PIC16C56-XTE/SO - 8-bit OTP MCU, 1.5KB EPROM, SOIC-18 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C56-XTE/SO β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.41 | $2.41 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.7 | $270.00 |
| 500 | $2.85 | $1,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.12 | $3,120.00 |
PIC16C56-XTE/SO Overview
The PIC16C5X family is a low-cost, high-performance line of RISC microcontrollers. RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architectures use a small, fixed-length instruction set that executes in a single clock cycle, enabling higher code density and faster deterministic response than CISC designs. In the PIC16C5X hierarchy the device sits above the PIC16C54 and below the PIC16C57/PIC16C58 family members, and serves as the foundation for the entire PICmicro baseline architecture that introduced Harvard separation of program and data memory to the 8-bit microcontroller market.
Key features include 1.5 KB of one-time-programmable (OTP) EPROM program memory, 25 bytes of RAM, 12 I/O pins with individual direction control, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, an 8-bit real-time timer/counter, and power-saving SLEEP mode. The device operates from 3.0 V to 6.0 V, supports oscillator frequencies up to 4 MHz at 5 V (10 MHz at the higher voltage grade), and provides an internal power-on reset circuit. The XT suffix designates a standard quartz-crystal oscillator option; the /SO suffix designates the 18-pin SOIC wide-body package.
Architecturally, the PIC16C56-XTE/SO employs a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch to occur in parallel with operand read/write. The 12-bit instruction word yields 2:1 code compression compared with competing 8-bit controllers, and the 33-instruction instruction set produces highly symmetric assembly code. An 8-level hardware stack supports subroutine nesting and interrupt context saving.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, automotive subsystems (body controllers, sensor interfaces), industrial control, smart-card and security peripherals, simple sensor signal conditioning, and battery-powered embedded products where the low-cost OTP EPROM and minimal external component count are decisive. The wide operating voltage range (3.0 V to 6.0 V) also suits 5 V regulated rails and 3.3 V battery stacks.
Design consideration: Because the PIC16C56 uses one-time-programmable EPROM, code cannot be erased in-circuit. For development, designers should use a windowed ceramic package (JW) variant or migrate to the Flash-based PIC16F5X family when code revisions are anticipated.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes drawn from Microchip PIC16C5X datasheets and reference documentation not consolidated on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C56-XTE/SO 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 PIC16C56-XTE/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Oscillator Type, Package, RoHS Status, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C56-XT/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-RCE/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-LPE/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56T-XTE/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-HSI/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56T-10E/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C56-RCI/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.99 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C56-XTE/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C5X (PIC16C56) |
| Core | 8-bit RISC (PIC Harvard architecture) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM (one-time programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 1 KB (1.5 KB per datasheet prefix variations) |
| RAM | 25 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Instruction Set | 33 single-word, single-cycle instructions, 12-bit wide |
| Maximum Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V (3.3 V / 5 V typical) |
| Oscillator Type | XT (external crystal/ceramic resonator) |
| Package | SOIC-18 (SO, 300-mil wide body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Ext Temp / -E suffix) |
| Timers | 8-bit timer/counter plus watchdog timer |
| Stack Levels | 8-level hardware stack |
| Peripherals | POR (power-on reset), SLEEP mode, watchdog timer |
| Tube Quantity | 42 per tube |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C56-XTE/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP β Master clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 β Digital I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 β Digital I/O port A bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 β Digital I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | RB0 β Digital I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Digital I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Digital I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | OSC1 β Oscillator input (XT crystal) |
| Pin 10 | OSC2 β Oscillator output (XT crystal) |
| Pin 11 | RC0 β Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 β Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 β Digital I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RC3 β Digital I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 16 | RC4 β Digital I/O port C bit 4 / T0CKI |
| Pin 17 | VDD β Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | RC5 β Digital I/O port C bit 5 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C56-XTE/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body and Sensor Modules, Industrial Control and Sensor Interface, Security and Access Control Peripherals, Battery-Powered Embedded Products, Simple LED Display and Driver Modules.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO fits consumer appliance controllers because its 1.5 KB OTP EPROM, 25 bytes RAM, and 33 single-cycle instructions comfortably handle fixed-state-machine logic for washing machines, microwave user interfaces, and coffee makers. The 12 digital I/O pins drive relay coils, segment LEDs, keypads, and indicator lamps directly, while the 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply range accepts both 5 V regulator outputs and rectified mains-derived DC rails typical in appliance power supplies. The -40 C to +125 C extended temperature range ensures reliable operation across kitchen and laundry environments where ambient temperature swings are common.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Sensor Modules
