PIC12LF1572-I/RF - 8-Bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 3x16-bit PWM | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1572-I/RF β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.27 | $12.70 |
| 100 | $1.09 | $109.00 |
| 500 | $0.95 | $475.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.84 | $840.00 |
PIC12LF1572-I/RF Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and configurable peripherals. The PIC12 family is Microchip's baseline 8-pin PIC line, optimized for cost-sensitive applications where board space is at a premium. Within that hierarchy, the PIC12LF1572 belongs to the enhanced mid-range core generation with a C-compiler-optimized RISC architecture. Its place in the broader taxonomy is: 8-bit microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. Compared to legacy PIC12F parts, the 1572 adds high-resolution 16-bit PWM channels specifically tuned for LED lighting, power conversion, and motor control.
Key differentiating features include three independent 16-bit PWMs (vs. the typical 10-bit PWM found on older PIC12F parts), a 10-bit ADC up to 100 ksamples/s, an on-chip 5-bit DAC usable as a programmable voltage reference, two high-speed comparators, and an internally calibrated 32 MHz HFINTOSC. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via the standard Microchip ICD toolchain, and includes a watchdog timer, brown-out reset, and on-chip voltage reference for robust field operation.
The architecture pairs an 8-bit data path with a 14-bit instruction word, allowing most instructions to execute in a single cycle. With 49 instructions and 16-level hardware stack, code density is high and interrupt latency deterministic - important for real-time PWM control loops. The integrated 16-bit PWM resolution means stepping granularity of about 488 Hz at a 32 MHz Fosc, a 256x improvement over 8-bit PWM, which is critical for digital LED dimming, where perceived flicker and color shift depend on PWM depth.
Typical applications include LED lighting and RGB color mixing, stepper motor and DC motor control, switched-mode power supply feedback, capacitive-touch user interfaces, fan speed controllers, and general-purpose sensor hubs. The combination of three PWMs plus a 10-bit ADC plus a DAC makes the PIC12LF1572-I/RF a self-contained analog/digital front-end in a single 8-pin package.
When designing with this part, verify that the UDFN exposed-pad is properly soldered and thermally connected to the ground plane; the EP serves as the primary thermal and electrical return path. Plan GPIO usage carefully - the 8-pin package exposes only 6 general-purpose I/O pins, of which several are multiplexed with the comparators, ADC, and PWM outputs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from 9 sources, parametric comparison with same-footprint variants, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet - covering drop-in alternatives in the UDFN-8 footprint and common thermal/layout pitfalls.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1572-I/RF 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 PIC12LF1572-I/RF (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1571-I/RF
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1572-I/RF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12F1822T-I/RF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1822-I/RF
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1572-I/RF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.45 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1572-I/RF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1572-I/RF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (16 MIPS via 4x PLL from 8 MHz HFINTOSC) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| PWM Channels | 3 x 16-bit |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels |
| DAC | 1 x 5-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| EUSART | Yes (1 module) |
| Internal Oscillator | 32 MHz HFINTOSC, factory calibrated |
| Package | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Compliant (lead-free finish, per Microchip product page) |
PIC12LF1572-I/RF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR β GPIO RA3 / Master Clear (reset, active low) |
| Pin 2 | RA0 β GPIO RA0 / ICSPDAT / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA1 β GPIO RA1 / ICSPCLK / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β GPIO RA2 / analog input / DAC reference output |
| Pin 5 | RA4 β GPIO RA4 / analog input / comparator output |
| Pin 6 | RA5 β GPIO RA5 / PWM output / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1572-I/RF is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting & RGB Color Mixing, Stepper Motor & DC Motor Control, Switched-Mode Power Supply Feedback, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs, Fan Speed Controller.
LED Lighting & RGB Color Mixing
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF fits LED lighting applications because its three independent 16-bit PWM channels provide the high resolution needed for smooth dimming and color mixing without perceptible flicker. Each PWM can drive a separate LED channel (R/G/B or warm/cool white) with 65,536 discrete duty steps. At a 32 MHz Fosc, PWM clock granularity is approximately 488 Hz, which exceeds the human flicker fusion threshold even at low duty cycles, eliminating strobe artifacts in video and photography. The 10-bit ADC reads photodiode feedback for closed-loop luminance control, while the internal HFINTOSC eliminates external oscillator components, reducing BOM cost. The 1.8V to 3.6V supply range supports direct Li-ion battery operation for portable lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Stepper Motor & DC Motor Control
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF is well suited to small stepper and brushed DC motor control applications thanks to its three 16-bit PWMs plus two comparators that can implement overcurrent protection without external op-amps. A single chip can generate step/dir signals for a stepper driver, or complementary PWMs with dead-band control for a half-bridge FET driver. The comparators monitor shunt resistor voltage and trip a hardware fault to immediately disable PWM outputs - critical for protecting FETs during stall or short-circuit conditions. The 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF or potentiometer position, while the EUSART enables Modbus or RS-485 communications for industrial network integration.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply Feedback
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF enables digital control loops in small switch-mode power supplies where its 16-bit PWM drives the main FET gate while the 10-bit ADC samples output voltage and current. The on-chip 5-bit DAC provides a programmable reference voltage for the comparator, allowing cycle-by-cycle current-mode control without external DAC hardware. Hardware timing of PWM and ADC trigger from the same timer base ensures deterministic sampling at the PWM valley, minimizing switching-noise aliasing. The internal 32 MHz oscillator eliminates external clock components, reducing overall BOM. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, the part is well suited to 3.3V bias-rail generation in primary-side control topologies.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF integrates two comparators that, combined with the internal DAC, implement a single-channel capacitive touch sense without an external touch controller IC. The on-chip DAC excites the touch pad with a precision voltage ramp; the comparator times the discharge through the pad capacitance to detect finger touch. With three PWMs available, additional features like LED backlight control, haptic feedback PWM, and piezo buzzer drive are integrated into the same chip. The 1.8V minimum supply enables single-Li-ion battery powered remotes, while the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range supports appliance front-panel interfaces.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF works well in low-duty-cycle sensor hubs where its 32 MHz core processes sensor data bursts while sleep currents of less than 50 nA extend battery life. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor, photodiode, or other analog sensors, while the EUSART transmits results via a 3.3 V UART link. Three PWMs drive indicator LEDs or simple actuator outputs without extra driver chips. The 256-byte RAM and 3.5 KB Flash accommodate modest sensor-fusion algorithms. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, the part is compatible with single-cell Li-ion, 2x AA alkaline, or coin-cell chemistries. The industrial temperature grade -40 C to +85 C supports outdoor and cold-chain monitoring applications.
