PIC16C54-10E/SS - 8-bit 10MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip 20-SSOP
MPN: PIC16C54-10E/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.32 | $232.00 |
| 500 | $1.98 | $990.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.74 | $1,740.00 |
PIC16C54-10E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a processor core, program memory, working RAM, and configurable I/O peripherals. The PIC16C5X family in particular pioneered the low-cost, high-pin-count 8-bit OTP segment using a Harvard RISC architecture with only 33 single-word, single-cycle instructions, achieving roughly an order-of-magnitude performance advantage over competing 8-bit MCUs in the same price class.
Key features of the PIC16C54-10E/SS include 10 MHz maximum clock, 12-bit-wide instruction words delivering approximately 2:1 code compression versus competing 8-bit MCUs, 12 bidirectional I/O pins, an 8-bit real-time timer/counter with 8-bit prescaler, watchdog timer for reliable operation, power-on reset, power-saving SLEEP mode, and EPROM-based OTP program storage.
The PIC16C5X architecture separates program and data buses (Harvard), allowing instruction fetch and operand access in a single oscillator cycle. The 12-bit instruction width keeps code density high - applications typically require fewer bytes of program memory than equivalent CISC designs, which directly reduces OTP programming cost per unit.
Typical applications for the PIC16C54-10E/SS include low-cost consumer appliances, simple embedded controllers, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, automotive body electronics, personal-care devices, and any high-volume OTP application where the small 25-byte RAM and 768-byte program memory are sufficient. It is also widely used for educational/training purposes because the PIC16C5X instruction set is small and easy to learn.
When designing with the PIC16C54-10E/SS, remember that it is OTP - the program memory can be written only once, so it is unsuitable for code that must be field-upgradable; for that requirement use the flash-based PIC16F54 successor. Operating voltage is typically 3.0 V to 6.0 V.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives from the same PIC16C54 family, and practical design notes not duplicated in the manufacturer datasheet, supporting both AEO citation and engineering comparison.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54-10E/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 PIC16C54-10E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Instruction Cycle Time.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54-10/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54-10I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54T-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-10E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54-10E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16C5X (PIC® 16C) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit words) |
| Data RAM | 25 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word/single-cycle instructions |
| Instruction Width | 12 bits |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V (5 V typical) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended 'E' grade) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Gull-wing) |
| Power-On Reset | Yes |
| Sleep Mode | Yes |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| Temperature Grade | AUTOMOTIVE (per Vyrian listing) |
PIC16C54-10E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC — Timer/counter external clock input / RTCC pin |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset, active low) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 6.0 V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 4 |
| Pin 20 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54-10E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (NRND use), Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Educational and Training Platforms, Personal Care and Battery-Powered Devices, Industrial Simple Logic Replacement.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C54-10E/SS fits consumer appliance controllers - coffee makers, toasters, microwave keypads, simple washing-machine user interfaces - because its 10 MHz core, 12-bit instruction width, and 768 B OTP program memory deliver ample headroom for state-machine logic, while the 25 B RAM holds switch-debounce and timing variables. Compared to a discrete logic implementation, the PIC16C54-10E/SS reduces PCB area dramatically (single 20-SSOP replaces dozens of 74HC gates). Engineers should budget roughly 60-70% of the 768 B program memory for the application code, leaving room for future feature additions. Per Microchip's PIC16C5X datasheet, the SLEEP mode draws single-digit microamperes, making the part suitable for line-powered appliances with strict standby-power budgets.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (NRND use)
The PIC16C54-10E/SS serves automotive body-electronics modules such as simple window-lift controllers, mirror-adjust logic, and seat-position memories where the extended -40C to +125C temperature grade is required. The 12 bidirectional I/O pins can directly drive relay coils and read Hall-effect or switch inputs without external logic. The 10 MHz core and 768 B OTP program memory provide ample throughput for sequential control loops. Compared to ASIC implementations, the PIC16C54-10E/SS drastically reduces NRE cost. Per Microchip's product page, designers of new automotive designs should migrate to the PIC16F54 or PIC16F57 with AEC-Q100 qualification; the PIC16C54 family is in NRND and may be replaced in safety-critical applications.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16C54-10E/SS works as a sensor signal-conditioning front-end for thermistor bridges, simple PIR motion detectors, and humidity-sensor readout boards. The on-chip 8-bit timer with prescaler handles precise sampling intervals without software overhead, while 25 bytes of RAM buffer raw ADC readings (with external ADC) or computed averages. Compared to dedicated analog controllers, the PIC16C54-10E/SS adds digital filtering and threshold detection at marginal cost. Per Microchip's PIC16C5X datasheet, the part's 10 MHz throughput supports up to 2.5 MIPS, sufficient for moving-average filters on slow-changing sensor signals. Engineers should add a watchdog timer (built-in) for unattended sensor installations.
