PIC16C57C-04/SS - 4MHz 8-Bit OTP MCU 3KB 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57C-04/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.55 | $7.55 |
| 10 | $6.8 | $68.00 |
| 100 | $6.05 | $605.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
PIC16C57C-04/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral I/O. PIC microcontrollers belong to the Modified Harvard RISC architecture family, where program and data memories are separate buses. The PIC16C5X baseline sub-family targets cost-sensitive, deterministic 8-bit control tasks in white goods, automotive body electronics, and industrial sensors; in the broader taxonomy it sits under PIC microcontrollers -> 8-bit MCUs -> microcontrollers -> microprocessors & controllers -> semiconductors.
Key features of the PIC16C57C-04/SS include 3 KB one-time-programmable (OTP) program memory allowing user-coded firmware, four 8-bit I/O ports (RA, RB, RC, RD), an 8-bit real-time timer/counter (TMR0) with programmable prescaler, a watchdog timer for reliable operation, and power-saving Sleep mode. A 4 MHz external crystal or RC oscillator drives the internal clock, and a /MCLR reset pin is provided. The OTP architecture is suited to mature, low-cost production where firmware is finalized and field re-programmability is not required.
The 28-pin SSOP (209 mil, 1.0 mm pitch) package is the shrink-SOIC variant of the 28-pin SPDIP, sharing the same 1.27 mm row pitch in a more compact outline. Designers moving between the PIC16C55/56/57 family can substitute compatible parts across SPDIP, SOIC, and SSOP footprints provided pin ordering and pin-1 orientation are observed.
Typical applications include remote-control encoders, simple sensor conditioning, LED chase or display drivers, battery chargers, fan/motor control, automotive body controllers, and low-cost consumer appliances. The 100 ns instruction execution supports deterministic bit-banged protocols and timing loops. The combination of 20 I/O, 3 KB OTP, 72 B RAM, and a 4 MHz clock makes the part a workhorse baseline PIC for high-volume, cost-driven embedded designs where a C-programmable flash MCU is over-specified.
When designing with this device, use a 4.7 kΩ pull-up on /MCLR to VDD, place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor on VDD near the IC, and choose a 4 MHz crystal with 22 pF loading capacitors. The /MCLR pin must never be left floating, and unused I/O should be configured as outputs low to minimize current draw.
This page synthesizes the Microchip PIC16C57C-04/SS datasheet with current DigiKey / Mouser / Octopart pricing, same-package SSOP drop-in alternatives, application guidance, and pinout data not consolidated in any single distributor listing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57C-04/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 PIC16C57C-04/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Maximum Clock Frequency, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F57-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-04/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-04/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable EPROM) |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K × 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 100 ns |
| Number of I/O | 20 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial, C suffix) |
| Number of Instructions | 33 (12-bit single-word) |
| Stack Levels | 2 (hardware) |
| Timers | 1 × 8-bit (TMR0) with prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (209 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16C57C-04/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | /MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, internal pull-up enabled |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O, Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O, Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O, Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O, Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4 / T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input (Schmitt trigger) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O, Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 10 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 11 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 13 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 14 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 15 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 16 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O, Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O, Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O, Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O, Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O, Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | RD0 — Bidirectional I/O, Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 22 | RD1 — Bidirectional I/O, Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RD2 — Bidirectional I/O, Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RD3 — Bidirectional I/O, Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | OSC2 — Oscillator output (crystal/RC mode) |
| Pin 26 | OSC1 — Oscillator input (crystal/RC/external clock) |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 28 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O, Port C bit 4 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57C-04/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Remote Control and IR Encoder, LED Chase and Display Driver, Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy), Battery Charger and Power Management Front-End, Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Alarm, Hobby and Education / DIY Projects.
Remote Control and IR Encoder
The PIC16C57C-04/SS is well suited to IR/RF remote-control transmitters and simple encoder applications. Its 4 MHz clock and 100 ns instruction cycle generate precise carrier frequencies and bit-banged protocols (RC5, NEC, Sony SIRC) entirely in software without needing a UART. With 20 digital I/O, it can drive a 4×4 keypad matrix or LED status indicator. The 3 KB OTP holds 2 K words of encoding logic, custom button maps, and battery-saving Sleep-mode routines. The CMOS Sleep current keeps wall-mount remotes usable for years on AAA cells.
