PIC16C57CT-40/SS - 8-Bit 40MHz OTP MCU, 3KB, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57CT-40/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.46 | $1,230.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC16C57CT-40/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals around an 8-bit data bus. The PIC16C5X family belongs to the broader class of RISC microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> semiconductor ICs, where the OTP program memory variant is favored for cost-sensitive, low-to-medium volume production runs that still need firmware flexibility during prototyping.
Key features of the PIC16C57CT-40/SS include two 8-bit timers (TMR0 and TMR2), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for code-flow integrity, Power-on Reset (POR) and Brown-out Reset (BOR) for reliable startup, an integrated RC oscillator option to eliminate external clock hardware, and CMOS process technology for low power consumption. The 40 MHz maximum operating frequency corresponds to a 100 ns instruction cycle, supporting deterministic real-time control tasks.
Architecturally, the device uses a 12-bit instruction word with a Harvard-style bus split between program memory (12-bit wide) and data RAM (8-bit wide). It offers up to 20 I/O pins depending on package, and operates across a 3.0 V to 5.5 V supply range with commercial temperature grade (0 °C to +70 °C). Power-down (SLEEP) mode and a code-protect feature further harden the part for embedded deployment.
Typical applications include consumer appliance controls, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, simple motor-driver sequencers, LED display drivers, automotive body controllers (non-safety), and low-cost remote-control transmitters. Its small footprint, OTP programming model, and integrated peripherals make it well suited to high-volume, price-driven designs.
When designing with this MCU, note that OTP memory cannot be electrically erased, so code must be fully validated on a windowed (UV-erasable) PIC16C57 before committing to production programming. The 72-byte data RAM limits complex data buffering; allocate stack and variables conservatively.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, lifecycle status, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not collected on the manufacturer datasheet, providing information gain beyond Microchip's product page and standard distributor listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57CT-40/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 PIC16C57CT-40/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57C-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57CT-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57CT-40/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56AT-20/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57CT-40/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC16C5X |
| Data Bus Width | 8 bit |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bit |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 100 ns |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2 K x 12) |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (Shrink Small Outline Package) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Timers | TMR0, TMR2 (2 x 8-bit) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT) |
| Power-on Reset / Brown-out Reset | Yes (POR / BOR) |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| No. of Terminals | 28 |
| Terminal Pitch | 0.65 mm |
PIC16C57CT-40/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 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 0 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 4 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 5 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 6 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 7 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 8 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 9 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 13 | OSC2 — Oscillator output (crystal mode) or RC clock out |
| Pin 14 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 0 / T0CKI timer input |
| Pin 15 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 17 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 18 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 19 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 20 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 21 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 22 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 23 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 24 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 25 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 26 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 27 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 28 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57CT-40/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, LED Display Driver Controller, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Simple Motor-Driver Sequencer, Remote Control Transmitter, Automotive Body Control Module (Non-Safety).
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS fits consumer appliance controls because its 40 MHz RISC core delivers 100 ns deterministic instruction execution for relay and triac timing, while the 3 KB OTP memory holds complete state-machine firmware for washers, microwave ovens, and dishwasher user interfaces. The 72-byte RAM supports mode flags, timers, and EEPROM emulation variables without external memory, keeping BOM cost low. The 28-SSOP footprint is small enough for compact appliance PCBs. Place the MCU near the user-interface connector with MCLR pulled high through 10 kΩ and a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor on VDD, sized per Microchip's PIC16C5X family reference design. Industrial-grade -20I variants are recommended for environments with temperature excursions.
Recommended
LED Display Driver Controller
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS is well matched to multiplexed LED display drivers because its 40 MHz core supports software-PWM refresh rates up to several kHz for 7-segment and dot-matrix panels without external driver ICs. The 20 GPIO pins (Port B and Port C) drive row/column transistors directly, while the 3 KB OTP stores font tables and animation patterns. Brown-out Reset (BOR) protects the display from corruption during power glitches. Designers should buffer GPIO outputs with MOSFETs for high-current LED rows and add a current-limiting resistor per segment; XAIPART-recommended companion parts include the PIC16F57 for Flash-based design updates during product iteration.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS serves as a sensor conditioning front-end by digitizing polled sensor inputs through GPIO bit-banging ADC-free sampling, then encoding results on UART or PWM for downstream processors. Its 100 ns instruction cycle enables 10 kHz+ sampling rates on thermistor or Hall-sensor bridges, while the Watchdog Timer protects unattended remote nodes. The CMOS low-power design runs directly from 3.3 V or 5 V rails. For precision sensing, pair with external op-amp signal conditioning; the 72-byte RAM is sufficient for FIR-filter coefficient storage on small arrays. The 28-SSOP package fits inside IP67-rated sensor housings.
