PIC16F1579-I/GZ - 8-bit MCU 32MHz 14KB Flash 20-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1579-I/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.55 | $1.55 |
| 10 | $1.39 | $13.90 |
| 100 | $1.18 | $118.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
PIC16F1579-I/GZ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, and peripherals on one die. The 8-bit PIC16 family uses a RISC-based Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and data access to occur in parallel. Within the broader PIC taxonomy, the PIC16F157x sits in the mid-range "plus" tier optimized for motor, lighting, and power-conversion control where 16-bit PWM resolution is required.
Key features include 14 KB Flash, 1 KB RAM, four 16-bit PWMs with independent timers, a 10-bit ADC, 32 MHz internal oscillator, and an operating voltage range of 2.3 V to 5.5 V. The four 16-bit PWMs (vs. 10-bit PWM on legacy PIC16) deliver sub-microsecond pulse resolution, critical for dimmable LED lighting and switch-mode power supply control loops.
The PIC16F1579 uses the enhanced mid-range core (49 instruction set) with a 16-level hardware stack and a configurable 32 kHz to 32 MHz internal oscillator. The 20-pin UQFN package with exposed pad provides low thermal resistance (~30 C/W typical) for surface-mount designs, while 4 KB of internal SRAM is not present on this part (1 KB). On-chip peripherals include Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and Zero-Cross Detection (ZCD) blocks.
Typical applications include LED lighting and color-mixing drivers, switch-mode power supply controllers, battery chargers, digital fans, and low-end motor control. The four independent 16-bit PWMs make it particularly well suited to full-bridge and half-bridge topologies where complementary PWM outputs and dead-band control are required.
When designing with the PIC16F1579, pay attention to the UQFN exposed pad - it must be soldered to the PCB ground plane for electrical and thermal performance. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin. The 32 MHz maximum frequency requires VDD >= 2.5 V; at lower voltages the internal oscillator frequency is limited.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1579-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 PIC16F1579-I/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1578-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-I/GZVAO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1509T-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1509-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-E/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-I/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Family | PIC16F157x |
| Core | Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit PIC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 1 KB |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit (independent timers) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Package | 20-UQFN (4x4 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial -I grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F1579-I/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Digital I/O / MCLR input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground (alt) |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1579-I/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers, Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Controllers, Battery Charging and Power Management, Digital Fan and Pump Speed Control, Hobbyist and Educational Development Platforms, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
LED Lighting and Color-Mixing Drivers
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ is purpose-built for LED lighting. Its four independent 16-bit PWMs (vs. legacy 10-bit) deliver ~64x finer duty-cycle resolution, enabling smooth dimming curves without visible flicker and precise color-mixing across RGBW channels. Each PWM has its own timer, so multiple LED strings can be driven with phase-shifted carriers to spread EMI. The 32 MHz core runs control firmware in real time while the CWG peripheral generates complementary outputs for totem-pole drivers. Place the IC close to the LED MOSFETs with 100 nF decoupling within 3 mm of VDD.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Controllers
For SMPS applications, the PIC16F1579-I/GZ's four 16-bit PWMs and CWG peripheral make it ideal for digital control of buck, boost, half-bridge, and full-bridge converters. Sub-microsecond pulse resolution enables tight regulation loops at switching frequencies up to several hundred kHz. The 14 KB Flash accommodates PFC plus main-loop firmware, while the CWG dead-band control protects half-bridge switches from shoot-through. The 32 MHz instruction rate executes control loops in well under 1 us, leaving bandwidth for housekeeping and communication.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Power Management
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ suits battery-charger designs that need precise CC/CV profile control. Its 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage and current with adequate resolution for Li-ion and lead-acid chemistries, while the four 16-bit PWMs drive synchronous-rectifier MOSFETs or a PFC front end. 14 KB Flash fits standard charge-profile state machines plus optional SMBus / I2C interface code. Operating voltage 2.3 V to 5.5 V is compatible with single-cell Li-ion and 5 V system rails.
