PIC16C57C-20E/SS - 8-bit OTP MCU, 3KB EPROM, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57C-20E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.78 | $17.80 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.25 | $1,250.00 |
PIC16C57C-20E/SS Overview
What is a PIC16C5X microcontroller? The PIC16C5X is a family of low-cost, high-performance, 8-bit fully static EPROM/ROM-based CMOS microcontrollers from Microchip Technology that introduced the PIC RISC architecture to a broad base of 8-bit embedded designs. These parts belong to the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> CMOS MCU -> RISC MCU -> semiconductor IC. They target applications that need deterministic, simple instruction flow rather than the largest memory map, and they predate the PIC16F flash family while remaining software and pin-compatible with later PIC16F5X replacements.
Key features include a 12-bit wide instruction set that achieves 2:1 code compression versus other 8-bit microcontrollers in its class, a hardware watchdog timer, power-on reset, and a brown-out reset block, plus an 8-bit real-time clock/counter. The device is specified for the extended automotive temperature range (-40C to +125C), as indicated by the "E" designator, and ships in a 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) gull-wing surface-mount package. The "C" suffix marks the CMOS "C" revision with the higher 20 MHz ceiling.
Architecturally, the PIC16C57C uses a Harvard-style separate code and data path, a 2-level deep hardware stack, and direct/indirect addressing modes for all 80 general-purpose registers. The OTP EPROM lets engineers code-protect each address location individually, which is a benefit over mask-ROM parts for low-volume and field-updateable products.
Typical applications include automotive body and chassis controllers, industrial sensor interfaces, low-cost consumer appliances, security and access-control panels, and any 5V logic replacement board where legacy PIC code is being re-used on a modern PCB. When designing with the PIC16C57C, allocate the 2-level hardware stack carefully because it limits interrupt-less call depth, and place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57C-20E/SS — 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 PIC16C57C-20E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Watchdog Timer, Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory Size.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57C-20E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-04E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F57-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C56-10E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C57C-20E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16C5X (PIC16C57C) |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 12-bit |
| Number of Instructions | 33 single-word |
| Instruction Execution Time | 100 ns @ 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB (2K x 12) |
| RAM | 72 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 20 |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz (speed grade -20) |
| Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended automotive, "E") |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (gull-wing) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (on-chip) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Code Protection | Yes (per-location EPROM protect bits) |
| Tube / Reel | Tube |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C57C-20E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC — Real-time clock/counter input pin |
| Pin 4 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| 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 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference (additional) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57C-20E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Controllers, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Low-Cost Consumer Appliances, Security and Access Control Panels, Hobbyist and Educational Boards, Legacy 5V Logic Replacement Boards.
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC16C57C-20E/SS is well-suited to automotive body and chassis controller modules because it is rated for the extended -40C to +125C temperature range ("E" designator) and offers 20 digital I/O pins for driving relays, lamps, and switches. Its 3 KB OTP EPROM gives enough code space for body-control state machines while per-location code protection locks the firmware. The 100 ns instruction cycle at 20 MHz lets the firmware debounce inputs and sequence outputs within typical 10 ms automotive task budgets without taxing the 2-level hardware stack.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
In industrial sensor-interface boards, the PIC16C57C-20E/SS handles analog-front-end conditioning, threshold detection, and HMI signalling with its 20 I/O lines and 20 MHz CPU. The 72-byte RAM is sufficient for running moving-average filters on sampled inputs, while the on-chip watchdog timer and brown-out reset guard against lock-ups in noisy factory environments. Designers appreciate the deterministic PIC16C5X 12-bit instruction set for predictable real-time behaviour on assembly-coded control loops.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Appliances
White-goods and small consumer appliances use the PIC16C57C-20E/SS because the OTP EPROM plus 33 single-word instructions deliver a low BOM cost while keeping firmware development simple. At 20 MHz the controller can run key-scan, display multiplex, and triac-fire timing on a single device. The 28-pin SSOP package drops onto compact appliance PCBs and reflows cleanly alongside discrete passives.
