PIC12LF1501T-I/MS - 8-Bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 20MHz, MSOP-8 | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1501T-I/MS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.96 | $0.96 |
| 10 | $0.86 | $8.60 |
| 100 | $0.74 | $74.00 |
| 500 | $0.64 | $320.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.56 | $560.00 |
PIC12LF1501T-I/MS Overview
A PIC12 microcontroller is a member of the 8-bit microcontroller family, which sits in the broader taxonomy of embedded microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> microprocessors and controllers -> semiconductors. PIC12 devices use a Harvard-architecture RISC instruction set with a fixed 14-bit instruction width, making them well suited for cost- and power-sensitive embedded applications that require deterministic interrupt latency and small code footprint. The PIC12LF1501 specifically belongs to the PIC12F1501 low-pin-count sub-family designed for compact analog and sensor-interface designs.
Key features include 1.75KB Flash with self-programmability, 64 bytes SRAM, 6 I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with 4 channels, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, enhanced PWM, CLC, NCO, and a power-saving Sleep mode drawing microamp-level current. The internal 16 MHz high-speed oscillator and 32 kHz low-power oscillator allow flexible clocking without external crystals.
Architecturally the device uses a 14-bit instruction word, 8-level hardware stack, and single-cycle ALU operations, giving an effective throughput approaching 5 MIPS at 20 MHz. The 10-bit ADC is implemented with a successive-approximation register (SAR) topology, and the CLC blocks allow combinatorial logic to be implemented on-chip, reducing external gates. On-chip debug is supported via the ICSP two-wire interface.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, low-cost LED controllers, capacitive-touch user interfaces, small appliances, smart wearables, and consumer toys. Its low Sleep current makes it attractive for energy-harvesting designs and always-on interrupt-driven systems.
When designing with this part, ensure VDD decoupling uses a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of the VDD pin, keep analog signal traces short, and connect unused I/O pins to defined logic levels to minimize ICC leakage.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives from Microchip, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, giving procurement and design engineers a single reference for evaluation and sourcing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1501T-I/MS — 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 PIC12LF1501T-I/MS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, MSL Level, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1501-I/MS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1501-E/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501T-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1571T-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1572-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1552T-I/MS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1501T-I/MS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC12 (8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 64 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | Yes (Enhanced PWM) |
| On-chip Peripherals | CLC, NCO, WDT, POR, BOR |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz HF, 32 kHz LF |
| Package | 8-pin MSOP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (Unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (2-wire) |
PIC12LF1501T-I/MS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input / CLC output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input / CLC output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital input only / Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input / CLC output |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input / CLC output / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1501T-I/MS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Remote Controls, Low-Cost LED Lighting Controllers, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Small Appliance Control Boards, Wearable Fitness Trackers, Toy and Hobby Electronics.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC12LF1501T-I/MS is well matched to wireless sensor nodes thanks to its 2.5 V minimum supply and nanoWatt XLP Sleep current below 20 nA typical, allowing multi-year battery life from a single CR2032 coin cell. The on-chip 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference digitizes temperature, humidity, and light sensors without external components, while the CLC peripheral can wake the CPU on edge-triggered events without software polling, eliminating continuous loop overhead. The 1.75KB Flash holds small communication stacks or simple threshold algorithms. At 20 MHz instruction rate the device handles burst-mode sensor aggregation, encryption, and LoRa/Sigfox uplink framing efficiently, then returns to Sleep between events for maximum energy efficiency.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
Infrared and RF remote controls benefit from the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS small MSOP-8 footprint, low cost, and 2.5-3.6 V single-cell operation that runs directly from 2x AAA alkaline batteries. The CLC can implement IR carrier generation in hardware, offloading the CPU and reducing firmware complexity, while the NCO provides precise frequency synthesis for sub-GHz RF remote protocols. Six I/O pins are sufficient for key matrix scanning up to 12 buttons using a 3x4 diode matrix, and the 16 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal. Power-on-reset and brown-out-reset circuitry guarantee clean startup even as the battery voltage drops below 2.5 V at end-of-life.
