PIC16LF1512-I/SO - 8-bit 20MHz XLP MCU, 3.5KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1512-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.5 | $15.00 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16LF1512-I/SO Overview
A PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a compact single-chip computer that integrates an 8/16/32-bit CPU, non-volatile Flash program memory, working RAM, EEPROM data storage, and a rich set of on-chip peripherals such as ADC, timers, PWM, comparators, EUSART, and I/O. PIC MCUs sit within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers → microcomputers → embedded processors → semiconductors, and are typically deployed as the supervisory brain in cost-sensitive, low-power embedded systems. The LF-prefix family is specifically engineered for nanoWatt XLP (eXtreme Low Power) operation, with deep-sleep currents measured in nanoamps.
Key features include 17 channels of 10-bit ADC, an 8-bit DAC, two comparators, multiple 8/16-bit timers, Enhanced PWM, an EUSART, an I2C/SPI MSSP, and up to 27 I/O pins in the SOIC-28 package. The device supports ICD (in-circuit debugging) via the standard ICSP interface and ships with the standard PIC16 instruction-set architecture, ensuring compatibility with the full MPLAB X IDE toolchain.
On the technical side, the PIC16LF1512 is built on Microchip's PMOS flash process and provides a wide 1.8V–3.6V operating range, enabling direct battery operation from a single Li-ion cell. Its core-independent peripherals (CIPs) like the CWG, NCO and DSM allow signal generation and event timing without CPU involvement, dramatically reducing active-mode duty cycle and average power. The 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference and hardware Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) support makes the part attractive for touch and sensor-front-end designs.
Typical applications include consumer remote controls, small appliance control boards, sensor-interface modules, LED lighting controllers, low-end IoT edge nodes, and battery-powered instrumentation where eXtreme Low Power is mandatory. The wide operating voltage and rich analog mix also suit general-purpose industrial housekeeping MCUs.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling capacitors of at least 0.1 µF are placed close to VDD/AVDD/VSS/AVSS, the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins are reserved for in-circuit programming, and the MCLR pin has a proper pull-up. The internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC is factory-calibrated, but for timing-critical applications an external crystal should be considered.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1512-I/SO — 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/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1512-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1513-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1512T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1509-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1513-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1512-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Family | PIC16F XLP™ |
| Program Memory Size | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) Flash |
| RAM Size | 128 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | 8/16-bit multiple |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| I/O Pins | 27 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit PIC |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 |
PIC16LF1512-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — General I/O / Master Clear / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA4/CLKOUT/OSC2 — General I/O / Clock output / Crystal OSC pin 2 |
| Pin 3 | RA5/CLKIN/OSC1 — General I/O / Clock input / Crystal OSC pin 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA6/SOSC1 — General I/O / Secondary oscillator pin 1 |
| Pin 5 | RA7/SOSC2 — General I/O / Secondary oscillator pin 2 |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — General I/O / CCP1 PWM |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — General I/O / CCP2 PWM |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — General I/O / DAC output |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — General I/O / SCL/I2C |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — General I/O / SDA/I2C |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 14 | RA1 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 15 | RA2 — Analog input / general I/O / DAC reference |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — General I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — General I/O / TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — General I/O / RX |
| Pin 19 | RB0 — Analog input / interrupt / general I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB1 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 21 | RB2 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB3 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB4 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB5 — Analog input / general I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB6/ICSPCLK — General I/O / ICD clock line |
| Pin 26 | RB7/ICSPDAT — General I/O / ICD data line |
| Pin 27 | AVDD — Analog supply (tie to VDD) |
| Pin 28 | AVSS — Analog ground (tie to VSS) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1512-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Remote Controls, Small Appliance Control Boards, LED Lighting Controllers, Low-Cost Sensor Interface Modules, Battery-Powered Instrumentation.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO's XLP nanoWatt architecture delivers deep-sleep currents below 100 nA, making it ideal for coin-cell or 2x AA battery-powered IoT sensor nodes that must last years on a single battery. Its 1.8V-3.6V supply range runs directly from a Li-ion or alkaline cell without a boost regulator. The 17-channel 10-bit ADC interfaces directly to temperature, light, and humidity sensors, while the integrated MSSP (I2C/SPI) talks to external digital sensors. The core-independent peripherals (CWG, NCO, DSM) handle PWM-driven sensor excitation and timing without waking the CPU, extending battery life further. Engineering datasheet typically avoids waking the CPU, extending battery life further.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO is well matched to IR/RF remote-control designs where battery life, low cost, and small PCB area dominate the requirements. Its 27 I/O in SOIC-28 allow direct drive of a 4x4 matrix keypad plus LED indicators and an IR LED via the dedicated PWM/CCP channel. The 20 MHz CPU runs standard RC5/RC6 or NEC IR protocol stacks with ample headroom. Below 100 nA deep-sleep current means a CR2032 coin cell can power the remote for 5+ years in standby, and the 1.8V-3.6V VDD range matches the cell voltage curve exactly. The integrated 10-bit ADC also supports battery-voltage monitoring for low-battery alerts.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO serves as the supervisory MCU in small kitchen and home appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, rice cookers, and air purifiers where cost, reliability, and on-chip analog integration are critical. The dual comparators enable direct zero-cross detection and over-current sensing via shunt resistors, while the 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for temperature control loops. Hardware PWM drives TRIAC or FET power stages directly. The wide 1.8V-3.6V supply works from rectified 3.3V rails, and -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade handles kitchen and garage environments. Industrial grade and Flash-based firmware updates ease field servicing.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO fits LED lighting controller applications where dimming smoothness, color mixing, and small form factor are required. Its multiple PWM/CCP channels drive RGB or RGBA LED strings with hardware fade control, while the 8-bit DAC provides smooth analog dimming for constant-current LED drivers. The hardware CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) eliminates CPU overhead for power-factor-corrected LED drivers. Operating from 1.8V-3.6V lets the MCU share the LED driver's auxiliary supply rail. The 10-bit ADC monitors LED current and thermistor feedback for closed-loop thermal management of high-power LEDs.
