PIC16LF1579-E/P - 8-Bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 32MHz, 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1579-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.04 | $2.04 |
| 10 | $1.85 | $18.50 |
| 100 | $1.62 | $162.00 |
| 500 | $1.41 | $705.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.22 | $1,220.00 |
PIC16LF1579-E/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash for program storage, SRAM for data, and EEPROM for non-volatile data), and programmable peripherals. MCUs sit at the foundation of embedded systems, enabling everything from sensor reading and actuator control to communication protocol handling. Within Microchip's taxonomy, the PIC16 family represents the mid-range 8-bit core, the LF suffix indicates the low-power (1.8V-3.6V) operating range variant, and the 157x sub-family targets applications requiring high-resolution PWM generation.
The PIC16LF1579-E/P delivers four hardware 16-bit PWM channels with independent timers - a defining feature compared with the 10-bit PWM common on competing 8-bit MCUs. It includes a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels depending on package, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) module, Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), and support for both SPI and I2C serial communication. The 'LF' low-voltage operation from 1.8V to 3.6V enables battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
The device employs a modified Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and a 32MHz internal oscillator, achieving up to 8 MIPS throughput. The CIP (Core Independent Peripherals) approach lets PWMs, ADCs, and communication modules operate without CPU intervention, reducing firmware complexity and improving real-time response. The 20-pin PDIP package facilitates breadboard prototyping, hand-soldered repair, and through-hole assembly for low-volume or ruggedized products.
Typical applications include high-resolution LED lighting and color-mixing drivers, brushed and stepper motor control, programmable switch-mode power supplies, sensor signal conditioning, IoT end-node controllers, and consumer appliance control boards where the 16-bit PWM resolution is essential for smooth dimming or precise duty-cycle control.
When designing with this MCU, allocate two I/O lines for ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) debugging and ensure the VDDCORE decoupling capacitor is placed within 1 cm of the device. The LF variant's 1.8V minimum operation allows direct connection to single-cell Li-coin or 2xAA battery stacks without boost conversion.
This page consolidates distributor inventory, drop-in alternative MPNs, and practical design notes into a single engineering reference not duplicated on any single distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1579-E/P — 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 PIC16LF1579-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Mounting Type, Core, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1579-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.24 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1579T-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1579-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1459-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1829-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1579-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (mid-range) |
| Family | PIC16(L)F1574/5/8/9 |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 (with independent timers) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| DAC | Yes (peripheral) |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART/UART, SPI, I2C |
| I/O Pins | 18 (maximum, package dependent) |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62mm through-hole) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, E suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life, PDIP) |
PIC16LF1579-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+/SS — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / positive voltage reference / SPI slave select |
| Pin 2 | RA4/T0CKI/PWM4 — Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input / PWM4 output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/Vpp — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKR — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RB7/ICSPDAT/PWM3 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data / PWM3 output |
| Pin 8 | RB6/ICSPCLK/PWM2 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock / PWM2 output |
| Pin 9 | RB5/AN11/PWM1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / PWM1 output |
| Pin 10 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive power supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — [DATA_NEEDED: per datasheet - pin function requires exact 20-PDIP allocation] |
| Pin 13 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 14 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 15 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 16 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 17 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 18 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C |
| Pin 19 | RC6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX / I2C clock |
| Pin 20 | RC7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX / I2C data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1579-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Drivers, Stepper and Brushed DC Motor Control, Programmable Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), IoT Sensor End-Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Hobbyist and Educational Development Boards.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16LF1579-E/P's four hardware 16-bit PWM channels deliver 65,536 discrete duty-cycle steps each - critical for architectural, stage, and horticulture LED dimming where 10-bit PWM would produce visible flicker at low brightness. The MCU is placed between a 3.3V or 2-cell-AA supply and the LED driver MOSFETs, generating complementary PWM signals with phase shifting to reduce input ripple. The 10-bit ADC reads photodiode or ambient-light-sensor feedback for closed-loop constant-lumen output. Designers benefit from independent timer bases on each PWM channel, enabling multi-string color-mixing with non-synchronized frequencies to avoid beat-frequency artifacts.
Recommended
Stepper and Brushed DC Motor Control
The four 16-bit PWM outputs of the PIC16LF1579-E/P map directly to dual H-bridge gate drivers, allowing closed-loop speed and torque control of brushed DC motors and microstepping of stepper motors. The 16-bit resolution delivers microstep angles below 0.01 degree on a typical 1.8-degree stepper, eliminating audible resonance and torque ripple in 3D printers and CNC machines. Combined with the 10-bit ADC for current sensing via shunt resistor, the firmware can implement Field-Oriented Control (FOC) lite or trapezoidal commutation. The LF variant's 1.8V minimum voltage permits battery-powered robotic actuators.
