PIC16F54-E/P - 8-Bit 20MHz 768B Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F54-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.27 | $1.27 |
| 10 | $1.14 | $11.40 |
| 100 | $1.02 | $102.00 |
| 500 | $0.91 | $455.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.84 | $840.00 |
PIC16F54-E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripherals on one die. 8-bit MCUs occupy the low end of the performance spectrum below 16-bit and 32-bit devices, and they dominate cost-sensitive, deterministic, low-power applications such as appliance controls, sensor interfaces, LED drivers, and battery chargers. The PIC16F54 belongs to Microchip's PIC16F5x baseline family, characterized by a 12-bit instruction word, only 33 single-word instructions, a two-level hardware stack, and Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses.
Key features include 200 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz, 8-bit timer/counter with a programmable prescaler, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, power-up timer, and brown-out reset. The 18-pin PDIP package offers a 31.25 kbytes of flash endurance, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and a wide operating voltage window suitable for both 5V regulated rails and unregulated supplies.
Typical applications include automotive body electronics (RKE receivers, simple sensor nodes), white goods and appliance controls (washing machine user interfaces, microwave keypads), industrial timers and counters, LED lighting controllers, and consumer remote-control transmitters. The 20 MHz performance combined with 33 single-cycle instructions delivers deterministic loop execution that simplifies software design for hard real-time control loops.
When designing with this part, ensure decoupling of VDD with at least a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin, and reserve the MCLR pin for either an external reset or the internal pull-up configuration. Program memory is one-time programmable after a bulk erase, so use the ICSP interface during development. The 12-bit instruction width produces compact code compared to 14-bit and 16-bit PIC cores.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F54-E/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 PIC16F54-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Watchdog Timer, Instruction Cycle Time, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F54-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54T-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-HSE/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit, 12-bit instruction word) |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 768 B (512 x 12 words) |
| Data RAM | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit with prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
PIC16F54-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, internal pull-up |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 — Crystal/clock output |
| Pin 17 | RA3 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 18 | RA4 — Bidirectional digital I/O, Port A bit 4 |
Typical Applications
PIC16F54-E/P is suitable for 7 applications: Remote Keyless Entry Receiver, White Goods Appliance Control, Industrial Timer / Counter Module, LED Lighting Controller, Toy and Consumer Remote Control Transmitter, Sensor Interface Hub, Educational Microcontroller Trainer Board.
Remote Keyless Entry Receiver
The PIC16F54-E/P is well suited for automotive remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver controllers. Its 20 MHz instruction cycle enables reliable decoding of 315 MHz / 433 MHz / 868 MHz ASK/FSK OOK bit streams using software-based carrier detection, while the 768 B Flash easily holds rolling-code algorithms and the 12 I/O pins directly interface to RF receiver ICs and key-press indicators. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade withstands under-dash thermal stress without derating, and the 4.5-5.5 V supply aligns with 5 V automotive body rails. Compared with a 32-bit MCU, the PIC16F54 draws far less quiescent current, preserving standby battery life on always-on key fob receivers.
Recommended
White Goods Appliance Control
The PIC16F54-E/P fits cost-engineered washing machine user interfaces, microwave keypads, and dishwasher control boards. Its deterministic single-cycle instruction timing makes it straightforward to implement matrix keypad scanning, 7-segment LED multiplexing, and triac-fired heater zero-cross switching without a real-time operating system. The 25 B RAM suffices for state-machine control of mode selection, timer countdown, and latch logic. The extended temperature grade supports oven-adjacent mounting where ambient temperatures climb above 85 C. Pin-compatible alternatives like PIC16F54-I/P enable SKU consolidation: identical firmware on industrial-grade PCBs for indoor models and extended-grade PCBs for outdoor grills.
Recommended
Industrial Timer / Counter Module
The PIC16F54-E/P powers standalone industrial timer and counter modules such as conveyor dwell controllers, paint-line exposure timers, and machine-cycle counters. The single 8-bit timer with programmable prescaler handles pulse counting up to 5 MHz external clock edges, while the watchdog timer with internal RC oscillator guards against firmware lockup in unattended installations. The on-chip brown-out reset prevents corrupt Flash writes during industrial power dips. Engineers value the deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle for closed-loop timing accuracy, and the 18-pin PDIP through-hole footprint simplifies field replacement in legacy machinery without surface-mount rework.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F54-E/P drives low-cost decorative LED lighting controllers such as holiday string lights, sign edge-light animations, and architectural accent fixtures. Software PWM generation at 20 MHz produces flicker-free dimming across multiple channels without external driver ICs, and the 25 mA per-pin source current directly sinks small indicator LEDs without transistors. The Flash-based program memory supports in-field pattern updates via ICSP without removing the module from the end product. Compact 18-pin PDIP keeps the BOM minimal for high-volume consumer SKUs.
