PIC16C56T-10/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 1.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C56T-10/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.4 | $240.00 |
| 500 | $2.18 | $1,090.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.95 | $1,950.00 |
PIC16C56T-10/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory, and I/O peripherals. The PIC16C5X family is a low-cost, high-performance, 8-bit, fully static, EPROM/ROM-based CMOS microcontroller family widely used as a successor to classic 8-bit designs. Within the broader hierarchy, PIC microcontrollers sit under the 8-bit MCU category, which itself belongs to the embedded microcontroller -> integrated circuit -> semiconductor taxonomy.
Key features of the PIC16C56T-10/SS include an operating voltage range of 4.5V to 5.5V, an operating temperature range of 0C to +70C (commercial grade), 12-bit-wide instruction word, 33 single-word instructions, and a single 8-bit timer/counter. The CMOS process technology provides low power consumption suitable for both battery-powered and line-powered embedded designs.
The device uses a Harvard RISC architecture with separate code and data buses, an 8-level deep hardware stack, and direct/indirect addressing modes. It supports up to 12 I/O pins with individual direction control and offers a watchdog timer option for reliable operation in noisy industrial environments.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, consumer electronics (remote controls, small appliances, toys), automotive subsystems (non-safety body electronics), low-end embedded control, and replacement of legacy 8-bit designs. The PIC16C56T-10/SS is particularly suitable for cost-sensitive, low-volume production where OTP programming is acceptable.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten - it is intended for pre-programmed production parts. For prototyping or field-upgradable designs, consider the Flash-based PIC16F5X family instead. The wide SSOP footprint also simplifies hand-soldering during development.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in SSOP alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the Microchip datasheet to accelerate your component selection.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C56T-10/SS β 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 PIC16C56T-10/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C56T-10E/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.42 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56T-10I/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56T-04/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54A-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F57-I/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55T-10/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56T-10/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Architecture | RISC, Harvard |
| Speed (Clock Frequency) | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) |
| Data RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Number of Instructions | 33 |
| Number of Timers | 1 (8-bit) |
| Operating Voltage (Vcc) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Connectivity | Not specified in web data |
| Peripherals | Watchdog Timer (option), POR |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Program Memory Type Detail | One-Time Programmable (OTP) |
| Packaging | Tape and Reel (T suffix) |
PIC16C56T-10/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 β Oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C56T-10/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Electronics Remote Controls, Industrial Automation Sensor Nodes, Small Appliance Control, Toy and Hobby Electronics, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Legacy 8-Bit Design Replacement.
Consumer Electronics Remote Controls
The PIC16C56T-10/SS is well-suited for handheld remote controls thanks to its 10 MHz 8-bit RISC core, 1.5 KB OTP program memory, and 25 bytes of RAM - sufficient for IR protocol encoding and button scanning in low-cost consumer remote designs. With 4.5V-5.5V operation from two AAA cells, the device's CMOS process technology minimizes sleep current for battery life measured in years of standby. The 20-SSOP package provides a compact footprint suitable for slim handheld enclosures.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Sensor Nodes
The PIC16C56T-10/SS serves as a low-cost front-end MCU for industrial sensor nodes performing basic digital I/O, threshold detection, and relay actuation. Its single 8-bit timer handles periodic sampling tasks, while the 12-bit instruction word keeps cycle count short - 10 MHz clock delivers 100 ns instruction time, enough to scan 12 I/O pins and drive a Modbus RTU slave or simple HMI display. The commercial 0C-70C grade suits cabinet-mounted control panels.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
Microwave ovens, coffee makers, washing machines, and similar white goods rely on cost-optimized 8-bit MCUs like the PIC16C56T-10/SS to manage keypad input, LED/LCD displays, relay drivers, and sensor feedback. The 1.5 KB OTP holds the state machine, timing routines, and fault handling, while 25 bytes of RAM covers real-time scratch variables. CMOS low power keeps standby energy below typical eco-design thresholds for European ErP compliance.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
Toys, educational kits, and hobby robotics projects benefit from the PIC16C56T-10/SS's combination of low unit cost, simple 33-instruction RISC architecture, and 12 I/O pins for driving motors, LEDs, speakers, and sensors. With OTP memory, manufacturers can lock firmware at production time, preventing cloning of proprietary game logic. The 20-SSOP package allows hand-soldering for prototyping and educational labs.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
For non-safety automotive body electronics like interior lighting controllers, door modules, and seat memory switches, the PIC16C56T-10/SS provides a rugged 8-bit platform with the CMOS static design immune to electrical noise. The 10 MHz core can debounce switches, drive PWM dimmers, and run LIN slave protocols via software bit-banging. AEC-Q100 qualification status is not confirmed in the provided data, so choose the PIC16C56T-10I/SS industrial-grade version for cabin electronics.
Recommended
Legacy 8-Bit Design Replacement
Many legacy designs used the PIC16C56T-10/SS (or its PIC16C5X siblings) as the main controller for simple logic replacement tasks like blinking LEDs, sequencing relays, or generating waveforms. Modern equivalents in the same 20-SSOP footprint like the PIC16F54A-I/SS maintain the RISC instruction set while adding Flash, lower voltage operation, and faster speeds. Designers migrating older OTP designs can drop in the Flash part with minimal code changes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C56T-10/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C56T-10E/SS | PIC16C56T-10I/SS | PIC16F54A-I/SS | PIC16C56T-04/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 |
| Core Size / Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC - same | 8-bit PIC RISC - same | 8-bit PIC RISC - same | 8-bit PIC RISC - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) OTP | 1.5 KB OTP - same | 1.5 KB OTP - same | 1 KB Flash | 1.5 KB OTP - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Operating Voltage (Vcc) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package temperature grade variants (vs PIC16C56T-10I/SS)
- Flash-based upgrade path (vs PIC16F54A-I/SS)
- Speed vs power trade-off (vs PIC16C56T-04/SS)
Design Notes
The 20-SSOP package has a 0.65 mm pin pitch - place at least one 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD/VSS pins. Use a ground plane on the bottom layer to reduce EMI from the 10 MHz clock trace on OSC1/OSC2. Keep clock trace length under 25 mm and avoid routing signal traces under the oscillator circuit to minimize coupling per Microchip PIC16C5X hardware design guidelines.
OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten. Plan firmware development and verification thoroughly before committing to PIC16C56T-10/SS production. For prototypes or designs that may require firmware updates, choose the Flash-based PIC16F54A-I/SS in the same 20-SSOP package as a development vehicle. Use Microchip's PICkit 3 or ICD programmer with appropriate header for code loading, but verify the OTP programming window in the datasheet before final programming.
Estimated: At 10 MHz and 5V Vcc, the PIC16C56T-10/SS draws approximately 2-5 mA active and <1 uA in sleep mode per Microchip PIC16C5X datasheet. For battery-powered applications, leverage the sleep mode aggressively - use the watchdog timer (WDT) to wake the device periodically. Add a 100 nF bypass cap and 10 uF bulk capacitor on VDD for transient suppression during heavy I/O switching.
Compliance Information
Compliance status not confirmed in provided web data. PIC16C5X family is a legacy Microchip OTP product line - AEC-Q100 automotive qualification was not confirmed in the search results. Contact Microchip for a current RoHS/REACH certificate of compliance.
