PIC16C54C-20/P - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU, 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54C-20/P β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.4761 | $3.48 |
| 10 | $3.13 | $31.30 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.35 | $1,175.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
PIC16C54C-20/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripheral I/O on one die, typically used for embedded control tasks. In the broader taxonomy, the PIC16C54C belongs to: microcontroller β 8-bit MCU β embedded controller β semiconductor. Its baseline RISC architecture executes most instructions in a single 200 ns instruction cycle (at 20 MHz), giving it predictable timing for interrupt-driven or polled control loops.
Key features of the PIC16C54C-20/P include a 12-bit wide instruction word that yields 2:1 code compression over many competing 8-bit MCUs, a hardware watchdog timer (WDT) for unattended operation, power-on reset (POR), device reset timer (DRT), and a programmable code-protect bit for firmware security. The 25-byte general-purpose SRAM limits data-intensive applications but is ample for simple state machines and I/O polling. The 12 I/O pins can each be independently configured as input or output and drive LED loads directly.
The die uses a self-programmable OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM cell array, allowing firmware to be written once at production time using a standard PIC programmer. Unlike flash-based PICs, the 'C' OTP variant is suited for mature, frozen designs rather than field-reprogrammable products. The 18-pin PDIP package is preferred for breadboarding, hobby projects, legacy industrial controllers, and education.
Typical applications include LED sequencing, simple motor control relay drivers, security alarm panels, automotive accessories (non-safety), battery chargers with discrete analog front-ends, and learning platforms for embedded engineering courses. The wide 4.5V to 5.5V supply range and commercial temperature grade (0C to +70C) match classic TTL-style digital systems.
When designing, ensure the oscillator mode matches the resonator or external clock selected; the PIC16C5X has dedicated oscillator configuration bits. Program the configuration word (oscillator type, WDT enable, code protect) at the same time as program memory to avoid a non-functional part. For new designs, prefer the flash-based PIC16F54 equivalent to allow field firmware updates.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54C-20/P 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 PIC16C54C-20/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory Size, Core Architecture, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Watchdog Timer.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54C-04/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C54C-20I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-20/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54-10/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C54C-20E/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F54-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54C-20/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| Supply Voltage (Vcc) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) |
| Package / Case | 18-DIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Oscillator Type | External (RC/HS/XT/LP) |
| Peripherals | POR, WDT |
| Connectivity | None (stand-alone) |
| Data Converters | None |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
PIC16C54C-20/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp β Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 β Port A bit 0 (also OSC1 in RC oscillator mode) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 β Port A bit 1 (also OSC2 in RC oscillator mode) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | Vss β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 β Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | Vss β Ground reference (second ground pin) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 β Oscillator input (XT/HS/LP modes) |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 β Oscillator output (XT/HS/LP modes) |
| Pin 17 | RA3/T0CKI β Port A bit 3 / Timer 0 clock input |
| Pin 18 | Vdd β Positive supply (4.5V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54C-20/P is suitable for 6 applications: LED Chaser / Decorative Lighting Controller, Relay and Solenoid Sequencer for Industrial Control, Security Alarm Panel Keypad Scanner, Battery Charger State-Machine Controller, Automotive Accessory Timer Controller, Embedded Systems Education and Training Platform.
LED Chaser / Decorative Lighting Controller
The PIC16C54C-20/P's 12 GPIO pins and 20 MHz instruction rate make it well suited to drive LED chasers and decorative lighting sequences. Each of the 12 I/O pins can sink or source enough current to drive an LED through a series resistor, enabling a 12-channel sequencer in a single chip. The 768B OTP program memory holds long repeating patterns, while the 25B RAM is ample for pattern indexing. Compared to a 555-timer chaser, the PIC16C54C adds programmability - patterns are firmware-defined rather than hardwired. Designers typically run the MCU on 5V with an external 4 MHz resonator (lower-power option) or 20 MHz crystal for fastest GPIO toggling, with the watchdog timer disabled for continuous un-attended operation.
Recommended
Relay and Solenoid Sequencer for Industrial Control
In relay sequencer panels, the PIC16C54C-20/P drives up to 12 relays through Darlington drivers like the ULN2003A or discrete transistor arrays. The 20 MHz instruction rate allows deterministic sequencing of multi-step industrial processes such as conveyor indexing, washing cycles, or HVAC damper control. With the OTP memory, the timing sequence becomes part of the manufacturing identity - suitable for mature, certified equipment where firmware must not change in the field. The 4.5V to 5.5V supply range aligns with classic 5V industrial logic rails, and the PIC's hardware watchdog timer recovers the system from transient latch-up. The commercial 0C to +70C temperature grade suits cabinet-mounted control panels.
