PIC12LF1572T-I/MF - 8-Bit MCU, 32MHz, 3.5KB Flash, 8-DFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1572T-I/MF β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.32 | $1.32 |
| 10 | $1.18 | $11.80 |
| 100 | $1.05 | $105.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.82 | $820.00 |
| 3,300 | $0.74 | $2,442.00 |
PIC12LF1572T-I/MF Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path; it executes one byte per instruction and is widely used in cost-sensitive embedded designs where deterministic timing and ultra-low standby power are more important than raw compute throughput. The PIC12F157X family adds 16-bit PWM channels to the traditional 8-bit core, which is unusual: most 8-bit MCUs offer only 8 or 10-bit PWM. This bridges the gap between low-cost 8-bit controllers and higher-end 16-bit Digital Signal Controllers for applications that demand fine-grained duty-cycle control without paying for a 16-bit core.
Key features include three independent 16-bit PWMs (1.6 ns resolution at 32 MHz), an integrated 10-bit ADC with up to 6 channels, an analog comparator with a 4-bit DAC reference, an EUSART module for asynchronous serial communications, and four hardware-driven Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate without CPU intervention. The "LF" suffix denotes the wide-Vdd 1.8V-3.6V operating range, optimized for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs. Brown-out Reset (BOR), Power-On Reset (POR), and a low-power Sleep mode (typically under 50 nA) support extended battery life in always-on products.
Typical applications include LED lighting dimming and color-mixing controllers, brushed DC and stepper motor drivers, switched-mode power supply (SMPS) digital control loops, remote controls, sensor signal conditioning, and small-form-factor IoT edge nodes. The DFN-8 package makes the part attractive where board area is at a premium, such as in smart wearables or miniaturized sensor modules.
When designing with this part, ensure the configured system clock does not exceed 32 MHz and that the EUSART baud-rate generator error is checked at the target temperature. Because the 16-bit PWM time-base can drive the part beyond what 8-bit timers typically achieve, plan filter component values and dead-time insertion carefully to avoid shoot-through in half-bridge drive applications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 8-pin alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet PDF.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1572T-I/MF 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 PIC12LF1572T-I/MF (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1572-I/MF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.51 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1571T-I/MF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.36 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12F1572T-I/MF
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.63 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC12LF1572T-I/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit |
| Core Family | PIC12 (PIC12F157X series) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 (independent) |
| PWM Resolution | 16-bit (1.6 ns at 32 MHz) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 6 channels |
| Comparator | 1 with 4-bit DAC reference |
| EUSART | 1 module |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V ("LF" wide-Vdd variant) |
| I/O Pins | 6 (maximum) |
| Package | 8-pin DFN (3x3 mm) - "MF" suffix |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial "I") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30 C / 85% RH) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC12LF1572T-I/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 β Digital I/O / PWM3 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 β Digital I/O / PWM2 output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR β Digital input or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | RA2 β Digital I/O / analog input / PWM1 output |
| Pin 6 | RA1 β Digital I/O / analog input / comparator output |
| Pin 7 | RA0 β Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | EP β Exposed thermal pad (bottom of package) - tie to VSS |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1572T-I/MF is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Dimming & Color Mixing, Stepper & DC Motor Control, Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control, Remote Control & Human-Interface Devices, IoT Edge Sensor Nodes, Battery-Powered Wearable Electronics.
LED Lighting Dimming & Color Mixing
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MF fits LED lighting controllers precisely because it delivers three independent 16-bit PWM channels with 62.5 ns resolution at 32 MHz, enabling 16-bit color-depth mixing without CPU overhead. The 16-bit PWMs are driven by Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate while the CPU sleeps, and the LF 1.8-3.6 V Vdd range matches single-cell Li-Ion or two-AA battery packs directly. Placed between a battery input and a constant-current LED driver such as the Microchip CL88030 or LED2001, this MCU produces smooth color-temperature transitions and high-resolution dimming down to <0.01% duty cycle, which is well below the human eye's perception threshold.
Recommended
Stepper & DC Motor Control
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MF's three 16-bit PWMs and integrated analog comparator make it an effective controller for small brushed DC or bipolar stepper motors in low-voltage battery-powered products. The PWMs can synthesize the sinusoidal commutation steps needed for microstepping a stepper at up to 1/256 step resolution, while the comparator provides hardware over-current detection that can trip PWM shutdown within one instruction cycle. Operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V, the part pairs naturally with H-bridge drivers such as the DRV8830 or TB6612FNG, keeping the BOM small enough for tiny wearables, camera gimbals, and smart locks.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control
Digital control of switch-mode power supplies benefits from the PIC12LF1572T-I/MF's three high-resolution 16-bit PWMs and integrated 10-bit ADC with up to 6 input channels. The PWMs can drive the primary MOSFET gate, the synchronous rectifier gate, and a housekeeping converter simultaneously, all with hardware dead-time control to prevent shoot-through. The 10-bit ADC samples output voltage and current at up to 100 ksps, sufficient for peak-current-mode control at typical 50-200 kHz switching frequencies. Compared with analog UC3842-style controllers, this MCU enables programmable soft-start, adaptive slope compensation, and on-the-fly firmware-tuned loop response.
