PIC16F1578-I/GZ - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 4x 16-bit PWM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1578-I/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.05 | $2.05 |
| 10 | $1.83 | $18.30 |
| 100 | $1.45 | $145.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.04 | $1,040.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.92 | $2,760.00 |
PIC16F1578-I/GZ Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip processor that uses an 8-bit data bus and is built around a Harvard or von Neumann architecture. The PIC16 family is Microchip's mid-range 14-bit instruction set, widely adopted for embedded control because of its deterministic timing, compact code footprint, and rich peripheral mix. Within the power-management hierarchy, an MCU like the PIC16F1578 belongs to the class of system controllers that orchestrate sensors, PWMs, and communication peripherals, sitting above analog front-end ICs and below application processors.
Key features include four independent 16-bit PWM outputs with dedicated timers suitable for high-resolution LED lighting and motor control, a 10-bit ADC with multiple channel options, configurable on-chip peripherals, and an internal oscillator that simplifies BOM cost. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), low-power sleep modes, and a wide operating temperature range suitable for industrial environments.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1578 uses a RISC core with 14-bit instructions and a 32 MHz internal oscillator. It features a high-endurance Flash cell rated for 100K erase/write cycles and a separate EEPROM emulation area. The 16-bit PWM peripheral is the standout feature, enabling fine resolution duty-cycle control for lighting and power-conversion applications.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, motor control, general-purpose embedded control, IoT edge nodes, and consumer electronics where multiple high-resolution PWMs are required. The compact UQFN-20 4x4 mm footprint enables placement in space-constrained designs. When designing with this device, ensure that the 16-bit PWM outputs are mapped to compatible pins per the datasheet pin allocation table and consider using an external crystal if precision timing is required.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1578-I/GZ — 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-I/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature Range, ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1578T-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1509-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1509T-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1507-E/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1578-I/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC) |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | None (EEPROM emulation in Flash) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Internal Oscillator | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1578-I/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — GPIO/ICSP CLK |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — GPIO |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — GPIO/MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — GPIO/ICSP DAT |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — GPIO/ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — GPIO |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — GPIO/OSC1 |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — GPIO/OSC2 |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — GPIO/PWM1 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — GPIO/PWM2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — GPIO/PWM3 |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — GPIO/PWM4 |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 20 | RB6 — GPIO/ADC |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1578-I/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Controller, Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control, Digital Power Supply Controller, Industrial Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node, Consumer Appliance User Interface, Automotive Interior LED Driver.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ is purpose-built for high-resolution LED lighting with four independent 16-bit PWM channels, each driven by its own dedicated timer. At 32 MHz CPU clock the PWMs offer duty-cycle resolution down to ~12 ns per LSB, eliminating visible flicker and supporting smooth logarithmic dimming curves required by DALI and DMX512 fixtures. The 1.8-5.5 V VDD range allows direct drive from 3.3 V or 24 V buck-derived rails without level shifting. The 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors or potentiometers for closed-loop dimming feedback, while 7 KB Flash accommodates custom color-mixing algorithms. Compared to a discrete 555-timer PWM chain, this MCU integrates all four channels on a 4x4 mm UQFN footprint, drastically reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ's four 16-bit PWMs are ideal for BLDC motor commutation, generating complementary high-resolution drive signals for three-phase half-bridges with sufficient timing margin for dead-band insertion. At 32 MHz instruction rate, the CPU runs a sensorless back-EMF zero-crossing routine fast enough to sustain up to several kRPM. The 10-bit ADC samples motor current for torque limiting and overcurrent protection within the same control period. With 7 KB Flash, the firmware fits sensorless startup, ramp, and closed-loop speed control on-chip. The 20-pin UQFN GZ package reduces PCB area versus discrete 8-bit MCU + external PWM IC solutions, lowering total BOM by 30-40 percent in small fans and pumps.
