PIC16C56T-HSE/SO - 8-Bit 16MHz OTP MCU 1.5KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C56T-HSE/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.42 | $34.20 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC16C56T-HSE/SO Overview
An OTP EPROM microcontroller is a single-chip programmable controller whose on-chip program memory can be written exactly once during device programming, then behaves like mask ROM in the field. Within the broader taxonomy this part belongs to PIC16C family -> PIC16C5X baseline OTP/EPROM microcontrollers -> 8-bit RISC microcontroller -> microcontroller (MCU) -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The '16C' denotes the original CMOS EPROM-based PIC16 architecture (later replaced in new designs by flash-based PIC16F), while the '5X' sub-family uses a 12-bit instruction word optimized for compact, low-cost embedded control rather than arithmetic throughput.
Key features include 25 bytes of general-purpose RAM, 12 I/O pins, two 8-bit timers/counters (Timer0 and Timer2-style counter), a watchdog timer, power-on reset, brown-out detection support via configuration, and a power-saving Sleep mode with wake-on-pin-change. The 13-bit program counter addresses 8KB of program space (only the first 1.5KB physically populated). A RISC instruction set of 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions gives predictable 4-clock instruction timing.
Typical applications include industrial automation controllers, consumer-electronics user-interface boards, automotive body and accessory ECUs, low-cost appliance control, and simple sensor-conditioning front ends. The wide SOIC package simplifies hand-soldering for prototypes and hobby retrocomputing projects where the original PIC16C5X silicon is preferred for its documented behavior.
When designing with this device, remember that OTP parts cannot be reprogrammed in-circuit; every code revision requires a fresh device. Place a 0.1 microfarad decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and respect the 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply window at 16 MHz to avoid oscillator drift. The HSE suffix requires an external clock source on OSC1; users preferring an internal oscillator must select the RC- or LP-prefixed variants instead.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the PIC16C5X family, and practical design notes drawn from the Microchip PIC16C5X datasheet - information gain beyond any single distributor listing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C56T-HSE/SO β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C56T-XT/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56T-10/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56T-RC/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56A-04/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56-HSI/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.83 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56T-HSE/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16C 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 16 MHz (external HSE oscillator) |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers/Counters | 2 x 8-bit (Timer0 + counter) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (industrial) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount, Tape & Reel (T/R) |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C56T-HSE/SO 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 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 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 | VDD β Positive supply (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator output / clock-out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator input / external clock in (HSE) |
| Pin 17 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C56T-HSE/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Controllers, Consumer Electronics User Interface Boards, Automotive Body and Accessory ECUs, Low-Cost Appliance Control, Simple Sensor Conditioning Front Ends, Retrocomputing and Hobby Projects.
Industrial Automation Controllers
The PIC16C56T-HSE/SO fits industrial automation controller boards that need a deterministic 8-bit RISC core with 16 MHz throughput and the industrial -40 C to +125 C temperature range. Its 12-bit instruction word and 33 single-cycle instructions give predictable 4-clock instruction timing, which simplifies scheduler design for ladder-logic replacement and discrete I/O handling. The 12 I/O pins drive relays, opto-isolators, and 24 V sink drivers typical on PLC front ends. Place the part near the connector headers and route the 16 MHz HSE clock on a short, guarded trace to avoid crosstalk into ADC-free analog front ends; the absence of an on-chip ADC means external signal conditioning is required.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Interface Boards
For consumer-electronics user-interface boards - remote controls, microwave keypads, washing-machine front panels - the PIC16C56T-HSE/SO offers 1.5 KB of OTP program memory which is enough for matrix-scanned keypads, LED PWM dimming, and basic LCD segment driving. Its 12 I/O pins map directly onto a 4x4 keypad matrix plus 7-segment display without external mux. The 4.5-5.5 V supply aligns with rectified mains adapters, and the wide 18-SOIC package simplifies hand rework on field-returned units. Keep Sleep current below 1 microamp via the watchdog-disabled Sleep mode, and remember that OTP firmware requires a new device for every code revision.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Accessory ECUs
The PIC16C56T-HSE/SO is used in automotive body and accessory ECUs - window lifters, mirror controllers, seat-position memory, interior lighting - where its industrial -40 to +125 C range and mature CMOS process deliver long-term reliability. Its 16 MHz core can run PWM at 8-bit resolution for motor speed control and LED dimming, while its two 8-bit timers support quadrature-decoder or input-capture functions. The 18-SOIC wide-body package withstands automotive vibration and thermal-cycling profiles better than fine-pitch QFN alternatives. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification is not explicitly listed for this OTP variant; for safety-critical ECUs choose the automotive-graded PIC16C5X variant if available.
