PIC16C54AT-10I/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 10MHz, 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54AT-10I/SO β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.42 | $342.00 |
| 500 | $3.05 | $1,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.78 | $2,780.00 |
| 1,600 | $2.65 | $4,240.00 |
PIC16C54AT-10I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and configurable peripherals. The PIC16C5x architecture uses a RISC-style Harvard design with a 12-bit-wide instruction word, providing predictable single-cycle execution on most instructions and enabling compact code density roughly twice that of competing 8-bit MCUs of its era.
Key features of the PIC16C54AT-10I/SO include a 10 MHz maximum operating frequency, 2.5V to 6.0V supply range (5V typical), Power-On Reset (POR), Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator, and a programmable code-protection bit. The 'I' suffix denotes the industrial -40C to +85C operating temperature range, and the 'A' revision indicates the enhanced silicon with improved peripherals and lower power versus the original PIC16C54.
This part targets cost-sensitive embedded applications where deterministic execution, small code footprint, and a familiar PIC ecosystem matter more than raw MIPS. With 33 single-word instructions and a 2-level hardware stack, the PIC16C54A is well suited to glue logic replacement, simple sensor reading, and human-interface tasks in white goods, HVAC controls, and legacy industrial equipment.
Typical applications include appliance control boards, simple timer/sequencer modules, low-end keypad/LED front panels, and battery-backed sensor nodes. The 18-SOIC footprint is industry-standard, easing hand-prototyping and field replacement.
When designing with the PIC16C54AT-10I/SO, note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit - for development cycles, choose the PIC16F54 (Flash) or PIC16C54A-JW (windowed EPROM) instead. Always place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and ensure the MCLR pin (pin 4) has a valid high-to-low reset pulse at power-up.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the 18-SOIC footprint, and practical design notes not aggregated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54AT-10I/SO 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 PIC16C54AT-10I/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Timers.
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Request AlternativesPIC16C54AT-10I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit Harvard RISC) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit words) |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (5 V typical) |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| ADC | None |
| Hardware Stack | 2 levels |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions (12-bit) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body, 300 mil |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free finish available; RoHS status varies by shipment (verify at order) |
PIC16C54AT-10I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC β TMR0 clock input / RA4 shared I/O |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master Clear reset (active low); programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6; ICSP serial clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7; ICSP serial data |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply, 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 / CLKOUT β Oscillator output / Fosc/4 clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 / CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54AT-10I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Simple Sensor Readout Nodes, Glue-Logic Replacement, HVAC and Thermostat Controllers, Simple Timer / Sequencer Modules, Keypad / LED Front Panels.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SO's 768 B OTP program memory and 12 I/O pins comfortably handle the relay-driving, button-scanning, and LED-indicator logic typical of washing-machine, dishwasher, and microwave front panels. Its 10 MHz execution rate provides roughly 2.5 MIPS - more than enough for 1 ms keypad debounce loops and TRIAC phase-control interrupts. The industrial -40 to +85 C rating covers under-cabinet appliance environments, while the 18-SOIC footprint enables single-sided PCBs with hand-solder-friendly pads. Compared to a 16-pin competitor MCU, the extra 2 I/O pins allow direct drive of a 7-segment display plus status LEDs without a shift register, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Readout Nodes
For temperature, humidity, or contact-closure sensor endpoints that sample slowly and transmit over UART or simple wire-protocol, the PIC16C54AT-10I/SO's 10-bit-accurate RTCC timer-based sampling plus 25 bytes RAM comfortably holds averaging buffers. Its 2.5-6.0 V supply range is compatible with 3.3 V sensors and 5 V legacy buses without level shifters. The 8-bit TMR0 with prescaler supports long 1-second wake intervals using a 32.768 kHz external timebase, achieving microamp average current for battery-backed thermostats. The 18-SOIC footprint is larger than TSSOP-20 alternatives, but the wide SO pads ease hand-rework during field maintenance.
