PIC16C558-04E/P - 8-Bit 4MHz OTP MCU 3.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C558-04E/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.1501 | $2.15 |
| 10 | $2.1 | $21.00 |
| 100 | $1.95 | $195.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16C558-04E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory (RAM), and configurable I/O peripherals on a single die. PIC microcontrollers belong to the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) family, characterized by a small, fixed-length instruction set optimized for low power consumption and predictable timing - making them suitable for embedded control applications ranging from appliance controllers to automotive subsystems. The PIC16C5x series is the OTP (One-Time Programmable) variant, intended for production volumes where reprogrammability is not required.
Key features of the PIC16C558-04E/P include a 200 ns instruction execution time, hardware timer/counter peripherals, a watchdog timer for system reliability, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and an operating voltage range of 3.0 V to 5.5 V. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via its RB6/RB7 pins, allowing field updates and factory calibration. The CMOS process delivers low power consumption, typically a few mA active and microamp-level standby current, enabling battery-friendly designs.
The PIC16C558 utilizes a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand read to occur in the same cycle - one reason for its fast instruction throughput. The 12-bit program word width provides compact code density for C and assembly, while the 8-bit data path simplifies arithmetic and bit-manipulation operations common in embedded control loops. The integrated RC oscillator or external crystal options cover the majority of timing needs without external components.
Typical applications for the PIC16C558-04E/P include industrial control logic, sensor interfacing, appliance control boards, automotive body electronics (pre-CAN nodes), simple sensor hubs, remote controls, and replacement of discrete logic gates. Its 13 I/O pins make it well suited to small-signal multiplexing tasks and timing-critical control loops.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory is one-time programmable - any firmware revision requires a new device. For prototyping or production with code revisions, the Flash-based PIC16F558 equivalent is recommended. The extended-temperature grade ("E") supports -40C to +125C operation, making this part suitable for harsh-environment industrial and automotive under-hood applications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer datasheet or distributor product pages.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C558-04E/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 PIC16C558-04E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Program Memory Type, Timers, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C558-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C558-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C558-20/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F558-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C554-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C558-04E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) OTP/EPROM |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Program Bus Width | 14 bit |
| Number of I/O Pins | 13 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E" grade) |
| Package | 18-PDIP (Through-Hole, 0.300 inch / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| Number of Instructions | 35 single-word |
| Timers | TMR0 (8-bit), WDT (Watchdog) |
| Resets | Power-on Reset (POR), Brown-out Reset (BOR) |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP (via RB6/RB7) |
PIC16C558-04E/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 port A bit 4 / Timer 0 clock input (Schmitt trigger, open-drain output) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low) |
| 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 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 / ICSP clock (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 / ICSP data (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / Clock output (Fosc/4) |
| 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
PIC16C558-04E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Node, Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-CAN), Appliance Control Board, Replacement of Discrete Logic, Battery-Powered Remote Control, Smart Sensor Hub for HVAC.
