PIC16F1508-E/GZ - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 20MHz, 20-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1508-E/GZ β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.4 | $1.40 |
| 10 | $1.26 | $12.60 |
| 100 | $1.12 | $112.00 |
| 500 | $0.99 | $495.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.88 | $880.00 |
PIC16F1508-E/GZ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile working memory (RAM), and a configurable set of peripheral blocks onto one IC; it sits within the broader category of embedded processors alongside DSPs and microprocessors, and serves as the central control element in nearly every modern electronic product. The PIC16F1508 family sits in the lower-mid tier of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio, between the baseline PIC10/12/16 and the enhanced mid-range PIC16F1xxx families.
Key features of the PIC16F1508-E/GZ include a wide operating voltage range of 2.3 V to 5.5 V (down to 1.8 V with the LF variant), 18 general-purpose I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, enhanced PWM with multiple output modes, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, EUSART and I2C/SPI communication peripherals, and XLP technology that delivers nanoWatt sleep currents below 20 nA typical, enabling years of operation from a single coin cell.
Architecturally, the device uses a Harvard RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word optimized for compiled C code, a hardware multiplier, and a single-cycle instruction pipeline. The Configurable Logic Cell and Numerically Controlled Oscillator peripherals allow timer/counter functions, waveform synthesis, and combinatorial logic to be implemented in hardware, offloading tasks from the CPU. The internal 16 MHz high-frequency oscillator is factory calibrated to within 1% across voltage and temperature.
Typical applications include consumer electronics remote controls, battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, small appliance user interfaces, and low-cost motor control. Its compact 4x4 mm UQFN package suits space-constrained designs such as wearables, smart locks, and USB-C cable markers.
When designing with this device, plan pin allocation early because the 20-pin UQFN offers only 18 usable I/O; one pin must be dedicated to MCLR or ICSP programming. The exposed pad (EP) must be soldered to the ground plane for thermal and electrical performance, and unused pins should be configured as outputs low to minimize current draw.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1508-E/GZ 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 PIC16F1508-E/GZ (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1509-E/GZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1507-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1508-I/GZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1508-E/GZ
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-E/ST
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1508-E/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F150x (PIC16F1508/1509) |
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC, Harvard architecture |
| Instruction Word Size | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | Two 8-bit, one 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | 4 Enhanced PWM outputs |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C, SPI (MSSP) |
| Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) | Yes |
| Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) | Yes |
| XLP Technology | Yes (nanoWatt, sleep current < 20 nA typical) |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1508-E/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5/AN4/C1IN+/T1G/CLCIN2/SS β GPIO RA5 / ADC ch4 / comparator input / timer1 gate / CLC input / SPI SS |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN3/T1G/CLCIN3 β GPIO RA4 / ADC ch3 / timer1 gate / CLC input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR/VPP β GPIO RA3 / Master Clear (reset, active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RC5/PWM4/CLC4OUT β GPIO RC5 / PWM output 4 / CLC4 output |
| Pin 5 | RC4/PWM3/CLC3OUT β GPIO RC4 / PWM output 3 / CLC3 output |
| Pin 6 | RC3/AN14/PWM2 β GPIO RC3 / ADC ch14 / PWM output 2 |
| Pin 7 | RC2/AN13/PWM1 β GPIO RC2 / ADC ch13 / PWM output 1 |
| Pin 8 | RC1/AN12/CCP2 β GPIO RC1 / ADC ch12 / CCP2 module |
| Pin 9 | RC0/AN11/CCP1 β GPIO RC0 / ADC ch11 / CCP1 module |
| Pin 10 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/INT β GPIO RA2 / ADC ch2 / Timer0 clock / external interrupt |
| Pin 11 | RA1/AN1/ICSPCLK β GPIO RA1 / ADC ch1 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 12 | RA0/AN0/ICSPDAT β GPIO RA0 / ADC ch0 / ICSP data |
| Pin 13 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply (2.3 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 15 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN β GPIO RA7 / crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 16 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT β GPIO RA6 / crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 17 | RC7/AN9 β GPIO RC7 / ADC ch9 |
| Pin 18 | RC6/AN8 β GPIO RC6 / ADC ch8 |
| Pin 19 | RC5 (shared) β Refer to pin 4 - this is the UQFN package dual-assignment per datasheet |
| Pin 20 | EP β Exposed pad - thermal/electrical, must solder to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1508-E/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control, LED Lighting Controller, Small Appliance User Interface, Wearable Health Monitor, Industrial Sensor Transmitter.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ's XLP technology delivering under 20 nA sleep current makes it ideal for coin-cell-powered IoT sensor nodes that must operate for years without battery replacement. The 10-bit ADC with 14 channels supports direct interfacing with temperature, humidity, and light sensors, while the EUSART and I2C peripherals handle radio module communication. In a typical deployment the MCU wakes every 60 seconds, takes an ADC reading, transmits via a sub-GHz radio, and returns to sleep, drawing an average current below 5 microamps from a 240 mAh CR2032 cell - yielding a theoretical battery life exceeding 5 years.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ suits consumer infrared remote controls where cost, low power, and compact size matter. Its 18 I/O pins comfortably drive a 4x4 keypad matrix and an IR LED via PWM, while the CLC peripheral implements the carrier frequency generator (typically 38 kHz) without consuming CPU cycles. Operating from two AAA cells at 3 V, the device's XLP sleep current keeps standby drain under 100 nA, giving shelf life measured in years. With 7 KB of Flash, ample room remains for protocol stacks and custom button mapping.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ's four enhanced PWM outputs with configurable duty, period, and dead-band control make it a strong fit for RGBW LED driver control in architectural and accent lighting. The 10-bit ADC samples ambient light sensors for daylight harvesting, while the NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) can synthesize smooth color crossfade waveforms without CPU load. With 2.3-5.5 V supply range the device runs directly from a regulated 5 V rail or a buck-converter output, simplifying the power tree in DIN-rail or fixture-mounted lighting controllers.
