PIC16F1579-E/SO - 8-bit MCU 14KB Flash 16-bit PWM SOIC-20
MPN: PIC16F1579-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.45 | $725.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.21 | $1,210.00 |
PIC16F1579-E/SO Overview
What is a PIC16 microcontroller? The PIC16 family is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit RISC microcontroller line, positioned between the smaller PIC10/PIC12 baseline series and the higher-pin-count PIC18 series. PIC16 devices use a 14-bit instruction word, Harvard architecture, and integrated analog peripherals. PIC16F1579 belongs to the PIC16F157X sub-family, distinguished by its four hardware 16-bit PWM outputs with independent timers - a feature normally found only on larger PIC18 or dsPIC devices.
Key features include 14KB self-programmable Flash, 1KB RAM, 256B EEPROM, four 16-bit PWMs, two comparators, one 5-bit DAC, one 8-bit DAC and a 12-channel 10-bit ADC with automated channels. The device supports up to 18 I/O pins, two UART/SPI/I2C configurable peripherals, seven timers, and operates across an industrial -40C to +125C range via the E temperature grade. The SOIC-20 package is footprint-compatible with the broader PIC16F157X family and many PIC16F1xxx 20-pin devices.
The PIC16F1579 uses an enhanced mid-range CPU core with a 16-level hardware stack and 49 instruction set. The four 16-bit PWMs provide 16ns edge resolution at 32MHz, enabling fine-grained control of LED dimming, motor speed, and power-converter feedback loops. The integrated 5-bit DAC and 8-bit DAC simplify analog reference generation without external components.
Typical applications include high-resolution LED lighting dimmers, RGB color-mixing controllers, switched-mode power-supply feedback loops, motor-control auxiliary boards, and small appliances requiring digital control plus analog sensing. The wide temperature range also makes it suitable for industrial instrumentation and automotive interior lighting subsystems.
When designing with the PIC16F1579, allocate proper decoupling (100nF plus 10uF bulk) at VDD/VSS, and reserve the ICSP/ICD pins (PGED/PGVC) for in-circuit programming. The device supports either an internal 31kHz LFINTOSC up to 16MHz HFINTOSC plus a 32kHz external crystal - select clock source in CONFIG1 to balance power consumption against timing accuracy. This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specs, distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1579-E/SO — 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/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, DAC, Package, ADC, Communication.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1579-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1578-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1575-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F15356-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F15244-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F15345-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F157X |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash |
| Data RAM | 1 KB (1024 bytes) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 14-bit word |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 (independent timers) |
| 10-bit ADC | Dual 12-channel 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| DAC | 1x 5-bit + 1x 8-bit |
| Timers | 7 |
| Serial Interfaces | UART/SPI/I2C (2x EUSART) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F1579-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Digital I/O / SCL |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Digital I/O / SDA |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RA7 — Digital I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 16 | RA6 — Digital I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1579-E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Dimmer, Switched-Mode Power Supply Feedback Loop, Motor Speed and Position Controller, Industrial Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node, Digital RGB Color-Mixing Controller, Automotive Interior Lighting and Auxiliary Control, Test & Measurement Front-End Controller.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Dimmer
The PIC16F1579-E/SO's four dedicated 16-bit PWMs make it ideal for high-precision LED lighting dimmers where 16ns edge resolution (at 32MHz CPU) translates directly to sub-1% dimming accuracy. Placed as the digital control core, the MCU drives four independent LED channels with 65,536-step brightness control per channel, sufficient for high-end architectural lighting, stage dimming and DMX-512-compatible fixtures. The integrated 10-bit ADC reads ambient-light sensors and potentiometer inputs without external ADC ICs, while the 5-bit and 8-bit DACs generate reference voltages for current-mode LED driver stages. Compared to MCU + external PWM-IC solutions, PIC16F1579-E/SO reduces BOM cost while keeping glitch-free PWM edges that prevent LED flicker in video recording.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply Feedback Loop
The PIC16F1579-E/SO's 16-bit PWM resolution enables precise duty-cycle control of switching converters, particularly in digital-controlled buck/boost and PFC circuits. Using one 16-bit PWM as the switching frequency source and a second as the feedback compensator, the MCU implements a digital control loop with finer granularity than 8-bit or 10-bit PWM MCUs. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC simultaneously monitors input voltage, output voltage, current sense and temperature - eliminating an external ADC. Operating from -40C to +125C (E grade), the part is suitable for industrial SMPS modules and LED-driver power-factor-correction stages. The 1KB RAM is sufficient for state-machine control without external memory.
