PIC16C554T-20/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz OTP MCU 896B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C554T-20/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.05 | $3.05 |
| 10 | $2.74 | $27.40 |
| 100 | $2.3 | $230.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
PIC16C554T-20/SO Overview
An 8-bit OTP microcontroller is a single-chip computer built on a Harvard architecture that executes one instruction per cycle from non-volatile program memory and writes volatile data to on-chip RAM; it is intended for high-volume, cost-sensitive, code-stable products where the firmware is finalized before production and does not need in-field updates. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16C554 belongs to the PIC16C family of mid-range microcontrollers, which sits between Microchip's baseline PIC10/12/16 and the high-performance PIC18 families.
Key features include 35 single-word instructions, a wide 3V to 5.5V operating range, 13 I/O pins, an 8-bit timer/counter, watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, power-saving sleep mode, and 200 ns instruction cycle. The PIC16C-series architecture uses a RISC instruction set with a single accumulator (W) and a memory-mapped I/O register scheme that simplifies peripheral access.
Typical applications include appliance control, automotive subsystems (sensor conditioning, body electronics), industrial control logic, and remote-control encoders where low cost, deterministic timing, and compact code footprint outweigh the need for in-system reprogrammability. The 18-SOIC package supports standard surface-mount assembly lines and offers an industry-standard land pattern.
When designing with this OTP device, ensure firmware is fully validated before programming because OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten. For new designs where in-circuit reprogrammability is needed, consider the flash-based PIC16F554 or PIC16F505 family members instead.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate sourcing risk and second-source options for the PIC16C554T-20/SO.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C554T-20/SO — 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 PIC16C554T-20/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Core Architecture, RAM Size, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C554T-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554T-20/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC16C series, mid-range |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 896 B (512 x 14-bit words) |
| RAM | 80 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns |
| Instruction Set Size | 35 single-word instructions |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 13 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit Timer/Counter |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Package | 18-SOIC (7.50 mm / 0.295 in body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| Lead Finish / Terminal Form | Gull Wing |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C554T-20/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT — Port B bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (3.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 (digital I/O) |
Typical Applications
PIC16C554T-20/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics, Remote Control Encoder, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, LED Display Driver Logic, Smart Sensor IoT Edge Node.
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16C554T-20/SO is well suited for fixed-function appliance control boards such as washing-machine timers, microwave user interfaces, and rice-cooker state machines. Its 896-byte OTP memory comfortably fits the typical 200-400 instruction control loops used to sequence motors, heaters, and indicator LEDs. The 13 digital I/O pins are enough to drive multiplexed 7-segment displays and read capacitive-touch or membrane keypads without external I/O expanders. Operating from 3.0 V to 5.5 V, the part interfaces directly with 5 V relay drivers and 3.3 V logic-level sensors, while the 20 MHz core delivers 200 ns instruction cycles that are more than sufficient for 10 ms human-perceptible timing loops. The 18-SOIC package accepts standard reflow profiles, making it compatible with high-volume consumer appliance production lines.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
For non-safety automotive subsystems such as interior lighting controllers, seat-position memory, and mirror-adjustment modules, the PIC16C554T-20/SO provides the deterministic 200 ns instruction cycle required to handle multiple switch inputs and PWM outputs in real time. Although this commercial-temperature (-0C to +70C) grade is not suited for under-hood use, it fits comfortably in cabin-mounted body controllers. The 13 I/O pins are sufficient to drive half a dozen LEDs and read rocker switches, while the on-chip watchdog timer with internal RC oscillator protects against code lockup in noisy automotive electrical environments. When the design needs extended temperature operation, the same family offers industrial (-I) and automotive (-E) temperature grades in the same 18-SOIC footprint for direct qualification upgrades.
