PIC12LF1572-E/SN - 8-bit MCU, 32MHz, 3.5KB Flash, 16-bit PWM | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1572-E/SN ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.32 | $1.32 |
| 10 | $1.18 | $11.80 |
| 100 | $1.02 | $102.00 |
| 500 | $0.89 | $445.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.76 | $760.00 |
PIC12LF1572-E/SN Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a compact computing-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path, integrating CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripheral I/O on a single silicon die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC12LF1572 sits under MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor, optimized for low-pin-count, low-power, mixed-signal embedded designs where deterministic real-time response, low sleep current, and small footprint are critical.
Key features of this device include three 16-bit PWMs with independent timers that deliver high-resolution control ideal for LED lighting, stepper motors, and switched-mode power supplies. The integrated high-performance comparator supports mixed-signal feedback loops, while the EUSART provides robust asynchronous and synchronous serial communication. The LF process node (low-voltage, low-power) enables deep sleep currents in the nanoampere range, extending battery life in energy-harvesting applications.
The architecture uses a Harvard-class RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word and a 200 ns instruction execution time at 20 MHz (one instruction per 4 clock cycles in this device), and offers Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate without CPU intervention. Three 16-bit PWM outputs, a 5-bit DAC, and the 16-bit timer/counter can be interconnected via the peripheral pin select and PPS-less fabric to form closed-loop analog or feedback control paths.
Typical applications include LED lighting and color-mixing control, stepper motor and DC motor drive for low-power robotics, switch-mode power supply feedback, battery management and metering, IoT end-node sensor conditioning, and general-purpose industrial automation. The wide operating voltage range and ultra-low power modes also make the part attractive for handheld instruments and remote sensor nodes.
When designing with this device, place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD and use a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. Confirm that the chosen programming tool (e.g., PICkit 4 or MPLAB SNAP) supports the PIC12LF1572 device ID before board bring-up. Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 4.0V; the LF variant is not 5V tolerant.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, application notes, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving embedded engineers a faster path from part selection to prototype.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1572-E/SN — 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 PIC12LF1572-E/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Maximum CPU Speed, Operating Temperature, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1572-I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1572-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1572-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1571-I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1571-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.59 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1571-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.6549 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1572-E/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit RISC Microcontroller |
| CPU Core | PIC12 (Harvard RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| PWM Channels | 3 x 16-bit (independent timers) |
| Timers | 6 |
| Comparators | 1 |
| Communication | 1 x EUSART |
| Resets / Supervision | Brown-Out Reset (BOR), Power-On Reset (POR), Watchdog Timer (WDT) |
| Pin Count | 8 |
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN, 3.90 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Lead-Free / RoHS Compliant (Microchip PIC12 family default) |
PIC12LF1572-E/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — General-purpose I/O / Master Clear reset input (active-low) / ICSP high-voltage programming input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/ICSPDAT/AN0 — General-purpose I/O / ICSP data / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/ICSPCLK/AN1 — General-purpose I/O / ICSP clock / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — General-purpose I/O / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive power supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA4/AN3/PWM1 — General-purpose I/O / analog input channel 3 / 16-bit PWM output 1 |
| Pin 8 | RA5/AN4/PWM2 — General-purpose I/O / analog input channel 4 / 16-bit PWM output 2 |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1572-E/SN is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Control, Stepper Motor and DC Motor Drive, Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Feedback, Battery Management and Fuel-Gauge Metering, IoT End-Nodes and Sensor Conditioning, Industrial Automation and Metering.
LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Control
The PIC12LF1572-E/SN's three independent 16-bit PWM channels deliver 16-bit duty-cycle resolution, making it ideal for high-CRI LED dimming, RGB color mixing, and tunable-white lighting fixtures. Each PWM has its own timer, so red, green, and blue channels can run at different frequencies with phase shift to reduce flicker. According to the Microchip PIC12(L)F1571/2 datasheet, the on-chip comparator and 5-bit DAC enable closed-loop current feedback without CPU load, preserving headroom for protocol stacks. The 1.8V-3.6V LF process fits directly into battery- or USB-powered lighting nodes, and the 8-SOIC footprint simplifies hand-soldering for low-volume runs. A practical design uses one PWM per LED channel and a fourth GPIO for enable, leaving the EUSART free for DMX or DALI bridges.
Recommended
Stepper Motor and DC Motor Drive
For low-power stepper motors, fans, and brushed DC motors, the PIC12LF1572-E/SN provides three 16-bit PWMs that can drive stepper phase windings directly through external MOSFET bridges, or generate PWM + direction signals for H-bridge drivers. The on-chip comparator supports back-EMF or current-sense feedback for stall detection, while the LF process enables battery-powered robotic actuators. Per the Microchip datasheet, instruction execution at 32 MHz yields 125 ns per instruction, allowing precise commutation timing. The 8-SOIC package allows embedding the controller directly on the motor PCB. A typical design uses one PWM for step pulse generation, the third PWM for enable, and the EUSART for command input from a host MCU.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Feedback
The PIC12LF1572-E/SN serves as a digital-feedback controller for low-power isolated or non-isolated switch-mode power supplies, replacing legacy analog PWM controllers. Its three 16-bit PWMs drive primary-side FETs and synchronous rectifiers, while the on-chip comparator samples the output voltage divider for voltage-mode control. The 32 MHz core executes control loops in under 5 us, comfortably supporting 200 kHz switching frequencies. Per the Microchip datasheet, the on-chip 5-bit DAC provides a software-programmable reference, simplifying secondary-side regulation. The 8-SOIC footprint and 1.8V-3.6V supply suit auxiliary supply rails derived from the main transformer. A typical design uses PWM1 for primary drive, PWM2 for synchronous FET, and the comparator input on AN3.