Recommended
Security and Access Control Panels
Security alarm panels, keypad readers, and access-control terminals rely on the PIC16C57C-20E/SS for keypad scanning, EEPROM-backed credential storage I/O, and relay actuation. Its on-chip code protection prevents firmware extraction, and the watchdog timer protects against code hang-ups in unattended installations. The 20 MHz instruction cycle keeps keypad debounce and tamper-detection loops responsive without external logic.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Boards
The PIC16C57C-20E/SS appears on older PIC training kits, university curricula, and legacy hobbyist projects where the 33-instruction PIC16C5X instruction set is used to teach assembly fundamentals. Students can step through 100 ns single-cycle instructions and observe real I/O behaviour on the 20-pin port without RTOS complexity. The SSOP-28 footprint also fits modern breakout boards.
Recommended
Legacy 5V Logic Replacement Boards
When modernizing boards originally designed around 5V CMOS logic, the PIC16C57C-20E/SS slots in as a software-replacement for glue-logic state machines - consolidating flip-flops, decoders, and timers into a single 28-pin device. The 4.5-5.5 V supply range matches TTL/CMOS rails directly, and the 20 I/O lines replace enough gates to shrink the BOM. Designers keep the same 5V rails and gain programmable flexibility.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57C-20E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57C-20E/SO | PIC16C57C-04E/SS | PIC16F57-I/SS | PIC16C57-10E/SS | PIC16C56-10E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SSOP | 28-pin SOIC (different PCB land pattern, same pinout) | 28-pin SSOP - same | 28-pin SSOP - same | 28-pin SSOP - same | 28-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 3 KB | 3 KB | 3 KB | 3 KB | 3 KB | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Instruction Execution Time | 100 ns @ 20 MHz | 100 ns @ 20 MHz | 1 us @ 4 MHz | 200 ns @ 20 MHz | 400 ns @ 10 MHz | 400 ns @ 10 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Code Protection | Yes (per-location EPROM) | Yes (per-location EPROM) | Yes (per-location EPROM) | Yes (flash protect bits) | Yes (per-location EPROM) | Yes (per-location EPROM) |
Key Differentiators
- 20 MHz speed grade with OTP EPROM (vs PIC16C57C-04E/SS)
- Extended automotive temperature range (vs PIC16F57-I/SS)
- 28-pin SSOP compact package (vs PIC16C57C-20E/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (the 28-pin SSOP PIC16C57C-20E/SS has multiple VSS/VDD pairs) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic at the regulator output. The PIC16C5X datasheet specifies a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply range; ensure the regulator stays above 4.75 V at maximum transient load to avoid spurious brown-out reset events. Estimated: with IDD ~5 mA typical at 20 MHz and ~10 uA standby, a 10 uF bulk cap sustains operation for ~2 ms during regulator droop.
Route the 20 MHz crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) as short, symmetrical loops and keep them away from high-current switching nodes. Add a guard ground ring around the oscillator area and a 4-layer PCB with a continuous ground plane if possible. Estimated: with 28-pin SSOP at 0.65 mm pitch, route the clock traces on the top layer under 10 mm length to minimize parasitic capacitance below 5 pF and avoid erratic oscillator startup.
The PIC16C5X family uses a 2-level hardware stack, which means CALL nesting deeper than two will overwrite the stack and cause erratic returns. Plan your firmware to keep call depth <= 2, or convert deep logic into inlined state machines. Also remember MCLR must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up; leaving MCLR floating can produce unreliable resets on noisy rails.
The PIC16C57C-20E/SS I/O pins source/sink up to 25 mA per pin (100 mA total per port) per Microchip datasheet DC characteristics. For LED-driving or relay-driving applications, add a series resistor or FET driver rather than direct connection. Estimated: at 5 V VDD driving a 20 mA LED at 2.0 V Vf, the series resistor is R = (5 V - 2.0 V) / 20 mA = 150 ohm; use the nearest E24 value 150 ohm with 1/4 W rating.
The 28-pin SSOP package has a thermal resistance around theta_JA ~ 100 C/W on a standard JEDEC 2-layer test board, so thermal management is rarely a concern at the 20 MHz / 4.5-5.5 V operating point. Still, for automotive under-hood designs that may see +125 C ambient, derate clock frequency by 10% for every 10 C above +85 C, or switch to the -04 speed grade to limit self-heating.
Compliance Information
PIC16C57C-20E/SS is RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The "E" temperature grade (-40C to +125C) supports automotive environments but the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16C57C-20E/SS automotive-grade qualified variants for AEC-Q100 needs.
