PIC16F1526-E/MR - 8-Bit 20MHz 14KB Flash MCU 64-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1526-E/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.47 | $34.70 |
| 100 | $3.08 | $308.00 |
| 500 | $2.78 | $1,390.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16F1526-E/MR Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that processes data in 8-bit chunks and integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (typically Flash), volatile data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication interfaces, and GPIO. MCUs belong to the broader category of embedded microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> microcomputers -> semiconductors. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip use a RISC-based Harvard architecture that executes one instruction per clock cycle (except branches), making them deterministic and code-efficient for real-time control applications.
Key features of the PIC16F1526 include the Enhanced Mid-Range core with 49 instructions and 16 stack levels, an internal 16 MHz oscillator, two each of MI2C, SPI, and EUSART-with-auto-baud peripherals, ten CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) modules, a 30-channel 10-bit ADC with voltage reference, 25 mA source/sink capable I/O, six 8-bit timers (TMR0/2/4/6/8/10), three 16-bit timers (TMR1/3/5), and an extended Watchdog Timer (WDT). The device also offers XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology for energy-sensitive applications.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1526 combines 53 GPIO pins with rich analog and digital peripheral integration in a single die. The 30-channel 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference enables direct sensor interfacing, while the dual CCP/ECCP blocks and dedicated PWM channels support motor and lighting control. The EUSART with auto-baud eliminates manual baud-rate calculation for serial links.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, consumer appliances, IoT sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, battery-powered meters leveraging XLP, and automotive body modules. The 64-QFN footprint and 1.8 V minimum supply make it suitable for portable and space-constrained designs where low quiescent current and abundant I/O are required.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the exposed pad on the QFN package is soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical performance. Decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the supply pin pair.
This page synthesizes Microchip distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the same 64-QFN package family, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet, enabling faster part selection and BOM validation.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1526-E/MR — 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 PIC16F1526-E/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Mounting Type, Communication, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1527-E/MR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1526-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1526-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1527-I/MR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F15256-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1526-E/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16 stack levels |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14) |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (max) |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 53 (in 64-pin package) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 30 channels |
| Timers | Six 8-bit (TMR0/2/4/6/8/10), Three 16-bit (TMR1/3/5) |
| CCP/ECCP Modules | 10 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication | 2x MI2C, 2x SPI, 2x EUSART w/auto-baud |
| I/O Drive Strength | 25 mA source/sink |
| Watchdog Timer | Extended WDT |
| Package | 64-QFN (9x9) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = extended grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16F1526-E/MR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12 — PORTB bit 0 / Analog input channel 12 / INT |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / Analog input channel 10 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / Analog input channel 8 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9 — PORTB bit 3 / Analog input channel 9 |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / Analog input channel 11 |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / Analog input channel 13 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 29 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 30 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 31 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 33 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 36 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 37 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 |
| Pin 38 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 |
| Pin 39 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 |
| Pin 40 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 41 | RF0 — PORTF bit 0 |
| Pin 42 | RF1 — PORTF bit 1 |
| Pin 43 | RF2 — PORTF bit 2 |
| Pin 44 | RF3 — PORTF bit 3 |
| Pin 45 | RF4 — PORTF bit 4 |
| Pin 46 | RF5 — PORTF bit 5 |
| Pin 47 | RF6 — PORTF bit 6 |
| Pin 48 | RF7 — PORTF bit 7 |
| Pin 49 | RG0 — PORTG bit 0 |
| Pin 50 | RG1 — PORTG bit 1 |
| Pin 51 | RG2 — PORTG bit 2 |
| Pin 52 | RG3 — PORTG bit 3 |
| Pin 53 | RG4 — PORTG bit 4 |
| Pin 54 | RG5 — PORTG bit 5 |
| Pin 55 | RG6 — PORTG bit 6 |
| Pin 56 | RG7 — PORTG bit 7 |
| Pin 57 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 58 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 59 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 60 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 61 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 63 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 64 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1526-E/MR is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Consumer Appliance Controllers, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Automotive Body Modules, Smart Metering and Energy Monitoring.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F1526-E/MR fits industrial control panels because its 53 GPIO pins in the 64-QFN package directly drive relay coils, status LEDs, membrane keypads, and 7-segment displays without external mux logic. The 10-bit ADC with 30 channels reads 4-20 mA transducer inputs via external shunt resistors, while the dual EUSART links the panel to a PLC or HMI master. Its 20 MHz CPU executes scan loops in well under 1 ms, supporting deterministic response to operator inputs even at 1 kHz polling rates. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles unconditioned cabinet environments, and the 14 KB Flash stores ladder-logic emulation plus Modbus RTU firmware.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC16F1526-E/MR suits washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens where 53 GPIO pins handle user-interface scanning, motor direction relays, valve drivers, and buzzer feedback. The 10 CCP/ECCP modules generate PWM signals for variable-speed BLDC fans and induction-cooktop power control, while the EUSART interfaces to inverter modules. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range simplifies designs that mix 3.3 V sensor electronics with 5 V relay drivers. With 14 KB Flash and 768 B RAM, the device runs state-machine firmware for cycle programs without external memory, reducing BOM cost in cost-sensitive consumer products.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F1526-E/MR is well-suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology that drops quiescent current below 1 uA in sleep mode, extending coin-cell battery life to multi-year durations. The 30-channel 10-bit ADC directly digitizes temperature, humidity, voltage, and current sensors without analog front-end circuitry, while the SPI/EUSART interfaces connect to sub-GHz transceivers like the MRF89XA or LoRa modules for long-range data uplink. The 1.8 V minimum supply lets the device run directly from two AA alkaline cells down to 2.0 V, eliminating boost converters. The 14 KB Flash accommodates sensor drivers, MAC-layer protocol stacks, and over-the-air update bootloaders.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F1526-E/MR serves as a smart LED controller with its 10 CCP/ECCP modules generating up to 10 independent PWM channels for RGBW color-mixing fixtures, architectural dimmers, and horticultural lighting arrays. The 20 MHz CPU supports DALI, DMX512, or 0-10 V dimming protocol stacks in firmware while the 30-channel ADC reads ambient light sensors and current monitors for closed-loop brightness control. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V range supports both 3.3 V logic-level LED drivers and 5 V analog dimming interfaces. The 53 GPIO pins drive multiple LED strings and accept phase-cut TRIAC signals from legacy wall dimmers after signal conditioning.
