PIC12HV615-I/P - 8-Bit 20MHz 1.75KB Flash MCU 8-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12HV615-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.39 | $1.39 |
| 10 | $1.25 | $12.50 |
| 100 | $1.05 | $105.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.82 | $820.00 |
PIC12HV615-I/P Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a small, RISC-based single-chip computer built around Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. PIC12F/HV6xx devices belong to the PIC12 family -> mid-range 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The PIC12HV615's mid-range core executes one instruction per 200 ns at 20 MHz and uses only 35 single-word instructions, which simplifies firmware development and reduces code size. The device exposes internal 4/8 MHz precision oscillators, a configurable comparator with hysteresis, an 8-bit ADC (10-bit on later rev.), PWM, and 25 mA source/sink I/O for direct LED or transistor drive.
Key features include 1.75 KB Flash program memory, 64 bytes RAM, 128 bytes EEPROM, six general-purpose I/O pins, an internal 4 MHz or 8 MHz oscillator (selectable), 20 MHz max external clock, on-chip comparator and ADC, and an internal shunt regulator for high-voltage operation. Two hardware PWM channels support simple motor or LED-dimming tasks without additional peripherals.
From an architecture standpoint the PIC12HV615 uses a 14-bit instruction word mid-range core, hardware stack with eight levels, and NanoWatt power management with multiple sleep modes. The internal shunt regulator replaces the conventional VDD pin, allowing direct connection to higher-voltage rails via an external series resistor and Zener reference. Code protection follows Microchip's standard low-pin-count security scheme and is protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,847,450.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, small appliance control, battery chargers, fan/thermostat controllers, and hobby/educational embedded boards. The internal shunt regulator makes it especially attractive in mains-derived or battery-stack designs where a low-cost 5 V rail is otherwise required.
When designing with the PIC12HV615-I/P, place a 1 µF decoupling capacitor directly on the VDD/VSS pins and configure the HV regulator with an appropriate external Zener and series resistor per the datasheet typical application circuit to avoid exceeding the shunt regulator's dissipation limit.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible same-package drop-in alternatives, and design guidance that goes beyond the manufacturer datasheet to accelerate your design-in and procurement decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12HV615-I/P — 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 PIC12HV615-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Internal Oscillator, Timers, ADC, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F615-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12HV609-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F617-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.14 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F683-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F675-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12HV615-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC® 12F (mid-range 8-bit) |
| Core | PIC RISC, 35 instructions, 14-bit word |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash (1K x 14) |
| RAM | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Max CPU Clock | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz or 8 MHz selectable |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| HV Supply (with shunt regulator) | Up to 9 V via external Zener + R |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-PDIP (DIP-8, 7.62 mm / 0.300 in pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Peripherals | Comparator with hysteresis, ADC, PWM (2 channels), Timer0/1 |
| I/O Drive Strength | 25 mA source / 25 mA sink per pin |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC12HV615-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD/HV — Positive supply; with internal HV shunt regulator when configured with external Zener |
| Pin 2 | GP5/T1CKI/P1A/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO GP5 / Timer1 clock input / PWM P1A / oscillator input |
| Pin 3 | GP4/T1G/P1B/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO GP4 / Timer1 gate / PWM P1B / oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO GP3 / Master Clear (reset, active-low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | GP2/AN2/T0CKI/INT/COUT/CCP1 — GPIO GP2 / ADC ch2 / Timer0 clock / external interrupt / comparator out / CCP1 |
| Pin 6 | GP1/AN1/CIN-/VREF/ICSPCLK — GPIO GP1 / ADC ch1 / comparator in- / ADC Vref / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | GP0/AN0/CIN+/ICSPDAT — GPIO GP0 / ADC ch0 / comparator in+ / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12HV615-I/P is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting Controllers, Battery Chargers and Power Management, Small Appliance and Fan Control, Hobby and Educational Embedded Boards, Sensor Interface and Signal Conditioning, Automotive Interior and Accessory Modules, Power Supply Auxiliary and Monitoring.
