PIC12F1571-E/MF - 8-bit MCU, 16-bit PWM, 1.75KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F1571-E/MF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.28 | $12.80 |
| 100 | $1.14 | $114.00 |
| 500 | $1.01 | $505.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.89 | $890.00 |
PIC12F1571-E/MF Overview
What is a PIC microcontroller? A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) is a family of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit RISC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology built on a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. The PIC12 series targets cost- and pin-constrained embedded applications and belongs to the broader microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device hierarchy. The PIC12F1571 specifically bridges the gap between the smaller PIC10/12 base line and the mid-range PIC16 family by integrating high-resolution analog and PWM peripherals that previously required larger packages.
Key features include three 16-bit PWMs with independent timers for high-resolution LED dimming, motor control, and digital power conversion, an on-chip 10-bit ADC, a comparator with rail-to-rail inputs, and nanoWatt XLP sleep currents as low as 20 nA typical. The device operates from 2.5V to 5.5V across the extended -40C to +125C industrial range, supporting battery-powered and harsh-environment designs without external regulation.
Architecturally the PIC12F1571 uses the enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set, providing single-cycle execution for most instructions and hardware stack support for fast interrupt response. The 16-bit PWM modules are clocked from a dedicated timer base, enabling frequency and duty-cycle updates without CPU intervention. Combined with the integrated 10-bit ADC and rail-to-rail comparator, the part can implement closed-loop LED drivers, smart lighting, fan control, and sensor signal conditioning in a single 8-pin package.
Typical applications include RGB LED color mixing, white LED dimming, small DC fan or pump speed control, battery chargers, IoT sensor nodes, and consumer appliances. The three independent 16-bit PWMs are especially valuable in LED lighting designs that need smooth high-resolution dimming without flicker.
When designing with this part, ensure the ICD programming header is accessible if in-circuit debugging is required, and budget board area for the exposed thermal pad of the DFN package which must be soldered to a copper pad for reliable mechanical and thermal performance. This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance not found on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F1571-E/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 PIC12F1571-E/MF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, Package, Operating Temperature, MSL Level.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1571-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.76 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1571T-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1572-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501T-I/MU
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615T-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.66 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1571-E/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range (RISC) |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 (independent timers) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Comparators | 1 (rail-to-rail inputs) |
| Package | 8-pin DFN (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended, "E" grade) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F1571-E/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V-5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM3 / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM2 / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / MCLR / ICSPCLK (input only) |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM1 / analog input / comparator output |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / comparator input |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F1571-E/MF is suitable for 6 applications: RGB LED Lighting Driver, DC Fan Speed Control, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, White Goods Control Board, Battery Charger / Power Bank Controller, Automotive Interior Lighting.
RGB LED Lighting Driver
The PIC12F1571-E/MF fits RGB LED lighting because its three independent 16-bit PWMs can directly drive the red, green, and blue constant-current channels with 16-bit duty resolution for flicker-free dimming below 1%. The 32 MHz CPU executes color-mixing algorithms and DMX-512 or Bluetooth-Mesh receive routines in real time, while the 10-bit ADC reads an ambient light sensor for closed-loop brightness control. Powered from a 5V or 3.3V rail, the part consumes only tens of microamps in sleep, enabling always-on night-light modes. Combined with a low-cost NFET current sink per channel, it forms a complete 3-channel RGBW engine in roughly 10 mm x 10 mm of board space.
Recommended
DC Fan Speed Control
The PIC12F1571-E/MF is well-suited to small brushless DC fan control because the 16-bit PWM generates the switching frequency for the FET bridge while the integrated comparator senses the back-EMF zero-cross for sensorless commutation timing. The 32 MHz core leaves enough headroom for closed-loop RPM PI control at PWM frequencies up to 50 kHz, avoiding audible whine. The 2.5V-5.5V supply matches directly to a 5V or 3.3V fan rail, and nanoWatt XLP sleep reduces standby current to ~20 nA so battery-powered fans can sit idle for years. Six GPIO are sufficient for tach input, PWM output, fault, and a serial debug pin to a service UART.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC12F1571-E/MF fits IoT sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP sleep current of ~20 nA lets a coin-cell node run for years between battery swaps. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor, photodiode, or gas-sensor analog outputs, and the 16-bit PWM can drive an IR LED for distance or proximity sensing without an extra timer IC. Six GPIO include UART or I2C bit-banged interfaces for an external sensor module, and the 1.75 KB Flash accommodates state machines plus simple command sets. Extended -40C to +125C operation enables outdoor or industrial deployments without thermal guarding.