Recommended
Fan Speed Controller
The PIC12LF1572-I/RF is a strong fit for brushless DC or 4-wire PWM fan speed controllers where its 16-bit PWM generates the standard 25 kHz control signal with fine duty-cycle resolution for low-RPM whisper-quiet operation. The 10-bit ADC reads tachometer feedback from the FG pin, while two comparators monitor fan stall or overcurrent. Closed-loop RPM regulation is implemented in firmware using the internal 32 MHz oscillator as the time base. The compact 3x3 mm UDFN footprint saves PCB area inside small fan hubs, and the 1.8V minimum supply supports 3.3V fan-module bias rails without additional regulators.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1572-I/RF β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1571-I/RF | PIC12F1572-I/RF | PIC12F1822T-I/RF | PIC12LF1822-I/RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) - same | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) - same | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) - same | 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (+52% upper) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (+52% upper) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB (-50%) | 3.5 KB - same | 3.5 KB - same | 3.5 KB - same |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 128 bytes (-50%) | 256 bytes - same | 128 bytes (-50%) | 128 bytes (-50%) |
| PWM Channels | 3 x 16-bit | 2 x 16-bit (-33%) | 3 x 16-bit - same | 1 x 10-bit ECCP (resolution -94%) | 1 x 10-bit ECCP (resolution -94%) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 3 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels - same | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Comparators | 2 | 2 - same | 2 - same | 2 - same | 2 - same |
| DAC | 1 x 5-bit | 1 x 5-bit - same | 1 x 5-bit - same | 1 x 5-bit - same | 1 x 5-bit - same |
| Internal Oscillator | 32 MHz HFINTOSC | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same |
Key Differentiators
- Three independent 16-bit PWM channels in 8-pin package (vs PIC12F1822T-I/RF)
- Low-voltage operation optimized for Li-ion batteries (vs PIC12F1572-I/RF)
- On-chip 5-bit DAC and dual comparators for closed-loop control (vs PIC12LF1571-I/RF)
- Industrial temperature grade standard (vs PIC12F1572-E/P)
Design Notes
The 8-pin UDFN EP (3x3 mm) package uses the central exposed pad as both the primary electrical ground (VSS) and the dominant thermal dissipation path. The pad must be soldered directly to a PCB ground copper pour with multiple thermal vias to the inner ground plane. Estimated: with a 1 oz copper pour of at least 100 mm^2 on a 4-layer board, theta_JA typically drops to around 80 C/W - sufficient for industrial operation at full 32 MHz without derating. Avoid using the UDFN EP variant if your assembly process cannot reliably solder the exposed pad - consider the SOIC-8 variant instead.
Place the decoupling capacitor (100 nF X7R minimum) within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 7) with the ground return via directly into the central EP pad. For noisy analog applications, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the VDD pin. Keep digital switching traces (PWM, EUSART) away from analog signal traces (ADC, comparator inputs) to minimize crosstalk. The 16-bit PWM outputs can generate fast edges; route them short and away from high-impedance analog nodes.
PIC12LF1572-I/RF has only 6 general-purpose I/O pins, several of which are multiplexed with the ICSP programming interface (RA0/RA1), MCLR reset (RA3), and analog peripherals. When using ICSP, the programming pins must be accessible even in the final application - do not connect low-impedance loads directly to RA0/RA1 that would prevent the programmer from driving them. For PWM applications, ensure the chosen PWM output pins (RA4, RA5, RA2) are not also required for analog feedback. Brown-out reset (BOR) should be enabled in configuration words for battery-powered designs to prevent undefined behavior at low VDD.
Power-on sequencing: VDD must rise monotonically from 0 V to the operating voltage with a rise time faster than the configured PWRT delay to ensure clean startup. The internal 32 MHz HFINTOSC stabilizes within microseconds of VDD crossing the POR threshold but is not precision-accurate (typically +/- 2% over voltage and temperature). For UART communications requiring tight baud-rate tolerance, switch to a crystal or external clock. Sleep current is typically below 50 nA with the HFINTOSC disabled and watchdog timer off - ideal for battery-powered sensor applications.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free (matte tin) finish on UDFN package. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC12F1572T-I/MFVAO or PIC16 variants for automotive. REACH compliance statement available from Microchip upon request.
