PIC12LCE518-04I/SN - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LCE518-04I/SN ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| 10 | $1.48 | $14.80 |
| 100 | $1.32 | $132.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC12LCE518-04I/SN Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path, ROM/Flash/OTP program memory, RAM, and a complement of timers and I/O. It occupies a position in the embedded hierarchy below 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts but above discrete logic, delivering deterministic single-cycle instruction execution that simplifies real-time firmware design. Within Microchip's portfolio, the PIC12 family is positioned as a compact, OTP/Flash-based baseline MCU for high-volume cost-sensitive applications.
Key features include a programmable 8-bit prescaler feeding an 8-bit real-time counter/timer (TMR0), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own dedicated on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation, Power-On Reset (POR), Device Reset Timer (DRT), and programmable code protection. The industrial (-40C to +85C) operating range suits factory, automotive subsystems, and outdoor installations. The PIC12C architecture is RISC-based with only 33 single-word instructions, simplifying code development and reducing firmware size.
The PIC12LCE518 uses a Harvard architecture with separate program (OTP, 12-bit wide) and data (RAM) buses, plus a 14-bit instruction word. The "LCE" suffix denotes the low-power CMOS EPROM variant, distinguished from baseline PIC12C parts by lower operating current. Brown-out detect and a wide 2.5V-5.5V supply range make the part tolerant of noisy industrial rails.
Typical applications include appliance control, smart sensors, low-cost remote controls, battery-powered instrumentation, and simple logic replacement. Designers also use it in automotive accessories (interior lighting, HVAC actuators), consumer white goods, and security/keypad panels. The small 8-SOIC footprint enables single-side PCB designs with minimal BOM.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory is one-time programmable - firmware cannot be field-upgraded. For prototyping or field-updatable designs, prefer the PIC12F equivalent. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF close to VDD) and a stable clock source (internal RC or external crystal) are required; verify the oscillator configuration bits in code.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance that goes beyond the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers an at-a-glance view for sourcing and second-source decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LCE518-04I/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 PIC12LCE518-04I/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12CE518-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LCE518-04/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LCE518-04I/SM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F519-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LCE518-04I/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC (Harvard, RISC) |
| Family | PIC12C / PIC12LCE5xx |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12 bits) |
| RAM | 25 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Timers | 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit programmable prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions (14-bit wide) |
| Code Protection | Programmable |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Device Reset Timer (DRT) | Yes |
PIC12LCE518-04I/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP2/T0CKI/AN2 — GPIO / Timer0 clock input / analog channel 2 |
| Pin 2 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO / Master Clear (reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 3 | GP4/T1OSO — GPIO / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | GP5/T1OSI/CLKIN — GPIO / Timer1 oscillator input / External clock input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | GP0/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO / Crystal oscillator input / External clock input |
| Pin 7 | GP1/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO / Crystal oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12LCE518-04I/SN is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control, Remote Control and IR Transmitter, Smart Sensor Interface, Automotive Interior Accessories, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Logic Replacement and Custom Glue Logic.
Appliance Control
The PIC12LCE518-04I/SN fits appliance control boards (washing machines, microwave ovens, coffee makers) because its 6 I/O pins can directly drive relays, triacs, LED indicators, and a keypad matrix, while the 4 MHz core executes real-time state-machine firmware with deterministic 1 microsecond instruction cycles. The 768-byte OTP program memory accommodates compact control algorithms for wash cycles, timer functions, and sensor monitoring, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating survives the thermal environment inside an appliance cabinet. Compared to a logic-replacement design using discrete 74HC gates, the PIC12LCE518 reduces BOM count by 30-50% and enables feature differentiation through firmware changes rather than hardware redesign. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer with dedicated RC oscillator provide the safety margin required by IEC 60335 household appliance standards.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR Transmitter
The PIC12LCE518-04I/SN is well matched to consumer remote-control designs where the 4 MHz core drives a software-generated 38 kHz carrier for IR transmission, and the 6 I/O pins interface with a 4x4 keypad matrix and an LED feedback indicator. The 25 bytes of RAM are sufficient for key-debounce state and IR protocol buffers (RC5, NEC, Sony SIRC), and the 768-byte OTP holds the encoding tables and timing routines. Its low-power CMOS EPROM (LCE suffix) operation extends battery life versus the standard PIC12C core - critical for remote controls that must run 6-12 months on a pair of AAA cells. The 2.5V-5.5V supply tolerates the voltage droop of partially discharged batteries without code corruption thanks to brown-out detect.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Interface
