PIC16LF1516-E/SP - 14KB Flash 8-bit MCU 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1516-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.42 | $1,420.00 |
PIC16LF1516-E/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that combines an 8-bit CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), peripheral I/O, and timers on one die. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader category of microcontrollers, embedded controllers, and system-on-chip devices used in microcontroller unit hierarchy across consumer, industrial, and automotive electronics. The 8-bit architecture suits simple control loops, sensor read-out, HMI key scanning, and protocol bridging where deterministic timing and code density matter more than raw compute.
Key features include 17 digital I/O pins, multiple timers (Timer0, Timer1/3 with gate, Timer2/4/6), a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) peripherals, Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting SPI and I2C master/slave, and two comparators. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via the ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT pins, allowing field firmware updates without removing the part from the board.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered home automation devices, consumer appliances, industrial control panels, and educational/hobbyist platforms where 8-bit deterministic control and through-hole easy-rework packaging are valued. The 28-SPDIP package is preferred for breadboarding and hand-soldering in prototyping or low-volume production environments.
When designing with this part, ensure the supply voltage stays within 1.8 V-3.6 V, connect AVCC and AVSS per the datasheet for ADC accuracy, and budget for ICD debugger header on ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT. Reset, oscillator, and MCLR configurations must follow the datasheet reference circuits to guarantee reliable startup across temperature.
This page synthesises verified distributor specifications, drop-in PIC16 family alternatives, and practical design notes for engineers selecting a low-voltage 8-bit MCU in 28-SPDIP form factor.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1516-E/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 PIC16LF1516-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1516-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1516-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507-E/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1508-E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1455-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1516-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC enhanced mid-range (8-bit) |
| Instruction Set Size | 49 instructions |
| Stack Levels | 16 |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Communication | MSSP (SPI, I2C Master/Slave) + EUSART |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1/3 with gate, Timer2/4/6 |
| PWM Channels | Up to 4 (via ECCP + CCP) |
| Internal Oscillator | 16 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1516-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp/RE3 — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA digital I/O / AN0 analog |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA digital I/O / AN1 analog |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA digital I/O / AN2 analog |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA digital I/O / AN3 analog |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA digital I/O / T0CKI / AN4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA digital I/O / AN5 |
| Pin 8 | RB6 — PORTB digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 9 | RB7 — PORTB digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground (digital) |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC digital I/O / AN16 / T1CKI |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC digital I/O / AN17 / ECCP1 PWM |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC digital I/O / AN18 / ECCP1 PWM |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC digital I/O / AN19 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC digital I/O / AN20 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC digital I/O / AN21 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC digital I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC digital I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground (digital) |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8-3.6 V |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB digital I/O / INT0 / AN12 |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB digital I/O / INT1 / AN10 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB digital I/O / AN8 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB digital I/O / AN9 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB digital I/O / AN11 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB digital I/O / AN13 |
| Pin 27 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1516-E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Home Automation Controllers, Industrial Sensor Interface Modules, Consumer Appliance User-Interface Boards, Automotive Interior Modules (Non-Safety), Educational & Hobbyist Development Boards.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1516-E/SP's 1.8-3.6 V XLP silicon delivers nanoWatt XLP sleep currents (deep-sleep < 20 nA typical per datasheet) while running 20 MHz MIPs at full speed. Its 14 KB Flash easily stores BLE/Zigbee-stack-bound MCU telemetry, while the 10-bit ADC captures up to 17 analog channels from environmental sensors. Combined with the 28-SPDIP footprint ideal for prototype boards and battery holders, the LF1516 can be the principal MCU in soil-moisture, asset-tracking, or wildlife-monitoring nodes where 2xAA or coin-cell operation is required.
