PIC16F1512-I/SP - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 28-Pin DIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1512-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.74 | $17.40 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16F1512-I/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU, RAM, program memory, and peripherals on one die; PIC microcontrollers use a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing one instruction to be fetched per clock cycle. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F1512 belongs to: 8-bit MCU -> Microchip PIC16 family -> enhanced mid-range core -> flash-based MCU -> general-purpose embedded controller. It is one of the lowest-memory members of the PIC16F151x family, which scales up to the PIC16F1519 with 14KB Flash.
Key features include 17 I/O pins, one 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, 2 comparators, 2 Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters (EUSART) with LIN support, and 2 capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules. The part runs from 1.8V to 5.5V VDD and consumes as little as 20 nA in sleep mode with the watchdog disabled, making it suitable for battery-powered designs. On-chip debug is supported through the MPLAB Snap or PICkit programmers via the ICSP interface.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, small sensor nodes, remote controls, low-end LED lighting controllers, battery chargers, and educational/hobbyist projects. The 28-pin DIP package allows easy breadboard prototyping and hand-soldering, making it popular in teaching labs and through-hole production runs. When designing with this part, allocate one of the ADC channels to a clean analog reference for accurate conversions, and keep the oscillator layout short to avoid noise pickup. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1512-I/SP — 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 PIC16F1512-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, I/O Pins, Mounting Type, Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1513-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1509-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1508-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1512-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns per instruction |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| EUSART | 2 (with LIN support) |
| CCP/ECCP Modules | 2 CCP |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP, 0.300 in / 7.62 mm row spacing) |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| Operating Temperature (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Programming/Debug Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), 2-wire |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F1512-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC channel 3 / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / ADC channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — PORTA bit 5 / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6 / crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7 / crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 11 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 12 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / EUSART TX / clock line |
| Pin 13 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / EUSART RX / data line |
| Pin 14 | RB0/AN12/INT — PORTB bit 0 / ADC channel 12 / external interrupt |
| Pin 15 | RB1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / ADC channel 10 |
| Pin 16 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / ADC channel 8 |
| Pin 17 | RB3/AN9 — PORTB bit 3 / ADC channel 9 |
| Pin 18 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / ADC channel 11 |
| Pin 19 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / ADC channel 13 |
| Pin 20 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 21 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 22 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 23 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 24 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 25 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 26 | RA2/AN2/Vref- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC channel 2 / negative voltage reference |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (no internal bond) |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (no internal bond) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1512-I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Remote Control / IR Transmitter, LED Lighting Controller, Educational / Hobbyist Projects, Industrial Control Module.
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16F1512-I/SP fits consumer appliance control boards - coffee makers, toaster ovens, rice cookers, and small kitchen devices - because its 28-pin SPDIP package is easy to hand-solder during small-batch production and field repair. The 17 I/O pins directly drive relay coils, triac gates, and 7-segment LED displays without external mux logic. With 1.8-5.5 V operation, it runs from a single-cell Li-ion or 3.3 V supply, and XLP sleep currents below 1 uA keep standby power below 0.5 W to meet ENERGY STAR standby limits.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
For remote wireless sensor nodes powered by coin cells or 2x AA batteries, the PIC16F1512-I/SP delivers the lowest sleep current in its class (down to 20 nA with WDT off) thanks to Microchip's XLP technology. Operating voltage from 1.8 V lets it run directly from a single CR2032 without boost converters, maximizing battery life. The 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels samples temperature, humidity, or PIR occupancy sensors at 1 ms intervals between deep sleeps, achieving multi-year battery life in duty-cycled IoT telemetry applications.
Recommended
Remote Control / IR Transmitter
The PIC16F1512-I/SP's low power, small Flash, and dual EUSART modules make it a strong fit for IR/RF remote controls, garage door openers, and consumer handheld devices. One EUSART handles encrypted rolling-code protocols while the second monitors battery voltage and keypresses through the ADC. The 17 I/O pins drive a 4x4 matrix keypad plus multiple LED indicators and an IR LED modulated via PWM at 38 kHz carrier. 28-pin DIP allows easy through-hole assembly for low-cost plastic enclosures.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F1512-I/SP drives constant-current LED drivers and dimmer circuits for architectural and accent lighting with 2 CCP/PWM channels for warm-white + cool-white mixing or RGB control. The 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors (photodiodes or LDRs) for closed-loop daylight harvesting, achieving >30% energy savings over fixed-output luminaires. The 28-pin SPDIP package is breadboard-friendly for designers prototyping DMX-512 or DALI-controlled fixtures before moving to a smaller QFN in production.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Projects
The PIC16F1512-I/SP remains a teaching favorite for university embedded systems courses and Arduino-style hobbyists because the 28-pin DIP package fits standard breadboards and accepts hand-soldering without hot air rework. MPLAB X IDE with free XC8 compiler supports the device with no license fee for hobby use, and PICkit 5 / Snap programmers sell for under $50. The 3.5 KB Flash is large enough for multi-week lab projects covering timers, ADC, UART, PWM, and I2C without outgrowing the part mid-course.
Recommended
Industrial Control Module
In industrial control and instrumentation, the PIC16F1512-I/SP is used in signal-conditioning front-ends, isolated sensor interfaces, and small PLC I/O modules that demand reliable operation from -40 C to +85 C. The industrial temperature rating ('I' suffix) and the PIC16 enhanced mid-range core's 49-instruction set support Modbus RTU slave firmware over RS-485 via one of the EUSART modules. The 28-pin SPDIP allows through-hole mounting on legacy industrial backplanes that still prefer DIP components for field-replaceable modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1512-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1513-I/SP | PIC16F1509-I/P | PIC16F1508-I/P | PIC16F1507-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (7.62 mm) | 28-pin SPDIP (same) | 28-pin PDIP (same footprint family) | 28-pin PDIP (same footprint family) | 28-pin SOIC (surface-mount, not DIP) |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 7.75 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 512 bytes | 256 bytes | 64 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| EUSART Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest Flash in PIC16F151x family while sharing identical peripheral set (vs PIC16F1513-I/SP)
- Industrial temperature range and XLP ultra-low sleep current (vs PIC16F1507-I/SO)
- 2 EUSART modules with LIN support vs only 1 in lower PIC families (vs PIC16F88 (legacy))
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC16F1512-I/SP core draws ~1.5 mA at 5 V/20 MHz and ~20 nA in sleep with WDT off. For battery-powered designs, disable the WDT in the WDTCON register if the firmware polls in software instead, then enter SLEEP mode via the SLEEP instruction. Adding a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 20) plus a 10 uF bulk cap on the same rail keeps supply ripple under 50 mV during ADC conversions.
Keep the ICSP clock (RB6, pin 20) and ICSP data (RB7, pin 21) traces short and away from switching signals to avoid debug failures. If the 28-pin SPDIP is socketed for in-field firmware updates, use a low-profile machine-pin IC socket with gold-plated contacts to ensure reliable ICSP handshakes. Place a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR (pin 3) and add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity.
Critical: the 28-pin SPDIP part has two NC (no-connect) pins at positions 27 and 28 - do not tie these to VDD, VSS, or signal traces, as they have no internal bond and may cause intermittent behavior if forced. Also, when using the ADC, allow at least 10 us acquisition time by inserting a delay between channel selection and ADC conversion start; sampling too fast degrades effective resolution below 10 bits.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed by Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only); for automotive designs use PIC16F1513-E/SP equivalent variants. REACH and conflict minerals compliance per Microchip corporate disclosures.
