PIC16C57T-LPI/SO - 3KB OTP 8-bit MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip Technology
MPN: PIC16C57T-LPI/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.91 | $2.91 |
| 10 | $2.78 | $27.80 |
| 100 | $2.55 | $255.00 |
| 500 | $2.32 | $1,160.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC16C57T-LPI/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (ROM/EPROM/Flash/OTP), data RAM, and peripherals such as I/O ports and timers into one package. The PIC16C5X series uses One-Time-Programmable (OTP) EPROM, which lets manufacturers program each unit during production. OTP MCUs are positioned within the broader microcontroller hierarchy as: 8-bit MCU -> RISC MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. This family targets cost-sensitive, deterministic control applications.
Key features include 3 KB of OTP program memory (organized as 2K x 12), 72 bytes of data RAM, 20 digital I/O pins, two 8-bit timers (TMR0 and TMR2), a watchdog timer, and the PIC RISC core providing single-cycle instruction execution with two-cycle branches. The 12-bit wide instructions achieve 2:1 code compression over other 8-bit MCUs in the same class. Operating voltage is 2.5 V to 5.5 V (verified via the LPI low-power-industrial speed grade).
Typical applications for the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO include appliance controls, simple sensor interfaces, low-cost consumer electronics, lighting controllers, automotive body modules (non-safety), and remote-control transmitters. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range allows operation directly from 3.3 V or 5 V rails. When migrating designs, the LPI speed grade supports 40 kHz operation at low Vdd for power-constrained applications. The 'T' suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT production.
When designing with this device, ensure your firmware toolchain supports the PIC16C5X baseline core. Unlike modern PIC16F1xxx parts with flash memory, the OTP variant requires production programming; for prototyping, consider PIC16F57-I/SO as a flash equivalent in the same 28-SOIC pinout.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57T-LPI/SO — 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 PIC16C57T-LPI/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Maximum Clock Frequency, Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57-LPI/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57T-10I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57CT-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.37 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-HSE/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57CT-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F57-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57T-LPI/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (PIC16C5X baseline) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 20 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 kHz (LPI speed grade) |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions, 12-bit wide |
| Timers | TMR0 (8-bit), TMR2 (8-bit) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing leads) |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| Number of Terminals | 28 |
| Package Code | SOP |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
| Lead-Free | unknown |
PIC16C57T-LPI/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (bidirectional I/O, INT) |
| Pin 4 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 11 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | Vdd — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 25 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 26 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57T-LPI/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Appliance Control Boards, Remote Control Transmitters, Lighting Controllers and Dimmers, Low-Cost Sensor Interface Modules, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Consumer Electronics Toys and Gadgets, Industrial Control Timers and Sequencers.
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C57T-LPI/SO is well-suited to appliance control boards such as washing-machine timers, microwave keypads, and dishwasher user interfaces, where deterministic 8-bit control of relays, triacs, and seven-segment displays is required. The PIC16C5X core's 33 single-cycle instructions execute predictably with no pipeline stalls, simplifying real-time task scheduling. The 20 I/O pins comfortably drive multiplexed LED or LCD segments, the TMR0/TMR2 timers handle time-base generation, and the 3 KB OTP holds the full application state machine. Operating from a 5 V rail, the LPI speed grade draws minimal supply current, which is critical for ENERGY STAR-rated standby-power targets.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitters
For IR/RF remote-control transmitters, the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO provides the timing accuracy and low standby current required for battery-powered operation over multi-year service life. The on-chip TMR0 and TMR2 timers generate precise carrier frequencies (e.g., 38 kHz for IR, 433 MHz sub-carriers), while the 20 I/O pins drive keypad matrix scanning and LED indicators. The 72-byte RAM accommodates button-debounce and protocol state buffers, and the 3 KB OTP holds RC5, NEC, or proprietary encoding tables. The LPI 40 kHz speed grade keeps active current in the microamp range for coin-cell designs.
Recommended
Lighting Controllers and Dimmers
The PIC16C57T-LPI/SO serves as the digital brain of LED dimmers, occupancy sensors, and decorative lighting controllers. Its 20 I/O pins connect to triac/zero-cross detectors, PWM dimming outputs, and capacitive-touch sense electrodes, while TMR0 measures zero-cross timing to compute phase-angle firing. The 12-bit instruction width reduces code size versus 8-bit CISC MCUs, allowing elaborate fade algorithms and DMX-512 reception in the 3 KB OTP. The industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) accommodates outdoor and ceiling-fixture environments.
