PIC16C54-RC/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU, 4MHz RC Osc, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54-RC/SS ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.72 | $17.20 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.04 | $1,040.00 |
PIC16C54-RC/SS Overview
What is a microcontroller? A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (ROM/Flash/EPROM), working memory (RAM), and configurable I/O peripherals. An 8-bit MCU like the PIC16C54 executes instructions on 8-bit-wide data with a 12-bit instruction word, combining deterministic timing with extremely low cost. MCUs sit in the broader hierarchy of embedded computing alongside microprocessors and SoCs, serving as the always-on logic brain for appliances, sensors, and control loops.
Key features include 33 single-word, single-cycle RISC instructions (most execute in 200 ns at 20 MHz equivalent), a two-level-deep hardware stack, and seven or eight special function hardware registers. The 8-bit Timer0 (TMR0) with an 8-bit prescaler provides deterministic event timing, while direct, indirect, and relative addressing modes cover most control-flow patterns. Power-fail reset, watchdog timer, and code-protection features are available across the family.
Architecturally, the PIC16C54 uses a Harvard-style RISC core with separate program and data buses, giving it a 2:1 code-compression advantage over competing 8-bit CISC MCUs in its class. The 12-bit instruction word keeps opcode fetch and execution in one clock cycle. The device is fabricated on a low-power CMOS process, and its fully-static design allows the clock to be stopped without losing register state.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, simple sensor interfaces, RC-servo/IR remote-control transmitters, and disposable medical or industrial controllers where price dominates the BOM. The 0 to 70 °C commercial temperature range and SSOP-20 footprint suit compact through-hole-free assemblies on consumer-grade PCBs.
When designing with this part, derate the RC oscillator's frequency tolerance (typically ±5 to ±10 % over temperature and voltage) against any timing-sensitive function, or step up to an 'XT' or 'HS' crystal variant. OTPs cannot be reprogrammed, so verify firmware on a JW-windowed or ICE device before committing to the production OTP.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, parametric comparison, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54-RC/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-RC/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54C-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54A-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-20I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54CT-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-10/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54-RC/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC16C5X |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 0.75 KB (512 x 12) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (EPROM) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 12 |
| Oscillator Type | External RC (RC suffix) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.25 V to 6.25 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C to 70 °C (commercial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word/single-cycle RISC instructions |
| Hardware Stack | 2 levels |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0 with prescaler) |
| Peripherals | Watchdog Timer (WDT), Power-on Reset |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C54-RC/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O pin, also used for analog or digital peripheral functions |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O with Timer0 external clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O with external interrupt capability |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt-on-change / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt-on-change / ICSP data |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / CLKOUT for RC mode |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / RC timing component connection |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package pinout) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package pinout) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54-RC/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, IR Remote Control Transmitter, Simple Sensor Interface Module, Toy and Hobby Electronics, Standalone LED Lighting Controller, Disposable Medical / Industrial Controller.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C54-RC/SS fits consumer appliance control because its 33 single-cycle RISC instructions, 512 x 12 OTP program memory, and 12 GPIO are sufficient for relay sequencing, button-debounce state machines, and 7-segment LED multiplexing. The internal RC oscillator eliminates a crystal and reduces BOM cost by roughly $0.10 in volume, while the SSOP-20 package fits behind a small front-panel display. Compared with discrete logic, one PIC16C54 replaces 5 to 10 TTL gates, simplifying the PCB. Validate OTP firmware on a JW-windowed sample before committing to production OTP.
Recommended
IR Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16C54-RC/SS suits single-button or multi-button IR remote transmitters because TMR0 with its 8-bit prescaler can synthesize 38 kHz or 40 kHz carrier frequencies directly from the RC oscillator with acceptable tolerance for short-range line-of-sight links. The 12 GPIO drive a 4x4 scan matrix or direct LED modulation, and the small SSOP-20 footprint fits inside a CR2032-keyfob enclosure. The RC oscillator's ±5 to ±10 % drift does not matter for carrier duty-cycle generation. PIC16C54-RC/SS plus a transistor and IR LED costs less than a dedicated encoder IC for sub-50k unit volumes.
