PIC12LF1552-I/P - 8-bit MCU, 32MHz, 3.5KB Flash, 10-bit ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1552-I/P β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| 10 | $1.49 | $14.90 |
| 100 | $1.32 | $132.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC12LF1552-I/P Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer that processes data 8 bits at a time, integrating a CPU, memory, and peripherals. It belongs to the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The PIC12F series targets compact, low-pin-count applications where board space and BOM cost matter more than raw throughput. The 12LF variant uses Flash program memory, enabling in-circuit reprogramming and faster development iteration.
Key features include a high-precision 32MHz internal oscillator, an integrated mTouch capacitive touch sensing peripheral, a 10-bit ADC with acquisition timer, a 5-bit DAC for analog output or trimming, and an enhanced PWM module. The device also offers a watchdog timer, in-circuit debug capability, and low-power sleep modes typical of the PIC12F architecture. The integrated mTouch block eliminates the need for external touch controller ICs in capacitive touch interfaces.
The PIC12LF1552 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word and a 2-level hardware stack, supporting 49 instructions. Its 3.5KB Flash (2048 instruction words x 14 bits) and 256-byte SRAM are partitioned for C-compiler-friendly access, making it suitable for both assembly and XC8 C development. The on-chip peripherals share I/O pins via peripheral pin select (PPS) equivalents in the PIC12F family, simplifying PCB routing in 8-pin layouts.
Typical applications include capacitive touch user interfaces (buttons, sliders, proximity sensors), LED lighting control with PWM dimming, sensor node readouts with on-chip ADC, low-cost consumer remote controls, and battery-powered IoT endpoints. The 8-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly, making the part well suited for hobby, prototyping, and educational use. Designers also deploy it in industrial human-machine interface (HMI) front panels and small appliance control boards.
When designing with the PIC12LF1552, allocate at least one I/O pin for ICSP programming/debug (typically ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT). Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of VDD, and follow Microchip AN1202 for PCB layout of the mTouch sensing electrodes. The wide operating voltage of 1.8V-3.6V enables direct Li-ion battery operation.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand and cross-brand alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a faster path from concept to prototype.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1552-I/P β 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 PIC12LF1552-I/P (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Operating Temperature, ADC, Package, Core Architecture, DAC.
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Request AlternativesPIC12LF1552-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC12F (PIC12LF1552) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (max) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Timers | Multiple 8-bit and 16-bit timers |
| PWM Channels | Enhanced PWM, multiple channels |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch hardware peripheral |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (typical 3.3 V) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP (P) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| ICSP / Debug | In-Circuit Serial Programming + ICD support |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 14-bit word |
PIC12LF1552-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5/GP5 β Bidirectional I/O, analog input, ICSPCLK |
| Pin 3 | RA4/GP4 β Bidirectional I/O, analog input, ICSPDAT |
| Pin 4 | RA3/GP3/MCLR β Input only / Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 5 | RA2/GP2 β Bidirectional I/O, analog input, DAC output |
| Pin 6 | RA1/GP1 β Bidirectional I/O, analog input, mTouch channel |
| Pin 7 | RA0/GP0 β Bidirectional I/O, analog input, mTouch channel |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1552-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, LED Lighting and PWM Dimming Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control, Small Appliance Control Board, Educational and Prototyping Platform.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC12LF1552-I/P fits capacitive touch interfaces because its integrated mTouch peripheral drives touch electrodes directly from the I/O pins, eliminating the external touch controller IC and reducing BOM cost. Its 32MHz core runs Microchip's mTouch algorithms with sub-20ms response times, while the 1.8V-3.6V range allows direct Li-ion or 2xAA battery operation for portable touch remotes. With only 4-6 I/O pins available in the 8-pin PDIP, designers typically allocate 3-4 pins to touch electrodes and reserve the remainder for LED feedback or wake-up. Compared to a discrete touch-IC solution, this approach saves $0.30-$0.50 BOM and ~25mm2 board area.