Recommended
Programmable Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)
For digital SMPS power-factor correction (PFC), LLC, and buck/boost topologies, the PIC16LF1579-E/P's high-resolution PWM combined with the on-chip 10-bit ADC enables digital current-mode control loops at switching frequencies up to 500kHz. Each of the four PWM outputs can be phase-shifted and dead-time-adjusted to drive a full-bridge or interleaved PFC stage. The dsPIC family (also Microchip) is preferred for very high-frequency converters, but the PIC16LF1579 is cost-effective for sub-100W adapters where 16-bit PWM duty-cycle resolution is sufficient. Built-in EUSART simplifies digital monitoring of input/output voltages via UART to a host controller.
Recommended
IoT Sensor End-Nodes
Battery-powered IoT end-nodes benefit from the PIC16LF1579-E/P's 1.8V-3.6V 'LF' voltage range, allowing direct connection to a single Li-coin primary cell (3.0V nominal) or 2xAA alkaline. The MCU wakes on ADC threshold, reads a temperature/humidity/motion sensor via I2C, transmits data via EUSART to a wireless module (LoRa, BLE, sub-GHz), and returns to sleep - all under firmware control of the four PWMs which can clock low-duty peripherals. The 14KB Flash supports IPv6/6LoWPAN stacks or lightweight TLS for cloud-connected sensors. Through-hole 20-PDIP accelerates hand-built prototyping and field repair.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
Coffee machines, air purifiers, induction cooktops, and washing-machine control boards use the PIC16LF1579-E/P for its combination of 16-bit PWM (fan/blower/inverter control), 10-bit ADC (temperature, pressure, current sensing), and EUSART (user-interface display panel communication). The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles the harsh thermal environment inside appliances. The 20-PDIP package is favored for through-hole wave-solder assembly lines used in white-goods manufacturing. Firmware updates are supported via ICSP without removing the MCU from the board.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Development Boards
The PIC16LF1579-E/P's 20-pin PDIP form factor drops directly into a standard 20-pin DIP socket, making it a favorite for hobbyists, university embedded-systems courses, and breadboard-based prototyping. The PICkit 4 or MPLAB Snap in-circuit debugger programs and debugs the device via the ICSP pins, and the free MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler supports the full PIC16(L)F157x instruction set. The four 16-bit PWMs let students implement textbook exercises on servo motor positioning, RGB LED color mixing, and audio tone generation - all without external PWM-driver ICs. Through-hole construction tolerates repeated insertion cycles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1579-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1579-I/P | PIC16F1579-E/P | PIC16F1459-I/P | PIC16F1829-E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-PDIP | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same | 20-PDIP - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 48 MHz | 32 MHz |
| 16-bit PWM Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 (uses 10-bit CCP/ECCP) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| USB Support | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | No |
| Temperature Grade (this suffix) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Four hardware 16-bit PWM channels with independent timers (vs PIC16F1829-E/P)
- Low-voltage 1.8V minimum operation (vs PIC16F1579-E/P)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF1579-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 1 cm of the VDD pin (pin 11) and a bulk 10uF aluminum-polymer or ceramic capacitor on the same rail. For the LF variant, a 1.8V minimum voltage means a single Li-coin cell can directly power the MCU without a boost converter. Add a 10kohm pull-up to MCLR (pin 3) to prevent spurious resets; a 100nF cap on MCLR provides hardware debounce.
Reserve pins RB6 (ICSPCLK) and RB7 (ICSPDAT) for in-circuit serial programming - they are not general-purpose by default and should not be wired to signals that would interfere with the PICkit 4 or MPLAB Snap debugger. If you must repurpose them as GPIO, ensure your board exposes an ICSP header (standard 6-pin RJ-12 or 0.1 inch header) connected only to those two pins plus VDD/VSS/MCLR. Route the oscillator traces (RA6/RA7) short and away from switching power lines to avoid EMI coupling.
Estimated: At 32MHz CPU clock the PIC16LF1579 typically draws 4-6 mA active and ~30 nA in sleep (per LF family datasheet characteristic curves - confirm exact value from DC characteristics table). When migrating from PIC16F to PIC16LF, remember the LF's lower VDD minimum means some analog peripheral specs (ADC, bandgap) become invalid below 2.0V - consult the electrical characteristics table for the exact minimum VDD for ADC accuracy. Do not assume all PIC16F1579 code runs unchanged on PIC16LF1579; verify the configuration bits for low-voltage programming (LVP) and brown-out reset (BOR) thresholds.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free 20-PDIP package. AEC-Q100 not applicable to this commercial/industrial-grade 8-bit MCU - use PIC16F1579-E/P-Q1 for automotive qualification.
