The PIC16C5X from Microchip Technology is a family of low-cost, high performance, 8-bit, fully static,
EPROM/ ROM-based CMOS microcontrollers. It employs a RISC architecture with only 33 single
word/single cycle instructions. All instructions are single cycle (200 ns) except for program branches which take two cycles. The PIC16C5X delivers performance an order of magnitude higher than its competitors in the same price category. The 12-bit wide instructions are highly symmetrical resulting in 2:1 code compression over other 8-bit microcontrollers in its class. The easy to use and easy to remember instruction set reduces development time significantly.

The PIC16C5X products are equipped with special features that reduce system cost and power equirements. The Power-On Reset (POR) and Device Reset Timer (DRT) eliminate the need for external reset circuitry. There are four oscillator configurations to choose from, including the power-saving LP (Low Power) oscillator and cost saving RC oscillator. Power saving SLEEP mode, Watchdog Timer and code protection features improve system cost, power and reliability.