PIC16LF15324-I/JQ - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz, 16-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF15324-I/JQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.28 | $12.80 |
| 100 | $1.05 | $105.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.81 | $810.00 |
PIC16LF15324-I/JQ Overview
What is a PIC16 LF-series microcontroller? The PIC16 LF family is Microchip's low-voltage variant of the PIC16 8-bit MCU line, optimized for battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications. Within the broader hierarchy, it sits as: PIC16LF153xx -> PIC16 LF family -> PIC16 8-bit MCU -> Microcontroller -> Microprocessor -> Semiconductor. The LF prefix indicates operation down to 1.8V with reduced quiescent current compared to standard PIC16F parts that operate from 2.3V.
Key features include four 10-bit PWM outputs, a 10-bit ADC with computation, a 5-bit DAC, two comparators, four Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), and two EUSART plus SPI/I2C communication peripherals. The device integrates Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that allow hardware-based state machines to run without CPU intervention, reducing active time and total energy consumption.
The PIC16LF15324 uses a 14-bit instruction word modified Harvard architecture with hardware multiplier, providing deterministic interrupt latency and rich peripheral integration. The 16-UQFN package with exposed thermal pad delivers thermal resistance suitable for industrial temperature operation while occupying minimal board space.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, consumer remote controls, battery-powered HVAC controls, low-power wireless sensor hubs, LED lighting controllers, and small appliance user-interface boards. Its 32 MHz core and rich peripheral mix enable single-chip replacement of multi-component discrete designs.
When designing with this device, plan the 16-pin budget carefully: PIC16LF15324 in UQFN-16 has limited I/O compared to its 20-pin siblings. The exposed pad must be soldered to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical performance; missing the pad connection can cause erratic behavior at high clock rates or elevated peripheral loads.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives from the PIC16LF153xx family, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF15324-I/JQ — 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 PIC16LF15324-I/JQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core, ADC, Comparators, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF15323-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF15325-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F15324-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15323T-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15324-I/JQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit Enhanced Mid-Range |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit Modified Harvard |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 4 (10-bit) |
| CLC (Configurable Logic Cells) | 4 |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| EUSART | 2 |
| SPI / I2C | Yes (peripheral) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 16-UQFN (4x4 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF15324-I/JQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM / CLC |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / PWM / CLC |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / MCLR (input only on this pin) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / DAC / comparator output |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / comparator input |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O / OSC1 |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O / OSC2 / CLKR |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC |
| Pin 13 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSCLK |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC / EUSART |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Ground reference (second bond wire) |
| Pin 16 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF15324-I/JQ is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control, HVAC Control Panel, LED Lighting Controller, Small Appliance User Interface, Wearable Health Monitor, Industrial Wireless Sensor Hub.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF15324-I/JQ is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its 1.8V-3.6V operating range and XLP nanoWatt technology that drops quiescent current below 30 nA in sleep. The 10-bit ADC2 with computation and averaging handles sensor digitization in hardware, while the four Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) enable event-driven wake-up without CPU intervention, extending coin-cell lifetime to multiple years. The 32 MHz core is fast enough to drive a Sub-GHz radio front end briefly per minute.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control
The PIC16LF15324-I/JQ excels in consumer infrared remote controls where low standby current, fast wake-up, and modest I/O count matter most. Its 5-bit DAC and 10-bit PWM can drive IR LEDs directly through current-limiting resistors, while the CWG generates the carrier frequency in hardware without CPU load. The 16-UQFN 4x4 mm package fits in slim handset enclosures, and the 1.8V minimum VDD lets designers use a single alkaline or coin cell directly without a boost converter.
