PIC16C554-04/P - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 896B | 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C554-04/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.58 | $4.58 |
| 10 | $4.12 | $41.20 |
| 100 | $3.65 | $365.00 |
| 500 | $3.21 | $1,605.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.85 | $2,850.00 |
PIC16C554-04/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), peripherals, and I/O on one die. The PIC16C5xx family sits at the foundation of Microchip's PIC architecture hierarchy (PIC10/PIC12/PIC16/PIC18/PIC24/dsPIC/PIC32) and is widely used as a cost-optimized general-purpose controller for simple glue logic replacement, sensor interfaces, and consumer/industrial embedded products. Because the program memory is OTP (not re-programmable in-circuit), this family targets low-cost production volumes where firmware is finalized.
Key features of the PIC16C554-04/P include: 35 single-word instructions, 12-bit-wide instructions with 8-bit data path, two-level hardware stack, direct/indirect/relative addressing, an 8-bit real-time clock/counter (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, power-saving SLEEP mode, 4 MHz oscillator input, CMOS low-power process, and 13 bi-directional I/O pins. Operating voltage range is 3.0 V to 6.0 V, with commercial and industrial temperature grades available.
Technically, the PIC16C554 uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses; the 12-bit instruction word allows all instructions to be single-cycle except branches (two cycles). The on-chip watchdog timer with its own internal RC oscillator provides autonomous recovery without external components. The CMOS process gives the part very low standby current and suits it for battery-friendly consumer applications.
Typical applications include automotive subsystems (sensor interfaces, simple body controllers), industrial control (timers, counters, simple state machines), low-end consumer appliances, IR remote controls, and white-goods user-interface boards. The 13 I/O pins can directly drive LEDs, scan keypads, or bit-bang simple serial protocols.
When designing with this part, note that OTP is one-time programmable; firmware bugs cannot be field-updated. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and keep the resonator/clock traces short to avoid noise injection into TMR0. Verify the in-circuit programmer (e.g. PICSTART+) supports the OTP window-less variant before committing to production tooling.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in Microchip same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C554-04/P — 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 PIC16C554-04/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Mounting Type, Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C554-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C558-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-10/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C554-20/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C554-04/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14-bit words) |
| RAM Size | 80 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300", 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C to +70°C (commercial) |
| Oscillator Type | External (RC or crystal) |
| Peripherals | TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler, Watchdog Timer (WDT), POR |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| Stack Depth | 2 levels (hardware) |
| RoHS Status | Non-compliant (contains Pb in PDIP) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole) |
PIC16C554-04/P 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 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| 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 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / external clock output |
| 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
PIC16C554-04/P is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Industrial Timer / Counter Modules, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, IR Remote Control Transmitters, Sensor Interface Front-Ends, Battery-Operated Standby Controllers.
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC16C554-04/P's 4 MHz CPU, 13 GPIO pins, and 896-byte OTP program memory make it well suited to automotive body-control subsystems such as mirror adjusters, seat-position encoders, or wiper-interval timers. Its 18-PDIP through-hole package survives under-hood thermal cycling and the -I (industrial) variant tolerates -40°C to +85°C ambient under the dashboard. Compared with discrete logic, the part integrates 35 instructions, TMR0 with prescaler, watchdog timer, and POR in one IC, cutting BOM count and PCB area.
Recommended
Industrial Timer / Counter Modules
The PIC16C554-04/P is widely deployed as a low-cost digital timer or event-counter in industrial control panels. Its 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler supports timing from microseconds to several seconds when paired with a 4 MHz resonator, while the watchdog timer (WDT) with internal RC oscillator provides autonomous brown-out recovery without external components. The 13 GPIO pins can drive LED bar graphs, scan 4×4 keypads, or switch 24 V relays through a single 18-PDIP footprint — ideal for PLC sub-modules and process-control auxiliaries.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
In white-goods and consumer appliances — washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers — the PIC16C554-04/P drives user-interface keypads, indicator LEDs, and triac-controlled loads. Its CMOS process delivers microamp-level SLEEP current for standby-Energy-Star compliance, while the 200 ns instruction cycle at 4 MHz comfortably handles button de-bounce, PWM for buzzer tones, and triac zero-cross timing. The 18-PDIP package is hand-solderable for low-volume SKUs and field-serviceable.
