PIC10LF320-I/P - 8-bit 16MHz MCU, 448B Flash, 8-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC10LF320-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.82 | $0.82 |
| 10 | $0.74 | $7.40 |
| 100 | $0.67 | $67.00 |
| 500 | $0.59 | $295.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.54 | $540.00 |
PIC10LF320-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, program memory, data RAM, and peripheral interfaces. The PIC10LF320 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller family (8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device) and uses a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses. The "LF" prefix indicates a low-voltage (1.8V minimum) variant, while "F" denotes Flash-based program memory that is in-system programmable via ICSP.
Key features include an integrated 16 MHz precision internal oscillator (no external crystal required), four user-configurable I/O pins with interrupt-on-change capability, a 10-bit ADC with up to 4 channels, and ultra-low power consumption suitable for battery-powered applications. The device offers a single 16-bit timer (TMR0) with programmable prescaler, a watchdog timer, and an enhanced PWM module. With only 35 instructions to learn and single-cycle execution (except branches), the architecture is approachable for new firmware developers while remaining powerful for experienced embedded engineers.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, simple LED drivers, and replacement of discrete logic in space-constrained designs. The wide 1.8V-3.6V range supports direct connection to single-cell Li-ion or two-cell alkaline battery stacks. With only 448 bytes of Flash, the PIC10LF320 is best suited to firmware tasks in the few-hundred-instruction range rather than complex protocol stacks.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC10LF320-I/P — 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 PIC10LF320-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC10F320-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC10F322-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC10LF320-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC10F200-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC10F220-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC10LF320-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 448 bytes (256 x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 32 bytes (64 bytes data memory) |
| EEPROM | None |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 16 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 250 ns at 16 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 4 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Timers | 1 x 16-bit (TMR0) |
| PWM Modules | Enhanced PWM, up to 4 channels |
| Comparator | 1 internal comparator |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP (through-hole) |
| Pin Count | 8 |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-cycle instructions |
| Stack Depth | 8 levels (hardware) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC10LF320-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5/GP5/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / external clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/GP4/AN3/C1OUT — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / comparator output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Input only / Master Clear reset (active-low) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2/GP2/AN2/T0CKI/PWM1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / Timer0 clock / PWM output |
| Pin 6 | RA1/GP1/AN1/PWM2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 7 | RA0/GP0/AN0/PWM3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC10LF320-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, IR Remote Control Transmitters, LED Lighting Controllers, Replacement of Discrete Logic, Industrial Control Timers and Sequencers, Toy and Hobby Electronics.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC10LF320-I/P is well-suited for low-power wireless sensor nodes reading temperature, humidity, or contact closure signals. Its 1.8V minimum supply allows direct connection to a single 1.5V alkaline or depleted 2x AA battery stack without a boost converter, while the integrated 16 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the external crystal typically required for RF timing. The 10-bit ADC with up to 4 channels digitizes analog sensors with 1 mV LSB resolution at 3.3V reference, and 4 GPIO pins drive status LEDs or wake-up interrupts. Power consumption in sleep mode is sub-microamp, extending coin-cell battery life to years in duty-cycled applications.
Recommended
IR Remote Control Transmitters
Consumer IR remote controls benefit from the PIC10LF320-I/P's tiny 8-PDIP footprint and PWM module capable of generating 38 kHz carrier frequencies directly without external timer ICs. The 35-instruction RISC core executes IR protocol stacks (RC5, NEC, Sony SIRC) in under 200 bytes of Flash, well within the 448-byte program memory budget. The 1.8V-3.6V range supports direct coin-cell operation, while the comparator enables zero-crossing detection for AC-coupled receiver designs. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure reliable operation across battery end-of-life voltage decay.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC10LF320-I/P's enhanced PWM module supports up to 4 channels of 10-bit PWM, enabling smooth color mixing in RGB or RGBA LED fixtures without additional driver ICs. The 16 MHz instruction cycle provides 61 ns PWM resolution at 244 Hz refresh, eliminating visible flicker in video and photography environments. With 448 bytes of Flash and 32 bytes of RAM, the device handles DMX512 break detection or simple button-debounced color cycling in compact form factors. The 1.8V minimum enables USB-powered or Li-ion battery operation in portable mood-lighting designs.
