PIC16C554-04E/SO - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 896B EPROM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C554-04E/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.4 | $3.40 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.42 | $1,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC16C554-04E/SO Overview
An 8-bit OTP microcontroller is a microcontroller whose non-volatile program memory can be written exactly once by the user, typically using an external programmer. OTP MCUs occupy the position between mask-ROM devices (lowest unit cost, highest NVR) and Flash MCUs (re-programmable in-circuit). Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16C554 belongs to: 8-bit MCU -> RISC microcontroller -> Harvard architecture MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. The PIC16C5x core uses a separate instruction and data bus (Harvard architecture) with a 12-bit or 14-bit instruction word, optimizing instruction fetch while data memory is read.
Key features include a 4 MHz oscillator, 200 ns instruction cycle, 13 bidirectional I/O pins, an 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with 8-bit programmable prescaler, Power-On Reset (POR), Brown-Out Reset (BOR), Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator, and code-protection circuitry. The 18-pin SOIC package supports -40C to +125C (automotive grade 'E') operation with a wide 2.5V to 5.5V supply range. The OTP memory cell uses a one-time-programmable EPROM transistor, providing a non-volatile program store suitable for low-volume and high-reliability applications.
The PIC16C554 employs a pipelined RISC core with 35 single-word instructions and a two-level deep hardware stack, executing each instruction in one instruction cycle except for program branches which take two. Peripherals are memory-mapped into the SFR space, and interrupts are handled through a single vector with a context-saving requirement. The architecture is fully static, allowing the clock to be stopped for low-power standby.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, appliance control boards, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, low-cost consumer remote controls, security peripherals, and industrial timer/counter replacements. The wide operating voltage (2.5V-5.5V) and automotive temperature grade make the PIC16C554-04E/SO particularly suited to under-hood and dashboard modules where Flash reprogrammability is not required.
When designing with this device, plan for OTP programming early in the production flow because code cannot be modified after programming. For prototype development use the windowed (JW) or Flash siblings first, then port the verified firmware image to the OTP PIC16C554 for production. Reserve the MCLR/Vpp pin for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) or external reset.
This page synthesizes distributor stock levels, parametric compatibility, and engineering design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet - including practical guidance for OTP migration paths and automotive-grade qualification criteria unique to the 'E' suffix.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C554-04E/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 PIC16C554-04E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C554-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554T-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C554-04E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 4 MHz |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 896 bytes (512 x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 80 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer (WDT) | Yes, dedicated on-chip RC oscillator |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Brown-Out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive Grade 'E') |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO), 300-mil body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30C / 85% RH) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-free (Microchip Pb-free marking) - see notes |
| Code Protection | On-chip fuse-based code protection |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (in-circuit serial programming) |
PIC16C554-04E/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/Vpp — Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| 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 (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C554-04E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Controller, Appliance Control Board, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Low-Cost Consumer Remote Control, Security Peripherals (Door/Window Sensors), Industrial Timer / Counter Replacement.
Automotive Body Controller
The PIC16C554-04E/SO fits automotive body controller modules because of its automotive 'E' temperature grade (-40C to +125C), 2.5V-5.5V supply tolerance covering load-dump transients, and 13 digital I/O pins sufficient for driving lamp relays, switch inputs, and LIN bus transceivers. At 4 MHz it executes 5 MIPS, which is more than adequate for simple body-control state machines (central locking, mirror-fold, lighting fade) with deterministic timing. OTP memory is acceptable for body ECUs that ship with a fixed feature set after a single end-of-line programming step. The 18-SOIC footprint is compatible with high-volume SMT lines already certified for automotive tier-1 production.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
In washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens the PIC16C554-04E/SO drives 13-segment LED or 7-segment displays, scans keypad matrices, and sequences motor relays. The 8-bit PIC16C5x RISC core with 35 single-word instructions enables compact state-machine firmware that fits inside the 896-byte OTP program memory. Brown-out reset (BOR) and watchdog timer (WDT) protect against supply brown-outs common when compressor or heater relays switch. Operating from 5V via a 780-bolt or switching pre-regulator, the part tolerates long-term vibration and the wide temperature envelope seen behind appliance panels.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16C554-04E/SO serves as a low-cost sensor pre-processor, reading analog signals through an external ADC and emitting a clean PWM or UART stream to a host controller. The 13 I/O pins support multiple sensor channels: digital input for switches, analog input via ADC, PWM output for actuators, and a UART-style bit-banged serial output. With 200 ns instruction cycle the firmware can implement digital filtering, debouncing, and linearization at up to 5 MIPS. OTP memory suits the application because sensor calibration coefficients are written once at factory calibration and never updated in field service.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Remote Control
Infrared and RF remote controls use the PIC16C554-04E/SO to scan matrix keypads, encode button presses into IR or RF protocols, and sleep between transmissions to extend battery life. The 4 MHz core produces accurate 38 kHz / 40 kHz carrier frequencies for IR remote protocols (NEC, RC5, Sony SIRC) by toggling a single I/O pin, while the watchdog timer wakes the MCU from sleep on keypress. With 896 bytes of OTP and 80 bytes of RAM the device fits NEC, RC5, and SIRC encoders in a single small package, reducing BOM cost versus dedicated encoder ICs.
