PIC16F54T-E/SO - 8-bit Flash MCU, 768B, 20MHz, SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F54T-E/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.25 | $1.25 |
| 10 | $1.13 | $11.30 |
| 100 | $1.01 | $101.00 |
| 500 | $0.9 | $450.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.8 | $800.00 |
PIC16F54T-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory (Flash/ROM/EPROM), I/O ports, and peripherals onto one die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F54 sits as: PIC16F54 -> PIC16 family -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) MCUs like this one execute each instruction in a small fixed number of clock cycles (often one per instruction cycle), enabling predictable real-time behavior at lower clock frequencies than complex CISC designs. The 33 single-word instruction set makes assembly programming straightforward and keeps the learning curve shallow for embedded beginners.
Key features include 25 bytes of RAM, 12 GPIO pins, a hardware 8-bit timer (TMR0), a watchdog timer for fault recovery, an internal RC oscillator reducing external component count, and Flash memory that supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) for field upgrades. The device supports 200 ns instruction execution, enabling deterministic control loops.
The PIC16F54 architecture uses a Harvard-style memory layout with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and data access to occur in the same cycle. Flash memory is one-time field-updatable via ICSP, an advantage over older OTP (one-time programmable) PIC12/PIC16 designs. The integrated brown-out reset (BOR) and power-on reset (POR) circuitry simplify the external reset network.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers and sensor interfaces, industrial appliance control (relays, solenoids, valve drivers), low-cost consumer electronics, LED lighting controllers, battery chargers, and remote-control transmitter ICs. The automotive temperature grade (-40C to +125C) makes it appropriate for under-hood and dashboard environments.
Designers should note that only 12 GPIO are available, so I/O expansion via I/O expanders or multiplexing is required for applications exceeding that count. The 768-byte program memory supports approximately 500 instructions, which constrains the firmware size.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, comparison tables, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, including automotive-grade cross references and SOIC package footprints verified against current catalog listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F54T-E/SO β 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 PIC16F54T-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, I/O Pins, MSL Level, Operating Temperature, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F54-E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.88 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F54T-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54-E/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54T-I/SS
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$0.34 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F54T-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Family | PIC16 |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12 words) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Number of Instructions | 33 single-word |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Package | SOIC-18 (7.50 mm width, 0.295 in) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F54T-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/MCLR/VPP β General-purpose I/O / analog input / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | OSC1/CLKIN β Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 3 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 4 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 5 | RB0/INT β Port B bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 6 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 7 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 8 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 9 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 10 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 11 | RB6 β Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 12 | RB7 β Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 13 | RA0/AN0 β Port A bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 14 | RA1/AN1 β Port A bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 15 | RA2/AN2 β Port A bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 16 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | NC β Not connected (no internal connection) |
| Pin 18 | T0CKI/FOSC4 β Timer 0 clock input / Fosc/4 output |
Typical Applications
PIC16F54T-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Industrial Sensor Interface Controllers, LED Lighting Controllers, Battery-Powered Remote Control Transmitters, Smart Home Sensor Nodes, Appliance Control Boards.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC16F54T-E/SO suits automotive body controllers with its -40C to +125C extended temperature grade, 4.5-5.5V supply range, and 12 GPIO for relay, switch, and LED load driving. Its 768-byte Flash stores compact body-control firmware for door lock sequencing, mirror positioning, and interior lighting. The integrated watchdog timer and brown-out reset provide fault recovery required in automotive environments. Designers wire 12 GPIO directly to logic-level MOSFET drivers or relays, with the 5V rail sourced from the vehicle's 12V battery via a regulator. Power dissipation stays low (around 10 mA active) due to the simple RISC architecture, allowing compact PCB designs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Controllers
