PIC16C55T-10E/SO - 8-Bit 10MHz OTP MCU 768B | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C55T-10E/SO ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.18 | $6.18 |
| 10 | $5.55 | $55.50 |
| 100 | $4.94 | $494.00 |
| 500 | $4.44 | $2,220.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.96 | $3,960.00 |
PIC16C55T-10E/SO Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a low-cost, high-performance 8-bit fully-static CMOS MCU built on Microchip's Harvard RISC architecture. The PIC16C5X family delivers an order-of-magnitude higher performance than its competitors in the same price category. The 12-bit-wide instructions are highly symmetrical, producing a 2:1 code compression over other 8-bit microcontrollers in its class, and the easy-to-use, easy-to-remember instruction set reduces development time significantly. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16C5X belongs to: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> CMOS RISC MCU -> semiconductor IC.
Key features include 20 general-purpose digital I/O pins organized across three I/O ports (RA, RB, RC), a 12-bit instruction word with 33 single-word instructions, a two-level deep hardware stack, and a programmable code-protection bit. Operating voltage spans 4.5V to 5.5V with low power consumption typical of CMOS designs. The 28-SOIC wide-body (7.50mm) footprint provides robust mechanical solder joints and is compatible with standard surface-mount assembly lines.
The architecture uses a separate instruction and data bus (Harvard) with single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches, which take two cycles. The 8-bit data path and 12-bit program word provide an efficient code density rarely matched by 8-bit CISC alternatives. The integrated watchdog timer, power-on reset, and programmable oscillator selection reduce external component count for cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, sensor-interface modules, simple motor-control loops, appliance control boards, and any embedded system requiring reliable OTP-programmed logic at low unit cost. The extended temperature grade also suits industrial sensor hubs and outdoor equipment controllers.
When designing with this part, ensure the OTP memory programming is performed before final PCB assembly, as OTP cannot be erased. Designers targeting field upgradability should consider the Flash-based PIC16F55 successor family; designers prioritizing lowest unit cost and long-term supply should keep the PIC16C55T-10E/SO in scope.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance not aggregated on a single datasheet PDF, supporting faster sourcing decisions for the PIC16C5X family.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C55T-10E/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 PIC16C55T-10E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory Size, Package, Program Memory Type, Core Architecture, RAM Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C55T-10I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C55-10/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55-10I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55AT-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.67 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55A-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C558-20/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C554-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C55T-10E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16C5X RISC |
| CPU Speed | 10 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12 words) |
| Data RAM | 25 B |
| I/O Pins | 20 |
| Number of I/O Ports | 3 (RA, RB, RC) |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Number of Instructions | 33 |
| Hardware Stack Depth | 2 levels |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, 'E' suffix) |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) 7.50 mm wide |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing) |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive / Extended Industrial |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (integrated) |
| Code Protection | Programmable bit |
PIC16C55T-10E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — I/O port A bit 2 / MCLR alternate |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — I/O port A bit 4 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear reset (active low) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 5 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 19 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 20 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 21 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 22 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 23 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 24 | RA0 — I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 25 | RA1 — I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 26 | Vdd — Positive supply (4.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 27 | OSC2 — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 28 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
Typical Applications
PIC16C55T-10E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Appliance Control Boards, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Simple Motor Control Loops, Remote Control and RF Encoder, Lighting Control and Dimmer Modules, Battery Charger Supervisory Logic.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC16C55T-10E/SO is well-suited for automotive body controllers (door locks, mirror controls, simple lighting drivers) because its -40C to +125C extended temperature grade meets under-hood and cabin thermal requirements, and its OTP memory prevents field firmware tampering. The 10MHz core delivers enough bandwidth to scan a CAN-style switch matrix and debounce button inputs at automotive sampling rates (10-20ms loop time). The 20 GPIO pins map directly to typical relay-driver and switch-sense interfaces, while the 768-byte OTP accommodates fixed-function state machines without external memory. Unlike Flash MCUs, the OTP image is locked at production and cannot be reflashed via OBD, providing additional anti-tamper assurance for OEM firmware. The 28-SOIC wide-body package supports ruggedized conformal coating for moisture resistance.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16C55T-10E/SO fits washing-machine, dishwasher, and microwave user-interface boards where cost-down is the primary design driver. The 768-byte OTP suffices for keypad scanning, 7-segment LED multiplexing, and triac-based load control state machines. The 10MHz instruction rate provides a 400ns instruction cycle, easily handling 50/60Hz zero-crossing detection and triac firing algorithms with deterministic timing. The 20 GPIO ports map to LED drivers (RB), keypad rows/columns (RC), and triac gate outputs. The wide-body 28-SOIC package supports wave-soldering and hand-repair workflows common in white-goods manufacturing.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
In 4-20mA loop-powered sensor heads and simple limit-switch conditioners, the PIC16C55T-10E/SO serves as a low-power signal-conditioning MCU. Its CMOS core draws minimal current from the loop supply, leaving headroom for the sensor front-end. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range covers outdoor and factory-floor installations. The 10MHz CPU is fast enough to oversample a sensor signal and apply moving-average filtering for noise reduction. The 20 GPIO pins accommodate multiple sensor channels and HART-style digital interfaces. The OTP program memory locks calibration coefficients at production, preventing field recalibration and protecting measurement integrity.