Recommended
Low-Cost Sensor Interface Modules
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO's integrated 10-bit ADC, 8-bit DAC, and dual comparators make it a strong choice for low-cost sensor-interface modules that read analog signals and output conditioned digital data. The hardware Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) support enables robust capacitive touch, level, or proximity sensing without external circuitry. MSSP (I2C/SPI) and EUSART ports allow modular connectivity to host systems. The 3.5 KB Flash stores calibration tables and linearization curves, and the 128 B RAM buffers ADC samples at the 20 MHz CPU rate. 1.8V-3.6V operation suits 3.3V sensor buses directly.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16LF1512-I/SO is well suited to handheld, battery-powered instruments such as digital multimeters, environmental loggers, and portable medical peripherals where battery runtime, LCD drive, and analog precision matter most. Its deep-sleep current below 100 nA allows continuous data-logging duty cycles of 99.9% sleep with periodic wake-and-sample. The 17-channel 10-bit ADC multiplexes multiple sensor inputs, while the EUSART streams data to a Bluetooth or USB-CDC bridge. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade handles outdoor and cold-storage environments, and the 3.5 KB Flash accommodates calibration tables and complex measurement firmware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1512-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1512-I/SO | PIC16LF1513-I/SO | PIC16LF1512T-I/SO | PIC16LF1509-I/SS | PIC16F1513-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 | SOIC-28 (same) | SOIC-28 (same) | SOIC-28 (same) | SSOP-28 (different body width) | SOIC-28 (same) |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 10 KB Flash | 7 KB Flash |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 256 B | 128 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| 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 | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch | 10-bit, 12 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch |
| DAC | 8-bit, 1 ch | 8-bit, 1 ch | 8-bit, 1 ch | 8-bit, 1 ch | None | 8-bit, 1 ch |
| I/O Pins | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 |
| Unit Price (USD, qty 1) | 1.62 | 1.62 | 1.78 | 1.62 | 1.40 | 1.78 |
Key Differentiators
- Wider ADC channel count at same price point (vs PIC16LF1509-I/SS)
- True 1.8V low-voltage operation (vs PIC16F1512-I/SO)
- Cost-effective code-compatible upgrade path to 7 KB Flash (vs PIC16LF1513-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz active and 3.3V VDD, core current is roughly 3 mA, plus peripheral contribution. To stay within the LF 1.8V-3.6V range, always derive VDD from a low-dropout regulator with at least 100 mV headroom. Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/AVDD pin, plus a bulk 1-10 µF capacitor. For battery applications, use Sleep mode aggressively - the datasheet specifies 50 nA typical deep-sleep current with watchdog disabled.
Keep the ICSP clock and data traces (RB6/ICSPCLK and RB7/ICSPDAT) short and isolated from switching nodes. Per Microchip debug interface guidelines, add 4.7 kΩ pull-up resistors on these lines only if your board environment has no other pull-ups. AVSS must be tied to VSS at a single point near the MCU to avoid ground loops through the analog reference. AVDD should be tied to VDD or filtered through a ferrite bead for noise-sensitive ADC applications.
Do not leave MCLR floating - a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD is mandatory for normal operation. Failure to do this causes intermittent resets or code-protection lockouts. When using the internal HFINTOSC, verify that the OSCCON register is correctly configured before switching peripheral clocks; the ADC and EUSART in particular need the system clock stable before configuration writes. Finally, never use the ADC with AVDD floating - the datasheet requires AVDD always be connected even if the ADC is unused.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C); not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose automotive-grade PIC16F1512-I/SO equivalent via Microchip for AEC-Q100 needs.
