PIC12LF1501-E/P - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 8-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1501-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.85 | $0.85 |
| 10 | $0.78 | $7.80 |
| 100 | $0.69 | $69.00 |
| 500 | $0.61 | $305.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.55 | $550.00 |
PIC12LF1501-E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and programmable I/O peripherals. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader taxonomy of: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. They are widely used in cost- and power-constrained applications such as consumer appliances, IoT edge nodes, and automotive sub-systems where deterministic real-time behaviour, low quiescent current, and easy programmability outweigh the need for higher computational throughput.
Key features of the PIC12LF1501 include the CLC peripheral that lets designers implement custom combinational or sequential logic on-chip without external gates, the NCO block for high-resolution frequency generation suited to dimming, tone generation, and motor control loops, brown-out reset (BOR), and an extended temperature range of -40C to +125C (E suffix). The LF designation indicates the low-voltage variant, which trades absolute maximum voltage headroom for lower active and sleep current consumption compared with the standard F variant.
The device implements Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a single-cycle hardware multiplier, deep hardware stack, and a Harvard memory architecture. The 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path give a compact code footprint ideal for state machines and interrupt-driven firmware.
Typical applications include LED lighting control, battery-powered IoT sensors, small appliance controllers, and consumer IR remote transmitters. When designing with this MCU, budget current consumption carefully for battery life and verify ADC input impedance against source impedance to avoid conversion errors. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1501-E/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 PIC12LF1501-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, ADC, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1501-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1501-E/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1501-E/MC
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-E/P
✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1501-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) Flash |
| Data RAM | 64 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 0 bytes (no on-chip EEPROM) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz (factory calibrated, +/- 2%) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 input channels |
| Peripherals | CLC, NCO, PWM, Timer0/1/2, USART, I2C/SPI |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| Package Type | 8-pin PDIP (300 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (matte tin finish) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole) |
PIC12LF1501-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional digital I/O, ICSPDAT |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional digital I/O, ICSPCLK |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Input-only digital I/O or Master Clear Reset |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1501-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Controllers and Dimmers, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer IR Remote Transmitters, Small Appliance Control Boards, Automotive Interior Accessories, Educational and Hobbyist Projects.
LED Lighting Controllers and Dimmers
The PIC12LF1501-E/P is well suited to LED lighting control and dimming applications because of its integrated NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) and CLC peripherals, which can generate PWM or pulse-density modulation without CPU overhead. The 10-bit ADC monitors supply voltage and LED current via a sense resistor, while 6 I/O pins drive high-side MOSFET gates or low-side constant-current sinks. At 2.5V-3.6V operation the device runs directly from a single-cell Li-ion or 3V regulated rail, eliminating extra LDO stages. The XLP low-power architecture yields sub-uA sleep currents for standby/dim modes. Companion parts include LED drivers like the MCP16502 and current-sense amplifiers such as the MCP6C02.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC12LF1501-E/P fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where every microamp matters: its LF low-voltage variant draws sub-microamp sleep current and runs the CPU from the internal 16MHz oscillator, removing the need for an external crystal. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature, light, or gas-sensor signals; the CLC peripheral implements event gating and threshold logic in hardware, waking the CPU only on valid conditions. With 1.75KB Flash, designers can fit small TCP/HTTP-over-UART bridges, LoRaWAN device drivers, or BLE-beacon firmware. The 8-PDIP package simplifies hand-soldered prototyping. Pair the MCU with a Sub-GHz transceiver like the MRF89XA or a temperature sensor like the MCP9808 for a complete sensor node.
