PIC16F1579T-I/SS - 14KB Flash 32MHz 8-bit MCU with 16-bit PWM | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1579T-I/SS β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.76 | $17.60 |
| 100 | $1.49 | $149.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.05 | $3,150.00 |
PIC16F1579T-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and integrated peripherals. The PIC16F1579 belongs to Microchip's PIC16 family of 8-bit mid-range MCUs, occupying the tier between baseline 8-pin PIC10/12 parts and 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC devices. It sits within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers (MCU) -> microcontrollers and processors (MPU) -> semiconductor -> embedded system. This device integrates four 16-bit Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) channels with independent timers, enabling fine-grained control for LED dimming, motor drive, and power-conversion feedback.
Key features of the PIC16F1579T-I/SS include 14KB Flash, 1KB SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with multiple channels, a 5-bit DAC, four 16-bit PWM outputs, comparators, and the standard PIC16 peripheral set (UART, I2C/SPI, timers). The 32MHz internal oscillator supports instruction cycles up to 8MIPS, with a wide operating voltage range typically of 2.3V to 5.5V.
The part is fabricated on Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word and hardware multiplier, providing efficient C-code density while retaining the legendary PIC deterministic interrupt latency. The integrated Complementary Output Generator (COG) complements the 16-bit PWM channels for half-bridge and full-bridge drive topologies without external logic.
Typical applications include high-resolution LED lighting control, switched-mode power supply (SMPS) digital control loops, motor-control BLDC fan and pump drives, battery-charging front-ends, IoT sensor hubs, and general-purpose embedded control where 16-bit PWM resolution is needed. The 20-pin SSOP footprint balances compact PCB area with hand-solderable lead pitch for prototyping.
When designing with the PIC16F1579, ensure the supply decoupling network (typically 100nF plus 10uF bulk) is placed within 5mm of the VDD pin, and that unused PWM outputs are tri-stated rather than left floating. The device's high-resolution PWM capability makes it especially suitable for digital LED dimming where 8-bit PWM visible flicker is unacceptable.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers select the optimal PIC16F1579 variant for their application and confidently substitute compatible parts from Microchip's portfolio.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1579T-I/SS 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 PIC16F1579T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) β differing in ADC, Data SRAM, Maximum CPU Speed, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesPIC16F1579T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit with independent timers |
| Comparators | Yes |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel (T suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F1579T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 β GPIO / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 2 | RA4 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR β GPIO / Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 β GPIO / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 6 | RA0 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB7 β GPIO / ICSPDAT (programming) |
| Pin 9 | RB6 β GPIO / ICSPCLK (programming) |
| Pin 10 | RB5 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RB4 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RB3 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RB2 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RB1 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RB0 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 16 | RC5 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RC4 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RC3 β GPIO / analog input / SCL (I2C) |
| Pin 19 | RC2 β GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 20 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.3 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1579T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Control, Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control, BLDC and Brushed-DC Motor Control, IoT Sensor Hub and Edge Node, Battery Charging and Power-Path Management, Automotive Interior Lighting and Body Electronics.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Control
The PIC16F1579T-I/SS is purpose-built for digital LED lighting thanks to its four independent 16-bit PWM channels with 65536-step resolution, which eliminates the visible flicker inherent to 8-bit PWM dimming below 5 percent brightness. Its 32 MHz CPU provides 8 MIPS for DMX-512, DALI, or wireless protocol stack processing on-chip, while the integrated 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors for closed-loop brightness control. The 5-bit DAC and comparators handle color-mixing feedback for tunable-white and RGBW fixtures. Compared to a discrete PWM controller plus MCU solution, the PIC16F1579 integrates drive logic and protocol handling into a single 20-SSOP part, reducing BOM cost by roughly 30 percent and PCB area by half. This makes it ideal for architectural lighting, stage fixtures, and horticulture LED arrays where smooth deep-dimming is non-negotiable.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control
The PIC16F1579T-I/SS excels in digital control loops for switched-mode power supplies, where its 16-bit PWM resolution enables precise duty-cycle control at switching frequencies from 20 kHz to 1 MHz, critical for high-efficiency LLC, flyback, and buck converters. The integrated comparators (typically 100 ns response) provide hardware peak-current-mode control without external op-amps, while the 10-bit ADC with 8 channels samples input/output voltage, current, and temperature for telemetry and protection. The Complementary Output Generator (COG) peripheral adds programmable dead-band delays for synchronous-rectifier timing, eliminating the need for external gate-drive logic. Compared to a fixed-function PWM controller, the PIC16F1579 lets engineers implement proprietary soft-start, frequency-foldback, and adaptive-dead-time algorithms in firmware, with the 14 KB Flash holding full state-machine control code.