Recommended
Motor Speed and Position Controller
For small BLDC, stepper or brushed-DC motor controllers, the PIC16F1579-E/SO provides four 16-bit PWMs that map naturally to three-phase motor drive plus one auxiliary channel for braking or excitation. The 16-bit resolution enables smoother commutation at low RPM and finer speed-setpoint accuracy than 8/10-bit PWM MCUs. The two on-chip comparators support hardware overcurrent protection by directly tripping PWM outputs without CPU latency, while the 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF and current-sense signals. The SOIC-20 package fits in compact motor-control PCBs and the -40C to +125C operating range supports under-hood and industrial environments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node
The PIC16F1579-E/SO is well suited to compact industrial sensor hubs that aggregate multiple analog sensor inputs and report via UART, SPI or I2C. With 12-channel 10-bit ADC plus 18 I/O pins, the MCU can directly interface to temperature, pressure, humidity and current sensors without external multiplexer ICs. The 14KB Flash supports protocol stacks (Modbus RTU, IO-Link or simple MQTT-SN), while 1KB RAM handles message buffers. The E temperature grade (up to +125C) covers outdoor and factory-floor deployments. Two EUSART peripherals allow simultaneous fieldbus plus debug-log output, and the four 16-bit PWMs can drive status-LED brightness or buzzer tones.
Recommended
Digital RGB Color-Mixing Controller
RGB or RGBW color-mixing fixtures benefit from the PIC16F1579-E/SO's four 16-bit PWMs, which independently drive four LED strings (red, green, blue, white) with sub-1% duty-cycle resolution for accurate color rendering. Combined with the on-chip 8-bit DAC, the MCU can also generate analog reference currents for linear LED driver topologies. The 14KB Flash stores color lookup tables and DMX-512 frame buffers; 1KB RAM holds the current scene state. Operating over -40C to +125C and supplied in the SOIC-20 footprint, the part drops directly onto existing PIC16F1xxx 20-pin designs migrating to finer color depth.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting and Auxiliary Control
The PIC16F1579-E/SO's extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (E suffix) and 16-bit PWM resolution make it a strong fit for automotive interior lighting (ambient strip, footwell, vanity mirror) and auxiliary body controllers. The four 16-bit PWMs deliver smooth fades and color mixing without external LED drivers, while the 12-channel ADC reads potentiometers, light sensors and switch inputs. The 14KB Flash hosts LIN or CAN-derived application stacks for body-electronics modules. Although the part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, the E grade supports operating and continuous-operation in cabin environments where automotive customers commonly use it on a non-safety basis.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Front-End Controller
Benchtop test instruments and laboratory front-ends benefit from the PIC16F1579-E/SO's combination of four 16-bit PWMs (for stimulus generation), 12-channel 10-bit ADC (for measurement) and 1KB RAM (for sample buffering). The MCU can drive a function-generator stage, read back multiple analog signals and report via UART to a host PC. The SOIC-20 package simplifies hand-prototyping on perfboard, and the extended temperature grade ensures stability in equipment racks. The four independent 16-bit PWMs also drive stepper-motor stages in automated test handlers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1579-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1579-I/SO | PIC16F1578-E/SO | PIC16F15356-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-20 | SOIC-20 - same | SOIC-20 - same | SOIC-20 - same |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash (-50%) | 28 KB Flash (+100%) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B (-50%) | 2 KB (+100%) |
| Maximum Clock | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 (uses 10-bit PWMs) |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Extended -40C to +125C |
| Approx Unit Price (qty 100) | USD 1.74 | USD 1.74 | USD 1.42 | USD 2.05 |
Key Differentiators
- Four dedicated 16-bit PWMs versus typical 8/10-bit PWM mid-range PIC MCUs (vs PIC16F15356-E/SO)
- Drop-in upgrade with identical memory and pinout, only temperature grade differs (vs PIC16F1579-I/SO)
- Lower-cost smaller-memory option in same SOIC-20 footprint (vs PIC16F1578-E/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16F1579-E/SO requires a 100nF decoupling capacitor placed within 5mm of each VDD/VSS pair. For designs with multiple VDD pins, add a 10uF bulk capacitor near the MCU. The device supports 1.8V-5.5V operation depending on frequency: at 32MHz, VDD must be 3.0V minimum. Verify VDD droop during PWM edge transitions by measuring with a scope probe; high dI/dt from switching PWMs can couple noise into the analog rail.
Route ICSP pins (RB5=PGED, RB6=PGVC) with traces short and direct, away from PWM outputs to avoid coupling programming-clock noise into the analog front-end. Place the MCLR pull-up (typically 10k) close to pin 4. If the PCB uses the internal HFINTOSC, the device can save two oscillator-pins for general I/O but loses clock accuracy; calibrate HFINTOSC via the OSCTUNE register for tighter UART baud-rate tolerance.
Do not enable PWM outputs before configuring the timer source and period register - undefined PWM behavior results. Always read-modify-write LATx registers using BSx/BCx instructions or the built-in LAT register to avoid read-modify-write hazards on multi-bit ports. When migrating from PIC16F877A or similar legacy PIC16 parts, note that the PIC16F1579 uses the enhanced mid-range core with 49 instructions, not the legacy 35-instruction set.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The -E temperature grade covers -40C to +125C but is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for safety-critical automotive applications, use a PIC16F1579 variant qualified to AEC-Q100 if and when available, or add a safety review.