Recommended
LED Chase and Display Driver
For decorative LED chasers, holiday lighting, and 7-segment/multiplexed LED display drivers, the PIC16C57C-04/SS offers 20 high-current capable I/O lines (each typically 25 mA sink) and a 100 ns instruction cycle for flicker-free multiplexing. The 8-bit TMR0 with prescaler provides the time base for refresh, and 3 KB of OTP code accommodates custom patterns, brightness modulation (PWM via software), and UART-driven animation streams. The 28-SSOP package fits slim in-line modules where the bulkier 28-PDIP would not.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control
In white-goods and consumer appliances (coffee makers, blenders, fan controllers, toaster ovens), the PIC16C57C-04/SS provides a cost-optimized 8-bit brain with 20 I/O for relays, triac gates, push-buttons, and seven-segment or LCD readouts. The 2.5 V-5.5 V supply tolerates direct 3.3 V system rails, and the on-chip watchdog timer recovers from brown-outs. Deterministic 100 ns instruction execution simplifies safety-interlock and timing control. OTP locks the firmware at production, protecting against reverse engineering.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Legacy)
Historically, the PIC16C57C has been deployed in low-end automotive body controllers (window lifters, mirror adjusters, simple lighting sequencers) where 20 I/O, 72 B RAM, and 3 KB OTP suffice. Per the Microchip product family page, the device is described as "easily adapted for automotive" and remains supported in this legacy role. Modern designs should migrate to AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F or PIC18 parts, but existing platforms continue to use the PIC16C57C-04/SS as a pin-compatible, lifetime-buys-supported workhorse.
Recommended
Battery Charger and Power Management Front-End
Single-cell NiMH / lead-acid chargers and small solar MPPT controllers use the PIC16C57C-04/SS as a measurement and PWM front end. The 8-bit ADC-free operation means current and voltage are read through external comparators and a 1-Wire temperature sensor, then closed-loop duty cycles are generated by software-PWM on a CCP-emulated pin. The 72 B RAM and 3 KB OTP are sufficient for CC/CV charge profiles, fault logging, and LED status. The low-cost SSOP package keeps total BOM under $1 even at 1k volume.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and Alarm
Industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensors, simple alarm panels, and standalone fire/security detector bases use the PIC16C57C-04/SS for threshold detection, debounce, and relay/buzzer control. The 20 I/O handle up to four analog comparators (externally) and a piezo driver, while the 8-bit timer captures event durations for the watchdog self-test. The 0 °C to +70 °C operating range covers most indoor industrial environments; the 28-SSOP and 28-PDIP compatibility (same die) lets the same code run on either form factor.
Recommended
Hobby and Education / DIY Projects
The PIC16C57C-04/SS is a popular educational MCU in university embedded systems courses, Maker projects, and PIC-architecture tutorials. The 33 single-word instruction set, 2-level stack, and 20 I/O make it the simplest possible PIC16C5X baseline core - ideal for teaching fetch-decode-execute and PIC assembly. The 28-SSOP breakout boards are inexpensive, and programmers (e.g. PICkit 2/3 with OTPs in the adapter socket) are widely available. Code is portable to the flash PIC16F57 for student continuation projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57C-04/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F57-I/SS | PIC16C57-04/SS | PIC16C57-10E/SS | PIC16C57-10I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP (209 mil) | 28-SSOP (209 mil) - same | 28-SSOP (209 mil) - same | 28-SSOP (209 mil) - same | 28-PDIP - differs (thru-hole) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP (2K × 12) | 3 KB Flash | 2 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| RAM | 72 B | 72 B | 72 B | 72 B | 72 B |
| I/O Count | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | Flash (re-programmable) | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C (E = extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I = industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package flash version available for late-stage firmware changes (vs PIC16C57-04/SS (2 KB OTP only))
- 3 KB program memory is the largest in the PIC16C5X baseline 28-pin family (vs PIC16C56-04/SS (1 KB OTP))
- Industrial and automotive temperature grades available in the same die (vs PIC16C57-10E/SS (-40 to +125 °C E grade))
Design Notes
PIC16C57C-04/SS supply: place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor on VDD (pin 27) within 5 mm of the IC and a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the board. The /MCLR pin (pin 1) must be tied to VDD through a 4.7 kΩ resistor - never left floating, as this can cause spurious resets. Estimated: at 5 V, 4 MHz and 20 MHz no-load, IDD is typically 1-2 mA; Sleep current drops to <1 µA typical, ideal for battery-powered remote controls.
Oscillator layout: keep the 4 MHz crystal (or ceramic resonator) within 5 mm of OSC1 (pin 26) and OSC2 (pin 25). Connect the two load capacitors (typically 22 pF for 4 MHz at 5 V) to VSS and place them with short traces. For RC oscillator mode, place the R and C close to OSC1 and shield the trace from high-current switching lines. The 28-SSOP package has a thermal pad - connect it to VSS for improved heat dissipation, though power dissipation is minimal (CMOS process).
Watchdog timer must be explicitly disabled in the configuration word if not used - it is enabled by default on the PIC16C5X baseline core. The 2-level hardware stack means subroutines may not nest deeper than 2 - keep interrupt handlers short. OTP parts are one-time-programmable: the device is shipped blank and once programmed cannot be re-flashed. For prototyping, use a UV-erasable windowed version (PIC16C57C-04/JW) or migrate to the flash-based PIC16F57-I/SS. Always assert /MCLR low for at least 2 µs to guarantee a clean reset.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free SSOP package. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (commercial grade); for automotive, use the 'I' (industrial) or 'E' (extended) temp grade in the same die family.
