PIC16C56-LPE/SS - 8-Bit 40MHz 1.5KB OTP MCU 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C56-LPE/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.42 | $34.20 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.61 | $1,305.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.28 | $2,280.00 |
PIC16C56-LPE/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (ROM/Flash/OTP), data RAM, and peripherals on one die. The PIC16C5X family uses a RISC architecture with 33 single-word, single-cycle instructions, delivering roughly twice the code density of competing 8-bit MCUs in its price class. 8-bit MCUs sit beneath 16-bit and 32-bit parts in the embedded computing hierarchy, but their low cost, deterministic instruction execution, and minimal power consumption make them ideal for cost-sensitive, high-volume, real-time control tasks.
Key features of the PIC16C56-LPE/SS include a 12-bit instruction word, 12 I/O lines arranged as Port A (4 lines) and Port B (8 lines), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for runaway code recovery, Power-On Reset (POR) for clean startup, and a wide 2.5V to 6.25V operating voltage range. The device uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, and CMOS fabrication for low static current draw. The 20-SSOP package measures 5.30mm wide, supporting compact surface-mount designs.
The PIC16C56 implements Microchip's original baseline PIC architecture with two hardware stack levels and no interrupts (interrupts were added in the later PIC16C6X/7X families). Code execution is fully static, allowing the clock to be stopped without losing state, which is valuable for battery-sleep modes. Programming is performed via Microchip's ICSP protocol using tools such as the MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer.
Typical applications for the PIC16C56-LPE/SS include low-cost consumer appliance controls, battery-powered remote sensors, LED driver controllers, simple timer-based products, and replacement of discrete logic in glue-logic consolidation. The 4MHz oscillator grade (L) suits low-power timing applications where clock speed is not critical.
When designing with the PIC16C56, note that OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed or erased - firmware must be 100% verified before production programming. Use the PIC16F56 flash-based equivalent (or PIC16C56A revision) for development or small-batch runs, then transition to the OTP PIC16C56 for cost-optimized high-volume manufacturing.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative listings, application context, and design notes that the bare Microchip datasheet does not compile in one place, providing engineers and buyers with a single reference for sourcing and engineering decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C56-LPE/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 PIC16C56-LPE/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C56-LP/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-HS/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56-HSI/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56A-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.67 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56AT-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56AT-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F56-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-LPE/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC 16C |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (PIC baseline) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) |
| RAM Size | 25 x 8 bytes |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word, single-cycle instructions |
| Max Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Speed Grade (L) | Low-power, 4 MHz nominal oscillator |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.25 V |
| Peripherals | Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-On Reset (POR) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C56-LPE/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 2 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 17 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 18 | MCLR — Master clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (alternate pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C56-LPE/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controllers, Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting and Display Drivers, Simple Timer and Clock Products, Glue-Logic Consolidation Replacements, Automotive Aftermarket Accessories.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS suits low-cost consumer appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, rice cookers, and small kitchen devices. Its 1.5KB OTP memory is sufficient to encode the appliance's state machine (heater control, timer countdown, button debounce, LED indicators), while 25 bytes of RAM holds the runtime counters and I/O flags. The 12 I/O lines (Port A: 4, Port B: 8) interface directly to mechanical buttons, LEDs, triac gate drivers, and a single AC-zero-crossing detect input. The -L 4MHz grade keeps quiescent current under 2 mA at 5V, meeting Energy Star standby budgets. OTP programming reduces per-unit cost versus Flash parts in high-volume production. Trade-off: firmware bugs are unrecoverable after programming, so full validation on the PIC16F56 development equivalent is mandatory before committing to OTP volume runs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Nodes
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS is well suited for battery-powered remote sensor nodes, including wireless temperature loggers, smoke-detector supervisory circuits, and irrigation soil-moisture sensors. Its fully static CMOS core allows the clock to be stopped between measurements, dropping supply current into the microamp range for multi-year battery life on a single CR2032 cell. The 2.5V to 6.25V operating range accepts both 3V lithium and 4.5V alkaline battery stacks directly. The 12-bit instruction word and 33-instruction RISC set yield compact code that fits in the 1K-word OTP, leaving headroom for sensor linearization tables. The Watchdog Timer guards against firmware lockup in unattended deployments. Trade-off: no hardware interrupts means polling a sensor pin in a loop, which can limit the achievable sleep-current floor below ~10 uA.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Display Drivers
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS fits low-end LED driver roles such as decorative LED strips, holiday light controllers, channel-letter dimmers, and 7-segment display multiplexers. Its 8-bit Port B can directly source or sink LED segment currents up to 25 mA per pin (with proper current-limiting resistors), and Port A provides 4 high-current pins for digit-select or RGB channel drive. PWM dimming is implemented in firmware using timer-based bit-banging; the 40MHz max clock leaves ample headroom for 8-bit PWM at kHz refresh rates. The 1.5KB OTP stores lookup tables for breathing effects, fade patterns, and color-mixing curves. The 20-SSOP package keeps the controller footprint under 30 mm squared, ideal for inline LED controller housings. Trade-off: no DMA and no hardware PWM means all dimming consumes CPU cycles.
