PIC16LF1512-I/SP - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1512-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.61 | $1.61 |
| 10 | $1.45 | $14.50 |
| 100 | $1.28 | $128.00 |
| 500 | $1.14 | $570.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.02 | $1,020.00 |
PIC16LF1512-I/SP Overview
A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is a family of 8-, 16-, and 32-bit RISC-based microcontrollers designed by Microchip Technology. Within the broader hierarchy, PIC microcontrollers fall under the embedded MCU category, which sits within the semiconductor integrated circuit family. The PIC16F series specifically targets cost-sensitive and low-power applications, with the 'LF' prefix indicating a wide 1.8V-3.6V supply range suited to lithium-battery operation. The PIC16LF1512 is part of Microchip's enhanced mid-range family and shares the same instruction set and core architecture as other PIC16F1xxx devices, allowing reuse of code and development tools.
Key features of the PIC16LF1512-I/SP include 17 I/O pins (out of 28 total pins), an internal oscillator selectable up to 16MHz (calibrated to ±1% via OSCTUNE), a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, and a watchdog timer with on-chip low-power oscillator for fail-safe operation. The XLP technology enables sleep currents as low as 20 nA, making the device suitable for always-on battery-powered applications such as sensor nodes and remote controls.
The PIC16LF1512 uses a Harvard RISC architecture with 14-bit instructions, providing deterministic execution and easy-to-learn assembly or C development via MPLAB X IDE and the XC8 compiler. Internal peripherals are mapped to the SFR space and configured via standard PIC register conventions, easing migration across the PIC16F1xxx family. The 28-pin SPDIP package allows easy breadboarding and through-hole prototyping, while the same die is available in SOIC, SSOP, QFN, and QFP packages for surface-mount designs.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, white goods and home appliance control, HVAC thermostat interfaces, and small motor control loops. The wide voltage range and XLP features also suit energy-harvesting designs and portable medical devices where sleep-mode current dominates battery life.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling capacitors are placed within 5mm of VDD, and route the MCLR pin with proper pull-up and isolation to avoid spurious resets. The internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in most applications, but applications requiring precise UART baud rates should use an external HFINTOSC calibration or a crystal.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in MCU alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1512-I/SP — 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/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), I/O Pins, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1513-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1512-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1509-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1508-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1454-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1512-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| XLP Sleep Current | 20 nA (typical) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (Skinny DIP, 0.300 inch) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1512-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp/RA3 — Master Clear reset / Programming voltage / Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (analog/digital I/O); shared with MCLR |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (ICSPCLK / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (ICSPDAT / interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 26 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 27 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 28 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal input or external clock input (shared with RA7) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1512-I/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Remote Controls and Consumer IR, Home Appliance Control, HVAC Thermostat Interfaces, Small Motor and Fan Control, Portable Medical Devices, Energy Harvesting Sensor Platforms.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1512-I/SP's XLP sleep mode at 20 nA typical and 1.8V-3.6V VDD make it ideal for wireless sensor nodes that spend 99% of their time asleep. Its 17 ADC channels support multi-sensor polling (temperature, humidity, light) on a single coin-cell or 2x AA supply. The device wakes on interrupt from the sensor or watchdog, samples, transmits, and returns to sleep - directly extending battery life to years. Designers can route I2C or SPI to a low-power radio (such as the MRF89XA or RN2483) using the on-chip MSSP peripheral, keeping BOM cost and sleep current well below STM32 or ESP32 alternatives.
Recommended
Remote Controls and Consumer IR
The PIC16LF1512-I/SP fits remote-control designs thanks to its low 20 nA sleep current (extending battery life to multi-year durations) and abundant peripherals for IR carrier generation. The 16-bit timer drives accurate 38 kHz carrier modulation for NEC/RC5 protocols, while the EUSART can be repurposed for IR learning via external demodulator ICs. With 17 I/O, the MCU can drive an LED indicator matrix, keypad scan, and the IR transmitter simultaneously. The 1.8V min VDD allows direct connection to single 1.5V alkaline or two 1.5V cells without boost converters.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control
In white-goods and small home appliances, the PIC16LF1512-I/SP provides reliable 8-bit control at industrial-grade -40C to +85C. Its 17 ADC channels handle temperature sensing (NTC), water level detection, and current monitoring, while the PWM peripherals drive motor or heating-element control loops. The wide 1.8V-3.6V range simplifies designs using low-cost unregulated mains adapters. The through-hole SPDIP package simplifies assembly for low-volume appliance designs, and the XLP features reduce standby power below 0.1 W to meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Interfaces
The PIC16LF1512-I/SP suits HVAC thermostat interfaces that require precise temperature measurement and low standby consumption. Its 17 ADC inputs support multiple 10k NTC thermistor inputs (supply, return, ambient), while the 16-bit timer drives triac phase-angle control for line-voltage loads. The XLP 20 nA sleep current keeps battery-powered thermostats running for over a decade. Combined with the LF 1.8V-3.6V range, the part survives operation from low-voltage wall adapters without additional regulation.
