PIC16C57-HSE/SO - 8-Bit 16MHz 3KB OTP MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57-HSE/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.42 | $8.42 |
| 10 | $7.55 | $75.50 |
| 100 | $6.78 | $678.00 |
| 500 | $5.91 | $2,955.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.18 | $5,180.00 |
PIC16C57-HSE/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals. An 8-bit MCU like the PIC16C57 processes data 8 bits at a time and is widely used in cost-sensitive embedded applications where deterministic performance and low power are more critical than raw throughput. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, an MCU is a sub-category of microcontrollers, which sit under integrated circuits (ICs) and the wider power management and digital logic taxonomy. PIC16C5X devices use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches.
Key features of the PIC16C57-HSE/SO include a Harvard RISC architecture with 33 single-word instructions, a 12-bit wide instruction set providing 2:1 code compression over competing 8-bit MCUs, 20 I/O pins with individual direction control, a watchdog timer for reliable operation, and a power-on reset (POR) circuit. The device operates from a 4.5V to 5.5V supply and includes a high-speed 16 MHz external oscillator mode (the "HSE" suffix designates this 16 MHz high-speed crystal/oscillator variant). It supports operating temperatures typical of automotive and industrial grade environments.
The PIC16C57's EPROM/OTP program memory architecture allows one-time programming for low-to-mid volume production, and the 16 MHz clock gives an instruction cycle of 250 ns (4 clock periods per instruction cycle). Power management features include a sleep mode that reduces quiescent current dramatically, plus a programmable code-protection scheme that prevents unauthorized memory reads. The 28-SOIC package is industry-standard and easy to hand-solder, making the part attractive for prototyping and small-batch builds.
Typical applications include automotive body controllers, appliance control boards, simple sensor interfaces, low-end remote controls, LED driver controllers, and industrial timers. The PIC16C57 is also common in legacy industrial equipment and educational platforms because of its long product history and mature tool chain.
When designing with the PIC16C57-HSE/SO, engineers should plan for OTP programming only once per device; for development, use a windowed (JW) package or the pin-compatible PIC16C57C flash variants. Because OTP memory cannot be erased, allocate spare program memory for late-stage bug fixes.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, providing an engineering-focused view beyond what the datasheet or distributor catalog offers.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57-HSE/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 PIC16C57-HSE/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory Type, Program Memory Size, Instruction Cycle Time, Maximum Clock Frequency.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57-HS/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-LPE/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57-XTI/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57T-HS/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57C-20/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$2.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-04E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-HSE/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC16C5X |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz |
| Nominal Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 20 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Oscillator Type | External (HSE = 16 MHz high-speed crystal/oscillator) |
| Operating Temperature Grade | Automotive |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Power-On Reset (POR) | Yes |
| Peripherals | POR, WDT |
PIC16C57-HSE/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Port A I/O bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Port A I/O bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | T0CKI — Timer0 clock input / RA4 |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Port B I/O bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Port B I/O bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 — Port B I/O bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 — Port B I/O bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 — Port B I/O bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Port B I/O bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Port B I/O bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Port B I/O bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 15 | OSC2 — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 16 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Port C I/O bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Port C I/O bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — Port C I/O bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — Port C I/O bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | RC4 — Port C I/O bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RC5 — Port C I/O bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RC6 — Port C I/O bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RC7 — Port C I/O bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | RD0 — Port D I/O bit 0 |
| Pin 26 | RD1 — Port D I/O bit 1 |
| Pin 27 | RD2 — Port D I/O bit 2 |
| Pin 28 | RD3 — Port D I/O bit 3 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57-HSE/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Appliance Control Boards, LED Display and Lighting Controllers, Industrial Timers and Counters, Remote Controls and RF Encoders, Educational Microcontroller Platforms, Sensor Interface and Signal Conditioning.
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC16C57-HSE/SO is well suited for automotive body controller modules including seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and lighting drivers, where its 16 MHz instruction throughput (250 ns cycle) provides sufficient bandwidth for timed PWM control and its automotive temperature grade supports under-hood and cabin thermal environments. The device's 20 I/O pins accommodate the multi-channel input and output requirements typical of body electronics, while the 3 KB OTP program memory is adequate for state-machine-style control firmware. Engineers benefit from the PIC16C57's mature tool chain (MPLAB, MP3 programmer) and long-term automotive supply. A key consideration is OTP one-time-programming, which means firmware must be fully validated before production programming. Compared with PIC16F57 flash variants, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO is lower cost but lacks field reprogrammability.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
In washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and small kitchen appliances, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO manages motor timing, user-interface key scanning, sensor polling, and indicator LED multiplexing. Its 16 MHz clock enables the deterministic interrupt response required for triac-fired AC load control, while its 72 bytes RAM supports modest state variables and user-interface buffers. The OTP memory architecture suits high-volume appliance production where firmware is locked once the design is qualified. Compared with more modern PIC16F1xxx families, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO offers lower unit cost and a smaller code footprint due to its compressed 12-bit instruction set, making it attractive for cost-sensitive white goods.