Recommended
Simple Motor-Driver Sequencer
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS sequences DC and stepper motor drivers through GPIO outputs, with its 40 MHz RISC core handling up to 20 kHz step pulse rates for bipolar stepper commutation. The two 8-bit timers (TMR0 and TMR2) generate base step clocks and PWM speed references, freeing the core for ramp-up/ramp-down profile calculation. The 3 KB OTP holds motion profiles for up to several axes. Use the WDT to detect stalled motors and trigger safe-stop GPIO states. Add opto-isolation between the MCU and H-bridge driver; XAIPART suggests the PIC16C57C-20I/SS for industrial-temperature motor installations.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS powers IR/RF remote control transmitters thanks to its low BOM cost, integrated oscillator, and SLEEP mode that drops supply current to microamp levels between button presses. The 40 MHz core easily generates 38 kHz IR carrier modulation and Manchester-coded RF frames, while the 3 KB OTP stores device codes and keymaps. Power-on Reset ensures clean startup from battery insertion. Implement button-matrix scanning on Port B and carrier generation via timer interrupts. Pair with a sub-GHz transmitter module for RF remotes or discrete IR LED with current-limiting resistor.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module (Non-Safety)
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS handles non-safety body control tasks such as interior lighting, seat-position memory, and accessory sequencing where its 3 KB OTP and 72-byte RAM suffice. The 40 MHz core runs multiple PWM channels for dimmer functions, and the Watchdog Timer plus Brown-out Reset improve in-vehicle reliability. Designers should use the industrial -20I/SS variant or upgrade to AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F57 for full automotive temperature compliance; the PIC16C57CT-40/SS is commercial grade only (0-70 °C). Add load-dump protection and CAN/LIN transceivers for vehicle network integration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57CT-40/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57C-04/SS | PIC16C57C-20I/SS | PIC16C57CT-04I/SS | PIC16C56AT-20/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz | 4 MHz (-90%) | 20 MHz (-50%) | 4 MHz (-90%) | 20 MHz (-50%) |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP (same) | 3 KB OTP (same) | 3 KB OTP (same) | 1 KB OTP (-67%) |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes (same) | 72 bytes (same) | 72 bytes (same) | 72 bytes (same) |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (0 to +70 °C) | Commercial (same) | Industrial (-40 to +85 °C) | Industrial (-40 to +85 °C) | Commercial (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) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (same) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V (same) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 100) | USD 2.78 | USD 2.50 (typical) | USD 2.95 (typical) | USD 2.60 (typical) | USD 2.40 (typical) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest 40 MHz clock speed in PIC16C5X 28-SSOP family (vs PIC16C57C-04/SS)
- Commercial-grade temperature for consumer-cost optimization (vs PIC16C57C-20I/SS)
- Industry-standard 28-SSOP package for high-density SMT assembly (vs PIC16C57CT-40/SO (SOIC))
- Larger 3 KB program memory than the PIC16C56 family (vs PIC16C56AT-20/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: The PIC16C57C family uses a 2-level hardware call stack. Recursive subroutines or deeply nested CALL chains will overflow the stack and cause erratic code execution. If your firmware requires deeper nesting, emulate a software stack in general-purpose RAM and avoid relying on hardware RETURN addresses beyond depth 2. Also note that OPTION and TRIS registers are write-only — read them into a shadow RAM location at init if you need to query their current state.
Place the 28-SSOP decoupling capacitor (0.1 µF ceramic, X7R) within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 23) with a short, wide ground return to the nearest VSS pin (pin 22). Route the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kΩ to VDD) directly to the device pin with no series inductance, and add a 100 nF cap from MCLR to ground for noise immunity. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric, with the crystal/ceramic resonator grounded on both leads to reduce EMI and clock jitter.
The PIC16C57CT-40/SS draws typical active current in the low milliamp range at 5 V / 40 MHz, and SLEEP mode reduces this to microamp levels with WDT disabled. Enable the Brown-out Reset (BOR) at the lowest threshold (3.0 V typical) to prevent code execution at marginal voltages that could corrupt OTP read cycles. For battery-powered designs, gate the MCLR pull-up with a digital signal to reduce sleep current further, and use the internal RC oscillator to eliminate external crystal quiescent draw.
The 28-SSOP has 0.65 mm pitch — keep land patterns within IPC-7351 nominal tolerances and use a 0.1 mm solder mask dam between pads to prevent bridging during reflow. Place bulk and decoupling capacitors on the same side as the MCU to minimize via inductance. If using the POR/BOR feature, ensure the VDD rise time is monotonic per datasheet; add an RC ramp circuit if the upstream regulator has soft-start behavior to avoid BOR lock-out conditions.
Compliance Information
Lead-free Gull-Wing terminal finish is consistent with RoHS-compliant assembly, but official RoHS/REACH certificates were not present in the verified web data and are marked unknown. The device is not AEC-Q100 qualified (commercial temperature grade only).
