PIC16F1578-E/SO - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 16-bit PWM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1578-E/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.4271 | $1.43 |
| 10 | $1.38 | $13.80 |
| 100 | $1.21 | $121.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.92 | $920.00 |
PIC16F1578-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (FLASH), volatile data memory (SRAM), small EEPROM, and a rich set of peripherals onto one die. The PIC16F1578 belongs to the mid-range PIC16 family and adds 16-bit PWM peripherals on top of the classic PIC16 core, sitting between simple 8-bit MCUs and higher-end 32-bit Cortex-M0+ devices. This part category spans the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers > microprocessors > semiconductors > integrated circuits.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16F1578-E/SO include four independent 16-bit PWMs (an unusual capability for an 8-bit MCU, well suited to LED lighting and high-resolution digital control), a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, an on-chip temperature indicator, an mTouch capacitive-touch sensing peripheral, and the standard PIC mid-range core interrupt and peripheral set. The device includes Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that offload tasks from the CPU.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1578 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set, executes most instructions in one instruction cycle (4 clock cycles), and integrates an internal 32 MHz oscillator that removes the need for an external crystal in cost-sensitive designs. The 16-bit PWM, 10-bit ADC, and CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) are all driven by dedicated hardware, allowing the CPU to remain idle while peripherals handle waveform generation and conversion.
Typical applications include LED lighting and color-mixing drivers that benefit from the four 16-bit PWMs, general-purpose motor control via the CWG and PWM combination, capacitive touch user interfaces using mTouch, low-cost sensor hubs that stream 10-bit ADC readings, and small household appliances that need deterministic 8-bit control with extended-temperature reliability. The wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V range also supports battery-powered and 5 V regulated industrial systems.
When designing with this part, configure the configuration words (CONFIG1/CONFIG2) early in firmware to set the oscillator mode, watchdog, code protection, and brown-out voltage. Decouple VDD with at least 100 nF plus 1 uF bulk capacitors placed within a few millimeters of the pin, and reserve the ICSP pins (PGD/PGC) for in-circuit serial programming during prototyping. This page synthesizes Microchip PIC16F1578 datasheet specifications, distributor stock and pricing data, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that are not assembled on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1578-E/SO 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 PIC16F1578-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, ADC, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1578-I/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1578T-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1579-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1578-E/SP
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F15355-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1516-I/SO
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―β In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1578-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 18 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 (independent timers) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Internal Oscillator | 31 kHz LF + 32 MHz HF (per datasheet family) |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit, 1 instruction cycle per line |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch peripheral |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F1578-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/C12IN0-/VREF+ β GPIO RA3 / ADC input / comparator input / voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI/C1OUT β GPIO RA4 / ADC input / Timer0 clock / comparator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP β GPIO RA5 / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT β GPIO RA6 / crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN β GPIO RA7 / crystal oscillator input / clock in |
| Pin 6 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0+ β GPIO RA0 / ADC input / comparator input |
| Pin 8 | RA1/AN1/C12IN1-/C2IN+ β GPIO RA1 / ADC input / comparator input |
| Pin 9 | RA2/AN2/C2IN-/VREF- β GPIO RA2 / ADC input / comparator input / voltage reference |
| Pin 10 | RC0/SOCIO β GPIO RC0 / serial I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1/SOCIO β GPIO RC1 / serial I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2/AN6 β GPIO RC2 / ADC input |
| Pin 13 | RC3/AN7 β GPIO RC3 / ADC input |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDA/SDI β GPIO RC4 / I2C data / SPI data in |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SCL/SCK β GPIO RC5 / I2C clock / SPI clock |
| Pin 16 | RC6/AN8/SS/TX/CK β GPIO RC6 / ADC input / SPI slave select / UART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/AN9/SDO/RX/DT β GPIO RC7 / ADC input / SPI data out / UART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | RB4/AN10 β GPIO RB4 / ADC input |
| Pin 19 | RB5/AN11 β GPIO RB5 / ADC input |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1578-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Low-Cost Motor Control and BLDC Commutation, Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs, Industrial Control and Process Monitoring, Small Household Appliance Controllers.
LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers
The PIC16F1578-E/SO is purpose-built for LED lighting because it integrates four independent 16-bit PWM channels, each driven by its own hardware timer, enabling smooth high-resolution dimming and RGB color-mixing without CPU overhead. Each 16-bit PWM provides 65536 steps of duty-cycle resolution, which is critical for high-CRI white dimming and theatrical lighting where 8-bit or 10-bit PWMs produce visible stair-stepping at low brightness. Placed between a 3.3 V or 5 V rail and the LED string MOSFET gates, the four PWMs drive red, green, blue, and white channels or four independent zones. The Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) let the CPU sleep between PWM updates, achieving microamp standby current for battery-backed emergency lighting.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16F1578-E/SO integrates Microchip's mTouch hardware peripheral that scans capacitive electrodes and reports touch events without continuous CPU intervention, making it ideal for touch-button panels, sliders, and proximity sensors in appliances and consumer products. The mTouch engine handles charge-time measurement on each electrode autonomously, freeing the CPU to run the application logic and communication stack. Combined with the 16-bit PWMs, a single PIC16F1578 can both read touch input and drive LED backlight feedback in one device, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. Designers typically use 100 nF decoupling on VDD and route guard traces around touch pads per Microchip AN1478.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Control and BLDC Commutation
The PIC16F1578-E/SO combines its four 16-bit PWMs with the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) peripheral to drive brushless DC (BLDC) or brushed DC motors at low cost. The CWG produces complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-band insertion, which is essential for half-bridge and full-bridge motor drivers to prevent shoot-through. A single 20-pin PIC16F1578 can commutate a 3-phase BLDC fan or a small pump, reading back-EMF through the 10-bit ADC and applying closed-loop speed control via one of the 16-bit PWMs. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade is suitable for under-hood automotive auxiliaries and outdoor pump controllers.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs
The PIC16F1578-E/SO operates from 1.8 V to 5.5 V and supports sleep currents in the microamp range when the 16 MHz internal oscillator is gated, making it suitable for battery-powered sensor hubs that stream 10-bit ADC readings over UART or I2C. The on-chip temperature indicator can be read through the ADC for ambient compensation without an external sensor, and the 18-byte EEPROM is enough to store calibration constants for a small sensor cluster. A typical implementation uses the 10-bit ADC to read a thermistor or photocell and the 16-bit PWM to drive a low-power buzzer or LED indicator when thresholds are crossed, all while consuming under 1 mA active.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Process Monitoring
The PIC16F1578-E/SO's extended -40C to +125C operating temperature and 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range make it well suited to industrial process monitoring nodes that read 4-20 mA loop signals, thermistors, or switch contacts and report over UART or I2C. The 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels can scan multiple sensors sequentially, while the 16-bit PWMs can drive valve actuators or solid-state relays with precise timing. The Core Independent Peripherals offload waveform generation so the CPU handles the Modbus or HART stack. The 20-SOIC package is footprint-compatible with hand-solderable SOIC footprints and is widely accepted in 24 V industrial cabinets with local regulation.
Recommended
Small Household Appliance Controllers
The PIC16F1578-E/SO is a strong fit for small household appliances such as coffee makers, air purifiers, blenders, and countertop ovens that need a deterministic 8-bit controller with PWMs, ADC, and capacitive touch in a single chip. The mTouch peripheral handles glass-front capacitive buttons, the 16-bit PWMs drive heating elements and motor speed, and the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for closed-loop temperature control. With only 20 pins the MCU keeps PCB cost low while still offering enough I/O for a status LED array, buzzer, and UART debug port. The extended -E temperature grade supports appliance interiors where ambient temperatures rise above 85C during operation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1578-E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1578-I/SO | PIC16F1578T-I/SO | PIC16F1579-I/SO | PIC16F15355-I/SO | PIC16F1516-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same |
| FLASH Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB (or larger variant) | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 1 KB | 512 bytes |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 (uses 10-bit PWM) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, more channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature (E suffix = extended) | -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) |
Key Differentiators
- Four independent 16-bit PWMs in an 8-bit MCU (vs PIC16F1516-I/SO)
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC16F1578-I/SO)
- Integrated mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral (vs PIC16F15355-I/SO)
- Same SOIC-20 footprint across the PIC16F1578 family (vs PIC16F1579-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same VDD trace. The PIC16F1578-E/SO draws brief inrush currents during ADC conversion and PWM transitions; without bulk capacitance these transients can couple into the analog reference and corrupt ADC readings. Keep the analog VDD trace short and use a ground pour on the opposite PCB layer to minimize supply inductance. Estimated: 100 nF + 1 uF on VDD with ground return length under 5 mm is the recommended minimum.
Always configure the configuration words (CONFIG1, CONFIG2) early in firmware before any peripheral initialization. Forgetting to set the oscillator selection (e.g., leaving the default external-clock mode) will cause the part to wait for a clock on OSC1 and appear dead. Likewise, do not enable the watchdog timer (WDT) without serving it in a long main loop, or the MCU will reset unexpectedly. According to Microchip AN547, the MCLR pin must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up if not used, otherwise the part may enter programming mode spuriously during a power brown-out.
The 20-SOIC (0.295 inch wide) package is hand-solderable but the 1.27 mm pitch requires a fine tip. When designing the footprint, use the SOIC-20 land pattern from Microchip packaging specification document. Reserve the ICSP pins (RA6/OSC2 and RA7/OSC1 by default, or the dedicated PGD/PGC pair) with accessible test points or a 2x3 header strip so that in-circuit serial programming can be performed on assembled boards without removing the MCU. Keep the ICSP traces short and away from the ADC inputs to minimize coupling during programming.
When using the 16-bit PWMs to drive external MOSFETs, place a gate series resistor of 10 ohm to 100 ohm close to the MCU pin to dampen ringing caused by the MOSFET gate-source capacitance. Long PWM traces act as transmission lines above 1 MHz edge rates and can produce overshoot that exceeds the MCU's absolute maximum VOH. For the 10-bit ADC, use a separate analog ground via to the ground pour and avoid running digital return currents underneath the analog input traces.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not stated in verified data; the -E temperature grade is industrial extended, not automotive qualified. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided data.