Recommended
Simple Motor Control Loops
Small BLDC, stepper, or brushed-DC motor control loops for pumps, fans, and valve actuators can use the PIC16C55T-10E/SO when only basic open-loop or PI control is required. The 10MHz core handles back-EMF sensing, PWM generation, and current-limit monitoring at modest PWM frequencies (up to ~20kHz with 8-bit resolution). The 20 GPIO pins drive FET gate drivers, Hall-effect sensor inputs, and tachometer feedback. The extended temperature grade supports under-hood automotive pumps and industrial motor housings. The OTP memory ensures that final-tuned motor calibration is permanently locked, preventing unauthorized retuning in the field.
Recommended
Remote Control and RF Encoder
Garage-door openers, key-fob transmitters, and simple RF remote controls can be built around the PIC16C55T-10E/SO with an external SAW resonator and a 433MHz/315MHz transmitter IC. The 10MHz CPU is fast enough to generate rolling-code or fixed-code transmission sequences at sub-millisecond timing accuracy. The 20 GPIO pins provide button-matrix scanning and LED indicator drive. The OTP memory prevents cloning of the encoding algorithm, a key security feature for access-control applications. The wide 4.5V-5.5V supply tolerates battery droop in coin-cell or alkaline-powered transmitters.
Recommended
Lighting Control and Dimmer Modules
Phase-controlled TRIAC dimmers, LED-driver controllers, and DALI-compatible ballast interfaces can use the PIC16C55T-10E/SO as the supervisory MCU. Its zero-crossing detection capability handles 50/60Hz mains synchronization with sub-millisecond accuracy, while its 10MHz CPU computes RMS line voltage for adaptive dimming. The 20 GPIO pins drive opto-isolated TRIAC gates and sense multiple switch inputs. The extended temperature grade supports enclosed luminaire environments where ambient temperatures reach 70-85C. The 768-byte OTP accommodates the dimming curve lookup tables and minimum-brightness calibration coefficients.
Recommended
Battery Charger Supervisory Logic
Simple lead-acid and NiMH charger controllers use the PIC16C55T-10E/SO to monitor battery voltage, temperature, and charge current. The 10MHz core runs the charge-state machine at sub-100ms update intervals, fast enough to detect thermal runaway conditions. The 20 GPIO pins accept analog-multiplexed sensor inputs via on-chip comparators and drive relay or MOSFET gate signals for charge-current control. The OTP memory locks in factory-calibrated charge profiles, preventing field tampering with charging parameters - a critical safety feature for lithium-chemistry derivatives where overcharge creates fire risk.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C55T-10E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C55T-10I/SO | PIC16C55-10/SO | PIC16C55-10I/SO | PIC16C55A-20I/SO | PIC16C558-20/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) |
| CPU Speed | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 768 B OTP | 2048 B OTP |
| RAM | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 72 B |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | 0C to +70C (Commercial) |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16C55T-10I/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT lines (vs PIC16C55-10/SO (tray))
- Compact 768B OTP matches modern control-loop firmware sizes (vs PIC16C554-04/SO (512B OTP))
Design Notes
The 768-byte OTP program memory cannot be erased after programming - any firmware bug becomes permanent silicon and the part must be discarded. Always validate firmware on a windowed CERDIP PIC16C55/JW prototype before committing to OTP production volumes. Also enable the code-protection bit during programming to prevent external readback of proprietary firmware.
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the Vdd pin (pin 26) and a bulk 10uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic at the PCB power-entry point. The PIC16C55T-10E/SO draws approximately 2-5mA active current at 10MHz, so a single-stage LC or RC filter on the 5V rail is usually sufficient. For battery-powered applications, switch to sleep mode (lowest current draw ~1uA typical) when idle to extend operating life.
Route the OSC1/OSC2 traces (pins 28 and 27) as short as possible and keep them away from switching signals and I/O traces that could inject noise. If using a crystal oscillator, place the load capacitors (typically 15-33pF) within 2mm of the oscillator pins. The MCLR pin (pin 4) requires a 10kohm pull-up to Vdd for normal operation and should not be left floating; a 100nF capacitor to Vss adds noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free compliance data were not explicitly stated in the verified web sources for this specific ordering code. The PIC16C5X family pre-dates widespread RoHS adoption, so many OTP ordering codes ship in non-RoHS matte-tin or SnPb finishes - engineers should request a RoHS declaration letter from Microchip before EU-market deployment.
