PIC16LF1512-I/MV - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20MHz, 28-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1512-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.52 | $1.52 |
| 10 | $1.37 | $13.70 |
| 100 | $1.21 | $121.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.91 | $910.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.79 | $2,370.00 |
PIC16LF1512-I/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a self-contained computing engine that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a set of peripherals onto a single silicon die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF1512 sits in the PIC microcontroller family -> 8-bit RISC MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Its role in a system is to interpret sensor inputs, run deterministic control loops, and drive actuators, displays, or communication links in real time. PIC microcontrollers use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, which lets the core fetch the next instruction while reading the current operand.
Key features include 17 analog-capable I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, a master synchronous/asynchronous serial port (MSSP) for SPI and I²C, an enhanced USART with auto-baud, and a configurable reference clock output. The eXtreme Low Power (XLP) sleep current of approximately 20 nA makes the part attractive for always-on sensor nodes and remote controls. Up to 256 bytes of EEPROM supports non-volatile parameter storage without external NVRAM.
The PIC16LF1512 leverages a 14-bit instruction word optimized for compact code density, allowing C and assembly routines to fit in tight memory budgets. NanoWatt XLP technology provides multiple idle, sleep, and doze modes plus a Windowed Watchdog Timer and brown-out reset for functional safety. Hardware capacitive touch via the mTouch™ sensing module is supported through the analog channels.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, wearable fitness devices, low-energy wireless sensor endpoints, consumer remote controls, automotive interior accessories, small home appliances, and LED lighting controllers. Industrial use cases include HVAC sensor conditioning, energy-meter pulse counting, and e-metering accessories. The compact 28-UQFN footprint suits space-constrained wearable and probe-style form factors.
Designers should budget sufficient copper area beneath the exposed thermal pad for heat spreading and ground return, and should bypass VDD with a 100 nF ceramic plus a 4.7 µF bulk capacitor within 3 mm of the pin. Use the PPS-free peripheral set as documented in the family datasheet and rely on the CONFIG words to lock oscillator, WDT, and BOR thresholds during production programming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond what is printed in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1512-I/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-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1513-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1516-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1517-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1512-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1512-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (20 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | MSSP (SPI/I²C), Enhanced USART |
| Watchdog Timer | Windowed WDT, WDT postscaler |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes, configurable |
| Sleep Current (XLP) | approximately 20 nA typical |
| Package | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1512-I/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSCLK |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSDAT |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1512-I/MV is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Wearable Fitness Devices, Consumer Remote Controls, Small Home Appliances, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, LED Lighting Controllers, Automotive Interior Accessories.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V wide low-voltage supply matches single-cell lithium or two-AA battery chemistries, while NanoWatt XLP technology drops sleep current to roughly 20 nA. The 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels multiplexes directly onto temperature, humidity, and light sensors, and the MSSP/I²C interface attaches to a low-energy wireless co-processor such as the ATmega or LoRa transceiver. The 28-UQFN 4x4 mm footprint suits coin-cell form factors. Designers should budget duty-cycled wake cycles and use the brown-out reset to prevent data corruption as the cell drains.
Recommended
Wearable Fitness Devices
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV supports wearable fitness devices through its combination of low active current around 30 µA/MHz at 1.8 V and a 4x4 mm UQFN-28 footprint that fits wristband modules. The 10-bit ADC reads heart-rate optical sensor front-ends and skin-temperature thermistors, while the enhanced USART drives BLE modules from the same VDD rail. The 20 MHz CPU executes 20 MIPS, enough to run pedometer step-counting firmware and I²C driver stacks in real time. Sleep current near 20 nA preserves multi-day battery life between charges in continuous-monitoring wearables.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV is well suited to consumer IR remote controls thanks to its 1.8 V minimum supply for single-cell operation, integrated timers for IR carrier generation, and approximately 20 nA sleep current that lets a coin cell last years between replacements. The MSSP block can drive LCD bias generators or auxiliary key-scanning I/O, while 17 GPIO pins comfortably handle a 7x7 matrix keypad plus LED feedback. The 28-UQFN package is thin enough to fit slim remote enclosures. Engineers should use the WDT and BOR to recover from low-battery brown-out events in fielded units.
