PIC16LF1455-E/ML - 8-bit 48MHz XLP MCU 14KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1455-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.42 | $2.42 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.78 | $178.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.32 | $1,320.00 |
PIC16LF1455-E/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit MCU is a small computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions from on-chip Flash memory. In the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF1455 sits below 16-bit dsPIC and 32-bit ARM Cortex-M devices, but offers lower cost, simpler toolchains (MPLAB X IDE + XC8 compiler), and ultra-low-power operation. The "LF" suffix denotes an extended voltage operating range down to 1.8V, making this part suitable for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features include the XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology with nanoWatt sleep currents typically below 20 nA in sleep mode, integrated full-speed USB 2.0 Device/Host/OTG support, a 10-bit ADC with up to 9 channels, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, enhanced PWM with up to 4 channels, and a configurable logic cell (CLC) peripheral. The 48MHz internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in many designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
The architecture uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 16F core with a 14-bit instruction word and a single-cycle hardware multiplier, supporting C and assembly development. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver is a distinctive feature: most 8-bit MCUs in this package class require an external USB PHY, but the PIC16LF1455 includes the transceiver on-die, allowing direct USB connectivity at BOM costs approaching non-USB PIC16F parts.
Typical applications include USB human-interface devices (HID keyboards, mice, game controllers), USB-to-UART bridges, LED lighting controllers with DMX or USB control, capacitive-touch user interfaces, low-power sensor hubs, and consumer accessories. The 16-QFN 4x4 mm footprint enables compact wearable and IoT form factors.
When designing with this part, note that the exposed pad (EP) on the QFN package must be soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical performance. Decoupling capacitors (100 nF + 1 uF) should be placed within 3 mm of the VDD pin, and the USB DP/DM traces require 90 ohm differential impedance matching per USB 2.0 specification.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the PIC16F145x family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1455-E/ML — 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 PIC16LF1455-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Instruction Set, USB Module, I/O Pins, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1454-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1454T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1455-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1454-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1455-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit) |
| Family | PIC XLP 16F |
| CPU Speed | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1024 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF extended range) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended Industrial) |
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG (on-die transceiver) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 9 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Channels | Up to 4 (Enhanced PWM) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1455-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VPP — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC1 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — Bidirectional digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC4/D-/ICSPCLK — USB D- / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RC5/D+/ICSPDAT — USB D+ / ICSP data |
| Pin 14 | RC6 — Bidirectional digital I/O / UART TX |
| Pin 15 | RC7 — Bidirectional digital I/O / UART RX |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1455-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Game Controller), USB-to-UART Bridge Adapter, LED Lighting Controller with USB or DMX Input, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Low-Power Sensor Hub for IoT, Consumer Accessory and Wearable Device.
USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Game Controller)
The PIC16LF1455-E/ML is well suited for USB Human Interface Devices thanks to its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver, 14 KB Flash for HID class drivers and application firmware, and 48 MHz core providing 12 MIPS for USB polling. Placed as the sole MCU on a USB HID keyboard PCB, it directly drives the USB DP/DM pins with 90 ohm differential impedance matching, no external PHY required. NanoWatt XLP sleep modes below 100 nA allow wireless or battery-powered HID peripherals to extend battery life dramatically when the device is idle between user inputs.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Adapter
The PIC16LF1455-E/ML serves as a compact USB-to-UART bridge, using its integrated USB device port to enumerate as a CDC class device and its UART peripheral to communicate with a target microcontroller. The 14 KB Flash holds the CDC-ACM driver and command-processing firmware, while the 48 MHz core supports 12 Mbps USB Full-Speed without throughput bottlenecks. Compared to discrete bridges such as FTDI FT232R, the LF1455 eliminates the external crystal and EEPROM, reducing BOM count and PCB area to roughly 100 mm^2.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller with USB or DMX Input
For addressable LED lighting strips and architectural fixtures, the PIC16LF1455-E/ML provides 14 KB Flash for WS2812B/SK6812 timing-critical bit-banging firmware, 4 PWM channels for analog dimming, and USB or UART connectivity for control commands. The 12 I/O pins can drive multiple LED data lines in parallel, supporting hundreds of pixels per controller. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range simplifies power design in 3.3 V regulated lighting systems.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16LF1455-E/ML is suitable for capacitive touch buttons and sliders, leveraging its 10-bit ADC and integrated charge time measurement unit (CTMU) for proximity and touch sensing. The 1024 bytes of RAM supports mTouch capacitive sensing firmware for up to 12 touch channels on the 16-QFN footprint. NanoWatt XLP sleep modes enable battery-powered remote controls to operate for years on a coin cell, waking only on touch interrupt.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Hub for IoT
For IoT edge nodes aggregating temperature, humidity, and motion sensor data over I2C or SPI, the PIC16LF1455-E/ML offers the right balance of Flash (14 KB for sensor drivers and buffering), RAM (1024 B for sample buffers), and sleep current (<100 nA typical) to run from energy harvesting or coin cells. The USB port enables configuration and firmware updates via USB-C without a separate programming connector, simplifying enclosure design and reducing connector cost.
