PIC16C554-20I/P - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 896B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C554-20I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.57 | $25.70 |
| 100 | $2.14 | $214.00 |
| 500 | $1.85 | $925.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16C554-20I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory (here OTP - one-time programmable), and peripherals onto one silicon die. Within the broader hierarchy, the PIC16C554 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller family, which sits beneath the broader 'microcontroller' hypernym and above the specific PIC16C5xx baseline architecture. OTP variants trade re-programmability for lower unit cost and are commonly used in cost-sensitive, high-volume commercial and industrial products where firmware is finalized at production.
Key features include 80 bytes of RAM, 13 digital I/O pins, a 35 single-word instruction set, 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz, and a programmable Watchdog Timer for code-flow integrity. The 8-level hardware stack and Power-on Reset (POR) simplify firmware bring-up, while the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface enables in-field firmware updates before the OTP window is closed. CMOS process technology keeps quiescent current in the microamp range, enabling battery-friendly standby behavior.
Typical applications include appliance controllers, automotive body modules (aftermarket and low-speed body), industrial sensor interfaces, security keypads, and small white-goods control boards. Designers select the PIC16C554 when they need a low-cost 8-bit MCU with mature tooling, predictable interrupt latency, and an industrial temperature grade in a through-hole 18-pin package that supports hand-soldering and breadboard prototypes.
When designing with this device, budget OTP programming time into your production flow (parallel programming requires ~10-30 seconds per unit depending on the programmer) and ensure the chosen in-circuit programmer supports the C554 die. Avoid using this part for new designs where flash reprogrammability is required - migrate to the flash-based PIC16F54 family instead.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric comparison with same-package PIC16C5x alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a faster evaluation path for legacy and industrial designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C554-20I/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 PIC16C554-20I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Instruction Cycle Time, Maximum Clock Frequency, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Oscillator Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C554-20/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-20I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-20I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55-10/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-20I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14) |
| RAM Size | 80 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Package | 18-Pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| ICSP Programming | Yes |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole) |
PIC16C554-20I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Digital I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O port B bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Digital I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Digital I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / External clock in |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C554-20I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface, Automotive Body Module (Aftermarket), Security Keypad / Access Control, Appliance Control Board, Battery-Powered Standby Controller, Hobbyist and Educational Microcontroller.
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16C554-20I/P is a strong fit for industrial sensor-interface boards thanks to its 20 MHz clock and 200 ns instruction cycle, which lets the firmware sample at sub-microsecond intervals without timing jitter. Its 80 bytes of RAM comfortably hold a few ADC readings, a calibration table, and a small ring of state-machine variables, while the 896-byte OTP program memory accommodates medium-complexity code for sensor linearization, hysteresis filtering, and a Modbus or simple UART reporting protocol. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade supports factory-floor cabinets and outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
Automotive Body Module (Aftermarket)
For aftermarket automotive body modules such as alarm controllers, central-locking retrofits, and lighting controllers, the PIC16C554-20I/P provides deterministic interrupt handling and a 13-I/O count that suits relays, keypads, and buzzer drivers. The 200 ns instruction cycle lets a single MCU handle keypad scanning, debouncing, and serial-key programming simultaneously. The 18-pin PDIP through-hole package simplifies in-vehicle installation and field-serviceable replacements. Industrial temperature rating covers under-dash thermal environments typically seen in passenger vehicles.
Recommended
Security Keypad / Access Control
The PIC16C554-20I/P is commonly deployed in standalone keypad access controllers where its 35 single-word instruction set keeps firmware small enough to fit in the 896-byte OTP window. The 13 I/O pins handle a 4x4 matrix keypad plus a relay or magnetic-lock driver and a status LED. Watchdog timer ensures the keypad lock state machine recovers automatically from firmware or EMI upset, a critical reliability requirement for unattended security hardware. Through-hole PDIP packaging supports hand-soldered field installation by locksmith technicians.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C554-20I/P powers compact appliance controllers such as coffee makers, simple washing-machine submodules, and small kitchen electronics, where its 8-bit architecture, low quiescent current, and OTP memory keep BOM cost low while supporting multiple timing-critical peripherals concurrently. The 20 MHz clock gives responsive user-interface feedback, and the 13 I/O pins map cleanly to a button matrix, LED indicators, triac firing signals, and a UART diagnostics port. Industrial temperature rating accommodates under-cabinet thermal rise in kitchen environments.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Standby Controller
The PIC16C554-20I/P suits battery-powered standby controllers such as remote sensor transmitters, low-power alarm panels, and uninterruptible monitor modules, because the PIC16C5x CMOS core draws only microamp-level standby current. The 200 ns wake-from-interrupt response supports infrequent but precise sampling of an attached ADC, while the 80-byte RAM is sufficient to buffer ten to fifteen recent readings. OTP program memory prevents accidental firmware modification in the field, which is valuable for safety-certified equipment.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Microcontroller
The PIC16C554-20I/P is a popular choice for university microcontroller courses, maker projects, and teaching labs because its 35-instruction PIC architecture is widely documented in textbooks and supported by MPLAB X IDE and the XC8 compiler. The 18-pin PDIP through-hole package fits standard 0.3-inch-wide breadboards without SMD adapters, simplifying student wiring. The 20 MHz clock allows demonstration of interrupt-driven scheduling and PWM at the upper end of the PIC16C5x range, giving instructors a richer curriculum than slower baseline parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C554-20I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C554-20/P | PIC16C554-04/P | PIC16C54A-20I/P | PIC16C54C-20I/P | PIC16C55-10/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-Pin PDIP | 18-Pin PDIP - same | 18-Pin PDIP - same | 18-Pin PDIP - same | 18-Pin PDIP - same | 18-Pin PDIP - same |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory | 896 B (512 x 14) OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 512 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 512 B OTP |
| RAM Size | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 25 B | 25 B | 24 B |
| I/O Pin Count | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word | 35 single-word | 35 single-word | 33 single-word | 33 single-word | 35 single-word |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest OTP program memory in the PIC16C5x baseline family (vs PIC16C54A-20I/P)
- Largest RAM in the PIC16C5x baseline family (vs PIC16C54C-20I/P)
- Industrial temperature grade in the 20 MHz speed bin (vs PIC16C554-20/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to pin 14 (VDD), with the ground side via as short as possible to pin 5 (VSS). The PIC16C5x core is sensitive to VDD droop during high-frequency oscillator startup; adding a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU improves power-on-reset (POR) reliability, particularly in cold-temperature industrial boot conditions.
OTP memory cannot be erased. Any code-development cycle that requires in-field firmware updates must use a flash-based PIC (PIC16F54) instead of the PIC16C554-20I/P. Production firmware must be 100% validated before programming, and any code-protection fuses must be set deliberately - accidental code-protect enables prevent factory re-programming for engineering rework and may render the device unrecoverable.
The MCLR pin (pin 4) requires a clean rising edge for reliable reset. Add a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a small (1-10 nF) capacitor to ground to filter noise on the MCLR line. Long MCLR traces running near relay-driver or triac-fired outputs without filtering will cause spurious resets during load switching events - place MCLR components within 5 mm of pin 4.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH status not explicitly stated in verified web data; consult the manufacturer's product page or certificate of compliance for confirmation. The PIC16C554-20I/P is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive OEM designs use the PIC16C554-20I/P-Q (where available) or migrate to AEC-Q100 flash parts such as PIC16F54-I/P.
