PIC16LF1579-I/P - 8-bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 32MHz, 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1579-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.83 | $1.83 |
| 10 | $1.65 | $16.50 |
| 100 | $1.49 | $149.00 |
| 500 | $1.36 | $680.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.24 | $1,240.00 |
PIC16LF1579-I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that uses an 8-bit data path and is widely deployed in embedded systems for sensor interfacing, motor control, LED driving, and user I/O. Within the PIC16 family hierarchy, the PIC16LF1579 sits between baseline PIC10/12 parts and the PIC18/dsPIC33 lines, balancing low power, peripheral integration, and code density for cost-sensitive 5V-tolerant 3.3V designs.
Key features include four 16-bit PWMs with independent timers targeting high-resolution LED lighting and power conversion, 18 general-purpose I/O, peripheral pin select (PPS) for flexible signal routing, and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that offload timing-critical tasks from the CPU. The on-chip 10-bit ADC and 5-bit DAC support mixed-signal conditioning without external converters.
The device uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word and 8-level hardware stack, providing deterministic interrupt latency and predictable execution for real-time control. The LF prefix denotes the wide-voltage 1.8V-3.6V process variant, while battery-backed RTC and low-power Sleep modes extend coin-cell runtimes.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers, IoT sensor nodes, consumer white goods, hobby and educational platforms, and small appliance motor control. The combination of four 16-bit PWMs and on-chip analog suits dimmable SSL fixtures and BLDC sensorless commutation.
When designing with this part, note that the -I/P suffix specifies the industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) in a PDIP-20 through-hole package. Use the MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler chain, and consult the device-specific header file for PPS mapping.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, application notes, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1579-I/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-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Core, Family, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1579-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1579-E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1579-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1579-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1579-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture | 14-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit |
| DAC Resolution | 5-bit |
| Number of I/O Pins | 18 |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit independent |
| Data Bus Width | 8-bit |
| Package / Case | 20-PDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Style | Through Hole |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial grade, -I) |
| Packaging | Tube |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1579-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/Vpp — Input only / Master Clear (Reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O / Crystal oscillator output / Clock out |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / Crystal oscillator input / Clock in |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 10 |
| Pin 8 | RB5/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 9 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / In-Circuit Serial Programming clock |
| Pin 10 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / In-Circuit Serial Programming data |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1579-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: High-Resolution LED Lighting Drivers, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Small Appliance Motor Control (BLDC/PMSM), Consumer White Goods and User Interface Boards, Hobby, Education, and Maker Platforms, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning.
High-Resolution LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC16LF1579-I/P's four 16-bit PWM channels with independent timers are purpose-built for high-resolution SSL dimming where standard 10-bit PWM granularity is insufficient. Each 16-bit PWM provides up to 65536 steps over a configurable period, enabling smooth dim-to-warm curves and high-frequency drivers above the audible band. Operating from 1.8-3.6 V, it suits 3.3 V LED driver boards with direct MOSFET gate drive. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) and on-chip comparators enable quasi-resonant topologies without external timing ICs. According to the Microchip PIC16(L)F157X datasheet, designers can route PWM outputs through PPS for flexible PCB routing, and the 10-bit ADC closes the loop for constant-current feedback.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1579-I/P's 1.8-3.6 V operating range and LF low-power process make it a natural fit for coin-cell or Li-ion powered wireless sensor nodes. Sleep currents in the nanoamp range (with peripheral modules disabled) extend battery life to multi-year runtimes when paired with a sub-GHz or BLE module via UART/SPI. The 10-bit ADC handles analog sensors (temperature, light, gas) without external converters, and the 14 KB Flash accommodates small IoT protocol stacks and OTA bootloaders. According to Microchip's low-power MCU guidelines, the LF family parts typically achieve 30 nA Sleep with RTC running, a key metric for intermittent-duty sensors.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control (BLDC/PMSM)
The PIC16LF1579-I/P combines four 16-bit PWMs, comparators, and CWG in a single 20-pin package - well-suited to sensorless BLDC or PMSM commutation in fans, pumps, and small appliances. The CWG generates complementary drive signals with programmable dead-time, eliminating the need for an external gate-driver timing IC. The on-chip comparator can be used for BEMF zero-cross detection in sensorless trapezoidal commutation. According to Microchip application notes, designers can achieve field-oriented control by adding external op-amps, but trapezoidal control with the 1579 is achievable in software with the 32 MHz core providing 8 MIPS.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods and User Interface Boards
The PIC16LF1579-I/P's 18 I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, keypads, and indicator LEDs in washing machines, microwaves, and other white goods without external I/O expanders. The 5-bit DAC provides simple analog biasing for thermistor bridges, and the comparators enable touch-button sensing via charge-transfer timing. PPS allows remapping of UART, I2C, and SPI to any digital pin, simplifying PCB routing when the connector placement forces pin reassignment. According to the PIC16LF157X datasheet, the on-chip 32 MHz HFINTOSC with 1% calibrated accuracy is suitable for UART communication without an external crystal in most cost-sensitive consumer products.
