PIC16LF1526-E/PT - 8-Bit MCU 14KB Flash 64-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1526-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.1 | $6.10 |
| 10 | $5.49 | $54.90 |
| 100 | $4.85 | $485.00 |
| 500 | $4.32 | $2,160.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.8 | $3,800.00 |
PIC16LF1526-E/PT Overview
Background Knowledge: An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data bus and a RISC or CISC CPU core. The PIC16 family from Microchip uses a modified Harvard RISC architecture that executes one instruction per cycle (200 ns at 20 MHz) and is positioned in the hierarchy as: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The 'LF' suffix denotes the low-voltage variant (1.8V-3.6V) of the F-series, and the family is known for its nanoWatt XLP extreme-low-power technology aimed at battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications.
Key features include a 20 MHz maximum CPU clock, 10-bit ADC with multiple channels, 10x CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) modules, 2x SPI, 2x I2C (Master mode), and 2x EUSART peripherals. The device integrates nanoWatt XLP sleep modes for sub-microamp standby current, integrated debug support (no debug header required), and ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) for field updates.
The PIC16LF1526 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with a 14-bit instruction word, providing a single-cycle hardware multiplier, interrupt context save/restore on stack, and 31-level hardware stack. Memory-mapped peripherals share a unified bus, and the device supports PICkit 3, MPLAB ICD 3, and MPLAB X IDE development tools.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, battery-powered IoT endpoints, consumer appliances with capacitive touch UIs, industrial control panels, and USB HID/CDC interfaces. The wide operating voltage (1.8V-3.6V) and low sleep current make it ideal for products powered by coin-cell or 2xAA batteries where months-to-years of battery life are required.
When designing with this MCU, mind the absolute maximum VDD of 3.6V (the LF variant); connecting a 5V rail will permanently damage the part. Use decoupling caps of 100 nF + 1 uF per VDD pin, and place the ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT traces away from high-frequency switching signals to avoid debug lockups.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16 family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1526-E/PT — 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 PIC16LF1526-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, ADC, Core Architecture, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1526-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1527-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1526-E/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1519-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1526-E/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.06 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1526-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| CCP Modules | 10 |
| SPI | 2 |
| I2C (Master) | 2 |
| EUSART | 2 |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Pin Count | 64 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E suffix) |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Debug Support | Integrated, no debug header required (PICkit 3 / MPLAB ICD 3) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1526-E/PT 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/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 9 | RA6/OSC2 — Digital I/O / Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RA7/OSC1 — Digital I/O / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN8 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 8 / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN9 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 9 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN10 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 10 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN11 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 11 |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN12 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 12 |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 13 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 18 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data (programming/debug) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 29 | RE0 — Digital I/O (port E) |
| Pin 30 | RE1 — Digital I/O (port E) |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 34 | RD1 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 35 | RD2 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 36 | RD3 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 37 | RD4 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 38 | RD5 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 39 | RD6 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 40 | RD7 — Digital I/O (port D) |
| Pin 41 | RF0 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 42 | RF1 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 43 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 45 | RG0 — Digital I/O (port G) |
| Pin 46 | RG1 — Digital I/O (port G) |
| Pin 47 | RG2 — Digital I/O (port G) |
| Pin 48 | RG3 — Digital I/O (port G) |
| Pin 49 | RG4 — Digital I/O (port G) |
| Pin 50 | RF2 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 51 | RF3 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 52 | RF4 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 53 | RF5 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 54 | RF6 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 55 | RF7 — Digital I/O (port F) |
| Pin 56 | RH0 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 57 | RH1 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 58 | RH2 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 59 | RH3 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 60 | RH4 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 61 | RH5 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 62 | RH6 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 63 | RH7 — Digital I/O (port H) |
| Pin 64 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / Programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1526-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control Panels, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Industrial Sensor Transmitters, USB HID / CDC Device Interfaces, Automotive Body Control Modules.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP technology delivers deep-sleep currents below 1 uA, and its 1.8V-3.6V VDD range directly accepts 2xAA or coin-cell batteries without a regulator. The 14 KB Flash is enough for sensor-fusion or Modbus firmware, while the integrated 10-bit ADC handles temperature, humidity, or analog sensor inputs without external converters. Compared to a 32-bit MCU, the 8-bit PIC16 core draws far less idle power, extending battery life to multi-year levels. Use deep sleep between sensor reads and wake on timer or external interrupt for maximum efficiency.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Panels
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT is well-suited for consumer appliance control panels where cost and reliability matter more than raw compute. The 10 CCP modules drive PWM outputs for LED backlights, buzzers, or motor control loops, while 2x EUSART and 2x SPI easily connect to Wi-Fi/BLE modules and display drivers. The 64-TQFP package has generous I/O headroom (54 I/O pins) for keypad scanning, segment-LCD driving, and indicator LEDs. The -40C to +125C extended temperature range (E suffix) handles the thermal envelope inside dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators without derating.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT provides the integrated peripherals required for capacitive touch UIs: a fast 10-bit ADC for charge-time measurement, 10 CCP/PWM channels for haptic feedback or LED dimming, and 2x EUSART/SPI to drive companion touch controllers. The 14 KB Flash comfortably holds Microchip's mTouch reference firmware for 8-16 buttons. Low-power XLP modes let the MCU sleep between touches, drawing microamps - critical for battery-powered remote controls. The extended -40C to +125C operating range ensures consistent touch performance across cold garages and hot stovetops.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT is ideal for 4-20 mA or HART-protocol sensor transmitters because its 10-bit ADC reads bridge pressure sensors or RTD inputs directly, and the 2x EUSART modules implement HART modems with external modulators. The 64-TQFP industrial-temp grade (E suffix) handles -40C to +125C factory-floor environments. NanoWatt XLP modes enable loop-powered designs where the entire transmitter draws <3.5 mA from the 4-20 mA loop. The 14 KB Flash is plenty for linearization, calibration, and HART state-machine code.
