PIC16F57T-I/SS - 8-Bit 20MHz 3KB Flash MCU 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F57T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| 10 | $1.45 | $14.50 |
| 100 | $1.22 | $122.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.92 | $920.00 |
PIC16F57T-I/SS Overview
A PIC16 series 8-bit microcontroller is a RISC-based (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) embedded controller from the PICmicro architecture family. It belongs to the hierarchy MCU (microcontroller unit) -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> FLASH-based PIC16F5x sub-family, a class of cost-optimized microcontrollers designed for simple, deterministic control loops. These devices use a Harvard memory architecture with separate program and data buses and a 12-bit or 14-bit wide instruction word, giving them deterministic timing that simplifies firmware development in low-power, interrupt-driven applications.
Key features of the PIC16F57T-I/SS include 72 bytes of data RAM, an 8-bit timer/counter, a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, brown-out reset, and In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) for in-system firmware updates. The device supports external crystal, ceramic resonator, or RC oscillator clocking modes. With only 33 single-word instructions and a 2-level hardware stack, it is one of the simplest PIC microcontrollers to learn and deploy.
Architecturally, the PIC16F57T-I/SS uses a Harvard RISC core with a 12-bit program word and an 8-bit data path. The FLASH program memory is endurable to 100,000 write/erase cycles and supports in-circuit programming via two pins, eliminating the need for a separate programmer socket. The wide 2.0V-5.5V operating range allows direct battery or USB-bus-powered operation.
Typical applications include consumer white goods control, low-end sensor signal conditioning, battery-powered remote controls, LED lighting controllers, hobbyist and education platforms, simple appliance timers, automotive interior accessories, and industrial replacement of legacy 8-bit logic glue. Its automotive temperature-grade option and small SSOP footprint suit space-constrained applications.
When designing with the PIC16F57T-I/SS, ensure that the ICSP clock and data lines have series resistors to isolate them from the application circuit during programming. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD, and use a bulk capacitor if the supply has high source impedance. The PIC16F5x family lacks an internal oscillator on some variants - confirm clock source requirements against your application before layout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F57T-I/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 PIC16F57T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, MSL Level, Timers, I/O Pins, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F57T-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F57T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F570T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F57T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC (PICmicro) |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 single-word |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns (single cycle at 20 MHz) |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present |
| I/O Pins | 20 (max); 7 in 28-pin package variant |
| Timers | 8-bit Timer0 + WDT |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| MSL Level | MSL1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes (lead-free finish; HF status per data sheet) |
PIC16F57T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / ICSP programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F57T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer White Goods Control, Remote Control and IR Transmitter, LED Lighting Controller, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Automotive Interior Accessories, Hobbyist and Education Platform.
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16F57T-I/SS is well suited as the main controller in white-goods appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, rice cookers) where simple, deterministic timing replaces mechanical cam timers. The 20 MHz core delivers 5 MIPS, enough to service the 8-bit Timer0 plus the watchdog timer while scanning a 4x4 keypad matrix and driving a multiplexed LED or 7-segment display. The wide 2.0V-5.5V VDD allows direct connection to rectified 5V or 3.3V rails, eliminating the need for a separate LDO. ICSP lets manufacturers re-flash firmware on the assembly line without removing the chip, lowering rework cost. The PIC16F57T-I/SS's 3 KB FLASH is sufficient for state-machine code plus a small user-interface lookup table; if more headroom is needed, the pin-compatible PIC16F570T-I/SS offers peripherals in the same SSOP-28 footprint.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR Transmitter
Battery-powered IR remote controls benefit from the PIC16F57T-I/SS's 2.0V minimum VDD, which allows operation from a single CR2032 coin cell down to its end-of-life voltage. The 8-bit Timer0 can generate accurate 38 kHz carrier frequencies for NEC or RC5 IR protocols while the core services button-scan and debounce routines. With only 33 single-word instructions, firmware is tiny - well within the 3 KB FLASH budget, leaving room for protocol variants and customer-specific button maps. The watchdog timer wakes the MCU from sleep between button presses, dropping average current consumption to the microamp range and extending battery life to multi-year levels. Brown-out reset prevents undefined behavior as the coin cell decays below safe operating voltage. For higher-volume designs the pin-compatible PIC16F54T-I/SS offers a cost-down option.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F57T-I/SS controls single-channel or RGB LED drivers in decorative, accent, and architectural lighting fixtures. Its 20 MHz core can drive PWM channels via bit-banging or dedicated peripherals, and the 2.0V-5.5V range accommodates both 3.3V and 5V LED-driver supplies. The 3 KB FLASH holds color-table lookup data plus fade and chase-effect algorithms; ICSP allows firmware updates after the LED module is fully assembled. Industrial -40C to +85C operation covers indoor luminaires and most outdoor fixtures inside sealed housings. Brown-out reset and the watchdog timer protect against code lockup that could otherwise latch a high-current LED on. For more demanding lighting controllers the pin-compatible PIC16F570T-I/SS adds a hardware PWM and ADC for closed-loop current control.