Recommended
Consumer IR Remote Transmitters
For IR remote control transmitters, the PIC12LF1501-E/P delivers excellent fit thanks to the CLC and NCO blocks that synthesize carrier frequencies (typically 36kHz-56kHz) and modulate them with NEC, RC5, or SIRC protocol bitstreams in hardware. The 20MHz CPU and single-cycle hardware multiplier handle button-debounce, repeat-code generation, and battery-voltage checks within microamps of active current. Two AA cells (3V) place the device at the center of its 2.5V-3.6V VDD range. Designers pair the MCU with an IR LED driver transistor (e.g., BC847) and a high-current IR emitter. The 8-PDIP package is ideal for hand-assembled low-volume consumer remotes.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Boards
The PIC12LF1501-E/P is well suited to small kitchen and home appliances such as coffee makers, fans, and air-purifier controllers, where its 6 I/O pins handle relay drives, keypad scanning, triac firing, and AC-zero-cross sensing. The integrated 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for closed-loop temperature control; the CLC peripheral implements zero-cross detection in hardware, offloading the CPU. With 1.75KB Flash the firmware fits state-machine control loops for thermostatic regulation, soft-start, and timer functions. The 8-PDIP package supports through-hole manufacturing common in white-goods PCBs. Companion parts include zero-cross optocouplers like the EL817 and triac drivers like the MOC3021.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
Inside automotive interiors - cup-holder lighting, vanity-mirror controllers, USB-charging port logic - the PIC12LF1501-E/P provides 8-bit MCU intelligence at minimal cost. The E-grade -40C to +125C operating range satisfies cabin-temperature requirements, while BOR and watchdog timer ensure recovery from load-dump transients. While this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC12LF1501T-I/SN variant suits non-safety interior modules. The 6 I/O pins drive LED arrays, pushbutton inputs, and LIN-bus transceivers. Pair the MCU with a LIN transceiver like the MCP2003B or MCP2025 for in-cabin network nodes; pair with an automotive LDO like the MCP1790 for 12V battery compatibility.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Projects
The PIC12LF1501-E/P is a favorite in education and hobby projects thanks to its low price (~$0.40 in tube quantities), through-hole 8-PDIP package that drops into breadboards without surface-mount adapters, and full Microchip MPLAB X IDE plus XC8 compiler support. Students learn assembly and C programming, interrupts, ADC sampling, and PWM on a real production-grade MCU. The PICkit 4 programmer/debugger is widely available for under $50, and Microchip's Curiosity development board provides a complete starter platform. The 1.75KB Flash forces disciplined coding habits that transfer well to larger PIC18 and PIC32 architectures later in the curriculum.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1501-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1501-E/P | PIC12F1840-E/P | PIC12LF1501-E/MS | PIC12LF1501-E/MC | PIC12F1501-E/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-PDIP | 8-PDIP - same | 8-PDIP - same | 8-MSOP - same die, SMD | 8-DFN - same die, SMD | 8-SOIC - same die, SMD |
| Program Flash | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB |
| Data RAM | 64 B | 64 B | 256 B | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| CLC / NCO Peripherals | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / No | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated CLC and NCO peripherals for hardware logic (vs PIC12F1840-E/P)
- Lower voltage variant with reduced current consumption (vs PIC12F1501-E/P)
- Through-hole PDIP package for prototyping (vs PIC12LF1501-E/MS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD = 3.3V, CPU active at 4MHz, and all peripherals disabled, the PIC12LF1501-E/P typical active current is approximately 1.5 mA. In sleep mode with WDT off, the LF variant drops to sub-microamp levels (typically 50-100 nA at 25C), making coin-cell battery operation feasible for years. Designers should disable all unused peripherals via the PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) registers and configure the BOR to its lowest trip threshold to minimize quiescent draw. Always measure actual sleep current on the bench with a source-measure unit because leakage paths on PCB can dominate.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (Pin 1) and VSS pin (Pin 8). For designs where the PIC12LF1501-E/P drives switching loads (relays, LEDs, triacs), add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on VDD to absorb switching transients. Keep the ICSP lines (RA4 = ICSPCLK, RA5 = ICSPDAT) away from high-current switching traces; route them as short and direct as possible to the programming header. If using the MCLR function on RA3, add the typical 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap-to-ground for debounce.
Do not apply 5V to the PIC12LF1501-E/P - this is the low-voltage variant limited to 3.6V maximum VDD. Use the PIC12F1501 instead if 5V tolerance is required. The PIC12LF1501 has no on-chip EEPROM; emulate EEPROM behavior by reserving a self-modifying Flash page or use an external I2C EEPROM like 24LC256. Note that RA3 is input-only and cannot drive output, so do not assign output functions to it. Finally, when using the ADC, ensure source impedance is below 10 kohm to avoid conversion-time errors caused by the internal sample-and-hold capacitor.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip environmental compliance documentation. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications contact Microchip sales for AEC-Q100 equivalent variants. Lead-free matte-tin finish per JEDEC J-STD-609.