Recommended
Toy and Consumer Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16F54-E/P is ideal for low-cost consumer remote-control transmitters used in RC toys, garage door openers, and ceiling fan controllers. The 33 single-word instructions compile into tight, low-overhead button-debounce and encoding routines that fit comfortably within the 768 B Flash, leaving room for multiple transmission protocols (EV1527, PT2262, fixed-code rolling). Low operating current extends coin-cell battery life, and the extended temperature grade survives glove-box and attic storage. The DIP-18 form factor is friendly to hobbyist-grade hand-assembly and educational microcontroller kits.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Hub
The PIC16F54-E/P acts as a low-cost sensor-interface hub that reads switches, contact closures, and basic analog levels (via external RC timing) and exposes a serial or parallel output to a host controller. Its 12 I/O pins support a 3x4 keypad matrix, four digital sensors, and a UART bit-banged output simultaneously. The hardware stack of 2 levels is sufficient for simple interrupt-driven polling loops, and the 5 V supply tolerance aligns with industrial 24 V systems stepped down via regulators. With on-chip brown-out reset and watchdog, the design meets IEC 61000-4-2/-4-4 transient robustness expectations for factory-floor deployment.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Trainer Board
The PIC16F54-E/P is a staple of university microcontroller labs and hobbyist trainer boards. Its 18-pin PDIP through-hole footprint is breadboard-friendly and easily replaced by students, while the 33-instruction RISC architecture makes assembly-language pedagogy tractable in a single semester. ICSP programming allows in-circuit reprogramming without removing the chip, accelerating lab iteration cycles. Low cost per unit keeps lab kit budgets manageable, and the extended temperature grade tolerates clumsy soldering-iron rework during teaching sessions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F54-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F54-I/P | PIC16F54T-I/P | PIC16F54-HSE/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) | 18-PDIP (0.300 inch) |
| Program Flash | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B | 768 B | 768 B |
| Data RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +150 C (High-temp) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F-version) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (F-version) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| ICSP Programming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade over baseline -I variant (vs PIC16F54-I/P)
- 18-pin PDIP through-hole package for breadboard-friendly prototyping (vs PIC16F54-I/SS (SOIC-20 surface-mount))
- Smallest baseline PIC with Flash, ICSP, and brown-out reset (vs PIC12C508 (older OTP baseline))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14), and add a bulk 10 uF electrolytic or tantalum on the same rail as the PIC16F54-E/P. The extended-temperature -E grade does not change decoupling requirements but does raise concerns about capacitor dielectric - prefer X7R or X5R ceramics rather than Y5V, whose capacitance drops sharply above 85 C and could compromise VDD hold-up during load transients.
The 18-pin PDIP footprint is standard 0.300 inch row spacing (7.62 mm) with 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) pin pitch. Route MCLR (pin 4) with a short trace to either a pushbutton or the internal pull-up configuration; a long trace picks up EMI and can spuriously reset the device. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric, and surround the crystal can with a ground guard ring to suppress noise injection from adjacent relay or triac switching circuits.
Estimated: total Flash endurance for the PIC16F54 is rated at 100,000 erase/write cycles minimum per the Microchip datasheet family specification. Avoid using Flash self-programming for frequently-updated parameters - route such data to the 25-byte RAM instead and accept that it will be lost on power-down. Configuration bits must be set explicitly; an unconfigured CONFIG register leaves the oscillator in an undefined mode and the part may fail to start.
When bit-banging UART on the PIC16F54-E/P at 20 MHz, the 200 ns instruction cycle produces 5 clock cycles per bit at 9600 baud, which is sufficient but leaves little margin for interrupt jitter. Disable interrupts during the bit-bang window, or use the hardware timer to trigger precisely-timed GPIO toggles. For I2C bit-banging, the open-drain requirement means adding external pull-up resistors (typically 4.7 kohm at 100 kHz, 2.2 kohm at 400 kHz) to SDA and SCL lines.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH status not explicitly confirmed in verified web data - flagged as [DATA_NEEDED]. Microchip baseline PIC16F5x family is generally lead-free and RoHS compliant, but part-specific declaration must be verified on the manufacturer certificate of conformance.
