PIC16C54AT-10I/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54AT-10I/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.15 | $2,150.00 |
PIC16C54AT-10I/SS Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that processes data in 8-bit wide chunks and integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and I/O peripherals on one die. The PIC16C5X family belongs to the broader category of microcontrollers -> RISC microcontrollers -> embedded controllers -> semiconductors. These devices replace discrete logic and reduce BOM cost in cost-sensitive embedded designs where higher-performance ARM Cortex-M parts would be over-spec and more expensive.
Key features of the PIC16C54AT-10I/SS include 12 general-purpose digital I/O pins, an on-chip Power-On Reset (POR) circuit, a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for runaway code recovery, and an operating voltage range of 3.0 V to 6.0 V. The 10 MHz oscillator frequency with a 100 ns instruction cycle gives a throughput of approximately 10 MIPS, while the 33-instruction set simplifies code generation and shortens the learning curve for new PIC developers.
Architecturally, the PIC16C54A uses a Harvard memory layout with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same cycle. The OTP program memory (768 bytes organized as 512 x 12-bit words) is written once with a device programmer and is suited for low-to-medium volume production where flash reprogrammability is not required. The SSOP-20 footprint keeps board real-estate small while still accommodating the 12 I/O pins plus VDD, VSS, MCLR, OSC1 and OSC2.
Typical applications for the PIC16C54AT-10I/SS include appliance controllers, simple sensor interfaces, LED drivers, low-end remote controls, and educational/hobbyist projects where the OTP memory cost advantage and 33-instruction simplicity outweigh the lack of in-circuit reprogrammability. It is also used as a glue logic replacement in industrial control boards where deterministic cycle timing is required.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory cannot be erased, so firmware must be fully verified before programming. The 12 I/O pins share a common bank with limited sourcing capability, so high-current loads require external transistors or driver ICs. For designs requiring field upgrades, consider a flash-based PIC16F5X counterpart in the same SSOP-20 footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the PIC16C5X family, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select, source, and qualify the PIC16C54AT-10I/SS quickly.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54AT-10I/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-10I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Instruction Set, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Instruction Cycle Time.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54A-10I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54AT-10/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54A-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-10I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 100 ns (at 10 MHz) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit words) |
| Data RAM Size | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | POR (Power-On Reset), WDT (Watchdog Timer) |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions |
| Oscillator Type | External RC/HS/XT/LP |
PIC16C54AT-10I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Digital I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Digital I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Digital I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/RTCC — Digital I/O port A bit 4 / RTCC timer pin |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Digital I/O port B bit 6 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Digital I/O port B bit 7 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 20 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54AT-10I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Board, Remote Control Transmitter, LED Display Driver, Simple Sensor Hub / Data Logger, Educational / Hobbyist Platform, Industrial Discrete Logic Replacement.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS is well suited for low-cost appliance controllers such as washing-machine timers, microwave user interfaces, and HVAC fan controllers. Its 10 MHz RISC core delivers 100 ns instruction cycles, sufficient to scan keypads and drive multiplexed LED or seven-segment displays in real time. The 768-byte OTP program memory holds the entire appliance state machine including timing tables, sensor debounce routines, and fault-handling logic. The 12 GPIO pins handle keypad scanning rows and relay-driver outputs directly. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range tolerates the thermal environment inside enclosed appliances, while the integrated Watchdog Timer recovers the MCU from ESD-induced latchups and software runaway conditions.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS fits battery-powered remote controls for toys, ceiling fans, and consumer IR/RF transmitters. Its CMOS design and 3.0-6.0 V supply range allow operation directly from two AA cells without a boost converter. The RISC architecture's 33 single-cycle instructions produce compact code, enabling the entire button-debounce, rolling-code, and transmit-state machine to fit within the 768-byte OTP budget. Power-on Reset and Watchdog Timer ensure the device starts cleanly after battery insertion and recovers from brown-out events. The 12 I/O pins directly drive IR LEDs and scan 4x3 or 4x4 button matrices without external logic.