Recommended
HVAC Control Panel
Industrial and residential HVAC control panels benefit from the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ's industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and rich peripheral integration. The two comparators monitor thermistor inputs, the 10-bit ADC2 reads multiple temperature and humidity sensors, and the CWG generates the half-bridge drive signals for triac-based fan speed control. Two EUSART ports allow simultaneous connection to a Modbus master and a wired service port for diagnostics.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
Smart LED drivers and architectural lighting controllers use the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ to combine dimming control, color mixing, and communication in a single chip. The four 10-bit PWM channels drive RGBW LED strings with 1024-step resolution each, while the CWG produces high-resolution complementary drive signals for synchronous buck converters. The I2C/SPI peripheral connects to LED driver ICs or ambient light sensors, and the 1.8V-3.6V supply simplifies battery-backup lighting designs.
Recommended
Small Appliance User Interface
Coffee machines, microwaves, and other small appliances rely on the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ for cost-effective UI processing with capacitive touch support. The 16 I/O pins drive segment LCDs or character displays, scan key matrices, and control relays via PWMs. Core Independent Peripherals (CLC) debounce and detect long-press events without CPU polling, reducing power consumption while keeping response time below 20 ms. The 32 MHz CPU handles UI animation smoothly.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
Wearable fitness bands and pulse oximeters use the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ for its ultra-low sleep current and small footprint, extending battery life while keeping board size minimal. The ADC2 with computation handles photoplethysmography (PPG) signal conditioning, while the comparators detect pulse events with hardware-level timing accuracy. The 5-bit DAC generates bias voltages for analog front ends, and the 16-UQFN 4x4 mm package fits comfortably inside a wristband enclosure.
Recommended
Industrial Wireless Sensor Hub
Factory automation hubs and remote telemetry units benefit from the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ's combination of industrial temperature range, dual EUSART ports, and Core Independent Peripherals. One EUSART can connect to an RS-485 Modbus network while the second handles local diagnostics; the CLCs implement protocol framing without CPU intervention, freeing the 32 MHz core to run application logic. The 16-UQFN package is small enough to fit inside sensor head enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF15324-I/JQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF15323-I/JQ | PIC16LF15325-I/JQ | PIC16F15324-I/JQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 16-UQFN (4x4 mm) | 16-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-UQFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 256 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Operating 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 |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit (ADC2) | 10-bit (ADC2) | 10-bit (ADC2) | 10-bit (ADC2) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest memory density in 16-UQFN class within PIC16LF153xx family (vs PIC16LF15323-I/JQ)
- Extended low-voltage operation down to 1.8V (vs PIC16F15324-I/JQ)
- Full peripheral set maintained in smallest package (vs PIC16LF1508-I/P)
Design Notes
The 16-UQFN package on PIC16LF15324-I/JQ has a thermal pad (EP) that must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour, ideally with at least 25 thermal vias to the opposite board layer. Estimated: with EP connected to a 25x25 mm copper pour on a 2-layer 1 oz board, theta_JA drops from approximately 80 C/W (unconnected EP) to roughly 35 C/W. The device dissipates less than 100 mW in typical low-power operation, so thermal concerns are minor but electrical grounding is critical.
Decouple VDD with at least one 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the VDD pin, plus a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same rail. The PIC16LF15324-I/JQ datasheet specifies that VDD rise time must be monotonic and should be below 300 ms for proper Power-on Reset behavior. Estimated: with 10 uF bulk and 100 nF bypass, inrush current peaks below 50 mA at 3.3V supply.
Place the crystal or external clock components within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins with a guard ring tied to ground; keep high-current switching traces (PWM, CWG outputs) at least 3 mm away from analog-sensitive traces (ADC inputs, comparator references). The MCLR pin (shared with RA3 on this package) should have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for in-circuit serial programming reliability.
Do not exceed the 3.6V absolute maximum on VDD or any I/O pin; the PIC16LF15324-I/JQ is not 5V tolerant. Programming voltage on MCLR must be within the VDD range; using 5V programmers on a 3.3V system can permanently damage the part. The LF variant does not support operation above 3.6V; if 5V is required, choose PIC16F15324-I/JQ instead (same package, drop-in compatible).
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F15324-I/JQ or automotive-grade PIC16 variant for vehicle applications. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification.