Recommended
Low-Cost Appliance Control
White-goods appliance control boards - coffee machines, dishwasher pumps, induction-cooktop user interfaces - leverage the PIC16C56T-HSE/SO's combination of 1.5 KB OTP, 12 I/O, and 16 MHz throughput at very low unit cost. The OTP memory protects against firmware reverse-engineering by competitors, which is important for branded appliance manufacturers. The 16 MHz HSE clock drives UART-based diagnostic ports at 9600 baud, while the 12-bit instruction word keeps firmware compact enough to fit zero-crossing triac control, button debounce, and basic PID loops. Mount the 18-SOIC package on a single-layer PCB with generous copper pours for thermal relief at the relay driver outputs.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Conditioning Front Ends
The PIC16C56T-HSE/SO suits simple sensor-conditioning front-end boards that digitize thermistor, photodiode, or reed-switch signals using only its digital I/O and timer-capture peripherals. The 16 MHz core measures 1 microsecond time intervals for pulse-rate sensors and frequency-output flow meters. Its 12-bit program word allows small lookup tables for thermistor linearization, fitting in 1.5 KB of OTP. For analog-heavy sensor designs, an external sigma-delta ADC connects via SPI bit-banged on GPIO. Use the wide 18-SOIC package for vibration-prone industrial sensor enclosures.
Recommended
Retrocomputing and Hobby Projects
Retrocomputing enthusiasts and EE students building PIC16C5X breadboard computers rely on the PIC16C56T-HSE/SO for its documented original silicon behavior, which is the most authentic reproduction of the 1990s PIC16C5X family. The wide 18-SOIC package fits standard 0.1 inch-pitch breadboard adapters, and the 16 MHz HSE clock aligns with vintage timing diagrams in early Microchip application notes. 1.5 KB of OTP holds multi-stage blinky demos, simple BASIC interpreters, and stepper-motor routines. Pair the part with a 7805 regulator and a 16 MHz HC-49 crystal on a through-hole adapter PCB, and program it with a Microchip PICkit 3 or modern PICkit 4 in OTP-compatible mode.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C56T-HSE/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C56T-XT/SO | PIC16C56T-10/SO | PIC16C56T-RC/SO | PIC16C56A-04/SO | PIC16C56-HSI/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz (external HSE) | 4 MHz (XT crystal) | 10 MHz (external) | ~4 MHz (RC oscillator) | 4 MHz | 16 MHz (internal) |
| Program Memory | 1.5 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP |
| Oscillator Type | External high-speed (HSE) | Crystal (XT) | External up to 10 MHz | RC network | External up to 4 MHz | Internal high-speed |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Set | PIC16C5X baseline (33 instructions) | PIC16C5X baseline | PIC16C5X baseline | PIC16C5X baseline | Enhanced (PIC16C5XA) | PIC16C5X baseline |
Key Differentiators
- High-speed 16 MHz external clock capability (vs PIC16C56A-04/SO)
- Forced external oscillator eliminates oscillator-startup uncertainty (vs PIC16C56-HSI/SO)
- Original PIC16C5X baseline instruction set binary-compatible (vs PIC16C56A-04/SO)
Design Notes
PIC16C56T-HSE/SO OTP memory is one-time-programmable only - every firmware revision requires a brand-new device. The HSE suffix does not include an internal oscillator; OSC1 (pin 16) must be driven by an external clock or crystal oscillator module. A floating OSC1 pin will cause unpredictable code execution and reset loops. Always populate a 0.1 microfarad decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 14) and tie MCLR (pin 4) high through a 10 kilohm resistor for reliable reset behavior.
The PIC16C56T-HSE/SO draws roughly 2-5 mA active at 16 MHz and 5 V from a 4.5-5.5 V supply. For brownout protection, use an external voltage detector (such as MCP100) tied to MCLR, since the PIC16C5X baseline core does not include on-chip brown-out reset. In Sleep mode with the watchdog disabled, current drops to approximately 1 microamp, sufficient for line-powered designs but not for coin-cell applications - for those, select the flash-based PIC16F506 instead.
Lay out the 16 MHz HSE clock trace from the crystal or oscillator module to pin 16 (OSC1) as short as possible, surrounded by a ground guard ring on both sides of the trace. Place a 22 picofarad load capacitor from each OSC pin (OSC1, OSC2) to VSS if using a quartz crystal; if using a canned oscillator module, leave OSC2 floating. Keep all GPIO traces away from the clock trace by at least 3W (three trace widths) to avoid crosstalk into digital inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per DigiKey listing; AEC-Q100 not explicitly qualified for this OTP variant - check Microchip automotive-grade catalog for safety-critical applications.