PIC16LF1574-I/SL - 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz, 14-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1574-I/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.55 | $1.55 |
| 10 | $1.39 | $13.90 |
| 100 | $1.18 | $118.00 |
| 500 | $1.02 | $510.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.86 | $860.00 |
PIC16LF1574-I/SL Overview
What is a PIC16LF? The PIC16LF series is the low-voltage F-variant (Flash) branch of Microchip's 8-bit PIC16 microcontroller family, sharing the 14-bit instruction-word RISC architecture with the broader PIC10/12/14/16 lineage. These MCUs target cost-sensitive, general-purpose embedded control and sit beneath 16-bit dsPIC/PIC24 parts in performance but above 8-bit PIC10 baseline parts in peripheral richness.
Key features include four independent 16-bit PWMs suitable for high-resolution LED lighting and motor control, a 5-bit DAC for bias or threshold generation, a 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, on-chip comparators and CWG for synchronous FET drive. The PPS peripheral-pin-select routing eliminates pin-lock constraints common on simpler PIC16 parts and supports EUSART communication for both legacy and modern serial links.
The architecture combines an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction core, hardware multiplier, and configurable clock tree (HFINTOSC up to 32 MHz) to deliver deterministic interrupt response and predictable timing. The "LF" prefix indicates a wide low-voltage operating range down to 1.8V (with full Flash operation to 3.6V) making it suitable for two-cell battery and energy-harvesting designs.
Typical applications include LED lighting controllers, sensor conditioning front-ends, small motor/valve drivers, USB-to-UART bridges using the EUSART, and battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. The 14-SOIC footprint suits hand-solderable prototypes and high-density through-hole-replacement layouts where a TSSOP is too small.
Designers should consult the device-specific MPLAB X IDE project templates and the PIC16F1574 family datasheet for pin-mapping of PPS channels and for the specific relationship between the CWG and PWM modules when planning synchronous rectification stages.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric alternatives, and practical design notes beyond what is available on individual component product listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1574-I/SL — 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 PIC16LF1574-I/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Data EEPROM, Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1574-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1574-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1575-I/SL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1574-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1574-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1574-I/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF low-voltage family) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit |
| Comparators | Yes |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| EUSART | Yes |
| PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) | Yes |
| Timers | Multiple 16-bit timers |
| Package | 14-SOIC (3.90 mm) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1574-I/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Digital I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input / DAC output |
| Pin 12 | RA1/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / serial programming clock |
| Pin 13 | RA0/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / serial programming data |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1574-I/SL is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Controllers, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Small Motor and Valve Drivers, USB-to-UART Bridge Interfaces, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends, HVAC Fan and Damper Control.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1574-I/SL is purpose-built for LED dimming topologies that demand precise current control. The four 16-bit PWMs provide 16-bit duty resolution at typical LED switching frequencies, eliminating the visible flicker that 8-bit PWM parts produce at low brightness. The integrated CWG module generates complementary outputs with programmable dead-band, allowing a single MCU to drive a full-bridge or half-bridge LED driver stage without external gate logic. The 5-bit DAC is used to set the constant-current reference for the LED driver, while the 10-bit ADC samples the actual LED current and supports closed-loop regulation. The 1.8V-3.6V supply range suits 2-cell alkaline or single-cell Li-ion designs. Place a 10 uF + 0.1 uF decoupling pair near VDD (pin 1) to handle PWM current transients.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1574-I/SL's 1.8V minimum supply makes it ideal for IoT sensor nodes powered directly from two-cell alkaline or a single Li-ion cell without an LDO. The LF core runs full-speed 32 MHz at 1.8V, allowing aggressive active-mode processing, and the 7 KB Flash and 512 B SRAM are sufficient for sensor pre-conditioning, calibrated temperature/humidity algorithms and serial framing. The 10-bit ADC reads the analog sensor, while the EUSART provides UART comms to a downstream radio module via PPS pin remapping. Sleep current is in the low microamp range with the HFINTOSC disabled, supporting multi-year battery life. Use a 32.768 kHz external crystal on SOSC for accurate RTC timing during sleep cycles.