Recommended
White Goods Control Board
The PIC12F1571-E/MF is appropriate for white-goods control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, coffee machines) because its three 16-bit PWMs can drive a triac or relay dimmer, a pump, and a buzzer tone generator from a single IC. The rail-to-rail comparator implements zero-cross detection for triac firing without an external op-amp, and the 10-bit ADC reads NTC temperature sensors for over-temperature protection. Extended -40C to +125C operation survives the appliance thermal environment, and the 3x3 mm DFN-8 package fits behind a small keypad PCB. The on-chip ICSP allows in-circuit firmware updates during factory calibration.
Recommended
Battery Charger / Power Bank Controller
The PIC12F1571-E/MF supports linear or switch-mode battery charging because its 10-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and charge current while a 16-bit PWM drives the pass element or synchronous FET gate. The comparator provides instantaneous over-current protection with sub-microsecond response, and the 32 MHz core runs a CC/CV charge profile state machine plus optional LED status indication. Operating from 2.5V-5.5V, it can boot directly from a single lithium cell and survive USB VBUS hot-plug events. The 8-pin DFN-8 package fits inside a small power-bank housing alongside the battery protection MOSFETs.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting
The PIC12F1571-E/MF addresses automotive interior lighting such as RGB dome lamps, footwell accents, and instrument cluster backlights because the three 16-bit PWMs provide smooth 16-bit duty resolution for fade-in/fade-out transitions and color mixing. The rail-to-rail comparator detects 12V battery cranking dropouts and drives an emergency-dim mode. Extended -40C to +125C operation handles under-dash temperatures, and the 3x3 mm DFN-8 package fits inside an LED light engine. For full AEC-Q100 qualification the PIC12F1571-E/MF automotive sibling (-VAO or -ICE variants) should be selected; the standard /E grade is suitable for non-safety interior modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F1571-E/MF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1571-I/MF | PIC12F1571T-I/MF | PIC12F1572-I/MF | PIC12F1501-I/MF | PIC12F1501T-I/MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) - same | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) - same | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) - same | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) - same | DFN-8 (3x3 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 64 B | 64 B |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 (4x 10-bit PWM) | 0 (4x 10-bit PWM) |
| Comparator | Yes (rail-to-rail) | Yes (rail-to-rail) | Yes (rail-to-rail) | Yes (rail-to-rail) | No | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Unit Price (qty 1, USD) | 1.42 | 1.34 | 1.38 | 1.40 | 1.12 | 1.10 |
Key Differentiators
- Three independent 16-bit PWM channels in an 8-pin package (vs PIC12F1501-I/MF)
- Integrated rail-to-rail comparator for zero-cross detection (vs PIC12F1501-I/MF)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade in DFN-8 (vs PIC12F1571-I/MF (industrial -40C to +85C))
- 32 MHz CPU with hardware multiplier for DSP-style filtering (vs PIC12F615T-I/MS)
Design Notes
The DFN-8 (3x3 mm) package exposes a thermal pad on its underside. According to the Microchip package outline drawing, this pad must be soldered to a copper land pattern on the PCB to provide mechanical anchor and thermal dissipation. Use an array of vias under the pad to conduct heat into inner copper planes. Skipping the via array is a common pitfall that causes the part to lift during reflow and leads to intermittent power-rail opens.
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail within 10 mm. For applications that switch high currents on PWM outputs, add a ferrite bead in series with VDD to prevent digital switching noise from injecting into the analog ADC reference. The internal regulator is powered directly from VDD; clean power is essential to achieve the 10-bit ADC performance specified.
Do not connect RA3 to a high-impedance analog source when the MCLR function is enabled, because RA3 is input-only and shared with the master-clear reset. Disable MCLR via the CONFIG register if RA3 must be used as an analog input. Also, do not exceed 5.5V on any pin; absolute maximum VDD is 6.5V and ESD clamping will degrade with overvoltage events.
Keep PWM output traces short and routed away from the ADC input traces to minimize digital-to-analog crosstalk. Use a guard ring around the analog input pin connected to a quiet analog ground. For ICSP programming, route ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT to a 2x3 or 1x6 header with at least 2.54 mm pitch to accept a standard Microchip PICkit programmer cable. Series 4.7 kohm resistors on the ICSP lines prevent programmer contention with the application circuit.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. The /E extended grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified - select the -VAO or -ICE automotive sibling for AEC-Q100 modules.
