PIC12F508-E/MC - 8-bit 4MHz Flash MCU, 768B, 8-DFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F508-E/MC ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.97 | $0.97 |
| 10 | $0.88 | $8.80 |
| 100 | $0.79 | $79.00 |
| 500 | $0.72 | $360.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.65 | $650.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.55 | $1,650.00 |
PIC12F508-E/MC Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a self-contained computer-on-a-chip integrating an 8-bit CPU, program memory, RAM, and peripherals. It belongs to the microcontroller family, which itself sits within embedded processors, embedded computing, and finally the broader category of integrated circuits. The PIC12F508-E/MC uses a RISC-like Harvard architecture with only 33 single-word/12-bit instructions, achieving typical 2:1 code compression over competitive 8-bit MCUs and enabling dense firmware in tiny program-memory footprints.
Key features include 4 MHz internal oscillator accuracy, 2.0V to 5.5V wide operating voltage, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), a watchdog timer with on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, power-saving Sleep mode, and an 8-bit real-time timer/counter (TMR0). The 8-DFN exposed-pad package provides a low thermal-resistance path, suitable for compact, thermally-constrained consumer and industrial designs. The -E suffix designates the Extended (industrial) temperature range of -40C to +125C.
Architecturally, the PIC12F508-E/MC uses a two-stage pipeline with single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches, and a 12-bit-wide instruction word that delivers compact code density. The internal 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. Compared to PIC10F-series 6-pin MCUs, the PIC12F508 adds 2 extra I/O lines, more program memory, and the timer/counter peripheral, while remaining in a similar price bracket.
Typical applications include low-cost consumer appliances, LED lighting controllers, battery chargers, simple sensor interfaces, toys, and remote-control transmitters. Designers also use the PIC12F508-E/MC as a "smart" replacement for discrete logic or analog timer circuits, consolidating glue logic and timing functions into a single reprogrammable device. The 8-pin DFN footprint is ideal where board space is at a premium.
When designing with this device, note the lack of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and on-chip debug interface - engineers requiring these features should consider the PIC12F1572 or PIC12F1822 family. For new designs, Microchip recommends the PIC16F15313 as a newer pin-compatible successor with enhanced peripherals.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F508-E/MC — 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 PIC12F508-E/MC (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Instruction Set, Internal Oscillator, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F508-I/MC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.47 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F509-I/MC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-I/MC
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1822-E/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1572-E/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F15313
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F508-E/MC Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12 words) Flash |
| RAM Size | 25 B |
| Number of I/O Pins | 5 |
| CPU Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 33 instructions, 12-bit wide |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz RC (factory calibrated) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E) |
| Timers | One 8-bit timer/counter (TMR0) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with on-chip RC oscillator |
| Reset | Power-On Reset (POR), MCLR |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| ADC | None |
| Package | 8-VFDFN Exposed Pad (2x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F508-E/MC Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP5/OSC1/CLKIN — General-purpose I/O / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP4/OSC2/CLKOUT — General-purpose I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 3 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — Input-only GPIO / Master Clear reset / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | GP2/T0CKI/COUT — GPIO / TMR0 clock input / comparator output |
| Pin 5 | GP1/CIN-/ICSPCLK — GPIO / comparator inverting input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 6 | GP0/CIN+/ICSPDAT — GPIO / comparator non-inverting input / ICSP data |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin EP | Exposed Pad (EP) — Thermal pad - tie to VSS for thermal dissipation (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC12F508-E/MC is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting Controller, Battery-Powered Sensor Interface, Remote Control Transmitter, Simple Consumer Appliance Logic, Toy and Hobby Electronics, Discrete Logic Replacement (Glue Logic), Battery Charger Auxiliary Controller.
