PIC16F1503-E/MG - 8-Bit 20MHz 3.5KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1503-E/MG ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.55 | $1.55 |
| 10 | $1.42 | $14.20 |
| 100 | $1.18 | $118.00 |
| 500 | $1.02 | $510.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.89 | $890.00 |
PIC16F1503-E/MG Overview
What is a PIC16F microcontroller? The PIC16F family from Microchip Technology represents an enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) MCU line that combines PIC10/12/16 baseline simplicity with richer peripheral integration. PIC16F MCUs belong to the broader microcontroller category within embedded semiconductors, sitting below 32-bit ARM Cortex parts in capability but above simple 8-bit baseline controllers in peripheral count and CIP (Core Independent Peripherals) integration. The F-suffix denotes Flash program memory, enabling in-circuit reprogramming via ICSP.
Key features of the PIC16F1503-E/MG include a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels, internal oscillator (no external crystal required), 4 standalone 10-bit PWM modules, configurable logic cells (CLC), a Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and the standard PIC16F peripheral complement of timers, comparators, and EUSART. The internal voltage reference supports 1.024V, 2.048V, and 4.096V levels for ADC and comparator use.
The device operates from 2.3V to 5.5V across the -40C to +125C industrial temperature range, making it suitable for both consumer-electronic 3.3V and industrial 5V rails. Its 16-pin QFN (3x3) exposed-pad package maximizes thermal dissipation for higher-clock industrial environments while keeping PCB footprint at roughly 9 mm squared - smaller than SOIC-14 alternatives.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, small home appliances, sensor interface front-ends, battery-powered IoT edge nodes, fan/control HVAC actuators, and consumer toys. The PIC16F1503's combination of CLC and NCO peripherals enables frequency generation and waveform synthesis without CPU intervention, suiting cost-sensitive timing and signaling tasks.
Designers should note the -E temperature grade denotes -40C to +125C extended industrial range; the -I grade covers only -40C to +85C. For layouts, expose the QFN thermal pad to a copper pour of at least 10mm squared and provide direct ICSP access to PGD/PGC pins for debug.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and design notes not aggregated in the manufacturer datasheet - useful for engineers evaluating the PIC16F1503 against newer PIC16F1xxx families.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1503-E/MG — 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 PIC16F1503-E/MG (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, I/O Pins, Package, Maximum CPU Speed, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1503-I/MG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1614-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1615-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1825-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1503-E/MG Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit PIC |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16-level stack |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 11 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| PWM | 4 x 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Communication | EUSART |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes (31 kHz to 32 MHz selectable) |
| Package | 16-QFN (3x3 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Debug Support | External header AC244051/AC244052 with PICkit 3 or MPLAB ICD 3 |
PIC16F1503-E/MG Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — I/O port A bit 5 / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — I/O port A bit 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR — I/O port A bit 3 / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 4 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 5 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 7 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 8 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — I/O port A bit 1 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — I/O port A bit 0 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to VSS |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1503-E/MG is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Controllers, Small Home Appliance Control, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes, Sensor Interface Front-Ends, Consumer Toys and Hobbies, HVAC Fan and Blower Controllers.
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F1503-E/MG fits LED lighting controllers via its 4 standalone 10-bit PWM channels and 11 I/O pins, enabling multi-channel dimming without CPU intervention in cost-sensitive bulb and strip drivers. With 20MHz CPU speed and the CLC peripheral, the MCU can run PID brightness loops at 50kHz while driving 4 independent LED strings. The 2.3V-5.5V range supports direct 3.3V driver connection, eliminating level shifters. Compared to a 32-bit ARM alternative, the PIC16F1503-E/MG typically costs 40-60% less at qty 1000, making it ideal for high-volume decorative and architectural lighting.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance Control
For small home appliances like coffee makers, toasters, and fans, the PIC16F1503-E/MG's 3.5KB flash and integrated peripherals (ADC, comparators, PWM, EUSART) handle temperature sensing, motor control, and user-interface button decoding on a single chip. The internal 32MHz oscillator removes external crystal cost; the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs directly. The 16-QFN (3x3) footprint suits ultra-compact PCBs in space-constrained appliance form factors. Compared to discrete logic designs, integrating an MCU reduces BOM count by 6-10 components and enables firmware-based feature differentiation across product variants.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC16F1503-E/MG serves battery-powered IoT edge sensors where its low-power sleep modes and internal oscillator minimize quiescent current to support months of battery life. The 128-byte RAM suffices for short sensor-burst processing before transmitting via an external radio module on the EUSART. At 2.3V minimum supply, it operates directly from a single Li-ion cell without boost conversion. Compared to a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+, the PIC16F1503-E/MG draws lower sleep current and costs less, though it offers less compute headroom - ideal for edge sensors doing 1-10 sensor reads per minute rather than streaming audio.
