PIC12LF1552T-I/MU - 8-bit MCU 3.5KB Flash 32MHz 8-UDFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1552T-I/MU β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.18 | $1.18 |
| 10 | $1.06 | $10.60 |
| 100 | $0.94 | $94.00 |
| 500 | $0.85 | $425.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.76 | $760.00 |
| 3,300 | $0.68 | $2,244.00 |
PIC12LF1552T-I/MU Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and configurable peripherals into one IC. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC12LF1552 belongs to the 8-bit PIC family -> mid-range enhanced core -> embedded microcontroller -> microcomputer -> semiconductor. The "LF" suffix denotes a wide Vdd range (1.8 V to 3.6 V) optimized for low-power and battery applications, while the "/MU" suffix identifies the 2x3 mm 8-UDFN surface-mount package, ideal for space-constrained designs.
Key features include 25 mA source/sink current per I/O, a Low-Power Brown-Out Reset (LPBOR) for reliable startup, an extended Watchdog Timer with its own oscillator, and a mTouch CVD peripheral supporting proximity sensing, button matrices, and water-rejection algorithms. The 16 MHz internal oscillator can be multiplied to 32 MHz via the PLL, simplifying BOM by removing external crystals in many designs.
Typical applications span capacitive touch user interfaces, low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered consumer devices, and LED lighting controllers. The integrated CVD engine removes the need for an external touch controller, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. Wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V operation supports direct Li-ion or 2xAA battery connection.
When designing with this MCU, allocate at least one GP port for ICD debugging and provide a robust ground plane under the UDFN thermal pad to maximize RF immunity for capacitive measurements. Decouple Vdd with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in package-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1552T-I/MU 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 PIC12LF1552T-I/MU (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Internal Oscillator, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1552-E/MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1552T-E/MU
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1552-I/MU
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1552T-I/MU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (16 MHz internal + PLL) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, "I") |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz (32 MHz with PLL) |
| Communication Interfaces | MI2C, SPI |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch CVD (Capacitive Voltage Divider) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, extended with dedicated oscillator |
| Brown-Out Reset | Low-Power BOR (LPBOR) |
| Package | 8-UDFN (2x3 mm), "MU" |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12LF1552T-I/MU Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 β Bidirectional I/O; analog input AN3 |
| Pin 3 | RA4 β Bidirectional I/O; analog input AN2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP β I/O / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O; analog input AN1 |
| Pin 6 | RA1/ICSPCLK β I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | RA0/ICSPDAT β I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1552T-I/MU is suitable for 6 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Consumer Remote Controls, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Wearable Health and Fitness Devices.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU is purpose-built for capacitive touch UI applications thanks to its integrated mTouch CVD peripheral with advanced water rejection, guard-ring drive, and configurable scan sequencing. The engine supports buttons, sliders, wheels, and proximity sensors on the same 6 GPIO without external touch ICs. With 25 mA sink/source per pin, LED indicators can be driven directly from the touch pins for compact UI panels. The 1.8 V-3.6 V supply range supports Li-ion or 2xAA battery power, while 32 MHz CPU throughput enables post-processing of touch data in real time. Pairing the CVD engine with the 4-channel 10-bit ADC allows hybrid touch-plus-analog designs on the same die. Typical implementations include appliance control panels, smart-locks, and wearable keypads.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU suits duty-cycled IoT sensor nodes with its 1.8 V to 3.6 V wide supply range and nanoampere sleep currents, allowing direct connection to 2xAA alkaline, coin-cell, or single-cell Li-ion chemistries without external regulation. The enhanced mid-range core executes most instructions in one cycle, enabling fast wake-measure-transmit-sleep cycles that keep average current budgets under 10 uA. The 4-channel 10-bit ADC reads analog sensors (temperature, light, gas) while the MI2C/SPI peripherals interface to digital sensors and radios. The internal 32 MHz oscillator (16 MHz + PLL) eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM and board area. Suitable for environmental monitors, smart agriculture probes, and asset trackers.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU drives multi-channel LED lighting fixtures using its 6 GPIO at 25 mA source/sink, sufficient for direct low-current LED strings or logic-level MOSFET gates for high-power strings. The 32 MHz CPU bandwidth enables smooth PWM dimming with 16-bit resolution when configured, eliminating visible flicker in architectural and stage lighting. The integrated CVD peripheral enables touch-based dimmers and color-temperature selectors without a dedicated touch IC, shrinking the BOM for residential smart-bulb designs. The 1.8 V-3.6 V supply supports direct Li-ion battery operation in portable fixtures. The 8-UDFN package fits inside MR16-style lamp form factors where SOIC variants cannot.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU fits IR/RF remote control designs with its 6 GPIO for keypad scanning, 32 MHz CPU for protocol encoding, and 1.8 V-3.6 V supply for 2xAAA battery operation. The mTouch CVD peripheral supports touch sliders for volume or channel control, replacing mechanical buttons for a sleeker industrial design. Sleep currents in the nanoampere range extend battery life to multi-year timescales in typical-use remotes. The 3.5 KB Flash accommodates complex protocols (NEC, RC5, RC6, Zigbee RF4CE) and customer-specific IR databases. The 8-UDFN 2x3 mm package fits inside the slim form factor of modern smart-TV remotes.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU conditions industrial sensor signals using its 4-channel 10-bit ADC, configurable internal voltage reference, and MI2C/SPI for digital sensor pass-through. The 1.8 V-3.6 V supply range supports 3.3 V industrial backplanes, while the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade covers factory-floor deployment. The 25 mA I/O sink/source capability drives opto-isolators, relays, or 4-20 mA loop interfaces directly. On-chip LPBOR and extended Watchdog Timer with dedicated oscillator ensure reliable operation in electrically noisy industrial environments. Typical uses include 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters, RTD/thermocouple front-ends, and process-control edge nodes.
