PIC16F526-E/MG - 8-bit Flash MCU, 1.5KB, 20MHz, QFN-16 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F526-E/MG ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.27 | $12.70 |
| 100 | $1.08 | $108.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.78 | $780.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.66 | $1,980.00 |
PIC16F526-E/MG Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC device that combines CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and on-chip peripherals into a single IC. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F526 sits in the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 mid-range family -> flash-memory variant. Its 14-bit-wide instruction word and 12-bit-wide opcode path deliver typical 2:1 code compression versus competing 8-bit cores, reducing flash pressure for application code.
Key features include 11 I/O pins with individual direction control, an 8-channel 8-bit ADC, an on-chip comparator, internal 8 MHz oscillator calibrated to +/-1 percent, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, and a wide 2.0V-5.5V operating range with low-power sleep modes drawing under 1 microamp. The device also supports in-circuit debugging through the ICD interface and offers a watchdog timer with on-chip low-power oscillator for fail-safe operation.
The PIC16F526 uses a 14-bit instruction word, two-stack hardware stack, and direct/indirect addressing modes. Its mid-range core supports 35 single-word instructions with most executing in one instruction cycle (four oscillator clocks). The internal oscillator eliminates external crystals in cost-sensitive designs, while ICSP allows firmware updates after PCB assembly without removing the device.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-cost consumer appliances, automotive body controllers, LED lighting controllers, and remote-control transmitters. Its small QFN-16 footprint suits space-constrained designs such as wearables, IoT end nodes, and disposable medical sensors.
When designing with the PIC16F526-E/MG, ensure the exposed thermal pad is soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical reference. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the supply pin to suppress switching noise on the internal ADC reference.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical PCB design notes that complement the official Microchip datasheet. Engineers can compare parametric deltas across 5 alternatives and review recommended companion parts for typical application circuits.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F526-E/MG — 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 PIC16F526-E/MG (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F526T-I/MG
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F526-E/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F526-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F526-E/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F505-I/MG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F505T-I/MG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F526-E/MG Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.5 KB (1K x 12 words) |
| RAM | 64 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (5 MIPS) |
| Instruction Set | 35 instructions, 14-bit word |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (calibrated +/-1%) |
| I/O Pins | 11 |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| Comparators | 1 on-chip |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x Watchdog Timer (WDT) |
| Package | 16-pin QFN (3x3 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F526-E/MG Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/ICSPDAT — GPIO RA0 / ADC channel 0 / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/ICSPCLK — GPIO RA1 / ADC channel 1 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — GPIO RA2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — GPIO RA3 / ADC channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — GPIO RA4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — GPIO RA5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/RA6 — Crystal oscillator input / GPIO RA6 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/RA7 — Crystal oscillator output / GPIO RA7 |
| Pin 10 | RB0/AN6 — GPIO RB0 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 11 | RB1/AN7 — GPIO RB1 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — GPIO RB2 |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — GPIO RB3 |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — GPIO RB4 |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — GPIO RB5 |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply input (2.0V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F526-E/MG is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Automotive Body Controller (Body ECU Sub-module), Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control Transmitter (IR/RF), IoT Edge Sensor / Smart Home Endpoint, Industrial Process Monitor.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16F526-E/MG fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its 2.0V-5.5V supply range accepts 2x AA cells (2.0-3.2V) directly and its sleep current stays below 1 microamp. The internal 8 MHz calibrated oscillator (+/-1%) eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. With 8 ADC channels, the MCU can scan a multi-sensor array (temperature, humidity, light) sequentially without external mux ICs. The QFN-16 (3x3 mm) footprint leaves room for a coin-cell holder and antenna on a sub-25 mm sensor board.
Recommended
Automotive Body Controller (Body ECU Sub-module)
The PIC16F526-E/MG's Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade suits automotive body-control sub-modules such as seat-position sensors, mirror adjusters, and ambient lighting controllers. Its 11 GPIO pins handle keypad scanning, LED PWM via the 8-bit timer, and LIN-bus transceiver handshake. The PIC16F526-E/MG operates across the full automotive 12V-battery range (cold-crank 6V to load-dump 18V) when paired with a front-end regulator. AEC-Q100 is not specified; pair with the Q1-qualified PIC16F526T-E/MG-Q1 for OEM-tier designs.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller
The PIC16F526-E/MG delivers 5 MIPS at 20 MHz with only 35 single-cycle instructions, enabling direct AC zero-cross detection and triac phase-angle control in small appliances like toasters, blenders, and fans. Its 8-bit ADC reads NTC thermistors for over-temperature protection without external op-amps. The ICSP interface supports in-line firmware updates on the production line, while the small QFN-16 footprint fits inside a sealed appliance control housing. Low unit cost (sub-$0.80 at qty-1000) keeps BOM pressure manageable for sub-$20 retail products.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F526-E/MG drives RGB LED lighting controllers through PWM-modulated GPIO at 8-bit resolution. Its 11 GPIO pins support 3-4 independent LED strings plus a tactile-button input matrix. With sleep current under 1 microamp, battery-powered LED fixtures achieve standby runtimes exceeding 5 years. The internal 8 MHz oscillator keeps timing jitter below 1 percent for color-mixing accuracy. The exposed-pad QFN-16 package dissipates up to 400 mW comfortably without forced cooling in enclosed fixtures.