Recommended
Small Home Appliances
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV fits small home appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, and air purifiers because the 28-UQFN footprint survives the kitchen appliance thermal environment while the 10-bit ADC monitors temperature sensors and motor current sense. Two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer handle PWM motor control and triac firing for heater elements, while the MSSP supports I²C keypad and display drivers. The wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply simplifies operation from rectified 3.3 V rails. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset provide functional safety for unattended appliance cycles.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV fits industrial sensor-conditioning modules that digitize 4-20 mA loops, RTD bridges, or thermocouple inputs through its 10-bit ADC and 1.8-3.6 V analog-friendly supply. The 28-UQFN exposed pad dissipates modest heat from the linear regulator, allowing a small PCB footprint inside DIN-rail mounted transducers. The enhanced USART drives RS-485 transceivers or Bluetooth Low Energy modules for wireless telemetry. Windowed watchdog timer catches firmware lockups in unattended sensor installations, and brown-out reset prevents corrupted calibration data from being stored to EEPROM at low supply.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV serves LED lighting controllers where the 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors or potentiometer dimmers, and the 16-bit timer generates high-resolution PWM dimming down to sub-1% steps. The 28-UQFN package allows ultra-thin LED driver PCBs in linear fixtures and downlights. The 1.8-3.6 V supply operates directly from buck-converter output rails, and the XLP sleep modes keep standby power below regulatory limits for connected lighting. Designers should use the MSSP for I²C control of multi-channel LED drivers and rely on the configurable reference output for accurate dimming curves.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
The PIC16LF1512-I/MV fits automotive interior accessories such as dome-light controllers, USB charging ports, and cabin-sensor hubs where compact 28-UQFN packaging saves board space and the 1.8-3.6 V supply rides on 3.3 V regulator outputs. The 10-bit ADC reads cabin temperature and humidity sensors, the USART drives LIN or CAN transceivers via external ICs, and the windowed watchdog timer supports functional-safety requirements for body-electronics modules. Engineers targeting AEC-Q100 qualified automotive designs should select the PIC16F1512-I/MV automotive-grade variant rather than the LF industrial-grade part.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1512-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1513-I/MV | PIC16LF1516-I/MV | PIC16LF1517-I/MV | PIC16LF1518-I/MV | PIC16F1512-I/MV | PIC16LF1503-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | 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 | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 3.5 KB | 2 KB |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 512 bytes | 1.5 KB | 2 KB | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Best balance of small Flash and XLP low-power operation in 28-UQFN (vs PIC16LF1503-I/MV)
- Pin-compatible upgrade path to 7 KB Flash (vs PIC16LF1513-I/MV)
- Lower supply voltage ceiling matches coin-cell designs (vs PIC16F1512-I/MV)
- Compact 4x4 mm UQFN package saves PCB area (vs PIC16LF1507-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor and a 4.7 µF bulk capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD pin (pins 19 and 28 on the 28-UQFN package) to suppress switching transients from the internal core and I/O. According to the Microchip PIC16F151x/152x family datasheet, AVDD noise above 50 mVpk-pk can couple into ADC readings, degrading conversion accuracy. For battery-powered designs using the XLP sleep modes, measure sleep current with a source-measure unit to confirm the typical 20 nA figure - some loads attached to wakeup pins can dominate this number.
Estimated: at 20 MHz with VDD=3.3 V, the PIC16LF1512-I/MV core draws approximately 6 mA active (3 mA typical from family datasheet), dissipating roughly 20 mW. The 28-UQFN package with exposed pad achieves a thermal resistance of approximately 35-40 °C/W on a 4-layer 1 oz PCB with 100 mm² of ground-plane copper. This is well within industrial operating range, but for hot environments above +70 °C ambient, expand the exposed-pad copper to 200 mm² or more.
Solder the exposed thermal pad on the underside of the 28-UQFN package to a continuous ground plane using a 3x3 via array of 0.3 mm drilled thermal vias. The pad is the primary heat dissipation path and must not be left floating per IPC-A-610 acceptance criteria. Keep crystal traces short and surround them with a ground guard ring to avoid radiated noise coupling into the ADC. Maintain a 0.2 mm clearance between the UQFN pad and adjacent traces to prevent solder wicking.
Do not use the PIC16LF1512's analog input channels as digital outputs without reconfiguration - per the family datasheet, switching from analog to digital mode requires setting the corresponding ANSEL bit to zero. Engineers should also lock the CONFIG words during production programming to prevent accidental WDT disable or BOR threshold change that would compromise functional safety. The MSSP module must be configured for I²C or SPI mode explicitly; firmware that fails to clear the SSPM bits may leave the peripheral in an undefined state on power-up.
Route the ICSPDAT/ICSCLK pins (RB6/RB7) to a dedicated 6-pin header with no other signal sharing the traces to allow in-circuit programming and debugging. Place the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kΩ) close to pin 3, and add a 100 nF capacitor to ground to filter ESD transients on the reset line. According to Microchip application notes, separating analog and digital ground planes and joining them at a single point beneath the IC helps reduce ADC reference drift by up to 1 LSB.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; use automotive-grade PIC16F variant for vehicle applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly published in the verified data.
