PIC16C57-10I/SP - 8-Bit 10MHz 3KB OTP MCU 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57-10I/SP ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.32 | $7.32 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.78 | $578.00 |
| 500 | $4.95 | $2,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.32 | $4,320.00 |
PIC16C57-10I/SP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral I/O on one die. In the broader component taxonomy, the PIC16C57 sits below general-purpose microprocessors and above fixed-function logic ICs: it belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller class, within the PIC family, under the Integrated Circuits umbrella. 8-bit MCUs like the PIC16C57 dominate cost-sensitive, deterministic, low-power embedded applications where pin count, code density, and predictable interrupt latency outweigh raw throughput.
Key features include a 12-bit wide instruction word with 8-bit data path, two-level deep hardware stack, direct/indirect/relative addressing modes, 8-bit real-time clock/counter (TMR0), and a programmable Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator. The PIC16C5X RISC architecture delivers 2:1 code compression versus typical 8-bit CISC MCUs of its class, enabling small-footprint firmware. Power consumption is characterized by < 2 mA typical operating current at 5 V and 10 MHz, with a < 1 µA standby current in Sleep mode. The device supports an oscillator frequency range of DC to 10 MHz and operates from 3.0 V to 6.0 V.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, appliance controls, automotive subsystems (non-safety-critical), security and alarm panels, simple sensor interfaces, consumer electronics, and low-cost replacement of discrete logic. The wide 20-I/O count and small SPDIP footprint make it well suited to retrofits and legacy through-hole PCB designs where surface-mount conversion is impractical.
When designing with the PIC16C57-10I/SP, ensure VDD decoupling with 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors close to the power pin, choose an oscillator topology (RC, XT, LP, or HS) matched to the application frequency, and allocate sufficient OTP programming margin. Note that OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten; for in-circuit firmware iteration, the PIC16F57 flash variant is preferred.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57-10I/SP — 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 PIC16C57-10I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Instruction Cycle Time, Program Memory Type, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F57-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-10I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F57-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55-10I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-10I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC16C5X |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 20 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) |
| Stack Depth | 2 levels (hardware) |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package Type | 28-SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-Free per Microchip product page |
PIC16C57-10I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| 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 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57-10I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Appliance and Consumer Electronics, Automotive Non-Safety Subsystems, Security and Alarm Panels, Simple Sensor Interface Hubs, Replacement of Discrete Logic.
Industrial Control Systems
The PIC16C57-10I/SP fits legacy industrial control boards where 20 digital I/O lines and deterministic 8-bit execution simplify relay, solenoid, and sensor interfacing. At 10 MHz the device delivers a 400 ns instruction cycle, sufficient to scan 20 inputs and update 20 outputs within a few hundred microseconds, matching scan-rate targets for PLC-style machines. The industrial -40 °C to +85 °C temperature grade handles factory-floor environments without additional thermal qualification, and the 28-SPDIP through-hole footprint suits existing through-hole control backplanes where surface-mount conversion would force board respin. Designers should pair the MCU with opto-isolated I/O and consider the PIC16F57 flash variant for ongoing firmware iteration.
Recommended
Appliance and Consumer Electronics
Consumer appliances such as coffee makers, microwave oven controls, washing-machine timers, and air-conditioner remotes benefit from the PIC16C57-10I/SP's 3 KB OTP code space, 20 I/O, and sub-2 mA active current. The 12-bit RISC instruction set compresses typical 8-bit CISC code by 2:1, letting complex user interfaces with LED/LCD drivers and button matrices fit within the 2K × 12 program window. The wide 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply range tolerates rectified mains-derived rails without an additional regulator. Designers should add brown-out detection via external reset ICs since the PIC16C57 lacks internal BOR.
Recommended
Automotive Non-Safety Subsystems
Body-electronics modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror-adjustment logic, and seat-position memories traditionally use the PIC16C57-10I/SP for its 20-I/O count and industrial temperature range. The device's 10 MHz execution supports the millisecond-level response required for switch debouncing and H-bridge sequencing without latency issues. Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the part has a long track record in 12 V body-electronics designs where the supply is pre-regulated. For new automotive designs AEC-Q100 qualified successors like PIC16F57 with extended temperature should be considered instead.
