PIC16C54T-RCE/SS - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 4MHz, 768B ROM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C54T-RCE/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.62 | $26.20 |
| 100 | $2.31 | $231.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.84 | $1,840.00 |
PIC16C54T-RCE/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripheral I/O on one die. The PIC16C5X family sits inside the broader taxonomy: microcontroller → embedded processor → semiconductor IC. These legacy RISC MCUs use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, a 12-bit instruction word, and only 33 single-word instructions - making them among the simplest to program of any 8-bit MCU. OTP memory is field-programmable but not erasable, targeting cost-sensitive volume production where firmware is final.
Key features include a 200 ns single-cycle instruction execution (4 MHz), a 33-instruction RISC instruction set, a programmable watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, an 8-bit real-time clock/counter with 8-bit prescaler, and power-on reset. The PORTA pins are multiplexed with the device's analog comparator reference and RTCC, while PORTB provides eight bidirectional digital I/O lines with programmable weak pull-ups. The device operates from 3.25 V to 6.0 V and is well suited to battery-powered and 5 V regulated designs.
The PIC16C54 implements a RISC pipeline that fetches and executes each instruction in a single clock cycle (except branches, which take two). This two-stage pipeline is what gives the family its deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle at 4 MHz. The internal architecture separates EPROM program memory (12-bit wide) from RAM data memory (8-bit wide), allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The result is a low-MIPS-per-mW footprint that suits small, latency-sensitive control loops.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, remote-control transmitters, sensor signal conditioning, small motor and solenoid drivers, and general-purpose logic replacement where a state-machine or delay timing function replaces discrete 74HC logic. Industrial uses include HVAC damper control, lighting ballast timing, and simple panel-meter drivers where only a handful of I/O lines are needed.
When designing with the PIC16C54, observe that OTP memory cannot be re-programmed in-circuit, so plan to use the JW ceramic-windowed version for prototype code iteration and migrate to OTP or mask-ROM (CR suffix) for production. The SSOP-20 package's thermal resistance allows operation up to +125 C ambient, but consider the 5 V/4 MHz performance envelope when porting firmware from newer PIC16F1xxx parts.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in OTP PIC16C5X alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet. The PIC16C54T-RCE/SS belongs to a long-running family with abundant code examples and reference designs in Microchip application notes AN545, AN556, and the Embedded Control Handbook.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C54T-RCE/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 PIC16C54T-RCE/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C54-RCE/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54CT-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54AT-20E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54T-LPE/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54T-HSE/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54C-04/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C54T-RCE/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16C5X (PIC16C54) |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP EPROM |
| Data RAM | 25 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (single cycle) |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| I/O Pins | 12 (PORTA 4-bit, PORTB 8-bit) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.25 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (extended, 'E' suffix) |
| Oscillator Type | External RC (RC suffix) / also LP, XT, HS options in family |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, programmable with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Timer Modules | 8-bit RTCC with 8-bit prescaler |
| PORTA Weak Pull-ups | Not applicable (PORTB has pull-ups) |
| PORTB Weak Pull-ups | Yes, individually programmable |
| Power-On Reset | Yes |
| Brown-Out Reset | No (not in PIC16C54 die) |
| A/D Converter | None |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape and Reel (T suffix) |
PIC16C54T-RCE/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTA bit 2) |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTA bit 3) |
| Pin 3 | RTCC — Timer/counter external clock input (PORTA bit 4) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear reset input (active low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 0) |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 1) |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 2) |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 3) |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 4) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 5) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 6) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTB bit 7) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference (digital) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator output (crystal/RC) |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input (crystal/RC/external clock) |
| Pin 17 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTA bit 0) |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O pin (PORTA bit 1) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (+3.25 V to +6.0 V) |
| Pin 20 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet - SSOP-20 mechanical pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C54T-RCE/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Remote-Control Transmitter, Appliance Timer and Controller, Battery-Powered Sensor Signal Conditioning, Logic-Replacement State Machine, Automotive Interior Lighting Controller, HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator.
Consumer Remote-Control Transmitter
The PIC16C54T-RCE/SS fits remote-control transmitter designs because its 12 I/O pins can drive keypad scanning, IR-LED modulation, and sleep-mode wakeup without extra glue logic. Its 200 ns instruction cycle at 4 MHz gives ample bandwidth to generate 38 kHz carrier waveforms in software using simple toggle routines, eliminating the external timer ICs common in older discrete designs. The 768-byte OTP ROM holds complete protocol stacks for NEC, RC5, or Sony SIRC formats with room for customer-specific button mappings. The 3.25-6.0 V range matches a single 3 V coin-cell or two AA cells, and the 25-byte RAM is sufficient for protocol state machines. Use the WDT to auto-reset the part on battery sag, and rely on the low RC-oscillator quiescent current to extend battery life in standby.
Recommended
Appliance Timer and Controller
For small appliance timing - microwave ovens, washing machines, coffee makers - the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS replaces legacy 74HC logic with a single chip that holds the entire user interface, key matrix, and triac-fire timing in firmware. Its RTCC timer with 8-bit prescaler can generate sub-second to multi-hour delays without external counters, and 12 I/O pins directly drive 7-segment displays, LEDs, and zero-cross triac triggers. The 200 ns instruction cycle provides deterministic response to zero-cross events on the AC line, simplifying EMI-compliant firing logic. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles oven-cabinet or motor-bay environments, and the OTP memory prevents accidental firmware corruption in high-noise appliance environments where flash parts might glitch.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Signal Conditioning
Sensor signal conditioning for thermistor bridges, photodiodes, or simple analog front ends uses the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS as a low-cost ADC-less digitizer: PORTB inputs digitize threshold comparators, while software implements Sigma-Delta or dual-slope conversion using the RTCC. Its 3.25 V minimum supply lets it run from a single Li-ion cell (3.6 V nominal) or 2xAA alkalines, and the RC oscillator's low operating current saves battery during slow conversions. The 768-byte OTP is sufficient for lookup-table linearization of NTC thermistors or LDR photoresistors. The PIC16C5X family's deterministic instruction timing makes integration periods reproducible without hardware timers, and the SSOP-20 footprint fits inside miniature sensor modules for IoT edge nodes.