Recommended
Sensor Interface Front-Ends
The PIC16F1503-E/MG functions as a low-cost sensor interface front-end, leveraging its 11-channel 10-bit ADC and 2 comparators to read multiple analog sensors and wake a host MCU only when needed. The CLC and NCO peripherals can synthesize excitation signals for resistive sensors (RTDs, thermistors) without CPU overhead, reducing firmware complexity. The 16-QFN 3x3 mm package fits alongside tiny SMD sensors on shared PCBs. This design pattern is common in HVAC duct sensor arrays and industrial gas detection pre-processing where the PIC16F1503-E/MG acts as a smart multiplexer between sensors and a downstream processor.
Recommended
Consumer Toys and Hobbies
For hobbyist electronics, RC accessories, and consumer toys, the PIC16F1503-E/MG provides the right balance of features and price for devices selling at $20-100 retail. Its 3.5KB flash holds complex behavior patterns (RC servo sequences, light shows, sound effect triggers) while 20MHz CPU enables smooth PWM-driven motion control. The internal oscillator removes crystal cost, and the 5.5V max supply directly drives hobby servos. The QFN package suits tiny form factors. Compared to more capable PIC18 or ARM parts, the PIC16F1503-E/MG hits the cost ceiling for toy-grade products.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Blower Controllers
The PIC16F1503-E/MG's 4 PWM channels and ADC inputs handle variable-speed HVAC fan control where multiple fans must be PWM-modulated based on temperature sensor feedback. The internal 32MHz HF oscillator provides accurate PWM frequencies up to 16kHz for quiet motor operation above the audible range. The -40C to +125C E temperature grade is rated for indoor HVAC environments. Compared to analog op-amp-based fan controllers, the PIC16F1503-E/MG adds programmable curves, fault detection via ADC, and remote speed-set via EUSART.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1503-E/MG — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Choose the PIC16F1503-I/MG if your design stays below 85C ambient and you want identical functionality at the same low cost - the I-grade is electrically identical but with a narrower temperature range.
Choose the PIC16F1614-E/ML when you need more flash (7KB vs 3.5KB), XLP nanoWatt sleep modes for longer IoT battery life, and can accept a 4x4 mm QFN footprint.
Choose the PIC16F1615-I/ML for 14KB flash and 32MHz operation in the same QFN-16 family footprint.
Choose the PIC16F1825-I/ML when mTouch capacitive sensing, 1KB RAM, and 32MHz performance are required - it represents the upgrade path when application complexity grows beyond PIC16F1503 limits.
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1503-I/MG | PIC16F1614-E/ML | PIC16F1615-I/ML | PIC16F1825-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 16-QFN (3x3) | 16-QFN (3x3) - same | 16-QFN (4x4) - QFN-16 family | 16-QFN (4x4) - QFN-16 family | 16-QFN (4x4) - QFN-16 family |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB (+100%) | 14 KB (+300%) | 14 KB (+300%) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 512 bytes | 1024 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature range (E grade) (vs PIC16F1503-I/MG)
- Smallest 16-QFN footprint in the PIC16F1xxx family at 3x3 mm (vs PIC16F1614-E/ML)
- Lowest unit cost in the PIC16F1503 family at high volume (vs PIC16F1825-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 16-QFN (3x3 mm) package requires the exposed thermal pad (EP) to be soldered to a PCB copper pour of at least 10 mm squared. Per the Microchip QFN-16 package outline drawing, omitting this connection reduces thermal performance and can lead to intermittent failures at high ambient temperatures or sustained CPU loads above 70% utilization at 20MHz.
Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14), with the ground lead going directly to the VSS plane. Add a 10uF bulk capacitor near the MCU. For noise-sensitive ADC applications, place a small ferrite bead or 10 ohm resistor between the analog and digital VDD rails - the PIC16F1503's analog inputs share the digital VDD supply, so rail cleanliness directly impacts ADC accuracy.
When using the internal oscillator, the HFINTOSC accuracy is +/-1% factory-calibrated but drifts +/-2% over temperature. For UART communication above 9600 baud, consider using the HFINTOSC with OSCTUNE calibration or switching to an external crystal. The MCLR pin (pin 3) is enabled by default and must be pulled high through a 10k resistor for normal operation; configure CONFIG words to disable MCLR for additional I/O if reset is handled internally.
Estimated: At 20MHz CPU speed and 5V supply, the PIC16F1503-E/MG draws approximately 6-8 mA active current. Sleep current is approximately 50 nA typical with WDT disabled, and 800 nA with WDT enabled. For battery-powered designs using sleep modes, ensure the MCLR pin is configured to disable the internal pull-up to avoid leakage; verify sleep current on the bench before committing to battery capacity calculations.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a general-purpose 8-bit MCU, not automotive-grade. REACH compliance statement available on Microchip's environmental compliance page. The E temperature grade denotes -40C to +125C extended industrial range, not full automotive qualification.
