PIC16C54AT-10/SS - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU, 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54AT-10/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.28 | $228.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
PIC16C54AT-10/SS Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture, RISC-based CMOS microcontroller family originated by General Instrument's microcontroller division and commercialized broadly by Microchip Technology. The PIC16C5x sub-family is the original baseline of 12-bit instruction-width PICs, positioned as an entry-level MCU for simple control loops, glue-logic replacement, and pre-programmed appliance controllers. In the broader taxonomy, PIC MCUs sit within the 8-bit microcontroller category, alongside 8051, AVR, and STM8 families, and are widely recognized for deterministic interrupt response and low per-unit cost.
Key features include 33 single-word instructions with two addressing modes (immediate and direct), an 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit programmable prescaler, a Power-on Reset (POR), Device Reset Timer (DRT), Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and code-protection bit. The device operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V across the commercial temperature range (0C to +70C) and is housed in a 20-pin SSOP measuring 5.30 mm body width. The 10 MHz speed grade (-10 suffix) limits the oscillator input to 10 MHz maximum, while the 'A' silicon revision brings improved oscillator specifications and lower current consumption versus the legacy PIC16C54 core.
Architecturally, the PIC16C54AT-10/SS uses a 12-bit program-word bus to a 512-instruction address space (hence 768 bytes = 512 x 12 bits) and a separate 8-bit data bus to 25 bytes of general-purpose RAM. The two-stack-deep hardware return stack limits subroutine nesting to two levels - a defining constraint of the PIC16C5x baseline. Brown-out detection is not integrated; systems requiring low-Vdd protection should add an external supervisor such as MCP100/MCP101 or use the newer PIC16F54 flash-based equivalent.
Typical applications include appliance controllers (rice cookers, washing machines, fan controllers), battery chargers, LED drivers, and remote-control transmitters where 12 I/O pins and 768 bytes of OTP are sufficient. The part is also commonly used as production-volume replacements for 12-18 pin discrete logic ICs, with development performed on UV-erasable PIC16C54 windowed ceramic parts and then ported to the OTP PIC16C54A for the production build.
Designers migrating from the original PIC16C54 to this 'A' revision gain improved oscillator tolerance and lower IPD, but must observe the two-level stack limit. For new designs, the flash-based PIC16F54 in the same SSOP-20 footprint is the recommended modern successor with in-circuit programmability, larger code space, and faster speeds. The PIC16C54AT-10/SS remains in production primarily for long-life industrial and appliance customers who standardized on the OTP silicon.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the SSOP-20 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone - including a thermal estimate at full I/O load and explicit stack-depth warnings for engineers porting PIC code from larger PIC families.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54AT-10/SS β 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 PIC16C54AT-10/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54A-10I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-04/SS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C54A-10/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-20/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F54-I/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54AT-10/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC, 12-bit instruction word (baseline) |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12 bits), OTP |
| RAM | 25 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns @ 10 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) with programmable prescaler |
| Hardware Stack Depth | 2 levels |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word instructions, 2 addressing modes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Power-on Reset | Yes (POR + Device Reset Timer) |
| Brown-out Reset | Not integrated |
| Oscillator Modes | RC, XT, HS, LP (external) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| MSL Level | MSL1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020, supplier-rated) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free SSOP) |
| Programming Method | OTP (one-time programmable, factory or field) |
PIC16C54AT-10/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC β TMR0 real-time clock/counter input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master Clear reset input (active-low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (3.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | OSC1/CLKIN β Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 19 | OSC2/CLKOUT β Oscillator crystal output / clock out (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 20 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54AT-10/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Board, Battery Charger Controller, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control Transmitter, Logic Replacement (Glue Logic IC Substitute), Industrial Sensor Interface Module.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C54AT-10/SS is well-suited to home-appliance controllers - rice cookers, microwave ovens, washing-machine user interfaces, induction cookers, and electric kettles - because its 12 I/O pins can directly drive 7-segment LED displays, relay coils, and triac gates. The 768-byte OTP fits typical state-machine firmware (button debounce, timing profiles, fault detection) while the 10 MHz clock provides a 200 ns instruction cycle, fast enough for triac zero-crossing detection and PWM heater control. Pin 4 (MCLR) provides a clean reset path during brown-out events, and the on-chip watchdog timer recovers the appliance from firmware lock-ups in unattended operation. Industrial cost is roughly $1.82 in 1k reels per Octopart as of 2026-09-16, well within the BOM envelope of mass-market appliances.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller
In NiCd/NiMH/Li-ion charger designs, the PIC16C54AT-10/SS reads battery voltage on an ADC-less RC pin (using TMR0 charge-time measurement), drives a constant-current source via PWM on an RB output, and terminates charge via -dV or dT/dt detection. Its 25-byte RAM is sufficient for slope tracking and end-of-charge flags, while the 10 MHz cycle time supports a 1 kHz PWM at 100-step resolution. The 3.0-5.5 V supply range covers 4-cell NiMH stacks directly. Engineers typically add an MCP1700 LDO and an external thermistor on RA0 for dT/dt sensing. Source: Microchip AN947 "Battery Charger Design Using PIC16C5X".
