PIC16C54T-RCI/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 768B ROM, 25B RAM, SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54T-RCI/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.25 | $225.00 |
| 500 | $1.85 | $925.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16C54T-RCI/SO Overview
What is a PIC16C5X microcontroller? It is one of the earliest generations of Microchip's PIC microcontrollers, originally introduced in the late 1980s and still in production for legacy and cost-sensitive embedded designs. PIC microcontrollers occupy the broader category hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. They use a Harvard architecture, separate program and data buses, and a RISC instruction set that allows most instructions to execute in a single 200 ns instruction cycle at a 20 MHz clock input.
Key features of the PIC16C54T-RCI/SO include a 200 ns instruction cycle, single-cycle arithmetic and logic instructions (only program branches take two cycles), a 4.5 V to 5.5 V single-supply operating range, and a maximum clock input of 20 MHz. The device includes a programmable watchdog timer, a power-on reset (POR), and a 12-bit-wide instruction word that achieves approximately 2:1 code compression over competing 8-bit architectures of the era. The 12 I/O pins are bidirectional and individually programmable for direction, weak pull-up, and wake-on-change.
Architecturally, the PIC16C54 uses a 12-bit program counter and a separate 5-bit register file selector. The RC oscillator mode allows the system clock to be generated by an external resistor and capacitor, trading frequency accuracy for the lowest possible bill-of-materials cost - the part can run with no external resonator or crystal. The OTP EPROM program memory is programmed once and is non-erasable, making this part suitable for volume production where firmware is final.
Typical applications include low-cost appliance controllers, simple sensor interfaces, RC servo controllers, dedicated peripheral controllers, and replacement of discrete logic in legacy equipment. The wide-body SOIC-18 footprint is also popular for breadboard-friendly prototype adapters and educational kits. The industrial temperature rating allows deployment in outdoor enclosures and uncontrolled industrial environments.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit, so code must be fully validated before committing to production units. For development and code iteration, use the windowed CERDIP PIC16C54-JW part or the flash-based PIC16F54 successor. Estimated: at 20 MHz and 5 V, typical DC current consumption is approximately 2 mA during active execution and a few microamps in sleep mode.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from Microchip's PIC16C5X family, and practical design considerations not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54T-RCI/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 PIC16C54T-RCI/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Type, Program Memory Size, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54T-RCE/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56T-RCI/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C58T-RCI/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54CT-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54C-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54T-LPI/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54T-RCI/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16C5X |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit Harvard RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (12-bit instruction words) |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| Oscillator Mode (suffix RC) | External Resistor/Capacitor (RC) |
| Maximum Clock Input | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (single cycle, except branches which are 2 cycles) |
| Number of Instructions | 33 single-word instructions |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO), 0.295 inch / 7.50 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripheral Features | Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-On Reset (POR) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Compliant |
| Packaging Format (suffix T) | Tape and Reel |
PIC16C54T-RCI/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock input (RC mode: RC network) |
| Pin 3 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output (RC mode: instruction clock /4 fOSC) |
| Pin 4 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 6 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 7 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input (alternate function on RB0 pin 8 in some revisions) |
| Pin 17 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 18 | Vss — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54T-RCI/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Low-Cost Appliance Controllers, Simple Sensor Interface Modules, RC Servo and Motor Pulse Controllers, Replacement of Discrete Logic in Legacy Equipment, Dedicated Peripheral Controllers, Educational Kits and Development Boards, Low-Power Battery-Operated Devices.
Low-Cost Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C54T-RCI/SO is well-suited for low-cost appliance controllers where the microcontroller only needs to read a few buttons, drive indicator LEDs or a small relay, and run fixed state-machine logic. Its 12 I/O pins are sufficient to scan a 4x3 keypad, drive a multiplexed 7-segment display, and switch a triac for mains-voltage load control. The RC oscillator mode eliminates the cost of a crystal resonator, and at $1.36 per unit (LCSC, as of 2026-09-16) the BOM impact is minimal in coffee makers, washing machines, and microwave oven user-interface boards.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Interface Modules
For simple sensor interface modules such as thermistor readers, photocell detectors, and limit-switch polling, the PIC16C54T-RCI/SO provides just enough compute to debounce, average, and threshold the input without requiring an analog comparator. The 25-byte RAM holds a small rolling-average buffer, and 768 bytes of OTP memory holds the lookup table and decision logic. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating (per the I-suffix) allows deployment in outdoor sensor housings.
