable for lightly-demanding industrial control nodes.
When designing with the PIC12CE518T-04I/SN, the designer should note that OTP memory means firmware must be 100% verified before programming - no field updates. Place a 0.1 microfarat decoupling capacitor close to VDD, select the INTRC or LP oscillator mode based on EMI/precision needs, and account for the 1 microsecond instruction cycle when computing timing budgets.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey/Mouser/Octopart, Microchip's official product family documentation, parametric drop-in alternatives in the same SOIC-8 footprint, and practical engineering notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12CE518T-04I/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 PIC12CE518T-04I/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Instruction Cycle Time.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12CE518T-04E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12CE518-04E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518-04E/SM
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C509AT-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12CE518T-04I/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (12-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) |
| Data EEPROM | 16 B |
| RAM | 25 B |
| CPU Speed | 4 MHz (1 us instruction cycle) |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA per pin |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Oscillator Modes | 4 (INTRC 4 MHz, RC, LP, XT) |
| Package | SOIC-8 (SN) 3.90 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| On-chip Peripherals | POR, WDT, TMR0 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC12CE518T-04I/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator crystal output / clock output (INTRC mode) |
| Pin 3 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional I/O (input only) / Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | GP2/T0CKI/INT — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 external clock input / external interrupt |
| Pin 5 | GP1/CIN-/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / comparator inverting input / serial programming clock |
| Pin 6 | GP0/CIN+/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / comparator non-inverting input / serial programming data |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12CE518T-04I/SN is suitable for 6 applications: Remote Control Transmitters, Simple Sensor Interface Boards, Household Appliance Control Logic, LED Drivers and Blinkers, Security and Access Peripherals, Logic Replacement and Glue Controllers.
Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC12CE518T-04I/SN is a strong fit for IR/RF remote control transmitters where the device only needs to encode a few button states into a serial protocol and drive an LED or oscillator. Its 6 I/O pins are sufficient for 4 to 6 buttons plus an LED indicator, and the 25 mA per-pin source current drives an IR LED directly without a buffer transistor. The 1 microsecond instruction cycle at 4 MHz lets a simple RC5/SIRC encoder fit inside the 768-byte OTP budget. Industrial temperature grade tolerates hand-held operating environments.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Interface Boards
For sensor interface boards that read one or two analog channels and report a threshold state, the PIC12CE518T-04I/SN's 6 I/O pins, 4 MHz operation, and 16 bytes of EEPROM for calibration constants are well matched. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator removes the need for an external crystal, reducing BOM cost. The 25-byte RAM is sufficient to hold a single ADC result plus a few state flags. Industrial temperature grade suits lightly demanding industrial sensor nodes.
Recommended
Household Appliance Control Logic
The PIC12CE518T-04I/SN suits household appliance control logic where the firmware is finalized and shipped in high volume, such as simple coffee makers, fans, and small kitchen appliances. The OTP memory model fits the cost curve of mature products, and the 25 mA per-pin drive can directly switch relays or triac-interface optocouplers. Industrial temperature grade covers kitchen ambient conditions, and the wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply accommodates rectified-mains-derived rails with simple regulators.
Recommended
LED Drivers and Blinkers
For decorative LED drivers, blinkers, and seasonal lighting controllers, the PIC12CE518T-04I/SN's 25 mA per-pin source/sink capability drives small LEDs directly without transistors. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator and TMR0 peripheral are sufficient to generate accurate blink patterns, PWM dimming, and chase sequences within the 768-byte OTP budget. The 16 bytes of EEPROM retain user-configured patterns across power cycles, a feature the plain PIC12C518 lacks.
Recommended
Security and Access Peripherals
The PIC12CE518T-04I/SN fits cost-sensitive security peripherals such as simple keypads, access tokens, and magnetic-stripe readers where firmware is locked at production. Its 6 I/O pins interface to a 3x4 matrix keypad, the 16-byte EEPROM stores access codes or calibration constants, and the 4 MHz operation debounces keys in firmware within tight timing margins. Industrial temperature grade supports outdoor and semi-outdoor security installations.
Recommended
Logic Replacement and Glue Controllers
The PIC12CE518T-04I/SN is a popular choice to replace discrete 74HC logic gates and small PAL/GAL devices with a single programmable part. Its 33-instruction RISC core is trivial to learn, development tools are free (MPLAB X with MPASM or XC8), and a single SOIC-8 part replaces what might otherwise require two or three logic packages. The 4 MHz speed easily implements combinational and registered logic at logic-replacement speeds, and the 16-byte EEPROM holds user-defined configuration constants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12CE518T-04I/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12CE518T-04E/SN | PIC12CE518-04I/SN | PIC12CE518-04E/SN | PIC12C509AT-04I/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SOIC-8 (SN) 3.90 mm | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 1.5 KB OTP |
| Data EEPROM | 16 B | 16 B | 16 B | 16 B | None |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 41 B |
| Max Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel (T) | Tape & Reel (T) | Tube (no T) | Tube (no T) | Tape & Reel (T) |
Key Differentiators
- Includes 16-byte on-chip EEPROM data memory (vs PIC12C509AT-04I/SN)
- Drop-in temperature grade upgrade path (vs PIC12CE518T-04E/SN)
- Simplest 8-bit PIC with EEPROM in SOIC-8 (vs PIC12C518 (no EEPROM variant))
Design Notes
OTP program memory cannot be erased or reprogrammed; once a PIC12CE518T-04I/SN is programmed, the firmware is permanent. Always validate firmware using a flash-based equivalent (PIC12F629 or PIC12F675) or a windowed ceramic package sample before committing to OTP production. Programming is performed via the ICSP interface using GP1/ICSPCLK and GP0/ICSPDAT with VPP on MCLR; ensure the programming fixture applies the 13 V VPP cleanly and that CONFIG bits are set correctly for oscillator, WDT, code-protect, and MCLR-pin-function.
Place a 0.1 microfarad decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 8), with the ground side returned to the same VSS plane as pin 7. For designs using the internal RC oscillator, add a bulk 1 to 10 microfarat capacitor in parallel to suppress supply droops when the I/O pins switch high-current loads such as LEDs or relays. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator draws approximately 1 to 2 mA additional current versus the LP crystal mode; account for this in battery-powered designs.
If using an external crystal (XT or LP oscillator modes), keep the crystal traces short and symmetric, and place the load capacitors (typically 15 to 33 pF) within 5 mm of the OSC1 and OSC2 pins. The MCLR pin requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation; when left floating the device will see spurious resets. Add a 100 nF capacitor from MCLR to VSS only if in-circuit programming is required; otherwise omit to keep reset rise time fast.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. No AEC-Q100 qualification - the PIC12CE518 family is targeted at consumer/industrial, not automotive.
