PIC12F1501-I/MF - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F1501-I/MF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.02 | $1.02 |
| 10 | $0.92 | $9.20 |
| 100 | $0.78 | $78.00 |
| 500 | $0.68 | $340.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.59 | $590.00 |
PIC12F1501-I/MF Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computing device that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (typically Flash), working RAM, and a set of peripheral interfaces into a single low-cost silicon die. The 8-bit PIC architecture sits within a broader taxonomy: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. PIC12F-series parts specifically target low-pin-count, cost-sensitive designs where every GPIO and instruction cycle is precious.
Key differentiating features of the PIC12F1501 include its on-chip 10-bit ADC with up to 6 analog input channels, hardware PWM/Capture/Compare modules, an internal configurable oscillator that eliminates external crystals in many designs, and the DFN-8 package with 6 general-purpose I/O pins plus dedicated reset and oscillator functions. The instruction set provides hardware atomic bit operations, simplifying firmware for I/O-heavy tasks like driving LEDs, reading sensors, or pulsing MOSFET gates.
The device operates from -40C to +85C industrial temperature, supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via PICkit 3, MPLAB ICD 3, and the Curiosity development board, and uses enhanced low-power sleep modes suitable for battery-powered sensor nodes. Its 49-instruction enhanced mid-range core delivers approximately 5 MIPS at 20MHz.
Typical applications include LED lighting control, simple sensor hubs, battery chargers, remote controls, and auxiliary MCU companion chips where minimal pin count and low BOM cost matter more than raw throughput. The internal oscillator and DFN-8 footprint also suit space-constrained wearables.
Designers should evaluate whether 1.75KB of Flash and 64 bytes of RAM are sufficient for their application code size, and plan for the ICSP header footprint if in-circuit debugging is required. PICkit 3 or ICD 3 plus header AC244051/AC244052 is needed for external debug on this pin-limited package.
This page consolidates distributor pricing across DigiKey, Mouser, LCSC and Microchip Direct, drop-in alternatives in the same DFN-8 footprint, and engineering design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F1501-I/MF — 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-I/MF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Maximum CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1501-I/MF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-I/SN
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1501-E/MF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1501T-I/MF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$0.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12C671-04I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-I/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit PIC |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16 stack levels |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) Flash |
| RAM | 64 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 6 channels |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes (configurable, software-selectable) |
| PWM / CCP | Yes |
| Programming / Debug | ICSP via PICkit 3, MPLAB ICD 3 (AC244051/AC244052 header) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free DFN) |
PIC12F1501-I/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — GPIO / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — GPIO / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — GPIO / Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F1501-I/MF is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and RGB Controllers, Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs, Remote Control Transmitters, Battery Charging and Power Management Companions, Wearable and Fitness Electronics, Automotive Interior Accessories.
LED Lighting and RGB Controllers
The PIC12F1501-I/MF fits LED lighting and RGB control because its integrated PWM/CCP modules deliver hardware-based dimming and color mixing, while the 10-bit ADC with up to 6 channels reads photodiodes or current-sense resistors for closed-loop brightness control. The internal configurable oscillator eliminates external crystals and the 3x3 mm DFN-8 footprint supports bulb retrofit boards where every mm matters. Placed on the LED driver's control board, it modulates MOSFET gates via PWM at up to 20MHz instruction rate, providing smooth dimming curves without software artifacts and reducing BOM cost versus discrete timer circuits.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs
The PIC12F1501-I/MF suits battery-powered sensor hubs because the enhanced mid-range core supports low-power sleep modes and the 1.75KB Flash fits typical sensor-fusion firmware for temperature, motion, and humidity nodes. With 2.5V to 5.5V operation it works directly from a single Li-ion cell (3.0-4.2V), simplifying power tree design. The 10-bit ADC reads analog sensors while the internal oscillator removes the external 32 kHz crystal, lowering quiescent current below 100 nA in sleep, which extends coin-cell battery life in IoT deployments.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC12F1501-I/MF powers IR remote transmitters and small RF encoder circuits because its 6 GPIO pins drive keypad matrix scanning, IR LED modulation, and indicator LEDs without external logic. The 49-instruction enhanced mid-range core with hardware bit manipulation encodes protocols like NEC, RC5, or proprietary OOK efficiently in firmware. The DFN-8 3x3 mm package fits slim remote housings, and the 20MHz instruction rate supports carrier frequencies up to 50 kHz for accurate IR subcarrier generation.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Power Management Companions
The PIC12F1501-I/MF functions as an auxiliary MCU in battery chargers and smart power-management units because its 10-bit ADC monitors charging current, battery voltage, and temperature, while PWM outputs control charge MOSFETs in CC/CV profiles. The 2.5V to 5.5V VDD range interfaces directly with single-cell Li-ion or Li-Po packs without level shifting. With 1.75KB Flash it hosts state-machine firmware for JEITA-compliant thermal regulation and LED status indication, all in a tiny DFN-8 footprint that fits compact charger PCBs.
