PIC16C554-20/P - 8-bit OTP MCU, 896B EPROM, 13 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C554-20/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.06 | $3.06 |
| 10 | $2.85 | $28.50 |
| 100 | $2.62 | $262.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
PIC16C554-20/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory, data RAM, I/O peripherals, and timers onto one die. Within the semiconductor hierarchy, the PIC16C554 belongs to the broader MCU category, sits inside the 8-bit RISC class, and is part of the PIC16C5x family of OTP (One-Time-Programmable) EPROM-based devices. EPROM-based MCUs are typically used in mature, low-cost, high-volume applications where the program code is fixed and final, and field re-programmability is not required.
Key features include 35 single-word RISC instructions, a 12-bit wide instruction word with 2:1 code compression versus competitors, a fully-static CMOS design, and a wide operating voltage range of 3.0 V to 5.5 V that supports both 3.3 V and 5 V rails. The PIC16C554 also integrates a Watchdog Timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, power-saving sleep mode, code protection, and selectable oscillator options including RC, LP, XT, and HS modes.
Architecturally, the device uses a Harvard-style RISC core with separate program and data buses, eight-level hardware stack, and 12-bit instruction width optimized for code density. Its CMOS EPROM process delivers low operating current (typically a few mA at full clock) and very low standby current, making it well suited to power-sensitive and thermally constrained designs. A real-time interrupt-on-change feature on PORTB plus a 14-bit programmable prescaler simplify event counting and timing without external glue logic.
Typical applications include automotive body and chassis subsystems, industrial control and sensor conditioning, low-cost consumer appliances, security and access-control keypads, HVAC fan and damper control, battery chargers, and remote control transmitters. Designers choose the PIC16C554-20/P for proven PIC architecture, deterministic instruction timing, and Microchip's mature toolchain support (MPASM, MPLAB-SIM).
When designing with this MCU, pay close attention to the oscillator selection bits: an HS crystal at 20 MHz requires the correct load capacitors and short PCB traces to avoid start-up failures. Code-protect bits must be programmed last in production because once enabled they cannot be un-set without erasing the EPROM window.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16C554 family alternatives, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C554-20/P — 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 PIC16C554-20/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C554-04/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F54-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C54A-20I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-20/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Family | PIC16C5x |
| Core | 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Width | 12 bits |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (OTP) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 bytes (0.875 KB) |
| Data RAM | 80 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit Timer/counter with prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Stack Depth | 8 levels (hardware) |
| Oscillator Modes | RC, LP, XT, HS |
| Interrupt Sources | External interrupt and PORTB interrupt-on-change |
| Package | PDIP-18 (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| RoHS Status | Non-Compliant (PDIP-18 contains lead) |
| Lead-Free | No |
| Code Protection | Yes (one-time programmable) |
PIC16C554-20/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0/INT — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| 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 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 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 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C554-20/P is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Consumer Appliance Control, Security Keypad and Access Control, HVAC Fan and Damper Control, Battery Charger Controller.
Automotive Body Control
The PIC16C554-20/P fits automotive body and accessory subsystems because of its 3.0 V to 5.5 V supply range, 13 general-purpose I/O, on-chip Watchdog Timer with dedicated RC oscillator, and EPROM code protection for production firmware locking. With 200 ns instruction execution at 20 MHz and 35 single-word RISC instructions, the device handles typical body-control tasks (window lift, mirror adjust, seat control) within a few hundred microseconds per loop, leaving margin for the WDT to recover from supply transients. The 18-pin PDIP footprint is also convenient for prototype validation harnesses on the bench.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
For low-cost industrial sensor conditioning, the PIC16C554-20/P provides deterministic 200 ns instruction timing that simplifies closed-loop PID implementation at modest update rates. Its 80-byte RAM supports multi-channel analog sampling via external ADC or on-chip comparator references, and the 14-bit prescaler extends timer accuracy to long-period measurements. Operating from 3.3 V or 5 V rails, the MCU integrates cleanly into 4-20 mA loop-powered or 24 V industrial backplane designs through small LDO pre-regulation.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C554-20/P's OTP EPROM and code-protection bits provide cost-effective, unalterable firmware for small kitchen and personal-care appliances. With 896 bytes of program memory and 80 bytes of RAM, designers can implement state machines for blenders, coffee makers, and toothbrush timers with display multiplexing through PORTB. Sub-microamp sleep current extends battery life in cordless products, and the integrated power-on reset and WDT ensure reliable recovery from brown-out events common on brushed-motor loads.
