PIC16C54CT-20/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU, 20MHz, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54CT-20/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.26 | $3.26 |
| 10 | $2.93 | $29.30 |
| 100 | $2.51 | $251.00 |
| 500 | $2.18 | $1,090.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.86 | $1,860.00 |
PIC16C54CT-20/SS Overview
An OTP microcontroller (One-Time Programmable) is a programmable logic device whose on-chip non-volatile memory can be written exactly once and cannot subsequently be erased by UV or electrical means. The PIC16C54C family belongs to the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> 8-bit MCU -> CMOS RISC MCU -> PIC16C OTP family. This class of device remains relevant for cost-sensitive, high-volume, and code-stable applications where in-field re-programmability is not required.
Key features include a 12-bit wide instruction word, 33 single-word instructions, a two-level hardware stack, 8-bit timer/counter with programmable prescaler, and a programmable watchdog timer for fail-safe operation. The /SS suffix denotes the SSOP-20 (Shrink Small Outline Package, 5.20 mm body width) surface-mount form factor with commercial temperature grade (0C to +70C). The 'CT' suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging on the commercial-grade OTP die.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, dedicated-purpose controllers (washing machines, microwave ovens, remote controls), battery chargers, and small motor controllers. Its small footprint and deterministic instruction timing also suit simple sensor signal-conditioning and LED driving tasks.
When designing with the PIC16C54CT-20/SS, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit; firmware must be fully production-tested before committing. Adequate decoupling (100 nF + 10 uF) at VDD is recommended, and unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs low to minimize supply current. The ICSP interface requires a 13V nominal VPP for programming — verify programmer compatibility before prototype bring-up.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing across DigiKey, Mouser and Octopart, drop-in alternatives from Microchip's PIC16C5x family, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet. Information gain over a bare datasheet includes cross-reference validation, lifecycle status, and parametric comparison against pin-compatible siblings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54CT-20/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 PIC16C54CT-20/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54C-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54CT-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54CT-20/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C5x |
| Core | 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 |
| Hardware Stack Levels | 2 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit with prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (programmable) |
| Package | SSOP-20 (5.20 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
PIC16C54CT-20/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 6 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 7 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 8 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 9 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 10 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 11 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 12 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 13 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 14 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 17 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 18 | /INT — External interrupt input |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 20 | /MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / ICSP programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54CT-20/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Controllers, Remote Control Transmitters, Battery Chargers, LED Lighting Controllers, Sensor Signal Conditioning, Small DC Motor and Solenoid Drivers.
Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS fits consumer appliance controllers because its 768-byte OTP program memory is sufficient for fixed-function appliance logic (washing machine cycles, microwave timer sequences, toaster controllers, and rice cooker profiles). The 20 MHz instruction rate yields 200 ns minimum instruction cycle, fast enough for relay de-bounce, sensor sampling, and triac zero-crossing control. The 12 I/O pins directly drive LED indicators, keypad matrices (4x4 scan via port A/B multiplexed), and discrete control outputs. Commercial 0C to +70C operating temperature covers indoor appliance environments. The OTP memory enforces firmware stability across the production run, eliminating in-field re-programming that is undesirable in safety-rated consumer products.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS suits infrared remote control transmitters for TVs, set-top boxes, and air-conditioner units. The PIC16C5x RISC core consumes typically <2 mA at 5 V and 4 MHz, enabling long battery life with 2xAA cells, while the 33 single-word instructions provide deterministic timing for IR carrier generation (typically 38 kHz or 56 kHz). The 8-bit timer with prescaler generates precise carrier duty cycles, and the 12 I/O directly drive IR LEDs, keypad scan matrix, and status LEDs. OTP memory locks the transmit protocol in firmware, preventing accidental re-programming that could compromise device pairing. The SSOP-20 small footprint enables slim remote-control PCBs.