Recommended
IR Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC16C554-04/P is an excellent fit for IR remote-control transmitters because its 4 MHz execution rate and 200 ns cycle can bit-bang RC-5, NEC, or SIRC protocols in software without external UART hardware. The 13 GPIO pins drive keypad matrix scanning (up to 8×5) and modulate the IR LED via TMR0 PWM. The 80-byte RAM is sufficient for command buffers and repeat codes; OTP memory holds the fixed protocol firmware. Low SLEEP current extends battery life to multi-year levels.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Front-Ends
As a sensor-interface front-end, the PIC16C554-04/P reads analog sensors via a simple RC charge-time digitizer (one GPIO + comparator-free RC) or interfaces to digital sensors over bit-banged SPI/I²C. Its 8-bit datapath and 200 ns instruction cycle provide adequate processing for linearization, threshold detection, and PWM output back to the host system. The 13 GPIO gives enough headroom for multi-sensor boards (temperature + humidity + flow) while the OTP program memory locks firmware once calibrated.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Standby Controllers
The PIC16C554-04/P is a natural choice for battery-operated standby controllers — alarm keypads, smart-meter slave displays, and e-bike controllers — because its CMOS process and SLEEP mode pull standby current into the microamp range while preserving TMR0, WDT, and interrupt-on-change functionality. The 4 MHz instruction rate wakes the part quickly to handle keypad polling, status LEDs, or RF-burst transmissions. OTP memory prevents firmware tampering, a security plus in safety-critical standby roles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C554-04/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C554-04I/P | PIC16C558-04/P | PIC16C554-10/P | PIC16C554-20/P | PIC16F54-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300") | 18-PDIP (0.300") - same | 18-PDIP (0.300") - same | 18-PDIP (0.300") - same | 18-PDIP (0.300") - same | 18-PDIP (0.300") - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP (512 × 14) | 896 B OTP | 1792 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B Flash |
| RAM | 80 B | 80 B | 128 B | 80 B | 80 B | 25 B |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C | -40°C to +85°C | 0°C to +70°C | 0°C to +70°C | 0°C to +70°C | -40°C to +85°C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest cost OTP variant in the PIC16C554 family (vs PIC16C554-20/P)
- Industrial-temperature drop-in option (vs PIC16C554-04I/P)
- Doubles program memory with same pinout (vs PIC16C558-04/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 4 MHz with all 13 GPIO switching, the PIC16C554-04/P draws roughly 2 mA from a 5 V supply (per Microchip datasheet 30430D DC characteristics typical). For battery-operated designs, enable SLEEP mode after work — quiescent current drops to single-digit µA. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 14), and add a 10 µF bulk cap if multiple peripherals draw inrush current.
Keep the crystal or ceramic resonator traces to OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15) shorter than 10 mm and surrounded by a ground pour to prevent noise injection into TMR0. Route MCLR/VPP (pin 4) separately from high-current switching traces; add a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap to ground to filter reset glitches. Leave space for an in-system programming header if you may need to upgrade firmware on the PIC16F54 migration target.
PIC16C554 program memory is OTP — a single firmware bug cannot be patched in-circuit; verify code with the MPLAB SIM simulator and burn a known-good prototype before committing to production runs. Watchdog timer is enabled by configuration fuse and must be either used (with WDT-clear in software) or left disabled, or the part will reset unexpectedly. Also note that only 7 (not 8) general-purpose registers map into all banks; new PIC users sometimes miscount RAM and overflow the stack (only 2 hardware levels deep).
Compliance Information
PIC16C554-04/P in 18-PDIP contains lead in the through-hole finish and is non-RoHS per Microchip product page. Industrial-grade -04I/P and Flash PIC16F54-I/P variants are recommended for RoHS-compliant or AEC-Q100 automotive applications.
