PIC16LF1554-E/ML - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz, 16-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1554-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.65 | $1.65 |
| 10 | $1.48 | $14.80 |
| 100 | $1.21 | $121.00 |
| 500 | $1.02 | $510.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.89 | $890.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.76 | $2,280.00 |
PIC16LF1554-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile data memory (RAM), and configurable peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication interfaces, and GPIOs. PIC16-series 8-bit MCUs sit within the hierarchy: PIC16LF1xxx -> PIC16 family -> PICmicro 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded computing -> semiconductor. The 'LF' prefix denotes the low-voltage (F) variant operating down to 1.8 V, suiting battery-powered designs; the 'XLP' branding indicates eXtreme Low Power nanoWatt technology for sleep currents in the microampere range.
Key features of this device include two independent 10-bit ADC modules supporting up to 17 analog channels total, hardware CVD for mTouch® capacitive touch sensing, two PWM modules, a 32 MHz internal oscillator, and 512 bytes of RAM. The 16-QFN (4x4) package includes an exposed pad that must be soldered to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical performance.
From an architectural standpoint, the enhanced mid-range core adds hardware multiply, larger instruction set, and C-optimized architecture versus baseline PIC10/12/16 devices. The dual-ADC with hardware CVD allows automated capacitive touch scanning without intensive CPU intervention, freeing the core for application logic. Compared to higher-pin PIC16F1559 variants, the PIC16LF1554 offers reduced I/O count in the smaller 16-QFN while preserving the ADC and CVD capability.
Typical applications include mTouch® capacitive touch keypads and proximity sensors, consumer white goods with capacitive user interfaces, low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered human-interface devices, and general-purpose 8-bit control in space-constrained PCBAs. The 4x4 mm footprint suits wearables and compact handheld products.
When designing with this MCU, allocate generous copper under the exposed pad for thermal relief and route analog signals away from digital switching traces to preserve ADC accuracy. Verify your toolchain supports the PIC16F1554 family (MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler) before committing to firmware development.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric alternatives, and practical design considerations not aggregated in the manufacturer datasheet. Pricing reflects DigiKey and Mouser data captured as of 2026-09-23.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1554-E/ML — 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 PIC16LF1554-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Data EEPROM, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1554-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1554-E/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1507-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1454-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15354-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1554-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 16F (PIC16LF1554 family) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| ADC | 2x 10-bit, up to 17 channels, hardware CVD |
| Aggregate ADC Sampling Rate | up to 600 ksps |
| PWM Modules | 2 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix) |
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per distributor listings) |
| Capacitive Touch (mTouch) | Yes - hardware CVD |
PIC16LF1554-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog channel / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 8 | RB4 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 9 | RB5 — Digital I/O / analog channel |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 11 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 13 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to PCB ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1554-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: mTouch Capacitive Touch Keypads, Low-Power IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer White Goods User Panels, Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments, LED Lighting Control with Touch Dimming, Automotive Interior Touch Interfaces.
mTouch Capacitive Touch Keypads
The PIC16LF1554-E/ML is purpose-built for mTouch capacitive touch interfaces in consumer and appliance products. Its dual 10-bit ADC with automated hardware CVD supports up to 17 touch channels at 600 ksps aggregate throughput, eliminating the need for an external touch controller. At 32 MHz the core delivers 8 MIPS while XLP nanoWatt technology keeps sleep current low, suiting battery-powered remote controls. Pair this MCU with a few PCB pads, a ground pour, and the XC8 firmware library to ship a complete touch UI on a 4x4 mm footprint.
