PIC16LC57C-04I/SP - 3KB OTP 8-bit MCU, 4MHz, SPDIP-28 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LC57C-04I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.83 | $1.83 |
| 10 | $1.69 | $16.90 |
| 100 | $1.54 | $154.00 |
| 500 | $1.42 | $710.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.39 | $1,390.00 |
PIC16LC57C-04I/SP Overview
What is a PIC16C5X microcontroller? The PIC16C5X family is Microchip Technology's foundational low-cost, high-performance 8-bit fully-static EPROM/ROM-based CMOS microcontroller line, employing a RISC architecture with only 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions. In the broader taxonomy, it sits as: 8-bit microcontroller -> RISC MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. These devices target cost-sensitive 8-bit embedded designs where deterministic instruction timing and minimal external component count are priorities.
The PIC16LC57C variant operates from 3.0V to 6.25V (the "LC" prefix indicates low-voltage/low-power CMOS) with an industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C (the "I" suffix). The "-04" speed grade denotes 4 MHz maximum oscillator frequency. The device features a watchdog timer, power-on reset, and 8-bit real-time counter/capacitive discharge oscillator. Unlike the UV-erasable CERDIP-18 variant, the SP package is a plastic OTP device intended for production volumes.
Key architecture features include a 12-bit instruction word, two 8-bit I/O ports (RA and RB), 8-bit timer with programmable prescaler, and a hardware comparator. The Harvard-style separate program/data buses enable simultaneous instruction fetch and data access, supporting the 33-instruction RISC instruction set.
Typical applications include consumer appliance controls, simple sensor interfaces, automotive body electronics (non-safety), battery-powered instruments, and low-cost replacement of discrete logic. The 4 MHz clock and compact instruction set suit real-time control loops with deterministic timing.
Design consideration: The PIC16LC57C uses a 12-bit core, so code compiled for PIC16F1xxx or PIC18 devices is NOT compatible - confirm your toolchain (MPASM/MPASMX or XC8 legacy mode) targets the 16C5X core before reusing firmware.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible PIC16C5X family alternatives, and practical design notes not collected in a single manufacturer table.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LC57C-04I/SP — 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 PIC16LC57C-04I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Type, Watchdog Timer, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F57-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57C-04I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LC57C-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC57CT-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC56A-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C58B-04I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LC57C-04I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (PIC16C5X family) |
| Program Memory | 3 KB (2K x 12) OTP EPROM |
| RAM | 72 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns (single cycle) |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Width | 12 bits |
| I/O Pins | 20 (PORTA 4-bit + PORTB 8-bit + PORTC 8-bit) |
| I/O Ports | 12 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 6.25 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, "I") |
| Timers | 8-bit timer/counter with prescaler (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (independent on-chip WDT) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300") |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| ROM Type | UVPROM / OTP |
| MSL Level | 1 (Not Moisture Sensitive) |
PIC16LC57C-04I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | /MCLR — Master Clear reset (active-low input) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0V to 6.25V) |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (bidirectional I/O) |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (bidirectional I/O) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LC57C-04I/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Interface, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), LED Display Driver / Chaser Controller, Industrial Timer / Counter Module, Educational / Hobbyist Trainer Board, Low-Cost Logic Replacement.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP's 3 KB OTP program memory, 20 I/O pins, and 33-instruction RISC core are well-matched to consumer appliance control boards such as washing-machine front panels, microwave oven user interfaces, and refrigerator temperature controllers. Its 4 MHz instruction execution provides deterministic 200 ns cycle times suitable for keypad scanning, seven-segment multiplexed display driving, and relay/SSR control loops. The 3.0-6.25V VDD range supports both 5V regulated rails and direct 3.3V designs, eliminating the need for additional level shifters. Compared with discrete 74HC logic equivalents, integrating the controller reduces BOM count by 8-12 components and improves firmware revision flexibility within the OTP programming budget.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Interface
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP's low-voltage CMOS design (the "LC" prefix) operates from 3.0V minimum, making it suitable for 2xAA or 3xAA battery-powered sensor interfaces such as remote thermometers, weather-station transmitters, and wireless rain-gauge encoders. The 72 bytes of RAM hold 12-16 16-bit ADC samples in polled mode, while 20 I/O pins connect to thermistor bridges, reed switches, and 433 MHz ASK/OOK transmitter modules. The on-chip watchdog timer prevents lock-up during unattended field deployment, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range handles outdoor enclosures. Brown-out detection and the wide 3.0-6.25V VDD range extend usable battery life down to approximately 2.7V at reduced clock rates.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP's industrial -40C to +85C temperature range suits non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror-position memories, seat-occupancy indicator panels, and aftermarket alarm/remote-start key fob receivers. Its 4 MHz clock and 12-bit instruction word support timer-driven PWM for LED dimming and brushed-motor speed control. The 20 I/O pins comfortably handle 4-6 relay outputs plus a LIN or UART-style diagnostics port. Engineers should note that PIC16LC57C lacks AEC-Q100 automotive qualification; AEC-Q100 designs should use PIC16F57 extended-temperature variants or PIC16F193x family members instead. Production automotive use is feasible only when OEM-specific PPAP and EMC documentation is already in place.
