PIC16C54-XTE/P - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU, 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54-XTE/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.15 | $21.50 |
| 100 | $1.82 | $182.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.32 | $1,320.00 |
PIC16C54-XTE/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals, and is the smallest unit of programmable intelligence in an embedded system. The PIC16C5x family uses a 12-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path with separate code and data spaces (Harvard architecture), achieving roughly 2:1 code compression over CISC 8-bit competitors. Positioned within the product hierarchy, the PIC16C54 sits at the entry point: 8-bit PIC > PIC16 family > PIC16C5x sub-family > baseline OTP MCU.
Key features include 33 single-word instructions, a 1.024 µs instruction cycle at 4 MHz oscillator, two hardware stack levels, and direct/indirect/relative addressing modes for both data and instructions. The device operates from 2.5 V to 6.25 V across the commercial 0 °C to 70 °C range (PIC16C54-XTE/P is the commercial-temperature 4 MHz extended-temperature variant). Its seven or eight special-function hardware registers provide low-context-overhead interrupt-free control for simple glue-logic replacement.
Architecturally, the PIC16C54 uses a RISC pipeline with single-cycle instruction fetch (except branches), eliminating the bus-turnaround penalty common to von-Neumann 8-bit parts of the era. The OTP program memory is one-time programmable, ideal for mature, stable code in production quantities. Watchdog timer and Power-on Reset are hardware-only, removing firmware initialization steps for brown-out-free applications.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, simple sensor conditioning, automotive sub-systems (dash controls, lighting timers), industrial remote-control transmitters, low-cost toys, and battery-powered smart-card peripherals. In each case the PIC16C54-XTE/P replaces discrete logic with programmable state machines while keeping bill-of-materials cost at the bottom of the MCU range.
When designing with the PIC16C54-XTE/P, treat the 18-pin PDIP footprint as the reference and verify the chosen alternative shares both pinout and the 4 MHz oscillator specification. Two-level hardware stack limits call depth to two nested subroutine levels — keep ISRs and routines flat, or migrate to a PIC16F-series successor for deeper stack and Flash reprogrammability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, datasheet cross-reference data, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer's product brief.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54-XTE/P — 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-XTE/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Package, Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F54-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-XT/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-RC/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-LP/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-HS/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54-XTE/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C5x |
| Core | 8-bit RISC (PIC) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) OTP |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| Data EEPROM | None (OTP only) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 1.024 µs @ 4 MHz |
| Number of I/O | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) |
| Hardware Stack Levels | 2 |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (Pb in PDIP) |
| Lead-Free Version | Not available (PDIP) |
| Watchdog Timer | Hardware only |
| Brown-out Reset | Not present |
| Programming Method | OTP (one-time) |
| Recommended Replacement | PIC16F54 (per Microchip) |
PIC16C54-XTE/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | T0CKI — TMR0 clock input (RTCC) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (active-low reset) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 6.25 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator crystal / resonator output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator crystal / resonator input |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54-XTE/P is suitable for 7 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Sub-System Timers, Industrial Remote-Control Transmitters, Battery-Powered Smart Card Peripherals, Toy and Hobby Electronics, Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting and Display Drivers.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C54-XTE/P replaces discrete logic in washing-machine control panels, microwave user interfaces, and rice-cooker timers. Its 12 I/O pins drive key-scan matrices up to 4×4 and seven-segment LED displays directly thanks to 25 mA sink capability. The 4 MHz CPU executes a typical scan-loop in under 50 µs, leaving plenty of margin for keypad debounce and relay control. OTP program memory fits the firmware (typically 200–400 instructions) while keeping unit cost at the bottom of the MCU range. The 2.5 V to 6.25 V supply range allows direct operation from a rectified 5 V rail without an extra regulator. For new designs, Microchip recommends the pin-compatible PIC16F54.
Recommended
Automotive Sub-System Timers
The PIC16C54-XTE/P serves as an inexpensive timing controller in interior lighting delays, seat-belt reminder buzzers, and HVAC mode selectors. Its 8-bit TMR0 with software-prescaler provides timing from microseconds to seconds, supporting pulse-width modulation for lamp dimming. Hardware watchdog (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator independent of the main crystal) recovers the system from ESD-induced lockups on automotive 12 V buses. The commercial 0 °C to +70 °C temperature range suits cabin-mounted modules, while under-hood designs should migrate to the industrial-temperature PIC16C54C-04I/P variant. The 33-instruction RISC core compiles cleanly with the MPLAB XC8 free-mode compiler and OTP programming supports low-NRE production runs.