Recommended
Educational and Training Platforms
The PIC16C54-10E/SS is widely used in universities, technical schools, and hobbyist training kits because the PIC16C5X instruction set has only 33 instructions and a 12-bit fixed width, making assembly programming approachable for beginners. The 20-SSOP package is breadboard-compatible with SSOP-to-DIP adapters, and the 768 B OTP memory gives students meaningful program-budget exercises. Compared to modern 32-bit ARMs, the PIC16C54-10E/SS delivers direct insight into register-level programming, flag handling, and Harvard memory architecture. Per Microchip's PIC16C5X family documentation, the part remains a canonical teaching example for embedded-systems courses. The flash-based PIC16F54 is preferred for student kits since it allows repeated program cycles.
Recommended
Personal Care and Battery-Powered Devices
The PIC16C54-10E/SS fits personal-care devices such as electric toothbrushes, hair clippers, and small massagers where low unit cost and adequate processing power are the design priorities. The 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply range supports 2xAA/AAA battery packs or single Li-ion cells with regulator, while the SLEEP mode reduces quiescent draw for battery-life extension. Compared to specialized motor-control MCUs, the PIC16C54-10E/SS lacks dedicated PWM but can generate soft-PWM via timer interrupts - acceptable for low-speed brushed DC motor control. Per Microchip's datasheet, the part's 12-bit instruction width keeps the motor-control state machine compact. Engineers should add external brown-out protection if running from depleted batteries.
Recommended
Industrial Simple Logic Replacement
The PIC16C54-10E/SS replaces discrete CMOS/HC logic gates in industrial simple-control applications - relay sequencing, alarm panel encoding, indicator-LED multiplexing - consolidating dozens of 74HC packages into a single 20-SSOP device. The 12 I/O pins drive LEDs, read optocoupler inputs, and interface to industrial sensors (with protection). Compared to discrete logic, the PIC16C54-10E/SS reduces PCB area by 5-10x and BOM cost by 30-50% on equivalent designs. Per Microchip's PIC16C5X datasheet, the watchdog timer is critical for unattended industrial installations to recover from ESD-induced lockups. The -40C to +125C E-grade temperature range covers factory-floor environments. Engineers should add external ESD protection on I/O lines in industrial installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54-10E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54-10/SS | PIC16C54-10I/SS | PIC16C54T-10E/SS | PIC16F54-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM - same | OTP EPROM - same | OTP EPROM - same | Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12-bit) | 768 B - same | 768 B - same | 768 B - same | 768 B - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 20 MHz (upgrade) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Data RAM | 25 B | 25 B - same | 25 B - same | 25 B - same | 25 B - same |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same |
| Recommended Status (Microchip) | NRND - migration to PIC16F54 | NRND - migration to PIC16F54 | NRND - migration to PIC16F54 | NRND - migration to PIC16F54 | Active - recommended successor |
Key Differentiators
- RISC core with 33 single-cycle instructions - simple assembly programming (vs PIC16F54-I/SS)
- Cost-optimized OTP memory for high-volume production (vs PIC16F54-I/SS)
- Extended -40C to +125C industrial temperature grade in SSOP (vs PIC16C54-10/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16C54-10E/SS is OTP - the program memory can be written exactly once. EPROM programming requires VPP of approximately 13 V on the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) and a special programmer sequence; once programmed, the part cannot be erased. For prototypes, engineering samples, and any field-updatable firmware, use the flash-based PIC16F54-I/SS instead - it shares the same 20-SSOP footprint and PIC16C5X instruction set. Programming the OTP variant in production requires careful inventory control because there is no way to recover from a programming error except part discard.
Place the 20-SSOP decoupling capacitor (100 nF ceramic) within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic nearby. The oscillator crystal or ceramic resonator should be placed within 10 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins (pins 15/16) with short, symmetric traces to minimize stray capacitance. Per Microchip's PIC16C5X datasheet, the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation, plus a 100 nF capacitor for decoupling - this RC network filters ESD-induced resets.
The PIC16C54-10E/SS Extended ('E') temperature grade spans -40C to +125C, which covers most industrial and many automotive applications but does NOT imply AEC-Q100 qualification. For automotive designs that require formal AEC-Q100 compliance, Microchip recommends migrating to a qualified flash-based successor such as the PIC16F54 or PIC16F57 family. Additionally, the 3.0 V minimum supply voltage is required for oscillator start-up - operation below 3.0 V may not meet the device's timing specifications. Brown-out detection is NOT built into the PIC16C54; add external reset supervision if brown-out protection is required.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip environmental compliance disclosures; lead-free finish on SSOP-20 surface-mount package. AEC-Q100 NOT qualified - the Extended 'E' temperature range is industrial, not automotive-qualified. For AEC-Q100 applications, migrate to flash-based PIC16F54 family successors.