Recommended
LED Display Driver / Chaser Controller
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP drives multiplexed LED matrices, scrolling marquee signs, and decorative chaser light controllers with predictable timing from its 33-instruction RISC core. Its 20 I/O pins support direct 8x8 LED matrix drive with row/column multiplexing, or 16-channel PWM dimming via timer interrupts. The 4 MHz clock enables refresh rates above 100 Hz for 8x8 matrices, eliminating visible flicker. 72 bytes of RAM buffer a full 8-character scrolling-text font, while 3 KB of OTP stores lookup tables for animation patterns. Compared with dedicated LED-driver ICs, integrating a PIC16LC57C adds user-programmable animation, brightness profiles, and serial command reception for IR remote control.
Recommended
Industrial Timer / Counter Module
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP's on-chip 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler is ideal for industrial timing modules such as conveyor dwell controllers, pump-cycle counters, machine-hour meters, and DIN-rail-mounted process timers. The 33-instruction RISC core executes single-cycle math, so RPM, frequency, or pulse-width calculations fit easily in the 3 KB OTP. Twenty I/O lines accommodate 4-7-segment displays plus start/stop/reset buttons and 4-8 setpoint DIP switches. The wide 3.0-6.25V VDD accepts 24V industrial rails stepped down via a simple linear regulator or buck converter. The on-chip watchdog timer auto-recovers the module from ESD-induced lock-up on the factory floor, improving MTBF significantly.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Trainer Board
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP's through-hole 28-pin SPDIP package is solder-friendly on perfboard and breadboards, making it a common choice for university embedded-systems courses and hobbyist trainer kits teaching RISC architecture fundamentals. Its 33-instruction set fits a one-semester syllabus and is supported by MPLAB X IDE with the MPASMX assembler and PIC16C5X legacy-mode XC8 compiler. Each student programs the 3 KB OTP via a PICkit 1 or PICkit 2 in-circuit programmer; OTP enforces the lesson that firmware must be fully debugged before committing. The 4 MHz instruction cycle is slow enough to trace on a logic analyzer, reinforcing timing fundamentals before students graduate to PIC16F1xxx or PIC18 devices.
Recommended
Low-Cost Logic Replacement
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP replaces 4-8 discrete 74HC00-series logic gates plus a sequencer timer, collapsing a glue-logic PCB into a single 28-pin DIP. A typical application is custom decoder, encoder, or shift-register replacement where off-the-shelf logic ICs do not exist. The 3 KB OTP memory stores custom boolean equations, look-up tables, and timing patterns in 12-bit-wide instructions that compress to roughly 2:1 versus 8-bit CISC cores. Twenty I/O pins accommodate up to 20 input/output combinations versus the typical 8-12 available in a single 74-series package. A 3.0-6.25V supply range matches 3.3V and 5V logic rails directly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LC57C-04I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F57-I/SP | PIC16C57C-04I/SP | PIC16LC57C-04I/SO | PIC16LC57CT-04I/SO | PIC16LC56A-04I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SPDIP-28 | SPDIP-28 | SPDIP-28 | SOIC-28 | SOIC-28 | SPDIP-28 |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB Flash | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP | 1.5 KB OTP |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V | 3.0 V to 6.25 V |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Reprogrammable Flash alternative at same footprint (vs PIC16F57-I/SP)
- Lowest-cost same-family PIC16C5X option (vs PIC16LC56A-04I/P)
- Through-hole SPDIP form factor for hobbyist and legacy designs (vs PIC16LC57C-04I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16LC57C-04I/SP accepts 3.0V to 6.25V on VDD, with multiple VSS pins (5, 14, 25) that must all be connected to the ground plane for thermal and noise return. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor if the supply is more than 25 mm away. The brown-out reset threshold is approximately 1.5V; designs operating from 3.3V rails should verify that supply transients during relay or motor switching do not dip below 2.7V to avoid unintended resets.
OTPs (One-Time-Programmable parts) cannot be erased. Always validate firmware on a PIC16F57 (Flash equivalent) or a windowed CERDIP PIC16C57C JW before committing the PIC16LC57C-04I/SP to a production programming slot. Configuration-word bits (watchdog enable, oscillator mode, code protection) must be set in the same programmer step as code, and once programmed the configuration is permanent. Code-protect disabled should remain disabled if you plan to recover calibration values from the part in the field.
The 28-pin SPDIP has 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) lead pitch and 0.300 inch row-to-row. Route traces on a 0.200 inch grid for clean through-hole layout, leaving at least 1.5 mm annular ring around each pad for hand-solder rework. Keep the OSC1/OSC2 traces short (less than 10 mm) and guarded with a ground pour to minimize crystal pickup of switching noise. Place the /MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kohm to VDD) close to the pin and add a 100 nF cap to ground for ESD immunity in industrial installations.
The PIC16C5X core has no internal programmable pull-ups on PORTB. External 10-47 kohm pull-ups are required for any input driving the PIC16LC57C during system power-up, otherwise floating inputs may cause excess Icc current draw and erratic wake from sleep. PORTB interrupt-on-change is not available on 16C5X (only /INT on RB0); debounce mechanical switches in software with a 5-10 ms timer-tick mask rather than relying on hardware filtering.
Estimated: at 5V VDD, 4 MHz oscillator, and 50% I/O toggle load, the PIC16LC57C-04I/SP draws approximately 2-3 mA active and 1-5 uA sleep current. Junction temperature rise in free air at 25C ambient is below 2C - thermal management is generally unnecessary for this SPDIP package. In enclosed housings above 60C ambient, derate the oscillator to 1 MHz or add a small copper pour under the package to extend reliability margin.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance not stated explicitly in the verified web snippets. PIC16LC57C-04I/SP is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive use choose PIC16F193x family or PIC18F-K40. Conflict-mineral status not disclosed in retrieved data.
