PIC16F1503T-I/MV - 8-Bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 10-bit ADC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1503T-I/MV β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.85 | $0.85 |
| 10 | $0.78 | $7.80 |
| 100 | $0.69 | $69.00 |
| 500 | $0.61 | $305.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.54 | $540.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.48 | $1,440.00 |
PIC16F1503T-I/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), working RAM, peripherals, and I/O into a single package. MCUs sit at the bottom of the embedded computing hierarchy - below microprocessors (MPUs) and application processors - and are typically used for control-oriented tasks rather than heavy computation. The PIC16 family uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range RISC architecture, where each instruction executes in a single clock cycle, providing deterministic timing useful for real-time control loops. PIC16F1503 specifically belongs to the "F1" peripheral-rich generation and is part of the broader microcontroller -> embedded IC -> integrated circuit product taxonomy.
Key features include 3.5 KB self-programmable Flash with configurable code protection, 128 bytes data RAM, brown-out detect and reset (BOR), power-on reset (POR), watchdog timer (WDT), an 8-channel 10-bit ADC with voltage reference, and configurable PWM/Capture/Compare peripherals. The 16-pin UQFN package (3x3 mm) delivers the smallest possible footprint in the PIC16F1503 family, suiting space-constrained designs where PCB area is at a premium.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1503 uses a Harvard RISC core with 49 instructions and 16-level hardware stack, single-cycle execution except for branches, and operates from 2.3V to 5.5V across the industrial temperature range. The on-chip 10-bit ADC uses a successive-approximation register (SAR) architecture with internal or external voltage reference.
Typical applications include consumer appliance control, low-cost sensor conditioning, LED lighting controllers, battery-powered IoT edge nodes, and small motor control. The 3.5 KB Flash is best suited to firmware under about 2,500 instructions.
When designing with this MCU, reserve the ICD/ICSP pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) for in-circuit programming and debugging using PICkit 3, MPLAB ICD 3, or MPLAB X integrated environment.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing AEO-optimized data for component selection engineers.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1503T-I/MV 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 PIC16F1503T-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Debug Support, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1503T-I/MG
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1503T-I/MV
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503T-E/MV
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503T-E/MVVAO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-I/ST
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1503T-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Set Size | 49 instructions |
| Hardware Stack | 16 levels |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 8 channels, 10-bit SAR |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset (BOR), Power-on Reset (POR), PWM, WDT |
| I/O Pins | 12 (varies by package) |
| Package | 16-pin UQFN (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Debug Support | External debug header (AC244051/AC244052); PICkit 3 / MPLAB ICD 3 |
| Lead Free | Yes |
PIC16F1503T-I/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 β Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 2 | RA4 β Bidirectional I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 3 | RA3 β Bidirectional I/O / MCLR (reset input, active low) |
| Pin 4 | RC5 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC4 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive power supply |
| Pin 15 | RA7 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RA6 β Bidirectional I/O / OSC2 |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1503T-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node, LED Lighting Controller, Small Motor Control (BLDC / Stepper), Industrial Sensor Conditioning, Hobby and Maker Projects (Arduino-class replacement).
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV fits consumer appliance controllers because its 3.5 KB Flash and 128B RAM handle keypad scanning, mode logic, and sensor feedback in washing machines, microwaves, and coffee makers. The 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads thermistor, humidity, and weight sensors directly without external ADC cost. Operating from 2.3V to 5.5V, it accepts both 3.3V and 5V rails common in white goods. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer protect against brown-out and code lockup, mandatory in unattended appliances. Industrial -40C to +85C range covers kitchen and laundry environments. Pair with a 4x4 matrix keypad and a relay driver array.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV works well in coin-cell or 2xAA powered IoT sensor nodes where PCB area is critical. The 16-pin UQFN (3x3 mm) is one of the smallest footprints available in the PIC16 family, freeing board area for a radio module and coin-cell holder. Sleep current in the microampere range (verified in datasheet DC characteristics) supports multi-year battery life. The I2C/SPI peripherals connect directly to sensors like temperature, humidity, and accelerometers without glue logic. The 20 MHz core runs the sensor read and transmit routines fast enough to minimize active time. For deeper power savings, drop down to the PIC16LF1503T-I/MV at 1.8V core voltage.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV is well matched to small LED lighting controllers (under 4 channels) where its PWM peripheral drives MOSFETs directly and its 10-bit ADC reads ambient light and potentiometer dim inputs. The 3.5 KB Flash holds color-mixing tables, fade curves, and DMX-style command parsing. The 49-instruction PIC16 enhanced mid-range core runs PWM interrupt service routines in single cycles, ensuring flicker-free dimming. Industrial -40C to +85C supports the thermal envelope of enclosed LED fixtures. Use the BOR to recover gracefully from supply transients when LED drivers dump inductive kickback.
