PIC16C54-XTE/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU, 768B, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54-XTE/SS β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16C54-XTE/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripherals into one package. The PIC16C5X family belongs to the broader taxonomy of 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductors. Within Microchip's portfolio, the PIC16C5X represents the entry-level, lowest-cost OTP tier aimed at high-volume, cost-sensitive applications where firmware is finalized and one-time programming is acceptable.
Key features include 12 I/O pins (raffle across PORTA and PORTB), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator for code-protect recovery, Power-on Reset (POR), and a programmable code-protect bit. The 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit prescaler is shared between the WDT and general timing functions, and an external interrupt (INT) on RB0/INT provides edge-triggered wake-up capability. The device operates from 3.0 V to 6.0 V across the -40 C to +125 C industrial/extended range.
The PIC16C5X architecture uses a RISC-like Harvard structure with separate program and data buses, eliminating instruction-fetch bottlenecks and enabling deterministic single-cycle execution for all but program branches (which take two cycles). The 12-bit-wide instruction word yields an average 2:1 code compression over typical 8-bit MCU architectures in the same class, reducing program-memory footprint and cost per unit.
Typical applications include industrial control logic, appliance control boards, automotive body electronics (non-safety), smart sensors, low-end consumer products, and battery-powered devices where the 4 MHz speed and 3-6 V supply fit the design envelope. The 20-pin SSOP footprint also suits compact handheld and portable designs where board area is at a premium. The Microchip-suggested successor is the PIC16F54, a flash-based variant that retains the same peripheral set and pinout family, enabling drop-in firmware migration for new designs.
When designing with this part, note that the OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit. For prototyping or firmware iteration, use a windowed CERDIP package (PIC16C54/JW) for UV erasure, or migrate to the flash-based PIC16F54 family for development flexibility. Always include proper decoupling (100 nF + 10 uF) near VDD and use a current-limited in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) header for production programming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers evaluate the PIC16C54-XTE/SS for both new designs and legacy board reworks.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54-XTE/SS β 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Timers, Core Architecture, Instruction Cycle.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54A-20/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-04/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C54C-04/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F54-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-XTE/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
Z86E02
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-XTE/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C5X |
| Core | 8-bit PIC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12) |
| RAM | 25 bytes |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (XT speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns at 20 MHz, 1 us at 4 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0 with prescaler) |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, on-chip RC oscillator |
| Power-on Reset (POR) | Yes |
| External Interrupt (INT) | Yes (RB0/INT) |
| Code Protection | Programmable code-protect bit |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (extended grade) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Not qualified (industrial/consumer grade) |
PIC16C54-XTE/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC β Timer/counter clock input (TMR0) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 β Oscillator output / crystal connection |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 β Oscillator input / crystal connection |
| Pin 17 | RA0 β I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 β I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RA2 (alt) β I/O port A bit 2 (alternate bond) |
| Pin 20 | RA3 (alt) β I/O port A bit 3 (alternate bond) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54-XTE/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Logic, Appliance Control Boards, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Low-End Consumer Products, Smart Sensor Interface Modules, Battery-Powered Portable Devices.
Industrial Control Logic
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS suits industrial control logic boards where deterministic 1 us instruction execution and -40 C to +125 C extended temperature operation are required. With 768 bytes of OTP program memory and 25 bytes of RAM, it handles state-machine control, sensor polling, relay actuation, and alarm monitoring for pumps, fans, and conveyor systems. The 12 I/O pins directly drive optocouplers, MOSFET gates, and LED indicators without external glue logic. The 4 MHz XT oscillator grade accepts low-cost ceramic resonators for cost-sensitive industrial designs. Its Watchdog Timer and Power-on Reset ensure reliable startup and recovery from firmware faults in unattended field installations. Pin-compatible flash-based PIC16F54-I/SS variants are recommended for new designs to enable in-circuit firmware updates.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS is well-suited to white-goods appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) where its 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply range and extended temperature grade align with standard appliance power architectures. The 33-instruction RISC core delivers fast deterministic response to keypad input, encoder signals, and triac zero-cross detection for heating-element or motor control. The 768-byte OTP memory stores appliance cycle logic (wash cycles, defrost algorithms) finalized at production programming. Its small SSOP-20 footprint fits compact control boards behind front panels, and the 12 I/O lines can drive 7-segment displays, status LEDs, and buzzer outputs. Modern designs should migrate to PIC16F54-I/SS for the same package and reprogrammability.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS supports non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, mirror-adjust modules, seat-position memory, and accessory timers where its extended -40 C to +125 C temperature range handles under-dash thermal stress. Its 4 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle handle switch-debounce, PWM for LED dimming, and CAN/LIN-friendly bit-banging via software. Note: the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so it must be limited to non-safety, non-Powertrain body applications. The OTP memory locks firmware against tampering once deployed. For AEC-Q100-qualified alternatives in safety-relevant body modules, consider PIC16F18446 or dsPIC33 family parts from Microchip.
