PIC16LF1512-E/MV - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20MHz, 28-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1512-E/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.61 | $1.61 |
| 10 | $1.45 | $14.50 |
| 100 | $1.1 | $110.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.79 | $790.00 |
PIC16LF1512-E/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus, integrating a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and ADCs. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16LF1512 falls under 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device. The 'LF' prefix denotes a low-Frequency / low-voltage variant, while 'XLP' (eXtreme Low Power) signals Microchip's nanoWatt technology for battery-aware designs.
Key specifications include 20 MHz maximum operating frequency, hardware multiplier, 17 I/O pins, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) module, Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) for SPI/I²C, and a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP™) and integrates power-saving sleep modes as low as 20 nA in deep sleep. Wide operating voltage from 1.8V to 3.6V and an industrial-grade temperature range of -40°C to +125°C allow deployment in harsh environments.
The PIC16LF1512 architecture uses a RISC-style 14-bit instruction word optimized for deterministic, single-cycle execution on most instructions. The XLP technology incorporates dynamic power management, peripheral module disable, and ultra-low-power watchdog timers. Internal 16 MHz high-speed oscillator (HFINTOSC) accuracy is +/-2% across voltage and temperature after calibration, eliminating the need for an external crystal in many applications.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, consumer appliance controllers, lighting dimmers and LED drivers, remote controls, low-power wireless sensor transceivers, handheld instruments, and small motor control loops. Designers value the XLP idle current when the device is mostly in sleep mode between asynchronous wake-ups from peripherals such as the Real-Time Clock or the Interrupt-on-Change I/O.
When laying out the PCB, the 28-UQFN 4×4 mm package demands a 0.4 mm-pitch land pattern with via-in-pad or thermal vias under the exposed pad for thermal dissipation; the central pad must be soldered to the ground plane to meet electrical and thermal performance. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of the pin and add a bulk 1 µF to 10 µF capacitor near the device for transient robustness. Avoid long traces on MCLR and ensure ICSP programming header pins are accessible in production PCBs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1512-E/MV — 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 PIC16LF1512-E/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash), Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1512-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1512-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1513-E/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1827-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1512-E/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC |
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Timers | Two 8-bit, One 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I²C) |
| Package | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C |
| In-Circuit Programming | ICSP |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP nanoWatt (sleep current ~20 nA) |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz HFINTOSC, +/-2% calibrated |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1512-E/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | RE3/VPP/MCLR — PORTE bit 3 / programming high voltage / Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input channel 12 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input channel 10 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input channel 8 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input channel 9 |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / in-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / in-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference (additional pad for ground) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1512-E/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, LED Lighting and Dimmer Control, Handheld Measurement Instruments, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Network Endpoints, Remote Control and Human Interface Devices.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its XLP nanoWatt technology achieves approximately 20 nA typical deep-sleep current while retaining RAM and interrupt-on-change wake capability. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V, it integrates directly from a single CR2032 or 2×AA cell without boost conversion. The 10-bit ADC with 17 channels captures ambient sensors (temperature, humidity, light) while the MSSP drives SPI/I²C radios like the MRF24J40 or NRF24L01+. Wake-on-touch or interrupt-on-change I/O enables multi-year battery life in duty-cycled deployments.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV suits consumer appliance control (coffee machines, microwave UI boards, washing-machine sub-modules) because its industrial-grade -40C to +125C temperature range and ample Flash support IEC 60730 class B firmware. The 10-bit ADC reads appliance sensors such as thermistors, water-level probes, and door switches. The PWM channels plus the 16-bit timer produce precise motor and triac phase-angle control for induction or universal motors, with the EUSART enabling diagnostic UART service ports.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimmer Control
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV supports LED drivers and dimmers because its 10-bit ADC captures analog dimming inputs from 0 to VDD while its PWMs output fine-resolution 16-bit phase-correct dimming signals. The EUSART drives DMX512 or DALI communication in professional fixtures. When paired with a constant-current MOSFET driver, smooth logarithmic dimming with no perceptible flicker is achievable. XLP technology lets battery-powered decorative lights run for months on two AA cells.
Recommended
Handheld Measurement Instruments
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV provides the brains for handheld digital multimeters and clamp meters because its 10-bit ADC converts the meter's front-end shunt measurement and the XLP sleep keeps total standby current below 1 µA. The 28-UQFN 4×4 mm package consumes minimal PCB real estate, leaving room for the LCD, battery compartment, and shunt. The EUSART logs data over RS-232/USB bridges for field diagnostics, and the -40C to +125C operating range suits outdoor industrial environments.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Network Endpoints
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV is well suited for wireless sensor endpoints because XLP sleep currents near 20 nA combined with wake-on-RF or wake-on-ADC events enable multi-year battery life. The MSSP provides SPI/I²C to common sub-GHz transceivers (CC1101, SX1276) and 2.4 GHz radios. Built-in ICSP programming eases firmware updates in the field. The 3.5 KB Flash accommodates 6LoWPAN or LoRaWAN stack fragments plus proprietary housekeeping.
Recommended
Remote Control and Human Interface Devices
The PIC16LF1512-E/MV serves IR/RF remote controls and small user-interface devices because its deep-sleep nanoWatt mode lets alkaline-powered remotes last the lifetime of the battery. The ICSP programming permits in-circuit firmware updates during manufacture, while interrupt-on-change I/O reads button matrices without continuous polling. The EUSART or MSSP connects to companion LED drivers and audio amplifiers, and the 1.8V minimum supply drops a single CR2032 cell close to its end-of-life voltage.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1512-E/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1512-E/MV | PIC16LF1512-I/MV | PIC16LF1513-E/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
Key Differentiators
- Wider voltage range with same pinout (vs PIC16F1512-E/MV)
- Double Flash and RAM in same footprint (vs PIC16LF1513-E/MV)
- Lower temp grade at lower cost (vs PIC16LF1512-I/MV)
Design Notes
Estimated: in the 28-UQFN 4×4 mm package, use a 0.4 mm-pitch land pattern with thermal vias under the central exposed pad to maintain package thermal resistance. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of VDD pin 10, plus a 1 µF to 10 µF bulk capacitor near the same rail. Keep the MCLR trace short and avoid running it adjacent to high-speed PWM signals.
Estimated: PIC16LF1512-E/MV typical deep-sleep current is around 20 nA with WDT disabled per Microchip XLP claims. Designers targeting year-long battery life must disable all unused peripherals via the PMD registers before entering sleep, and select the LFINTOSC low-power mode rather than the HFINTOSC whenever wake timing tolerates it.
Do not connect MCLR directly to VDD; always use a 10 kΩ pull-up and a 100 nF decoupling cap to ground, plus a diode to VDD as shown in the Microchip PIC16 family hardware design checklist. Operating at >3.6V on the LF variant risks permanent I/O damage. Software should configure CCP/CWG peripherals before enabling PWM outputs to avoid spurious glitches on first cycle.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip PIC16(L)F1512/1513 datasheet. AEC-Q100 not applicable to this MCU grade; automotive-grade variants are catalogued separately under a different ordering code.