Recommended
USB HID / CDC Device Interfaces
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT handles USB HID keyboard, mouse, or CDC virtual-COM-port applications when paired with an external USB-to-serial bridge or low-speed USB transceiver; the 2x EUSART modules talk to MCP2200 or CH340 bridges. The integrated debug support (no debug header required) simplifies firmware bring-up, while the 14 KB Flash stores HID report tables and command parsers. For HID-class devices, the LF1526's low sleep current (<1 uA) extends AAA-battery keyboard life to over a year. Designers can add a PIC16F1455 for native USB at the cost of losing peripherals.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC16LF1526-E/PT's -40C to +125C extended operating range qualifies it for under-hood and cabin body-control applications such as window lifters, mirror controllers, or HVAC actuators. The 10 CCP/PWM channels drive H-bridge MOSFETs directly, while the 2x SPI ports connect to CAN transceivers (via external MCP2515) or LIN interfaces. The wide 1.8V-3.6V VDD lets it run directly from a regulated 3.3V automotive rail. For AEC-Q100 qualified variants, the PIC16F1526-E/PT automotive-grade equivalent is recommended; the LF1526-E is suitable for non-safety body-control subsystems where extended temp is sufficient.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1526-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1526-I/PT | PIC16LF1527-I/PT | PIC16F1526-E/PT | PIC16LF1526-E/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-QFN (MR) - same die, different footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 768 B | 768 B | 1536 B | 768 B | 768 B |
| CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| Pin Count | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC16LF1526-I/PT)
- Low-voltage nanoWatt XLP technology at 1.8V minimum (vs PIC16F1526-E/PT)
- Drop-in compatible memory upgrade path within same package (vs PIC16LF1527-I/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple every VDD pin (8, 19, 32, 44) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin, plus one bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor on the main supply rail. The PIC16LF1526-E/PT has nanoWatt XLP sleep modes with currents below 1 uA only when VDD is stable and clean - any ripple above 50 mVpp on VDD can disrupt the WDT or BOR circuits and cause spurious wakeups. For battery applications, use an MCP1700 LDO with <1.6 uA quiescent current to regulate 2xAA into a clean 3.3V rail.
Route the ICSP clock (pin 17, RB6/ICSPCLK) and ICSP data (pin 18, RB7/ICSPDAT) as short, parallel traces with a ground guard on either side, away from switching nodes. Add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on both ICSP lines if the application is hot-pluggable. The 64-TQFP package has a 0.5 mm pitch - use 0.15 mm trace/space rules and a 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath the device to ensure reliable reflow and low EMI. Keep the exposed thermal pad (if present on the package variant) soldered to a 5x5 mm copper pour on the top layer.
Do NOT apply 5V to the PIC16LF1526-E/PT VDD pins - the absolute maximum is 3.6V and 5V will permanently damage the device. For 5V systems, choose the PIC16F1526 variant instead. Also note that configuration words must be programmed for the correct oscillator mode (e.g., HS for >8 MHz crystal, XT for 1-4 MHz); leaving the default EXTRC with no crystal causes the MCU to run from the internal oscillator at 4 MHz which may surprise code calibrated for 20 MHz operation. Finally, clear the GIE bit before entering sleep if interrupt-driven wakeup is not implemented, otherwise an unhandled interrupt will immediately wake the part.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. PIC16LF1526-E/PT is the extended-temp grade but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety applications, use the AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F1526-E/PT automotive variant or contact Microchip for the Q-grade equivalent.
