PIC16C57C-40/P - 8-Bit OTP MCU, 2KB EPROM, 40MHz, 28-DIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C57C-40/P β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.95 | $5.95 |
| 10 | $5.35 | $53.50 |
| 100 | $4.76 | $476.00 |
| 500 | $4.28 | $2,140.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.82 | $3,820.00 |
PIC16C57C-40/P Overview
A PIC microcontroller is an 8-bit RISC-based Harvard-architecture MCU that uses separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same clock cycle. The PIC16C5X series is the entry-tier of Microchip's original PIC portfolio and sits in the broader taxonomy: 8-bit microcontroller -> RISC microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Its 33 single-word, single-cycle instruction set makes it simple to program in assembly while keeping code density exceptionally high thanks to the 12-bit-wide instruction word.
Key features of the PIC16C57C-40/P include a programmable 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit prescaler, watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable resets, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and a four-stage instruction pipelining engine. The 40 MHz internal clock (10 MHz external oscillator with 4x PLL multiplier) yields 100 ns instruction cycle time, enabling tight deterministic control loops for cost-sensitive real-time applications.
The PIC16C57C architecture uses a 12-bit program counter and dedicated W (working) register, with file registers organized into two banks. The OTP EPROM allows field programming of code via standard Microchip programmers such as the PICSTART Plus or PRO MATE II, supporting in-house development cycles for low-to-medium volume products. Its CMOS process keeps supply current low, extending battery life in portable or always-on designs.
Typical applications include appliance control, automotive body electronics, low-end remote keyless entry, security keypads, sensor interface modules, and small industrial controllers. Because the program memory is OTP rather than flash, the PIC16C57C is best suited for high-volume mature products where code is finalized and field re-programming is not required. For new designs requiring flash reprogrammability, the PIC16F57 or PIC16F59 family is the recommended modern equivalent.
When designing with the PIC16C57C-40/P, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 28) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the same node. A series resistor (typically 4.7 kohm to 10 kohm) on MCLR allows in-circuit serial programming while preventing unintended resets. Unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs and tied low to minimize current consumption.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from Microchip's own PIC16C5X family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C57C-40/P 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 PIC16C57C-40/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Timers, Watchdog Timer, Program Memory Size, Program Memory Type.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C57C-04/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57C-20/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C58B-40/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57C-40/SP
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16C57C-20I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F57-I/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C57C-40/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 2 KB (2K x 12) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes |
| CPU Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (12-bit instruction word) |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 100 ns |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 20 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with on-chip RC oscillator) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes |
| Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Package | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28, 0.600 inch / 15.24 mm row spacing) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole (DIP) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16C57C-40/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 3 | RTCC β Real-time clock/counter input (TMR0 external clock) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR β Master Clear reset input (active-low) |
| Pin 5 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RB0 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 7 | RB1 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB2 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RB3 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB6 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 13 | RB7 β Bidirectional I/O Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS β Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 β Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 β Oscillator output (crystal mode) / CLKOUT |
| Pin 17 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | RC4 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RC5 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RC6 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RC7 β Bidirectional I/O Port C bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 26 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 27 | VSS β Ground reference (third) |
| Pin 28 | VDD β Positive supply voltage 3.0 V to 5.5 V |
Typical Applications
PIC16C57C-40/P is suitable for 6 applications: Appliance Control (Washing Machines, Microwaves, Ovens), Security Keypads and Alarm Panels, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Garage-Door Transmitters, Sensor Interface and Data-Logger Modules, LED Display and Sign Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Modules).
Appliance Control (Washing Machines, Microwaves, Ovens)
The PIC16C57C-40/P's 2 KB OTP EPROM, 20 I/O pins, and 100 ns instruction cycle make it well suited for white-goods appliance controllers such as washing-machine motor control panels, microwave oven user interfaces, and induction-cooktop timer boards. The 25 mA source/sink per pin drives relays and triac optocouplers directly, eliminating external driver stages. The on-chip watchdog timer with independent RC oscillator ensures the controller resets cleanly if the motor-induced EMI corrupts program flow. Industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) handles under-cabinet and laundry-room thermal environments. Compared to a discrete logic-state-machine approach, the PIC16C57C-40/P integrates timer, brown-out, WDT, and I/O in one 28-pin package, reducing BOM count and PCB area.
Recommended
Security Keypads and Alarm Panels
In PIN-entry keypads and intrusion alarm panels, the PIC16C57C-40/P's 20 I/O pins directly scan a 4x4 matrix keypad (8 pins) and drive a 7-segment LED display plus status LEDs (8 pins) while retaining four pins for sensor inputs, tamper switch, buzzer, and relay output. The 72-byte RAM is sufficient for storing an 8-digit user PIN plus a small event log. The OTP EPROM prevents reverse engineering of the access-control algorithm, which is a security advantage over flash devices. The 40 MHz instruction rate debounces key contacts in software within microseconds, allowing a single MCU to handle keypad polling, lockout timing, and siren-driver PWM without an external timer.
Recommended
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Garage-Door Transmitters
Battery-powered RKE fobs and garage-door transmitters use the PIC16C57C-40/P because its CMOS process draws microamp-level supply current in sleep mode (typical 1 uA) and the 40 MHz clock allows fast Manchester or PWM encoding of the 315 MHz / 433 MHz SAW-resonator-based transmitter. The 100 ns instruction cycle executes a complete rolling-code algorithm (typically 64-bit hopping) well within the 20 ms button-press debounce window. The 28-pin PDIP package simplifies hand-assembly of low-volume fob designs. Brown-out reset prevents partial code execution when the coin-cell battery drops below 2.8 V at end of life, avoiding lock-up that could permanently disable the fob.
