PIC16LV54A-02/SO - 8-bit MCU, 2MHz, 768B OTP, SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LV54A-02/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.5 | $15.00 |
| 100 | $1.35 | $135.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.02 | $1,020.00 |
PIC16LV54A-02/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, RAM, program memory, and peripherals on a single die. The PIC16C5X family uses a 12-bit wide instruction set with RISC architecture, delivering 2:1 code compression over competing 8-bit MCUs in the same price class, making it well suited for high-volume, memory-constrained designs. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16LV54A sits in the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> RISC MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16C5X -> PIC16LV5X (low-voltage OTP variant).
Key features include a fixed-length, single-cycle instruction set, 12 bidirectional I/O pins, an 8-bit real-time clock/counter with 8-bit prescaler, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, and brown-out protection. The "LV" prefix denotes low-voltage operation, allowing battery-powered designs to run directly from a single lithium cell (3.6 V max) without additional regulation.
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO uses a Harvard-architecture RISC core that executes instructions in a single instruction cycle, providing deterministic timing for interrupt-driven and polled control loops. Its 33 instruction set enables compact code generation, while the OTP (one-time programmable) memory supports production programming with per-unit firmware customization.
Typical applications include consumer appliance controls, battery-powered sensor interfaces, simple motor control, LED driver controllers, and replacement of discrete logic in legacy designs. The wide 2.0 V to 6.0 V range supports both 3.3 V and 5 V rails, simplifying integration into mixed-voltage systems.
When designing with this part, note that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed; use PIC16F54 or PIC16HV540 flash-based siblings during prototyping. The 18-pin SOIC footprint is also available in PDIP (P) and SSOP (SS) variants for layout flexibility.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LV54A-02/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 PIC16LV54A-02/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Data RAM, Instruction Set, Program Memory Size, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LV54A-02I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LV54AT-02/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LV54A-02/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.977 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LV54A-02/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16C5X, 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 2 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 6.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Instruction Set | 33 instructions, 12-bit wide |
| Instruction Cycle | 1 cycle per instruction |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit RTCC with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Package | 18-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
PIC16LV54A-02/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | /MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 0 / interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O pin, Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 18 | T0CKI — Timer 0 clock input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LV54A-02/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Interface, LED Driver and Lighting Controller, Simple Motor Control (Brushed DC, Stepper), Replacement of Discrete Logic, Toy and Hobby Electronics.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO fits low-cost consumer appliance controllers such as coffee makers, toasters, and small kitchen devices where fixed-function firmware and minimal BOM cost are priorities. Its 2.0-6.0 V operating range connects directly to rectified mains-derived DC rails or 3 V battery backup without an LDO, eliminating a regulator stage and reducing BOM cost by approximately $0.05-0.10 per unit. The 12-bit-wide RISC instruction set delivers 2:1 code compression versus competing 8-bit MCUs, allowing typical appliance state machines (timer + button input + relay/LED output) to fit in the 768-byte OTP memory. The integrated watchdog timer with dedicated RC oscillator provides reliable brown-out recovery without external components, critical for unattended appliance operation. With industrial-grade (-40C to +85C) variants available (PIC16LV54A-02I/SO), designs can extend to outdoor and garage appliance markets without redesign.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Interface
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO is well suited to battery-powered wireless sensor end-node controllers, particularly those pairing with sub-GHz radio modules like the MRF89XA in intermittent-duty cycle applications. Operating from 2.0 V, it runs directly from a single AA alkaline (1.5 V x 2) or single CR2032 lithium coin cell without boost conversion, extending battery life by eliminating idle quiescent losses from an LDO. The 25-byte RAM accommodates small sensor buffers and protocol framing, while the 8-bit RTCC with prescaler handles periodic wake-up timing for duty-cycled measurement loops. Power-on reset and brown-out protection ensure clean start-up across battery end-of-life voltage, and the integrated watchdog prevents MCU lockup in electrically noisy industrial environments. The 12 I/O pins drive sensor enables, indicator LEDs, and interrupt inputs without external muxing.
Recommended
LED Driver and Lighting Controller
For fixed-pattern LED controllers, decorative lighting, and indicator-light drivers, the PIC16LV54A-02/SO provides deterministic PWM generation via its 8-bit RTCC with software-driven bit-banging or hardware interrupt timing. The 12 I/O pins directly drive up to 12 LED channels or a smaller number of high-current LED strings via external MOSFETs, replacing discrete 555-timer-based sequencers with a programmable solution. The 2 MHz clock provides sufficient resolution for chase, fade, and breathing-pattern effects at refresh rates above 100 Hz to avoid visible flicker. Its commercial temperature range (0C to +70C) suits indoor lighting products; outdoor/automotive lighting designs should select the PIC16LV54A-02I/SO industrial variant. The 18-pin SOIC footprint enables compact PCB layouts behind thin LED strips and within tight decorative-lighting enclosures.