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO is suitable for automotive body controllers, seat-position sensors, and door-module logic thanks to its -40 C to +125 C extended temperature range and 12 I/O lines that interface with Hall sensors, micro-switches, and low-side relay drivers. The 4 MHz RISC core executes simple debouncing, pulse counting, and PWM-style control loops within deterministic cycle budgets. Its 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply tolerates automotive 12 V battery rails after regulator orbs. Designers should note this part is NRND and validate AEC-Q100 requirements against newer PIC16F1X family members for new automotive programs.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Sensor Interface
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO serves industrial sensor interface boards where its RISC core reads switches, encoders, and 4-20 mA loop-conditioned analog inputs via external A/D, performs calibration logic, and drives LED bar-graph displays. The 33-instruction set produces compact assembly code for high-density fixed-function logic, and the OTP EPROM yields low per-unit cost in volume OEM deployments. The 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply accepts 24 V industrial rails after regulator orbs, while the extended temperature range tolerates factory-floor thermal stress.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Peripherals
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO fits low-cost security peripherals such as RFID tag readers, magnetic-stripe decoders, and keypad access controllers because its compact code density, deterministic single-cycle instruction timing, and 25-byte RAM support fast interrupt response for protocol bit-banging. Its 12 I/O lines drive piezo buzzers, status LEDs, and Wiegand outputs directly. The OTP EPROM prevents firmware extraction by end users, providing a measure of code confidentiality for cost-sensitive security products.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Embedded Products
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO is suitable for battery-powered remote controls, wireless sensor nodes, and portable measurement instruments because its SLEEP mode and on-chip watchdog timer minimize quiescent current, while the 3.0 V minimum supply accepts 3.3 V lithium battery stacks directly. The XT oscillator option with 32.768 kHz crystals enables sub-microamp sleep currents for long-life deployments. The 33-instruction RISC core and small RAM footprint allow the device to wake, sample, and transmit within tight energy budgets.
Recommended
Simple LED Display and Driver Modules
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO drives 7-segment LED displays, dot-matrix panels, and Charlieplexed indicator arrays because its 12 I/O pins source enough current for multiplexed LED scanning without external drivers. The 4 MHz core sustains refresh rates above 100 Hz to eliminate visible flicker, and the 25-byte RAM stores display buffers and segment lookup tables. The wide 3.0 V to 6.0 V supply accepts both battery and regulator-derived rails typical in instrumentation front panels.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C56-XTE/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C56-XT/SO | PIC16C56-RCE/SO | PIC16C56-LPE/SO | PIC16C56T-XTE/SO | PIC16C56-HSI/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-18 (300-mil) | SOIC-18 (300-mil) - same | SOIC-18 (300-mil) - same | SOIC-18 (300-mil) - same | SOIC-18 (300-mil) - same | SOIC-18 (300-mil) - same |
| Program Memory | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM | 1.5 KB OTP EPROM |
| RAM | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Maximum Frequency | 4 MHz (XT) | 4 MHz (XT) | 4 MHz (RC) | 4 MHz (LP, low-power crystal) | 4 MHz (XT) | 20 MHz (HS, high-speed) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) | 0 C to +70 C (Commercial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, I suffix) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 2.5 V to 6.0 V (LP variant) | 3.0 V to 6.0 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V (HS variant) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND | NRND |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 C to +125 C operating temperature range (vs PIC16C56-XT/SO)
- Standard XT quartz-crystal oscillator compatibility (vs PIC16C56-RCE/SO)
- Tube packaging for low-volume and prototyping (vs PIC16C56T-XTE/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C56-XTE/SO requires a stable Vdd supply in the 3.0 V to 6.0 V range with bulk decoupling of 10 uF tantalum or aluminum and a 0.1 uF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the Vdd pin. The MCLR pin must be pulled up to Vdd through a 10 kohm resistor and may include a 100 nF capacitor to ground for noise immunity. Add a series resistor (approximately 100 ohm) in the MCLR line if the device is exposed to ESD or transient events, to prevent in-circuit programming contention.
Route the crystal traces between OSC1 (pin 9) and OSC2 (pin 10) as short as possible, ideally under 5 mm, with a ground guard ring to minimize EMI coupling. Place the load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) directly at the MCU pins. Keep high-current switching traces away from the oscillator loop to prevent jitter. The 18-pin SOIC (300-mil) package provides ample ground on pin 14, which should tie to a low-impedance ground plane to dissipate the 12 I/O driver return currents.
Because the PIC16C56-XTE/SO uses OTP EPROM, code cannot be erased in-circuit. Always prototype with a windowed JW package or a Flash-based PIC16F5X family device before committing to a production OTP build. Verify programming voltage timing against the Microchip PIC16C5X programming specification; under-voltage may partially program the array and produce unreliable operation. Watchdog timer disable via CONFIG fuse is recommended for code development but mandatory for production to recover from oscillator stalls.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per JLCPCB product listing. AEC-Q100 qualification not stated; consult Microchip automotive-grade datasheet for validated variants. NRND lifecycle status as of 2026-09-17.
