PIC16C54C-04/SO - 8-Bit OTP MCU 4MHz 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54C-04/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.12 | $2.12 |
| 10 | $1.96 | $19.60 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
PIC16C54C-04/SO Overview
What is a baseline 8-bit OTP microcontroller? A baseline PIC microcontroller (PIC16C5x) is the simplest tier of Microchip's 8-bit PIC family, characterized by 12-bit-wide instructions, an 8-bit data path, a two-level hardware stack, and direct/indirect/relative addressing modes. OTP microcontrollers (programmed once via EPROM-like cells) are positioned below Flash-based mid-range PICs in the taxonomy: OTP EPROM microcontroller -> baseline 8-bit PIC -> PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. They remain relevant where unit cost dominates over reprogrammability and where firmware is finalized at production time.
Key features include 33 single-word instructions, single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches, an 8-bit real-time clock/counter (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, and a 12 I/O pin package with high-current sink/source capability. The device includes four oscillator options (RC, XT, HS, LP) selected by configuration fuse, and offers brown-out and code-protection fuses as part of the configuration word. Each I/O pin can source up to 25 mA, supporting direct LED drive.
Technically, the PIC16C54C-04/SO uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, an ALU with a 12-bit-wide instruction word and 8-bit data bus, and a 7- or 8-register file mapped across two banks. The instruction pipeline overlaps fetch and execute for most instructions, achieving single-cycle throughput. An external RC or crystal oscillator feeds the internal clock; the oscillator type is factory-configured rather than runtime-selected. The OTP program memory is accessed via a 12-bit PC sufficient for the 512-word address space.
Typical applications include appliance control boards, low-end consumer electronics, simple sensor interface boards, LED display drivers, and replacement of discrete logic in cost-sensitive embedded designs. The 12 high-current I/O pins and small footprint make it well suited to drive 7-segment displays, relay coils, and small buzzer interfaces directly.
When designing with the PIC16C54C-04/SO, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit; plan for a windowed UV-erasable ceramic DIP (JW) variant during firmware development. Decoupling should include a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor close to VDD with a bulk electrolytic at the board input to suppress motor-induced transients. The absence of an on-chip debug interface requires emulation via the ICEPIC in-circuit emulator or a known-good programmed device.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54C-04/SO — 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 PIC16C54C-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Maximum Clock Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54C-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-20/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54C-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-04/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54C-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 × 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 25 × 8 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| CPU Speed | 4 MHz (DC to 4 MHz input clock) |
| Instruction Width | 12 bits |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C (Commercial) |
| Timers | 1 × 8-bit (TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes (configuration-fuse selectable) |
| Stack Depth | 2 levels (hardware) |
| Oscillator Modes | RC, XT, HS, LP (configuration-fuse selected) |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA per pin (max) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free finish) |
PIC16C54C-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| 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 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54C-04/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Boards, LED Display Drivers, Battery-Powered Sensor Interface Boards, Replacement of Discrete Logic in Cost-Sensitive Designs, Toy and Hobby Electronics, Simple PWM and Pulse Generation.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C54C-04/SO is a workhorse in washing-machine, dishwasher, microwave, and rice-cooker control boards where a single 8-bit device must read a keypad or rotary encoder, drive a 7-segment or LED display, and switch relays or triacs without external buffering. Its 12 high-current (25 mA) I/O pins directly sink the segments of a 2-3 digit display and pull in low-power relays; the 4 MHz speed grade is more than adequate for debouncing inputs, scanning displays at 100 Hz, and executing a 1-2 kword state machine from the 768 B OTP program memory. The 3.0-5.5 V supply range accepts unregulated 5 V rails common in appliance designs, and the on-chip watchdog timer protects against mains-induced brown-outs that frequently occur during compressor cycling.
Recommended
LED Display Drivers
With 12 I/O pins each capable of 25 mA sink, the PIC16C54C-04/SO can directly drive multiplexed 7-segment, dot-matrix, or discrete LED arrays without external transistor drivers, eliminating 8-12 discrete parts from the BOM. The 4 MIPS throughput at 4 MHz comfortably supports Charlieplexing of up to 20 LEDs on 5 pins or matrix scanning of 8×4 LED grids at 100 Hz refresh with negligible CPU load. Its OTP EPROM memory is ideal for sealed production units where the LED patterns are frozen at programming time and unit cost must remain under $2 in volume; the commercial 0-70 °C range suits indoor signage, vending-machine price tags, and small appliances.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Interface Boards
The PIC16C54C-04/SO's sleep current of 1 µA and run current of 1.8 mA at 5 V / 4 MHz make it suitable for battery-powered sensor interface boards that wake periodically, sample a thermistor or Hall sensor, average the result, and return to sleep. The 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler provides flexible wake intervals from 32 µs to 8 seconds; using the LP oscillator mode with a 32.768 kHz crystal extends battery life to multi-year levels on two AA cells. The 768 B OTP EPROM fits typical look-up-table-based linearization routines for thermistor, RTD, or battery-voltage monitoring applications used in HVAC thermostats and remote telemetry.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic in Cost-Sensitive Designs
A single PIC16C54C-04/SO in an 18-SOIC footprint can replace 4-8 standard-logic packages (74HC-series gates, flip-flops, counters, shift registers) at lower cost and smaller board area when the application requires sequencing, timing, or pattern generation. Designers typically implement small state machines such as keypad encoders, debounced button interfaces, traffic-light sequencers, or simple PWM generators in fewer than 500 instructions of PIC16C5x assembly, well within the 768 B OTP limit. The OTP memory ensures zero firmware-reversal risk in production, and the absence of an on-chip debug port reduces tool cost for high-volume contract manufacturers.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
The PIC16C54C-04/SO is widely used in low-cost electronic toys, talking dolls, model-train controllers, and hobby RC receivers where unit cost must stay under $2 and firmware is sealed at production. Its 12 I/O pins drive servos, LEDs, sound modules, and small DC motor bridges directly; the 4 MHz instruction rate generates up to eight simultaneous software PWM channels for servo control with 1 µs resolution. The OTP EPROM prevents end-user firmware modification, a desirable property for toy manufacturers protecting their IP. The commercial temperature range covers typical indoor play environments, and the SOIC package supports automated pick-and-place assembly for high-volume toy production.
