PIC16LF1512T-I/MV - 3.5KB Flash 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1512T-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.45 | $14.50 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16LF1512T-I/MV Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals. An 8-bit MCU operates on 8-bit data paths and is widely used for embedded control tasks where simplicity, low cost, and predictable real-time response are critical. PIC16F-series MCUs from Microchip occupy a middle ground between tiny 6-/8-pin baseline parts and the powerful 16-bit dsPIC/PIC24 families, making them a workhorse for sensing, motor driving, lighting, and human-interface applications.
Key features of the PIC16LF1512 include a 10-bit ADC, two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), an SPI interface, and a Master I2C interface. The "LF" prefix denotes operation across a wide voltage range of 1.8V to 3.6V. The integrated eXtreme Low Power technology supports sleep currents measured in nanoamps, which is essential for battery-powered sensor nodes, wearable devices, and remote IoT endpoints.
The PIC16LF1512T-I/MV is supplied in Tape & Reel packaging ("T") and is rated for the industrial temperature range -40C to +85C (I). The UQFN package integrates a thermal pad on the underside to lower theta-JA, allowing higher power dissipation in applications that drive LEDs, small motors, or piezo actuators continuously.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, LED lighting controls, small DC motor drivers, household appliance controls, HVAC accessories, and consumer Human-Interface Devices (HID). The combination of a tiny 4x4 mm footprint, generous digital peripherals, and sub-microamp standby current makes this MCU especially attractive for designers targeting space- and energy-constrained products.
When designing with this device, pay attention to the decoupling capacitor placement near the VDD pins, follow the UQFN PCB layout guidelines to expose the thermal pad to inner copper layers, and verify that your selected debugger/programmer (such as PICkit 3, PICkit 4, MPLAB SNAP, or MPLAB ICD 4) supports the PIC16F151x device family before committing to firmware bring-up.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1512T-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 PIC16LF1512T-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1512-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1503-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507T-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1508-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1509-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1512T-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F (PIC16LF151x) |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 128 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| CCP/ECCCP Modules | 2 |
| Serial Interfaces | SPI, I2C (Master), EUSART |
| Pin Count | 28 |
| Package | 28-UQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed thermal pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Supply Type | Tape & Reel ("T" suffix) |
PIC16LF1512T-I/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change capable) |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change, ICSPCLK) |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Digital I/O (interrupt-on-change, ICSPDAT) |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC6 — Digital I/O / TX |
| Pin 27 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1512T-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Remote Control / Consumer HID, LED Lighting Control, Low-Power Industrial Sensor Module, Small DC Motor Driver Control, Household Appliance / HVAC Accessory.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1512T-I/MV's XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology delivers sleep currents measured in nanoamperes, making it well-matched to battery-powered sensor nodes that wake briefly to capture readings and return to deep sleep. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range accepts 2xAA alkaline, single-cell lithium-thionyl-chloride, or 3.3 V regulated rails without a boost converter. The 10-bit ADC samples battery voltage, temperature, or analog sensor outputs at sub-100 uA active current, and the MSSP-based I2C peripherals let the MCU read digital sensors without an additional interface chip. PIC16LF1508T-I/GZ and PIC16LF1509-I/SS are practical companions for higher-node-count networks.
Recommended
Remote Control / Consumer HID
HID products such as remote controls, mouse peripherals, and wireless presenter keys benefit from the PIC16LF1512T-I/MV's small 28-UQFN footprint (4x4 mm) and on-chip peripherals. The 10-bit ADC supports battery-voltage monitoring and touch-button decoding, while the EUSART handles 2.4 GHz or sub-GHz RF transceivers. Sleep current of a few hundred nanoamps lets a coin-cell powered remote last years rather than months. Pair the MCU with a low-cost RF IC and 20-key matrix keypad for a complete reference design.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control
The PIC16LF1512T-I/MV drives LED strips and architectural lighting controllers by combining two CCP/PWM modules with EUSART-based DMX or LIN slave reception. The 10-bit ADC supplies closed-loop current sensing for buck or boost LED drivers, ensuring brightness consistency across LEDs. Because the part ships in a 4x4 mm UQFN, it fits behind a 5 mm LED pitch with room to spare. Designers implementing dynamic white or RGB color mixing rely on the PWM resolution to encode 12-bit dimming profiles. PIC16LF1509T-I/GZ is a natural step-up choice when more PWM channels are needed.