Recommended
BLDC and Brushed-DC Motor Control
The PIC16F1579T-I/SS drives BLDC, stepper, and brushed-DC motors via its four 16-bit PWM channels paired with the COG peripheral for complementary half-bridge switching with programmable dead-band delay. The 32 MHz CPU executes sensorless back-EMF zero-cross detection and PID control loops within a few microseconds, while the 10-bit ADC samples phase currents via onboard op-amps for torque-loop feedback. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating makes the part suitable for fan, pump, and small-appliance motor drives. Compared to dedicated motor-controller ICs, the PIC16F1579T-I/SS integrates the user-interface and fault-handling code alongside the motor algorithm in one 20-SSOP device, reducing component count and accelerating time-to-market for variable-speed drive designs in the 50 W to 500 W range.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Hub and Edge Node
The PIC16F1579T-I/SS is well suited for low-power IoT edge nodes that aggregate sensor data from multiple analog and digital sources. Its 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels reads temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas-sensor outputs, while the 5-bit DAC drives analog actuators or analog front-end references. The 14 KB Flash stores small-footprint TCP/IP or LoRaWAN protocol stacks, and the 32 MHz CPU handles on-chip sensor-fusion calculations. The 2.3 V to 5.5 V supply range permits direct battery connection from a single Li-Ion cell or 3 V coin cell, while deep-sleep current of less than 50 nA enables multi-year battery life. Compared to discrete ADC plus wireless MCU solutions, the PIC16F1579 reduces the IoT-node BOM and PCB footprint by integrating analog, PWM, and control logic in one SSOP-20 device.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Power-Path Management
The PIC16F1579T-I/SS implements CC/CV (constant-current / constant-voltage) charging profiles for Li-Ion, LiFePO4, and lead-acid batteries by combining its 16-bit PWM channels (driving a buck or buck-boost converter), the 10-bit ADC (sampling charge current and battery voltage), and the 5-bit DAC (programming reference setpoints). The integrated comparators handle instant over-current and over-voltage protection with sub-microsecond response. Industrial temperature rating supports outdoor solar MPPT charge controllers and e-bike battery packs. Compared to analog charge-controller ICs, the PIC16F1579 firmware-updatable approach lets OEMs ship multiple battery chemistries from a single hardware platform, with the 14 KB Flash accommodating multi-stage charge algorithms plus state-of-health telemetry.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting and Body Electronics
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC16F1579T-I/SS is widely used in non-safety automotive interior applications such as ambient lighting, RGB footwell illumination, and instrument-panel backlight control. Its four 16-bit PWM channels drive multiple LED strings independently for color and brightness, while the 10-bit ADC reads ambient-light sensors for auto-dimming. The 32 MHz CPU handles CAN-Lite or LIN-bus protocol stacks via software UART. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating and automotive-grade EMI robustness (typical of Microchip's PIC16 family) suit under-dash and cabin environments. Compared to dedicated LED drivers, the PIC16F1579 integrates protocol handling, sequencing logic, and dimming curves into one SSOP-20 part for automotive Tier-1 suppliers.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1579T-I/SS β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1579-I/SS | PIC16F1578-I/SS | PIC16F1575-I/SS | PIC16F1574-I/SS | PIC16F15356-I/SS | PIC16F1513-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 28 KB (+100%) | 8 KB (-43%) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B (-50%) | 1 KB | 512 B (-50%) | 2 KB (+100%) | 256 B (-75%) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz (-37%) |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 (-25%) | 5 (+25%) | 0 (10-bit PWM only) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| DAC | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | None (DAC absent) |
| 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 | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (wider) |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16F1579-I/SS)
- Largest memory in the PIC16F157x SSOP-20 family (vs PIC16F1578-I/SS)
- Four 16-bit PWM channels at 32 MHz vs 10-bit PWM (vs PIC16F1513-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail. The PIC16F1579T-I/SS draws peak currents up to 30 mA during Flash programming; insufficient decoupling causes VDD droop that can trigger spurious brown-out resets. Add a ferrite bead in series with VDD if the supply shares switching converter noise.
Route the ICSP clock (ICSPCLK on pin 1) and ICSP data (ICSPDAT on pin 8 or pin 5) traces as short as possible, ideally under 50 mm, with no series resistors in-circuit during programming. Keep these traces away from PWM outputs (RC1-RC4) to avoid crosstalk during in-system programming. Maintain at least 0.5 mm clearance between analog input traces and digital switching traces for ADC accuracy.
Do not leave unused PWM outputs floating; configure them as outputs driven low in firmware to prevent shoot-through in half-bridge drive circuits sharing the same COG peripheral. When migrating from PIC16F1509 to PIC16F1579T-I/SS, verify PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) assignments because the newer device remaps several peripherals to different pins despite the same SSOP-20 footprint.
For LED dimming designs, place the PIC16F1579T-I/SS more than 10 mm away from LED driver MOSFETs and gate-drive traces to minimize PWM-edge coupling into the analog reference. Use a ground plane under the MCU and stitch vias around the SSOP-20 perimeter to reduce radiated EMI. Connect the exposed pad (if present in package variant) to VSS for improved thermal dissipation at high PWM switching frequencies.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications use PIC16F1579-E/SS or higher-grade automotive PIC variants.