Recommended
Small Motor and Valve Drivers
Drive low-voltage brushed DC motors or proportional valves with the PIC16LF1574-I/SL using the four 16-bit PWMs as motor speed references and the CWG for synchronous rectification drive of an H-bridge FET stage. The 10-bit ADC samples motor current through a shunt amplifier, while the comparators trigger hardware overcurrent protection without CPU intervention. The 32 MHz MIPS throughput allows closed-loop PID at 10 kHz control rate, sufficient for fractional-horsepower pump and valve applications. Place the MCU's VDD pin close to a bulk 10 uF capacitor to handle motor in-rush current, and route the analog shunt sense traces away from the PWM switching traces.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Interfaces
Use the PIC16LF1574-I/SL as a low-cost UART-to-GPIO bridge in industrial control panels that lack a USB interface on the host processor. The EUSART handles the asynchronous serial link while firmware implements Modbus RTU or DMX-512 framing. The PPS pin select module allows the TX/RX lines to be routed to any convenient pin, simplifying PCB layout versus pin-locked PIC16 parts. The 32 MHz CPU supports interrupt-driven framing at 115200 baud with low software overhead. A 14-SOIC footprint is hand-solderable for prototypes.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-Ends
Condition analog sensor outputs in industrial process control with the PIC16LF1574-I/SL as a smart front-end digitiser. The 10-bit ADC provides 1024-step resolution suitable for thermocouple, RTD bridge and 4-20 mA current-loop signals after external amplification. The 5-bit DAC generates programmable offset and excitation voltages for bridge sensors, while the comparators detect alarm thresholds with hardware response time under 200 ns. The CWG can drive a synchronous chopper-stabilised amplifier chain for low-drift DC measurement. The 14-SOIC's industrial -40C to +85C range covers most process-control environments.
Recommended
HVAC Fan and Damper Control
Control variable-speed HVAC fans and motorized dampers with the PIC16LF1574-I/SL using a single 16-bit PWM as the speed command and the 10-bit ADC reading the tachometer feedback for closed-loop speed regulation. The CWG generates anti-phase drive signals for a 3-phase brushless DC fan driver stage, replacing a discrete BLDC controller IC. The 5-bit DAC sets the minimum-speed threshold while the comparators trigger stall-detection hardware shutdown. Industrial temperature grade operation (-40C to +85C) covers rooftop and basement HVAC equipment enclosures. A 32.768 kHz SOSC crystal provides RTC timing for night-setback scheduling.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1574-I/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1574-E/SL | PIC16LF1574-I/P | PIC16LF1575-I/SL | PIC16F1574-I/SL | PIC16LF1574-I/JQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-PDIP (P) - same 14-pin count, different footprint | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (JQ carrier) - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 + extras | 4 | 4 |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| DAC | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Wide low-voltage supply range down to 1.8V (vs PIC16F1574-I/SL)
- Four independent 16-bit PWMs with CWG module (vs PIC16LF1554-I/SL)
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) flexibility (vs PIC16LF1503T-I/SL)
- Industrial temperature range coverage (vs PIC16LF1574-E/SL)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same node. The PIC16LF1574-I/SL draws up to ~8 mA active at 32 MHz / 3.3V; the bulk cap handles the in-rush during HFINTOSC startup. Connect VSS (pin 14) to a solid ground pour on the top layer to provide a low-impedance return for the PWM outputs and ADC reference.
Route the analog ADC inputs away from the PWM switching traces on the opposite PCB layer, and surround the analog traces with a grounded copper pour to reduce capacitive coupling. The 10-bit ADC accuracy is sensitive to switching-noise injection; a 100 nF cap on the analog reference pin (if used) plus a 10 kHz RC filter on the analog input pin yields typical ENOB of 9.5 bits at 100 kS/s conversion rate.
Do not connect any load exceeding 25 mA source/sink on any I/O pin - the absolute-maximum rating is 50 mA per pin and 200 mA per VDD/VSS pair. The MCLR reset pin (RA3) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; leaving MCLR floating can cause intermittent resets from EMI. ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK pins (RA0/RA1) must be accessible for production programming.
Keep the ICSP programming header traces (RA0/RA1) at least 5 mm away from PWM switching traces to avoid programming-time interference. Use a single ground pour on the top layer and stitch the bottom ground with 0.5 mm pitch stitching vias around the MCU perimeter for thermal dissipation and EMI suppression.
