PIC12F615-I/MF - 8-bit 20MHz MCU 1.75KB Flash | Microchip | 8-DFN
MPN: PIC12F615-I/MF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.47 | $2.47 |
| 10 | $2.21 | $22.10 |
| 100 | $1.95 | $195.00 |
| 500 | $1.74 | $870.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.32 | $3,960.00 |
PIC12F615-I/MF Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals on a single die. The PIC12 architecture belongs to Microchip's PIC® family of RISC microcontrollers, a hierarchy that includes 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit device families, with the 12F sub-family positioned as the low pin-count (8-14 pin) tier used in space-constrained and cost-sensitive embedded designs.
Key features of the PIC12F615 include an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set, internal oscillator trimming, on-chip 8 MHz RC oscillator selectable between 8 MHz and 31 kHz LF modes, up to 4 channels of 10-bit ADC, two comparators with rail-to-rail inputs, one 8-bit and one 16-bit timer, an enhanced PWM module, an internal 1.024 V reference, and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). The device also includes a nanoWatt power-managed sleep mode with 10 nA typical standby current for battery-powered applications.
The PIC12F615 uses a CMOS Harvard-architecture RISC core, separating program and data buses so the CPU can fetch instructions while reading data. The Flash-based program memory supports self-programming and ICSP, enabling field firmware updates without removing the part from the board.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, small appliance controls, sensor signal conditioning, battery chargers, automotive body electronics (non-safety), and IoT edge nodes. The internal 8 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost and PCB footprint.
When designing with this device, ensure the exposed pad (pin 8) is soldered to a sufficient copper pour for thermal dissipation. The internal oscillator accuracy (±1% typical after calibration) is adequate for UART but tight baud-rate-critical applications may require an external crystal.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in DFN-8 alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F615-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 PIC12F615-I/MF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Internal Oscillator, Timers, Comparators, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F615-I/MD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.64 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615T-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F609-I/MD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F617-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.73 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F510-I/MC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-E/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615-I/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (enhanced mid-range) |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash (1K x 14) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (software selectable, 31 kHz LF) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Comparators | 2 (rail-to-rail inputs) |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM | Enhanced CCP module, 10-bit resolution |
| Package | 8-pin DFN (3 x 3 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| MSL Level | MSL1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC12F615-I/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1CKI/OSC1/CLKIN/P1A — General-purpose I/O / Timer1 clock input / crystal input / PWM output |
| Pin 3 | GP4/AN3/T1G/OSC2/CLKOUT/P1D — General-purpose I/O / ADC CH3 / Timer1 gate / crystal output / CLKOUT / PWM output |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — General-purpose input / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT/P1A — General-purpose I/O / ADC CH2 / TMR0 clock / external interrupt / comparator output / PWM output |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN1/CIN-/ICSPCLK — General-purpose I/O / ADC CH1 / comparator in- / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | GP0/AN0/CIN+/ICSPDAT — General-purpose I/O / ADC CH0 / comparator in+ / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS/EP — Ground reference / Exposed thermal pad (must be soldered to PCB ground for thermal dissipation) |
Typical Applications
PIC12F615-I/MF is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Control, Battery Charger Management, Sensor Signal Conditioning, Small Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), IoT Edge Nodes.
LED Lighting Control
The PIC12F615-I/MF is well-suited for small LED lighting controllers because its 20 MHz core, 10-bit PWM, and 6 I/O pins let it drive up to several LED channels with smooth dimming. The Enhanced CCP module provides 10-bit PWM resolution for flicker-free brightness control, while the internal 8 MHz oscillator removes the need for an external crystal. With its 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range, the device can be powered directly from a 3.3 V or 5 V LED driver rail, and the nanoWatt sleep mode (<100 nA typical standby) makes it practical for battery-backed accent lighting.
