PIC16C55T-10/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C55T-10/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.74 | $274.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
PIC16C55T-10/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, I/O peripherals and often timers on a single die. The PIC16C5X family belongs to the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU), which themselves sit within the integrated circuit (IC) and embedded system taxonomy. 8-bit MCUs are widely used in cost-sensitive and deterministic control applications because they offer predictable instruction timing, low power consumption and a small footprint. Microchip's PIC architecture uses a RISC-style 12-bit instruction word with 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions, delivering roughly 2:1 code compression over competitive 8-bit MCUs.
Key features of the PIC16C55T-10/SS include 20 general-purpose digital I/O pins organized across multiple ports, a 4 MHz internal RC oscillator option, an external oscillator interface, an 8-bit timer/counter with a programmable prescaler, a watchdog timer for reliable operation, and a power-on reset circuit. The device operates from 2.5 V to 6.25 V across the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range and consumes very low operating current. The CMOS design provides fully static operation.
Architecturally, the PIC16C55T-10/SS uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 12-bit program word and an 8-bit data path. This separation allows instruction fetch and data access to occur in the same clock cycle, contributing to the family's characteristic 2:1 code compression and high throughput-per-MHz figure. The OTP program memory is programmed once and cannot be erased, which is appropriate for high-volume, cost-sensitive production.
Typical applications include consumer appliance control, automotive body electronics, industrial sensor interfaces, low-end remote controls, battery chargers, LED lighting controllers and small motor control subsystems. The 20 I/O pins easily accommodate button matrices, LED arrays, relay drivers and serial-bit-banged communication.
When designing with the PIC16C55T-10/SS, observe the 6.25 V absolute maximum VDD rating and place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor adjacent to the VDD pin. The OTP memory cannot be re-programmed, so production-grade code should be verified on a windowed (JW) variant or the PIC16C55 EPROM/ROM equivalent during development. The "/SS" SSOP package requires standard surface-mount reflow profiles per JEDEC J-STD-020.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C55T-10/SS — 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 PIC16C55T-10/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory Type, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C55-10/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55-10I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55-LPI/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55-HSI/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55A-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55T-10/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Family | PIC16C5X |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Instruction Word Size | 12 bits |
| Number of I/O Pins | 20 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 6.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Pins | 28 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit with prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip) |
| Oscillator Type | External RC/xtal, internal 4 MHz RC option |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
PIC16C55T-10/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O pin; can also be used as analog input on some 5X variants |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 5 | T0CKI — Timer 0 clock input; also general-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | OSC1 — Oscillator input; connect to crystal/ceramic resonator or external clock |
| Pin 7 | OSC2 — Oscillator output; connects to crystal when used in crystal mode |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 6.25 V) |
| Pin 17 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (secondary) |
| Pin 28 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low); tie to VDD through pull-up for normal operation |
Typical Applications
PIC16C55T-10/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics, Remote Control and IR Transmitter, LED Lighting Controllers, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Battery Chargers and Small Power Tools.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C55T-10/SS is well suited to consumer appliance control boards including washing-machine user interfaces, microwave oven keypads, and small kitchen-appliance control panels. The 20 GPIO pins directly drive 7-segment LED displays, button-matrix keypads, and relay coils without external logic, while the 10 MHz core comfortably handles debouncing, mode-state machines, and timer-based sequencing in real time. The 768-byte OTP program memory is sufficient for fixed-function appliance logic where code is finalized at production, and the 2.5-6.25 V VDD range matches the 5 V rails common in white goods. The 28-SSOP package keeps the board footprint small and reflow-compatible.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Within automotive body electronics, the PIC16C55T-10/SS is used in simple control modules such as seat-position switches, mirror-fold actuators, interior lighting controllers, and HVAC mode selectors. The 8-bit RISC core delivers deterministic single-cycle instruction execution that simplifies timing analysis for safety-relevant functions, while the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range tolerates under-dash and cabin environments. The 20 GPIO pins can directly drive low-side FETs or relays, and the on-chip watchdog timer provides autonomous fault recovery required for in-vehicle reliability. The 28-SSOP surface-mount package withstands standard automotive reflow profiles.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR Transmitter