Recommended
Security Keypad and Access Control
For 4x4 matrix keypads and PIN-based door access modules, the PIC16C554-20/P offers 13 I/O to scan a 4x4 keypad plus drive a relay, buzzer, and LED indicator without external logic. Code protection locks the firmware so that even with the EPROM contents extracted, the production binary cannot be reverse-engineered or duplicated. The 200 ns instruction cycle debounces key presses in firmware with no extra hardware, and the WDT prevents lock-up if an ESD event corrupts program flow at the access-control reader.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Control
In HVAC damper and small fan control, the PIC16C554-20/P delivers 13 I/O for triac firing, zero-cross detection, tachometer input, and status LEDs. The 8-bit timer with 14-bit prescaler supports precise RPM measurement on a Hall-effect or optical tach, while the HS oscillator mode at 20 MHz gives enough margin for software PLL tracking of motor speed. Sleep current below 1 microamp enables battery-backed thermostat backup where the MCU wakes periodically to read temperature and adjust damper position.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller
For NiCd, NiMH, or small Li-ion chargers, the PIC16C554-20/P monitors voltage and current via external ADC and PWMs the charging FET. With 896 bytes of EPROM the device holds multi-state charge profiles including trickle, fast-charge, top-off, and termination. The on-chip WDT and Brown-Out Reset protect the battery from firmware lock-up at the charger connector. Operating from 3.0 V to 5.5 V matches the typical single-cell Li-ion rail plus headroom for shunt-resistor sensing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C554-20/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C554-04/P | PIC16C554-04I/P | PIC16C554-04E/P | PIC16F54-I/P | PIC16C54A-20I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-18 | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 896 bytes EPROM | 896 bytes EPROM | 896 bytes EPROM | 896 bytes EPROM | 512 bytes Flash | 512 bytes EPROM |
| RAM | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 80 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Program Memory Type | EPROM (OTP) | EPROM (OTP) | EPROM (OTP) | EPROM (OTP) | Flash (re-programmable) | EPROM (OTP) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Largest EPROM program memory in PIC16C5x 18-pin family (vs PIC16C54A-20I/P)
- More data RAM than flash-based successor (vs PIC16F54-I/P)
- Code protection with EPROM security (vs PIC16F54-I/P)
- 20 MHz HS oscillator grade for high throughput (vs PIC16C554-04/P)
Design Notes
PIC16C554-20/P operates from 3.0 V to 5.5 V; place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close to VDD (pin 14) as possible, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. The MCLR pin (pin 4) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; do not leave it floating, because an un-initialized MCLR can cause intermittent reset behavior. For battery-backed operation, connect a diode-OR from primary and backup supplies to VDD to allow clean transition through brown-out.
Estimated: keep the traces from OSC1/OSC2 (pins 16/15) shorter than 5 mm and route them over a continuous ground plane to avoid stray capacitance. For an HS-mode 20 MHz crystal, use 15-33 pF load capacitors selected per crystal datasheet; for an LP-mode 32.768 kHz crystal use 6-10 pF. Avoid routing signal traces under the crystal pads to prevent injection of switching noise into the oscillator stage. Mount the MCLR pull-up at least one trace-width away from the crystal traces.
Do not program the code-protect bits until firmware is fully validated - once enabled, the EPROM cannot be re-programmed without erasing the entire device. Configuration word oscillator bits (FOSC1:FOSC0) must match the actual hardware mode (RC, LP, XT, HS) or the device will fail to start. The Watchdog Timer, if enabled, requires periodic CLRWDT instructions in any long delay loop; a missed CLRWDT triggers a reset. Finally, observe the maximum VDD rise time per datasheet; an overly slow power ramp can cause undefined POR behavior.
Route the PORTB interrupt-on-change pins (RB4-RB7) with short, guarded traces and add 100 ohm series resistors if they connect to off-board signals, to suppress ESD-induced spurious interrupts. Place external pull-ups (typically 10 kohm to VDD) on unused PORTB pins to avoid floating inputs that can drift into the linear region and waste current. Avoid running noisy relay or triac traces parallel to the oscillator traces; cross at 90 degrees if intersection is unavoidable.
Compliance Information
PDIP-18 package is not RoHS compliant due to lead-bearing solder finish. Microchip reports REACH compliance for this part. AEC-Q100 not qualified. Migrate to PIC16F54-I/P (lead-free, active) for new RoHS-compliant designs.
