PIC16C54-LPE/SO - 8-Bit 40MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54-LPE/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.36 | $236.00 |
| 500 | $2.12 | $1,060.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.89 | $1,890.00 |
PIC16C54-LPE/SO Overview
An OTP microcontroller is a type of non-volatile programmable logic device whose program memory can be written exactly once using a device programmer; after programming, the code is permanent, making OTP MCUs ideal for cost-sensitive, high-volume, fixed-function applications. Within the system hierarchy, the PIC16C54 belongs to the microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device category, and uses a Harvard RISC architecture with only 33 single-word, single-cycle instructions. This simplicity, combined with a static CMOS core, makes the PIC16C5X family one of the original PICmicro® devices still in legacy use.
Key features of this part include Power-on Reset (POR), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for unattended operation, an internal RC oscillator option, low-power sleep mode, and 12 I/O pins with high-current sink/source capability. The 18-SOIC package supports surface-mount manufacturing with gull-wing leads and a 1.27 mm pitch, and the wide 7.50 mm body width aids hand-soldering and inspection.
The PIC16C54-LPE/SO utilizes a 12-bit instruction word with a two-stage pipeline, achieving 200 ns instruction execution at the maximum 40 MHz oscillator rate. Its RISC core delivers deterministic timing suitable for bit-banged protocols, motor control sequencing, and simple state machines. The device operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V across the commercial temperature range.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers (the listed "-E" suffix indicates an extended grade), appliance control boards, security-system keypads, LED controllers, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, battery chargers, and replacement upgrades for legacy discrete-logic designs. Designers also use the PIC16C54 as a glue-logic replacement for 74-series TTL in cost-down redesigns.
When designing with the PIC16C54-LPE/SO, ensure the device programmer supports the EPROM/OTP cell variant - standard FLASH programmers cannot write this part. Allow a margin of at least 20 percent on the oscillator frequency for automotive temperature excursions, and add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to VDD.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives (PIC16C54C family variants), and practical design notes not consolidated on a single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54-LPE/SO — 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 PIC16C54-LPE/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Watchdog Timer, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54C-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54-10/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-LPE/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC® 16C / PIC16C5X |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit words) |
| RAM Size | 25 x 8 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (at 20 MHz); 100 ns (at 40 MHz) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Peripherals | POR (Power-on Reset), WDT (Watchdog Timer), Sleep mode |
| Oscillator Mode | LP (Low-Power) |
| Temperature Grade (E) | Extended Commercial |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm body width) |
| Package Code | SOP, GULL WING terminals |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead Pitch | 1.27 mm |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C54-LPE/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 4 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 5 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 6 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 10 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 14 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 15 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 17 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54-LPE/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Appliance Control Boards, Security System Keypads and Sensors, LED Lighting Controllers, Battery Chargers and Power Controllers, Legacy TTL/CMOS Logic Replacement, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends.
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC16C54-LPE/SO's extended commercial temperature grade (-40C to +125C on the LP/E variant) and rugged 18-SOIC package make it suitable for automotive body-electronics modules such as mirror controllers, seat-position memories, and simple HVAC damper drivers. The 40 MHz CPU clock and 33 single-cycle instructions deliver deterministic timing for bit-banged LIN slave protocols and PWM generation at low cost, while the 12 GPIO pins directly drive relays and LEDs. The LP oscillator mode supports 32.768 kHz watch crystals for ultra-low quiescent current in always-on modules.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
Washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and small kitchen appliances use the PIC16C54-LPE/SO as the main controller for user-interface scanning (keypads, rotary encoders), timer sequencing, and triac/SCR phase-angle control of heater elements and universal motors. The 768B OTP program memory holds the appliance state machine, the Watchdog Timer recovers from line transients, and the 25B RAM supports runtime counters and mode flags. The 18-SOIC package is compatible with hand-soldered service boards.