Recommended
Small Motor and Fan Control
The PIC16LF1512-I/SP's PWM and CCP peripherals, combined with its 17 ADC channels, make it suitable for small DC motor and fan speed control loops. The 16-bit timer provides high-resolution PWM at 20 MHz, while the ADC samples back-EMF or current shunt for closed-loop control. The 1.8V min VDD allows operation from Li-ion cells, and the SPDIP package is robust enough for fan-HUB environments where vibration is a concern. The XLP sleep mode cuts quiescent consumption when the motor is idle.
Recommended
Portable Medical Devices
For portable medical and wellness devices such as glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and TENS units, the PIC16LF1512-I/SP offers reliable 8-bit processing with low sleep current that extends battery life beyond the device's shelf life. The 17 ADC channels handle multiple biometric sensors, while the EUSART/MSSP peripherals communicate with companion radios or displays. The wide 1.8V-3.6V range supports coin-cell operation, and the SPDIP package simplifies regulatory certification prototypes. Designers targeting IEC 60601 should add appropriate isolation; the MCU itself is suitable for the patient-adjacent signal chain.
Recommended
Energy Harvesting Sensor Platforms
In energy-harvesting designs that scavenge power from solar, vibration, or thermoelectric sources, the PIC16LF1512-I/SP's 1.8V minimum VDD lets it run directly from supercapacitor or low-voltage rectified sources without boost conversion. The 20 nA sleep current combined with sub-100 uA active current means the MCU can wake briefly, take a measurement, transmit via a low-power radio, and return to sleep - all within the harvested energy envelope. Designers using the PIC16LF family benefit from Microchip's nanoWatt XLP variants to maximize energy efficiency.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1512-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1513-I/SP | PIC16F1512-I/SP | PIC16LF1509-I/SS | PIC16LF1508-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP (Through-Hole) | 28-SPDIP (same) | 28-SPDIP (same) | 28-SSOP (smaller SMD) | 28-DIP (wider 0.6 inch) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 3.5 KB | 7 KB (+100%) | 3.5 KB (same) | 14 KB (+300%) | 7 KB (+100%) |
| RAM | 128 B | 256 B (+100%) | 128 B (same) | 512 B (+300%) | 256 B (+100%) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V - 3.6V (LF) | 1.8V - 3.6V (LF) | 2.3V - 5.5V (F) | 1.8V - 3.6V (LF) | 1.8V - 3.6V (LF) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) |
| I/O Pins | 17 | 17 (same) | 17 (same) | 17 (same) | 17 (same) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 17 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | USD 1.61 | USD 1.75-1.90 | USD 1.50-1.65 | USD 1.30-1.45 | USD 1.40-1.55 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage operation in the PIC16F1xxx family at 1.8V min (vs PIC16F1512-I/SP (F variant, 2.3V min))
- XLP 20 nA sleep current with peripheral retention options (vs PIC16LF1507-I/P (slightly higher sleep at 30 nA typical))
- 17 ADC channels at 10-bit resolution (vs PIC16LF1508-I/P (12 ADC channels))
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20 MHz active and 3.3V VDD, the PIC16LF1512-I/SP draws roughly 1.5-2.0 mA. To maximize battery life, run the CPU at the lowest frequency that meets task deadlines, select the LFINTOSC for low-speed operation, and stay in sleep with interrupts wherever possible. Add a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, plus a bulk 1-10 uF cap on the supply rail to handle current spikes during wake-up. Avoid driving heavy loads from VDD; use a separate regulator or GPIO-driven MOSFETs for high-current paths.
Route MCLR with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and place a 100 nF cap close to the MCLR pin to prevent spurious resets during voltage transients. Keep the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK traces short and adjacent to ground to ease in-circuit programming. Place the decoupling capacitor as close to the VDD/VSS pair (pins 11/10) as possible - within 3 mm is ideal - to suppress switching noise during oscillator transitions.
Do not confuse the LF and F variants: PIC16LF1512-I/SP operates only down to 1.8V, while PIC16F1512-I/SP requires 2.3V minimum. Applying 1.8V to the F variant will trigger brown-out reset and prevent the MCU from starting. Also note the internal oscillator accuracy is factory-calibrated to about ±1% but drifts over voltage and temperature; for UART baud-rate-critical applications, switch to a 16 MHz crystal with an external load capacitor pair. Finally, do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure them as outputs or use the weak pull-ups to avoid sleep current creep.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C). Halogen-free status is not explicitly stated in the verified data - left as unknown. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs, choose the PIC16F1512-I/SP or PIC16LF1513-I/SP automotive variants.
