PIC16LF1459-I/P - 14KB USB MCU, 48MHz, 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1459-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.05 | $3.05 |
| 10 | $2.79 | $27.90 |
| 100 | $2.41 | $241.00 |
| 500 | $2.13 | $1,065.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
PIC16LF1459-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces; it is the smallest practical programmable unit used to add intelligence to embedded products. The 8-bit class sits at the low end of the spectrum, optimized for cost, deterministic behavior, and ultra-low power draw in battery-operated systems. The PIC16LF1459 belongs to the XLP (eXtreme Low Power) family, a sub-line of the broader PIC16 mid-range architecture, which itself is part of Microchip's PIC10/PIC12/PIC16/PIC18 8-bit portfolio and ultimately Microchip's full microcontroller taxonomy of 8-bit, 16-bit (PIC24/dsPIC33), and 32-bit (SAM) families.
Key features include 14KB self-programmable flash (8K × 14), 1024 bytes SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, a 32 MHz phase-locked loop (PLL) for the 48 MHz USB clock, an integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver, two comparators, two 10-bit PWMs and one 10-bit ADC with internal bandgap reference. The on-chip USB engine removes the need for an external transceiver and the alternative ICSP pin pair on USB D-/D+ allows in-circuit programming without USB bus reset.
Typical applications include low-cost USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, custom input devices), low-power sensor nodes with USB charging, industrial USB-to-UART bridges, and battery-powered data loggers. The 18 I/O pins plus USB make the part a strong fit for human-interface devices where a single MCU handles both USB traffic and button/scan-matrix sampling.
When laying out the PCB, place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, route the D+/D- pair as a 90 Ω differential with length matching within 2 mm, and tie the VUSB3V3 pin to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor if the bus is self-powered. The PDIP-20 footprint accepts hand-soldering and breadboard prototyping that QFN variants do not.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1459-I/P — 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 PIC16LF1459-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, I/O Pins, USB Module, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1459-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1459-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1455-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1459-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC® 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory | 14 KB (8K × 14) Flash |
| Data RAM | 1024 bytes SRAM |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns (8 MHz internal base, 4× PLL to 48 MHz) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| USB Transceiver | USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps), on-chip |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit, internal bandgap reference available |
| PWM Channels | 2 × 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (0.300 in, through-hole) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial) |
| Programming | ICSP via PGC/PGD; alternate ICSP on USB D-/D+ |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1459-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Master Clear / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 9 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 11 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 12 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 13 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8-3.6 V |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1459-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Input Devices (Keyboard / Mouse / Custom HID), Low-Power USB Sensor Nodes with Battery Charging, USB-to-UART Bridge / Virtual COM Port, Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels, Custom USB Audio Class 1.0 Devices, Educational / Hobbyist Microcontroller Learning Kits.
USB HID Input Devices (Keyboard / Mouse / Custom HID)
The PIC16LF1459-I/P is ideal for low-cost USB HID peripherals because it integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver, the HID class is supported by the standard Microchip USB stack, and 14 KB of flash is enough for HID descriptors plus a scan matrix plus bootloader. The 48 MHz PLL delivers the 12 MHz USB clock directly from the internal oscillator, eliminating external crystals and keeping BOM cost under 1 USD for the MCU. With 18 I/O pins, a 16- or 20-key matrix plus a few LEDs fits inside the device. Engineers typically run the USB stack in interrupt context at less than 5 % CPU, leaving the rest for debounce and scan logic.
Recommended
Low-Power USB Sensor Nodes with Battery Charging
XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology brings nA-class sleep current and 1.8 V operation, enabling coin-cell or Li-ion powered sensors that wake on USB insertion. The PIC16LF1459-I/P exposes an internal bandgap reference, a 10-bit ADC, and two comparators that can wake the core from sleep without an external interrupt controller. The integrated USB engine supports battery-charger-detection logic, so the node can draw 100 mA from a downstream port without exceeding the USB 2.0 budget. The 20-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly for prototype sensor modules used in industrial or environmental monitoring.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge / Virtual COM Port
When used as a CDC class device, the PIC16LF1459-I/P presents a virtual COM port to a host PC and forwards bytes through one of its UART modules, replacing the legacy FTDI FT232R cable at lower BOM cost. The 48 MHz core and 14 KB flash comfortably host the CDC stack plus a small command parser; data rates up to 115200 baud use less than 10 % CPU. Industrial programmers and bootloaders that previously required FTDI now route USB directly into the PIC16LF1459-I/P, then to the target MCU's UART. The 1.8-3.6 V VDD window makes this part particularly suited to 3.3 V target systems.
