PIC16C54AT-10E/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54AT-10E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.76 | $17.60 |
| 100 | $1.58 | $158.00 |
| 500 | $1.42 | $710.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.27 | $1,270.00 |
PIC16C54AT-10E/SS Overview
An 8-bit OTP microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates CPU, non-volatile program memory (one-time programmable in this case), data RAM, and peripheral I/O on a single die. The PIC16C5X family uses a Harvard architecture with 12-bit-wide instructions that deliver 2:1 code compression over competitors in its class. These microcontrollers serve as cost-effective embedded controllers in applications where the program is finalized at production and never requires field update.
Key features include 33 single-word instructions, single-cycle execution (200ns at 10MHz) except for two-cycle program branches, 12-bit instruction width with symmetric instruction set, 8-bit wide data path, 12 I/O pins, 8-bit real-time clock/counter, watchdog timer, power-on reset, and 4.5V to 5.5V single-supply operation. The Extended commercial temperature range supports -40C to +125C operation, enabling deployment in industrial and automotive environments.
The PIC16C5X architecture uses a RISC-style instruction set with only 33 instructions to learn, reducing development time. Its CMOS design delivers high performance with low power consumption. The 12-bit instruction format and 8-bit data bus provide an optimal balance between code density and arithmetic capability for control-oriented applications. The 200ns instruction cycle (single-cycle for most instructions) at 10MHz enables responsive control loop execution.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, automotive subsystems, white goods and appliance controllers, smart sensor interfaces, simple motor control, remote controls, and consumer electronics where cost-sensitive 8-bit processing is sufficient. The Extended temperature grade and OTP memory make it particularly suited to high-volume, fixed-function, cost-driven designs.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the chosen programming tool supports OTP device programming and that the program is finalized before volume production. The internal RC oscillator option eliminates external clock components for cost-sensitive designs, but an external crystal is recommended for timing-sensitive applications requiring precise communication or control loops.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package and same-family alternatives, application guidance, and design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone - data points were aggregated from DigiKey, Mouser, MicrochipUSA, and Microchip official sources.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54AT-10E/SS — 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 PIC16C54AT-10E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54AT-10/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-10E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Clock Speed | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) |
| Data RAM Size | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Oscillator Type | External or Internal RC |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions |
| Lifecycle Stage | Active |
PIC16C54AT-10E/SS 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 — Timer0 clock input / RA4 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.5V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54AT-10E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Automotive Body Electronics, White Goods and Appliance Controllers, Remote Control and Consumer Devices, Smart Sensor Interfaces, Simple Motor and Stepper Control.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS fits industrial control applications requiring a low-cost 8-bit MCU with Extended temperature range and OTP memory. Its 10MHz core provides 200ns instruction cycles, sufficient for sensor sampling, relay control, and basic PID loops in PLC input modules, motor starters, and process instrumentation. The 12 I/O pins connect directly to optocouplers, button matrices, and LED indicators. With 25 bytes of RAM and 768 bytes of OTP program memory, the part handles small deterministic control tasks. The 4.5V-5.5V supply aligns with industrial 5V backplane rails; the SSOP-20 footprint suits high-density PCB layouts where Through-Hole packages would not fit. OTP memory eliminates EEPROM/Flash programming infrastructure cost in mature production lines.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS serves automotive body and accessory electronics such as interior lighting controllers, seat position memory, climate control knobs, and wiper timers. The Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature range handles cabin and underhood-adjacent thermal environments. Its 10MHz clock enables smooth debounce and PWM generation for motor speed control; the 12 I/O pins accept digital switches and drive relays or MOSFET gates directly. 768 bytes of OTP memory stores fixed behavior tables (timing sequences, lighting curves) finalized at production. The SSOP-20 surface-mount package suits modern automotive PCB density requirements. For AEC-Q100 qualified safety functions, consider PIC16C54A-E/SP or PIC16F54-I/SS variants explicitly rated to automotive standards.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS is a strong fit for white goods such as washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and HVAC blower controllers. Its 10MHz core executes button-debounce routines, timer logic, and relay/buzzer/display driving in 200ns cycles. The 12 I/O pins connect to capacitive touch pads, 7-segment LED displays, and triac optocouplers. With OTP program memory, manufacturers lock firmware at production - preventing field tampering with safety-critical parameters. The 4.5V-5.5V supply aligns with 5V regulator outputs after rectification; the SSOP-20 form factor supports compact control boards with high-volume automated assembly. Extended temperature rating handles the heat of motor compartments and cold of garage installations.