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC12HV615-I/P fits LED lighting controllers because each of its 6 I/O pins can source or sink 25 mA, directly driving small LEDs, optocouplers, or low-side MOSFET gates without external buffers. Its two hardware PWM channels and 20 MHz instruction rate enable flicker-free dimming at standard LED PWM frequencies (1 kHz and above), while the integrated HV shunt regulator lets the device operate directly from a 9-12 V LED-driver rail, eliminating an external 5 V regulator and reducing BOM cost. Internal 4/8 MHz oscillator accuracy is sufficient for visual dimming tasks, and the 1.75 KB Flash comfortably holds color-mixing or DMX-style control firmware.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Power Management
The PIC12HV615-I/P is well-suited to small battery chargers because its integrated HV shunt regulator accepts up to 9 V on the HV pin, allowing direct connection to multi-cell battery stacks or 9 V adapters via an external Zener and resistor. The on-chip 10-bit ADC (or 8-bit on this family variant) monitors battery voltage and current, while the comparator with configurable hysteresis implements over-current and over-voltage protection without external ICs. The 25 mA I/O drive can directly switch low-side MOSFETs, and NanoWatt sleep modes extend standby time on rechargeable chemistries. Per the Microchip datasheet, the HV regulator simplifies charger front-end design significantly.
Recommended
Small Appliance and Fan Control
The PIC12HV615-I/P is an excellent fit for small appliances such as fans, thermostats, and coffee machines because the integrated HV shunt regulator operates from a rectified mains-derived rail (typical 9-12 V) without an external 5 V LDO, reducing BOM and PCB area. Its PWM channels drive brushed DC fans or TRIAC-trigger optos directly, and the on-chip comparator with hysteresis implements zero-cross detection and over-temperature sensing. With 1.75 KB Flash and 64 bytes RAM, it has ample room for state-machine appliance logic, soft-start ramps, and user-input debounce routines. Per the Microchip family datasheet, the 25 mA I/O drive supports LED indicators without transistors.
Recommended
Hobby and Educational Embedded Boards
The PIC12HV615-I/P is ideal for hobbyist and educational projects because the through-hole 8-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly and supports repeated insertion cycles. The PIC mid-range architecture has only 35 instructions, making assembly learning tractable for beginners, while the integrated HV shunt regulator lets students power the MCU from a 9 V battery without an external regulator, simplifying early labs. Per the Microchip product page, MPLAB X IDE and the PICkit 5 programmer/debugger are fully supported, providing a low-cost path from breadboard to prototype. 1.75 KB Flash is sufficient for typical student projects.
Recommended
Sensor Interface and Signal Conditioning
The PIC12HV615-I/P suits sensor-interface modules because its on-chip 8/10-bit ADC reads analog sensors (temperature, light, potentiometers) directly, while the comparator with configurable hysteresis interfaces digital sensors (PIR, Hall effect) without external components. The HV shunt regulator accepts 9 V transducer rails, removing an LDO for industrial sensor conditioning. With 6 I/O pins, the device can drive status LEDs, switch low-side relays, and run a UART or I2C master for digital sensors. According to the Microchip datasheet, the APFCON register remaps peripheral pins for flexible PCB layout.
Recommended
Automotive Interior and Accessory Modules
The PIC12HV615-I/P (industrial grade -40 °C to +85 °C) is widely used in non-safety automotive interior accessories such as ambient lighting, USB charger indicators, and HVAC trim controls. The HV shunt regulator accepts 9-12 V vehicle rails without an external LDO, reducing BOM count and PCB area. With 25 mA I/O drive, it directly drives small LEDs and optocouplers without transistors. Note that for safety-critical or AEC-Q1 qualified subsystems, designers should choose AEC-Q100 qualified PIC variants instead, as the PIC12HV615-I/P is industrial-grade, not automotive-qualified. Per the Microchip product selector, this part targets cost-sensitive interior modules.