Recommended
Small Appliance User Interface
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ powers user interfaces in small appliances like coffee machines, microwave ovens, and air purifiers, driving segmented LCD or LED displays through its GPIO and PWM channels. The 256-byte RAM accommodates real-time keypad debouncing state machines, while 7 KB of Flash supports menu logic, sensor compensation algorithms, and safety state machines. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range of the -E suffix variant handles the harsh thermal environment inside appliance enclosures where ambient can reach 70C during operation.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ in its 4x4 mm UQFN package fits inside the tight enclosure of a wearable health monitor such as a fitness band or smart ring. XLP low-power modes extend operating time on a small rechargeable cell, while the 10-bit ADC captures pulse-oximeter or skin-temperature sensor data. The I2C peripheral interfaces with biomedical sensor ICs (e.g., heart-rate monitors), and the EUSART handles Bluetooth Low Energy module communication. Operating voltage down to 2.3 V supports direct Li-ion battery connection without an LDO, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ is well-suited to 4-20 mA loop-powered industrial sensor transmitters where reliability, extended temperature, and stable ADC performance are required. Its 10-bit ADC digitizes bridge sensor or RTD inputs with the internal 2.048 V reference, while the EUSART drives an RS-485 transceiver for Modbus RTU communication. The -40C to +125C extended temperature grade handles outdoor or factory-floor deployment. The CLC peripheral implements hardware oversampling to improve effective ADC resolution beyond 10 bits without CPU overhead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1508-E/GZ β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1509-E/GZ | PIC16F1507-I/SO | PIC16F1508-I/GZ | PIC16LF1508-E/GZ | PIC16F1503-E/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-UQFN (4x4) | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same family | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-TSSOP (different footprint) |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes | 512 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| 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 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| XLP Low-Power Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Key Differentiators
- XLP nanoWatt low-power technology with CLC peripheral (vs PIC16F1503-E/ST)
- Compact 4x4 mm UQFN package footprint (vs PIC16F1508-I/SO)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16F1508-I/GZ)
- Hardware Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) peripheral (vs PIC16F1507-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ UQFN package has a small 4x4 mm footprint with an exposed thermal pad on the underside. Per Microchip layout guidelines, the exposed pad MUST be soldered to a copper ground plane at least 1 oz copper weight, with thermal vias (4-8 vias in a 0.3 mm grid) connecting the top pad to inner/bottom ground planes. Without proper pad soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (theta_JA) rises from approximately 40 C/W to over 80 C/W, potentially causing thermal issues at the 125 C extended temperature upper limit.
The PIC16F1508-E/GZ provides only 18 usable I/O pins despite the 20-pin package, because pin 3 is shared with MCLR/VPP and pin 20 is the exposed thermal pad. Plan pin allocation accordingly - dedicate either RA3 or RC0 for ICSP programming to enable in-circuit debugging. Floating inputs on unused pins should be configured as digital outputs driving low (not high-impedance) to minimize current draw; per Microchip datasheet, a floating CMOS input can draw up to 10 microamps each.
For the 4x4 mm UQFN package, use a land pattern with 0.4 mm pitch pads. Stencil apertures should be 1:1 to the pad with a thickness of 0.1-0.125 mm to ensure adequate solder volume. Add a center aperture of approximately 1.5x1.5 mm over the exposed pad to facilitate thermal pad soldering. Per IPC-7351 nominal land pattern recommendations for UQFN, the solder mask defined (SMD) pads give better placement accuracy than non-solder mask defined (NSMD) pads for this small pitch.
Place a 0.1 microfarat ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) to suppress high-frequency switching noise. Add a bulk 10 microfarat tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same supply rail. Per Microchip hardware design checklist, both capacitors should connect directly to the ground plane with vias placed for low-impedance return paths. For battery-powered applications using XLP sleep modes, also add a 100 kilohm pull-up on MCLR to avoid spurious resets during brown-out.
When using the PIC16F1508-E/GZ's internal 16 MHz HF oscillator in EMI-sensitive environments, the system clock output (CLKOUT) on pin RA6 can radiate noise. Either disable CLKOUT in the configuration bits (CONFIG1 register) or use the FOSC setting that disables the clock output. For applications requiring precise UART or I2C baud rates, calibrate the internal oscillator using the OSCTUNE register based on a known reference such as the 32.768 kHz Timer1 external crystal, achieving < 0.5% frequency error.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Extended -E temperature grade is -40C to +125C but is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified; consult automotive ('VAO') variants for automotive deployments.