Recommended
Home Automation Controllers
In wall-switch or smart-bulb gateway hubs, the PIC16LF1516-E/SP provides low-cost 8-bit control with SPI/I2C MSSP and an EUSART for bridge connectivity. Its 17 I/O lines map cleanly to relay controls, capacitive-touch buttons, and indicator LEDs, while the 256-byte EEPROM retains user-set preferences and pairing codes across power cycles. Operating at 3.0 V from regulated mains makes the LF1516 well-suited for lighting, fan, and alarm panels where uptime and quiet operation matter.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Modules
Industrial thermocouple, RTD, and pressure-transducer front-ends benefit from PIC16LF1516-E/SP's 10-bit ADC, 1.8 V minimum operation, and wide -40C to +125C (E) industrial temperature range. The MSSP peripheral is master-readable to digital-correction ICs, while ECCP modules drive PID-controlled loops and PWM actuators. The 28-SPDIP package streamlines hand-prototype test fixtures in factory automation retrofits and eliminates the need for SMD rework stations during field service.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User-Interface Boards
Coffee machines, microwave keypads, and washing-machine HMI boards use PIC16LF1516-E/SP to scan key matrices, drive seven-segment or character LCDs, and run timing logic. Built-in timers (TMR1/3 with gate) handle precise cook-cycle intervals and motor ramp profiles, while the 14 KB Flash absorbs graphic UI state machines. Operating on 3.3 V from a small LDO keeps heat dissipation inside the appliance near zero, supporting long-product-life consumer designs.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Modules (Non-Safety)
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the -40C to +125C operating range of PIC16LF1516-E/SP allows use in non-safety automotive interior modules such as ambient lighting controllers, USB charging ports, and accessory switches. The 8-bit deterministic core offers responsive switch-debounce and LED-fade profiles without OS overhead. Use of the LF 3.3 V rail aligns with modern body-electronics 12 V -> 3.3 V conversion trees.
Recommended
Educational & Hobbyist Development Boards
The PIC16LF1516-E/SP is a popular choice for educational development boards (e.g., Microchip Curiosity LPC, low-cost 28-SPDIP training kits) where its through-hole pin pitch is easy to breadboard and hand-solder. The MPLAB IDE/XC8 toolchain, free ICD debugger firmware, and ICSP programming make it approachable for entry-level embedded programmers, while the 14 KB Flash and 17 I/O enable substantive projects ranging from robotics sensors to simple game hardware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1516-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1516-I/SP | PIC16LF1518-E/SP | PIC16F1516-E/SP | PIC16LF1507-E/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 1024 B | 512 B | 128 B |
| Max Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| MSSP (I2C/SPI) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Key Differentiators
- XLP eXtreme Low-Power process variant (vs PIC16F1516-E/SP)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF1516-I/SP)
- Balanced Flash and peripherals in 28-SPDIP (vs PIC16LF1507-E/SP)
Design Notes
PIC16LF1516-E/SP supply rails (VDD/AVDD) must be tied together and bypassed with 100 nF + 4.7 uF ceramic to a low-impedance ground plane within 5 mm of each pair. AVDD may be tied to VDD for typical digital designs, or driven from a separate LDO for noise-sensitive ADC measurements. A 10 kOhm pull-up on MCLR is recommended; a switchable reset circuit (TIL reset generator or simple RC) is acceptable when configurability is unimportant. Always include a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on each VDD pin pair as per Microchip family reference designs.
For 28-SPDIP through-hole layout, route ICSPCLK (pin 27), ICSPDAT (pin 28), and MCLR (pin 1) trace stubs short and unbypassed to nearby test pads. Use a 6-pin single-row 0.1 inch header for ICD/programming. PORTA analog pins (RA0-RA5) require matched ground-return traces and short stubs to avoid ground bounce from switching RC outputs; place RC series resistors near the MCU pin to dampen CCB noise on analog channels.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on any VDD/AVDD/MCLR pin; the LF process variant is not 5 V tolerant and permanent damage will occur. Configuration bits (CONFIG1-4) must be set to select INTOSC vs external crystal and to disable code protection if not needed. If deep sleep / XLP operation is desired, ensure the WDT, BOR, and SOSC are disabled unless required by application; any unconfigured analog pin floating high can create Iq leakage.
Estimated: at 20 MHz active CPU and 3.3 V supply, the typical IDD of PIC16LF1516 class is approximately 1.5-2.0 mA active (datasheet typical) and nanoWatt XLP sleep below 1 uA. Power dissipation at this level is negligible (< 10 mW), so the 28-SPDIP package is comfortably within thermal limits without copper pouring. For high-output-current GPIO designs, ensure cumulative DC per port does not exceed Microchip's maximum current specification.
Compliance Information
ROHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. E suffix is industrial-grade -40C to +125C, not AEC-Q100 qualified for safety-critical automotive.