Sensor-interface modules for HVAC, thermostats, and industrial process monitoring benefit from the PIC12LCE518-04I/SN's 4 MHz core, which executes linearization, calibration, and communication protocols in real time. The 6 I/O pins connect to a thermistor or 4-20 mA current loop input, an analog comparator, and a UART or one-wire output, while the 25-byte RAM buffers samples between transmission cycles. The OTP memory stores calibration coefficients and lookup tables, and the industrial temperature rating ensures operation across outdoor HVAC environments. Compared to a discrete op-amp + ADC + microcontroller design, this single-chip solution reduces PCB area to under 1 square centimeter, lowering overall BOM cost in high-volume sensor deployments.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
Automotive interior modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, ambient lighting, and HVAC blend-door actuators use the PIC12LCE518-04I/SN to read switches and drive small motors or LED strings. The 6 I/O pins handle two H-bridge direction signals, a fault feedback line, and two switch inputs, while the 4 MHz core runs PWM software for motor speed control with 1 microsecond resolution. The industrial -40C to +85C rating covers cabin environments, though under-hood applications require AEC-Q100 qualified parts. The OTP memory locks firmware for the lifetime of the vehicle, eliminating field-update liability. Compared to mechanical relays, the MCU-based design enables soft-start, current limiting, and diagnostic feedback that modern automotive OEMs require.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC12LCE518-04I/SN's low-power CMOS EPROM (LCE) architecture makes it suitable for battery-powered handhelds, portable test equipment, and data loggers where sleep-mode current matters most. The device wakes from sleep on watchdog timeout or external interrupt, executes measurement or display update routines within microseconds, then returns to sleep - extending battery life to 1-3 years on a single CR2032 coin cell. The 2.5V minimum supply matches the voltage curve of alkaline and lithium primary cells, and the brown-out detector prevents memory corruption as the battery discharges. The 768-byte OTP program memory stores calibration constants and measurement routines, and the 6 I/O pins connect to a small LCD or LED display plus two user buttons.
Recommended
Logic Replacement and Custom Glue Logic
Designers replacing discrete 74HC logic gates with a single PIC12LCE518-04I/SN can implement complex glue logic, sequencing, and timing functions in firmware, freeing board area and reducing BOM count. The 4 MHz instruction rate executes any state machine in microseconds, the 6 I/O pins replace 2-3 standard logic packages, and the 25-byte RAM stores intermediate state. The 768-byte OTP holds the truth table or sequencing logic, and the 33-instruction RISC architecture makes firmware development straightforward in C or assembly. Compared to discrete CMOS logic, the MCU-based approach enables last-minute design changes by editing firmware rather than re-spinning the PCB - a major advantage for low-volume industrial and prototyping builds where time-to-market is critical.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LCE518-04I/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12CE518-04I/SN | PIC12LCE518-04/SN | PIC12LCE518-04I/SM | PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN | PIC12F519-I/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN, 150-mil) | 8-SOIC (SN, 150-mil) - same | 8-SOIC (SN, 150-mil) - same | 8-SOIC (SM, 208-mil wide) - wider | 8-SOIC (SN, 150-mil) - same | 8-SOIC (SN, 150-mil) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | Flash (1.5 KB) - field-upgradable |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 41 B - more memory |
| Max Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - wider range |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Low-power CMOS EPROM (LCE) architecture (vs PIC12CE518-04I/SN)
- Field-upgradable flash memory (vs PIC12F519-I/SN)
- Industrial temperature grade (vs PIC12LCE518-04/SN)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 4 MHz CPU clock and 5.0 V VDD, the PIC12LCE518 draws approximately 2 mA active current and less than 5 microampere in sleep mode. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 10 microfarad tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the supply rail to handle inrush when the MCU exits sleep and starts the oscillator. For battery-powered designs, drive GPIO low before entering sleep to minimize current through pull-up resistors.
Keep traces to the GP3/MCLR pin short and avoid capacitive loading above 50 pF to ensure reliable in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). Route the oscillator traces (GP0/OSC1, GP1/OSC2) symmetrically and guard them with a ground pour to reduce EMI susceptibility. If using an external crystal, place the crystal within 10 mm of the MCU pins and avoid routing signal traces beneath the crystal can. For the 150-mil 8-SOIC footprint, use 0.5 mm land pads with 0.3 mm spacing.
Do not program the PIC12LCE518 in-circuit without first verifying the MCLR line driver is open-drain or tri-state during programming - a hard pull-up to VDD will conflict with the programmer's VPP signal. OTP memory is one-time programmable, so a single bit error in configuration words (especially the oscillator and code-protect bits) can render the part unusable - always verify config word values in a flash equivalent such as PIC12F519 before committing to OTP. Watch out for the watchdog timer being inadvertently enabled by default - clear it in software within the first few cycles or it will reset the device unexpectedly.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not confirmed from provided web data - request compliance certificates from Microchip or authorized distributor before production. Part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; not recommended for under-hood automotive applications.