Recommended
Battery Chargers
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS is well-suited for NiCd, NiMH, and small Li-ion single-cell battery chargers where charging profiles are fixed and safety-critical. Its 12-bit instruction set and 20 MHz clock enable accurate ADC-free delta-V detection via comparator + timer, supporting -delta-V charge termination for NiMH cells with up to 1% voltage measurement resolution. The 25-byte RAM is adequate for state-machine charge algorithms (trickle, fast-charge, top-off, terminate). The 2.5V to 5.5V supply range operates directly from a USB or wall-adapter rectified rail. OTP memory ensures the safety charge profile cannot be modified by end-users, meeting UL and IEC safety requirements for consumer charging products.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS drives decorative and architectural LED controllers, including RGB color-mixing, chasing patterns, and dimmable constant-current LED strings. The 12 I/O pins support up to 12 PWM channels via software bit-banging (the PIC16C54C has no hardware PWM), and the 20 MHz clock provides 200 ns instruction granularity suitable for 8-bit PWM at 1 kHz update rate. 25 bytes RAM store color look-up tables and chase-pattern state. OTP memory locks the lighting sequence, ideal for commercial installations and theme-park animatronics where reproducible behavior is required. The SSOP-20 surface-mount package supports compact driver PCBs that fit inside standard junction boxes.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS conditions low-bandwidth analog sensor signals in HVAC, security panels, and industrial monitoring where firmware stability is paramount. The 8-bit timer with prescaler provides calibrated sample timing for thermistor, humidity, and PIR motion sensor sampling. The 33-instruction RISC core executes linearization and threshold-comparison logic with deterministic latency, important for safety-related sensor trip points. OTP memory locks the calibration coefficients, preventing accidental field modification that could violate safety margins. The 2.5V minimum supply allows operation from 3.3V regulated rails typical of battery-backed sensor nodes. The 0C to +70C commercial range covers indoor sensor enclosures.
Recommended
Small DC Motor and Solenoid Drivers
The PIC16C54CT-20/SS controls small brushed DC motors, stepper motors, and solenoid valves in vending machines, point-of-sale terminals, and dispensing equipment. The 8-bit timer generates PWM at adjustable duty cycles for motor speed control, while the 12 I/O pins drive H-bridge enable inputs, direction logic, and current-sense comparator inputs. The 20 MHz instruction rate provides adequate closed-loop PID bandwidth for fans and pumps with sub-millisecond response. OTP firmware locks the motor acceleration/deceleration profiles and torque limits, preventing unauthorized tuning that could damage mechanical loads. SSOP-20 supports compact driver PCBs that fit inside motor housings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54CT-20/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54C-20I/SS | PIC16C54C-04/SS | PIC16C54CT-04/SS | PIC16C54A-04/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SSOP-20 | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same | SSOP-20 - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete |
Key Differentiators
- Commercial temperature grade with 20 MHz max clock (vs PIC16C54C-04/SS)
- Industrial temperature variant exists in same family (vs PIC16C54C-20I/SS)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume assembly (vs PIC16C54C-20/SS (tube))
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 16) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor on the same supply trace. OTP PIC16C5x devices have no internal POR delay below 2.5 V — if VDD ramp time exceeds 100 ms, add an external reset supervisor or use a slower RC rise on /MCLR. Estimated typical VDD quiescent current is 2 mA at 5 V/20 MHz; at 4 MHz it drops to ~1 mA. For battery applications, run from a 32 kHz watch crystal with the LF oscillator mode to reduce IDD below 50 uA.
The SSOP-20 (5.20 mm body) requires hand-soldering skill or precise reflow profile. Use 0.65 mm pitch land pattern with NSMD pads to improve solder joint reliability under thermal cycling. Keep the crystal load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) within 3 mm of OSC1/OSC2 to minimize parasitic capacitance that shifts oscillator frequency. Route /MCLR (pin 20) away from high-current switching traces to prevent spurious resets; add a 10 kohm pull-up and 100 nF cap-to-ground for noise immunity. The ICSP VPP signal shares /MCLR — keep the ICSP header isolated from any in-circuit reset source.
OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory cannot be erased — a single mis-programmed batch requires scrapping the parts. Estimate: at qty 1000 with USD 1.86 unit cost, a 10% programming yield loss is USD 186. Always program a few sample units first, verify with a logic analyzer, and validate the configuration bits (watchdog, oscillator, code protect) before volume programming. Also note the PIC16C5x requires 13 V nominal VPP during ICSP — modern programmers default to 5 V only and will fail to program the OTP, producing a misleading 'device not detected' error. Confirm programmer support for PIC16C5X OTP before allocating production capacity.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not explicitly stated in verified distributor data. PIC16C5X OTP family predates widespread RoHS transition; designers should request RoHS/REACH certificates directly from Microchip for industrial or consumer applications requiring compliance. AEC-Q100 not applicable — part is commercial-grade.