Recommended
Low-Cost Sensor Interface Modules
Sensor-interface modules for HVAC, environmental monitoring, and industrial telemetry use the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO to read thermistors, photodiodes, and 4-20 mA loops through the on-chip comparators and ADC-less I/O. The 8-bit baseline core performs linearization, threshold detection, and alarm-flag generation in firmware. The LPI 40 kHz speed grade is sufficient for slow-changing analog signals, and the 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range allows direct connection to 3.3 V sensor rails. OTP programming locks the calibration coefficients, preventing field tampering.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
Body-electronic modules such as mirror controllers, seat-position memories, and HVAC blend-door actuators deploy the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO for non-safety-rated control. The 28-SOIC industrial-temperature grade handles under-dash thermal environments, and the 20 I/O pins drive H-bridge MOSFETs and Hall-effect sensor inputs. While the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is widely used in non-safety aftermarket automotive products; for OEM safety-critical designs, choose the PIC16F1936 family instead. The 3 KB OTP holds position tables and motor-control state machines.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Toys and Gadgets
The PIC16C57T-LPI/SO targets cost-sensitive consumer toys, electronic gift items, and educational gadgets where sub-$3 BOM cost is critical. The OTP EPROM die is cheaper than flash for runs above 10,000 units, and the 28-SOIC package is compatible with low-cost pick-and-place assembly lines. The 72-byte RAM and 3 KB OTP support simple sound-playback, LED-pattern, and motor-control firmware. The wide 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range enables operation from two alkaline cells or a single Li-ion cell via boost converter.
Recommended
Industrial Control Timers and Sequencers
Sequencers for industrial pump controllers, conveyor timers, and batching systems use the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO to drive relays and read limit switches deterministically. The watchdog timer protects against firmware lockup in unattended installations, while TMR0/TMR2 deliver 1 ms to 1 hour time bases without software overhead. The industrial temperature grade and robust 28-SOIC package suit factory-floor enclosures. For long-term field serviceability, pair the OTP die with PIC16F57-I/SO for factory firmware recovery via ICSP.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57T-LPI/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57-LPI/SO | PIC16C57T-10I/SO | PIC16C57CT-04E/SO | PIC16C57-HSE/SO | PIC16C57CT-20I/SO | PIC16F57-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (SO, 7.50 mm) - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM 3 KB | OTP EPROM 3 KB | OTP EPROM 3 KB | OTP EPROM 3 KB | OTP EPROM 3 KB | OTP EPROM 3 KB | Flash 2 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 kHz (LPI) | 40 kHz (LPI) | 10 MHz (10I) | 4 MHz (04E) | 20 MHz (HSE) | 20 MHz (20I) | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) or -40C to +85C variant | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes |
| Delivery Format | Tape & Reel (T) | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest active power in PIC16C57 family (LPI 40 kHz speed grade) (vs PIC16C57T-10I/SO)
- Drop-in pin compatibility with Flash-based PIC16F57-I/SO (vs PIC16F57-I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade standard (vs PIC16C57-HSE/SO (HS speed grade))
- Tape-and-reel packaging for SMT high-volume assembly (vs PIC16C57-LPI/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C57T-LPI/SO in the LPI speed grade runs at 40 kHz maximum, drawing substantially less active current than the 10 MHz or 20 MHz siblings. For battery-powered designs, estimate the active current at Vdd=3V, 40 kHz using the datasheet DC characteristics graph (typical ~1 mA active, <1 uA standby with watchdog disabled). Add a 0.1 uF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to pins 11 (Vss) and 12 (Vdd), plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail to suppress inrush transients during OTP programming.
Unlike flash-based PIC16F57, the PIC16C57T-LPI/SO's OTP EPROM can only be programmed once and cannot be erased or reprogrammed. Engineering builds using OTP parts will be bricked if firmware bugs are found late in the cycle. Best practice: develop and validate all firmware on a PIC16F57-I/SO (same pinout, same baseline core, in-system reprogrammable), then port the verified HEX file to the OTP part for production. Avoid using the OTP variant for prototypes or low-volume engineering builds.
Route the OSC1 (pin 13) and OSC2 (pin 14) traces short and symmetric to minimize clock skew and EMI. For RC oscillator mode, place the resistor and capacitor close to the OSC1 pin; for crystal mode, add a 1 MOhm parallel bias resistor across the crystal to guarantee oscillation startup. Keep the OSC traces away from RB-port switching lines and never route them adjacent to RC or RD port-bus traces that toggle at high frequency. The 28-SOIC package benefits from a ground plane on the bottom layer for thermal dissipation.
The PIC16C57T-LPI/SO does not have configurable internal weak pull-ups on RB port pins in the baseline core; external 10 kOhm to 100 kOhm pull-ups are required for inputs that may float (e.g., mechanical switch or open-collector sensor inputs). For ports driving LEDs or relays, use series current-limiting resistors calculated as R = (Vdd - Vf_LED) / I_LED; with Vdd=5V and I_LED=10 mA through a red LED, R=330 Ohm. For inductive loads, add a flyback diode (1N4148 or Schottky) directly across the coil.
Compliance Information
Compliance status was not explicitly stated in the verified distributor catalog pages; the 28-SOIC gull-wing industrial package is generally available in lead-free finishes, but RoHS/REACH certificates must be requested from Microchip before use in restricted-substance products. The part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, so it is not recommended for safety-critical automotive applications.