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC12F508-E/MC fits LED lighting controllers because its 4 MHz internal oscillator, 5 GPIO pins, and 25 B RAM are sufficient to drive PWM dimming via external MOSFETs while keeping cost at ~USD 0.97. The 2.0-5.5V wide operating voltage matches single-cell Li-Ion or 5V USB-LED drivers. The integrated watchdog timer with dedicated RC oscillator ensures flicker-free operation if the firmware locks up. Compared with discrete 555-timer designs, it consolidates dimming, on/off timing, and remote-control decoding into one reprogrammable chip, reducing BOM area. Designers use Sleep mode (sub-microamp typical) between user events to extend battery life in portable fixtures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Interface
The PIC12F508-E/MC is suited to battery-powered sensor interfaces thanks to its 2.0V minimum operating voltage, low Sleep current, and ability to wake from pin-change interrupts. Five I/O pins can scan simple digital sensors, switches, or thermistor bridges via the on-chip comparator. The 8-DFN package footprint is only 2x3 mm, ideal for coin-cell or single-AAA sensor tags. Designers often pair the MCU with an external I2C ADC for accurate temperature/humidity readings, then transmit via a low-cost radio module. The 768 B Flash accommodates ~500 instruction words - enough for sensor linearization, averaging, and basic RF packet handling.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC12F508-E/MC excels in infrared/RF remote control transmitters because its 4 MHz CPU and 25 B RAM can encode standard RC5/RC6 or proprietary protocols using a single timer and bit-banging. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply range accommodates 3V coin cells, 4.5V battery packs, and USB-powered designs. Five GPIO pins handle 5 to 20 matrix keys via Charlieplexing, eliminating external key-scan ICs. The on-chip watchdog timer with independent RC oscillator prevents firmware lockups that would otherwise leave a transmitter stuck 'on' and drain the battery. Cost at ~USD 0.55 in volume makes it the cheapest reprogrammable option for high-volume consumer remotes.
Recommended
Simple Consumer Appliance Logic
The PIC12F508-E/MC consolidates glue logic in small consumer appliances - toasters, fans, blenders, and countertop timers - replacing discrete logic ICs with a single reprogrammable part. Its 5 GPIO pins handle button inputs, LED indicators, relay drivers, and buzzer outputs; the 768 B Flash supports 12-bit-wide compact code for sequencing, debounce, and safety interlocks. The integrated power-on reset (POR) and brown-out reset provide robust cold-start behavior, while the -40C to +125C extended temperature range (E suffix) tolerates appliance thermal environments. Engineers use Sleep mode to minimize standby power, often below 100 uA.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
The PIC12F508-E/MC is widely used in toy and hobby electronics where cost dominates design. Its 4 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external components, the 8-DFN (2x3 mm) package fits inside toy housings, and the wide 2.0-5.5V supply range supports 2xAA battery packs and single-cell Li-Ion packs alike. Designers can implement motor-control sequences, sound playback (via PWM-driven buzzers), LED animations, and simple IR communication within the 768 B Flash. The Extended -E temperature rating covers the full toy operating envelope including hot cars and cold garages, while the low unit cost (USD 0.55 at 3k reels) enables price-sensitive toy designs.
Recommended
Discrete Logic Replacement (Glue Logic)
The PIC12F508-E/MC replaces discrete logic ICs - 555 timers, flip-flops, and shift registers - with a single reprogrammable part, reducing PCB area and component count. Its 5 GPIO pins are individually programmable as inputs, outputs, or interrupt-on-change sources, replacing simple combinatorial logic with microcoded firmware. The 12-bit instruction width delivers dense code in the 768 B Flash, enough to implement complex glue functions that would otherwise require several 74-series TTL chips. With 4 MHz CPU speed and 200 ns instruction cycle, it can also generate precise timing sequences without external RC components, simplifying design and improving EMI behavior.
