PIC16F1615-I/SL - 8-Bit 32MHz 14KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1615-I/SL β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.89 | $1.89 |
| 10 | $1.71 | $17.10 |
| 100 | $1.49 | $149.00 |
| 500 | $1.28 | $640.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
PIC16F1615-I/SL Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus and a RISC or CISC instruction set, integrating CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), non-volatile EEPROM, timers, communication peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C), and digital/analog I/O. The 8-bit MCU belongs to the broader hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor, and is widely used in cost-sensitive, low-power, deterministic control applications. Microchip's PIC16 family is recognized for its deterministic architecture, low power consumption (XLP eXtreme Low Power), and ease of use with the MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler toolchain.
Key features of the PIC16F1615 include 12 I/O pins, two PWM modules, 11 timers, an EUSART and MSSP for serial communication, 10-bit ADC, and Functional Safety (FuSa) support for IEC 61508 SIL-2 capable designs. The SL suffix indicates the 14-pin SOIC package, 1.75mm nominal height, 3.90mm body width, suitable for standard 0.1-inch pitch PCB layouts. The device operates from 2.3V to 5.5V across the industrial temperature range.
Architecturally, the PIC16F1615 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with hardware multiply support and a 14-bit instruction word. On-chip CIPs (CLC, CWG, SMT, ZCD) let designers implement complex signal conditioning, waveform generation, and timing measurements in hardware without CPU involvement, reducing firmware complexity and power consumption. The 24-bit SMT enables sub-microsecond timing resolution for energy metering or motor control feedback.
Typical applications include small motor control (BLDC, stepper, brushed DC), LED lighting and constant-current regulation, IoT and battery-powered sensor nodes, home appliances, and functional-safety-embedded industrial controls. Functional Safety (FuSa) variants like this device support SIL-2-capable system designs with diagnostic libraries and FMEDA reports available from Microchip.
When designing with this MCU, leave unused I/O as outputs driven low to minimize power, enable the watchdog timer for SIL applications, and use the CWG peripheral for hardware-driven complementary PWM rather than software bit-banging to reduce jitter. Program the device via In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) using the ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative PIC16F161x family parts, and practical design notes not found on a single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1615-I/SL 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 PIC16F1615-I/SL (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1615T-I/SL
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.7 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1615-E/SL
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1615-I/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | 2 |
| Timers | 11 |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| CIPs | CLC, CWG, 24-bit SMT, ZCD, NCO |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL), 3.90 mm body width |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <30 C / 85% RH) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes - SIL-2 capable |
PIC16F1615-I/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.3V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 β I/O port A bit 5 / input-only with alternate digital function |
| Pin 3 | RA4 β I/O port A bit 4 / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3 β I/O port A bit 3 / analog input / digital-only on this device |
| Pin 5 | RA2 β I/O port A bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA1 β I/O port A bit 1 / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 7 | RA0 β I/O port A bit 0 / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RC0 β I/O port C bit 0 / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RC1 β I/O port C bit 1 / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RC2 β I/O port C bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC3 β I/O port C bit 3 / analog input / SCL (MSSP) |
| Pin 13 | RC4 β I/O port C bit 4 / analog input / SDA (MSSP) |
| Pin 14 | RC5 β I/O port C bit 5 / analog input |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1615-I/SL is suitable for 6 applications: Small Brushless DC Motor Control, LED Lighting and Constant-Current Regulation, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Functional Safety Embedded Industrial Controls, Appliance Control Boards (Washing Machines, Dishwashers), Hobby and Maker Electronics (Arduino-class Projects).
Small Brushless DC Motor Control
The PIC16F1615-I/SL is well-suited for low-power BLDC motor control because its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) generates hardware-driven 6-step commutation without CPU load, freeing the core for speed regulation. The 24-bit SMT measures back-EMF period with sub-microsecond resolution, while the ZCD simplifies sensorless zero-crossing detection on the motor phase. Operating from 2.3-5.5 V, the device runs directly from a 3.3 V or 5 V rail with up to 12 I/O to drive gate drivers like the MCP8024. The CIP-based design eliminates the jitter of software bit-banging, improving torque smoothness. Functional Safety support also enables SIL-2 capable appliance designs.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Constant-Current Regulation
For constant-current LED drivers and digital dimming, the PIC16F1615-I/SL delivers two PWM channels with hardware dead-band control via CWG, enabling flicker-free analog dimming down to 1% duty cycle. The 10-bit ADC with computation performs real-time junction temperature monitoring using a thermistor, supporting hot-pluggable LED strings up to several amps. The 24-bit SMT counts PWM cycles for closed-loop current control, and the CLC can combine PWM with thermal feedback for hardware-level overtemperature shutdown independent of firmware. Industrial -40C to +85C rating makes the SL package suitable for outdoor luminaires and high-bay fixtures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
IoT sensor nodes benefit from the PIC16F1615-I/SL because its XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology delivers sleep currents below 50 nA with the Real-Time Clock running, extending coin-cell battery life to multiple years. The 24-bit SMT handles high-precision time-of-flight or pulse-counting measurements on energy-harvested sensors without waking the CPU. The EUSART and MSSP support low-power UART and SPI/I2C connectivity to radios like the RN4870. The 12 I/O and 1KB RAM are sufficient for typical sensor-fusion and protocol-bridge applications. With 2.3-5.5 V supply range, the device runs directly from a single Li-ion or 3xAA pack.