Recommended
Wearable Health and Fitness Devices
The PIC12LF1552T-I/MU supports wearable health devices with its 2x3 mm 8-UDFN package fitting inside wristbands, patches, and rings. The mTouch CVD peripheral enables on-skin proximity detection for wearable activation, while the 4-channel 10-bit ADC reads optical heart-rate or temperature sensors. The 1.8 V-3.6 V supply supports direct LiPo battery operation, and nanoampere sleep currents extend battery life across multi-day wear cycles. The 6 GPIO drives vibration motors, LEDs, and SPI-connected sensors or BLE modules. The industrial -40 C to +85 C range suits body-temperature operation across climate zones.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1552T-I/MU β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1552-E/MU | PIC12LF1552T-E/MU | PIC12LF1552-I/MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-UDFN (2x3 mm, MU) | 8-UDFN (2x3 mm, MU) - same | 8-UDFN (2x3 mm, MU) - same | 8-UDFN (2x3 mm, MU) - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (PLL) | 32 MHz (PLL) | 32 MHz (PLL) | 32 MHz (PLL) |
| Supply 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Capacitive Touch (mTouch CVD) | Yes (advanced, with water rejection) | Yes (advanced, with water rejection) | Yes (advanced, with water rejection) | Yes (advanced, with water rejection) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tube (non-T&R) | Tape & Reel | Tube (non-T&R) |
Key Differentiators
- Advanced mTouch CVD with water rejection and guard-ring drive (vs PIC12F1572-I/P)
- Smallest 8-pin Microchip PIC package at 2x3 mm UDFN (vs PIC12LF1552T-I/SN (8-SOIC))
- Extended temperature variants available in same package (vs PIC12LF1552-E/MU (extended temp))
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. The 8-UDFN package has a center thermal pad that MUST be soldered to the ground plane for both thermal dissipation and electrical reference. Use a continuous ground plane under the device to maximize the noise immunity of the mTouch CVD measurements; floating or split grounds degrade touch SNR measurably.
Allocate RA1 (pin 6) and RA0 (pin 7) for ICSP programming - these pins are shared with the ICSP clock and data lines. If either pin is used for a touch sensor or LED drive, add 4.7 kohm series resistors to isolate the ICSP programmer from the application circuit during debug. Failure to do so can prevent in-circuit programming or cause unreliable debug sessions. Microchip ICD programmers can typically drive capacitive loads up to 50 pF without additional buffering.
Do not assume the 32 MHz headline speed applies across the full Vdd range - the PLL is only stable above 2.0 V, so below 2.0 V the CPU falls back to the 16 MHz internal oscillator. Brown-out reset (LPBOR) defaults can cause unwanted resets during battery-voltage dips; configure BOR via the CONFIG register to suit your power profile. When migrating from PIC12LF1501 designs, note that pin 4 (RA3) cannot be used as a general GPIO if MCLR is enabled in CONFIG - this trips up many first-time PIC12F designers.
For capacitive touch electrodes, route sense traces as short and narrow as possible, with a guard trace driven by the CVD guard peripheral surrounding the sense area to shunt external EMI. Keep touch traces away from switching power lines and clock signals; a 5 mm clearance is recommended. Use a ground-fill hatch beneath touch sensors with a hatch spacing of 0.5 mm - denser fills increase parasitic capacitance and reduce sensitivity. The Microchip mTouch Design Center provides PCB layout checklists that should be reviewed before tape-out.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - Microchip's PIC12 family targets consumer/industrial; AEC-Q100 qualified variants use different part numbering. MSL rating not exposed in scraped data.