Recommended
Remote Control and Consumer Devices
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS powers infrared remote controls, RF key fobs, low-end toys, and consumer electronics where the program is fixed and cost per unit dominates design choices. Its 10MHz core generates accurate IR carrier frequencies (38kHz/40kHz) using timer interrupts and software PWM. The 12 I/O pins connect to button matrixes, LED indicators, and IR LEDs directly. With only 768 bytes of OTP, the firmware fits comfortably in the program space while remaining protected from copying. The 25-byte RAM holds button state and small transmission buffers. The 5V supply matches alkaline battery configurations; low-power CMOS design minimizes battery drain. OTP memory ensures the firmware cannot be reverse-engineered and copied by low-volume competitors.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Interfaces
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS acts as a low-cost companion MCU to digital sensors, converting serial/UART output to analog voltage or simple display driving. Its 10MHz core handles UART bit-banging at common baud rates up to 9600, or SPI master communication to sensor ICs. The 12 I/O pins connect to multiple sensors, status LEDs, and a local user interface. With 768 bytes of OTP memory, calibration coefficients and look-up tables fit comfortably; 25 bytes of RAM buffers the most recent sensor readings. The 4.5V-5.5V supply supports typical sensor bridge excitation voltages; the Extended temperature range suits outdoor or industrial sensor installations. The SSOP-20 footprint integrates with the small sensor packages typical of modern sensor boards.
Recommended
Simple Motor and Stepper Control
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS controls small DC motors, stepper motors, and solenoids in applications such as vending machines, point-of-sale terminals, and small-format printers. Its 10MHz clock generates precise stepper phase sequences with 200ns timing resolution; PWM output drives DC motor speed control. The 12 I/O pins directly drive MOSFET gate drivers, optoisolators, or low-power H-bridges; OTP memory stores fixed motion profiles and limit-check routines. The Extended -40C to +125C rating supports motor-heat-adjacent PCB locations. 25 bytes of RAM holds position counters and ramp tables. The SSOP-20 package fits tight motor-driver PCBs where DIP packages are impractical.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54AT-10E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54AT-10/SS | PIC16C54A-20I/SS | PIC16C54A-20E/SS | PIC16C54A-04E/SS | PIC16C54A-04/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP |
| Core Clock Speed | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns | 200 ns | 100 ns | 100 ns | 500 ns | 500 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (768B) | OTP (768B) | OTP (768B) | OTP (768B) | OTP (768B) | OTP (768B) |
| Data RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade for harsh environments (vs PIC16C54AT-10/SS)
- 2x instruction throughput vs 4MHz variants (vs PIC16C54A-04E/SS)
- Higher clock speed than 4MHz cost-down parts (vs PIC16C54A-04/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C54AT-10E/SS operates from a single 4.5V-5.5V supply. Decouple VDD (pin 20) with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the package, plus a 10uF bulk capacitor on the board near the MCU. The MCLR pin (pin 4) should be pulled up to VDD through a 10k resistor for normal operation; if not used, MCLR can be tied directly to VDD. The device has no internal POR delay beyond a brief oscillator-stabilization period, so allow the external supply and crystal/oscillator to settle before code execution begins.
OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory can be programmed only once - there is no field reprogramming capability. Verify the firmware code thoroughly in EPROM or Flash prototypes before committing to OTP production volume. The 12-bit instruction width and Harvard architecture differ from 8051, AVR, and other 8-bit MCUs, so porting code from those families requires complete rewrite, not just recompilation. The 25-byte RAM is shared with the stack; deep call nesting will overflow into general-purpose variables.
For the 20-SSOP package, route the oscillator pins (OSC1/OSC2, pins 15-16) with short traces and keep digital signal traces away to minimize noise coupling. Place the SSOP footprint with adequate clearance for automated optical inspection. The thermal pad is not present on SSOP-20, but the device is low-power CMOS and does not require special thermal management; standard PCB copper pour provides sufficient heat dissipation. Route VDD/VSS as a star or wide-trace topology to minimize ground bounce during I/O transitions.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product environmental compliance documentation. Lead-free finish with matte tin plating on leads. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part targets industrial and Extended commercial temperature grades; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications use PIC16F54-I/SS or similar qualified variants.