Recommended
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
Industrial HMI panels often require a USB service port for firmware upgrade plus discrete I/O for buttons and indicator LEDs; the PIC16LF1459-I/P serves both roles with its on-chip USB, 18 I/O, two 10-bit PWM channels, and two comparators for level detection. The industrial -40 °C to +85 °C operating temperature grade is verified in the Microchip datasheet and meets most factory-floor requirements. The 14 KB flash holds a USB stack, a button handler, and PWM fade profiles for indicator LEDs, while the internal 8 MHz oscillator removes a costly external resonator.
Recommended
Custom USB Audio Class 1.0 Devices
Audio Class 1.0 devices that stream at full-speed 12 Mbps USB bandwidth can run on the PIC16LF1459-I/P, with the integrated PWM channels used as a 16-bit sigma-delta DAC at modest audio quality (telephony, intercom, low-fi speakers). The 48 MHz PLL provides the 12 MHz USB clock, and 1 KB of SRAM buffers USB packets between the SIE and the PWM. The part is well-suited for USB speakers, USB intercoms, and USB-to-headset adapters in consumer electronics, where the MCU's small footprint and integrated USB keep cost under 1 USD in volume.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist Microcontroller Learning Kits
The 20-pin PDIP package of the PIC16LF1459-I/P is breadboard-compatible and is one of the easiest Microchip PICs for hobbyists learning USB, timers, and ADC simultaneously. The 14 KB flash accommodates a USB stack plus a small RTOS or cooperative scheduler, and 1024 bytes SRAM is sufficient for educational projects with USB HID, PWM, and ADC tasks. Free MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and Microchip's USB framework lower the entry cost to zero. This part is commonly stocked by LCSC, DigiKey, and Mouser for student labs and maker projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1459-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1459-I/P | PIC16LF1459-I/GZ | PIC16LF1455-I/P | PIC16LF1458-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (0.300 in) | 20-pin PDIP (same) | 20-pin PDIP (same) | 20-pin PDIP (same) | 20-pin SOIC (different) |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash (-43 %) | 7 KB Flash |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| USB Transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, integrated | USB 2.0 FS, integrated | USB 2.0 FS, integrated | USB 2.0 FS, integrated | USB 2.0 FS, integrated |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C (E grade) |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with no external crystal (vs PIC16F1459-I/P)
- 1.8 V minimum VDD for direct Li-ion / coin-cell operation (vs PIC16F1459-I/P)
- 14 KB flash vs 8 KB on smaller LF145x family members (vs PIC16LF1455-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1459-I/P must see a clean 3.3 V rail regulated to within ±5 %; if the USB bus supplies power through a self-powered hub, add a 10 µF bulk capacitor plus a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin. The internal bandgap reference drives the ADC and is sensitive to VDD noise, so do not share the digital and analog VDD traces. Estimated sleep current at 3.0 V and 25 °C is below 1 µA per the XLP family datasheet, but verify on the bench because of process variation.
Route the USB D+ (RC5) and D- (RC4) pair as a 90 Ω differential line with length matching within 2 mm, and place the MCU within 50 mm of the USB connector to avoid signal-integrity loss. The exposed VSS pin on pin 19 should be tied to a single ground pour that includes the USB shield ground; a split ground plane degrades the USB eye diagram. The 20-pin PDIP is forgiving on a two-layer board, but a four-layer board with continuous ground under the USB trace is preferred for full-speed compliance testing.
Do not confuse the PIC16LF1459-I/P (1.8-3.6 V) with the PIC16F1459-I/P (2.3-5.5 V) at the 5 V USB VBUS rail - the LF part will be damaged. For ICSP, ensure the PGC (RB6) and PGD (RB7) lines have no series resistor above 470 Ω, and add 10 kΩ pull-downs only if required by the production programmer. Finally, do not leave the MCLR/VPP pin floating; tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor to allow in-circuit reset without disabling in-circuit programming.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free finish per Microchip product environmental compliance and the Veswin and LCSC distributor listings. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial grade MCU; for automotive USB applications, refer to the PIC16F1459-I/PQ (Q-graded) instead.