Recommended
Power Supply Auxiliary and Monitoring
The PIC12HV615-I/P fits auxiliary power-supply monitoring because the HV shunt regulator lets it monitor the main converter output (e.g., 9-12 V) directly without an external LDO, simplifying isolated secondary-side housekeeping. The on-chip ADC measures output voltage and current, while the comparator with hysteresis detects over-voltage/over-current faults. Two PWM channels can drive a small status fan or be repurposed as supplementary control signals. Per the Microchip family datasheet (41302D), the 1.75 KB Flash and 64 bytes RAM comfortably store fault-logging and soft-start routines. Industrial temperature grade covers most PSU environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12HV615-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F615-I/P | PIC12HV609-I/P | PIC12F617-I/P | PIC12F683-I/P | PIC12F675-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-PDIP (DIP-8) | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 2 KB Flash | 2 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash |
| RAM | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Max CPU Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| HV Shunt Regulator | Yes (up to 9 V) | No | Yes (up to 9 V) | No | No | No |
| ADC Resolution | 8-bit / 10-bit (variant) | 8-bit / 10-bit (variant) | 8-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Approx. Unit Price (1000-pc, USD) | $0.82 (as of 2026-09-16) | $0.78 (as of 2026-09-16) | $0.80 (as of 2026-09-16) | $0.95 (as of 2026-09-16) | $1.20 (as of 2026-09-16) | $0.75 (as of 2026-09-16) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated HV shunt regulator (up to 9 V) (vs PIC12F615-I/P)
- Same 8-PDIP footprint and pinout as PIC12HV609-I/P (vs PIC12HV609-I/P)
- More Flash and 10-bit ADC vs PIC12F675-I/P (vs PIC12F675-I/P)
Design Notes
When using the PIC12HV615-I/P's internal HV shunt regulator, the HV pin is connected to a higher-voltage rail through an external series resistor and Zener diode. The shunt regulator dissipates the difference between HV input and 5 V regulated output times the operating current, so the series resistor must be sized to keep dissipation within the Zener's rating (typically 500 mW). Per the Microchip datasheet, a 1 µF decoupling capacitor directly on VDD/VSS pins is mandatory; an additional 0.1 µF ceramic near the HV pin improves regulator stability.
Place the 0.1 µF and 1 µF decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the VDD and VSS pins of the PIC12HV615-I/P. Keep the MCLR/VPP pin trace short to minimize noise coupling; if not used as reset, tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kΩ pull-up. The ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK pins (GP0 and GP1) require isolation resistors or jumpers if the application uses these pins for other functions during programming.
Do not exceed the maximum supply voltage rating without the HV regulator (5.5 V on VDD). When using the HV regulator, do not exceed the shunt regulator's dissipation budget. Forgetting the external Zener diode will cause the device to see raw HV input and likely fail. Also, ensure the CONFIG register's watchdog timer and low-voltage programming bits are configured per application needs to prevent unintended resets. Per the Microchip datasheet, the internal oscillator's calibration is factory-set but can be fine-tuned via OSCTUNE.
Estimated: At VDD=5 V, CPU=20 MHz, all I/O idle, the PIC12HV615-I/P draws approximately 4-7 mA active (around 0.35 W total). In the PDIP-8 package, theta_JA is roughly 85 °C/W, so junction temperature rises ~30 °C above ambient at room temperature - no heatsink needed. In HV-shunt mode with 9 V input at 5 mA, the regulator dissipates an additional 20 mW, which is still well within thermal limits. Industrial -40 °C to +85 °C operating range is preserved.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade (-40 °C to +85 °C) part; not AEC-Q100 qualified - use AEC-Q100 PIC variants for automotive safety-critical applications. RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free status not specified in available data - flagged as unknown.