Recommended
Wearable and Fitness Electronics
The PIC12F1501-I/MF works in wearable fitness electronics because its DFN-8 3x3 mm footprint fits wristbands and patches, while the enhanced mid-range core and 10-bit ADC read biometric sensors (heart rate, skin temperature, GSR). The 2.5V to 5.5V supply runs from coin cells or single Li-ion, and the PWM modules drive vibration motors for haptic feedback. With 1.75KB Flash it supports step-counting and sleep-tracking firmware, while low-power sleep modes extend battery life to multi-week wearable runtimes.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
The PIC12F1501-I/MF drives interior automotive accessories such as ambient lighting, USB charging indicators, and door-lock actuators because it provides PWM-controlled LED dimming and 10-bit ADC feedback in a compact DFN-8 package. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range covers most cabin environments, while the 5V-tolerant I/O interfaces directly with vehicle 12V rails via simple resistor dividers. With 1.75KB Flash it hosts firmware for fault detection and diagnostic blink codes, reducing external component count versus discrete logic.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F1501-I/MF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1501-I/MF | PIC12F1501-I/SN | PIC12F1501-E/MF | PIC12F1501T-I/MF | PIC12C671-04I/MF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-SOIC (3.90 mm) - different land pattern | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (MF) - same family |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB OTP |
| RAM | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 128 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels | 8-bit, 4 channels |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Enhanced mid-range core with 49 instructions vs older 35-instruction base-line cores (vs PIC12F617)
- Internal configurable oscillator eliminates external crystal in most designs (vs PIC12C671-04I/MF)
- Higher 10-bit ADC resolution with 6 channels vs older 8-bit ADCs (vs PIC12C671-04I/MF)
Design Notes
Estimated: the DFN-8 package has a center thermal pad that MUST be soldered to a copper land on the PCB tied to VSS for both thermal dissipation (the package dissipates roughly 100mA continuous) and mechanical reliability. Skipping the center pad soldering causes intermittent failures under thermal cycling. Per Microchip DFN-8 footprint guidelines, the land should be at least 1.5x1.5mm with multiple thermal vias to the inner ground plane.
PIC12F1501-I/MF requires the external debug header AC244051 or AC244052 for in-circuit debugging because the 8-pin package does not expose dedicated debug pins. ICSP programming via PICkit 3 still works without the header, but if your firmware team plans to single-step code, order the header upfront. Without it, only production programming and limited debug via breakpoint-on-reset are possible.
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of pin 1, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor at the board supply input. Per the Microchip PIC12F1501 datasheet, this prevents brown-out during CCP/PWM switching transients. For battery-powered designs, route ADC reference voltages through small ferrite beads to isolate digital switching noise from analog measurements, especially when reading low-level sensor signals below 100 mV full-scale.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free DFN package per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive, evaluate PIC12F1501-E/MF (extended temp) or consult Microchip's automotive-grade MCU families.