Recommended
Security System Keypads and Sensors
Alarm keypads, PIR motion sensor modules, and glass-break detectors use the PIC16C54-LPE/SO to scan the matrix keypad, debounce inputs, drive the piezo buzzer and status LEDs, and communicate with the main panel via a serial bit-banged protocol. The low-power LP oscillator mode reduces standby current to under 10 microamps when powered from a battery backup, and the 12 I/O pins are sufficient for a 4x4 keypad plus LEDs. OTP memory prevents firmware tampering and reverse engineering.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16C54-LPE/SO drives RGB LED strips, decorative lighting chains, and small architectural fixtures by generating multiple software PWM channels on its GPIO pins. With a 40 MHz clock the firmware can refresh eight PWM channels at 1 kHz with 8-bit resolution (no flicker), and the LP oscillator mode plus sleep under software control minimizes quiescent current for battery-powered holiday lights. The 25B RAM holds the color pattern state, and the 18-SOIC package fits inline LED controller housings.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Power Controllers
Small sealed-lead-acid and NiMH battery chargers use the PIC16C54-LPE/SO for charge-cycle state machines, voltage/current measurement sequencing, and indicator-LED control. The Watchdog Timer protects against firmware lockup during long charge cycles, the Power-on Reset ensures a clean start on battery insertion, and the LP oscillator enables extremely low standby drain when the charger is idle. The 3.0-5.5 V supply range matches single-cell Li-ion and 6 V SLA packs directly.
Recommended
Legacy TTL/CMOS Logic Replacement
Cost-down redesigns of older products that used 74-series TTL or 4000-series CMOS glue logic can replace dozens of discrete gates with a single PIC16C54-LPE/SO programmed as a state machine. With only 768B of OTP memory and 33 single-cycle instructions, designers can implement complex sequencing, debouncing, and timing functions in one $2 MCU rather than a board full of 74LS chips. The 40 MHz CPU clock provides plenty of headroom even at 5 V supply.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends
Industrial sensor signal conditioning front-ends (thermocouple cold-junction compensation, RTD linearization, load-cell excitation) use the PIC16C54-LPE/SO for software-side linearization tables, calibration constant storage in OTP, and PWM output of the corrected reading. The 12-bit instruction word and 8-bit ALU handle 16-bit fixed-point math adequately for thermistor/RTD curves, and the LP oscillator mode allows ultra-low quiescent current for 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54-LPE/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54C-04/SO | PIC16C54C-04I/SO | PIC16C54C-20I/SO | PIC16C54A-20/SO | PIC16C54-10/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC - same |
| Program Memory | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B OTP | 768B OTP | 768B OTP | 768B OTP | 768B OTP | 768B FLASH (rewritable) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| Max CPU Frequency | 40 MHz | 4 MHz (-90%) | 4 MHz (-90%) | 20 MHz (-50%) | 20 MHz (-50%) | 10 MHz (-75%) | 20 MHz (-50%) |
| Oscillator Mode | LP (low-power) | RC 4 MHz | RC 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz internal/external |
| Temperature Grade | Extended Commercial (-40C to +125C) | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | FLASH (rewritable) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-power oscillator mode in the PIC16C5X family (vs PIC16C54C-04I/SO)
- Highest CPU clock in the PIC16C54 OTP family (vs PIC16C54A-20/SO)
- Compatible FLASH upgrade path available (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C54-LPE/SO operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V on VDD (pin 18), with VSS (pin 7) tied to ground. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin, and add a bulk 10 uF electrolytic or tantalum capacitor at the board's power-entry point. For battery-powered applications using the LP oscillator mode, total quiescent current drops below 10 uA in sleep mode, so power-rail filtering must handle the much higher inrush when waking from sleep.
Do not attempt to program the PIC16C54-LPE/SO with a FLASH-based PIC programmer - the OTP EPROM cell requires a high-voltage programming waveform specified in the PIC16C5X programming specification. Use Microchip's MPLAB PM3 or compatible EPROM programmer (PICSTART Plus legacy support). Programming voltage and timing violations will destroy the device. Always verify the part is OTP (one-time-programmable) before committing production firmware.
Estimated: at 40 MHz CPU clock and 5.5 V supply, the PIC16C54-LPE/SO draws approximately 10 mA active / 5 mA idle (per PIC16C5X datasheet electrical characteristics). Power dissipation in the 18-SOIC package (theta-JA approximately 85 C/W on a 1-oz 2-layer board) yields a 7 C junction temperature rise above ambient at full active load - well within the 125 C maximum. No external heatsink is required. For sealed enclosures above 60 C ambient, derate by 20 percent or add thermal vias under the copper pad area.
The 18-SOIC package has a 1.27 mm pitch and 7.50 mm body width, which is hand-solderable with a fine-tip iron. For production, use a 0.5 mm stencil for solder paste deposition and a reflow profile with peak temperature 245 C (per JEDEC J-STD-020 for moisture-sensitive surface-mount components). MSL level for the PIC16C5X family is typically MSL1 (unlimited floor life), but check the shipping label for any dry-pack requirements.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. NRND (Not Recommended for new designs) as of 2026-09-16 per Microchip PIC16C54 product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (automotive designers should verify with Microchip for automotive-grade equivalents).
