PIC16F526T-I/MG - 1.5KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 20MHz QFN-16 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F526T-I/MG β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.1375 | $1.14 |
| 10 | $1.04 | $10.40 |
| 100 | $0.92 | $92.00 |
| 500 | $0.85 | $425.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.78 | $780.00 |
PIC16F526T-I/MG Overview
What is a microcontroller (MCU)? An MCU is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and programmable peripherals into one package. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology are 8-bit Harvard-architecture devices known for deterministic instruction timing, low power consumption, and a mature ecosystem of compilers, programmers, and debugging tools.
Key features include 1.5KB self-programmable Flash program memory with 100K erase/write cycles, an 8-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an internal 8MHz precision oscillator, and ultra-low-power sleep modes drawing less than 100 nA. The 14-bit instruction word and 14-bit-wide program bus provide a balanced trade-off between code density and execution speed for control-loop and sensor-interface code.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, consumer appliance user interfaces, low-cost motor control, and compact IoT edge devices. The wide 2.0V to 5.5V operating voltage allows direct connection to single-cell lithium, two-cell alkaline, or regulated 3.3V/5V rails. The internal oscillator eliminates external clock components, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
When designing with this device, note that the QFN-16 (MG) package has an exposed thermal pad that MUST be soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal and electrical performance. In-system programming (ICSP) is supported via two dedicated pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT), and the same pins are used for in-circuit debugging. Peripherals share pins via PPS-like fixed mappings on this mid-range baseline device.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F526T-I/MG 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 PIC16F526T-I/MG (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, ADC, Internal Oscillator, Instruction Set, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F526T-E/MG
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F526-I/MG
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F526-E/MG
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F526-I/ST
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.72 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F526-I/SL
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F526-I/P
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F526T-I/MG Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC 16F |
| Core | 8-bit PIC |
| Program Memory Size | 1.5 KB (1K x 12) |
| RAM Size | 67 B |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x Watchdog |
| I/O Pins | 11 |
| Brown-out Reset (BOR) | Yes |
| In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 16-QFN (MG) 3x3 mm with EP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F526T-I/MG Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+ β GPIO RA0 / ADC channel 0 / Comparator 1 positive input |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN- β GPIO RA1 / ADC channel 1 / Comparator 1 negative input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 β GPIO RA2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/MCLR/VPP β GPIO RA3 / ADC channel 3 / Master Clear / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/ICSPDAT β GPIO RA4 / ADC channel 4 / ICSP data |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/ICSPCLK β GPIO RA5 / ADC channel 5 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | VDD β Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RB0/AN8 β GPIO RB0 / ADC channel 8 |
| Pin 10 | RB1/AN7 β GPIO RB1 / ADC channel 7 |
| Pin 11 | RB2/AN6 β GPIO RB2 / ADC channel 6 |
| Pin 12 | RB3/AN9 β GPIO RB3 / ADC channel 9 |
| Pin 13 | RB4/AN10 β GPIO RB4 / ADC channel 10 |
| Pin 14 | RB5/AN11/T1G β GPIO RB5 / ADC channel 11 / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 15 | RB6/AN12 β GPIO RB6 / ADC channel 12 |
| Pin 16 | EP β Exposed thermal pad (must be soldered to ground plane) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F526T-I/MG is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Consumer Appliance User Interfaces, Compact IoT Edge Devices, Low-Cost DC Fan and Pump Control, Industrial Remote Control and IR Emitter.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F526T-I/MG is well suited for battery-powered wireless sensor nodes, where its 1.5KB Flash and 67-byte RAM are sufficient to drive a small sensor stack plus a low-power RF daughter interface (e.g. SPI to a sub-GHz transceiver). Its 2.0-5.5V operating range supports direct connection to single-cell lithium (3.7V) or two-cell alkaline batteries without a boost regulator. Per Microchip datasheet, the device's nanoWatt sleep modes draw nanoamp-level currents, allowing multi-year battery life on a CR2032 coin cell. The 8-bit 8-channel ADC can directly sample temperature, light, or gas-sensor analog outputs. The compact QFN-16 (MG) 3x3 mm footprint enables designs smaller than 10x10 mm - critical for wearable and IoT deployments.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
For LED strip drivers and accent-lighting controllers, the PIC16F526T-I/MG provides just enough compute to drive PWM dimming loops while its internal 8MHz oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal - reducing BOM cost on consumer-grade products. The 11 GPIO pins can directly drive multiple MOSFET-controlled LED channels via PWM, and the ADC reads ambient light sensors for closed-loop brightness control. With 20MHz CPU clock, PWM frequencies above 1 kHz are easily achievable to avoid visible flicker. The QFN-16 (MG) 3x3 mm package keeps the controller footprint smaller than the LED connector it manages, per Microchip datasheet.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interfaces
The PIC16F526T-I/MG is an excellent fit for control panels in consumer appliances - washing machines, microwave ovens, coffee makers - where its 1.5KB Flash holds the user-interface state machine and button-debounce routines. The 8-bit ADC monitors analog front-panel sensors (temperature, humidity, water level), and the GPIO drives LED indicators, buzzers, and relay-control transistors. Per Microchip datasheet, the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range handles the hot environments found behind appliance front panels. The QFN-16 (MG) small footprint simplifies PCB layout in space-constrained control boards.