Recommended
Low-Power Industrial Sensor Module
Industrial 4-20 mA loop sensor heads and factory monitoring modules use the PIC16LF1512T-I/MV for its wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range and nanamp sleep current. The 10-bit ADC reads loop current or RTD/thermistor voltage while the SPI interface drives a 24-bit ADC or digital front end. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports outdoor and inside-cabinet deployments. The exposed-pad UQFN package lowers junction temperature during continuous wake cycles. PIC16LF1508-I/P is a higher-pin-count alternative for analog-heavy modules.
Recommended
Small DC Motor Driver Control
Hobby servos, brushed DC motors, and small BLDC actuators draw on the PIC16LF1512T-I/MV's two CCP/PWM channels and 10-bit ADC for closed-loop speed control. The 20 MHz CPU performs 5 kHz PID updates while leaving enough MIPS budget for safety logic and communication. 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply lets designers drop a single LDO and reduce bill-of-materials count. The 28-UQFN footprint is small enough for end-of-shaft PCB assemblies where space is at a premium.
Recommended
Household Appliance / HVAC Accessory
Thermostat accessories, washing-machine user interfaces, and HVAC controls are designed around the PIC16LF1512T-I/MV because the MCU combines a low pin-count package with enough peripherals for keypad scanning, LCD/LED driving, and sensor sampling. The CCP/PWM channels control low-side triac drivers for fan speed or heater regulation, while the 10-bit ADC measures NTC temperature. The industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) supports garage and outdoor auxiliary units. PIC16LF1503-I/MV in the same 28-UQFN package acts as a cost-reduced variant for entry-level models.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1512T-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1512-I/MV | PIC16LF1503-I/MV | PIC16LF1507T-I/MV | PIC16LF1508-I/MV | PIC16LF1509-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same | 28-UQFN (MV) 4x4 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB - same | 1.75 KB (-50%) | 1.75 KB (-50%) | 3.5 KB - same | 8 KB (+128%) |
| Data SRAM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 64 B (-50%) | 128 B - same | 256 B (+100%) | 512 B (+300%) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit - same | 10-bit - same | 10-bit - same | 10-bit - same | 10-bit - same |
| CCP/PWM Modules | 2 | 2 - same | 1 (-50%) | 1 (-50%) | 2 - same | 3 (+50%) |
| Industrial Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same |
| XLP Low-Power Tech | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-Flash option with 2 CCP modules in the 28-UQFN package (vs PIC16LF1503-I/MV)
- Tape & Reel packing for high-volume manufacturing (vs PIC16LF1512-I/MV)
- XLP nanoamp sleep current for coin-cell designs (vs PIC16F1824-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-UQFN (MV) package exposes a thermal pad on the underside. According to Microchip 28-pin UQFN layout guidelines, this pad must be soldered to a 4x4 mm copper pour that connects to the VSS plane to meet electrical grounding and thermal performance. Recommended: at least one inner copper layer stitched with multiple vias for the 4x4 mm footprint, decouple each VDD pin with a 100 nF X7R capacitor placed within 2 mm, and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the VDD rail.
The PIC16LF1512T-I/MV's XLP technology supports sleep currents down to the nanoampere range when the ADC, comparators, and voltage reference are disabled. To reach the lowest standby figures, firmware must park unused peripherals in their default-off states, switch the system clock to the 31 kHz LFINTOSC during sleep, and gate IO pins to defined states. Pairing the MCU with a low-quiescent LDO such as MCP1700 optimizes battery life for coin-cell sensors.
Avoid the following common pitfalls: (1) leaving the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK lines (RB7/RB6) floating during reset, which can spuriously enter serial programming mode - add 100 kohm pull-ups or leave the pins unused and configured as outputs; (2) assuming the 10-bit ADC converts in a single cycle - it needs Tad acquisition and conversion time; (3) using the EUSART's high-speed mode without checking Fosc/16 baud-rate error - allow ±2% tolerance or pick a lower baud clock source.
Estimated: at full CPU load (20 MHz, all peripherals active) with VDD = 3.6 V, the PIC16LF1512T-I/MV typically draws 4-6 mA, translating to 14-22 mW power dissipation. The 28-UQFN thermal pad keeps the junction temperature rise modest; at 25 C ambient the die temperature stays below 35 C, so no external heatsink is required. The same power budget is acceptable across the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page. Automotive grade option not available in the PIC16LF1512 family - migrate to PIC16F1512T-E/MV or PIC18F family for AEC-Q100 requirement. Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020 is supported.