Recommended
Battery Charger Auxiliary Controller
The PIC12F508-E/MC acts as an auxiliary controller in low-cost battery charger designs where the main charger IC handles power-path control and the PIC handles user interface, LED status indication, safety timer, and temperature monitoring via external thermistor. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply range covers single-cell Li-Ion and 6V SLA battery voltages. The integrated watchdog timer with its own RC oscillator ensures reliable charger state-machine operation even in noisy switching environments. Five GPIO pins can drive RGB status LEDs, sense charger-current feedback, and detect USB plug insertion, while the 8-DFN package fits within the charger's compact housing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F508-E/MC — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F508-I/MC | PIC12F509-I/MC | PIC12F1501-I/MC | PIC12F1822-E/MF | PIC12F1572-E/MF | PIC16F15313 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (2x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 768 B Flash | 768 B Flash (same) | 1.5 KB Flash (+100%) | 1.75 KB Flash (+128%) | 3.5 KB Flash (+356%) | 3.5 KB Flash (+356%) | 3.5 KB Flash (+356%) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B (same) | 41 B (+64%) | 64 B (+156%) | 128 B (+412%) | 256 B (+924%) | 256 B (+924%) |
| CPU Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (5x) | 32 MHz (8x) | 32 MHz (8x) | 32 MHz (8x) |
| I/O Pins | 5 | 5 (same) | 5 (same) | 6 (+1) | 6 (+1) | 6 (+1) | 6 (+1) |
| ADC | None | None (same) | None | 10-bit ADC | 10-bit ADC | 10-bit ADC | 10-bit ADC |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial, +60C lower upper limit) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Unit Price (qty 1, USD) | 0.97 | 0.95 (similar) | 1.00 (+3%) | 1.30 (+34%) | 1.55 (+60%) | 1.45 (+49%) | 1.40 (+44%) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-cost 8-bit Flash MCU in Microchip's 8-pin family (vs PIC12F1501-I/MC)
- Wider Extended temperature range than the I suffix variant (vs PIC12F508-I/MC)
- Tighter DFN package footprint vs SOIC variants (vs PIC12F508-E/SN)
Design Notes
GP3 is input-only and shares its pin with the MCLR reset and ICSP VPP function. Designers cannot use GP3 as a digital output; attempting to drive it high in firmware will not work and can cause programming issues. For ICSP programming, leave GP3/MCLR/VPP accessible via a header or test point - if used as a reset source, ensure the pull-up is no greater than 10 kohm to maintain proper ICSP voltage levels. Brown-out reset and external reset are both supported, but only one source can drive the MCLR pin at a time to avoid contention.
The 8-DFN (2x3 mm) package exposes a thermal pad (EP) on the underside. According to the Microchip datasheet, this pad must be soldered to the PCB - preferably to a VSS copper pour of at least the same area as the pad - to provide mechanical strength and a low thermal-resistance path. Inadequate EP soldering can cause intermittent failures under thermal cycling. For high-vibration environments, add underfill or corner staking. Keep high-speed digital traces away from the EP area on the bottom layer to minimize crosstalk.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 8) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the VDD/VSS rails to suppress voltage transients during CPU activity and Sleep wake-up events. The internal 4 MHz oscillator draws ~0.6 mA during active operation, so the bulk capacitor must handle the inrush current during Sleep-to-active transitions. If using the MCLR reset, add a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; if not using MCLR, tie it directly to VDD to free up GP3 as an input. Always consult the PIC12F508/509/16F505 datasheet (DS41236E) for full power-budget calculations.
Estimated: at VDD=5.0 V, CPU active at 4 MHz (typical I_DD = 1.1 mA), power dissipation is approximately 5.5 mW. In Sleep mode (typical I_PD = 100 nA), power drops to 0.5 uW. The 8-DFN exposed-pad package provides a thermal resistance of approximately 60 C/W to ambient (estimated; consult datasheet for confirmed value), so even at maximum CPU load the junction temperature rise is well under 1 C. For continuous high-temperature operation near 125 C, ensure the EP is soldered to maximize heat spreading - this is critical for appliance and automotive applications.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, use the PIC12F1822-E/MF or PIC16F15313 with AEC-Q100 qualification. Halogen-free and lead-free per Microchip material declarations.