Recommended
LED Lighting and PWM Dimming Control
The PIC12LF1552-I/P suits LED dimming controllers thanks to its enhanced PWM module with multiple channels and 32MHz instruction rate, which gives fine 10-bit PWM resolution at multi-kHz switching frequencies. The 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors or potentiometer inputs for closed-loop dimming, while the 5-bit DAC can output a 0-VDD bias for analog-controlled LED drivers. With 3.5KB Flash, designers can store multiple dim curves and color-mixing profiles for white or RGB LED fixtures. The 1.8V-3.6V supply allows direct drive from a single-cell Li-ion pack in portable lighting products.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC12LF1552-I/P is a strong fit for battery-powered sensor endpoints because its 1.8V-3.6V supply enables direct connection to a single Li-ion or 2xAA cell, while the PIC12F low-power sleep modes typically draw sub-uA standby current. The 10-bit ADC digitizes thermistor, photodiode, or analog sensor outputs with 4 channels available on the 8-pin PDIP, and the 256-byte RAM is adequate for small state-machine sensor processing. With 3.5KB Flash, designers can fit Microchip's XC8 C firmware for duty-cycled wake-measure-transmit operation, extending coin-cell battery life into multi-year range.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control
The PIC12LF1552-I/P serves consumer IR/RF remotes because its 32MHz core and mTouch peripheral support capacitive button matrices while leaving 2 I/O pins free for IR transmitter or RF module enable. The 6 I/O in 8-pin PDIP accommodates 3-4 touch buttons plus an IR LED driver pin, and the 1.8V-3.6V range allows direct operation from 2xAAA cells without a boost converter. The 3.5KB Flash holds multiple protocol code sets (NEC, RC5, SIRC) and Microchip's touch firmware. Compared to a discrete CMOS logic remote, this part integrates the entire control MCU into a single 8-pin through-hole device.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
The PIC12LF1552-I/P fits small appliance controllers (coffee makers, fans, humidifiers) thanks to its mTouch for capacitive front-panel buttons, 10-bit ADC for temperature/humidity sensing, and 5-bit DAC for trim or analog output. The 32MHz MIPS performance runs PID loops for motor control or thermostat regulation, while the watchdog timer protects against firmware lockup in unattended appliances. The 8-pin PDIP through-hole package supports hand-soldered or wave-soldered assembly on low-cost FR-2 PCBs typical of consumer appliances.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Platform
The PIC12LF1552-I/P is well suited to educational and prototyping use because its 8-pin PDIP is breadboard-friendly, ICSP-capable, and supported by Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with XC8 C compiler and simulator. Students can exercise 10-bit ADC reads, mTouch buttons, PWM outputs, and interrupt-driven firmware on the same chip, with the 3.5KB Flash fitting real C-language projects rather than toy examples. The 1.8V-3.6V supply enables operation from a 3.3V USB-to-UART bridge or two AA cells, supporting classroom and lab use without bench power supplies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1552-I/P β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1552-E/P | PIC12LF1501-I/P | PIC12LF1501-E/P | PIC12F1572-I/P | PIC12F1571-I/P | PIC12HV752-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin PDIP | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same | 8-pin PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Architecture | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Flash | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 4 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 64 B | 64 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| mTouch | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated mTouch capacitive touch peripheral (vs PIC12LF1501-I/P)
- Higher RAM than PIC12LF1501 family (vs PIC12LF1501-I/P)
- Industrial vs Extended temperature options (vs PIC12LF1552-I/P vs PIC12LF1552-E/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of VDD pin 1 and a bulk capacitor (>=1uF) on the VDD rail. The PIC12LF1552's ADC readings are sensitive to VDD ripple; for high-precision analog, add a ferrite bead between the digital and analog VDD nets, or use the 5-bit DAC output filtered as a quiet reference. Sleep currents below 1uA are achievable only with all peripherals disabled and the WDT off in the configuration words.
For mTouch electrodes, follow Microchip AN1102 layout rules: keep a ground ring around each electrode, avoid traces under the touch pad, and place a series resistor (typically 1k) close to the I/O pin. Estimated: with a 10mm x 10mm electrode and 1mm ground clearance, expected touch sensitivity is approximately 5pF delta-C at 5mm overlay thickness. Do not flood the touch area with soldermask-free copper, as it changes the baseline capacitance.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - tie it to VDD through a 10k resistor, or to VDD directly if no external reset is needed. ICSP requires ICSPCLK (RA4) and ICSPDAT (RA5); reserving these pins for programming avoids layout rework later. Watch the configuration-word bits: setting the WDT when not using it causes unexpected resets, and forgetting the oscillator configuration leaves the part running at 500 kHz instead of 32 MHz.
For PWM-driven LED or motor loads, keep PWM traces short and away from the mTouch electrodes. Estimated: a 10cm PWM trace switched at 10kHz with a 1nF load injects roughly 5mVpp coupling into adjacent touch electrodes, which can be misinterpreted as a button press. Route the PWM output on a different PCB layer than the touch electrodes when possible.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The -I/P suffix denotes industrial temperature grade (not AEC-Q100 qualified); choose PIC12LF1552-E/P (extended grade) for harsher thermal environments. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
