PIC12F508T-E/SN - 8-bit Flash MCU, 4MHz, 768B Flash, 8-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F508T-E/SN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.78 | $0.78 |
| 10 | $0.71 | $7.10 |
| 100 | $0.62 | $62.00 |
| 500 | $0.55 | $275.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.48 | $480.00 |
PIC12F508T-E/SN Overview
What is a baseline PIC microcontroller? A baseline PIC microcontroller (PIC10/12 family) is an 8-bit RISC MCU using a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses and a 2-level deep hardware stack. It executes one instruction per oscillator cycle (200 ns at 20 MHz, 1 µs at 4 MHz internal oscillator) and is positioned at the entry-level of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio, optimized for cost-sensitive and pin-constrained applications such as consumer appliances, toys, sensor signal conditioning, and simple logic replacement.
Key features include one 8-bit timer (TMR0), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with on-chip RC oscillator, In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP), In-Circuit Debugging, 25 mA source/sink per I/O pin, ultra-low 100 nA sleep current, and an extended operating temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C. The internal 4 MHz precision oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
Architecturally, the PIC12F508 uses a 14-bit instruction word (12 bits used for opcode plus data), 8-bit data path, and 2-level stack. The Harvard architecture allows instruction fetch and data access to occur in the same cycle, giving deterministic 1 MIPS performance at 4 MHz. The Flash memory supports in-system programming via ICSP, enabling firmware updates in the field without removing the device.
Typical applications include consumer electronics (remote controls, toys, small appliances), automotive body electronics (interior lighting, simple sensor interfaces), industrial control (timers, sequencers, logic replacement), IoT edge nodes (battery-powered sensor readouts), and home appliances (white goods user interfaces). The 100 nA sleep current makes it well-suited to battery-backed or energy-harvesting designs.
When designing with the PIC12F508, note that the device operates from 2.0 V to 5.5 V and is qualified to the -E (Extended) temperature grade. The T-suffix indicates Tape-and-Reel packaging for high-volume assembly. For new designs, Microchip recommends the PIC16F15313 as the modern migration path with enhanced peripherals and lower power.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, application notes, and design considerations not consolidated in a single location in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F508T-E/SN — 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 PIC12F508T-E/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Watchdog Timer, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F509T-I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F508-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F508-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F508T-I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F508-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F508T-E/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC12 Baseline (RISC, 8-bit, Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12 words) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | Not present (Flash-only) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz internal oscillator |
| Instruction Set Size | 33 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Word Width | 12 bits |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 1 µs at 4 MHz (single-cycle except branches) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| Timers | One 8-bit timer (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated on-chip RC oscillator) |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA per pin |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Sleep Current | 100 nA typical |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended, -E grade) |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (SN, 3.90 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging Type | Tape & Reel (T-suffix) |
| Programming/Debug Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) and ICD |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free SOIC) |
| MSL Level | MSL1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
PIC12F508T-E/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN — General-purpose I/O / Timer1 clock input / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/GP3/MCLR — General-purpose I/O / Master Clear reset (active low, weak pull-up) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR — Input-only general-purpose I/O / Master Clear reset (shared with pin 3 on this device variant) |
| Pin 5 | GP2/T0CKI/INT/COUT — General-purpose I/O / Timer0 clock input / external interrupt / comparator output |
| Pin 6 | GP1/ICSPCLK — General-purpose I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | GP0/ICSPDAT — General-purpose I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F508T-E/SN is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Electronics Remote Controls, Automotive Interior Lighting Controllers, Industrial Timer and Sequencer Modules, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Sensor Nodes, White Goods and Appliance User Interfaces, Logic Replacement and Glue Logic Consolidation.
Consumer Electronics Remote Controls
The PIC12F508T-E/SN is well suited to IR/RF remote control designs requiring a compact 8-pin MCU with low power consumption. Its 4 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal cost, while 768 bytes of Flash is sufficient for IR protocols (RC5, NEC, SIRC) and button debouncing logic. The 100 nA sleep current extends battery life to multi-year levels; the device wakes on GPIO interrupt and executes the IR transmit routine before returning to sleep. With 6 GPIO pins, the device can directly interface with a 4x3 button matrix and an IR LED driver transistor. The extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade supports automotive keyfob and outdoor remote applications.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting Controllers
The PIC12F508T-E/SN's extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade and 25 mA per-pin drive capability support direct control of LED strings or small incandescent lamps in automotive interior lighting (ambient lighting, door-handle indicators, footwell illumination). The internal 4 MHz oscillator meets automotive EMI requirements when paired with proper PCB layout. The single 8-bit TMR0 with prescaler enables software PWM dimming; the 768-byte Flash accommodates lookup-table-based fade sequences. ICSP allows post-assembly firmware calibration for OEM-specific lighting patterns. Per Microchip automotive qualification, the -E grade variants are commonly specified for cabin-mounted ECUs.