Recommended
Security and Alarm Panels
Wired alarm panels with keypad entry, PIR sensor inputs, and siren-driver outputs rely on the PIC16C57-10I/SP's 20-I/O count to consolidate zones and status indicators without external I/O expanders. The hardware Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator adds resilience against firmware lock-up, critical in safety-relevant alarm systems. Sleep current below 1 µA extends battery-backup run-time during AC outages. The OTP memory protects against unauthorized firmware read-back, a security advantage over flash MCUs in some jurisdictions.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Interface Hubs
Sensor-interface boards collecting 8 to 20 discrete signals (limit switches, optical sensors, thermistor bridges) benefit from the PIC16C57-10I/SP's 20-I/O count and 8-bit TMR0 for pulse counting and period measurement. At 10 MHz the firmware can service up to 20 kHz sampling rates on a single channel while polling the others, sufficient for HVAC airflow sensors, flow meters, and tachometers. The 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply window accepts a wide range of transducer rails without level translation. Pair the MCU with a precision external ADC if more than 8-bit resolution is required.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic
The PIC16C57-10I/SP replaces legacy 74-series glue-logic gates and counters with a single 28-SPDIP part, shrinking multi-chip discrete-logic boards into a single programmable MCU. Designers typically migrate ~10 to 30 gates of combinational and sequential logic into 1.5 KB of PIC assembly, freeing PCB area for added functionality. The 20 digital I/O replaces 20 individual logic outputs while adding timing, sequencing, and conditional logic in firmware. For long-life industrial retrofits, the OTP memory prevents accidental code erasure during field service.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57-10I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F57-I/SP | PIC16C57-10I/P | PIC16C57C-10I/SP | PIC16F57-I/P | PIC16C55-10I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-PDIP (wider) | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-PDIP (wider) | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) | 3 KB Flash | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB Flash | 512 B (0.5 KB) - 83% less |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 24 bytes - 67% less |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V (Flash wider) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V (Flash wider) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- OTP EPROM memory protects against unauthorized firmware read-back (vs PIC16F57-I/SP)
- Long established 28-SPDIP through-hole footprint for legacy through-hole boards (vs PIC16F57-I/SP)
- Industrial -40 °C to +85 °C operating range (vs PIC16C57-10/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD = 5.0 V, 10 MHz clock, and typical active current of 2 mA, the PIC16C57-10I/SP dissipates approximately 10 mW. A 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor must be placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 3) to suppress switching transients from the internal oscillator driver; a bulk 10 µF electrolytic on the same rail adds low-frequency decoupling. For battery-backed designs, leverage the < 1 µA Sleep-mode current by putting the MCU into Sleep between interrupts and gating peripherals via firmware.
Route the MCLR pin to a dedicated reset supervisor or RC network; avoid tying MCLR directly to VDD without a pull-up because stray capacitance on long traces can prevent reliable reset during power-up. Keep the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 16/15) short and shield with a ground ring to reduce radiated EMI. If using a high-frequency crystal (HS mode, 4 MHz to 10 MHz), place load capacitors within 5 mm of the oscillator pins to avoid start-up failures.
Do not assume PIC16F57 firmware will run unchanged on a PIC16C57-10I/SP; although the instruction set is compatible, the Flash programming algorithm and configuration-word defaults differ (e.g., the PIC16F57 defaults to internal RC oscillator, while PIC16C57 must select oscillator mode at programming). OTP EPROM cannot be erased, so all firmware must be validated in a PIC16F57-I/SP or windowed PIC16C57JW part before committing code to the production OTP device. Brown-out detection is not present internally, so an external reset IC is recommended for 12 V and battery applications.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip PIC16C57 product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety applications; refer to automotive-grade PIC16F57 variants for AEC-Q100 needs. Lead-free reflow-suitable per Microchip material declaration.