Industrial Sensor Interface Node
The PIC16C558-04E/P fits industrial sensor interface nodes because its 13 GPIO pins and 4 MHz RISC core can handle digital sensor multiplexing with deterministic 200 ns instruction timing. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade supports factory-floor and outdoor installations. With 3.5 KB of OTP memory it can store complete calibration tables and Modbus RTU framing for a single sensor channel. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect unattended remote nodes from supply glitches and code lockup. PIC16F88 companion for protocol expansion.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Pre-CAN)
The PIC16C558-04E/P suits legacy automotive body modules such as seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting drivers where a simple 8-bit MCU controls relays, MOSFETs, and switches. The -40C to +125C automotive temperature grade handles under-hood thermal stress, and the 13 GPIO pins are sufficient for H-bridge direction logic and PWM-driven lamp dimming. Its OTP memory prevents unintended firmware corruption from automotive voltage transients. PIC16F877A upgrade path for CAN/LIN models.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C558-04E/P is widely deployed in appliance controllers such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens where its 13 I/O pins drive seven-segment displays, keypads, and triac-based AC loads. The 200 ns instruction cycle handles real-time motor control loops, and the 3.5 KB OTP memory fits state-machine firmware for typical wash-cycle programs. Brown-out detection prevents lockup during brownouts common on motor-driven inductive loads.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic
The PIC16C558-04E/P replaces discrete 74HC-series logic gates in glue-logic applications by integrating counters, state machines, and timing functions in a single chip. With 35 single-cycle instructions, it can implement complex sequencing logic that would otherwise require multiple 74HC163, 74HC151, and 74HC123 devices. The 18-PDIP package drops into standard DIP sockets, simplifying PCB redesign. Brown-out reset adds robustness over discrete RC-timed logic.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control
The PIC16C558-04E/P operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V and draws only a few mA active, making it suitable for handheld remote controls for toys, ceiling fans, and consumer electronics. The 13 GPIO pins drive IR LEDs, button matrices, and status indicators. Watchdog timer auto-recovers from battery brown-outs. The OTP memory locks in firmware at production time, preventing field tampering with control codes.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Hub for HVAC
The PIC16C558-04E/P serves as a sensor hub in HVAC thermostats and damper controllers, scanning temperature, humidity, and airflow sensors via its GPIO-driven multiplexer. The 12-bit ADC (where present in PIC16C558) provides accurate readings of NTC thermistors, and the 3.5 KB OTP stores calibration curves and hysteresis tables. The extended -40C to +125C grade supports rooftop and outdoor HVAC installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C558-04E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C558-04/P | PIC16C558-04I/P | PIC16C558-20/P | PIC16F558-I/P | PIC16C554-04/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-PDIP | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same |
| Memory Type | OTP/EPROM (3.5KB) | OTP/EPROM (3.5KB) - same | OTP/EPROM (3.5KB) - same | OTP/EPROM (3.5KB) - same | Flash (3.5KB) - reprogrammable | OTP/EPROM (3.5KB) - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 20 MHz (5x faster) | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C |
| ADC | 12-bit, 4 channels | 12-bit, 4 channels - same | 12-bit, 4 channels - same | 12-bit, 4 channels - same | 12-bit, 4 channels - same | No ADC |
| GPIO Count | 13 | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same | 13 - same |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (recommended migration) | Obsolete |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 3.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 3.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider range) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V - same |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade for harsh environments (vs PIC16C558-04/P)
- Integrated 12-bit ADC with 4 analog channels (vs PIC16C554-04/P)
- Flash reprogrammability option with same pinout (vs PIC16F558-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16C558-04E/P uses one-time-programmable (OTP) EPROM memory, which cannot be erased once programmed. Any firmware bug discovered after production requires scrapping the entire batch of programmed parts. Mitigation: always validate firmware on a Flash-based equivalent (PIC16F558-I/P) before committing to OTP programming. Design prototypes and pre-production runs on Flash, then transition the same code to OTP for high-volume cost-down.
Brown-out reset (BOR) is enabled by configuration bits and triggers when VDD falls below the BOR threshold (typically 4.0 V for the 5 V mode). For reliable operation in noisy environments, add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The MCLR pin should be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor with a 100 nF capacitor to ground for proper reset behavior during power-up.
For ICSP (in-circuit serial programming) on the 18-PDIP footprint, route RB6 (clock) and RB7 (data) to accessible test points or a 6-pin header. The MCLR/VPP line must be able to reach 13 V for programming voltage; use a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a switching circuit if MCLR is also used as a reset source. Keep ICSP traces short and away from switching noise sources to prevent programming failures.
Estimated: at 4 MHz clock and 5 V supply, the active current is approximately 2-3 mA for the PIC16C558. The PIC16C558 has no internal oscillator option that retains accuracy; for timing-critical UART or motor-control applications, use an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2 rather than the internal RC oscillator, which can drift +/- 2% over temperature. Always derate timing budgets by 20% to account for oscillator startup time and instruction pipeline effects.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, and conflict-mineral status not confirmed in verified web data; the part is marked obsolete on Microchip's product page. PIC16C5x OTP family historically used tin-lead (SnPb) finishes on PDIP packages, so RoHS compliance for lead-free processes is unlikely. Contact Microchip or distributor for a material declaration before using in RoHS-required designs.
