PIC16C57C-04E/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU 4MHz 3KB 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57C-04E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.92 | $4.92 |
| 10 | $4.43 | $44.30 |
| 100 | $3.94 | $394.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.18 | $3,180.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.85 | $8,550.00 |
PIC16C57C-04E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces into one package. The PIC16C57C falls under the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> 8-bit MCU -> RISC MCU -> CMOS OTP MCU -> semiconductor. As an OTP device it can be programmed exactly once, which makes it suited to high-volume fixed-function products rather than field-upgradeable designs.
Key features include 20 general-purpose digital I/O pins, a 4MHz internal operating frequency (-04 speed grade), 8-bit timer/counter resources, a watchdog timer for reliable unattended operation, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and a wide 3.0V to 5.5V supply range. The SSOP-28 footprint enables compact board layouts while still supporting hand-soldering or standard SMT lines.
Architecturally the device uses a Harvard RISC core with separate program and data paths, a 12-bit wide instruction word, and a two-stage pipeline. The CMOS process delivers low power consumption ideal for always-on appliances, while the OTP program memory gives designers stable firmware that cannot be read back through the external pins, providing a baseline level of code protection.
Typical applications include white-goods and small-appliance control boards, automotive body modules (non-safety), industrial sensor front ends, simple user-interface panels, and consumer remote-control transmitters. The wide operating voltage also makes it appropriate for 5V-regulated industrial nodes.
When designing with the PIC16C57C, allow adequate decoupling on VDD/VSS pairs, route MCLR with proper pull-up, and confirm the oscillator configuration matches the chosen resonator. OTP parts require pre-production verification via a windowed (JW) counterpart before committing the final code.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and engineering design notes that go beyond the information in the bare datasheet, helping engineers shorten sourcing and BOM decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57C-04E/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-04E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Maximum Clock Frequency, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57C-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56A-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-04E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12 bits) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz (-04 speed grade) |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 100 ns (4 MHz, 1:1 clock) |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions (12-bit) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 20 general-purpose digital I/O |
| Package Type | SSOP-28 (Shrink Small Outline Package) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) |
| Timers | 8-bit Timer/Counter (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip WDT with dedicated RC oscillator) |
| Reset Features | Power-on Reset (POR), Brown-out Reset (BOR) |
| Code Protection | OTP code-protection bit set during programming |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free SSOP) |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Not automotive qualified (use PIC16C57C-04E/SS only after review) |
PIC16C57C-04E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/RTCC — I/O port A bit 4 / RTCC timer input |
| 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 |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock in |
| 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 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57C-04E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: White Goods and Small Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Front-End Nodes, Automotive Body and Convenience Modules, Consumer Remote Control Transmitters, User Interface and Keypad Panels, Lighting Control Modules.
White Goods and Small Appliance Control
The PIC16C57C-04E/SS is well suited to white-goods control boards such as washing machines, microwave ovens, and rice cookers because its 3 KB OTP memory holds typical appliance firmware, the 4 MHz core drives 100 ns instruction cycles for real-time keypad and sensor polling, and the SSOP-28 footprint fits inside space-constrained appliance chassis. The wide 3.0-5.5 V supply tolerates unregulated wall-adapter rails, while the on-chip watchdog timer recovers the MCU automatically from mains-borne brown-out events common in motor-driven loads.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-End Nodes
In industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters and discrete digital probes, the PIC16C57C-04E/SS delivers deterministic 100 ns instruction timing for sampling, linearization, and HART-style modulation. Its 20 GPIO handle multiple switch inputs and relay outputs, and the -40 C to +125 C extended temperature grade tolerates unconditioned factory floors. The OTP memory secures proprietary calibration tables against external read-back, while the CMOS core keeps quiescent draw low enough for loop-powered budgets.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Convenience Modules
Within non-safety automotive body controllers such as seat heaters, mirror adjusters, and interior lighting, the PIC16C57C-04E/SS supplies reliable 8-bit logic with 20 GPIO for switches, LEDs, and H-bridge enable lines. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade handles cabin and engine-bay-adjacent environments, and the wide 3.0-5.5 V supply rides cleanly on 12 V battery rails post-regulation. The 3 KB OTP accommodates lookup-table-rich lighting or HVAC control logic without external memory.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC16C57C-04E/SS drives low-cost 433 MHz/315 MHz remote control transmitters where 3 KB OTP fits IR/RF protocol stacks, and the SSOP-28 package keeps the PCB small enough to fit inside key-fob housings. Its CMOS design minimizes battery drain on coin cells, while the hardware watchdog guards against stuck TX conditions. The 20 GPIO directly drive keypad matrix scans and LED indicators without external logic.
