PIC16LF1508-I/P - 7KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1508-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.48 | $14.80 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.17 | $585.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.04 | $1,040.00 |
PIC16LF1508-I/P Overview
An 8-bit PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is a compact, deterministic RISC-based processor designed for embedded control applications where predictable timing, low power, and ease of programming are critical. The PIC16LF1508 sits in the hierarchy as: 8-bit MCU -> PIC microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Its Enhanced Mid-Range core delivers 200 ns instruction execution with only 49 instructions, providing C-compiler-optimized code density while retaining the simplicity of assembly-level control in interrupt service routines.
Key features include 1.8V to 3.6V operating voltage (LF variant) supporting battery-powered applications, low-power sleep current under typical XLP nanoWatt conditions, self-programmability under software control, power-on reset (POR), brown-out reset (BOR), and an integrated 16-level voltage reference. The 20-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly and ideal for prototyping, educational kits, and legacy system maintenance. The -I suffix indicates the industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, consumer electronics user interfaces, low-power IoT edge devices, white goods and home appliance control, and industrial sensor interface modules. The combination of low-voltage operation, 10-bit ADC, and multiple peripherals supports both analog and digital signal conditioning at the edge of the network.
When designing with this part, choose the LF variant when operation below 3.6V is required; otherwise the PIC16F1508 (2.3V to 5.5V) provides the same peripherals with a wider supply window. Verify the oscillator configuration in the configuration word at programming time, and provide adequate decoupling (100 nF + 1 uF bulk) within 5 mm of the VDD pin.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1508-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 PIC16LF1508-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), Mounting Type, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1508-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1508-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1508-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1508-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1509-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1509-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1508-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16F1508 / PIC16LF1508 |
| Core | PIC Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Frequency | DC to 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Voltage (F) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit with auto-acquisition during Sleep |
| DAC | 5-bit, external output |
| Comparators | 2, rail-to-rail inputs |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (P) |
| Temperature Range (I) | -40 C to +85 C industrial |
| Self-Programmable | Yes, under software control |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1508-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / digital-only |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / digital-only |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — I/O or Master Clear (reset, active low) or programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — I/O or external clock input or crystal connection 1 |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — I/O or crystal connection 2 or clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable / SDA |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable / SCL |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable / TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / analog-capable / RX |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1508-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Electronics User Interface, White Goods and Home Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Educational Microcontroller Trainer Board, Automotive Body Control Auxiliary Module.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1508-I/P fits IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply window supports direct operation from a single CR2032 coin cell (3.0 V nominal) or two AA alkaline cells in series (3.0 V), while nanoWatt XLP sleep current keeps the quiescent draw in the microampere range between measurements. The integrated 10-bit ADC with auto-acquisition during Sleep samples temperature, light, or battery voltage without waking the CPU, preserving the node's multi-year battery life. Placed as the central controller with a 32.768 kHz external crystal on RA6/RA7 and a 2.4 GHz radio on SPI-driven RC pins, the device provides deterministic timing at 20 MHz and complete firmware control. The advantage over discrete timer + ADC solutions is BOM reduction of 2 to 3 components and a single MPLAB X toolchain for code reuse across product variants.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Interface
The PIC16LF1508-I/P fits consumer user-interface modules such as remote controls, appliance front panels, and HVAC thermostats because the 18 I/O pins directly drive LED matrices, multiplexed keypads, and segment LCD bias without external buffers, while the 5-bit DAC and 2 rail-to-rail comparators handle backlight dimming and battery-low detection. Operating at 3.3 V from a regulator tap, the part consumes under 5 mA active while scanning a 4x4 matrix keypad. Placed behind the front-panel connector with ESD protection on the I/O lines and PWM-driven LED brightness on RC0/RC1, the firmware uses the 49-instruction RISC core for deterministic button debounce. Unlike a CPLD solution the PIC16LF provides C-programmable flexibility at one third the BOM cost.