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16C54AT-10/SS drives decorative and architectural LED fixtures where 8-bit PWM dimming across 12 channels is acceptable. RB0-RB7 source-sink up to 25 mA per pin, enough to drive small indicator and accent LEDs directly without external drivers, while RC0-RC2 can switch power MOSFETs for high-current strips. The 200 ns instruction cycle supports a 1 kHz PWM frequency with 256-step resolution, well above the perceptual flicker threshold. The OTP memory locks the firmware against reverse engineering - a critical requirement for branded lighting products. The PIC16C54AT-10/SS commercial temperature grade (0C to +70C) covers indoor fixtures, while the PIC16C54A-10I/SS drop-in alternative covers outdoor and industrial luminaires.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16C54AT-10/SS is ideal for IR/RF remote-control transmitters because its low pin count (12 I/O) and 768-byte OTP fit 32-64 button encoding matrices with simple Manchester or RC5 protocol stacks. The TMR0-driven carrier generator produces a 38 kHz IR modulation in software without external timers, and the 2-level hardware stack is more than sufficient for the linear encoding logic. Average IDD of 2-5 mA at 4 MHz is acceptable for AAA-battery operation; a software sleep mode stops the oscillator to extend shelf life. The SSOP-20 footprint also suits the slim PCB of handheld remotes. Source: Microchip AN657 "IR Remote Control with PIC16C5X".
Recommended
Logic Replacement (Glue Logic IC Substitute)
The PIC16C54AT-10/SS replaces 2-4 discrete 74HC or CD4000-series logic ICs by mapping AND/OR/XOR operations onto a software state machine. With 12 I/O and a 200 ns cycle, the part emulates complex sequencers that would otherwise require 14-18 standard logic gates - shrinking PCB area and BOM count. Programming costs are amortized over production volumes, making this a cost-down technique used extensively in consumer electronics. Designers must add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor directly on VDD (pin 14) per Microchip's decoupling recommendation, and use MCLR (pin 4) with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for reliable reset.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
In industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters, the PIC16C54AT-10/SS converts resistance-bridge sensor signals (RTD, thermistor, strain gauge) into a digitized value via TMR0 charge-time measurement, then drives the 4-20 mA current loop with a PWM-controlled BJT or MOSFET. The 3.0 V minimum supply is compatible with 2-wire loop drops of 12-24 V when paired with an MCP1700 LDO. The 768-byte OTP stores calibration coefficients and linearization tables for the sensor curve. The 2-level hardware stack is sufficient for a flat call graph in this single-threaded application. The industrial -40C to +85C PIC16C54A-10I/SS variant is the recommended drop-in for outdoor installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54AT-10/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54A-10I/SS | PIC16C54A-04/SS | PIC16C54A-10/SS | PIC16C54A-20/SS | PIC16F54-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Max CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 4 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768B OTP (512 x 12-bit) | 768B OTP (512 x 12-bit) | 768B OTP (512 x 12-bit) | 768B OTP (512 x 12-bit) | 768B OTP (512 x 12-bit) | 512 x 14-bit Flash |
| RAM | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Hardware Stack Depth | 2 levels | 2 levels | 2 levels | 2 levels | 2 levels | 8 levels |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Programming Method | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash (ICSP) |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 14 bits |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (dedicated RC oscillator) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (with longer timeout) |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel factory packaging for high-volume SMT (vs PIC16C54A-10/SS)
- OTP silicon with locked firmware for production (vs PIC16F54-I/SS)
- Commercial temperature grade for indoor appliance use (vs PIC16C54A-10I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF (0.1 uF) decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) and VSS pin (pin 5), using a trace length under 5 mm to minimize parasitic inductance. For designs with high-current switching on RB outputs (e.g. relay coils, LEDs), add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor near the MCU. The PIC16C54AT-10/SS typical IDD at 10 MHz and 5V is approximately 5 mA (per Microchip PIC16C5x datasheet), so a MCP1700-3302E LDO with 250 mA output is more than adequate. Estimated: total system IDD = 5 mA (MCU) + peripheral load = verify against actual BOM.
The PIC16C54AT-10/SS has only a 2-level hardware stack - CALL depth is limited to 2 nested subroutines. Porting code from PIC16F84/PIC16F877A (8-level stack) will silently corrupt the return address and crash if you exceed 2 nested CALLs. Mitigation: either (a) refactor code to eliminate nesting (the canonical PIC16C5x programming style), or (b) migrate to the PIC16F54-I/SS drop-in replacement which has 8 stack levels and is otherwise pin-compatible. The 'A' silicon revision also tightened the lower VDD limit from 2.5V to 3.0V; designs using two alkaline cells (3.0V nominal) must include a low-VDD supervisor or migrate to PIC16LF54.
The SSOP-20 package (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) requires careful PCB layout: keep the SSOP land pattern at the standard JEDEC MO-150 footprint with a 0.40 mm pad width and 1.95 mm pad length. For high-noise environments (relay switching, motor control), place a ground guard ring around the MCLR pin (pin 4) trace to prevent false resets from capacitive coupling. OSC1 (pin 18) and OSC2 (pin 19) traces should be kept short (<10 mm), surrounded by ground copper, and routed away from RB output traces that carry high dV/dt signals - this prevents oscillator jitter and clock-frequency modulation from AC load switching.
Estimated: at full 12 I/O load with all outputs sourcing 20 mA, the PIC16C54AT-10/SS dissipates roughly VDD x (12 x 20 mA + ICC) = 5V x (240 mA + 5 mA) = 1.225 W. The SSOP-20 package has theta_JA of approximately 108 C/W (per Microchip packaging thermal data), so the junction temperature rises 132C above ambient at this worst-case load. Realistically, most applications use 4-6 outputs simultaneously so dissipation stays under 400 mW (junction rise <45C). For designs near the I/O limit, increase the SSOP thermal pad copper pour to at least 100 mm^2 to reduce theta_JA toward 70 C/W.
Compliance Information
Per Microchip product page, the PIC16C54AT-10/SS is supplied in lead-free SSOP-20 packaging with RoHS and REACH compliance. The part is not AEC-Q100 qualified and is intended for indoor appliance and consumer applications - not automotive. The commercial 0C to +70C temperature grade limits deployment to benign thermal environments; for automotive or outdoor industrial use, choose the PIC16C54A-10I/SS industrial temp grade variant.