Recommended
Automotive Body Modules
The PIC16F1526-E/MR operates reliably in automotive body modules such as mirror controllers, seat-position memory, and HVAC blend-door actuators because of its -40C to +125C extended temperature grade. The 53 GPIO pins and 10 CCP/ECCP modules drive mirror motors, position sensors, and PWM valve actuators simultaneously, while dual LIN-capable EUSART interfaces connect to the vehicle body bus for slave-node communication. The internal 16 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost and improving vibration tolerance. However, designers should note this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical modules, Microchip recommends PIC16F1xxx automotive-grade variants instead.
Recommended
Smart Metering and Energy Monitoring
The PIC16F1526-E/MR is a strong fit for smart electricity, water, and gas meters with its 10-bit ADC sampling current shunts or pulse-output flow sensors at high rate. The 30 ADC channels allow multi-phase power metering in a single chip, while the EUSART with auto-baud links to GSM/GPRS or LoRaWAN modules for remote readout. The XLP sleep modes draw under 1 uA, critical for battery-backed meters that must last 10+ years on a primary lithium cell. The 14 KB Flash fits DLMS/COSEM or Wireless M-Bus protocol stacks, and the extended temperature grade tolerates outdoor meter enclosures in extreme climates from -40C winters to +70C attic installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1526-E/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1527-E/MR | PIC16F1526-I/MR | PIC16F1526-E/PT | PIC16F1527-I/MR | PIC16F15256-E/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-QFN (9x9) | 64-QFN (9x9) - same | 64-QFN (9x9) - same | 64-TQFP - same pinout, different package | 64-QFN (9x9) - same | 64-QFN (9x9) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 28 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 28 KB Flash | 28 KB Flash |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 1.5 KB | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1.5 KB | 2 KB |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Supply 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 | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C |
| ADC Channels | 30 channels, 10-bit | 30 channels, 10-bit | 30 channels, 10-bit | 30 channels, 10-bit | 30 channels, 10-bit | 30 channels, 12-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Upgraded Flash and RAM with same footprint (vs PIC16F1527-E/MR)
- Higher ADC resolution in next-gen family (vs PIC16F15256-E/SP)
- TQFP option for hand-soldering and rework (vs PIC16F1526-E/PT)
- Lower temperature grade for cost-down (vs PIC16F1526-I/MR)
Design Notes
The 64-QFN package features an exposed thermal pad (EP) on pin 64 that MUST be soldered to a corresponding copper pad on the PCB connected to the ground plane. This pad serves both thermal dissipation (typically 30-40 C/W theta-JA with proper layout) and electrical grounding for the silicon substrate. Use an array of thermal vias (8-12 vias of 0.3 mm drill) under the EP to conduct heat into inner ground planes. Failing to solder the EP correctly can cause thermal runaway or unreliable ADC readings.
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair (the PIC16F1526 has four supply pairs on pins 9/10, 35/36, 61/62, 63/64). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the board's main supply input. For ADC accuracy, place a ferrite bead or inductor between digital VDD and analog AVDD if separated, and bypass analog supply pins with a 10 nF + 100 nF pair. The internal voltage reference requires a 0.1 uF bypass capacitor at the VREF pin for stable ADC readings.
Common pitfalls when designing with the PIC16F1526-E/MR include: (1) Leaving ICSP pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD disconnected - they are required for in-circuit serial programming and must have no isolation resistors in series; (2) Forgetting the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kOhm to VDD) - the device will not start without it; (3) Configuring the configuration bits for an external crystal when using the internal 16 MHz oscillator, causing the part to appear dead; (4) Exceeding the 5.5 V absolute maximum on any pin, which can latch-up the device; (5) Using ADC channels above AN11 without proper digital-input-disable configuration, which can inject noise into adjacent channels.
Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) as short as possible and keep them away from switching signals like PWM outputs and high-current traces. If using an external crystal, place the load capacitors within 2-3 mm of the OSC pins and guard the traces with a ground pour to reduce EMI pickup. Place analog input traces on a separate layer or guard them digitally to minimize crosstalk into ADC readings. The exposed pad ground connection should not share a single thin trace - use a matrix of vias directly under the EP.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product environmental compliance information. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this part is not intended for automotive safety-critical applications. For automotive, use AEC-Q100 qualified Microchip PIC16F variants.
