PIC12F615-I/SN - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 20MHz, 8-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F615-I/SN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.07 | $1.07 |
| 10 | $0.94 | $9.40 |
| 100 | $0.78 | $78.00 |
| 500 | $0.69 | $345.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.6 | $600.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.52 | $1,560.00 |
PIC12F615-I/SN Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that processes data in 8-bit chunks, integrating a CPU, non-volatile program memory (typically Flash), working RAM, and peripheral interfaces such as timers, ADCs, and communication ports. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC12F615 belongs to the microcontroller family -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC10/12/16 mid-range core -> embedded microcontroller -> semiconductor IC. This class of MCU serves as the digital decision-making element in space- and cost-constrained products, replacing discrete logic and analog control circuitry.
Key differentiating features include the Full-Bridge PWM output for direct half-bridge and full-bridge motor or lighting control, the on-chip Comparator with programmable reference, and the nanoWatt Technology power-management modes that drop quiescent current to under 100nA during sleep. The Flash-based program memory supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and self-programming, while the wide 2.0V to 5.5V operating range allows direct Li-ion, 3.3V, and 5V system rails. The 8-pin footprint delivers these capabilities in the smallest Microchip mid-range package.
Architecturally, the PIC12F615 uses a 14-bit wide instruction word with a single accumulator and Harvard bus, achieving deterministic single-cycle instruction execution except for program branches. The Enhanced Mid-Range core adds C-compiler-friendly instructions, hardware stack, and interrupt prioritization, while the configurable oscillator block supports internal 8MHz, internal 31kHz, and external clock modes for EMI or accuracy trade-offs.
Typical applications include DC fan speed controllers (the PIC12F615 was designed with fan-control support), small appliance controls, LED drivers, sensor signal conditioning, and battery-powered remote nodes. Designers also use it in HV half-bridge/bridge drivers when paired with external FETs, in smart sensors with analog front ends, and in low-cost replacement of legacy 8-pin PIC10/12F parts.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling on VDD with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the pin, and respect the maximum source/sink of 25mA per GPIO. The ICSP pins (GP0/GP1) must be accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging with a PICkit 3 or MPLAB Snap.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC12F family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F615-I/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 PIC12F615-I/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Internal Oscillator, Package, ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F615-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1822-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F609-I/MD
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615-I/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC Enhanced Mid-Range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| RAM | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 4-channel, 10-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM | 1 x 10-bit (Enhanced) |
| Comparator | 1 (with programmable reference) |
| Communication | EUSART |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (calibrated) |
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN) 3.90 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F615-I/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP0/ICSPDAT — General-purpose I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | GP1/ICSPCLK — General-purpose I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | GP2 — General-purpose I/O / PWM1 output |
| Pin 4 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 5 | GP3/MCLR — General-purpose input / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 6 | GP4 — General-purpose I/O / AN3 / T1G |
| Pin 7 | GP5 — General-purpose I/O / AN4 / CCP1 / PWM output |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12F615-I/SN is suitable for 7 applications: DC Fan Speed Controller, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Small Appliance Control, LED Lighting Driver, Automotive Body Electronics, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, USB HID / Consumer Input Device.
DC Fan Speed Controller
The PIC12F615-I/SN is purpose-built for DC fan speed control, integrating the comparator, 10-bit PWM, and timer resources required for closed-loop tachometer feedback and PID-less duty-cycle adjustment. The 4-channel ADC reads the tach signal or temperature sensor while the 10-bit Enhanced PWM directly drives a low-side FET at 25 kHz to 32 kHz, eliminating audible whine. At 5V with 20 MHz clock, the MCU responds to tach edges in under 200 ns and can switch PWM duty cycle every 50 us, providing smooth start-up ramps. Compared to a 555-timer design, the PIC12F615 offers programmable fault handling, soft-start curves, and EEPROM-stored calibration without any external logic.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC12F615-I/SN suits battery-powered wireless sensor nodes thanks to nanoWatt Technology sleep currents below 100 nA and a wide 2.0V to 5.5V supply range covering two AA cells to a single Li-ion. The internal 8 MHz calibrated HFINTOSC eliminates external crystal power drain, while the 31 kHz LFINTOSC maintains a real-time clock in sleep. The 10-bit ADC wakes on interrupt to sample thermistor or PIR signals, executes a 14-bit instruction at 5 MIPS, then returns to sleep in microseconds. With 1.75 KB Flash and 64 B RAM, the MCU fits indoor air-quality, soil-moisture, and door/window contact sensors in 8-SOIC plus a 3V coin cell for multi-year battery life.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
Induction cookers, rice cookers, and coffee makers benefit from the PIC12F615-I/SN's combination of comparator, ADC, and PWM in a single 8-pin IC. The on-chip comparator implements zero-cross detection for TRIAC drive, the 10-bit ADC reads NTC thermistor or weight sensor inputs, and the Enhanced PWM drives a buzzer or LED indicator at variable duty. The 64-byte RAM and 14-bit instruction set are enough for proportional control loops and EEPROM-backed cooking profiles. ICSP on GP0/GP1 enables post-assembly calibration and customer-specific firmware revisions without hardware changes.