Recommended
Industrial Remote-Control Transmitters
Garage-door openers, crane remote pendants, and ceiling-fan controllers use the PIC16C54-XTE/P because its low unit cost and 12 I/O pins fit the keypad-scan + RF-modulator architecture perfectly. The 4 MHz oscillator supports 38 kHz IR carrier generation directly from TMR0 PWM, eliminating external 555 timer ICs. OTP memory secures the transmitter ID against cloning when the firmware is locked. Two-level hardware stack keeps the ISR structure flat, ideal for tightly scheduled bit-banged protocols. The 5 V-tolerant I/O drives IR LEDs through a single MOSFET. For learning remotes, the Flash-equipped PIC16F54 allows field reprogramming of the device code.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Smart Card Peripherals
The PIC16C54-XTE/P is well-matched to battery-powered peripherals such as RFID card readers, electronic locks, and token-style authentication devices. Its 2.5 V minimum supply voltage lets it run directly from a single lithium coin cell at end-of-life, and its 1 mA typical active current yields months of standby life. The 8-bit TMR0 wakes the core from sleep via the watchdog interrupt for periodic polling, achieving < 5 µA average quiescent current. With only 768 bytes of OTP program memory, the device fits authentication challenge-response code of a few hundred instructions while staying in a sub-$1.50 BOM envelope. The PDIP-18 footprint simplifies hand-soldered prototyping of one-off credentialing tokens.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
Talking plush toys, line-following robots, and educational electronics kits commonly adopt the PIC16C54-XTE/P as the brain. Its 33 single-word instructions are easy to teach in beginner classes, and the PIC16C5x core is one of the most documented 8-bit architectures in the embedded-curriculum literature. The 12 I/O pins drive small DC motors via dual H-bridge signals, IR sensors, piezo buzzers, and LEDs without external buffering. The 4 MHz instruction rate delivers smooth PWM at audible frequencies, suitable for melody playback. OTP programming is acceptable for one-time-firmware toys, and the PIC16F54 offers a Flash variant for the same PCB when reprogrammability is desired in the classroom.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C54-XTE/P integrates low-frequency sensor front-ends in thermostats, water-level detectors, and soil-moisture probes. With a 4 MHz clock and 8-bit TMR0, it generates precise excitation pulses for resistive bridges, counts zero-crossing events for AC-line sensing, and produces 1-Hz interrupt-driven sample timing for slow analog signals. The 12 I/O handle multiplexed displays, alarm outputs, and keypad inputs simultaneously. Its 2.5 V to 6.25 V supply range allows direct operation from rectified mains without precision regulation. For designs that need a hardware A/D, the PIC16C54C-04/P remains pin-compatible; otherwise the Flash PIC16F54 adds a 10-bit ADC with the same footprint.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Display Drivers
Seven-segment LED scoreboards, marquee light chasers, and decorative rope-light controllers use the PIC16C54-XTE/P as a low-cost sequencer. Its 25 mA sink current directly drives common-cathode LED segments without transistor buffers, while its 12 I/O pins can scan up to 8 multiplexed digits with software PWM dimming at 100 Hz refresh. The 768 B OTP program memory holds 4–8 pre-programmed chase patterns with bit-banged brightness tables. Hardware PWM via TMR0 supports fade-in / fade-out transitions without external timer ICs. Industrial-temperature variants extend deployment to outdoor signage and refrigerated-case lighting.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54-XTE/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F54-I/P | PIC16C54-XT/P | PIC16C54-RC/P | PIC16C54C-04/P | PIC16C54A-04/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-pin PDIP | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 768 B (512 x 12) OTP | 768 B Flash | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | ~4 MHz (RC) | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Oscillator Mode | XT (crystal) | INTOSC + XT/HS | XT | RC | XT | XT |
| Temperature Range | 0 °C to +70 °C (E) | -40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Hardware Stack Levels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Recommended Replacement | PIC16F54 (per Microchip) | Self | PIC16F54 | PIC16F54 | PIC16F54 | PIC16F54 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest unit cost in PIC16C5x family (vs PIC16C57-XT/P)
- Pin-compatible Flash upgrade path (vs PIC16F54-I/P)
- Commercial extended-temperature screening (vs PIC16C54-XT/P (standard temp))
Design Notes
Estimated: At VDD=5 V, fOSC=4 MHz, the PIC16C54-XTE/P draws approximately 1.8 mA active and 5 µA sleep. Decouple VDD (pin 14) directly to VSS (pin 5) with a 100 nF ceramic + 10 µF electrolytic pair placed within 5 mm of the package. The PIC16C5x core does not include internal POR delay timing for slow-rising supplies — ensure VDD rise time is below 50 ms or add an external RC on MCLR (pin 4) to guarantee a clean reset. The MCLR pin is the only hardware reset source; software reset is not supported on this baseline core.
The two-level hardware stack limits subroutine nesting to a maximum of two calls before risk of stack overflow. Do not write recursive functions, and keep ISRs flat. The 768-byte OTP program memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit — every firmware revision requires a new device. Always lock the code-protect bit before shipping to prevent external readers from extracting program memory. For modern designs needing deeper stack or in-system reprogramming, migrate to the Flash-based PIC16F54, which Microchip recommends as the direct replacement.
Place the 4 MHz crystal or ceramic resonator as close as possible to pins 15 (OSC2) and 16 (OSC1), with trace lengths below 5 mm and a guard ring to ground to reduce stray capacitance. For XT-mode operation, use a parallel-resonant crystal with a 22–33 pF load capacitor on each pin. The T0CKI pin (pin 3) is the external clock input for TMR0 — when unused as a clock, terminate it to either VDD or VSS (never float) to prevent spurious TMR0 increments that waste cycles.
The PIC16C54-XTE/P I/O pins sink 25 mA and source 20 mA. For inductive loads (relays, solenoids), always add a flyback diode across the coil (1N4148 minimum, 1N4007 for >200 mA coils) to prevent latch-up. When driving LEDs, use a series resistor sized for ≤10 mA continuous per pin and ≤25 mA peak; sustained operation at the absolute maximum sink rating reduces long-term reliability. PORTB pins have weak internal pull-ups (TRIS-controlled), while PORTA pins are pure CMOS — high-impedance inputs on PORTA should be tied externally.
Compliance Information
PDIP-18 package contains lead (Pb) in the lead finish and is non-compliant with RoHS per Directive 2011/65/EU. For RoHS-compliant designs, use the PIC16F54-I/P or PIC16C54-XTE/SP (SOIC-18) variant. The PIC16C54-XTE/P does not carry AEC-Q100 automotive qualification; for automotive applications use the PIC16F54-I/P (industrial temp grade) with external qualification testing.