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitter (IR/RF)
The PIC16F526-E/MG encodes IR remote-control protocols (RC-5, NEC, SIRC) or simple RF OOK/FSK transmissions for low-cost wireless keyfobs and consumer remote controls. Its 1.5 KB flash accommodates SIRC/NEC/RC5 encoding tables, while 64 B RAM holds the button-scan debounce state machine. Operating from 2.0V supports coin-cell (CR2032) direct drive. The QFN-16 (3x3 mm) package fits inside a slim keyfob housing. The internal WDT prevents lockup if a brown-out glitch occurs during battery replacement.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensor / Smart Home Endpoint
The PIC16F526-E/MG serves as a low-power pre-processor at the edge of IoT networks, handling sensor polling, local threshold detection, and one-wire / SPI forwarding to a parent SoC or radio module. Its 8-channel ADC monitors multiple analog sensors, while the comparator watches a wake-up interrupt line. The 20 MHz core executes simple filter routines before the parent SoC wakes. With ICSP support, firmware can be updated over a service UART without removing the device, ideal for installed-base field updates.
Recommended
Industrial Process Monitor
The PIC16F526-E/MG monitors industrial process variables (4-20 mA loop, RTD, thermistor) in factory-floor nodes where its -40C to +125C operating range tolerates unheated enclosures. The 8-bit ADC with 8 channels multiplexes multiple sensor inputs in a single MCU, while the on-chip comparator triggers fast over-limit interrupts. The PIC16F526-E/MG's small QFN-16 footprint suits DIN-rail-mount daughter boards. For hazardous-area designs, the same firmware footprint can move to PIC16F526-I/PT (DIP package) for through-hole assembly on legacy boards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F526-E/MG — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F526T-I/MG | PIC16F526-E/ST | PIC16F526-I/P | PIC16F526-E/SL | PIC16F505-I/MG | PIC16F505T-I/MG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) with exposed pad | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same | QFN-16 (3x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.4 KB | 1.4 KB |
| RAM | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 64 B | 72 B | 72 B |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ADC Channels | 8 (8-bit) | 8 (8-bit) | 8 (8-bit) | 8 (8-bit) | 8 (8-bit) | 4 (8-bit) | 4 (8-bit) |
Key Differentiators
- Largest flash in PIC16F5xx QFN-16 family (vs PIC16F505-I/MG)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade for automotive/harsh environments (vs PIC16F526-I/P)
- 8-channel ADC versus 4-channel on PIC16F505 (vs PIC16F505-I/MG)
Design Notes
Estimated: QFN-16 (3x3 mm) packages have a center exposed thermal pad that MUST be soldered to the PCB ground pour for both thermal dissipation (theta_JA typically 35-40 C/W for this body size) and electrical reference. Failure to solder the EP can cause supply-ground shorts or thermal runaway at high GPIO loading. Use an array of thermal vias (6-8 vias on 0.5 mm pitch) connecting the EP to the inner ground plane for optimal heat spreading. Recommended footprint per Microchip QFN-16 (3x3) package drawing.
Estimated: Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 16) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail. The internal 8 MHz oscillator generates switching transients of approximately 5 mV peak on VDD; without local decoupling, the ADC reference may exhibit 1-2 LSB of noise. For ADC-sensitive designs, add a ferrite bead between the regulator and MCU VDD to filter the switching supply noise.
Do not assume RA0/RA1 retain their ICSP function after programming. These pins are general-purpose GPIO by default and must be reconfigured in firmware for ICSP use during debug. When using the ICD debugger, leave RA0 (ICSPDAT) and RA1 (ICSPCLK) accessible on test points or headers; populating them as outputs to external loads will prevent debug attachment. Brown-out reset (BOR) should be enabled in the configuration word to prevent code runaway during supply droop on battery-powered designs.
Route the ICSP clock (ICSPCLK, RA1) trace away from high-current switching nodes (MOSFET gate drives, inductor traces) to prevent programming glitches. Keep the ADC analog traces short (<25 mm) and surrounded by a ground guard ring to minimize crosstalk from digital switching. The internal 8 MHz oscillator accuracy degrades by approximately 0.1 percent per degree Celsius, so for time-critical applications consider an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2 (pins 8/9).
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified as standard; choose Q1-suffix variants for automotive OEM applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided data - marked unknown. Lead-free matte-tin plating confirmed.