Recommended
Small Motor Control (BLDC / Stepper)
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV can drive small brushless DC or stepper motors in low-cost applications like PC fans, small pumps, and toys. The PWM and capture/compare peripherals generate the commutation timing, while the 10-bit ADC reads back-EMF or current-sense signals for closed-loop control. 20 MHz core executes 6-step or sinusoidal commutation tables in real time. The small 16-pin UQFN footprint fits inside the motor housing. Industrial -40C to +85C supports the motor's own thermal rise. For higher-current applications, gate the MCU output through a MOSFET driver such as MCP14 series.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV serves as a low-cost analog front-end and protocol translator for industrial 4-20 mA loops, thermistor bridges, and strain-gauge sensor conditioning. Its 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference provides 1 mV resolution at 5V full-scale - sufficient for many transducer readouts. I2C and SPI connect to digital sensors or backhaul radios. Brown-out reset and watchdog timer meet industrial reliability expectations for unattended field installations. Industrial -40C to +85C handles factory-floor environments. Combine with an op-amp front-end like MCP6002 for higher-precision signal chains.
Recommended
Hobby and Maker Projects (Arduino-class replacement)
The PIC16F1503T-I/MV is widely used in hobby projects and university curricula as a teaching MCU because it costs less than a dollar in volume while retaining full PIC16 architecture, MPLAB X IDE support, and PICkit 3 in-circuit debugging. The 3.5 KB Flash is enough for multitasking LED, button, and serial demo projects. The 16-pin UQFN (3x3 mm) package suits wearable or pocket-sized builds. The 49-instruction enhanced mid-range core is the modern baseline for PIC16 assembly and C programming courses. Pair with a Curiosity Development Board for plug-and-play programming.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1503T-I/MV β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1503T-I/MG | PIC16LF1503T-I/MV | PIC16F1503T-E/MV | PIC16F1503T-E/MVVAO | PIC16F1503-I/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 16-UQFN (3x3 mm) | 16-QFN (3x3 mm) - different land pattern | 16-UQFN (3x3 mm) - same | 16-UQFN (3x3 mm) - same | 16-UQFN (3x3 mm) - same | TSSOP-14 - different footprint |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (lower) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
| ADC | 8ch x 10-bit SAR | 8ch x 10-bit SAR | 8ch x 10-bit SAR | 8ch x 10-bit SAR | 8ch x 10-bit SAR | 8ch x 10-bit SAR |
| Automotive Qualified | No | No | No | No | Yes (VAO suffix) | No |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest 16-pin PIC16F1503 package footprint (vs PIC16F1503T-I/MG)
- Standard F-grade 2.3V-5.5V operating range (vs PIC16LF1503T-I/MV)
- Automotive VAO grade variant available in same package (vs PIC16F1503T-E/MVVAO)
Design Notes
The 16-pin UQFN (3x3 mm) package has a center exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a PCB land of at least equal size for mechanical reliability and thermal performance. Per Microchip solder-mount recommendations, the land pattern should follow IPC-7351 UQFN-16 with NSMD pads. Use a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14), and tie VSS (pin 10) directly to the ground plane with multiple vias.
Do not confuse the PIC16F1503T-I/MV (16-UQFN) with the PIC16F1503T-I/MG (16-QFN). Both are 3x3 mm but the land patterns differ between UQFN and QFN. Attempting to substitute one for the other on an existing PCB without verifying the land pattern causes either shorts or open solder joints. Always check the manufacturer's package drawing for the exact land dimensions and pin pitch before swapping.
Brown-out reset (BOR) is configurable but enabled by default. For battery-powered designs that may operate below 2.3V, configure BOR for the lowest available threshold or disable it to maximize usable battery capacity. The PIC16LF1503T-I/MV variant operates down to 1.8V and is recommended for 2xAA or coin-cell applications where every millivolt matters. Always include bulk capacitance (at least 10uF) near VDD to handle inrush when peripherals wake.
Reserve pins RA4 (ICSPDAT) and RA5 (ICSPCLK) for in-circuit serial programming access - do not load these pins with heavy capacitance or pull-ups that exceed the 10kohm pull-up datasheet maximum, as this prevents reliable ICSP communication with PICkit 3 or MPLAB ICD 3. Route the ICSP signals directly to a 6-pin header placed at the edge of the PCB. Keep trace lengths under 50 mm to avoid signal integrity issues at low programming voltages.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F1503T-E/MVVAO for automotive variant. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in retrieved data, marked unknown.