The PIC16C55T-10/SS is widely deployed in handheld IR remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, audio equipment, and ceiling fans. The 8-bit core easily implements RC-5, NEC, and SIRC IR protocols via bit-banged GPIO at 38 kHz carrier frequency, while the 8-bit timer with prescaler produces accurate carrier waveforms. Low-power CMOS design extends battery life, and 20 I/O pins support keypads up to 4x5 plus LED indicators. The 768-byte OTP program memory holds the entire transmission protocol stack plus device codes. The 28-SSOP package is thin enough for compact remote enclosures.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
In LED lighting controllers, the PIC16C55T-10/SS drives small RGB or single-channel LED fixtures with on/off, dimming, and color-cycle modes. The 20 GPIO pins connect directly to high-brightness LED driver ICs via PWM or logic-level enable, while the 8-bit timer generates PWM dimming signals at audio-noise-free frequencies. The wide 2.5-6.25 V VDD range lets the same MCU run on 3.3 V or 5 V supplies used in different lighting topologies. The 28-SSOP package reflows cleanly on FR-4 substrates and tolerates the warm-white LED ambient inside enclosed luminaires.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16C55T-10/SS works as a low-cost front-end in industrial sensor interface modules for digital temperature probes, optical counters, limit switches, and proximity sensors. The 20 GPIO pins handle digital I/O, frequency counters from the timer input, and basic sensor multiplexing, while the 10 MHz core performs linearization, threshold comparison, and alarm logic in real time. The on-chip watchdog timer is critical for unattended industrial installations where the MCU must recover from ESD or EMI events. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range supports factory-floor and outdoor cabinets.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Small Power Tools
The PIC16C55T-10/SS is used in single-cell and multi-cell NiMH/Li-ion charger controllers as well as budget cordless screwdrivers, garden tools, and small appliances. The 20 GPIO pins monitor battery voltage dividers, temperature thermistors, charge-status LEDs, and control MOSFET gate drivers, while the 8-bit timer produces PWM charge profiles. The 2.5-6.25 V VDD range is well matched to single-cell Li-ion (3.0-4.2 V) and 2-3 cell NiMH stacks. The 28-SSOP package fits the compact PCBs typical of these products and supports cost-sensitive high-volume production via the OTP program memory.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C55T-10/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C55-10/SS | PIC16C55-10I/SS | PIC16C55-LPI/SS | PIC16C55-HSI/SS | PIC16C55A-04E/SS | PIC16F54-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 2 MHz (LP grade) | 20 MHz (HS grade) | 4 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 768B (512 x 12) OTP | 512x12 Flash |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash (re-programmable) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active |
Key Differentiators
- 10 MHz industrial-grade speed in SSOP-28 (vs PIC16C55-LPI/SS)
- Tape & Reel factory packaging (vs PIC16C55-10/SS)
- Modern Flash-based equivalent available (vs PIC16F54-I/SS)
- 12-bit RISC core with 33 single-cycle instructions (vs PIC16C55A-04E/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 27) and a bulk capacitor (1-10 uF) on the same supply trace. The PIC16C55T-10/SS operates from 2.5 V to 6.25 V; voltages above 6.25 V can permanently damage the device. For battery-powered designs, use the internal 4 MHz RC oscillator and Sleep mode (if implemented via the A revision) to reduce quiescent current below 1 uA.
OTP program memory cannot be erased or re-programmed - a single programming error makes the device unusable. Plan for development on a windowed (JW-package) PIC16C55 or use the Flash-based PIC16F54 for prototyping. Also, the MCLR pin (pin 28) must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor; leaving MCLR floating causes intermittent resets. Do not confuse the PIC16C55 with the PIC16C55A - the latter adds Sleep mode and has slightly different oscillator behavior.
The 28-SSOP package has 0.65 mm pin pitch and 5.30 mm body width. Follow JEDEC J-STD-020 reflow profiles with a peak temperature not exceeding 260 C. Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 6-7) short and symmetric to minimize stray capacitance, and place the crystal/ceramic resonator within 5 mm of the MCU. Provide a guard ring around the oscillator area if digital switching signals are nearby to reduce EMI coupling.
Keep high-speed switching signals (PWM outputs, clock outputs) away from the OSC1/OSC2 traces and the MCLR reset line. The 20 GPIO pins can source/sink up to 25 mA per pin and 100 mA total per port; if driving higher-current loads like relays, use a MOSFET driver such as the Microchip TC4427 or a discrete low-side N-FET. Add a 0.1 uF bypass cap on each high-current GPIO-driven load supply pin to suppress inductive transients.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free/halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified web data. AEC-Q100 not qualified (industrial-grade only). Conflict-minerals compliance assumed per Microchip corporate policy.