Recommended
Remote Control & Human-Interface Devices
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MF suits small remote controls and human-interface devices because of its EUSART module (for IR or RF link control), three 16-bit PWMs (for backlight, haptic driver, and status LED), and six I/O pins (enough for 4-5 buttons and an IR LED). At less than 50 nA typical sleep current (per datasheet DS40001723D), a battery-powered remote can sit idle for years. The 3x3 mm DFN-8 package makes it possible to fit the entire controller inside the battery compartment of a key-fob remote, which is unique among PW-capable 8-bit MCUs.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensor Nodes
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MF is well matched to IoT edge sensor nodes that need on-board signal conditioning, PWM drive, and a low-energy serial link. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature, light, or analog sensor outputs, the comparator triggers threshold-based wake-up events without CPU involvement, and the EUSART streams processed data to a host BLE or LoRa module. With Vdd down to 1.8 V, the part can run directly from a single-cell alkaline or a small solar cell, and the wide operating temperature (-40 C to +85 C) covers outdoor IoT deployments. Pair it with an MCP9808 temperature sensor or an MCP1700 LDO for a complete energy-harvesting sensor node.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wearable Electronics
Wearable electronics require ultra-compact footprints, low-voltage operation, and fine-grained PWM control for haptic feedback and LED indicators - all of which the PIC12LF1572T-I/MF delivers in a 3x3 mm DFN-8 package. Three 16-bit PWMs can simultaneously drive a vibration motor, an RGB status LED, and a backlight with sub-microsecond resolution, while the 6 I/O pins accept touch buttons, an accelerometer interrupt, and a BLE wake signal. Operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V, the part pairs with coin-cell or Li-Po batteries; Sleep current below 50 nA means a wearable fitness band can last 6-12 months on a single CR2032 cell.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1572T-I/MF β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1572-I/MF | PIC12LF1571T-I/MF | PIC12F1572T-I/MF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 128 B | 256 B |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Vdd Range | 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 5.5 V |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels | 10-bit, 4 channels | 10-bit, 6 channels |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
| Unit Price (1k qty, as of 2026-09-16) | $0.82 | $0.82 | $0.74 | $0.82 |
Key Differentiators
- Three independent 16-bit PWMs at 32 MHz in an 8-pin package (vs PIC12F615T-I/MF)
- Wide-Vdd 1.8-3.6 V operation for battery-powered designs (vs PIC12F1572T-I/MF)
- Core Independent Peripherals offload PWM and ADC tasks from the CPU (vs ATMEGA162V-8AUR (28-pin))
Design Notes
The 8-pin DFN (3x3 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad (pin 9) on the underside that MUST be soldered to the PCB ground pad for both mechanical reliability and thermal dissipation. Without the EP soldered, the part can delaminate during thermal cycling and the ground reference for ADC measurements becomes noisy. Use an array of 4-6 thermal vias in the PCB EP pad to sink heat into the inner ground plane. Keep all trace routing on inner layers or on the opposite side of the EP; do not run signals under the EP.
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible between VDD (pin 1) and VSS (pin 8), with the loop area minimized to <2 mm^2. Add a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same VDD node to handle the inrush when the part wakes from Sleep. For ADC accuracy, isolate the analog VDD feed with a small ferrite bead or 10 ohm resistor and provide a dedicated AVSS connection back to the main ground - the PIC12(L)F1571/2 uses VDD/VSS as the ADC reference, so noisy digital return currents will degrade 10-bit ADC INL.
Estimated: at 32 MHz FOSC the PIC12LF1572T-I/MF draws approximately 4-5 mA active current; with three 16-bit PWMs simultaneously toggling at high slew rates, this can rise to 6-7 mA. Source current from a regulator with at least 20 mA headroom. Watch the FOSC versus Vdd curve: above 2.0 V you get the full 32 MHz; below 2.0 V the maximum stable HFINTOSC frequency is derated per datasheet DS40001723D section 30. Also note that the MCLR pin (RA3) is input-only on this family - never drive it as an output, or the part will enter reset.
When using the 16-bit PWM outputs to drive external MOSFETs or LEDs, add a small series resistor (10-47 ohm) at the PWM pin to dampen ringing on long PCB traces. The 16-bit PWM outputs switch in approximately 10 ns, which produces significant harmonic content up to several hundred MHz - keeping the trace <25 mm or shielding it with a ground pour minimizes radiated EMI. For half-bridge drive, configure the dead-time control register (PWMCON) to insert at least 50 ns of dead-time to prevent shoot-through across the supply rails.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, choose a -Q1 or -VAO suffix variant (not available in this 8-DFN package). Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020.
