PIC12LC508A-04I/SM - 4MHz 8-bit OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LC508A-04I/SM ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.13 | $1.13 |
| 10 | $1.02 | $10.20 |
| 100 | $0.84 | $84.00 |
| 500 | $0.72 | $360.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.6144 | $614.40 |
PIC12LC508A-04I/SM Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computing system-on-a-chip integrating a CPU, memory (program ROM/RAM), and peripherals on a single die. The PIC12LC508A belongs to the broader hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC, and uses a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture with only 33 single-word single-cycle instructions, delivering 1 MIPS performance at 4 MHz - an order of magnitude higher throughput than competing 8-bit MCUs of its generation.
Key features of the PIC12LC508A-04I/SM include 6 I/O pins with individual direction control, a programmable WDT for code-execution safety, built-in Power-On Reset and Brown-out detection, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) capability, and an extended industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C. Code protection is programmable to safeguard firmware IP, and the device supports up to 1,000,000 erase/write cycles on Flash variants of the family.
The architecture is built on low-power CMOS technology with a wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range, making the LC variant well-suited for battery-powered applications. Its 33-instruction RISC core executes most instructions in a single cycle (1 microsecond at 4 MHz), with only program branches taking two cycles. The integrated WDT with a separate on-chip RC oscillator ensures the device can recover from code faults without external components.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, automotive subsystems (body controllers, sensor interfaces), industrial control logic, battery-powered embedded devices, LED drivers, and remote-control transmitters/receivers. The small SOIJ-8 footprint is ideal for space-constrained PCB designs.
When designing with this MCU, allocate pin 4 (GP3/MCLR) carefully because it doubles as the Master Clear reset input; for reset-only applications a pull-up resistor is required. The OTP memory means firmware cannot be updated in the field - design with engineering samples and finalize firmware before OTP programming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey, Mouser, LCSC and Octopart, drop-in alternatives in the SOIJ-8 footprint, and practical design notes not consolidated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LC508A-04I/SM — 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 PIC12LC508A-04I/SM (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Timers, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LC508A-04I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LC508A-04I/MF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C508A-04I/SM
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LC508AT-04I/SM
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F508-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LC508A-04I/SM Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 1 microsecond at 4 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Timers | TMR0 8-bit with 8-bit programmable prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Device Reset Timer (DRT) | Yes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Code Protection | Programmable |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin SOIJ (SM) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC12LC508A-04I/SM Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — General-purpose I/O / Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — General-purpose I/O / Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (1/4 fosc) |
| Pin 3 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — General-purpose I/O / Master Clear reset (active-low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 4 | GP2/T0CKI — General-purpose I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 5 | GP1 — General-purpose digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | GP0 — General-purpose digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12LC508A-04I/SM is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Electronics, Battery-Powered Remote Controls, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Consumer Appliance Control, LED Lighting Controllers, Security Sensor Interfaces.
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM fits automotive body electronics such as window lift controllers, seat position modules, door-lock actuators, and simple sensor interfaces where a low-pin-count 8-bit MCU is sufficient. Its 768-byte OTP, 25-byte RAM and 4 MHz core deliver 1 MIPS throughput - adequate for state-machine-based actuator control loops running at millisecond response times. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade matches under-hood and cabin thermal envelopes. Six GPIO pins support H-bridge enable, position switch sensing and PWM-free LED indication via bit-banging, while the integrated Watchdog Timer with a dedicated RC oscillator provides the fail-safe recovery required by automotive functional safety standards.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Controls
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM is well suited for handheld battery-powered remote controls including garage-door openers, wireless key fobs, RF remotes, and IR transmitters. Its 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range supports direct connection to a single 3 V lithium coin cell or two alkaline AA cells without a boost converter. The CMOS RISC core draws microamp-level sleep currents, and the integrated TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler enables accurate timing of retransmit intervals. The 6 GPIO can directly drive an RF transceiver's data input, status LEDs and user buttons; the SOIJ-8 footprint supports compact PCB layouts under 10 mm x 10 mm - essential for ergonomic handheld enclosures.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM serves in industrial sensor-conditioning nodes that require signal digitization, threshold comparison and digital output generation in a compact form factor. While the part lacks an on-chip ADC, firmware can implement sigma-delta conversion on a single GP pin via comparator-free oversampling, making it suitable for thermistor, photodiode and limit-switch interfaces. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating handles factory-floor environments, and the wide 2.5-5.5 V supply accepts 24 V industrial bus power after a simple LDO drop. Six GPIO accommodate switch inputs, relay drivers and isolated comms lines.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM provides cost-effective control for small consumer appliances such as coffee makers, toaster ovens, blenders, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, where 8-bit processing and 6 I/O are sufficient. Its 33-instruction RISC core runs the appliance state machine at 1 MIPS, easily handling debounce, timing and triac-fire logic. The OTP memory reduces per-unit cost at high volume (after firmware is finalized), and the SOIJ-8 SMD package supports automated PCB assembly. The integrated Power-On Reset and Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator protect against brown-out and code-stall events on noisy AC-derived power rails.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM is appropriate for low-channel-count LED lighting controllers including decorative strips, signage, indicator lamps and aquarium lights where software PWM bit-banging replaces dedicated LED-driver ICs. With 6 GPIO, the controller can drive 4-6 LED channels via MOSFET gates or constant-current sinks; the firmware produces software PWM in the 100 Hz to 1 kHz range without flicker. The 2.5-5.5 V VDD accepts 5 V USB or 3.3 V regulated supplies, and the 4 MHz clock gives sufficient CPU bandwidth for color-mixing math and animation state machines. Industrial temperature supports outdoor and refrigerated fixtures.
