Microchip PIC16C54C-04I/SS 8-Bit CMOS Microcontroller Overview

The Microchip PIC16C54C-04I/SS is a foundational member of Microchip’s extensive PIC® microcontroller family. This 8-bit CMOS microcontroller is engineered for cost-sensitive, low-power, and high-performance embedded control applications. Its robust architecture and peripheral set make it a versatile solution for a wide array of industrial, consumer, and automotive electronics.

Housed in a 20-pin Shrink Small Outline (SS) package, this device is designed to save valuable board space while providing excellent manufacturability. The ‘I’ suffix indicates its industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C), ensuring reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions. The ‘04’ designation signifies its maximum clock frequency of 4 MHz, enabling a solid balance between processing speed and power consumption.

At the core of the PIC16C54C is a high-performance RISC CPU. The architecture features a reduced instruction set with only 33 single-word instructions, all of which execute in a single cycle except for program branches. This simplicity allows for extremely fast development and a very small code footprint, maximizing efficiency. With a 12-bit wide program memory word, it offers a direct addressing range for 512 x 12 of on-chip EPROM program memory.

Key features include:

512 x 12-bit EPROM Program Memory

25 x 8-bit General-Purpose Registers (RAM)

12 I/O Pins with individual direction control

8-bit Timer/Counter with an optional prescaler

Power-on Reset (POR) and Device Reset Timer (DRT)

Watchdog Timer (WDT) for enhanced reliability

Power-saving SLEEP mode

CMOS technology for low power consumption

The microcontroller is supported by a comprehensive suite of development tools, including the MPLAB® X IDE, compilers, and hardware programmers, streamlining the design process from concept to production.

ICGOODFIND: The PIC16C54C-04I/SS remains a classic, reliable choice for designers seeking a proven, low-cost, and efficient 8-bit microcontroller for embedded control tasks. Its simplicity, low power, and industrial robustness make it ideal for applications like sensor interfaces, motor control, security systems, and remote transmitters.

Keywords: 8-bit Microcontroller, CMOS Technology, RISC Architecture, Industrial Temperature, Low Power Consumption.