Recommended
Low-Cost LED Lighting Controllers
Single-channel and RGBW LED controllers use the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS enhanced PWM module to deliver high-resolution dimming at 10 kHz or higher to avoid flicker, while the CLC implements logarithmic dimming curves in hardware. The 6 I/O pins drive up to 4 PWM channels directly, supporting individual warm-white, cool-white, red, green, blue LED strings via external MOSFETs. Operating from 2.5-3.6 V, the MCU pairs cleanly with constant-current LED drivers such as the MCP1650 boost controller, and the 16 MHz HF oscillator ensures accurate PWM timing without external crystals. Sleep current under 20 nA enables standby power well below 0.1 W for Energy Star compliance.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
Capacitive touch buttons and sliders leverage the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS mTouch peripheral built into the ADC and comparator modules, allowing up to 4 touch channels without external sensing ICs. The CLC can implement hardware debouncing and proximity gating, reducing software overhead and allowing ultra-low-power standby between touches. With 6 I/O pins, a 4-button touch pad plus one PWM output for haptic feedback is achievable in a single 8-pin MSOP. Operating from 2.5-3.6 V at 20 MHz ensures fast scan cycles with millisecond response times, while the 1.75KB Flash holds mTouch libraries and gesture recognition algorithms.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Boards
Coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and air purifiers use the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS as the primary control MCU thanks to its 6 I/O, 10-bit ADC for temperature and current sensing, and enhanced PWM for motor speed control. The PIC12 mid-range core executes control loops in deterministic cycle counts, simplifying IEC 60730 Class B safety certification. Operating from a 3.3 V regulated rail at industrial -40 to +85 C, the device tolerates the thermal environment of consumer appliances. The 16 MHz internal oscillator avoids external crystal cost, and ICSP programming enables in-circuit firmware updates during manufacturing.
Recommended
Wearable Fitness Trackers
Wearables such as fitness bands and smart watches use the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS for heart-rate sensor digitization, step-counter accelerometers, and small OLED display driving through SPI or I2C. The 2.5 V minimum supply enables single-cell Li-Po battery operation with a low-dropout LDO, while Sleep currents under 20 nA extend multi-day battery life. The CLC peripheral implements heart-rate signal conditioning in hardware, freeing the CPU for higher-level algorithm execution. The compact MSOP-8 footprint at 3x3 mm leaves PCB space for the sensor array and BLE radio module in 25 mm diameter watch designs.
Recommended
Toy and Hobby Electronics
Children's toys, educational electronics kits, hobbyist drones, and RC receivers integrate the PIC12LF1501T-I/MS for its combination of low cost (under $0.60 at 1000 pieces), 8-pin MSOP footprint, and rich peripheral set. The enhanced PWM drives hobby servos directly through a single signal pin, while the ADC reads battery voltage and joystick analog inputs. The CLC can synthesize audio tones or radio control pulses in hardware without timer interrupts. Flash self-programmability enables end-user firmware updates via hobby programming tools, and the wide 2.5-3.6 V supply supports 2x AA, 2x AAA, or single Li-Po battery configurations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1501T-I/MS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1501-I/MS | PIC12LF1501-E/MS | PIC12F1501T-I/MS | PIC12F1571T-I/MS | PIC12LF1552T-I/MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin MSOP | 8-pin MSOP - same | 8-pin MSOP - same | 8-pin MSOP - same | 8-pin MSOP - same | 8-pin MSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 2 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 16 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels | |
| CLC Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| NCO Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Temperature Grade | -40 to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +125 C (Extended) | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C | -40 to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Includes CLC and NCO peripherals for hardware logic and frequency synthesis (vs PIC12F1571T-I/MS)
- Lower-voltage LF variant optimized for 3.3 V single-cell lithium rails (vs PIC12F1501T-I/MS)
- Wider CLC configurability vs PIC12LF1552T-I/MS (vs PIC12LF1552T-I/MS)
- Industrial -40 to +85 C operating range with LF low-voltage operation (vs PIC12LF1501-E/MS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF (0.1 uF) X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of the VDD pin, with the ground return via the shortest possible path to VSS pin 8. For Sleep-mode designs drawing below 1 uA total, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VDD rail to support ADC reference stability during wake events. The LF variant's 2.5 V minimum supply means a single CR2032 cell cannot drive it directly - use two cells in series or a step-up regulator.
The 8-pin MSOP package requires reflow soldering per JEDEC J-STD-020 with peak temperature below 260 C. Keep analog signal traces (RA0-RA3) away from the PWM output pin and away from digital switching signals to minimize ADC crosstalk. Expose the central thermal pad (if present in DFN variant) to a small copper pour connected to VSS, though the 8-pin MSOP has no exposed pad. Reserve a 2-pin header footprint for ICSP programming access to allow in-circuit firmware updates during prototyping.
Do not leave the MCLR/RA3 pin floating in noise-sensitive designs - tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to prevent spurious resets from EMI. When using the internal 16 MHz HF oscillator, allow the OST (oscillator start-up timer) to complete before relying on stable clock edges - the default HFINTOSC ready time is around 1 us after wake-up. The LF variant will brown-out reset if VDD falls below 2.5 V, so add a 100 mV margin in battery-end-of-life designs.
Route the ICSP clock (RA1/ICSPCLK) and data (RA0/ICSPDAT) signals to dedicated test points or a 2x3 header footprint on the PCB edge for production programming. Place the test points at least 5 mm from any high-current switching traces to avoid coupling noise into the debug interface. For battery-powered designs, group all I/O traces carrying low-frequency analog signals on the same PCB layer to minimize ground-loop area and reduce ADC measurement error.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free MSL1 packaging. Industrial temperature grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose automotive-graded PIC variants for vehicle applications.