Recommended
Simple PWM and Pulse Generation
The PIC16C54C-04/SO generates software-defined PWM signals for motor speed control, LED dimming, heater regulation, and solenoid drive in industrial and consumer products, without the overhead of a dedicated PWM peripheral. At 4 MHz, the PIC16C5x core can sustain a 10-bit PWM at 4 kHz on a single pin or an 8-bit PWM at 15 kHz on two pins simultaneously using the TMR0 interrupt-less polling architecture (note: baseline PIC16C5x has no interrupts - PWM is pure software-driven). The 25 mA I/O drive directly interfaces with low-power MOSFET gate drivers such as the TC4427, eliminating a buffer stage; the OTP EPROM fits fixed-frequency and fixed-duty-cycle firmware typical of HVAC damper controllers and small pump drivers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54C-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54C-04I/SO | PIC16C54C-20/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO | PIC16C54A-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (768 B / 512 × 12) | OTP EPROM (768 B) | OTP EPROM (768 B) | Flash (768 B) | OTP EPROM (512 B / 256 × 12) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 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) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| In-Circuit Reprogrammable | No (OTP EPROM) | No (OTP EPROM) | No (OTP EPROM) | Yes (Flash / ICSP) | No (OTP EPROM) |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | $2.12 | $2.30 | $2.45 | $1.85 | $2.20 |
Key Differentiators
- Industry's lowest-cost 8-bit OTP MCU with 12 high-current I/O pins (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
- 768 B (512 × 12) program memory - 50% larger than PIC16C54A (vs PIC16C54A-04/SO)
- Direct 25 mA per-pin drive eliminates external buffers (vs PIC16F84A-I/P (18-pin PDIP))
- True drop-in 18-SOIC compatibility with PIC16F54-I/SO (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C54C-04/SO uses one-time-programmable EPROM - firmware cannot be erased in-circuit. Always develop and debug with the windowed UV-erasable PIC16C54C-04/JW (ceramic DIP) variant, then transfer the validated HEX file to the SOIC version for production. The OTP programming algorithm requires VPP=13 V on the MCLR pin during the programming pulse; attempting in-circuit programming without isolating MCLR from the rest of the circuit will damage the IC and any connected reset supervisor.
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk 10 µF electrolytic or tantalum capacitor at the board power input. The PIC16C5x baseline is sensitive to VDD droop during EEPROM programming pulses; inadequate decoupling causes programming verification failures even when the timing meets datasheet specs. For switching-regulator-fed designs, add an LC pi-filter (10 µH + 10 µF) between the switcher output and the MCU VDD to suppress ripple-coupled reset events.
Route the crystal or resonator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 16/15) as short as possible, symmetrically, and guard them with a ground pour on both sides. Keep digital switching traces (especially those driving relays or solenoids) at least 5 mm away from the oscillator traces; the high-current I/O transitions couple capacitively into the high-impedance oscillator inputs and can shift the clock by 1-2%, causing timer drift in time-sensitive applications. For RC-oscillator mode, place the resistor and capacitor adjacent to OSC1 with the ground end of the capacitor star-grounded to the MCU VSS pin (pin 5).
The MCLR reset pin (pin 4) requires a 10-50 kΩ pull-up to VDD for reliable operation; leaving MCLR floating results in intermittent resets in noisy environments. For high-noise industrial designs, add a 100 nF capacitor from MCLR to ground to filter mains-coupled transients, but be aware that the RC time constant must stay below the 1 µs minimum MCLR pulse width specified in the datasheet. The PIC16C5x baseline has no on-chip brown-out reset by default - enable the BOR configuration fuse for Vdd below 4.0 V if the design may experience slow VDD ramp times at power-up.
The PIC16C54C-04/SO consumes approximately 1.8 mA active current at 5 V / 4 MHz, dissipating 9 mW - well within the 18-SOIC thermal envelope (theta_JA ~85 °C/W). In sealed enclosure designs at 60 °C ambient, the junction temperature reaches only 60.8 °C, comfortably below the 150 °C absolute maximum. However, the watchdog timer's on-chip RC oscillator is sensitive to die temperature; calibrate the WDT period at the actual operating temperature if your firmware relies on the WDT for safety timeouts.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and lead-free finish confirmed by Microchip product page and Heisener distributor listing (2026-09-16). REACH compliance stated by Microchip. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified data - marked unknown. AEC-Q100 not applicable: this is a commercial-grade 8-bit MCU; automotive customers should source PIC16F54-I/SO with industrial-grade qualification.