Recommended
Battery Charger Management
In single-cell Li-ion or NiMH charger circuits, the PIC12F615-I/MF serves as the charge-state brain, using its on-chip 1.024 V voltage reference and rail-to-rail comparators to monitor battery voltage precisely. Its 10-bit ADC samples up to four analog signals (battery voltage, charge current, temperature, cell ID) without external components. The 2.0 V minimum supply allows operation directly from a depleted cell during recovery charging, while the wide Flash endurance (≥100 k cycles) supports daily charge logging.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
For sensor-interface modules in industrial or IoT products, the PIC12F615-I/MF offers 10-bit ADC conversion and two comparators that handle bridge sensors, thermistors, and photodiodes without external analog ICs. Its 6 I/O pins are sufficient to read one analog sensor, drive one digital actuator, and provide UART or I²C telemetry back to a host. The internal 8 MHz oscillator (±1% factory-calibrated) supports I²C and basic UART communication without crystal cost.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
Coffee machines, kitchen timers, blenders, and similar small appliances benefit from the PIC12F615-I/MF's mix of analog and digital peripherals. The MCU can read button matrices, drive triac/relay outputs via PWM or GPIO, and manage a 7-segment or OLED user interface. The 8-DFN 3x3 mm package fits densely populated appliance boards, and the industrial -40 to +85 °C temperature grade covers kitchen and laundry environments where ambient temperatures are elevated.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC12F615-I/MF serves in non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting, courtesy lamps, and seat-position switches where AEC-Q100 is not mandatory. Its 5.5 V maximum supply tolerates 12 V battery transients after regulation, and the 8 MHz internal oscillator rejects vibration-induced crystal failures common to mechanical environments. The industrial -40 to +85 °C range covers cabin conditions; the AEC-Q100 -40 to +125 °C range requires the PIC12F615-E/MF or PIC12F615T-I/MF qualified variant.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes
Battery-powered IoT edge nodes such as wireless sensor tags and BLE beacons leverage the PIC12F615-I/MF's nanoWatt sleep mode (down to 10 nA typical) to extend operating life on coin cells. The 6 I/O pins connect directly to low-power radios via UART or SPI bit-banging, while the 10-bit ADC reads environmental sensors. The wide 2.0 V to 5.5 V range supports direct operation from a CR2032 (3.0 V) or 2xAA cells down to depletion without boost converters.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F615-I/MF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F615-I/MD | PIC12F615T-I/MF | PIC12F609-I/MD | PIC12F617-I/MF | PIC12F510-I/MC | PIC12F1840-E/MF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Core / Max Clock | PIC12 8-bit / 20 MHz | PIC12 8-bit / 20 MHz - same | PIC12 8-bit / 20 MHz - same | PIC12 8-bit / 20 MHz - same | PIC12 8-bit / 20 MHz - same | PIC12 8-bit / 8 MHz (lower) | PIC12 8-bit / 32 MHz (higher) |
| Flash Program Memory | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 3.5 KB (double) | 1.5 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM / EEPROM | 64 B / 128 B | 64 B / 128 B - same | 64 B / 128 B - same | 64 B / 0 B (no EEPROM) | 128 B / 128 B | 38 B / 0 B | 256 B / 256 B |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch - same | 10-bit, 4 ch - same | None (0 ch) | 10-bit, 4 ch - same | None (0 ch) | 10-bit, 4 ch - same |
| Comparators / PWM | 2 / 10-bit ECCP | 2 / 10-bit ECCP - same | 2 / 10-bit ECCP - same | 0 / 0 (none) | 2 / 10-bit ECCP - same | 0 / 0 (none) | 2 / enhanced PWM |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (wider) |
Key Differentiators
- Richest peripheral set in PIC12F6xx DFN-8 line (vs PIC12F609-I/MD)
- Twice the Flash of the lower-tier siblings (vs PIC12F510-I/MC)
- Right-sized vs over-spec'd upgrade path (vs PIC12F1840-E/MF)
Design Notes
The 8-DFN package exposes pin 8 (VSS/EP) on the bottom of the chip as a thermal and electrical pad. This pad MUST be soldered to a sufficient PCB copper pour - ideally an uninterrupted ground plane area of at least 25 mm² to dissipate the device's maximum dissipation (estimated: ~150 mW at 20 MHz / 5.5 V). Skipping the EP solder connection reduces thermal performance and can cause intermittent operation under load.
The PIC12F615-I/MF shares its 8-DFN footprint with several family siblings that have different peripheral mixes (PIC12F609 lacks ADC, PIC12F510 lacks ADC/PWM/EEPROM, PIC12F617 has more memory). Do not assume DFN-8 = PIC12F615 pin-for-pin compatible family. Always cross-check the device ID in your firmware against the expected silicon revision to avoid debugging a wrong-flashed chip that compiles but fails at runtime. Use MPLAB X IDE + XC8 compiler with explicit -mdfp10 option for PIC12F6xx targets.
Estimate: at 20 MHz / 5.5 V with all peripherals active, the PIC12F615-I/MF draws approximately 6 mA. For sleep-mode battery life calculations use the nanoWatt typical value of ~10 nA standby with WDT disabled and full RAM retention. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on VDD (pin 1) placed within 3 mm of the package, and place a bulk capacitor (≥1 µF) on the same supply trace to handle switching transients.
GP3/MCLR pin (pin 4) is input-only on this family and serves dual function as Master Clear reset. When not using external reset, tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor and add a 100 nF capacitor to ground for noise filtering. If the MCLR line traces near noisy switching nodes, RF interference can repeatedly trigger resets. For high-noise motor or relay environments, place a ferrite bead in series with the MCLR pull-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40 to +85 °C; AEC-Q100 Grade 0 variants exist as PIC12F615T-I/MF with -40 to +125 °C qualification. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance data.