Recommended
Simple Timer and Clock Products
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS is a natural fit for simple timer products: kitchen count-down timers, laundry cycle controllers, sprinkler valves, and mechanical-replacement interval timers. The on-chip Watchdog Timer provides independent elapsed-time monitoring, freeing the main loop to drive the 7-segment or LCD display via bit-banging on Port B. The 12 I/O lines support up to 8 multiplexed segment lines plus 4 digit or button-scan lines. At 4MHz oscillator the instruction cycle is 1 us, yielding timer resolution of a few microseconds - more than adequate for second-to-minute timing applications. OTP programming locks the timer calibration at production, preventing end-user modification. Trade-off: 25 bytes of RAM is restrictive for HH:MM:SS formatting, often forcing packed BCD arithmetic.
Recommended
Glue-Logic Consolidation Replacements
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS is widely used to consolidate discrete 74HC00-series logic gates, counters, and shift registers into a single programmable device. A handful of NAND/NOR gates plus a CD4017 counter can typically be replaced by a PIC16C56 holding under 200 instructions in OTP, reducing PCB area, BOM count, and assembly cost. The 12 I/O lines handle 5 to 10 logic signals with state-machine sequencing, and the Watchdog Timer adds free reliability that discrete logic cannot provide. Production programmers like the MPLAB PM3 can be set up to batch-program the OTP at high volume, locking the design permanently. Trade-off: development cost is higher than discrete logic for low-volume runs; OTP also prevents field firmware updates.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessories
The PIC16C56-LPE/SS fits low-cost automotive aftermarket accessories such as interior LED accent controllers, headlight delay modules, and seat-heater timers. Its wide 2.5V to 6.25V operating range tolerates 12V battery transients when paired with a simple LDO pre-regulator (e.g., Microchip MCP1700). The -L low-power grade suits ignition-off standby requirements under 100 uA. The 20-SSOP industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C for the -LPE part) handles under-dash and cabin environments. OTP memory locks the accessory configuration at production, preventing end-user tampering with timing parameters. Trade-off: for safety-critical automotive applications (engine, brake, airbag), migrate to AEC-Q100 qualified parts such as PIC16F15313-I/SL.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C56-LPE/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C56-LP/SS | PIC16C56-HS/SS | PIC16C56A-20I/SS | PIC16F56-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (1.5 KB / 1K x 12) | OTP (1.5 KB / 1K x 12) | OTP (1.5 KB / 1K x 12) | OTP (1.5 KB / 1K x 12) | Flash (1.5 KB) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Max Clock Frequency | 40 MHz (L grade, 4 MHz nominal) | 40 MHz (LP grade, 4 MHz nominal) | 40 MHz (HS grade, 20 MHz nominal) | 40 MHz (A revision) | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 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 | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Reprogrammable | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | No (OTP) | Yes (Flash, 1000+ cycles) |
| Watchdog Timer / POR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- One-Time Programmable (OTP) for low unit cost at high volume (vs PIC16F56-I/SS (Flash))
- Low-power -L oscillator grade for battery applications (vs PIC16C56-HS/SS (high-speed grade))
- Wide 2.5V-6.25V operating range tolerates unregulated supplies (vs PIC16F56-I/SS (2.0V-5.5V))
Design Notes
OTP memory cannot be reprogrammed or erased after the device is programmed. A single firmware bug locked into OTP requires scrapping all programmed parts. ALWAYS develop and fully validate the firmware on the PIC16F56-I/SS Flash equivalent (same 20-SSOP pinout, same 1.5KB program memory, same 25B RAM, same 33-instruction set), then transition to PIC16C56-LPE/SS only for cost-optimized high-volume production. Use the MPLAB PM3 Universal Device Programmer or equivalent ICSP programmer to load OTP.
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 19 or 20) and VSS (pin 5 or 14) to suppress switching noise from internal logic. For battery-powered designs, the PIC16C56-LPE/SS L grade draws less than 2 mA active at 4 MHz and 5V, with sub-microamp sleep current achievable by halting the clock. If the supply can dip below 2.5V during brown-out events, use the internal Power-On Reset (POR) circuit to ensure a clean startup, and consider an external voltage supervisor (e.g., MCP100) for tighter brown-out thresholds.
The PIC16C56 baseline architecture has NO hardware interrupts. All event handling must be polled in software. This is a fundamental constraint that distinguishes the PIC16C5X family from later PIC16C6X/7X mid-range devices. For designs that require interrupt-driven responsiveness (UART receive, timer-driven scheduling, edge-triggered I/O), migrate to PIC16F628A or PIC16F648A - but expect a different instruction set (14-bit vs 12-bit) and full firmware rewrite.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free SSOP package. NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - migrate to PIC16F15313-I/SL or PIC16F648A-I/SS for safety-critical automotive applications. Operating temperature grade (-LPE) is industrial -40C to +85C per Microchip ordering code suffix convention; exact datasheet limit not enumerated in verified web data.