Recommended
Security Sensor Interfaces
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM functions as a low-cost sensor-interface MCU in security subsystems, including PIR motion detectors, glass-break sensors, smoke-detector front-ends and door/window contact transmitters. Its compact SOIJ-8 footprint fits inside miniature sensor housings, and the integrated Watchdog Timer with a separate RC oscillator ensures the sensor can recover from firmware lockup - critical for safety devices. The 6 GPIO accommodate PIR analog output, status LED drive, alarm relay control and test-mode switch. Low-voltage CMOS operation supports 3 V lithium backup batteries for line-powered security panels.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LC508A-04I/SM — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LC508A-04I/P | PIC12LC508A-04I/MF | PIC12C508A-04I/SM | PIC12LC508AT-04I/SM | PIC12F508-I/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIJ-8 (SM) | PDIP-8 - through-hole, not SMT footprint | DFN-8 - different SMT footprint | SOIJ-8 - same | SOIJ-8 - same | SOIC-8 - narrower body, verify land pattern |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes OTP (512 x 12) | 768 bytes OTP (512 x 12) - same | 768 bytes OTP (512 x 12) - same | 768 bytes OTP (512 x 12) - same | 768 bytes OTP (512 x 12) - same | 768 bytes Flash (512 x 12) - reprogrammable |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes | 25 bytes - same | 25 bytes - same | 25 bytes - same | 25 bytes - same | 25 bytes - same |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.5 V to 5.5 V - same | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (+0.5 V higher minimum) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (extended) |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 - same | 6 - same | 6 - same | 6 - same | 6 - same |
| Memory Type | OTP (one-time programmable) | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same | OTP - same | Flash - reprogrammable |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C - same | Industrial -40C to +85C - same | Industrial -40C to +85C - same | Industrial -40C to +85C - same | Industrial -40C to +85C - same |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range (LC variant) (vs PIC12C508A-04I/SM)
- Compact SOIJ-8 surface-mount footprint (vs PIC12LC508A-04I/P)
- OTP memory reduces per-unit cost at high volume (vs PIC12F508-I/SN)
Design Notes
The PIC12LC508A-04I/SM uses OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory, meaning firmware cannot be changed after programming. Budget for engineering samples (marked -04E or -04/SM with windowed package where available) during firmware development and lock the firmware image before committing to OTP production orders. Per the Microchip PIC12C5xx datasheet, OTP programming is performed via the VPP/GP3 pin and requires 13 V programming voltage applied during in-circuit serial programming (ICSP).
Pin 3 (GP3/MCLR/VPP) always functions as Master Clear reset on the PIC12C5xx family - it cannot be used as a general-purpose input on this device. Per the datasheet, connect MCLR through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VDD for normal operation, and add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD (pin 8). For ICSP programming header access, route MCLR/GP3, GP0 and GP1 to an in-circuit programming connector; isolating these pins from heavy loads improves programming reliability.
While the PIC12LC508A-04I/SM is rated for 2.5 V to 5.5 V operation, designs running continuously above 4 MHz at the upper VDD limit should consider switching to the PIC12F family for Flash reprogrammability. Brown-out detection (where implemented in the silicon variant) should be enabled in the configuration word to prevent code execution at unsafe VDD levels. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 1-10 microfarad capacitor near the regulator output for reliable operation.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH and lead-free status not explicitly stated in the provided web data; consult Microchip product page or manufacturer declaration for formal compliance documentation. Not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety-critical applications.
