PIC16LF15344-E/SS - 32MHz 8-bit MCU 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF15344-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.52 | $15.20 |
| 100 | $1.3 | $130.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC16LF15344-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and a set of peripheral interfaces into one package. Within the broader taxonomy, this part sits in the microcontrollers category, which is a sub-class of integrated circuits, semiconductor devices, and embedded computing modules. PIC microcontrollers use a modified Harvard RISC architecture, which separates program and data buses to enable single-cycle instruction fetch and deterministic interrupt latency.
Key features include four 10-bit PWMs, a 5-bit DAC, a rail-to-rail comparator, a 10-bit ADC with computation, four Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), two EUSART peripherals, and SPI/I2C interfaces. The 'LF' prefix denotes the low-voltage, low-power variant that supports operation down to 1.8V, making it well suited for single-cell Li-ion, two-AA, and energy-harvesting power rails.
The device leverages Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), including CLC, CWG, and NCO, that can operate without CPU intervention. This offloads timing-critical tasks such as waveform synthesis, signal conditioning, and protocol bit-banging, freeing the CPU to remain in sleep mode and extending battery life. The combination of CWG and PWM enables hardware-based half-bridge and full-bridge drive for MOSFETs.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, low-power wireless modules, LED lighting controllers, and small appliances. The 20-pin footprint balances GPIO availability with compact PCB area, and the SSOP package supports hand-soldering-friendly assembly on space-constrained boards.
When designing with this MCU, place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and ensure the MCLR pin (if used) is pulled high through a 10k resistor. Use the PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) feature to remap digital peripherals and optimize PCB routing without re-spinning the schematic.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, application examples, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF15344-E/SS — 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 PIC16LF15344-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, DAC, PWM Channels, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F15344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15324-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF15345-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15356-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF15344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.06 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15344-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15344-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F (PIC16LF153XX) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC (modified Harvard RISC) |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz max |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 512 B |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 10-bit |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC with computation |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Rail-to-rail comparator |
| CLC (Configurable Logic Cells) | 4 |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16LF15344-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference (second pad) |
| Pin 9 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 14 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 15 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 16 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 19 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 20 | MCLR — Master clear / reset input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF15344-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control / Wireless Key Fob, Small Home Appliance Controller, Sensor Conditioning / Industrial Transmitter, Hobby / Educational Development Platform.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF15344-E/SS excels in battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where sleep current dominates battery life. Its 1.8 V minimum operating voltage allows direct connection to a single CR2032 coin cell or two-AA alkaline batteries, while the XLP technology delivers nA-range deep-sleep current. The 10-bit ADC with computation samples sensors autonomously without waking the CPU, and the 7 KB Flash accommodates small wireless stacks like LoRaWAN or BLE beacon firmware. Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG) handle timing-critical events while the core remains in sleep, extending battery life from months to years compared to wake-every-cycle architectures.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF15344-E/SS provides a compact solution for LED drivers and color-mixing controllers. Its four 10-bit PWM channels drive RGBW LED strings with smooth dimming, while the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) produces dead-time-corrected gate drive signals for external MOSFET half-bridges, eliminating shoot-through in buck/boost LED topologies. The 5-bit DAC and rail-to-rail comparator enable closed-loop current feedback without external op-amps. Operating from 1.8-3.6 V, the MCU can be powered directly from a small buck converter, reducing BOM cost and PCB area in strip-light or architectural-lighting designs.
Recommended
Remote Control / Wireless Key Fob
For wireless remote controls and key fobs, the PIC16LF15344-E/SS offers the right balance of low power, peripheral integration, and small footprint. Its sub-uA sleep current makes it ideal for coin-cell-powered designs, while the CLC can encode protocol bits in hardware without CPU intervention, freeing the core between button presses. The integrated EUSART directly interfaces with sub-GHz transceivers like the Microchip MRF89XA, and the ADC can read battery voltage for low-battery detection. The 20-SSOP footprint supports compact PCB layouts typical of handheld remote enclosures.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance Controller
The PIC16LF15344-E/SS is well suited as the main controller in small home appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, humidifiers, and fans. The four PWM channels drive motor speeds or heater elements, the CWG generates complementary gate drive for synchronous rectification, and the ADC reads temperature or humidity sensors. Its industrial -40C to +125C temperature range supports kitchen and laundry environments. Core Independent Peripherals offload motor-control loops, allowing the CPU to handle user interface, button debouncing, and BLE connectivity via the integrated EUSART.
Recommended
Sensor Conditioning / Industrial Transmitter
In 4-20 mA loop-powered or battery-powered industrial sensor transmitters, the PIC16LF15344-E/SS delivers the precision and low power required for long deployment intervals. The 10-bit ADC with computation provides hardware-averaged oversampling, reducing noise on thermocouple or bridge-sensor measurements. The CLC implements custom signal conditioning such as charge-balancing or PWM-to-analog conversion without code overhead. The 1.8 V minimum VDD allows operation from energy-harvesting or thermoelectric sources in remote industrial installations.
Recommended
Hobby / Educational Development Platform
The PIC16LF15344-E/SS is popular in hobbyist and educational settings because it pairs a 20-SSOP pinout with breadboard-friendly breakout boards and full MPLAB X IDE support. Its Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, NCO) introduce advanced concepts such as hardware-state machines, dead-time insertion, and frequency synthesis without requiring external CPLDs. The 7 KB Flash accommodates real-world applications such as simple games, sensor readers, and stepper-motor controllers, while the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) header allows repeated firmware updates without removing the chip from the board.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF15344-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F15344-I/SS | PIC16LF15324-E/SS | PIC16LF15345-E/SS | PIC16LF15356-E/SS | PIC16LF15344-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B | 1 KB | 2 KB | 512 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Operates down to 1.8 V - lower than F-variant siblings (vs PIC16F15344-I/SS)
- Extended temperature grade for industrial applications (vs PIC16LF15344-I/SS)
- Four Configurable Logic Cells and CWG reduce external component count (vs PIC16LF15323-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 15) with a short trace to the nearest VSS pin. For designs with switching peripherals or high-current loads, add a bulk 1 uF-10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same rail. The 'LF' variant operates down to 1.8 V; verify that brown-out reset (BOR) is configured to match the minimum supply voltage to prevent code execution at unsafe VDD.
Route the ICSP pins (RB6/ICSPCLK and RB7/ICSPDAT) to a 6-pin header with VDD, VSS, and MCLR to support in-circuit programming and debugging. Keep ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT traces short and parallel to minimize skew. For SSOP packages, ensure the land pattern matches JEDEC MO-150 dimensions, and provide a generous solder mask opening for hand-soldering or rework.
Do not leave MCLR floating. Tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor, or to a dedicated reset supervisor for improved ESD performance. When using the internal oscillator for UART communication, calibrate with OSCTUNE to achieve the baud-rate accuracy required by RS-232 (<2%). Avoid using pins RA0/RA1 as outputs driving high currents without verifying the 25 mA absolute maximum per-pin rating.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free and halogen-free. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications select PIC16F15344-I/SSVAO or equivalent AEC-Q100 part.