Recommended
Battery Management and Fuel-Gauge Metering
In portable battery packs, the PIC12LF1572-E/SN monitors cell voltage and current via its on-chip comparator and ADC channels, computes state-of-charge, and drives a status LED through a 16-bit PWM. The 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and learned battery parameters across power cycles, and the LF process keeps active current under 1 mA at 3.3V. The deep sleep modes listed in the Microchip PIC12(L)F1571/2 datasheet pull standby current into the nanoampere range, extending shelf life of infrequently-cycled packs. The 8-SOIC package fits inside a single 18650 cell holder. A practical design uses the comparator for over-current detection and the EUSART for SMBus or one-wire battery telemetry.
Recommended
IoT End-Nodes and Sensor Conditioning
The PIC12LF1572-E/SN is well-suited to IoT edge nodes that perform local analog conditioning and wake a radio only when meaningful data arrives. The on-chip comparator triggers wake-up from sleep when a sensor threshold is crossed, and the 16-bit PWMs can synthesize sensor excitation waveforms. The 1.8V-3.6V LF supply directly powers the MCU from a coin cell or energy harvester. Per Microchip datasheet, sleep current in the nanoampere range is critical for years-of-operation battery life on remote sensor nodes. The EUSART bridges to sub-GHz radios such as the MRF89XA or to BLE modules via a UART command set. A typical design uses one PWM for sensor drive, the comparator for threshold wake, and the EUSART for radio data exchange.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Metering
In industrial control panels and metering equipment, the PIC12LF1572-E/SN drives indicator LEDs, generates analog setpoints via PWM+filter, and communicates over EUSART with PLCs or HMIs. The Extended temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C) covers factory-floor and outdoor cabinet environments. The 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration and configuration, and the BOR/POR/WDT chain ensures deterministic recovery from brown-out events on long industrial supply lines. Per Microchip datasheet, three 16-bit PWMs can drive tri-color status indicators with independent fade rates. The 8-SOIC package is hand-solderable and rework-friendly for low-volume industrial builds. A practical design uses PWM1 for valve actuator drive, PWM2 for status LED, and the EUSART for Modbus RTU communication.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1572-E/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1572-I/SN | PIC12F1572-I/SN | PIC12F1572-E/SN | PIC12LF1571-I/SN | PIC12LF1571-E/SN | PIC12F1571-I/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-SOIC (SN) | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- Largest memory in PIC12(L)F157x family (vs PIC12LF1571-E/SN)
- Low-voltage LF process for battery-powered designs (vs PIC12F1572-I/SN)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC12LF1572-I/SN)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (Pin 5) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail. The PIC12LF1572-E/SN requires VDD between 1.8V and 3.6V; do NOT apply 5V because the LF process is not 5V tolerant and absolute maximum VDD is 4.0V per the Microchip PIC12(L)F1571/2 datasheet. Add a ferrite bead or small resistor (10 ohm) in series with VDD if the supply is shared with a switching regulator, and place the bulk capacitor on the device side of the bead.
Do not tie MCLR (Pin 1) directly to VDD without a pull-up; MCLR is active-low and must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation. For ICSP programming, route RA0/ICSPDAT (Pin 2), RA1/ICSPCLK (Pin 3), and MCLR/VPP (Pin 1) to a 5-pin header compatible with PICkit 4 / MPLAB SNAP. Do not load the I/O pins above +/- 25 mA per pin or +/- 200 mA per package (Microchip datasheet electrical limits).
Use a ground plane under the 8-SOIC footprint to minimize digital switching noise coupling into the analog comparator inputs (RA0-RA2). Keep the PWM output traces (RA4/RA5) short and route them away from the analog inputs and from RA0/RA1 to avoid cross-coupling. If using the comparator for current sensing, place a 100 ohm series resistor and a 100 pF capacitor on the comparator input to filter switching transients from the PWM outputs.
Estimated: at 32 MHz, 3.3V VDD, and 100% CPU activity, the PIC12LF1572-E/SN active current is approximately 4 mA and power dissipation is about 13 mW. In the 8-SOIC package (theta_JA around 100 C/W typical for SO-8) the junction temperature rise above ambient is approximately 1.3 C, well below the 125 C maximum. Even at the worst-case +125 C ambient, the device operates within its thermal limits because the MCU current is low.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip PIC12LF product family default; AEC-Q100 not formally qualified (the -E suffix denotes temperature grade only, not automotive qualification); REACH compliant per Microchip product page; conflict-minerals statement available from Microchip.