Recommended
Consumer Accessory and Wearable Device
The PIC16LF1455-E/ML fits wearable form factors due to its compact 4x4 mm QFN package, low active current around 1.8 mA at 3.3 V / 48 MHz, and sleep current below 100 nA. Integrated USB allows firmware updates and battery charging via standard USB-C cables, eliminating proprietary connectors. Typical use cases include fitness bands, smart watches, BLE-to-USB bridges, and health monitoring patches where size, weight, and battery life are critical design constraints.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1455-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1454-I/ML | PIC16LF1454T-I/ML | PIC16F1455-E/ML | PIC16F1454-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-50%) | 14 KB (same) | 7 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 1024 bytes | 512 bytes (-50%) | 512 bytes (-50%) | 1024 bytes (same) | 512 bytes (-50%) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (higher min) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (higher min) |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes (on-die) | Yes (on-die) | Yes (on-die) | Yes (on-die) | Yes (on-die) |
| Temperature Grade | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 100) | $1.78 | $1.55 (-13%) | $1.55 (-13%) | $1.85 (+4%) | $1.50 (-16%) |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles the Flash and RAM of the LF1454 in the same footprint (vs PIC16LF1454-I/ML)
- 1.8 V minimum supply voltage vs 2.3 V on the F variant (vs PIC16F1455-E/ML)
- Extended temperature grade -40C to +125C vs -40C to +85C (vs PIC16LF1454-I/ML)
- No external crystal required due to integrated 48 MHz oscillator (vs Generic 8-bit MCUs without USB)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1455-E/ML 16-QFN package has an exposed thermal pad (EP) on the underside that MUST be soldered to the PCB for both thermal dissipation and electrical ground reference. Use an array of thermal vias (typically 9-12 vias, 0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pad) under the EP to the inner ground plane. Without proper EP soldering, the part may overheat above 1.8 mA active current loads and exhibit ground bounce on sensitive analog ADC measurements.
USB 2.0 Full-Speed signals on pins RC4 (D-) and RC5 (D+) require 90 ohm differential impedance with trace length matching within 2 mm. Route the DP/DM pair on the top layer with continuous ground reference plane underneath; avoid routing across plane splits. Place the USB connector within 25 mm of the MCU and add 47 pF capacitors on each line to ground near the connector for EMI suppression per USB 2.0 compliance.
Decouple VDD (pin 8) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 1 uF or 10 uF capacitor near the supply input. The LF1455 has separate internal voltage regulators for the core and USB transceiver; a 220 nF capacitor is required on the VUSB3V3 pin (when present) for USB PHY stability. Bulk capacitance at the regulator output prevents VDD droop during USB bus transitions that could trigger brown-out resets.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on VDD - the LF (low-voltage) variant does not include the 5V tolerance of the F variant and will be damaged at 5V input. Ensure the CONFIG register LVP bit is correctly set: with Low-Voltage Programming enabled (default), pin RA3/AN3/VPP is dedicated to VPP and cannot be used as a general-purpose I/O. For 5V system designs, use the PIC16F1455 (non-LF) variant instead, or level-shift signals to the LF1455 with a 3.3V regulator.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product declarations. AEC-Q100 not qualified - for automotive applications use PIC16F1455-E/ML with PPAP documentation or consult Microchip automotive-grade PIC16F1xxx family. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in distributor data - confirm with manufacturer datasheet if required.