Recommended
Glue-Logic Replacement
When replacing legacy 74HC-series gate arrays or discrete timing circuits, a single PIC16C54AT-10I/SO can implement the equivalent of four or five 74HC packages in one 18-SOIC IC, shrinking PCB area and improving noise immunity. The 33-instruction PIC16C5x set is learned in an afternoon, allowing rapid port of simple state machines. With 12 I/O pins the chip can replace up to 12 logic outputs, including latched or sequenced patterns that would require discrete flip-flops. The OTP memory ensures firmware is locked at production, preventing field tampering with timing-critical security or access-control logic.
Recommended
HVAC and Thermostat Controllers
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SO's industrial -40 to +85 C rating and 5 V tolerance make it well suited for HVAC damper actuators, fan-speed controllers, and basic thermostat readouts. Its 768 B program memory handles proportional control loops and EEPROM-emulation routines for setpoint storage in unused OTP regions. The on-chip Watchdog Timer prevents lockup in unattended equipment, and the Power-On Reset ensures deterministic startup after brownouts common on long compressor loads. The 18-SOIC package tolerates conformal coating for humid attic installations.
Recommended
Simple Timer / Sequencer Modules
Delay-on-make, delay-on-break, and multi-stage sequence controllers traditionally built from 555 timers and CMOS counters can be consolidated into one PIC16C54AT-10I/SO, cutting part count by 60-80 percent. The TMR0 with prescaler yields timing from 50 microseconds to several minutes without external RC networks, improving accuracy and temperature stability. The 12 I/O lines accommodate up to 8 sequenced outputs plus 4 enable/trigger inputs. OTP programming locks the timing parameters at production, preventing end-user tampering with safety-critical delays.
Recommended
Keypad / LED Front Panels
4x4 matrix keypads and 7-segment LED displays are typically scanned at 100-200 Hz with de-bounce - the PIC16C54AT-10I/SO's 10 MHz execution rate handles this with CPU to spare for menu logic and indicator LEDs. Its 12 I/O pins drive a 4x4 keypad (8 lines) plus two 7-segment digits (with external BCD decoder) or eight discrete LEDs. The PIC16C5x's predictable single-cycle instruction timing simplifies meeting display-multiplexing duty-cycle requirements without flicker. Industrial temperature grade supports outdoor kiosk and parking-meter front panels.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54AT-10I/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54AT-10/SO | PIC16C54A-10I/SO | PIC16C54A-10/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO | PIC16C54-10/SO | PIC16C54A-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body | 18-SOIC (SO) wide body |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND / Obsolete | NRND |
| Drop-In Suitable for New Designs | No (NRND) | No (NRND) | No (NRND) | No (NRND) | Yes (Flash, active) | No (older revision) | No (slower, NRND) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial -40 to +85 C temperature range vs commercial-only alternatives (vs PIC16C54AT-10/SO)
- Flash reprogrammability for development and field updates (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
- Established 33-instruction PIC16C5x toolchain and broad design heritage (vs Generic 8051 competitors)
Design Notes
Estimated: PIC16C54AT-10I/SO running from 5.0 V at 10 MHz with all 12 I/O outputs unloaded draws approximately 2.5-5 mA. Add a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 14) and VSS (pin 5), and a bulk 10 uF aluminum or tantalum at the board supply input. If the design sleeps via TMR0, verify sleep current by measuring the actual part - the on-chip WDT contributes a few microamps.
MCLR (pin 4) is a Master Clear input that requires a valid high level for normal operation. If left floating, the part will randomly reset in noisy environments. Tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor and provide a 0.1 uF decoupling cap to VDD to ensure clean Power-On Reset behavior. For ICSP programming, MCLR is raised to ~13 V - ensure the cap does not slow the rise time beyond programmer specs.
Place the decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to VDD (pin 14) and VSS (pin 5). Use a 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane for noise-sensitive analog designs; the PIC16C54A's PIC16C5x core is mostly digital, but the watchdog RC oscillator couples to VDD if routing crosses noisy I/O traces. Keep the crystal or resonator leads short and surrounded by a ground guard ring if oscillator stability is critical.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status varies by shipment date - verify on distributor product page at order time. The PIC16C5x OTP family is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F variants.