Recommended
Low-Power IoT Sensor Nodes
XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology makes the PIC16LF1554-E/ML a strong fit for battery-powered wireless sensor endpoints where standby current dominates battery life. The LF variant operates down to 1.8 V, allowing direct connection to a single CR2032 or two AA cells without boost regulation. Sleep currents in the sub-microampere range combined with 32 MHz wake-up performance let the MCU run periodic ADC scans, process a measurement, and return to sleep efficiently. The 4x4 mm QFN footprint suits wearables and compact wireless modules.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods User Panels
Induction cooktops, washing machines, microwaves, and refrigerators increasingly replace mechanical buttons with capacitive touch panels. The PIC16LF1554-E/ML provides the dual-ADC CVD hardware needed to drive slider, wheel, and proximity sensors robustly through glass overlays, while its 32 MHz core handles capacitive scan scheduling, LED animation, and basic appliance logic on a single chip. The 16-QFN (4x4 mm) fits behind narrow bezel areas where a 20- or 28-pin MCU would not.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments
Handheld meters, scanners, and diagnostic tools benefit from the PIC16LF1554-E/ML's 1.8 V minimum supply, XLP sleep modes, and 10-bit ADC for sensor readout. The 7 KB Flash accommodates user-interface state machines and basic calibration routines without external EEPROM. The compact 16-QFN package enables slim form factors, and the exposed thermal pad supports continuous ADC sampling at elevated ambient temperatures up to 125 C in the E temp grade.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control with Touch Dimming
Architectural and task lighting with capacitive touch dimming can use the PIC16LF1554-E/ML to scan touch sensors while driving constant-current LED strings via its two PWM modules. The MCU's hardware CVD handles the touch channels and the PWM outputs drive LED driver MOSFETs or constant-current regulator ICs. At 32 MHz, response time to touch is sub-millisecond, producing smooth dimming curves. The 16-QFN sits inside the fixture housing without crowding the LED driver section.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Touch Interfaces
The PIC16LF1554-E/ML family variants (such as the automotive-grade /MV suffix) are used in steering-wheel buttons, seat-control panels, and overhead console touch controls. Two ADCs with hardware CVD scan up to 17 touch channels robustly against automotive electrical noise when paired with proper PCB guarding. The industrial -40C to +125C operating range supports under-dash and door-mounted applications. Drop-in upgrade to AEC-Q100 qualified /MV parts is straightforward in the same 16-QFN footprint.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1554-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1554-I/ML | PIC16LF1554-E/MV | PIC16LF1507-E/ML | PIC16LF1454-E/ML | PIC16LF15354-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 128 B | 512 B | 256 B |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz | 48 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Hardware CVD (Capacitive Touch) | Yes (2 modules) | Yes (2 modules) | Yes (2 modules) | No | No (CSM for USB) | Yes (CVD on select channels) |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS) | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E, automotive) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| Unit Price (qty 1, USD) | 1.65 | 1.55 | 1.95 | 0.95 | 1.85 | 1.40 |
Key Differentiators
- Dual hardware CVD modules for simultaneous touch scanning (vs PIC16LF1507-E/ML)
- No USB peripheral - dedicated analog/touch architecture (vs PIC16LF1454-E/ML)
- 32 MHz core with XLP nanoWatt sleep (vs PIC16LF15354-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 16-QFN (4x4 mm) package relies on the exposed thermal pad (EP) for heat removal. Solder the EP to a continuous ground copper pour of at least 1 square inch (6.45 cm2) to keep junction temperature within ratings. Estimated: at 32 MHz active in E temp grade, internal dissipation is below 50 mW for typical mTouch scan workloads, so a moderate copper pour is sufficient; avoid thermal vias starved of copper to prevent pad delamination.
Route analog (ADC) traces away from PWM and digital switching lines; maintain a ground guard ring around touch sensor pads and connect it to the EP ground pour. Keep the VDD decoupling pair (100 nF + 1 uF X7R ceramic) within 3 mm of the VDD pin. For CVD operation, avoid routing digital signals across touch pads - even a single crossing can couple 50 Hz mains noise into capacitance measurements.
Do not omit the exposed-pad solder connection - it is the primary ground reference and thermal path; an unsoldered EP degrades ADC accuracy and may cause CRC reset events. Verify the device configuration bits disable unused peripherals (CLC, ADC) to minimize sleep current in XLP designs. When migrating firmware from PIC16F1454 to PIC16LF1554, the peripheral register map differs - recompile with the latest XC8 device pack, not just an F1454 header.
CVD measurements are ratiometric and robust, but the charge-and-acquire cycle is sensitive to high-impedance ground references. Use a star-ground topology tying the EP pour, decoupling caps, and touch-pad grounds to a single via cluster. Estimated: with proper guarding, SNR exceeds 60 dB at 1 Msps ADC; without guarding, expect 6-10 dB degradation that may push touch sensitivity below usable thresholds.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed via DigiKey/Mouser listings. AEC-Q100 grade requires the /MV suffix variant (PIC16LF1554-E/MV); standard E/ML is industrial-grade only. Halogen-free status should be verified against the latest Microchip material declaration for the 16-QFN package.
