PIC16F1508-E/SS - 7KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 20MHz, 18 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1508-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.82 | $1.82 |
| 10 | $1.65 | $16.50 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16F1508-E/SS Overview
What is a PIC16 microcontroller? A PIC16 (Peripheral Interface Controller, 16-bit instruction width family) is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit flash MCU architecture. PIC16 sits within a hierarchy of 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor. XLP™ (eXtreme Low Power) variants extend battery life to nanoWatt sleep levels and are widely deployed in IoT nodes, sensor conditioning, and human-interface applications where deterministic interrupt response and BOM simplicity matter more than raw compute throughput.
The PIC16F1508-E/SS delivers 4.7KB linear program memory usable for application code, 10-bit ADC with 12 channels, a 5-bit DAC, two PWM modules, Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), and two comparators. It supports 2.3V to 5.5V supply operation, allowing direct connection to single-cell lithium coin cells or 3.3V regulated rails. Internal oscillator options eliminate external crystals for cost-sensitive designs.
The device uses a Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word, providing deterministic 200ns instruction execution at 20MHz. On-chip debug via ICD and a 4-wire In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) interface allow field upgrades. The CIP block includes CLC (Configurable Logic Cell), NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator), and CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) — peripherals that previously required external logic or software state machines.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, capacitive-touch user interfaces, consumer white goods, low-end motor control loops, and battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. The E temperature grade (-40C to +125C) supports industrial and outdoor enclosures.
When designing with this part, place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of VDD and consider the ICSP pin-sharing constraints on RA0/RA1 that are shared with the programming interface; isolate these in production firmware using PPS and disable programming on shipped boards to avoid accidental entry into ICSP mode.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing for the PIC16F1508-E/SS, verified drop-in alternatives from Microchip's PIC16F150x family, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1508-E/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1508-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1508-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1507-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1455-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1459-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1508-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC (14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory | 7KB (4K x 14) Flash |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 12 x 10-bit |
| DAC | 1 x 5-bit |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, NCO, CWG |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| PWM | Yes (2 modules) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1508-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/C1IN+ — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch3; positive voltage reference; comparator input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/C1IN-/T1G — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch4; comparator input; timer1 gate |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/C2IN+/SS — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch5; comparator2 input; SPI slave select |
| Pin 4 | RA0/ICSPDAT/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O; ICSP data; analog ch0 |
| Pin 5 | RA1/ICSPCLK/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O; ICSP clock; analog ch1 |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2/DACOUT — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch2; DAC output |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RC0/SCLKI/T1CKI — Bidirectional I/O; secondary clock in; timer1 clock in |
| Pin 9 | RC1/SCLKO/CCP — Bidirectional I/O; secondary clock out; CCP PWM |
| Pin 10 | RC2/PWM — Bidirectional I/O; PWM output |
| Pin 11 | RC3/SCL/MDMIN — Bidirectional I/O; I2C clock; modulation input |
| Pin 12 | RC4/SDA/MDOUT — Bidirectional I/O; I2C data; modulation output |
| Pin 13 | RC5/CWGIN — Bidirectional I/O; CWG input |
| Pin 14 | RC6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O; EUSART transmit; EUSART clock |
| Pin 15 | RC7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O; EUSART receive; EUSART data |
| Pin 16 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch10 |
| Pin 17 | RB5/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O; analog ch11 |
| Pin 18 | RB6/ICRST/ICSPCLK/AN12 — Bidirectional I/O; ICD reset; ICSP clock; analog ch12 |
| Pin 19 | RB7/ICPORT/ICSPDAT/AN13 — Bidirectional I/O; ICD port; ICSP data; analog ch13 |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1508-E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Consumer White Goods Control, Low-End Motor Control Loops, Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Conditioning, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F1508-E/SS fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes through its XLP nanoWatt sleep modes drawing under 50 nA in deep sleep, allowing coin-cell powered sensor hubs to run for years without battery replacement. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC multiplexes multiple analog sensors (temperature, humidity, light) onto a single MCU, while Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, NCO) handle wake-up events without CPU intervention. Operating voltage from 2.3V enables direct connection to single-cell lithium coin cells without boost converters, reducing BOM cost. The 2.3V minimum supply means a CR2032 (3V nominal) retains usable operation down to 80% discharge, maximizing usable battery capacity.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F1508-E/SS drives LED lighting controllers via its 10-bit PWM and 5-bit DAC, providing smooth dimming curves and color mixing in RGBW fixtures. The Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) enable hardware-based color fading without CPU jitter. With 18 I/O pins, multiple LED strings can be controlled directly from one MCU, eliminating external driver logic. The 2.3V-5.5V supply range supports both 3.3V and 5V LED driver topologies, and the E temperature grade ensures reliable operation in enclosed fixture environments up to +125C junction.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16F1508-E/SS supports capacitive touch user interfaces via its 12-channel ADC and comparator peripherals, which can be configured with software-based mTouch capacitive sensing libraries. With 18 I/O, the device handles up to 12 touch buttons plus additional GPIOs for LED indicators and haptics. The Core Independent Peripherals enable wake-on-touch operation with sub-uA sleep current. The 256-byte RAM is sufficient for state machines managing button debouncing and gesture interpretation. Designers can layer Microchip's mTouch library on top of the bare metal peripherals, reducing firmware development time.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16F1508-E/SS drives consumer white goods such as coffee makers, air purifiers, and small kitchen appliances where deterministic control loops and reliable I/O handling matter more than raw compute. The 20MHz instruction rate executes sensor reads and PWM updates in microseconds, keeping control loop jitter below audible thresholds. The 18 I/O pins drive relays, triacs, sensors, and user displays from a single chip. The E grade (-40C to +125C) handles appliance enclosure temperatures, and XLP sleep modes contribute to standby power compliance for ENERGY STAR ratings.
