PIC12F1501-E/MS - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 20MHz, 8-MSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F1501-E/MS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.04 | $1.04 |
| 10 | $0.92 | $9.20 |
| 100 | $0.78 | $78.00 |
| 500 | $0.66 | $330.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.57 | $570.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.48 | $1,440.00 |
PIC12F1501-E/MS Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Interface Controller) is a family of 8-bit RISC-based microcontrollers built on Harvard architecture, widely used in embedded control applications ranging from simple blinking-LED designs to industrial sensor interfaces and battery-powered IoT endpoints. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC12F1501 sits at the entry-level: PIC12 family -> 8-bit PIC -> microcontroller (MCU) -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device. It is part of the enhanced mid-range PIC12F family offering nanoWatt XLP technology for low-power operation.
Key features of the PIC12F1501-E/MS include 6 I/O pins, brown-out detect and power-on reset, PWM module, watchdog timer, and a wide 2.5V to 5.5V operating voltage range. The device includes a 10-bit ADC capable of up to 4 input channels and a CLC peripheral that allows hardware logic customization outside the CPU core, enabling reduced BOM cost in timer-driven designs.
Architecturally, the PIC12F1501 uses an enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC core with 49 instructions and a 200 ns instruction execution time at 20 MHz, providing deterministic interrupt response. The internal 16 MHz high-precision oscillator (calibrated to +/-1%) eliminates the need for an external crystal in most designs. NanoWatt XLP sleep currents extend battery life in duty-cycled sensor applications.
Typical applications for the PIC12F1501-E/MS include low-cost LED drivers, household appliance controls, battery chargers, sensor signal conditioning, and small consumer gadgets. Designers value this MCU for compact PCB layouts where only a few I/O are needed but accurate ADC and PWM functionality are essential.
When designing with this MCU, ensure decoupling capacitors are placed close to VDD (pin 1) and VSS (pin 8), and use the internal oscillator unless timing accuracy requires an external crystal. The ICSP programming interface pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) should be brought out to a header for in-circuit programming and debugging.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives sourced from the Microchip same-family lineup, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet to accelerate your component selection and PCB layout.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F1501-E/MS 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 PIC12F1501-E/MS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, RoHS Status, Core Processor, Instruction Execution Time, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1501-I/MS
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12F1822-E/MS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1840-E/MS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1501-E/SN
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.58 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12F1501-E/MS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC (8-bit RISC) |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 64 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| Package | 8-MSOP (3 x 3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT, CLC, NCO |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free MSOP) |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, enhanced mid-range core |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz high-precision (+/-1%) |
PIC12F1501-E/MS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive power supply input (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 β Bidirectional I/O pin; analog input channel AN3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4 β Bidirectional I/O pin; analog input channel AN2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR β Input only; Master Clear (reset) with internal weak pull-up |
| Pin 5 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O pin; analog input channel AN2 |
| Pin 6 | RA1/ICSPCLK β Bidirectional I/O pin; in-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 7 | RA0/ICSPDAT β Bidirectional I/O pin; in-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F1501-E/MS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, PWM LED Driver / Dimmer, Small Consumer Appliance Control, Capacitive Touch Button Interface, Automotive Aftermarket Sensor Module, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioner.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC12F1501-E/MS is a strong fit for IoT sensor nodes because it draws sub-microampere sleep current via nanoWatt XLP technology, includes a 10-bit ADC with up to 4 channels, and runs from a 2.5V-5.5V supply compatible with single-cell Li-ion or 2xAA batteries. With the internal 16 MHz oscillator factory-calibrated to +/-1% and CLC wake-on-event logic, designers can duty-cycle a temperature or humidity sensor at <1% duty cycle while keeping average current below 5 uA and battery life exceeding 5 years on a 2200 mAh cell. The 1.75 KB Flash holds small state machines and sensor compensation tables without needing an external EEPROM.
Recommended
PWM LED Driver / Dimmer
The PIC12F1501-E/MS excels at LED dimming thanks to its hardware PWM module plus the Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) which provides fine frequency resolution for flicker-free dimming down to 0.1% duty cycle. With 20 MHz core speed the PWM can operate above 100 kHz to drive external MOSFETs switching high-brightness LEDs or strips, while the CLC cell can combine PWM outputs for RGB color mixing without software overhead. The wide 2.5V-5.5V supply range lets the same PIC12F1501 board drive both 3.3V indicator LEDs and 5V LED strings without level shifters, simplifying BOM and PCB layout.