Recommended
Digital Fan and Pump Speed Control
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ is well suited to closed-loop fan and pump speed controllers. Its four 16-bit PWMs generate variable-frequency drive signals for BLDC or brushed motors, while the 10-bit ADC reads tachometer / Hall-sensor feedback. The enhanced mid-range core runs the speed-control loop deterministically at 32 MHz, and 14 KB Flash holds look-up tables for sensorless start-up ramps. Industrial -I grade operates from -40 C to +85 C, suitable for fan trays and pump controllers in demanding thermal environments.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Development Platforms
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ makes a good educational MCU thanks to its 20-UQFN (4x4 mm) footprint, 32 MHz speed, four 16-bit PWMs, and 10-bit ADC exposed on a beginner-friendly pin map. With 14 KB Flash and 1 KB RAM, students can experiment with PWM generation, ADC sampling, and interrupt-driven state machines. MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler is free, and the PICkit 4 programmer/debugger works out of the box. The exposed thermal pad requires careful reflow but breakout boards are widely available.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ handles industrial sensor-signal-conditioning tasks where PWM drives need to be synchronized with ADC sampling. Its CWG, NCO, and ZCD peripherals support zero-crossing detection for AC-line-synchronized sensors, while the four 16-bit PWMs drive excitation sources for bridge-type transducers. 14 KB Flash supports calibration look-up tables for thermocouple, RTD, or strain-gauge linearization. Industrial -I temperature range covers most factory environments, and the 2.3 V to 5.5 V supply range accepts common 3.3 V and 5 V rails.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1579-I/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1578-I/GZ | PIC16F1509T-I/GZ | PIC16F1509-I/GZ | PIC16F1579-E/GZ | PIC16F1579-I/GZVAO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-UQFN (4x4) | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same | 20-UQFN (4x4) - same |
| Flash | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 8 KB (-43%) | 8 KB (-43%) | 14 KB (same) | 14 KB (same) |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) | 1 KB (same) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz (-37%) | 20 MHz (-37%) | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| PWM Resolution | 16-bit | 16-bit (same) | 10-bit (coarser) | 10-bit (coarser) | 16-bit (same) | 16-bit (same) |
| PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Automotive) | -40C to +125C (Automotive) |
| Unit Price (qty-1) | $1.55 | ~$1.40 | ~$1.30 | ~$1.30 | ~$1.85 | ~$1.95 |
Key Differentiators
- Four 16-bit PWMs with independent timers (vs PIC16F1509T-I/GZ)
- Largest Flash memory in 20-pin PIC16F157x family (vs PIC16F1578-I/GZ)
- Industrial temperature range on -I grade (vs PIC16F1579-E/GZ)
Design Notes
The PIC16F1579-I/GZ uses a 20-UQFN package with an exposed thermal pad. The EP must be soldered to a PCB ground plane for both electrical grounding and thermal dissipation. Vias-in-pad (filled and capped) under the EP are recommended to conduct heat to inner copper layers. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor nearby. Keep switching traces short and away from the analog ADC inputs.
The maximum 32 MHz clock requires VDD >= 2.5 V; below this threshold the internal oscillator derates to 16 MHz or lower. Do not assume 32 MHz at 2.3 V operation. Also note that the PIC16F1579 has 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) but only 1 KB RAM, NOT 4 KB as on some earlier PIC16F1xxx parts. Verify linker settings if migrating from a similar PIC. The ICSP programming pins (RA0/ICSPDAT, RA1/ICSPCLK) must be accessible for in-circuit debugging.
When routing the 16-bit PWM outputs to MOSFET gate drivers, keep traces short and use a gate resistor (10-100 ohm) to dampen ringing. The four PWMs are independent and can be phase-shifted to spread EMI spectrum - configure each PWM with a different timer prescaler or phase offset. The CWG peripheral can generate complementary outputs with programmable dead-band; enable dead-band for half-bridge and full-bridge topologies to prevent shoot-through.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. -I grade is industrial (-40 C to +85 C); -E grade is the automotive (-40 C to +125 C) variant.