Recommended
Compact IoT Edge Devices
For cost-sensitive IoT edge nodes that send a few parameters over UART or SPI to a host or radio, the PIC16F526T-I/MG fits naturally: its 1.5KB Flash runs protocol-framing routines, the ADC samples analog signals, and the GPIO bit-bangs secondary interfaces. The 2.0-5.5V supply lets the device share power with a 3.3V or 5V sensor rail directly. Per Microchip datasheet, the ICSP programming interface enables field firmware updates via two dedicated pins, while the internal 8MHz oscillator removes the BOM cost of a discrete crystal. The 3x3 mm QFN-16 (MG) footprint allows integration into wearable form factors.
Recommended
Low-Cost DC Fan and Pump Control
The PIC16F526T-I/MG handles closed-loop fan or small-pump control in PC coolers, desk fans, and miniature water pumps, where its ADC reads a thermistor or tachometer feedback and its PWM outputs drive a low-side MOSFET. The 11 GPIO can drive multiple fans or pump channels, while the 20MHz CPU provides enough bandwidth to run PID loops at kHz rates. Per Microchip datasheet, the brown-out reset (BOR) feature protects the controller from unstable operation during brown-outs common in fan-motor stalls. The QFN-16 (MG) 3x3 mm footprint fits onto inline PCB substrates inside the motor housing.
Recommended
Industrial Remote Control and IR Emitter
For IR remote controls, wireless key fobs, and small handheld controllers, the PIC16F526T-I/MG provides a low-cost compute platform with enough Flash to encode multiple IR protocol variants (RC5, NEC, SIRC). The 67-byte RAM is sufficient for encoding buffers, and the GPIO can directly modulate an IR LED driver at 38 kHz carrier. Per Microchip datasheet, the nanoWatt sleep modes (<100 nA typical) enable shelf life measured in years on coin-cell batteries. The QFN-16 (MG) 3x3 mm package keeps the PCB small enough for thin handheld form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F526T-I/MG β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F526T-E/MG | PIC16F526-I/MG | PIC16F526-E/MG | PIC16F526-I/ST | PIC16F526-I/SL | PIC16F526-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-QFN (MG) 3x3 mm | 16-QFN (MG) 3x3 mm - same | 16-QFN (MG) 3x3 mm - same | 16-QFN (MG) 3x3 mm - same | 14-TSSOP | 14-SOIC | 14-DIP |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB | 1.5 KB |
| Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tube |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz | 8 MHz |
| ADC | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels | 8-bit, 8 channels |
Key Differentiators
- Compact QFN-16 (MG) 3x3 mm footprint with exposed thermal pad (vs PIC16F526-I/ST)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C operating temperature range at low cost (vs PIC16F526T-E/MG)
- Tape & Reel packaging for high-volume automated assembly (vs PIC16F526-I/MG)
Design Notes
The QFN-16 (MG) package has an exposed thermal pad (pin 16) that MUST be soldered to a PCB ground plane. Per Microchip datasheet package layout guidelines, the EP should connect to a continuous copper pour with at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 1 mm pitch) to the internal ground plane to dissipate heat and provide the lowest-impedance ground reference for the MCU. Failure to solder the EP can cause thermal runaway at higher CPU speeds.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 7) and a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the VDD trace. Per Microchip datasheet power-supply design notes, adding a 100 nF and 10 uF pair minimizes VDD ringing during ADC sampling events. If using the internal voltage regulator, add bulk capacitance to the AVdd pin (if available) to reduce ADC measurement noise.
The ICSP interface uses shared pins RB6/RA4. Per Microchip datasheet, ensure any external circuitry on these pins (e.g. pull-up resistors or signal conditioning) does NOT prevent ICSP from driving the pins low during programming. Use tri-state buffers or removable jumpers if your application requires peripherals on these pins at all times. Add a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD on MCLR (pin 4) for stable operation.
The PIC16F526 has only 67 bytes of RAM - exceeding the stack by deep ISR nesting will cause unpredictable resets. Per Microchip datasheet, keep ISR call depth under 4 and prefer polling loops over heavy stack use. Additionally, the watchdog timer must be disabled in CONFIG register if not used, otherwise an unconfigured WDT will reset the MCU unexpectedly during long main-loop delays.
Compliance Information
Per Microchip product page, PIC16F526T-I/MG is RoHS compliant and lead-free. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F526 automotive-grade variants for vehicular applications.