Recommended
Replacement of Discrete Logic
Engineers often replace dozens of 74HC-series logic gates with a single PIC10LF320-I/P programmed as a state machine, reducing PCB area and BOM cost. The 8-pin PDIP package occupies the same board space as a single SOIC-8 gate, yet replaces 4-8 logic ICs by interpreting input conditions and driving outputs via firmware. The Flash memory allows last-minute logic changes without PCB respins, accelerating prototyping and reducing NRE costs. Programmable I/O pull-ups, interrupt-on-change, and the integrated comparator implement glue logic, timers, and edge detection in firmware.
Recommended
Industrial Control Timers and Sequencers
Factory automation relay replacement and sequencing applications benefit from the PIC10LF320-I/P's industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and 1.8V-3.6V supply tolerance. The hardware 16-bit TMR0 timer with programmable prescaler generates accurate timing intervals up to 16.4 ms at full resolution, extendable to seconds via software counters. The integrated comparator monitors analog setpoints without external op-amps, while the PWM module drives opto-isolated triac gates for AC load control. The 8-level hardware stack supports nested interrupt service routines for multi-stage sequencing.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
Cost-sensitive hobby and toy designs use the PIC10LF320-I/P for sound effects, motor control, and simple game logic at unit pricing under $0.60 at volume. The Flash memory supports last-minute sound-table updates and feature additions without tooling changes typical of mask-ROM MCUs. Operating from 2x AA cells (3.0V nominal), the device integrates a 10-bit ADC for battery voltage monitoring, an internal 16 MHz oscillator, and PWM outputs for servo or DC motor speed control. The 8-PDIP package is breadboard-friendly for educational use and easy hand-soldering for hobbyist kits.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC10LF320-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC10LF320-I/OT | PIC10F320-I/P | PIC10F322-I/P | PIC10LF320-E/P | PIC10F200-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-PDIP (through-hole) | SOT-23-6 (SMT) | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 448 B Flash | 448 B Flash | 448 B Flash | 896 B Flash | 448 B Flash | 384 B OTP |
| RAM | 32 B | 32 B | 32 B | 64 B | 32 B | 16 B |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 8-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | None |
| Memory Type | Flash (reprogrammable) | Flash | Flash | Flash | Flash | OTP |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
| I/O Pins | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum supply voltage in PIC10 family (vs PIC10F320-I/P)
- Flash memory versus OTP (vs PIC10F200-I/P)
- Integrated 10-bit ADC versus no ADC (vs PIC10F200-I/P)
- Higher RAM and Flash versus PIC10F320 base (vs PIC10F320-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC10LF320-I/P integrates an internal 16 MHz oscillator, but power consumption scales linearly with clock frequency and supply voltage. Estimated: at 3.3V VDD and 16 MHz active mode, IDD is approximately 1.5 mA. For battery-powered designs, use the LF oscillator (31 kHz internal) during sleep periods and switch to HF only for ADC sampling or PWM bursts to extend battery life by 10-100x.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1) with a ground return via the shortest path to VSS (pin 8). For noisy environments or ADC accuracy improvement, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the IC power pins. The 8-PDIP package allows easy breadboarding, but for production designs consider migrating to the SOT-23-6 variant (PIC10LF320-I/OT) for smaller board area and better supply decoupling.
The MCLR pin (RA3, pin 4) is bidirectional on this device and must NOT be left floating - tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor for normal operation. For ICSP programming, Microchip recommends a diode-and-capacitor reset circuit to allow in-circuit programming without manual reset. Failing to configure the CONFIG register bits (especially WDTE and FOSC) before code execution can result in unintended watchdog resets or oscillator selection issues.
The 10-bit ADC requires an input source impedance below 10 kohm for full 10-bit accuracy at the default acquisition time. For higher-impedance sensors (e.g., photodiodes or large resistor dividers), increase the ADC acquisition time via the ADCON1 register or add an external buffer op-amp. The internal 1.024V or 2.048V bandgap reference can be selected for ratiometric measurements, reducing absolute-reference drift over temperature.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only); for automotive applications consider PIC10F320T-E/OTVAO or PIC16F series.
