Microchip PIC16C57-XT/P 8-Bit OTP Microcontroller Datasheet and Application Overview
The Microchip PIC16C57-XT/P is a high-performance 8-bit microcontroller from the renowned PIC® family, fabricated using Microchip’s proven OTP (One-Time Programmable) CMOS technology. This microcontroller is engineered for cost-sensitive, high-volume applications requiring robust performance and reliability. Its core architecture is built around an efficient RISC CPU, which executes the vast majority of its instructions in a single clock cycle, enabling high throughput at comparatively low clock speeds.
A key feature of the PIC16C57 is its 12-bit wide instruction set with 2K x 12 words of OTP program memory. This OTP nature makes it an ideal solution for products that have finalized their firmware and are destined for mass production, eliminating the cost overhead of UV-erasable or flash-based memory. The device also incorporates 72 bytes of RAM for data handling and a hardware stack for managing subroutine calls and interrupts.
The PIC16C57-XT/P features 20 I/O pins that are highly flexible and can be configured on the fly to suit various application needs. These pins are grouped into three ports (Port A, Port B, and Port C) and provide the essential interface to the external world. The device includes an integrated 8-bit real-time clock/counter (Timer0) with an 8-bit programmable prescaler, which is crucial for creating accurate timing loops, measuring intervals, or counting external events.
Power management and operational flexibility are enhanced by built-in features like the power-on reset (POR) and the watchdog timer (WDT). The watchdog timer acts as a guardian, resetting the microcontroller if the software ever becomes stuck in an unintended loop, thereby ensuring system reliability. The oscillator options are versatile, supporting configurations from precise crystal oscillators (as denoted by the "XT" suffix) to cost-effective RC oscillators, allowing designers to balance accuracy against cost.
From an application perspective, the PIC16C57 has been a workhorse in numerous embedded systems. Its combination of sufficient I/O, reliable OTP memory, and a simple yet powerful instruction set has made it a popular choice for applications such as automotive controls, industrial automation, consumer electronics, and security systems. For instance, it can be found at the heart of motor control circuits, sensor interface modules, remote controls, and simple keyboard encoders. Its ability to operate over a wide voltage range (typically 3.0V to 6.0V) further extends its suitability for battery-powered portable devices.
In summary, the PIC16C57-XT/P represents a classic, no-frills microcontroller solution that delivers dependable performance for a vast array of embedded control tasks. Its OTP memory ensures cost-effectiveness for finalized designs, while its peripheral set provides the necessary tools for building intelligent, responsive, and reliable electronic products.
ICGOODFIND: The PIC16C57-XT/P is a quintessential OTP microcontroller, offering a perfect blend of simplicity, cost-efficiency, and reliability for high-volume production runs where firmware stability is assured.
Keywords: OTP Memory, RISC Architecture, I/O Pins, Watchdog Timer, Embedded Control.