Recommended
Low-End Consumer Products
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS targets cost-sensitive consumer products such as remote-control handsets, novelty toys, electronic timers, and simple sensor interfaces where the lowest unit cost outweighs the need for flash memory. Its 33-instruction set and 12-bit instruction word deliver compact code density, allowing complete feature sets in only 768 bytes of OTP. The 4 MHz internal instruction rate (1 us/cycle) handles button scanning, IR transmit/receive bit-banging, and basic motor PWM. The 5 V supply range matches the dominant consumer-electronics power rail. For high-volume production, OTP memory provides BOM cost savings over flash parts. Pin-compatible PIC16F54T-I/SS (T = tape and reel) simplifies pick-and-place assembly on consumer manufacturing lines.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS fits smart-sensor interface modules that convert analog transducer signals (thermistors, photocells, mechanical switches) into digital outputs for downstream microcontrollers or industrial buses. Its 12 I/O pins read multiple sensors, drive indicator LEDs, and bit-bang serial protocols (UART-like, I2C-like) for higher-level networks. The 3.0 V minimum supply permits operation from a single lithium cell, and the 1 us instruction cycle enables sub-millisecond sensor polling rates. The Watchdog Timer recovers the sensor module from electrical noise-induced firmware stalls in industrial environments. Pin-compatible PIC16F54-I/SS or PIC12F1840 alternatives are preferred for new designs requiring in-field firmware updates.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Devices
The PIC16C54-XTE/SS is appropriate for battery-powered portable devices such as wireless thermometers, simple remote-control key fobs, electronic scales, and digital timers where its 3.0 V minimum supply permits operation directly from two alkaline cells or a single CR2032 lithium coin cell. The 25-byte RAM and 768-byte OTP are sufficient for state-machine control, button-debounce, and basic sleep-mode wake-up logic. The PIC16C5X family's low-power sleep mode reduces current draw between user interactions, extending battery life. The SSOP-20 package keeps the board footprint small for handheld enclosures. For ultra-low-power applications, consider migrating to PIC16LF54 or PIC12LF1840 for sub-microamp sleep currents.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54-XTE/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54A-04/SS | PIC16C54C-04/SS | PIC16F54-I/SS | Z86E02 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-20 | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Zilog |
| Program Memory | 768 B OTP (512 x 12) | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP (Z8 core) |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (XT grade) | 4 MHz (XT grade) | 4 MHz (XT grade) | 20 MHz (default) | 8 MHz (typical) |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 61 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14-23 (model-dependent) |
| Instruction Set | 33 (12-bit) | 33 (12-bit) | 33 (12-bit) | 33 (12-bit) | Z8 instruction set |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +105 C |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM (one-time) | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (in-circuit reprogrammable) | OTP (Z8 architecture) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost 8-bit OTP MCU in Microchip's portfolio (vs PIC16F54-I/SS)
- Industry-standard PIC16C5X 33-instruction core with broad third-party support (vs Z86E02)
- Extended temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C) in SSOP-20 (vs PIC16C54C-04/SS)
Design Notes
PIC16C5X is a Harvard-architecture OTP part with NO in-circuit reprogramming. Once programmed, the firmware is permanent. This makes the PIC16C54-XTE/SS inappropriate for prototyping or production designs that expect firmware field updates. For new designs where firmware iteration is expected, choose the flash-based PIC16F54-I/SS (same SSOP-20 footprint) or PIC16F54T-I/SS (tape-and-reel). For development with UV-erase capability, use the CERDIP PIC16C54/JW windowed part.
Decouple VDD (pin 14) to VSS (pin 5) with both a 100 nF ceramic capacitor (high-frequency noise) and a 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor (bulk transient response), placed as close to the IC pins as possible. The PIC16C5X core draws brief current spikes during instruction fetches; insufficient decoupling can cause code-fetch errors or spurious resets. For battery applications, add a 100 ohm series resistor on MCLR (pin 4) to limit inrush current during power-up.
The 20-pin SSOP package has a 0.65 mm pitch and 5.30 mm body width - tight but standard for hand-soldering with proper technique. Use a fine-tip soldering iron (or hot air rework for prototypes) and no-clean flux. For production, solder paste stencil aperture is typically 0.40 mm wide x 2.0 mm long per pad. Route OSC1/OSC2 traces (pins 15/16) symmetrically to the crystal or resonator, with a ground guard ring around the oscillator area to reduce EMI injection into adjacent signal lines.
MCLR (pin 4) must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor for normal operation. If not used as a reset input, MCLR can be tied directly to VDD. The Watchdog Timer should be enabled in production firmware for unattended industrial applications to recover from electrical noise-induced firmware stalls. Configure the WDT prescaler to allow ~1-4 second timeout by clearing the PSA bit and setting the appropriate PS2:PS0 bits in the OPTION register.
Compliance Information
Part is marked obsolete by Microchip; specific lot RoHS/REACH status is not confirmed in verified distributor data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not suitable for safety-relevant automotive applications. PIC16F18446 or dsPIC33 family should be used for AEC-Q100 automotive designs.