Recommended
Hobby, Education, and Maker Platforms
The PIC16LF1579-I/P's 20-pin PDIP through-hole package remains a favorite for breadboard prototyping, university courses, and maker kits where SOIC/QFN is impractical. The wide 1.8-3.6 V range lets students power the board from 2xAA batteries, USB rails, or bench supplies. MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and the free MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) provide a complete toolchain with peripheral code generators - a key reason this part is recommended for embedded systems curricula. The PIC16(L)F157X family datasheet notes the device is supported by Curiosity development boards and PICkit programmers available for under $50.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LF1579-I/P's 10-bit ADC, 5-bit DAC, comparators, and op-amp-free design enable compact industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters. The 1.8-3.6 V supply rails comfortably run from a 3.3 V LDO powered by the loop current. On-chip CIPs handle PWM excitation for RTD/bridge sensors, while the CPU performs linearization in firmware. The -I industrial temperature grade (-40 to +85 C) meets most factory-floor requirements. According to the PIC16LF157X datasheet, the PPS feature reduces PCB layer count by routing ADC references and PWM to adjacent pins without trace crossings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1579-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1579-I/SP | PIC16LF1579-E/P | PIC16F1579-I/P | PIC16LF1579-I/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-PDIP (0.300 in, 7.62 mm) | 20-SPDIP (0.300 in) - same pinout | 20-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 20-PDIP (0.300 in) - same | 20-UQFN - NOT same THT land pattern |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| PWM Channels | 4 x 16-bit | 4 x 16-bit | 4 x 16-bit | 4 x 16-bit | 4 x 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Four independent 16-bit PWMs versus typical 10-bit PWM in this class (vs PIC16F1829-I/P)
- Wide 1.8-3.6 V operating range with low Sleep current (vs PIC16F1579-I/P (F-process))
- 14 KB Flash with 1 KB RAM - balanced code/data space for connected lighting (vs PIC16F1459-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1579-I/P operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the board power rail. For battery-powered designs, use the LF Sleep mode with WDT disabled for sub-uA currents; according to Microchip's low-power MCU guidance, peripheral modules should be individually disabled before entering Sleep to minimize leakage.
The 20-PDIP footprint (0.300 in row spacing, 0.100 in pin pitch) is breadboard-friendly, but for production designs consider migrating to the 20-UQFN (GZ) variant to save board area. Keep the MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kOhm) close to pin 3 to ensure reliable reset; if unused, MCLR must be tied to VDD through the resistor to prevent spurious resets.
Do not confuse the LF (1.8-3.6 V) PIC16LF1579 with the F-version PIC16F1579 (2.3-5.5 V). Powering an LF part above 3.6 V can damage the silicon. Also note: the 1579 family does NOT include USB - choose PIC16F1459-I/P for USB. The PPS feature must be unlocked by configuration bits before peripheral pin mapping takes effect - omitting this step leaves peripherals on default pins.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 use automotive-grade PIC part numbers (consult Microchip automotive catalog).