Recommended
Functional Safety Embedded Industrial Controls
For SIL-2 capable industrial controls such as sensor transmitters, motor starters, and process instrument loops, the PIC16F1615-I/SL ships with Functional Safety documentation, diagnostic libraries, and an FMEDA report from Microchip. The on-chip Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT), BOD, and Flash CRC checks satisfy the IEC 61508 random hardware failure requirements at SIL-2. Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, SMT) implement safety logic in hardware, reducing CPU firmware verification burden. The 14-SOIC package enables ruggedized industrial layouts, and the -40C to +85C temperature range supports factory-floor deployment without additional thermal conditioning.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards (Washing Machines, Dishwashers)
White-goods appliance controllers benefit from the PIC16F1615-I/SL's combination of 32 MHz CPU throughput, 14KB Flash for protocol stacks, and CIPs that implement triac-controlled zero-crossing dimming or motor phase-control. The ZCD peripheral precisely synchronizes TRIAC firing to the AC line, while the CWG drives high-side/low-side MOSFET gate signals for inverter-fed BLDC drum motors. EUSART and I2C connectivity enables user-interface keypad/scanner and display drivers. The 14-SOIC package has a long-proven surface-mount reliability in appliance environments and supports both conformal-coated and un-coated board variants. The Functional Safety rating streamlines IEC 60730-1 appliance certification.
Recommended
Hobby and Maker Electronics (Arduino-class Projects)
The PIC16F1615-I/SL is a popular choice for hobbyists and maker projects thanks to its MPLAB X IDE support, XC8 C compiler free license, and ICD programming via PICkit 4 or Snap. The 14-SOIC package is breadboard-friendly with SOIC-to-DIP adapter boards, and the 12 I/O plus 14KB Flash are sufficient for robotics, drones, sensors, and educational kits. Core Independent Peripherals like CLC let students experiment with combinational logic without discrete gates. With a sub-$2 unit price as of 2026-09-20, the PIC16F1615-I/SL is an inexpensive entry point for embedded learning, especially for those targeting Microchip's PIC mid-range certification exam.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1615-I/SL β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1615T-I/SL | PIC16F1615-E/SL | PIC16F1615-I/P | PIC16F1613-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-PDIP (P) - different footprint | 14-PDIP (P) - different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
| Data RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes - SIL-2 capable | Yes - SIL-2 capable | Yes - SIL-2 capable | Yes - SIL-2 capable | Yes - SIL-2 capable |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) | CLC, CWG, 24-bit SMT, ZCD, NCO | Same as PIC16F1615 | Same as PIC16F1615 | Same as PIC16F1615 | Same set, lower memory |
| Approximate Unit Price (as of 2026-09-20) | $1.89 USD | $1.89 USD (T&R variant) | $2.05 USD (extended grade) | $2.10 USD (PDIP premium) | $1.60 USD (lower memory) |
Key Differentiators
- SIL-2 capable Functional Safety documentation (vs PIC16F15345-I/SO)
- Built-in 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (vs PIC16F1575-I/SL)
- Complementary Waveform Generator for hardware commutation (vs PIC16F1613-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 32 MHz active and 5.0 V supply, the PIC16F1615-I/SL core current is approximately 4 mA, and with all peripherals enabled it rises to roughly 6 mA. Sleep mode with WDT disabled falls below 50 nA - the XLP nanoWatt technology enables coin-cell operation. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the same rail to suppress switching transients. For battery-powered designs, switch the MCU between HFINTOSC and LFINTOSC at 31 kHz during sleep, and gate any analog peripherals to fully off before entering sleep.
The 14-SOIC package has a thermal resistance theta_JA around 100 C/W, so self-heating at 5V/32MHz is negligible (<1 C rise). For ESD robustness on connector-exposed pins, add TVS diodes or series resistors on EUSART lines. Keep the ICSP pin pair (RA0/ICSPDAT, RA1/ICSPCLK) accessible with a 2x3 0.1-inch header for production-line programming. Place the 14-SOIC footprint with at least 5 mm clearance from board edges to avoid rework damage, and route the analog ADC inputs (RA0-RA5, RC0-RC5) away from switching PWM or TRIAC traces to minimize coupling. A 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane is recommended for designs using 24-bit SMT or CWG switching at high frequencies.
Do not confuse the I industrial grade (-40C to +85C) with the E extended grade (-40C to +125C); both are valid in the 14-SOIC SL package but are priced differently. The PIC16F1615 family is pin-compatible across SL/ST/P packages but not across flash densities - migrating from PIC16F1613 (7KB Flash) to PIC16F1615 (14KB Flash) within the same package is straightforward, but migrating from PIC16F1614 (8-pin) to PIC16F1615 (14-pin) requires PCB rework. Programming voltage on MCLR must follow the latest ICD datasheet - using legacy PICKit 2 with newer Microchip devices can fail unlock sequence. Always check the device ID (0x30XX) in MPLAB X before programming to avoid brick risks on shared toolchain projects.
The PIC16F1615's 24-bit SMT can resolve time intervals down to approximately 8 ns when clocked from a 32 MHz HFINTOSC, but accuracy degrades if the input signal is not properly conditioned. Add a 100 ohm series resistor and a 10 pF shunt capacitor on SMT input pins to suppress ringing on high-speed edges. For EMI-sensitive analog inputs, use the ADC's hardware averaging mode (AVGCTL register) with 16x or 32x averaging to improve SNR by 12 dB to 15 dB. When the CWG drives external MOSFETs, place a 10 ohm gate resistor and check slew rates with an oscilloscope - high dv/dt on gate traces can couple into analog sections even on a 4-layer board.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade - AEC-Q100 automotive qualification is not applicable; choose PIC16F1615T-I/SL for automotive-grade variants. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
