PIC16C57-LPE/P - 8-bit 40MHz 3KB OTP MCU 28-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57-LPE/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.5 | $4.50 |
| 10 | $4.05 | $40.50 |
| 100 | $3.6 | $360.00 |
| 500 | $3.15 | $1,575.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.7 | $2,700.00 |
PIC16C57-LPE/P Overview
What is an OTP microcontroller? An OTP (One-Time-Programmable) microcontroller is a non-volatile programmable device whose on-chip program memory can be written exactly once using an EPROM cell, after which the code is permanent and cannot be erased. OTP MCUs sit in the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. Compared to Flash or EEPROM MCUs, OTP parts offer lower per-unit cost, smaller die area, and higher production security (no field reprogrammability), at the expense of re-programmability during prototyping. Engineers typically prototype with windowed or Flash parts and migrate to OTP for volume production.
The PIC16C57-LPE/P employs a RISC architecture with only 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions, a 12-bit instruction word, and a 2:1 code compression ratio versus competitors in its class. Two 8-bit timer/counters, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and a programmable code-protection bit are integrated. The device features fully static operation, allowing the clock to be stopped without loss of register data.
Typical applications include industrial control, automotive subsystems, white-goods and appliance controls, simple sensor interfacing, consumer electronics user interfaces, and low-cost remote transmitters. The wide 2.5 V-6.0 V supply range accommodates both 3.3 V and 5 V rails commonly found in legacy industrial designs.
When designing with this device, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed: code must be fully validated before committing to production. For development cycles requiring repeated programming, consider the Flash-based PIC16F57 equivalent. The 28-PDIP package is through-hole only and is preferred for prototype, hobby, and legacy-replacement use cases where socketed or hand-solderable parts simplify rework.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57-LPE/P — 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-LPE/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Watchdog Timer, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57-LP/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-LPI/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-HSI/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-20/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-LPE/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 single-word/single-cycle |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| I/O Pins | 20 |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (extended) |
| Package | 28-pin PDIP (through-hole) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Architecture | Fully static CMOS |
| Code Protection | Programmable code-protection bit |
PIC16C57-LPE/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input / RA4 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master clear reset (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 |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator output (crystal/RC) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input (crystal/RC/external clock) |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 6.0V) |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57-LPE/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control, Automotive Subsystems, Consumer Electronics, White Goods / Appliance Control, Simple Sensor Interfacing, Low-Cost Remote Transmitters.
Industrial Control
The PIC16C57-LPE/P fits industrial control applications where deterministic, low-cost bit-banged GPIO control is required. Its 40 MHz clock delivers 10 MIPS instruction throughput, sufficient to scan 16-20 digital inputs, drive relay or TRIAC outputs, and run a small supervisory state machine in assembly or C. The 2.5-6.0 V supply tolerates 24 V industrial bus rails after regulation. Its -40 °C to +125 °C extended temperature grade (the LPE designator) supports factory-floor enclosures near motors and heaters. OTP EPROM ensures code security against reverse engineering, critical for proprietary process logic. Each unit's low cost makes it attractive for high-volume discrete-machine controllers, conveyor segments, and pump drivers. Designers use Timer0 for input-debounce and Timer1 for sequencing, with the watchdog timer guarding against software lockup. Where field updates are required, PIC16F57 is preferred, but for fixed-logic production runs the PIC16C57-LPE/P remains competitive on per-unit cost.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystems
The PIC16C57-LPE/P is used in cost-sensitive automotive subsystems such as simple lighting controllers, HVAC damper drivers, mirror-position memory, and seat-control relays. Its -40 °C to +125 °C extended temperature grade matches SAE automotive underhood and cabin requirements. The OTP memory prevents after-market firmware tampering, a security advantage in safety-relevant modules. Its 20 GPIO pins directly drive small MOSFET arrays for motor control or LED matrix drivers, while the two 8-bit timers handle PWM generation for fan-speed control or interior lighting fades. The 2.5-6.0 V supply accommodates 12 V battery rails after a simple 5 V LDO regulator. Compared to AEC-Q100-qualified parts, the PIC16C57-LPE/P is industrial-grade; for safety-critical airbag or ABS modules, qualified parts such as PIC16F15325-I/P are mandated. For HVAC, lighting, and accessory control, however, the PIC16C57-LPE/P delivers decades of proven field reliability at minimal BOM cost.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics
The PIC16C57-LPE/P serves consumer products where a fixed-function microcontroller costs less than a discrete logic implementation: remote-control transmitters, simple white-goods controllers, electric toothbrush drivers, kitchen timers, and educational toy logic boards. The 3 KB OTP program memory stores application firmware for basic user-interface state machines, while 72 bytes RAM holds run-time variables and timer state. The 33-instruction RISC core enables C-language or hand-optimized assembly development under MPLAB XC8, achieving 10 MIPS at 40 MHz clock. The 28-pin PDIP package supports hand-soldering and socket-based prototyping, important for low-volume consumer accessory production. OTP memory provides security against cloning for proprietary consumer protocols (for example, remote control codes). The wide supply range supports 3 V coin-cell and 5 V USB-supplied designs without external level translation.
