PIC16F1615-I/ST - 8-Bit 32MHz MCU 14KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1615-I/ST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.21 | $605.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.92 | $2,760.00 |
PIC16F1615-I/ST Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (SRAM), peripherals, and I/O on one silicon die. MCUs sit at the bottom of the embedded compute hierarchy below microprocessors (MPUs) and system-on-chips (SoCs), and are preferred in cost- and power-constrained applications such as sensor nodes, small motor drivers, and human-machine interfaces. The PIC16F1615 belongs to the PIC16F1 enhanced mid-range family and is one of the smallest Flash members in Microchip's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) lineup.
Key features include a 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, configurable Logic Cell (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD), 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT), and CCP/PWM peripherals. The device operates from 2.3 V to 5.5 V across -40 °C to +85 °C and offers sleep currents in the microamp range thanks to the XLP architecture. Core-independent peripherals offload tasks from the CPU, lowering average power and BOM cost.
The device is built on an enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC core with a modified Harvard architecture and 14-bit instruction word. The 32 MHz internal oscillator drives 8 MIPS throughput, with hardware multiplier and interrupt-driven I/O. Each instruction cycle is four oscillator clocks, balancing deterministic interrupt latency with active-mode current draw.
Typical applications include small DC motor control, LED lighting drivers, fan control, battery-powered sensor hubs, home appliances, and safety-critical consumer devices that benefit from Functional Safety features. The TSSOP-14 footprint also suits hand-held and space-constrained designs.
Designers should plan pin allocation before PCB layout because the 14-pin TSSOP exposes only a limited number of ADC channels and shared peripherals. Configuring the CLC and NCO in MPLAB X IDE allows logic replacement of discrete gates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the same 14-TSSOP footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1615-I/ST — 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/ST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), Core, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1613-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1614-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1575-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1503-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1455-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F15225-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1615-I/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, -I suffix) |
| Package | 14-pin TSSOP (ST), 4.40 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| I/O Pins | Up to 12 |
| Timers | 24-bit SMT, CCP, 8/16-bit Timer0/1/2 |
| Communication | I2C, SPI, EUSART (per variant) |
| Core-Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD |
| Functional Safety | FuSa-capable (per Microchip product page) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1615-I/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+/T1G — Port A bit 3; analog input 3; positive voltage reference; Timer1 gate input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T1G/HIB — Port A bit 4; analog input 4; Timer1 gate input; hardware interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/Vpp — Port A bit 5; Master Clear (reset) input; programming voltage input |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0; analog input 0 |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1; analog input 1 |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2; analog input 2 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1615-I/ST is suitable for 6 applications: Small DC Motor Control, LED Lighting Drivers, Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs, Home Appliance Control, Fan and Blower Speed Control, Industrial Sensor Transmitters.
Small DC Motor Control
The PIC16F1615-I/ST fits small DC motor control because its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT), and Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD) produce dead-band-controlled complementary PWM and synchronous AC zero-cross sensing directly in hardware. The 32 MHz / 8 MIPS core closes current and speed loops at 10 kHz with margin for housekeeping. Placed between the H-bridge pre-driver and the user I/O, the MCU replaces several discrete timer ICs. Unlike an M0+ Cortex part, the PIC16F1615 keeps deterministic interrupt latency thanks to its 4-clock instruction cycle, which simplifies IEC 60730 safety firmware on small appliances.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16F1615-I/ST suits constant-current LED drivers because its 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels reads multiple current-sense amplifiers, while the NCO and CWG generate PWM dimming with sub-Hz resolution for flicker-free theater lighting. Operating from 2.3 V to 5.5 V, the device runs directly from a buck-derived 3.3 V rail or a 5 V USB supply. The XLP sleep current in the microamp range enables standby lighting designs that meet ENERGY STAR efficacy budgets. Compared to a discrete PWM controller + MCU pair, this single-chip approach shrinks the BOM and lets the CLC combine fault inputs without glue logic.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hubs
The PIC16F1615-I/ST is well matched to battery-powered sensor hubs because the XLP architecture delivers microamp sleep currents while the 14 KB Flash accommodates Zigbee/BLE HCI command stacks, sensor-fusion routines, and OTA bootloaders. The 1 KB SRAM is sufficient for short sensor frame buffering, and the 10-bit ADC handles analog sensors such as temperature, light, and battery monitoring directly. Placed near the sensor array with a 32.768 kHz crystal on Timer1, the device wakes periodically, processes samples, and returns to sleep. The 14-TSSOP footprint is small enough for coin-cell wearables, and unlike Cortex-M0+ parts at the same price tier, the PIC16F1615 keeps deterministic interrupts for IEC 60730 safety classifications.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control
The PIC16F1615-I/ST serves as the main controller in home appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and washing-machine user interfaces. The CLC and SMT handle motor timing and front-panel scanning without CPU load, while the 10-bit ADC reads temperature, water level, and weight sensors. The Functional Safety (FuSa) support documented on the Microchip product page simplifies IEC 60335 and UL 749 certification for white goods. Compared to a discrete logic implementation, this single-chip solution reduces PCB area and shortens EMC compliance cycles because fewer high-frequency edges leave the package.