The PIC16F54T-E/SO is well suited to industrial sensor interfaces with its 12 GPIO, 5V supply, and automotive-grade temperature tolerance. It interfaces with digital sensors, switches, and 4-20 mA loops through discrete signal conditioning. The 768-byte Flash memory holds calibration constants and basic sensor-processing routines, while the 8-bit timer (TMR0) handles periodic sampling. In typical use, the MCU sits between the sensor front-end and a higher-level PLC or gateway, pre-processing data to reduce bus traffic. The automotive temperature grade allows deployment in factories, outdoor enclosures, and harsh industrial environments where commercial-grade parts would fail.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F54T-E/SO drives LED lighting systems through PWM or simple GPIO on/off control using its 12 GPIO and 8-bit TMR0. With 20 MHz clock speed, it can multiplex 7-segment displays or addressable LED strips at moderate refresh rates. The 5V supply directly powers small LED arrays, and the wide temperature range supports outdoor lighting installations. Designers use the watchdog timer to recover from transient faults, and the 768-byte Flash holds pattern tables and timing schedules. Its small SOIC-18 footprint enables compact inline LED controller modules for architectural, signage, and accent lighting.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC16F54T-E/SO functions as a low-cost remote-control transmitter IC with its 12 GPIO connecting to encoder buttons, and 768-byte Flash storing custom encoding sequences. The integrated sleep-friendly features (low-power modes, watchdog timer) support battery life extension in handheld transmitters. The 5V operation pairs with 3-cell battery packs or boost converters. Typical designs use the TMR0 to generate carrier frequencies for ASK/FSK modulation or simply toggle GPIO for IR LED drive. Its small SOIC-18 footprint fits inside compact remote enclosures, and the automotive temperature grade ensures reliability in outdoor or vehicle-mounted remotes.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F54T-E/SO fits low-cost smart home sensor nodes that require minimal GPIO and modest firmware size. With 12 GPIO, designers connect motion, temperature, or contact sensors and use the watchdog timer to ensure reliable wake-up. The automotive temperature grade handles indoor temperature swings and outdoor installations. The MCU integrates with wireless modules via UART or simple bit-banged GPIO, processing sensor data and forwarding events to a hub. With 768-byte Flash, firmware is limited to basic detection logic, but the low price point enables high-volume deployment of disposable or replacement sensors.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16F54T-E/SO controls appliances such as washing machines, microwave ovens, and HVAC actuators via its 12 GPIO driving relays, triacs, and indicator LEDs. The automotive temperature grade supports under-counter and outdoor installations. The watchdog timer recovers from firmware lockups, and the brown-out reset handles power-line brown-outs common in motor-driven appliances. With 768-byte Flash and 25-byte RAM, firmware is constrained to state-machine-style control logic, but this is sufficient for most appliance tasks. Its SOIC-18 footprint supports compact control boards where space is at a premium.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F54T-E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F54-E/SO | PIC16F54T-I/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO | PIC16F54-E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-18 | SOIC-18 (same) | SOIC-18 (same) | SOIC-18 (same) | PDIP-18 (through-hole) |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (Flash) | 768 bytes (Flash) | 768 bytes (Flash) | 768 bytes (Flash) | 768 bytes (Flash) |
| RAM | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive) | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Automotive) |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Tape and reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16F54-E/SO)
- Automotive extended temperature range (vs PIC16F54T-I/SO)
- Compact SOIC-18 footprint with automotive qualification (vs PIC16F54-E/P (PDIP-18))
Design Notes
The PIC16F54T-E/SO operates from a single 4.5-5.5 V supply and draws approximately 1.8 mA active at 20 MHz clock. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the board's 5 V rail to suppress voltage transients. For automotive 12 V systems, use a 5 V regulator (e.g., LM7805 or LDO) with adequate thermal dissipation.
Route the OSC1/OSC2 traces short and symmetric to minimize crystal oscillator noise pickup. Keep high-current switching traces (relays, LEDs) physically separated from analog and clock signals. Use a ground pour on the top layer with via stitching around the MCU to provide low-impedance return paths. The SOIC-18 wide-body package has a 1.27 mm pin pitch, which is easily hand-soldered but requires standard SMD assembly for volume production.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD or drive any GPIO above VDD; the PIC16F54 has no internal clamping diodes on GPIO. Configure the watchdog timer in long-timeout mode to avoid unintended resets during long firmware routines. The 768-byte Flash memory limits firmware to roughly 500 instructions, so design code in modular, optimized assembly or compact C. When migrating from PIC16C54 OTP designs, note that the Flash version requires ICSP programming via MCLR/VPP rather than high-voltage parallel programming.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free and halogen-free. AEC-Q100 qualification status not explicitly stated for the E grade; verify with Microchip automotive documentation for safety-critical use cases.