Recommended
Remote Control Encoder
The PIC16C554T-20/SO fits neatly inside low-cost infrared and 315/433 MHz RF remote-control transmitters for garage-door openers, ceiling fans, and consumer A/V systems. A typical RC-5 or NEC protocol encoder fits in under 200 instructions, leaving ample 896-byte OTP headroom for custom button-mapping tables and security rolling-code seeds. The 20 MHz core generates accurate 38 kHz carrier modulation for IR transmission, while the 8-bit timer/counter handles debounce and frame-timing without software overhead. Sleep mode reduces standby current to a few microamps, allowing months of battery life on two AA cells across the 3.0-5.5 V supply range, which directly matches the battery discharge curve of remote-control applications.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
In industrial control panels, the PIC16C554T-20/SO serves as a dedicated signal-conditioning and digital-filtering front-end for analog sensors such as thermistors, photocells, and load cells. Its 13 I/O pins can be configured with internal weak pull-ups to read multiple open-collector sensor outputs, while the on-chip 8-bit timer/counter provides the timebase for software-implemented low-pass filters and moving averages. The 20 MHz CPU bandwidth is more than enough to oversample a 1 kHz sensor at 10x and still maintain a real-time response. The 18-SOIC package survives standard wave-solder and reflow processes used in industrial control-card assembly.
Recommended
LED Display Driver Logic
The PIC16C554T-20/SO is an excellent companion controller for Charlieplexed or matrix-multiplexed LED signs, scoreboards, and decorative lighting strips. With 13 I/O pins, the part can directly drive an 8x8 LED matrix using a 3-to-8 decoder and three row-driver lines, with row-refresh handled by the on-chip timer interrupt. The 20 MHz CPU bandwidth allows 1 kHz PWM per channel for breathing-effect animations and color-mixing on RGB strips. The OTP memory holds the entire display pattern database plus a small interpreter for serial-command input, simplifying the bill of materials by eliminating an external EEPROM.
Recommended
Smart Sensor IoT Edge Node
For low-data-rate IoT edge nodes such as building-automation sensors, water-leak detectors, and HVAC zone controllers, the PIC16C554T-20/SO offers a deterministic, ultra-low-power alternative to 32-bit microcontrollers. Its sleep-mode current in the microamp range enables years of battery life when waking only on a timer interrupt to take a sensor reading and transmit via UART to a host. The 13 I/O pins support multiple I2C, SPI, or UART peripherals through bit-banging, and the 80-byte RAM is sufficient to buffer one full Modbus-RTU frame. The 18-SOIC package assembles into standard IoT-module form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C554T-20/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C554T-04/SO | PIC16C554-04/SO | PIC16C554-04E/SO | PIC16C554-04I/P | PIC16C554T-04I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC | 18-PDIP | 20-SSOP |
| Core / Family | PIC16C 8-bit | PIC16C 8-bit | PIC16C 8-bit | PIC16C 8-bit | PIC16C 8-bit | PIC16C 8-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP | 896 B OTP |
| RAM | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B | 80 B |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Key Differentiators
- 20 MHz speed grade for time-critical control (vs PIC16C554T-04/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT (vs PIC16C554-20/SO (tube))
- Same-family pin compatibility for temperature migration (vs PIC16C554T-20I/SO (industrial grade))
Design Notes
OTP (one-time programmable) memory can only be programmed from 1 to 0; it cannot be erased or rewritten. Per Microchip documentation, this means any firmware bug becomes permanent after programming, so engineers must validate the code thoroughly on a windowed or flash-based equivalent (such as PIC16F554) before committing to PIC16C554T-20/SO production units. JTAG/ICD debugging is also not available on this OTP part, so plan for in-circuit emulation on a sibling flash part during development.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14), with a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail within 1 cm of the part. Per Microchip PIC16C554 layout guidelines, this combination suppresses VDD transients during I/O switching and prevents POR (power-on reset) misfires. The wide 3.0 V to 5.5 V operating range means the same decoupling network works for both 3.3 V and 5 V rails, simplifying layout reuse.
Keep the MCLR/VPP pin (pin 1) connection short and direct to the reset circuit. Per the PIC16C554 datasheet, a long MCLR trace can pick up noise and trigger spurious resets; if the application uses an RC reset, place the resistor and capacitor within 5 mm of pin 1. For ICSP (in-circuit serial programming), route the MCLR/VPP, RB6, and RB7 signals to a programming header with no series resistors exceeding 100 ohm.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and lead-free plating per Microchip product page. Commercial temperature grade only; for AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, contact Microchip for the -E automotive-grade PIC16C554 variants.