Recommended
LED Display and Lighting Controllers
The PIC16C57-HSE/SO drives LED matrices, channel-letter signage, decorative lighting, and signage dimmers by leveraging its 16 MHz instruction rate to refresh multi-channel PWM at flicker-free frequencies above 100 Hz. With 20 I/O pins, the part can directly drive 5 to 10 PWM channels without external mux ICs, and its watchdog timer adds robustness against software lockups in unattended lighting installations. The extended temperature grade (HSE suffix) supports outdoor enclosures. For new designs, engineers should evaluate the PIC16F57 for flash flexibility, but the PIC16C57-HSE/SO remains a strong choice when firmware is finalized and cost per node is paramount in large lighting installations.
Recommended
Industrial Timers and Counters
Factory-floor timers, event counters, conveyor pacing modules, and process-interval relays deploy the PIC16C57-HSE/SO as a deterministic control element thanks to its predictable 250 ns instruction cycle and integrated watchdog timer. The 3 KB OTP memory holds lookup tables for timing profiles, while 72 bytes of RAM track cycle counts and I/O states. Industrial installations value the PIC16C57's automotive-grade temperature range and long-term Microchip product support. Compared with PLC subsystems, a discrete PIC16C57-based timer delivers lower cost and simpler field service.
Recommended
Remote Controls and RF Encoders
Low-end RF remote controls for garage doors, ceiling fans, motorized shades, and industrial crane pendants use the PIC16C57-HSE/SO to encode button presses into fixed-format RF or IR streams. Its 16 MHz clock drives tight bit timing for protocols like EV1527 or PT2262, and the 3 KB OTP memory stores multiple device IDs and button maps. The 20 I/O pins scan 4x5 matrix keypads comfortably. Compared with dedicated encoder ICs, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO allows custom protocols and on-the-fly timing tweaks through firmware changes during development.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Platforms
Universities and technical colleges adopt the PIC16C57-HSE/SO in microcontroller courses and labs because of its simple 33-instruction RISC architecture, well-documented instruction set, and affordable SOIC package for breadboard-friendly breakout boards. Students learn Harvard architecture fundamentals, OTP memory programming with the MPLAB PM3 programmer, and assembly or C firmware development without the complexity of modern peripherals. The 16 MHz clock gives headroom for instruction-cycle timing labs. Compared with newer Curiosity or Arduino boards, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO teaches register-level programming that builds strong embedded foundations.
Recommended
Sensor Interface and Signal Conditioning
Simple sensor-interface modules for temperature, humidity, or contact-closure inputs use the PIC16C57-HSE/SO as a low-cost ADC-free signal conditioner, debouncer, and protocol converter. While the device lacks integrated ADCs, its 16 MHz clock and 20 I/O pins can implement sigma-delta conversion via on-chip comparators or external ADC ICs. The 3 KB OTP memory holds calibration tables, and the extended temperature grade ensures outdoor sensor-housing reliability. Compared with PIC16F1xxx MCUs that include integrated ADC, the PIC16C57-HSE/SO suits cost-optimized designs where an external ADC is already specified.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57-HSE/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57-HS/SO | PIC16C57-LPE/SO | PIC16C57C-20/SO | PIC16C57T-HS/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | 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 |
| Program Memory | 3 KB OTP | 3 KB OTP - same | 3 KB OTP - same | 3 KB Flash (reprogrammable) | 3 KB OTP - same |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 16 MHz | 16 MHz - same | 4 MHz (LP variant) | 20 MHz (C variant) | 16 MHz - same |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes | 72 bytes - same | 72 bytes - same | 72 bytes - same | 72 bytes - same |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive (extended) | Standard | Extended | Standard | Standard |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (one-time) | OTP - same | OTP - same | Flash (reprogrammable) | OTP - same |
| Pin Count | 28 | 28 - same | 28 - same | 28 - same | 28 - same |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 - same | 20 - same | 20 - same | 20 - same |
Key Differentiators
- Extended automotive temperature grade in same 28-SOIC footprint (vs PIC16C57-HS/SO)
- Highest 16 MHz oscillator speed in the OTP PIC16C5X family (vs PIC16C57-LPE/SO)
- OTP memory with mature tool chain versus flash alternatives (vs PIC16C57C-20/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16C57-HSE/SO requires a stable 4.5V to 5.5V supply with a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin. For battery-backed or sleep-mode designs, VDD rise time must satisfy the power-on reset (POR) specification of the device to guarantee a clean reset. Adding a bulk 10 uF tantalum capacitor near the regulator output suppresses voltage transients when motors or relays share the supply.
The "HSE" suffix designates the high-speed 16 MHz external oscillator mode. Use a fundamental-mode crystal or ceramic resonator with two 15-33 pF load capacitors sized to the crystal manufacturer's CL specification. For cost-sensitive designs, a 16 MHz external clock oscillator module can replace the crystal. Stray capacitance on OSC1/OSC2 traces should be minimized and routed away from high-noise signals to avoid clock jitter.
OTP memory cannot be erased or rewritten after programming - any firmware bug in production locks the device permanently. Always validate firmware using a JW (windowed) package or a flash-based PIC16F57 prototype before committing to OTP programming. The MCLR pin must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor and, in noisy environments, decoupled with a 100 nF capacitor to VSS. Do not leave I/O pins floating; unused pins must be configured as outputs to minimize supply current.
Compliance Information
RoHS, REACH, and AEC-Q100 status not explicitly stated in the Verified Web Data. Refer to Microchip product page or manufacturer datasheet for up-to-date compliance documentation. The "HSE" suffix indicates automotive temperature grade but does not by itself confirm AEC-Q100 qualification.