Recommended
LED Display Driver
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS serves as a low-cost controller for scrolling LED message boards, marquee signs, and decorative lighting strips. The 10 MHz core easily multiplexes 8 to 12 rows of LEDs at refresh rates above 100 Hz, eliminating visible flicker. The 768-byte OTP memory stores font tables and animation sequences, while 25 bytes of RAM holds the current display buffer. The 12 GPIO pins drive both LED row and column drivers; for larger matrices, external shift registers such as 74HC595 chain off the SPI-like bit-banged interface. OTP programming locks the chosen animation patterns into firmware, preventing end-user modification of branded signage.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Hub / Data Logger
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS can act as a minimal sensor hub for low-rate industrial telemetry such as temperature, humidity, or switch-state logging. With 10 MHz of processing headroom and 25 bytes of RAM, the MCU bit-bangs I2C or SPI to read digital sensors and writes time-stamped samples to external EEPROM. The Watchdog Timer recovers from communication lockups, while POR ensures a clean start on power-up. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature tolerance enables deployment in unconditioned enclosures. The 768-byte OTP budget fits a polled sensor driver plus UART debug output for factory calibration.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Platform
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS remains popular in electronics education and hobbyist projects because its 33-instruction RISC set can be learned in an afternoon, and the simple SSOP-20 breakout boards expose all 12 I/O pins plus power and programming headers. Universities use it to teach assembly language, embedded timing, and interrupt-driven I/O. Hobbyists build line-following robots, dice simulators, and binary clocks. The OTP memory adds a learning constraint - code must be right the first time - which mirrors real-world high-volume production where firmware revisions are expensive.
Recommended
Industrial Discrete Logic Replacement
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS replaces legacy 74-series discrete logic in industrial controllers by integrating timing, sequencing, and conditional logic into one programmable device. A single PIC16C54AT-10I/SS replaces 5-10 TTL packages, reducing board area, power consumption, and BOM cost. Industrial -40C to +85C operation suits factory-floor enclosures, while the Watchdog Timer and Power-On Reset provide fault-recovery features that discrete logic cannot match. The 768-byte OTP memory stores deterministic state machines for interlocks, conveyor control, and pump sequencing, where code is fully frozen at design time.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54AT-10I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54A-10I/SS | PIC16C54AT-10/SS | PIC16C54AT-10E/SS | PIC16F54A-I/SS | PIC16C54A-20I/SS | PIC16C54A-04E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | Flash (768 B) | OTP (768 B) | OTP (768 B) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND | NRND |
| Programming Method | Device programmer (OTP) | Device programmer (OTP) | Device programmer (OTP) | Device programmer (OTP) | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) | Device programmer (OTP) | Device programmer (OTP) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature range -40C to +85C with extended-temperature variant available (vs PIC16C54AT-10/SS)
- Tape-and-reel packaging optimized for SMT production lines (vs PIC16C54A-10I/SS)
- Pin-compatible flash upgrade path exists in PIC16F54A-I/SS (vs Other legacy 8-bit MCUs)
Design Notes
OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten - any code change after programming requires a new device and adds manufacturing cost. Use a PIC16F54A-I/SS prototype for firmware development and qualification, then transition to the PIC16C54AT-10I/SS for production once firmware is frozen. Verify all interrupt vectors, configuration bits, and oscillator calibration data before programming. Each device can only be programmed once - keep a programming failure log to detect bad batches early.
The PIC16C54AT-10I/SS draws approximately 2 mA active at 10 MHz and 5 V. The supply voltage range of 3.0-6.0 V tolerates battery droop and regulator tolerance, but bypass VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 19. For battery-powered designs, enable the internal Sleep mode between active intervals to reduce current to under 4 uA - the Watchdog Timer wakes the device periodically. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 20) must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation.
SSOP-20 footprint requires precise land pattern geometry per IPC-7351 - pad pitch 0.65 mm, pad width 0.40 mm, pad length 1.0 mm. Hand-soldering SSOP is difficult; use a reflow profile with peak temperature 245 C for lead-free solder. Keep the oscillator traces (OSC1 pin 15, OSC2 pin 16) under 10 mm and surround them with a ground pour to reduce EMI coupling into adjacent signal lines. Place the VDD bypass capacitor directly between VDD and VSS, using a short, wide trace pair to minimize inductance.
Port B pins RB4-RB7 support interrupt-on-change; route these to low-impedance sources to avoid false triggers. Decouple each ICSP-connected target board with a separate 100 nF + 10 uF capacitor pair on VDD. When migrating from a PDIP-20 prototype to SSOP-20 production, verify that the pinout ordering matches - both packages share the same PIC pin numbering. Avoid routing high-speed signals across the SSOP-20's exposed lead frame to prevent capacitive coupling into the oscillator section.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not applicable for non-automotive MCU. Halogen-free status not stated in verified web data.
