PIC12LF1572T-I/MS - 8-bit 32MHz MCU 3.5KB Flash 8-MSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1572T-I/MS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| 10 | $0.89 | $8.90 |
| 100 | $0.79 | $79.00 |
| 500 | $0.71 | $355.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.63 | $630.00 |
PIC12LF1572T-I/MS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates an 8-bit CPU core, program memory, RAM, and peripherals onto a single silicon die. In the broader taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the microcontroller family, which falls under microcontrollers, integrated circuits, and finally semiconductors. The PIC12F line targets low-pin-count, cost-sensitive applications where the smallest package and lowest power matter most, and the PIC12LF1572 belongs to the PIC12(L)F157X sub-family that combines 16-bit PWMs with analog peripherals. The "LF" prefix denotes the wide-voltage, low-power variant optimized for battery-powered and energy-harvesting products.
Key features include three independent 16-bit PWMs with dedicated timers, a hardware 5-bit DAC that complements the 10-bit ADC, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), and up to 6 general-purpose I/O pins. Internal oscillator options eliminate external crystals in many designs, while the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface allows field upgrades. Compared with traditional 8-bit MCUs that only offer 8 or 10-bit PWMs, the 16-bit PWM resolution enables finer control of LED brightness and motor position.
Technically, the PIC12LF1572 uses a Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and single-cycle execution, allowing deterministic interrupt response for real-time control. The 32MHz internal oscillator provides 8 MIPS throughput, with low-power Sleep and Idle modes reducing quiescent current to support battery-operated systems.
Typical applications include RGB LED lighting strips, small DC motor or fan speed controllers, low-cost SMPS primary-side control, and consumer remote controls. The combination of wide-voltage operation, high-resolution PWM, and integrated DAC makes it especially well suited to general-purpose lighting and power-conversion tasks.
When designing, place the device close to its supply decoupling capacitor and route the analog AVdd/DAC traces away from PWM outputs. Verify that total GPIO sourcing does not exceed the package's 50 mA per-pin limit.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers and buyers a faster path to a qualified design.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1572T-I/MS 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/MS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Operating Temperature, Package, ADC, Core Architecture, DAC.
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Request AlternativesPIC12LF1572T-I/MS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) Flash |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit, single-cycle |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 GPIO |
| ADC | 4-channel, 10-bit |
| DAC | 1 x 5-bit hardware |
| PWM | 3 x 16-bit |
| Communication | 1 x EUSART |
| Package | 8-MSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12LF1572T-I/MS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 β General-purpose I/O / PWM3 output |
| Pin 3 | RA4 β General-purpose I/O / PWM2 output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR β General-purpose I/O or Master Clear reset input |
| Pin 5 | RC5 β General-purpose I/O / DAC output |
| Pin 6 | RC4 β General-purpose I/O / PWM1 output |
| Pin 7 | RC3 β General-purpose I/O / ADC reference |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1572T-I/MS is suitable for 7 applications: RGB LED Lighting Strips, Small DC Motor and Fan Speed Control, Low-Cost SMPS Primary-Side Control, Consumer Remote Controls, Wearable Health Patches, IoT Sensor End-Nodes, Industrial Control Knobs and HMI Dials.
RGB LED Lighting Strips
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS is well matched to RGB LED strip controllers because three independent 16-bit PWMs drive red, green, and blue channels with 65,536 dimming steps each, producing visually smooth color fades without dithering artifacts. At 32MHz CPU throughput, software color-mixing algorithms run comfortably below 1ms latency, supporting Bluetooth or Wi-Fi control loops without flicker. The 1.8V-3.6V Vdd window lets the MCU share a Li-ion or 2x AA supply rail directly with low-voltage LED driver ICs, eliminating an LDO stage.
Recommended
Small DC Motor and Fan Speed Control
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS excels at brushed DC motor and 4-wire fan speed control because its three 16-bit PWMs deliver sub-100ppm duty-cycle resolution, enabling very low-speed torque without cogging. The 32MHz CPU closes PI speed-control loops in under 200us, while the 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF or tachometer feedback in real time. The 8-MSOP footprint fits inside BLDC module housings, and the 1.8V-3.6V supply accepts direct 1S Li-ion or 2x AA power without external regulation.