Recommended
RC Servo and Motor Pulse Controllers
Hobby robotics, RC servo drivers, and stepper pulse generators benefit from the PIC16C54T-RCI/SO's deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle. A simple software loop can generate the 1-2 ms pulse width modulation required for hobby servos using only two I/O pins and a tight timing loop. The RC oscillator mode allows the user to tune the system clock by changing a single resistor, providing a low-cost alternative to fixed-frequency crystal parts. Tape-and-reel packaging (T-suffix) suits automated assembly.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic in Legacy Equipment
The PIC16C54T-RCI/SO is a popular drop-in for replacing legacy 74-series TTL/CMOS glue logic in service-repair and modernization contexts. A single 18-pin SOIC replaces dozens of discrete gates implementing state machines, sequencers, and combinational decoders. The 768-byte OTP holds state-transition tables, and the 12 I/O pins drive the same logic signals. The PIC16C5X family has been in production since the late 1980s, so service-parts inventory remains deep at major distributors.
Recommended
Dedicated Peripheral Controllers
In larger systems the PIC16C54T-RCI/SO can act as a dedicated slave peripheral controller - for example, driving a character LCD, scanning a matrix keypad, or controlling a string of LEDs under command of a host processor via a bit-banged UART. With its 5 V industrial operating range and SOIC-18 footprint, it integrates easily as a board-level sub-module. The baseline cost (~$1.36 as of 2026-09-16) is lower than most dedicated peripheral-driver ASICs for low-volume designs.
Recommended
Educational Kits and Development Boards
The PIC16C54T-RCI/SO is frequently used in college-level embedded systems courses, training kits, and breadboard-friendly development boards because of its simple RISC architecture, 33-instruction set, and well-documented PIC16C5X family. Students can hand-solder the wide-body SOIC-18 onto adapter boards or use through-hole equivalents (PDIP-18) for breadboarding. The industrial temperature grade and 5 V supply make it safe in classroom lab environments.
Recommended
Low-Power Battery-Operated Devices
Although the PIC16C54T-RCI/SO has no dedicated sleep mode in the strictest sense, the LP oscillator suffix variant (PIC16C54T-LPI/SO) shares the same SOIC-18 footprint and can be used in battery applications where the controller spends most of its time in a halt loop waiting for an external interrupt or watchdog wake-up. Combined with the 4.5-5.5 V supply and industrial temp range, this makes it suitable for remote sensor nodes, security keypads, and metering peripherals.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54T-RCI/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54T-RCE/SO | PIC16C56T-RCI/SO | PIC16C58T-RCI/SO | PIC16C54CT-20I/SO | PIC16C54AT-20I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) - same | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) - same | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) - same | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) - same | SOIC-18 (0.295 inch) - same |
| Program Memory | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 1.5 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP |
| Data RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 73 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Max Clock Input | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Oscillator Mode | RC | RC (extended temperature) | RC | RC | RC | RC |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Unit Price (1 pc, ~) | $2.95 | $2.95 - $3.20 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $3.20 - $3.80 | $2.80 - $3.10 | $2.85 - $3.20 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost Microchip PIC16C5X option in SOIC-18 (vs PIC16C56T-RCI/SO)
- Wide industrial operating temperature range (vs PIC16C54C-04/SO)
- Same-package upgrade path within family (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C54T-RCI/SO operates from a single 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply on pin 17 (Vdd). Decouple Vdd with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package pin, plus a 10 uF electrolytic bulk capacitor on the supply rail. Although the part does not have a true sleep mode, software halt loops with WDT-driven wake can reduce active current to a few hundred microamps. Estimated: at 20 MHz RC clock and 5 V, typical active IDD is approximately 2 mA per Microchip datasheet 30412D typical characteristics.
The SOIC-18 wide-body footprint requires a 1.27 mm pitch land pattern with pad dimensions of approximately 0.6 mm x 1.5 mm per JEDEC MS-013. Keep analog and digital traces separated; route the MCLR (pin 1) trace directly to the reset network without branching to other signals to avoid noise-induced resets. Place the RC oscillator resistor and capacitor close to the OSC1 pin (pin 2) to minimize stray capacitance that would shift the system clock frequency. The exposed copper under the IC should not exceed the SOIC thermal pad guidelines - this part has no exposed pad.
The PIC16C54 has no interrupt controller - all events must be polled. Do not write code expecting interrupt-on-change behavior. The baseline 16C54 also lacks an analog comparator; if your design needs one, choose PIC16C54C (silicon rev C) which adds a comparator module, or move to PIC16F54. The OTP memory cannot be re-programmed - validate firmware on a windowed CERDIP PIC16C54-JW or flash-based PIC16F54 before committing production code. The MCLR pin must NOT be left floating; tie through a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd or the part may randomly reset.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a general-purpose industrial MCU. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declaration. The OTP EPROM program memory is a one-time-write technology.