Recommended
Small Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC12F1501-E/MS is widely used in small consumer appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and hair dryers where 4-6 I/O pins are sufficient for button inputs, relay drive, buzzer control, and status LEDs. The enhanced mid-range core runs 49 instructions and handles state-machine logic in 1.75 KB Flash while the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor or potentiometer inputs for temperature or speed control. Brown-out detect and watchdog timer provide the robustness required for unattended operation, and the -E temperature grade covers under-cabinet and hot-zone mounting up to 125 C junction.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Button Interface
The PIC12F1501-E/MS can implement capacitive touch sensing using the mTouch SDK with the 10-bit ADC and CLC peripheral to debounce and post-process sensor readings, supporting 1-3 touch buttons in the same 8-pin package. Its sub-microampere sleep current allows battery-powered remote controls and wall switches to sit idle for years while waking on a touch event. The internal 16 MHz oscillator provides stable timing for charge-time measurement cycles, and the 8-MSOP footprint fits inside the tightest PCB outlines behind decorative panels.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Sensor Module
The PIC12F1501-E/MS with its -40 C to +125 C extended temperature grade is qualified for automotive aftermarket sensor modules such as tire-pressure monitors, cabin air-quality sensors, and aftermarket alarm interfaces. The CLC and NCO peripherals let the MCU synthesize precision timing or waveform generation without external timers, while the 10-bit ADC reads Wheatstone-bridge sensors directly. The 8-MSOP package is small enough to fit inside an OBD-II dongle or tire valve stem housing, and its 2.5V-5.5V input range works with 12V automotive rails after a simple LDO drop.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioner
The PIC12F1501-E/MS serves as a low-cost front-end signal conditioner for industrial 4-20 mA loop sensors, thermocouples, and RTDs where its 10-bit ADC and PWM output can convert analog measurements into either PWM duty-cycle or frequency outputs for transmission to a PLC. The -E temperature grade supports panel-mount industrial installations where ambient temperatures reach 85 C, and the brown-out detect ensures the MCU restarts cleanly after brown-out events in noisy factory environments. Its enhanced mid-range core runs PID loops in firmware at sub-millisecond intervals, replacing dedicated analog controllers in budget-sensitive applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F1501-E/MS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1501-I/MS | PIC12F1822-E/MS | PIC12F1840-E/MS | PIC12F1501-E/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-MSOP | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-SOIC - same pinout, different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM Size | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 64 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| CLC Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unit Price @ 1 (as of 2026-09-15) | $1.04 | $0.95 | $1.30 | $1.55 | $1.04 |
Key Differentiators
- Factory-calibrated internal oscillator eliminates external crystal (vs PIC12F1840-E/MS)
- Lowest-cost 8-pin PIC MCU with CLC and NCO peripherals (vs PIC12F1822-E/MS)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade in MSOP package (vs PIC12F1501-I/MS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 1) and VSS (pin 8) of the PIC12F1501-E/MS, with the trace length kept under 3 mm. For designs using the ADC, add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the MCU to suppress supply-rail ringing from relay or PWM switching loads. The internal voltage regulator requires VDD > 2.5V; below this, brown-out detect triggers a safe reset. Use MCP1700-3302E LDO upstream to provide clean 3.3V from higher input rails.
Pin 4 (RA3/MCLR) is input-only and shares the MCLR reset function; it has an internal weak pull-up enabled by configuration bits, but in noisy industrial environments add an external 4.7 kohm-10 kohm pull-up to VDD to ensure reliable reset. Forgetting to disable the MCLR function in the configuration word disables pin 4 as a general-purpose input - always verify the CONFIG register settings in MPLAB X before finalizing firmware. ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT pins (6 and 7) are multiplexed with RA1 and RA0; ensure your PCB layout does not place series resistors >470 ohm on these lines or ICSP programming will fail.
Route the ICSP programming header traces (ICSPCLK pin 6, ICSPDAT pin 7) away from PWM or switching signals to avoid noise-induced programming failures. Keep analog input traces (RA0-RA5) short and guarded with ground traces to minimize ADC crosstalk; the 10-bit ADC has limited dynamic range and benefits from 4-layer PCB stack-up with a dedicated ground plane. When using the internal oscillator, do not place the MCU near a switching power converter or crystal oscillator without shielding - the +/-1% accuracy can degrade under EMI.
Compliance Information
Lead-free MSOP package per MSL1 / 260 C JEDEC J-STD-020 reflow profile. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select PIC16F or automotive-grade PIC parts if AEC-Q100 is mandatory.