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16F57T-I/SS serves as a low-cost front-end for slow-speed sensor modules - thermistor bridges, humidity sensors, PIR motion detectors, and reed-switch security sensors - where firmware handles linearization, thresholding, and alarm debouncing. The 8-bit ADC input range (via comparator) plus Timer0-driven sample intervals make 1 Hz to 1 kHz sampling straightforward, and the 3 KB FLASH holds a calibration table plus UART-style bit-banged output to a host controller. Industrial temperature operation allows use in outdoor enclosures and unheated garages. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply permits direct battery or regulated bus power. For designs that need analog integration, the pin-compatible PIC16F570T-I/SS provides on-chip 12-bit ADC and comparator peripherals.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
Cabin accessories - reading lamps, vanity mirrors, seat-position indicators, USB chargers with status LEDs - use the PIC16F57T-I/SS for input scanning and LED/relay control. The industrial -40C to +85C range covers cabin temperatures; for under-hood or extreme environments the extended-temperature PIC16F57T-E/SS (same SSOP-28 footprint) is a direct upgrade. The device tolerates 12V transients through external TVS protection plus the wide VDD tolerance when paired with a 5V LDO. ICSP enables post-assembly programming and field firmware updates via OBD or service-mode pin headers. With 3 KB FLASH the firmware comfortably fits seat-memory logic, RGB ambient lighting presets, and CAN/LIN-style bit-banged protocol handling - though for full CAN/LIN stacks, upgrade to PIC16F570T-I/SS in the same SSOP-28 footprint.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Education Platform
The PIC16F57T-I/SS is a popular choice for teaching 8-bit embedded fundamentals because the PIC16F5X instruction set has only 33 single-word instructions, making assembly programming tractable for first-time learners. The 3 KB FLASH holds a dozen example projects (LED blink, button debounce, PWM, UART bit-bang, I2C bit-bang) without needing external memory. The SSOP-28 package can be broken out to 0.1-inch headers via carrier PCB, simplifying breadboarding for student kits. The 20 MHz core supports 200 ns instruction cycles - slow enough to trace on a logic analyzer but fast enough to demonstrate real-time control. The 2.0-5.5V supply allows direct USB-bus power. Programming is supported by the PICkit 3/4 and MPLAB X IDE, both free. For cost-sensitive classroom sets, the pin-compatible PIC16F54T-I/SS offers a 768-byte FLASH option.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F57T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F57T-E/SS | PIC16F570T-I/SS | PIC16F54T-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Program FLASH | 3 KB (2K x 12) | 3 KB (2K x 12) - same | 3 KB (2K x 12) - same | 768 B (512 x 12) -75% |
| Data RAM | 72 bytes | 72 bytes - same | 72 bytes - same | 25 bytes -65% |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ICSP Support | Yes (RB6/RB7) | Yes (RB6/RB7) | Yes (RB6/RB7) | Yes (RB6/RB7) |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Largest program FLASH in the PIC16F5X SSOP-28 family at this price point (vs PIC16F54T-I/SS)
- Industrial temperature grade covers most commercial and consumer use cases (vs PIC16F57T-E/SS)
- Widest supply-voltage range in the PIC16 8-bit entry-level family (vs PIC16F570T-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor (X7R or better) as close as possible to the VDD pins (pin 6 and pin 26 on the SSOP-28), with the ground lead returning to the nearest VSS pin (pin 7 or pin 27) over a low-inductance path. Add a bulk capacitor (4.7uF to 10uF) on the main VDD rail if the source impedance is high or the supply shares a noisy digital switching regulator. For ICSP lines RB6/ICSPCLK (pin 24) and RB7/ICSPDAT (pin 25), place 10 kohm series resistors close to the PIC side; this isolates the application circuit from the programmer and prevents contention with pull-ups or downstream devices during in-system programming.
The PIC16F57T-I/SS's brown-out reset (BOR) and power-on reset (POR) protect against undefined code execution when VDD dips below the safe threshold. Configure the BOR for the application's lowest acceptable VDD (factory default is enabled with a 2.1V threshold on the PIC16F5X family) to prevent FLASH corruption. In battery-powered designs, set the BOR threshold below the cell's end-of-life voltage so the MCU continues to operate predictably until true depletion. The wide 2.0V-5.5V VDD allows direct operation from a CR2032 coin cell, two AA cells in series, or a regulated 3.3V or 5V rail without an intermediate LDO.
The PIC16F5X family lacks an internal oscillator; you must provide an external crystal, ceramic resonator, or RC network on OSC1 (pin 8) and OSC2 (pin 9), or drive an external clock into OSC1. Selecting the wrong oscillator mode in the configuration word is a common first-time-programming mistake - the device will appear 'dead' if OSC1 has no signal. Also note that the PIC16F57T-I/SS has no data EEPROM; non-volatile user data (calibration constants, counters) must be stored in program FLASH using self-write routines. For interrupt-driven designs, remember the PIC16F5X hardware stack is only 2 levels deep - deep call chains will overflow and cause unexpected resets.
Keep the crystal or resonator traces between OSC1 (pin 8) and OSC2 (pin 9) short (under 5 mm) and surround them with a ground guard ring to minimize EMI pickup. Place MCLR/VPP (pin 28) close to a dedicated reset-circuit node; use a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for a clean power-on-reset slope. Avoid routing high-frequency digital signals (PWM, oscillator) parallel to the crystal traces or across the ICSP lines to prevent crosstalk into the clock circuit or programming interface.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive needs, consult Microchip's PIC16F automotive-grade portfolio.