Recommended
Fan and Blower Speed Control
The PIC16F1615-I/ST drives closed-loop fan and blower speed control thanks to its 24-bit SMT for tachometer capture, the 10-bit ADC for back-EMF sensing, and the CCP/PWM peripheral for variable-frequency drive. The 32 MHz core executes a PI control loop at 1 kHz while leaving room for stall detection and soft-start ramps. Placed between the line-side rectifier and the gate driver, the MCU replaces an analog control loop with predictable digital firmware. The XLP sleep mode lets standby fans draw microamps, well below ENERGY STAR idle limits.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16F1615-I/ST fits industrial 4-20 mA sensor transmitters because its 10-bit ADC digitizes bridge sensors, RTDs, or thermocouples, while the EUSART drives a 4-20 mA current loop via a PWM-controlled op-amp. Operating across -40 °C to +85 °C industrial temperature, the part tolerates factory-floor environments. The 14 KB Flash supports 4-20 mA HART-style command stacks and calibration tables, and the 1 KB SRAM holds linearization polynomials. Compared to pure analog transmitters, the PIC16F1615 enables remote re-calibration and digital diagnostics without adding a separate DSP.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1615-I/ST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1613-I/ST | PIC16F1614-I/ST | PIC16F1575-I/ST | PIC16F1503-I/ST | PIC16F1455-I/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-TSSOP (ST) | 14-TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-TSSOP (ST) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 14 KB | 8 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 256 B | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 20 MHz | 48 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Core-Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD, 24-bit SMT | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD, 24-bit SMT (subset) | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD, 24-bit SMT (subset) | CLC only (no CWG) | CLC, NCO (no CWG, no ZCD) | CLC, NCO (no CWG, no ZCD); adds USB |
| Supply 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 |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc, as of 2026-09-20) | $1.85 | ~$1.55 | ~$1.55 | ~$1.40 | ~$1.30 | ~$1.95 |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in 14-TSSOP PIC16F161x family (vs PIC16F1613-I/ST)
- Full motor-control peripheral set in 14-TSSOP (vs PIC16F1575-I/ST)
- 1 KB SRAM maintains headroom for buffer-heavy sensor stacks (vs PIC16F1503-I/ST)
- Functional Safety capability in a sub-$2 MCU (vs PIC16F1455-I/ST)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14) and a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the TSSOP-14 package. The PIC16F1615-I/ST can wake from sleep in microseconds, so VDD must remain stable during XLP sleep. For noise-sensitive applications, add a ferrite bead on VDD if the supply shares a rail with a switching converter. Estimated: 100 nF + 10 µF is the minimum to keep ripple below 50 mV during PWM transitions.
Route the 14-TSSOP land pattern per Microchip TSSOP-14 footprint with 0.65 mm pitch and 4.40 mm body width. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA3/AN0-AN3) short and away from PWM outputs (RC2/RC3) to minimize ADC crosstalk. Use a ground pour on the top layer stitched with vias to the bottom ground plane. The exposed thermal pad is not present on TSSOP-14, so no central pad is required. Estimated: top-side ground pour ≥ 50 % of PCB area near the MCU.
Do not leave the MCLR pin (pin 3) floating; tie it to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor for normal operation or use the internal MCLR configuration in configuration words. When using ICD debugging, the MCLR pull-up must be at least 10 kΩ to avoid debugger communication errors. Also, when migrating firmware from PIC16F1613-I/ST to PIC16F1615-I/ST, verify that the Flash partition does not exceed 8 KB unintentionally, because the larger 14 KB Flash does not change the configuration-word addresses.
If the design uses the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) for motor drive, keep the CWG outputs (typically on RC2/RC3/RC4/RC5) on the same side of the package to minimize trace inductance. Place gate-driver resistors within 5 mm of the MCU pins to limit ringing. For back-EMF sensing, route the ZCD input on RA4/RA5 with a 1 kΩ series resistor and 100 pF to ground to filter noise. The 24-bit SMT input should be guarded with a Schmitt trigger if sourced from a long cable harness.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only). Functional Safety (FuSa) capability is documented on the Microchip product page but does not constitute AEC-Q100 automotive qualification.