Recommended
White Goods / Appliance Control
The PIC16C57-LPE/P is well suited to major-appliance subsystems including washing-machine lid-lock controllers, dishwasher cycle timers, microwave oven user interfaces, and refrigerator defrost sequencers. Its extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature range tolerates the high ambient behind appliance panels and inside motor compartments. The 2.5-6.0 V supply aligns with 5 V and 3.3 V appliance rails, while the 20 GPIO pins handle key-matrix scanning, 7-segment LED or LCD drive, buzzer control, and TRIAC gate firing. Two 8-bit timers generate software-PWM for variable-speed motor drives or heater duty-cycle control. The watchdog timer detects firmware lockup, recovering the appliance without service intervention. OTP memory protects the manufacturer's proprietary wash-cycle or defrost algorithms from copying. Per Microchip, PIC16C5X family parts have shipped in tens of millions of appliances over decades, demonstrating field-proven long-term reliability.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Interfacing
The PIC16C57-LPE/P handles basic sensor-interface and signal-conditioning tasks in industrial and IoT edge nodes, including temperature sensor polling, switch-debounce aggregation, and threshold-based alarm reporting. While the part lacks an integrated ADC, designers use comparator-based external ADCs (such as MCP3002 over bit-banged SPI) or ratiometric resistive-sensor reading via timer capture. The 40 MHz clock and 10 MIPS throughput enable fast polling cycles, important when reading multiple sensor channels at sub-second intervals. Its 2.5-6.0 V supply draws directly from 3.3 V sensor rails, while its low-power CMOS design (LP designator) minimizes sleep current for battery-sensor applications. OTP code locks in the calibrated threshold logic, preventing field tampering with alarm set-points. The 28-pin PDIP package suits through-hole sensor-hub boards commonly found in legacy industrial installations.
Recommended
Low-Cost Remote Transmitters
The PIC16C57-LPE/P is ideal for low-cost RF or IR remote-control transmitters used in consumer electronics, garage-door openers, and simple telemetry key fobs. Its 20 GPIO pins drive 4x4 key matrices, LED status indicators, and a single PWM output for IR or OOK-modulated RF carrier generation. The 33-instruction RISC core encodes Manchester or pulse-width modulation protocols efficiently in assembly, fitting common RC5, NEC, or proprietary formats within the 3 KB program memory. The low-power LP oscillator option minimizes battery drain in standby, while OTP EPROM prevents cloning of the transmission protocol - important for security-sensitive applications like garage-door or gate access. The 28-PDIP package through-hole form factor supports hand-assembly of low-volume specialty remotes. The part is also widely used in educational kits and hobby projects where socketed DIP packages simplify learning and experimentation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57-LPE/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57-LP/P | PIC16C57-LPI/P | PIC16C57-HSI/P | PIC16C57C-20/P | PIC16C57-10I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-PDIP | 28-PDIP - same | 28-PDIP - same | 28-PDIP - same | 28-PDIP - same | 28-PDIP - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 20 MHz (HS grade) | 20 MHz (C-revision) | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP EPROM | 3 KB OTP EPROM | 3 KB OTP EPROM | 3 KB OTP EPROM | 3 KB OTP EPROM | 3 KB OTP EPROM |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (extended) | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Pin-Compatible Drop-In | Yes (28-PDIP baseline) | Yes - same pinout | Yes - same pinout | Yes - same pinout | Yes - same pinout | Yes - same pinout |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) (vs PIC16C57-LP/P)
- 40 MHz max clock vs 10 MHz standard parts (vs PIC16C57-10I/P)
- Code security via OTP memory (vs PIC16F57-I/P)
Design Notes
PIC16C57-LPE/P uses OTP EPROM that cannot be erased or rewritten after programming. Validate firmware thoroughly on a PIC16C57/JW windowed sample or PIC16F57-I/P Flash equivalent before committing to OTP production units. The Microchip PIC16C5X datasheet emphasizes that bit-flip or code-mismatch errors discovered after OTP programming require scrapping the part. Estimate: a typical 2-week prototype-to-OTP production ramp saves approximately 5-10% unit cost but increases time-to-fix by the same order if bugs escape.
PIC16C57-LPE/P has no integrated ADC, USART, I2C, or SPI hardware peripherals. Designs requiring these must implement them in software (bit-banged) or use external companion ICs. The 40 MHz LP oscillator consumes roughly 2-5 mA active; for battery-powered designs, use sleep mode aggressively (the LP oscillator stops cleanly because the core is fully static). Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 17, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail, per Microchip PIC16C5X hardware design guidelines.
The 28-PDIP package supports through-hole mounting on 2.54 mm pitch. Keep MCLR (pin 4) decoupled with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to VSS within 5 mm of the pin, per Microchip PIC16C5X hardware design guidelines. Place the crystal or ceramic resonator within 10 mm of OSC1 (pin 16) and OSC2 (pin 15) and shield the oscillator traces from high-current switching signals. Route VDD/VSS as a star from the regulator to each VDD pin pair (pins 14 and 17, plus 5 and 26 share VSS) to minimize supply droop during GPIO transitions.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance depends on date/lot code; PIC16C57-LPE/P is supplied as both leaded and lead-free finishes per Microchip order code suffix. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only). Refer to Microchip product environmental compliance documentation for current lot-specific certification.