Recommended
Industrial Timer and Sequencer Modules
In industrial timing applications such as conveyor sequencing, relay debouncing, and machine cycle control, the PIC12F508T-E/SN provides deterministic 1 µs instruction execution for accurate timing without external RTC. The hardware Watchdog Timer with dedicated RC oscillator ensures safe recovery from fault conditions. Six GPIO pins can directly drive optocouplers or low-side MOSFETs; the 2.0-5.5 V supply supports both 3.3 V and 5 V industrial backplanes. The 768-byte Flash comfortably fits small sequencing state machines. The extended temperature grade supports unconditioned factory floor cabinets. Per the Microchip PIC12 baseline documentation, the WDT can be enabled with a configurable postscaler.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Sensor Nodes
The PIC12F508T-E/SN fits energy-harvesting and coin-cell powered IoT edge sensor nodes that need to read a sensor, transmit via simple GPIO bit-banging, and return to sleep. The 100 nA typical sleep current enables multi-year battery life in applications like wireless temperature loggers, asset trackers, and smart agriculture sensors. The internal 4 MHz oscillator wakes the device quickly without external crystal warm-up delay. ICSP allows in-field firmware updates for evolving wireless protocols. With 6 GPIO available, the MCU can interface with a single SPI sensor (3-wire plus chip select) while bit-banging a sub-GHz transmitter. The compact SOIC-8 footprint suits space-constrained wearables and disposable sensor patches.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance User Interfaces
Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and microwave ovens use low-cost 8-pin MCUs like the PIC12F508T-E/SN to drive 7-segment LED displays, button inputs, and buzzer feedback. The 25 mA per-pin source/sink current can directly drive common-anode or common-cathode LED segments without driver transistors, reducing BOM cost. The 4 MHz internal oscillator maintains accurate timing for cooking timers, wash-cycle clocks, and buzzer tones. Six GPIOs are sufficient for 3 buttons plus a buzzer/relay driver, or for a small LED bar graph. The extended temperature grade supports oven-cabinet environments. The Watchdog Timer ensures the appliance recovers from power-line glitches.
Recommended
Logic Replacement and Glue Logic Consolidation
Many designs still use multiple 74HC00-series gates, flip-flops, and timers that can be consolidated into a single PIC12F508T-E/SN. The 768-byte Flash easily fits custom state machines, sequence controllers, and PWM generators in 100-200 lines of C code. The hardware determinism (single-cycle execution) preserves the timing predictability designers expect from discrete logic. With 6 GPIOs available, a single MCU can replace 2-3 standard logic packages, reducing PCB area and assembly cost. The internal 4 MHz oscillator and ICSP programming allow rapid prototyping and field updates. This application is particularly attractive for low-volume industrial and instrumentation equipment.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F508T-E/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F509T-I/SN | PIC12F508-I/SN | PIC12F508-E/SN | PIC12F508T-I/SN | PIC12F508-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-8 (SN, 3.90 mm) | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | SOIC-8 (SN) - same | PDIP-8 (P) - through-hole, different footprint |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 768 bytes (512 x 12) | 1.5 KB (1024 x 12) | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes |
| RAM | 25 bytes | 41 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes | 25 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 4 MHz internal oscillator | 4 MHz internal oscillator | 4 MHz internal oscillator | 4 MHz internal oscillator | 4 MHz internal oscillator | 4 MHz internal oscillator |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (-E grade) | -40 °C to +85 °C (-I grade) | -40 °C to +85 °C (-I grade) | -40 °C to +125 °C (-E grade) | -40 °C to +85 °C (-I grade) | -40 °C to +85 °C (-I grade) |
| Sleep Current (typical) | 100 nA | 100 nA | 100 nA | 100 nA | 100 nA | 100 nA |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (with dedicated RC oscillator) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade (-40 to +125 °C) (vs PIC12F508-I/SN)
- Tape-and-Reel packaging for high-volume SMT (vs PIC12F508-E/SN (tube))
- Lowest-cost 8-bit Flash MCU in 8-SOIC with extended temperature (vs PIC12F509T-I/SN)
Design Notes
The PIC12F508T-E/SN draws approximately 100 nA in sleep mode and ~1 mA active at 4 MHz and 5 V. For battery-powered designs, minimize active time by waking from sleep only on GPIO interrupt, executing the required I/O sequence, and returning to sleep within 100-200 instruction cycles. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the supply rail to handle GPIO switching transients. The internal POR (Power-On Reset) and BOR (Brown-Out Reset) eliminate the need for external reset supervision in most designs.
For the SOIC-8 (SN) package, follow standard surface-mount PCB layout practices: use a ground plane on the bottom layer stitched with vias around the IC, keep the VDD trace short and wide (≥0.3 mm), and place the decoupling capacitor as close as possible to pin 1 (VDD). For programming via ICSP, route the ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT traces (pins 6 and 7) with no series resistors or buffers, allowing the PICkit programmer to drive them directly. Per Microchip's ICSP design guide, add a 4.7 kΩ pull-up on MCLR (pin 4) if not using internal weak pull-up.
Three common pitfalls when designing with the PIC12F508T-E/SN: (1) The GP3/MCLR pin (pin 4) is input-only and cannot be configured as output - design GPIO allocation accordingly. (2) The MCLR pin (pin 3) is shared with GP4 on most baseline PIC12 devices - verify the variant's datasheet pinout to avoid configuring the reset pin as a regular output. (3) Programming via ICSP requires the device to be in a known state; ensure ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT lines are not pulled low by external circuitry during programming. Per Microchip baseline programming specifications, the configuration word must be set correctly for oscillator selection and watchdog configuration.
Although the 4 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal noise sensitivity, take care with the GPIO traces used for ICSP. Keep ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT traces short (≤50 mm), avoid running them parallel to switching power traces, and ensure no more than 30 pF total capacitive load on each line. For designs using GP2 as an external interrupt source, add a 1-10 kΩ series resistor and a 100 pF capacitor to ground for EMI filtering, while respecting the GPIO source/sink 25 mA limit. The internal comparator (if used) requires careful PCB layout to avoid digital switching noise coupling into the analog inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product declaration. Lead-free SOIC package with matte tin plating. MSL1 per JEDEC J-STD-020. REACH compliance documentation available from Microchip environmental portal. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the -E temperature grade is process-grade extended, not automotive-qualified; for AEC-Q100 PIC12 baseline parts, refer to Microchip's automotive-grade portfolio.