Recommended
Low-Cost SMPS Primary-Side Control
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS is well suited to primary-side regulation in isolated AC-DC and buck converters because its 16-bit PWM drives the MOSFET gate with sub-nanosecond effective duty resolution, while the 5-bit hardware DAC provides a software-free analog reference for the feedback comparator. The 32MHz MIPS throughput supports average-current-mode control loops at 100kHz switching frequencies. The 1.8V-3.6V Vdd and integrated EUSART simplify digital communication and house-keeping tasks inside compact 5W adapters.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS fits consumer IR/RF remote controllers because its 32MHz core runs RC5, NEC, or proprietary protocols with deterministic timing, while its Sleep current under 1uA extends battery life beyond one year. The 16-bit PWM can modulate IR carrier frequencies directly, and the EUSART drives external 2.4GHz transceivers for RF remotes. The 8-MSOP package and 1.8V-3.6V Vdd accept a single CR2032 coin cell without boost circuitry.
Recommended
Wearable Health Patches
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS supports disposable health-monitoring patches because its 1.8V-3.6V supply runs directly from zinc-air or printed silver-oxide batteries, and its low-power Sleep modes draw under 1uA between measurements. The 10-bit ADC digitizes temperature, pulse, or bio-impedance signals, while the 16-bit PWM drives an optical LED at precisely controlled currents. The 3.5KB Flash accommodates BLE pairing state machines and simple DSP routines in a compact 8-MSOP form factor.
Recommended
IoT Sensor End-Nodes
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS is ideal for IoT sensor end-nodes because it combines a 32MHz core, 4-channel 10-bit ADC, and EUSART in an 8-MSOP package, enabling direct interfacing with UART-based LoRa, Sub-GHz, or BLE modules. Its 1.8V-3.6V supply accepts energy-harvester outputs (solar, thermal, vibration) without complex power conditioning. The 16-bit PWM can drive a low-side alert buzzer or LED indicator while the CPU handles sensor fusion, calibration, and packet framing in a single chip.
Recommended
Industrial Control Knobs and HMI Dials
The PIC12LF1572T-I/MS is well suited to rotary-knob and jog-dial human-machine interfaces because its three 16-bit PWMs drive RGB LED rings with smooth color transitions while the EUSART communicates with the host controller. The 32MHz CPU debounces quadrature encoder inputs in real time and translates rotation into precise digital commands. The 1.8V-3.6V supply and 8-MSOP footprint fit inside sealed industrial panel-mount enclosures with minimal PCB area.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1572T-I/MS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1572T-I/MS | PIC12LF1572-E/MS | PIC12F1572T-I/SN | PIC12LF1501T-I/MS | PIC12LF1571T-I/MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-MSOP | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-SOIC (SN) - same pin assignment | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 (10-bit PWM only) | 2 |
| DAC | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | None | None |
| ADC | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit |
| EUSART | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Three 16-bit PWMs versus two on the 1571 sibling (vs PIC12LF1571T-I/MS)
- Integrated 5-bit hardware DAC (vs PIC12LF1501T-I/MS)
- Lower-voltage process for battery applications (vs PIC12F1572T-I/MS)
Design Notes
Estimated: total current budget at 32MHz active is roughly 2mA from the 3.3V rail. Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3mm of the VDD pin and a 10uF bulk capacitor at the supply entry point. For battery designs, the Sleep current drops below 1uA, allowing the PIC12LF1572T-I/MS to idle for years on a CR2032 coin cell if wake-ups are kept below one per hour.
The 8-MSOP package has a theta_JA of approximately 206 C/W per Microchip package thermal data, but at the typical 2-3mA active current and 3.3V supply, power dissipation is below 10mW and self-heating is negligible. No thermal management is required unless the design forces GPIO sourcing above 20mA per pin, in which case the total GPIO power should be recalculated against the 200C/W thermal limit.
Keep PWM output traces short and isolated from analog input traces (RA0/RA1 ADC inputs) to prevent switching noise coupling into the 10-bit ADC. Route the EUSART traces as a matched pair with ground reference on adjacent layers, and provide a ground pour under the IC body. The exposed pad (where present on the MSOP variant) should be soldered to a copper pad connected to VSS for mechanical stability.
Do not connect MCLR (RA3) directly to VDD without a pull-up resistor - the internal weak pull-up can be overridden, and a hard short during in-circuit programming can prevent ICSP handshake. When using the internal oscillator, the FOSC configuration bits must be programmed for the correct frequency range, or the CPU will run at an unexpected clock and EUSART baud rates will be wrong. Always configure the unused pins as outputs low to minimize Sleep current.
The 16-bit PWM outputs can produce sub-nanosecond edge rates when driving high-MOSFET gate capacitance; add a 33 ohm series resistor within 5mm of the MCU pin to damp ringing on long traces. The 5-bit DAC output impedance is typically 200 ohms, so an external buffer is recommended when driving impedances below 5 kohm. For EUSART signals above 115200 baud, prioritize short traces and ground shielding to avoid bit errors from reflections.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page; halogen-free per Microchip material declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose a Q-grade part for automotive applications.