Recommended
LED Lighting Driver
The PIC12F615-I/SN's 10-bit PWM delivers 1024 brightness steps with a 32 MHz PWM clock, achieving 31 kHz PWM frequency to avoid flicker in dimmable LED bulbs and strip lights. The internal 8 MHz oscillator removes BOM cost versus external crystals, and the 4-channel ADC monitors NTC temperature for thermal foldback, photodiode for ambient sensing, and main current shunt for constant-current regulation. The 6 GPIOs multiplex these analog inputs plus UART for DALI or 0-10V dimming interface. At 5V/20MHz the MCU consumes only 4 mA active and <100 nA sleep, satisfying ENERGY STAR standby requirements.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC12F615-I/SN is qualified for automotive interior lighting, seat-position sensing, and HVAC flap control where 8 pins are sufficient. The 4-channel ADC reads potentiometers and Hall sensors, while the PWM drives small motors or LED strings up to 25 mA per pin. Although the industrial -I/SN grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified, Microchip offers PIC12F615T-E/SN and automotive-validated variants for under-hood duty. The 8-SOIC footprint simplifies retrofit designs replacing legacy 555-timer or discrete logic, and EUSART enables LIN-bus slaves via external transceiver for body control modules.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12F615-I/SN fits 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters, RTD-to-digital converters, and bridge-sensor conditioning in industrial plants. The on-chip comparator with programmable reference implements window-comparator over-range detection, while the 10-bit ADC digitizes bridge or RTD signals with software linearization. EUSART communicates with HMI panels at 9600 to 115200 baud, and the 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants. The 2.0-5.5V range supports 3.3V regulated supplies and 5V USB-powered bench setups; nanoWatt modes achieve 1 mA loop budget compliance with the HART protocol converter.
Recommended
USB HID / Consumer Input Device
The PIC12F615-I/SN can serve as the I/O co-processor in USB Human Interface Devices such as programmable keypads, foot switches, and presenter remotes when paired with a USB bridge chip. Its 6 GPIOs scan up to 8 keys with the on-chip comparator for media-control analog inputs (volume rocker, scroll wheel), and the EUSART links to the USB bridge for HID report transmission. The 8-SOIC package plus 5V tolerance simplifies board layout in 1.5 mm-throw keyboards. With ICSP on GP0/GP1, the MCU supports custom key-mapping firmware updates in factory programming.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F615-I/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F615-I/P | PIC12F615-E/SN | PIC12F1822-I/SN | PIC12F1840-I/SN | PIC12F609-I/MD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN) 3.90 mm | PDIP-8 (through-hole) | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-DFN (MD) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 64 bytes |
| ADC | 4-ch, 10-bit | 4-ch, 10-bit | 4-ch, 10-bit | 4-ch, 10-bit | 4-ch, 10-bit | None |
| PWM Channels | 1 x 10-bit | 1 x 10-bit | 1 x 10-bit | 1 x 10-bit (16-bit enh.) | 2 x 10-bit | None |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 8 MHz |
| Unit Price (1k qty) | USD 0.60 | USD 0.72 | USD 0.85 | USD 1.05 | USD 1.10 | USD 0.55 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 10-bit Enhanced PWM and Comparator in 8-pin SOIC (vs PIC12F609-I/MD)
- Internal 8 MHz calibrated oscillator with nanoWatt sleep (vs PIC12F609-I/MD)
- Drop-in footprint compatibility with PIC12F1822 for upgrade path (vs PIC12F1822-I/SN)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 8) and a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor near the MCU to support nanoWatt sleep-to-active transitions. The PIC12F615 draws 4 mA active at 5V/20MHz and under 100 nA in sleep; adequate bulk capacitance prevents VDD droop during ADC acquisition bursts. Avoid sharing the digital decoupling capacitor with high-current loads such as relay coils.
Route the ICSP lines (GP0/ICSPDAT and GP1/ICSPCLK) directly to a 6-pin header with no series resistors above 100 ohm and no capacitors on the signal path during programming. The MCLR pin (GP3, pin 5) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for in-circuit reset; do not use the MCLR pin as a general output. Keep analog traces short and away from PWM digital traces to minimize ADC crosstalk below 1 LSB.
Estimated: At 20 MHz and 5V, the GPIO source/sink is rated at 25 mA per pin and 90 mA total VDD/200 mA total VSS. Exceeding these limits during PWM motor drive without a buffer FET will damage the MCU. Configuration word bits (FOSC, WDTE, MCLRE, CP) must be set correctly in the source code; an unlocked Configuration Word leaves the watchdog on and resets the MCU every 2.1 seconds. Brown-out Detect (BOR) is recommended below 4.5V systems to avoid corrupted EEPROM writes.
The PIC12F615's on-chip comparator has 5 mV typical offset and 50 ns response time - suitable for tachometer and overcurrent protection but not for precision measurement below 1% accuracy. For RTD or thermocouple measurements, add an external precision op-amp (MCP6002 or MCP6V01 auto-zero) in front of the ADC. The 10-bit ADC achieves 9.5 ENOB when acquisition time is set to 8 us or longer at 5V with a low-impedance source.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade. AEC-Q100 qualified variants available separately as PIC12F615T-E/SN for automotive body electronics applications.