Recommended
Digital Power Supply Controller
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ excels as a digital controller for non-isolated DC/DC converters such as buck, boost, and SEPIC topologies. Its four 16-bit PWMs can drive synchronous MOSFET half-bridges and auxiliary signals, while the 32 MHz CPU executes peak-current-mode control loops with sub-microsecond period. The 10-bit ADC digitizes output voltage, inductor current, and temperature with sufficient resolution for tight load regulation. Operating from 1.8-5.5 V, the MCU can be powered from an internal auxiliary winding or an external LDO. The compact 4x4 mm UQFN footprint enables embedding digital control inside the magnetics cavity of small point-of-load regulators, replacing traditional UC3842-style analog controllers with adaptive firmware.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ serves as an industrial-grade sensor hub aggregating analog sensor data via its 10-bit ADC and conditioning PWM outputs for actuator control. Industrial temperature range -40 C to +85 C and robust 1.8-5.5 V supply tolerance make it suitable for factory-floor PLC-style expansion modules. 7 KB Flash supports Modbus or custom serial protocols, while 512 B RAM buffers sensor frames before forwarding to a higher-level controller. The internal 32 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystal cost. With the UQFN-20 4x4 mm footprint, designers can place the MCU on the back of sensor PCBs, freeing front-side area for connectors and signal conditioning.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ drives multi-segment consumer appliance interfaces that combine capacitive touch buttons, LED indicators, and a small buzzer. Four 16-bit PWMs smoothly fade LED brightness on status changes, while the 10-bit ADC reads touch-sensor analog outputs. The 32 MHz instruction rate executes debounce, touch-firmware, and indicator logic concurrently without latency. The 1.8-5.5 V range supports direct connection to battery or USB-powered appliances. Compared to discrete logic + LED drivers, this single-chip solution reduces PCB area by half and simplifies EMC compliance by replacing noisy analog PWM generators with a deterministic digital peripheral.
Recommended
Automotive Interior LED Driver
The PIC16F1578-I/GZ integrates well into 12 V automotive interior LED modules for ambient lighting, dome lights, and footwell illumination. While the -I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) grade covers most cabin environments, the four 16-bit PWMs independently drive RGB-W channels for smooth color cross-fades. The 5.5 V max VDD requires an upstream LDO or buck regulator; the MCU then orchestrates on/off sequencing via the PWMs rather than discrete drivers. 7 KB Flash is ample for CAN-LIN gateway snippets or local lighting effects. The 4x4 mm UQFN package survives automotive vibration profiles and reflow temperatures up to 260 C per JEDEC J-STD-020.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1578-I/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1578T-I/GZ | PIC16F1579-I/GZ | PIC16F1509-I/GZ | PIC16F1509T-I/GZ | PIC16F1507-E/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm - same | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm - same | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm - same | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm - same | 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7.75 KB | 7.75 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B | 512 B | 128 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest instruction throughput in 20-pin UQFN class (vs PIC16F1509-I/GZ)
- Double Flash for larger lighting firmware (vs PIC16F1578-I/GZ vs PIC16F1579-I/GZ)
- Industrial-grade operating temperature range (vs PIC16F1507-E/GZ)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18) of the PIC16F1578-I/GZ, with a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. According to Microchip's power-supply guidelines for PIC16 mid-range parts, a wide-bandwidth MLCC (X7R, 0.1 uF) suppresses the high-frequency transient current drawn by the 32 MHz CPU core during PWM transitions. Avoid sharing the MCU's decoupling capacitor with high-current PWM-driven loads, as return-path noise can couple into the analog reference.
Estimated: at maximum CPU activity (32 MHz, all four PWMs switching at 1 MHz into 50 pF loads), internal dissipation is under 50 mW. The 20-pin UQFN (GZ) 4x4 mm package has a theta_JA around 40 C/W on a 1 oz 4-layer JEDEC EIA/JESD51 test board. With adequate ground copper pour under the exposed pad, the junction-to-ambient rise stays below 2 C in typical room-temperature operation. For applications near the 85 C industrial ceiling, add thermal vias beneath the UQFN thermal pad to the internal ground plane.
Route the 16-bit PWM outputs (RC0-RC3) away from the 10-bit ADC analog inputs (RC4-RC7, RB6-RB7) to minimize capacitive coupling. According to the PIC16(L)F157x datasheet, the PWM outputs can toggle at up to several MHz, injecting switching noise into adjacent ADC channels. A ground trace between PWM and ADC pin groups reduces crosstalk by roughly 20 dB. Keep the ICSP clock and data lines short and away from PWM traces to prevent in-circuit programming glitches.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD or apply voltage to any pin before VDD is powered; both stress the on-chip ESD structures. The MCLR pin (RA3) must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD or be left as a reset input - floating MCLR causes erratic resets. For PWM-driven LEDs or motors, configure the PWM outputs as push-pull rather than open-drain to maximize switching speed and minimize EMI. Finally, when migrating from PIC16F1509 to PIC16F1578 firmware, verify that any 20 MHz timing loops are re-tuned because the 1578 runs at 32 MHz instead.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only; AEC-Q100 automotive grade requires the PIC16F1578-E/GZ or PIC16F1578-H/GZ extended variants.