Recommended
Sensor Interface and Data-Logger Modules
Industrial sensor-conditioning boards use the PIC16C57C-40/P to multiplex 4-20 mA loop signals, thermocouple cold-junction compensation, and digital potentiometer control. The 20 I/O pins handle up to 16 digital sensor inputs plus SPI/UART bit-banged communication to a host PLC. The 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler allows precise 1 ms / 10 ms tick generation for sample-rate control. The 2 KB OTP EPROM holds calibration tables and linearization coefficients for thermocouples and RTDs. Industrial temperature grade ensures stable operation in -20 C cold-storage or +70 C boiler-room environments without active cooling.
Recommended
LED Display and Sign Controllers
Multiplexed LED matrix signs (8x32, 16x32) and scrolling marquee displays use the PIC16C57C-40/P because its 100 ns instruction cycle can refresh an 8x32 matrix at 100 Hz with no flicker when row-multiplexing is software-driven. The 20 I/O pins drive an 8-bit row driver, 4-bit column decoder, and the rest connect to EEPROM/font-lookup memory. The watchdog timer recovers the display if a row-driver latch-up occurs. OTP EPROM locks the font and animation code against field tampering, which is preferred for commercial signage where content licensing is sensitive. The wide 3.0 V to 5.5 V supply range supports both 3.3 V and 5 V LED-driver rails.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety Modules)
Although the PIC16C57C-40/P is not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is widely used in non-safety automotive aftermarket modules such as alarm-system controllers, parking-sensor displays, window-tint controllers, and interior-LED dimmers. Its 40 MHz instruction cycle handles ultrasonic echo timing in parking sensors within the 1 ms loop window, and the 20 I/O pins drive multiple LED bar-graph displays plus serial LIN-bus communication. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer survive the harsh automotive electrical environment (load-dump transients up to 40 V are handled by external TVS). For OEM safety-critical modules, the AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16C57C family members or the PIC16F series with Q-1 suffix are required.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C57C-40/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C57C-04/P | PIC16C57C-20/P | PIC16C58B-40/P | PIC16C57C-40/SP | PIC16C57C-20I/P | PIC16F57-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) | 28-pin Skinny PDIP (0.300 inch) | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) | 28-pin PDIP (DIP-28) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 100 ns | 1 us | 200 ns | 100 ns | 100 ns | 200 ns | 200 ns |
| Program Memory Size | 2 KB OTP EPROM | 2 KB OTP EPROM | 2 KB OTP EPROM | 4 KB OTP EPROM | 2 KB OTP EPROM | 2 KB OTP EPROM | 2 KB Flash (10k cycles) |
| RAM Size | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 73 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes | 72 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM (one-time-programmable) | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | OTP EPROM | Flash (re-programmable) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C (I-grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I-grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest speed grade in the PIC16C5X OTP family (vs PIC16C57C-04/P)
- Smallest program memory in the 40 MHz PIC16C5X family (vs PIC16C58B-40/P)
- OTP EPROM prevents field tampering (vs PIC16F57-I/P)
- Through-hole PDIP simplifies prototyping and field service (vs PIC16C57C-20/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC16C57C-40/P typically draws 5 mA at 5 V / 40 MHz with all I/O active, dropping to 1 uA in sleep mode. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 28) and a 10 uF bulk tantalum or aluminum electrolytic on the same VDD/VSS node to suppress switching transients from internal clock edges. Pin 5 (VSS) and pin 14 (VSS) and pin 27 (VSS) are all ground and must be connected to a low-impedance ground plane. Inadequate decoupling causes spurious resets when high-current I/O pins toggle simultaneously with TMR0 interrupts.
Three pitfalls to avoid: (1) Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure them as outputs and tie low to minimize supply current. (2) The OTP EPROM is one-time-programmable - firmware bugs cannot be field-fixed; use a PIC16F57 or PIC16F59 emulation cycle to validate firmware before committing the OTP part. (3) Brown-out reset threshold is fixed at approximately 4.0 V on this family; if VDD can sag below 4.0 V during motor inrush, add external voltage supervisor (e.g., MCP100) tied to MCLR. Failure to address these points leads to field returns and product recalls.
Route the MCLR reset line (pin 4) away from high-frequency switching nodes and the OSC1/OSC2 crystal traces (pins 15-16). Place the crystal within 5 mm of OSC1 and OSC2 with a ground guard ring around it to reduce EMI coupling into the oscillator. Use a 4.7 kohm to 10 kohm pull-up resistor on MCLR to VDD and a 0.1 uF capacitor in series if in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) is required; this prevents programming-pulse interference with normal operation. Keep I/O traces short and route them adjacent to the ground plane for clean logic-level transitions.
The PIC16C57C-40/P's 100 ns instruction cycle at 40 MHz means the MCU can respond to a Port-B interrupt within 400 ns of the rising edge. However, this responsiveness requires that RB0 (pin 6) interrupt-edge selection and global interrupt enable are correctly configured in the OPTION register and INTCON register. The 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler yields timer tick resolution of 100 ns at 40 MHz; do not expect more than 8-bit timing accuracy without external hardware. For applications requiring sub-microsecond timing, offload time-critical work to a hardware capture/compare peripheral or use an external CPLD.
Compliance Information
Standard PIC16C57C-40/P is not AEC-Q100 qualified - select PIC16C57C family members with automotive Q-grade designation for AEC-Q100 designs. RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