Recommended
Security Peripherals (Door/Window Sensors)
Battery-powered security sensors and door contacts use the PIC16C554-04E/SO in deep-sleep mode with watchdog wake-up to detect reed-switch closures and transmit encrypted alarm packets over RF. With the clock stopped, current draw drops to the leakage floor, enabling multi-year battery life on a single CR2032 cell. The 13 I/O pins accept magnetic switch inputs, tamper detection, and an LED status indicator. OTP memory prevents firmware reverse-engineering by attackers, providing a security advantage over Flash-based competitors.
Recommended
Industrial Timer / Counter Replacement
The PIC16C554-04E/SO replaces legacy electromechanical and CMOS 4541 / 7555 timer/counter ICs with a programmable, firmware-driven equivalent in the same 18-SOIC footprint. Engineers benefit from the 8-bit hardware timer (TMR0) with 8-bit programmable prescaler and the precise 200 ns instruction cycle, allowing accurate timing of industrial events from sub-microseconds to days via software scaling. OTP memory locks the timing configuration to prevent field tampering. The automotive temperature grade gives extended thermal margin in factory-floor cabinets and outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C554-04E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C554-04/SO | PIC16C554-04I/SO | PIC16C554-04E/P | PIC16C554T-04E/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (300-mil) | 18-SOIC (300-mil) - same | 18-SOIC (300-mil) - same | 18-PDIP - through-hole | 18-SOIC (300-mil) - same | 18-SOIC (300-mil) - same |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive -40C to +125C (E) | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) | Automotive -40C to +125C (E) | Automotive -40C to +125C (E) | Industrial -40C to +85C (I) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM, 896 bytes | OTP EPROM, 896 bytes | OTP EPROM, 896 bytes | OTP EPROM, 896 bytes | OTP EPROM, 896 bytes | Flash, 768 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM Size | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive 'E' temperature grade (-40C to +125C) (vs PIC16C554-04I/SO (industrial grade))
- OTP EPROM security advantage over Flash siblings (vs PIC16F54-I/SO (Flash-based))
- Higher RAM budget than Flash successor (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C554's program memory is OTP (one-time programmable) - firmware cannot be modified after the first programming cycle. Always develop and validate code on a windowed (JW) variant or a flash-based sibling (PIC16F54-I/SO) before committing to the OTP PIC16C554-04E/SO for production. Once blown, the silicon die is locked and must be discarded if firmware revisions are needed. Plan production quantities to match expected demand; do not order excessive spares because unused parts cannot be reprogrammed.
Power decoupling for PIC16C554-04E/SO requires a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk 10 uF electrolytic or tantalum capacitor on the same rail. The MCLR/Vpp pin (pin 4) should be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to ensure clean power-on reset behavior; do not leave MCLR floating. Brown-Out Reset (BOR) must be enabled in the configuration word for automotive body modules where load-dump and cranking transients can pull VDD below 2.5V momentarily.
Layout the 18-SOIC footprint for PIC16C554-04E/SO with the standard JEDEC MS-013 300-mil SOIC land pattern: pad width approximately 0.5 mm, pad length 1.55 mm, pitch 1.27 mm. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces (pins 15/16) short and shielded with a ground guard ring if long traces are unavoidable. Route RA and RB port pins away from switching power traces to prevent injection of noise into digital inputs; add 100 nF bypass caps near each connector that brings external signals onto the port pins.
The PIC16C554's MCLR/Vpp pin is sensitive to fast transients; in electrically noisy automotive environments add a 100 nF capacitor from MCLR to VSS and a series resistor of 100 ohm or 1 kohm near the pin to filter ESD and load-dump events. If ICSP (in-circuit serial programming) is required, route the PGD/PGC lines (typically RB7/RB6) with stubs less than 25 mm and avoid sharing them with high-current switching signals. Program verification should be performed at 4.5V to 5.5V to ensure margin against worst-case VDD tolerance.
Compliance Information
Lead-free and RoHS compliant per Microchip ordering information. AEC-Q100 qualification is not explicitly stated in the public datasheet for the C (EPROM) family; the 'E' temperature grade supports automotive environments but the part is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F family for AEC-Q100 qualified Flash equivalents. Halogen-free status not disclosed in verified web data.