Recommended
White Goods and Home Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1508-I/P is well matched to washing-machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator control boards because the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range covers NEMA appliance environments and the 18 I/O pins drive triac-controlled AC loads, solenoids, and seven-segment LED displays directly. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature sensors (NTC thermistors), water level, and motor current, while the 5-bit DAC sets the LED backlight brightness and the comparators implement overcurrent protection on motor drives. Operating from a 3.3 V post-regulator rail at 20 MHz, the PIC16LF1508 delivers reliable real-time control with deterministic interrupt latency. The advantage over a discrete 8051 design is the on-chip peripherals, which eliminate 4 to 6 external logic ICs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16LF1508-I/P suits 4-20 mA loop-powered industrial sensor transmitters and bridge-sensor signal conditioners because the low 1.8 V operating voltage allows efficient boost conversion from a 12-24 V loop supply, while the 10-bit ADC digitizes strain-gauge, RTD, or thermocouple signals at 20 kS/s with on-chip acquisition timing. The two comparators detect out-of-range faults and implement hardware watchdog functions. Placed between the loop-drop resistor and the HART modem on RC4/RC5 (UART pins), the part handles linearization tables in firmware without external DSP. Unlike higher-cost ARM Cortex solutions, the PIC16LF1508 fits the 4-20 mA loop budget at half the unit price.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Trainer Board
The PIC16LF1508-I/P is an ideal educational platform for university embedded-systems labs because the 20-pin PDIP through-hole package is breadboard-compatible for student prototyping, the 49-instruction RISC architecture teaches the fundamentals of CPU operation without overwhelming beginners, and the MPLAB X IDE with free XC8 compiler is free for academic use. All 18 I/O pins are accessible on standard 0.1 inch headers, and the on-chip peripherals (ADC, DAC, comparators) demonstrate real-world mixed-signal concepts in a single lab. Placed on a training board with LEDs, pushbuttons, a potentiometer, and an RS-232 header, the part supports a full semester of labs from GPIO to interrupt-driven ADC. The advantage over Arduino-class AVR is the open assembly instruction set.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Auxiliary Module
The PIC16LF1508-I/P fits non-safety automotive body-control auxiliary modules such as ambient lighting drivers, seat-position memories, and rain-sensor interfaces where the 18 I/O pins drive LED strings or sense analog inputs and the -40 C to +85 C range covers cabin environments. The 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors, the 5-bit DAC sets LED current via op-amp loop, and the two comparators detect switch debounce and short-circuit faults. Operating from a 3.3 V post-regulator on a 12 V body bus, the device provides C-programmable flexibility for OEM-specific lighting patterns. The advantage over a fixed-function LED driver IC is firmware field-upgradability through the self-programmable flash.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1508-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1508-E/P | PIC16LF1508-I/SO | PIC16F1508-I/P | PIC16F1508-I/SO | PIC16LF1509-I/P | PIC16F1509-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin SOIC | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin SOIC | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Lower minimum supply voltage than F variant (vs PIC16F1508-I/P)
- Industrial temperature qualification at standard price (vs PIC16LF1508-E/P)
- nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 1 uA typical (vs PIC16F1508-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz active on 3.3 V, the PIC16LF1508-I/P draws approximately 6 mA from VDD. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1) and a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. For sleep-mode designs using nanoWatt XLP, the typical sleep current falls below 1 uA but rises with WDT, BOR, and ADC enabled - consult the datasheet DC characteristics section for the exact configuration you enable.
Keep the trace from pin 9 (RA7/OSC1) and pin 10 (RA6/OSC2) to the crystal or resonator shorter than 5 mm and surround both traces with a ground pour to minimize EMI. The MCLR pin (pin 4) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD if not driven by an external supervisor; do not leave MCLR floating, or the device may intermittently reset during noise events. If using ICSP, isolate the PGD/PGC lines with series resistors to allow in-circuit programming without removing the part from the board.
The PIC16LF1508-I/P and PIC16F1508-I/P share the same pinout but the F variant requires 2.3 V minimum. Substituting an F into a 1.8 V LF design causes brown-out-reset misbehavior at cold start. Conversely, substituting LF into a 5 V F design does not damage the device but exceeds the absolute maximum VDD rating. Always match the voltage variant to the supply rail. Also, the configuration word must be set before first use; an incorrect FOSC selection can prevent the oscillator from starting.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified - for safety-relevant automotive applications use a Q100-qualified dsPIC33 alternative. Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020.