Recommended
Simple Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16C54-RC/SS handles simple sensor conditioning for thermistor, photodiode, or contact-closure inputs by reading a single analog threshold or debouncing mechanical contacts in firmware. Its 12 GPIO can drive indicator LEDs and a UART bit-bang or one-wire interface to a host, and the RC oscillator removes the cost of an external resonator. Use the watchdog timer to recover from brown-out events on noisy industrial sensor lines. The 0 to 70 °C commercial temperature range suits indoor HVAC, appliance, and lighting sensor nodes; for outdoor use, migrate to the industrial-grade PIC16C54C-04I/SS variant.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
The PIC16C54-RC/SS is widely used in low-cost electronic toys, model-train controllers, and hobby robotics because the BOM is essentially MCU + RC components + LEDs - no crystal, no EEPROM, no programming header. The PIC16C5X instruction set is simple enough that beginners can hand-assemble code, and the 4 MHz core is fast enough for PWM servo control and sound synthesis. Replace the PIC16C54-RC/SS with the Flash-based PIC16F54 to allow field firmware updates during product development, then drop back to OTP for cost-down production.
Recommended
Standalone LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16C54-RC/SS drives standalone LED chasers, sign animations, and decorative lighting strips by combining TMR0 interrupt-driven PWM with the 25-byte RAM buffer for animation frames. Each of the 12 GPIO can sink 25 mA, enough to drive a small LED or low-side MOSFET for higher-current strings. The 0 to 70 °C operating range and SSOP-20 footprint suit sealed indoor fixtures where heat dissipation is shared with the LED board. Add a ULN2003 or discrete transistors for high-power RGB strips without changing the MCU footprint.
Recommended
Disposable Medical / Industrial Controller
The PIC16C54-RC/SS is well-suited to disposable single-use medical or industrial controllers (e.g., low-cost infusion monitors, test-strip readers, or factory-line counter modules) because OTP memory locks firmware permanently, preventing reverse engineering of calibration data. The 0.75 KB program memory holds simple lookup-table calibration, and the RC oscillator eliminates alignment-sensitive crystal costs in high-volume automated assembly. For long-life industrial installations, migrate to the industrial-temperature PIC16C54C-04I/SS rated -40 to +85 °C to ensure field reliability.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54-RC/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54C-04/SS | PIC16C54A-04/SS | PIC16C54C-04I/SS | PIC16C54C-20I/SS | PIC16C54CT-20E/SS | PIC16C54AT-10/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory | 0.75 KB (512 x 12) OTP | 0.75 KB OTP | 0.75 KB OTP | 0.75 KB OTP | 0.75 KB OTP | 0.75 KB OTP | 0.75 KB OTP |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| GPIO Count | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C (extended) | 0 °C to +70 °C |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Mature, lowest-cost OTP 8-bit MCU in SSOP-20 (vs PIC16F54)
- Internal RC oscillator eliminates crystal cost (vs PIC16C54-XT/SS)
- SSOP-20 surface-mount footprint with full PIC16C5X pinout (vs PIC16C54-RC/P (PDIP-18))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the PIC16C54-RC/SS VDD pin (pin 14) and a bulk 10 µF electrolytic or tantalum on the same supply rail. The internal RC oscillator draws transient current on each clock edge; inadequate decoupling will cause VDD droop that resets the part via the brown-out detector. The PIC16C5X power-on reset circuit requires VDD rise time below a threshold; slow-rising supplies from large capacitors may need an external supervisor or push-button reset.
The 'RC' oscillator variant's frequency tolerance is typically ±5 to ±10 % over the 0 to 70 °C commercial range and 3.25 to 6.25 V supply window. Do not use this part for UART baud-rate generation, IR carrier synthesis tighter than ±10 %, or any timing-sensitive protocol. If your design needs accurate timing, choose the 'XT' (crystal) variant for ±50 ppm or 'HS' (high-speed crystal) for 20 MHz operation. Also remember the device is OTP - any firmware bug costs a full reel of parts.
The SSOP-20 (5.30 mm body) package has 0.65 mm pitch leads that require precise stencil aperture design for reflow soldering. Use a 4 mil stainless-steel stencil with apertures reduced by 1 mil on each side to prevent solder bridging between the fine-pitch pins. Land pads should be 0.40 mm wide by 1.50 mm long with NSMD (non-solder mask defined) geometry for best thermal fatigue performance. Hand-soldering SSOP-20 is feasible with a fine-tip iron, 0.020 inch diameter lead-free solder wire, and magnification, but reflow is strongly preferred for production.
Keep the RC oscillator components (external resistor on OSC1 and capacitor to ground) within 5 mm of pins 15 and 16 to minimize stray capacitance that pulls the oscillator off-frequency. Route the MCLR/VPP trace (pin 4) directly to a reset supervisor or pull-up resistor; long MCLR traces pick up noise and cause spurious resets. Avoid routing switching signals or relay coils near OSC1/OSC2 because the RC oscillator is sensitive to injection of high-frequency energy that shifts the perceived timing.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - automotive designs should use PIC16C54C-04I/SS industrial temp grade or PIC16F54. Conflict-minerals reporting per Microchip standard policy.