Recommended
Logic-Replacement State Machine
Engineers use the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS to replace discrete 74HC logic boards where 5-10 glue ICs implement counters, comparators, and decoding: the 768-byte OTP holds the entire state machine plus timing, and 12 I/O pins fan out to the same signals the discrete logic was driving. This consolidation drops PCB area, improves testability (one part number vs many), and lets late design changes be implemented in firmware rather than board respins. The 200 ns instruction cycle is fast enough to service multiplexed key/display scanning at 100 Hz refresh without flicker, and the WDT guards against code lockup if a hardware fault holds an I/O pin. The SSOP-20 footprint allows drop-in placement where a 74HC00 quad NAND would have lived, simplifying board conversion.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting Controller
Interior LED controller modules - dome lamps, footwell lighting, door-handle illumination - use the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS to PWM-dim LEDs, sequence fade-in/fade-out, and read momentary switches. The 12 I/O pins handle 4-8 LED channels plus switch matrix inputs, and the 8-bit RTCC generates the PWM base frequency without additional silicon. Its extended -40C to +125C grade handles automotive cabin temperatures, and the OTP memory prevents firmware tampering in safety-relevant lighting modules. The 4 MHz RC oscillator is sufficient for low-frequency PWM (1 kHz typical) that avoids audible LED whine. Migration to PIC16F1xxx flash parts is straightforward for designs that later require CAN or LIN connectivity.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator
Small HVAC actuators - zone dampers, motorized valves, louver controllers - integrate the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS to run a brushed DC motor via H-bridge, monitor end-stop switches, and report position over a simple UART or analog feedback. The 12 I/O pins drive the H-bridge enable/direction lines, read two end-stop switches, and bit-bang a UART at 2400-9600 baud for status reporting. The RTCC generates the actuator timing (open/close duration, stall detection), and the WDT resets the part if the motor stalls and the firmware hangs. The -40C to +125C extended grade handles plenum-cabinet temperatures, and the OTP memory prevents unauthorized firmware changes in field-installed equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C54T-RCE/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C54-RCE/SS | PIC16C54CT-04/SS | PIC16C54AT-20E/SS | PIC16C54T-LPE/SS | PIC16C54T-HSE/SS | PIC16C54C-04/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same |
| Program Memory | 768 bytes (512 x 12) OTP | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same | 768 bytes OTP - same |
| Max Clock Frequency | 4 MHz (RC oscillator) | 4 MHz RC - same | 4 MHz (C-spec) | 20 MHz (HS mode max) | 2 MHz (LP mode max) | 20 MHz (HS mode) | 4 MHz (C-spec) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.25 V to 6.0 V | 3.25 V to 6.0 V - same | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix) | -40 C to +125 C - same | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | 0 C to +70 C (commercial) |
| Oscillator Type | External RC | External RC - same | External RC | External RC/XT/HS | LP crystal/RC | HS crystal | External RC |
| I/O Pins | 12 (4 PORTA + 8 PORTB) | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same | 12 - same |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel (T suffix) | Tube (no T suffix) | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest OTP footprint with 33-instruction RISC core (vs PIC16F54 (flash equivalent))
- Extended -40C to +125C industrial temperature grade (vs PIC16C54C-04/SS (commercial temp))
- RC oscillator option eliminates external crystal (vs PIC16C54T-HSE/SS (HS crystal oscillator))
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD = 5.0 V, 4 MHz RC oscillator, the PIC16C54T-RCE/SS draws approximately 2-5 mA active and 1-4 uA sleep (WDT disabled). At higher VDD up to 6.0 V the active current scales proportionally. For battery-powered designs, switch to PIC16C54 LP or XT variants which have much lower operating current at low clock rates. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 19), and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VDD rail if the supply is shared with switching loads.
OTP memory can only be programmed ONCE - any code change after the part has been programmed requires physically replacing the IC. Use the JW (windowed) or PIC16F54 (flash) variants during development. The PIC16C54 has only a 2-level hardware stack, so subroutines cannot call other subroutines more than 2 deep; structure firmware accordingly to avoid stack overflow. MCLR must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation - leaving it floating causes intermittent resets.
The SSOP-20 package has a 0.65 mm pin pitch which requires fine-pitch PCB layout rules: pad length at least 2 mm for reliable solder fillets, trace width 0.15-0.20 mm between pads, and a solder mask defined (SMD) pad style for cleaner solder paste deposition. Keep the MCLR trace short and away from noisy signals to prevent spurious resets. Place the RC oscillator components (R + C at OSC1/OSC2) within 5 mm of the IC pins to minimize parasitic capacitance - for 4 MHz RC operation, typical R = 10 kohm and C = 100 pF.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status were not explicitly stated in the verified web data and require confirmation from Microchip's product compliance documents. The part is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - it targets industrial and consumer applications, not automotive safety-critical systems. For automotive designs, choose a PIC16C54 variant that is explicitly AEC-Q100 qualified, or migrate to a flash PIC16F1xxx part.