Recommended
Low-End Motor Control Loops
The PIC16F1508-E/SS implements low-end BLDC or stepper motor control loops using its 10-bit PWM, comparators, and CIP-based timing. With 20MHz instruction execution (200 ns per instruction), 4 KHz PWM at 8-bit resolution is achievable while leaving cycles for control algorithm computation. The 5-bit DAC provides a reference for current sensing, while 12 ADC channels sample phase currents and back-EMF. Closed-loop current control at modest RPM is feasible; for higher-performance FOC, step up to dsPIC33 family. The 20-pin SSOP footprint fits compact motor drive boards.
Recommended
Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16F1508-E/SS in E grade (-40C to +125C) is suitable for automotive under-hood sensor conditioning modules where extreme temperature swings are common. The 12-bit ADC equivalent (actually 10-bit) and EUSART allow interfacing with LIN-bus sensor networks and analog sensors (pressure, temperature, position). With 18 I/O, multiple sensor channels can be multiplexed. The 2.3V minimum supply supports direct operation from automotive 12V via a low-dropout regulator. For full AEC-Q100 qualification in safety-critical modules, step up to PIC16F153xx or dsPIC33 family which carry automotive qualification.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F1508-E/SS handles industrial sensor signal conditioning for 4-20 mA loops, thermocouples, and RTDs through its 10-bit ADC and configurable logic cells. With 18 I/O and 2.3V-5.5V supply, it interfaces with both 3.3V and 5V industrial sensor networks. The E temperature grade and robust ESD ratings suit factory automation environments. The CLC peripheral can implement hardware-based linearization for non-linear sensors, offloading computation from the CPU and reducing firmware complexity. Modbus RTU over EUSART is straightforward to implement, enabling industrial protocol compatibility.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1508-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1508-I/SS | PIC16F1507-I/SS | PIC16F1455-I/SL | PIC16F1459-I/SS | PIC16F1503-I/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 128 B | 1024 B | 1024 B | 128 B |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| USB Support | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS) | Yes (USB 2.0 FS) | No |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, NCO, CWG | CLC, NCO, CWG | CLC, NCO, CWG | CLC only | CLC only | Limited |
Key Differentiators
- Full Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, NCO, CWG) in 20-pin SSOP (vs PIC16F1507-I/SS)
- E temperature grade for automotive/industrial harsh environments (vs PIC16F1508-I/SS)
- No USB peripheral — keeps die size and cost low (vs PIC16F1455-I/SL)
- Higher Flash and RAM than the PIC16F1503 step-down option (vs PIC16F1503-I/ST)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) with a low-inductance trace to the VSS pin (pin 7). Add a bulk capacitor (10uF) at the regulator output and consider a 10uF bulk + 100nF local combination on each VDD pin pair if noise-sensitive ADC measurements are required. The exposed pad of the SSOP package is not present; thermal dissipation relies entirely on the 20 signal pins, so for >30 mA continuous GPIO current, route current through multiple GND/VDD pins to spread heat.
The ICSP programming pins RA0/ICSPDAT and RA1/ICSPCLK are shared with general-purpose I/O. In production firmware, configure these as outputs and ensure they are not driven in a way that conflicts with ICSP programmer drive. Add 4.7kohm isolation resistors in series with RA0/RA1 if external circuitry might back-drive the ICSP lines and prevent programming. Also note that RB6/RB7 are shared with the ICD debugger interface — leaving them as analog inputs by default in your application code prevents ICD conflict.
When using the ADC at 10-bit resolution, route analog signals on a dedicated analog ground island connected to the VSS pin (pin 7) at a single point, then continue to the system ground. Avoid routing digital signals (PWM, EUSART) directly above or parallel to analog traces to minimize crosstalk. Place the AVREF capacitor (1uF to 10uF) within 5mm of the AVREF-capable pin if used as a reference; if using VDD as reference, ensure VDD is well-decoupled. PCB trace length matching is not strictly required at 20MHz, but keep digital traces short to minimize radiated emissions.
To achieve the published XLP sleep current of <50 nA, disable all peripherals via the PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) registers, set all unused I/O as outputs driven low, configure the ADC as off, and use the deep-sleep instruction (SLEEP with VREGPM=1). Verify your quiescent current measurement methodology: the 50 nA spec assumes no floating inputs (which can cause supply leakage through input protection diodes) and a clean supply with no leakage paths. Brown-out Reset (BOR) and Watchdog Timer (WDT) should be disabled for minimum sleep current.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. E grade (-40C to +125C) supports industrial but is not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive AEC-Q100 applications, use PIC16F153xx or dsPIC33 automotive-grade variants.