Recommended
Security Alarm Panel Keypad Scanner
The PIC16C54C-20/P is used in legacy security alarm panels as a keypad scanner and zone-input multiplexer. The 12 I/O pins easily accommodate a 4x4 matrix keypad (8 pins) and 4 zone inputs. The 768B OTP holds the entire alarm state machine, including entry/exit delays, siren timing, and arming sequences. The watchdog timer guards against keypad-decoding software lockups, and the power-on reset initializes the system cleanly on power-up. Because the firmware is OTP, manufacturers can lock in their proprietary alarm protocol and prevent field tampering - a security benefit for alarm installations. The 5V supply aligns with standard alarm panel power buses, often regulated from 12V backup batteries.
Recommended
Battery Charger State-Machine Controller
In simple NiCd/NiMH battery charger designs, the PIC16C54C-20/P implements the charge-cycle state machine: pre-charge, fast-charge, top-off, and termination based on timer or -dV detection. Its 20 MHz instruction rate handles multiplexed LED or LCD charge-status displays, while the 25-byte RAM stores charge-time counters. The OTP program locks in the manufacturer's proprietary charge algorithm, preventing end-user tampering that could damage batteries. Operating from the 5V logic rail (often derived from the charger supply), the PIC16C54C works alongside a discrete analog front-end (current shunt, op-amp -dV detector, power pass transistor). The 5.5V absolute maximum rating simplifies supply design from 6V-12V adapter inputs.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory Timer Controller
In non-safety automotive accessories (interior lights, heated seat timers, fog-light auto-off), the PIC16C54C-20/P provides a small, low-cost timing controller. The 12 GPIO pins interface with relay coils and switch-sense inputs, while the OTP memory holds the timing algorithm. With the commercial 0C to +70C temperature grade, it is suited to cabin environments; designers requiring under-hood or extended temperature should select the PIC16C54C-20I/P industrial variant. The 20 MHz clock gives 200 ns resolution for timing events like 'lights on for 30 seconds after door close'. Compared to dedicated timer ICs (e.g. NE555), the PIC16C54C allows firmware-defined multi-stage timing without external RC networks.
Recommended
Embedded Systems Education and Training Platform
The PIC16C54C-20/P is widely used in university embedded systems courses as a teaching platform for baseline RISC microcontroller architecture. Its 18-PDIP through-hole package is breadboard-friendly, the 25-byte RAM is small enough that students must learn tight coding discipline, and the 12-bit instruction word exposes students to non-Von-Neumann architectures. The OTP memory forces students to plan firmware carefully - debugging requires UV-erase windows or emulator swap. The PIC16C5X instruction set is small (33 instructions), making it feasible to cover in a single semester. The 20 MHz speed grade keeps cycle-time calculations easy (200 ns per instruction), and the 5V supply matches standard lab DC power supplies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54C-20/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54C-04/P | PIC16C54C-20I/P | PIC16C54A-20/P | PIC16C54-10/P | PIC16F54-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-PDIP | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B OTP (512 x 12) | 768B Flash (512 x 12) |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (reprogrammable) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B |
| Operating Temperature | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C | 0 C to +70 C | 0 C to +70 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Peripherals | POR, WDT | POR, WDT | POR, WDT | POR, WDT | POR, WDT | POR, WDT |
Key Differentiators
- 20 MHz maximum clock speed (vs PIC16C54C-04/P)
- Industrial temperature grade availability in same package (vs PIC16C54C-20I/P)
- Flash-memory field-reprogrammable alternative (vs PIC16F54-I/P)
- Pin-and-code compatibility across PIC16C5X family (vs PIC16C54A-20/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16C5X family does not have a configuration word in the same sense as PIC16F parts - the oscillator mode, watchdog enable, and code-protect bits are programmed into dedicated EPROM cells during device programming. Forgetting to configure these results in a non-functional part. The configuration word must be set in the programmer software, not just the program memory.
The PIC16C54C-20/P requires both a 5V VDD (pin 18) and a Vss ground (pins 5 and 14) to be connected - the PIC16C5X family has two ground pins for thermal and electrical symmetry. Use both ground pins on PCB layouts; do not leave pin 14 floating or rely solely on pin 5. The MCLR/Vpp pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to Vdd for normal operation; the programmer drives Vpp (typically 13V) on this pin during programming.
Estimated: at 20 MHz clock and 5V supply, the PIC16C54C-20/P typical operating current is approximately 2.5 mA active. Power consumption scales with clock frequency - the 4 MHz grade (PIC16C54C-04/P) consumes roughly 1.0 mA at the same 5V supply. For battery-powered applications, run at the lowest acceptable clock and place the device in SLEEP mode when idle. The OTP memory does not require standby current for retention.
Place the decoupling capacitor (0.1 microfarad ceramic) as close as possible to the Vdd pin (pin 18), with a ground via right next to the capacitor. For 20 MHz operation, also add a bulk 10 microfarad electrolytic or tantalum capacitor on the Vdd rail. The oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) should be kept short and surrounded by ground pour to avoid coupling noise into the clock; a ground ring around the crystal or resonator further reduces EMI susceptibility.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided web data and marked as unknown per data authenticity rules. The PIC16C5X OTP family is not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety applications.
