PIC16F1579-E/GZ - 8-bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 16-bit PWM, 20-UQFN
MPN: PIC16F1579-E/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.35 | $235.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
PIC16F1579-E/GZ Overview
What is a PIC microcontroller? A PIC microcontroller is a family of 8/16/32-bit RISC microcontrollers from Microchip that integrate CPU, Flash, RAM, EEPROM, and peripherals into a single IC. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors, and the PIC16 sub-family targets low-power, mixed-signal control applications with mid-range peripheral integration.
Key features of the PIC16F1579 include four independent 16-bit PWMs (a hallmark of the PIC16(L)F157x family), a 10-bit ADC with multiple input channels, configurable logic cells (CLC), complementary waveform generator (CWG), numerically controlled oscillator (NCO), and peripheral pin select (PPS) for flexible signal routing. The device supports a wide operating voltage range from 2.3V to 5.5V across the standard F-specification, with low-power sleep modes consuming only tens of nanoamps typical.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1579 employs a 14-bit instruction word modified Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses, enabling deterministic interrupt response and single-cycle instruction execution. The four 16-bit PWM channels each have independent timers and duty-cycle registers, providing fine resolution for applications requiring high-precision timing or analog-like waveform synthesis, while the dedicated CWG simplifies complementary drive of power switches.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers (where 16-bit PWM enables smooth dimming and color mixing), BLDC motor control (leveraging CWG and 16-bit PWM for commutation), battery chargers, DC-DC converter control loops, digital power supplies, fan controllers, and general-purpose mixed-signal embedded designs. The exposed-pad UQFN package enhances thermal dissipation for continuous PWM switching duty.
Designers should plan for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) using the dedicated PGC/PGD pins and ensure the exposed pad is soldered to the PCB ground plane for proper thermal and electrical performance. Decoupling should include a 100 nF capacitor placed as close as possible to VDD, with a bulk capacitor on the power rail.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1579-E/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 PIC16F1579-E/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature, PWM Channels.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1578-E/GZ
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View Datasheet →PIC16F15345-E/GZVAO
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View Datasheet →PIC16F1509T-I/GZ
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View Datasheet →PIC16F1507-E/GZ
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View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-E/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 (independent timers) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 18 (maximum) |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E suffix) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) | Yes |
| Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) | Yes |
| Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) | Yes |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16F1579-E/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 19 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1579-E/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Driver, BLDC Motor Control, Digital Power Supply Control, Battery Charging and Monitoring, Smart Fan and Blower Control, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Driver
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ is an excellent fit for high-resolution LED lighting because its four 16-bit PWM channels provide up to 65,536 duty-cycle steps per channel, enabling flicker-free dimming and smooth color mixing in RGB/RGBW fixtures. Each PWM has independent timing, allowing phase-shifted outputs that reduce inrush current and audible noise. The 32 MHz core runs the LED control loop without CPU bottlenecks, while CWG can drive half-bridge LED strings directly. Compared to MCUs with 8-bit or 10-bit PWM, the PIC16F1579's 16-bit resolution eliminates visible dimming steps even at very low brightness, a key requirement for architectural and human-centric lighting designs.
Recommended
BLDC Motor Control
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ supports sensorless and Hall-sensor BLDC motor control through its combination of four 16-bit PWMs, a dedicated Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) with dead-band control, and the Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) for precise commutation timing. The CWG generates complementary PWM signals with programmable dead-time, eliminating the need for external gate-driver dead-band circuits. The 32 MHz CPU performs back-EMF sensing or FOC calculations within tight control-loop deadlines. The -40C to +125C extended temperature range supports under-hood automotive and industrial motor applications where thermal headroom is limited.
Recommended
Digital Power Supply Control
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ operates as a closed-loop controller for digital DC-DC converters, where the 16-bit PWM sets the converter switching frequency with sub-percent duty-cycle resolution. The high-speed 10-bit ADC samples the output voltage and current at high rates, while the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) builds custom protection logic without external gates. The NCO can synthesize arbitrary clock frequencies for spread-spectrum switching, reducing EMI. The wide 2.3-5.5 V supply range and 32 MHz operation enable control of buck, boost, flyback, and PFC stages in industrial power supplies with sub-1% output regulation accuracy.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Monitoring
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ is well-suited for smart battery chargers where the four 16-bit PWMs regulate charge current and voltage with high precision, while the 10-bit ADC monitors cell voltage and current. The 2.3-5.5 V operating range covers 1S Li-ion and multi-cell NiMH packs directly without external level shifters. The CWG can drive synchronous rectifier FETs in buck charger topologies, improving efficiency above 95%. Low-power sleep modes below 1 microamp extend shelf life of battery-backed devices, and the extended -E temperature grade supports automotive and outdoor charger deployments across harsh environments.