Recommended
Simple Motor Control (Brushed DC, Stepper)
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO's RISC core, with single-cycle instruction execution and deterministic interrupt response, suits low-speed brushed DC and unipolar stepper motor control in appliances and small actuators. The 12 I/O pins drive H-bridge enable inputs (2-4 pins), direction logic (1-2 pins), and current-sense comparator inputs (1-2 pins) while the RTCC provides commutation timing. At 2 MHz clock, the MCU can sustain 5-10 kHz PWM frequencies with software loops for speed regulation in pump and fan applications. Brown-out reset prevents motor stalls during supply droop, and the watchdog timer recovers from EMI-induced lockup common in motor circuits. OTP memory ensures production firmware immutability, preventing accidental field reprogramming that could violate safety certifications.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO is widely deployed as a replacement for legacy 74HC-series glue-logic in industrial and consumer designs, where a single 8-bit MCU can replace dozens of gates, latches, and timers while adding programmability. The 12 I/O pins handle typical glue-logic tasks: button debouncing, timing generation, signal conditioning, mode selection, and LED multiplexing. At less than $1.50 USD per unit in qty-100, the MCU is cost-competitive with discrete logic implementations at 4-6 gates while adding reconfigurability. The deterministic instruction cycle simplifies timing analysis for safety-critical sequences, and the brown-out reset prevents undefined logic states during power transitions. PIC16C5X family longevity and second-source availability make it a stable design choice for long-life-cycle industrial products.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
For hobby electronics, RC accessories, and educational microcontroller kits, the PIC16LV54A-02/SO's low unit cost ($1.62 at qty-1 as of 2026-09-25) and minimal external component count (single bypass cap + resonator) make it an attractive learning and prototyping MCU. Its 33-instruction RISC set is small enough to master in an afternoon, yet powerful enough to drive LEDs, read buttons, generate tones on a piezo speaker, and interface with simple sensors. The 18-pin SOIC package works well on breadboard adapters and stripboard layouts for hobby projects. PICkit 1/2/3 programmers can program the OTP memory via ICSP for production runs. For hobbyists wanting in-circuit reprogramming during development, the pin-compatible PIC16F54-I/SO flash-based sibling offers the same instruction set with the added benefit of being rewritable.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LV54A-02/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LV54A-02I/SO | PIC16LV54AT-02/SO | PIC16F54-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (SO) | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (768 bytes) | OTP (768 bytes) - same | OTP (768 bytes) - same | Flash (768 bytes) |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 2 MHz | 2 MHz | 2 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Key Differentiators
- Lower unit cost than flash-based siblings (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade available in same package (vs PIC16LV54A-02I/SO)
- True drop-in pin compatibility with PIC16F54 flash MCU (vs PIC16F54-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO has no internal voltage regulator and operates directly from VDD. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 17), with a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VDD rail if supply impedance is above 1 ohm. The /MCLR pin (pin 1) should be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor for normal operation; if not used, it must not be left floating - connect directly to VDD with a 10 kohm resistor.
The PIC16LV54A-02/SO supports four oscillator modes: RC (low-cost, low-accuracy), LP (low-power crystal), XT (standard crystal up to 4 MHz), and HS (high-speed crystal). For the 2 MHz -02 speed grade, XT mode with a 2.000 MHz crystal or ceramic resonator is recommended for general designs. The OSC1/OSC2 trace lengths should be kept under 10 mm and surrounded by a ground guard ring to minimize EMI pickup. The CLKOUT function on OSC2 (in RC mode) provides a system clock reference for peripheral synchronization.
OTP memory cannot be re-programmed - once programmed, the device must be discarded if firmware changes are needed. During prototyping, use the PIC16F54-I/SO flash-based sibling (same 18-pin SOIC package, same PIC16C5X instruction set). The CONFIG word must be set correctly before programming; in particular, the watchdog timer enable bit (WDTE) defaults to ON for many configurations - clear it if not needed. Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure as outputs and tie low, or configure as inputs with internal weak pull-ups enabled.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance confirmed via Microchip product page and distributor listings (Mouser, DigiKey). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in distributor data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part targets consumer/commercial/industrial markets, not automotive.