Recommended
User Interface and Keypad Panels
The PIC16C57C-04E/SS powers standalone user-interface panels with 4x4 or 5x5 keypads, multi-digit seven-segment displays, and indicator LEDs in equipment such as security keypads, exercise machines, and instrumentation front panels. Its 20 GPIO scan the matrix and refresh displays without external drivers on small systems, and the 3 KB OTP holds debounce, mode-control, and menu logic. Extended-temperature operation suits outdoor enclosures and unheated warehouses.
Recommended
Lighting Control Modules
The PIC16C57C-04E/SS acts as a low-cost controller in architectural lighting and LED driver modules, generating PWM dimming patterns, fade tables, and DMX-512 style addressable commands from its 3 KB OTP. The 4 MHz core is sufficient to bit-bang multi-channel PWM at audio-bypass rates, and the SSOP-28 package sits comfortably behind LED driver ICs on slim PCBAs. The on-chip watchdog prevents lamps from getting stuck in anomalous states after brown-outs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57C-04E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57C-04/SS | PIC16C57C-04I/SS | PIC16C57-10E/SS | PIC16C56A-20E/SS | PIC16C57-10I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-28 | SSOP-28 (same) | SSOP-28 (same) | SSOP-28 (same) | SSOP-28 (same) | SSOP-28 (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP (same) | 3 KB OTP (same) | 2 KB OTP | 1 KB OTP | 2 KB OTP |
| RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes (same) | 72 bytes (same) | 72 bytes (same) | 25 bytes | 72 bytes (same) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 (same) | 20 (same) | 20 (same) | 12 | 20 (same) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (same) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (same) | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V | 2.5 V to 6.25 V |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Mature | Mature | Mature |
Key Differentiators
- Largest code footprint in the PIC16C5X family at 3 KB OTP (vs PIC16C56A-20E/SS)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature range (vs PIC16C57C-04/SS)
- Balanced 4 MHz speed grade with low power (vs PIC16C57-10E/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible between VDD (pin 26) and VSS (pin 25), and add a bulk 10 uF electrolytic or tantalum on the same supply rail near the MCU. The PIC16C57C draws brief current spikes on internal clock edges, and insufficient decoupling causes erratic instruction execution or MCLR glitches during heavy I/O transitions.
Route MCLR (pin 4) with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap to ground if a manual reset button is used; keep this trace short and away from the OSC1/OSC2 lines (pins 15-16) to avoid coupling noise into the reset line. Place the crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 and guard both pins with a ground ring on the PCB.
Do not assume the PIC16C57C-04E/SS can be re-programmed in-circuit - OTP memory can be written only once. Always validate firmware on a JW (windowed) or flash-based PIC16F equivalent before committing to production OTP orders, and use Microchip's device programmer with the correct OSCCAL and configuration-word settings.
Although the SSOP-28 has relatively high thermal resistance (theta_JA ~ 95 C/W on a 2-layer test board), the PIC16C57C's CMOS core dissipates only a few tens of mW even at 4 MHz full activity. For continuous full-load operation at +125 C ambient, provide at least 100 mm^2 of copper pour tied to VSS on the top layer to keep junction rise under 10 C.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant lead-free SSOP per Microchip environmental information; not AEC-Q100 qualified so not recommended for safety-critical automotive designs. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified data and is recorded as unknown.