Recommended
Smart Fan and Blower Control
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ drives variable-speed brushless DC fans in HVAC, server cooling, and white-goods appliances using its 16-bit PWM for precise RPM control and the CWG for synchronous-rectifier drive. Tachometer feedback is captured via the 10-bit ADC or digital I/O with interrupt-on-change, enabling closed-loop RPM regulation within 1% of target. The CLC implements stall detection logic without external comparators, reducing BOM cost. The wide 2.3-5.5 V supply range supports 3.3 V and 5 V fan variants from a single design, and the small 4x4 mm UQFN footprint fits inside the fan hub for ultra-compact assemblies.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ conditions analog signals from industrial sensors by leveraging its 10-bit ADC, four 16-bit PWMs for excitation generation, and the CLC for custom digital filtering. The PWM can synthesize AC excitation for bridge sensors (load cells, strain gauges), while the ADC measures the differential response with hardware averaging. The Configurable Logic Cell implements debouncing and edge detection without CPU intervention. The -40C to +125C extended temperature range ensures stable operation in factory-floor environments, and the 20-pin UQFN package provides the small footprint needed for inline sensor modules and remote IO nodes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1579-E/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1578-E/GZ | PIC16F15345-E/GZVAO | PIC16F1509T-I/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB | 12 KB | 14 KB | 7.1 KB |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 384 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| PWM Resolution | 16-bit (4 channels) | 16-bit (4 channels) | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Four independent 16-bit PWM channels (vs PIC16F1509T-I/GZ)
- Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) with dead-band control (vs PIC16F1507-E/GZ)
- Same 20-pin UQFN footprint as the PIC16F1578 with full peripheral feature set (vs PIC16F1578-E/GZ)
Design Notes
The 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) exposed thermal pad MUST be soldered to the PCB ground plane to achieve rated thermal performance and provide the lowest-impedance return path for the high-speed internal core. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin, with a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the power rail. For high-current PWM-driven loads, use star-ground topology and separate analog/digital ground returns when possible. The exposed pad also functions as the primary heatsink under continuous PWM switching duty at high ambient temperatures.
The PIC16F1579-E/GZ operates from 2.3 V to 5.5 V, but the brown-out reset (BOR) threshold is selectable in the configuration bits. Enable BOR at system power-up to prevent undefined execution during slow VDD rise times. The on-chip LDO provides a stable core voltage from VDD, so no external core-voltage regulator is needed. When using sleep modes, allow at least 1 ms wake-up stabilization before initiating ADC reads or PWM updates to avoid first-sample artifacts.
Common pitfalls include leaving the MCLR pin floating (always tie to VDD via a 10 kOhm pull-up for normal operation or to a proper reset circuit), forgetting the 1 kOhm current-limiting resistor on PGC/PGD during in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and ignoring the configuration bit settings for oscillator selection. Always program the configuration words in the same IPE session as the application code. The 16-bit PWM registers must be written as a high-byte / low-byte pair with interrupts disabled to prevent mid-update glitches on the PWM output.
Place the 32 MHz crystal or resonator (if used instead of the internal oscillator) within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins with guard traces grounded on both sides. Route high-speed PWM output traces away from analog ADC inputs to minimize digital switching noise coupling into the analog domain. The PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) feature allows remapping of most digital peripherals to any I/O pin, but only one peripheral function can be mapped to a pin at a time - plan the pin assignment before PCB layout to avoid reassignment constraints late in the design cycle.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free per Microchip green-compound designation. The -E suffix denotes extended (-40C to +125C) industrial temperature grade, not AEC-Q100 automotive qualification. For AEC-Q100 automotive-grade PIC16F157x, contact Microchip for the automotive-qualified catalog number.
