PIC16LF1615-E/ML - 8-Bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 32MHz, 16-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1615-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.48 | $14.80 |
| 100 | $1.32 | $132.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.92 | $2,760.00 |
PIC16LF1615-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog blocks. Within the broader taxonomy, an MCU sits inside the semiconductor hierarchy as: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> digital IC -> integrated circuit. The 8-bit PIC architecture delivers deterministic instruction execution with a small footprint and ultra-low-power sleep modes, making PIC16 parts especially popular in cost-sensitive and power-constrained embedded designs.
Key features of the PIC16LF1615 include eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology with nanoWatt XLP sleep currents below 100 nA typical, a 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, multiple 16-bit timers, hardware PWM, I²C/SPI/EUSART peripherals, an on-chip temperature indicator, and a complementary waveform generator (CWG). These peripherals enable direct control of small DC motors, LEDs, and sensor interfaces without external driver ICs.
Architecturally, the device uses a RISC-based Harvard architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and a small, fast register file. The integrated Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as CWG, NCO, and SMT allow complex timing and waveform generation to operate without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application logic and reducing overall power consumption.
Typical applications include small DC motor control (fans, pumps, valves), LED lighting controllers, battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, consumer appliances, and general-purpose embedded control in industrial or home automation. The wide 1.8V–3.6V operating range enables direct connection to single-cell Li-Ion or two-cell alkaline battery stacks without additional regulation.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the exposed pad (EP) of the QFN package is soldered to a sufficient copper pour on the PCB to meet thermal and electrical ground requirements. Program and debug access is via ICSP™ using two pins (PGC/PGD), so leave these accessible on the board for in-circuit programming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical PCB design notes for the PIC16LF1615-E/ML - information not aggregated on a single manufacturer or distributor product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1615-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 PIC16LF1615-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Timers, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1615-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1615T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.01 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1615-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1615-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF15354-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1559-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1615-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (RISC, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | Multiple 8/16-bit timers |
| Communication Peripherals | I2C, SPI, EUSART |
| Package | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CWG, NCO, SMT (per family datasheet) |
| XLP nanoWatt Technology | Yes (sleep current < 100 nA typical) |
PIC16LF1615-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ADC input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ADC input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O pin / MCLR/VPP (Master Clear / programming voltage) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ADC input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ADC input / I2C SCL |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ADC input / I2C SDA |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O pin / oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O pin / oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O pin / SPI SDO / PWM output |
| Pin 11 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O pin / SPI SDI / PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O pin / SPI SCK / PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O pin / EUSART TX / PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O pin / EUSART RX / PWM output |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O pin / ICSPDAT (programming data) |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive power supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1615-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Small DC Motor Control, LED Lighting Controllers, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Appliance Control, Industrial Sensor Interfaces, Home Automation Hubs.
Small DC Motor Control
The PIC16LF1615-E/ML's integrated Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT) make it ideal for small brushed and brushless DC motor control. The CWG produces complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead time, eliminating the need for an external motor driver pre-stage in low-power applications. With 32 MHz CPU speed (8 MIPS), the MCU handles closed-loop PID control at up to several kHz loop rate, while the 1.8-3.6V supply range enables direct battery operation from a single Li-Ion cell. The 14 KB Flash accommodates state-machine-based commutation tables and sensorless BEMF algorithms for cost-sensitive fans, pumps, and small valve actuators.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1615-E/ML drives multi-channel LED lighting with hardware PWM and the CWG peripheral, freeing the CPU for color-mixing and DMX/RDM protocol handling. The 10-bit ADC enables ambient-light feedback for adaptive dimming, while the 1.8-3.6V wide VDD range permits operation directly from 2xAA batteries or USB-derived rails. The 14 KB Flash fits ZigBee LightLink or Bluetooth Mesh lighting profiles; the 1 KB RAM is sufficient for bufferless DMX512 reception with interrupt-driven parsing. XLP nanoWatt sleep modes extend battery life in wireless wall-switch designs where the MCU sleeps 99% of the time.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1615-E/ML's XLP nanoWatt technology delivers sleep currents below 100 nA typical, enabling multi-year battery life in IoT sensor nodes that wake periodically to measure and transmit. The 10-bit ADC supports up to 8 sensor inputs (temperature, humidity, light, battery voltage), while the I2C/SPI/EUSART peripherals connect to digital sensors and wireless modules. The 1.8V minimum supply enables direct connection to depleted 2xAA or single-cell Li-Ion cells, and the 32 MHz CPU wake-up handles burst-mode RF transmissions before returning to sleep.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1615-E/ML is well-suited for consumer appliance control boards (rice cookers, air purifiers, coffee machines) where the 14 KB Flash and 1 KB RAM handle user-interface state machines, timer logic, and safety monitoring. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for temperature control, while PWM outputs drive heating elements and indicator LEDs. Operating from -40C to +125C, the E grade supports under-hood or appliance-compartment environments. The small 16-QFN (4x4 mm) package fits compact mainboards where board real estate is at a premium.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfaces
In industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensors and field transmitters, the PIC16LF1615-E/ML provides ADC, EUSART (RS-485), and HART-style FSK modem capability through the NCO peripheral. The 1.8-3.6V supply supports low-power loop operation, and the -40C to +125C E-grade temperature range handles harsh factory-floor environments. The 14 KB Flash accommodates Modbus RTU or proprietary industrial protocol stacks, while the CWG can drive the HART modem output directly without external DAC. The small QFN package is well-suited to compact sensor head form factors.
Recommended
Home Automation Hubs
The PIC16LF1615-E/ML acts as a cost-optimized controller in home automation edge nodes, where it aggregates sensor inputs and drives relay or TRIAC outputs for switch control. The integrated EUSART and I2C/SPI peripherals connect to wireless modules (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi co-processor) for protocol bridging. The wide 1.8-3.6V supply accepts power from USB, battery, or AC-derived 3.3V rails. The 32 MHz CPU handles multiple protocol stacks concurrently, while XLP sleep modes keep idle energy consumption below 1 mW - critical for always-on hub designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1615-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1615-I/ML | PIC16LF1615T-I/ML | PIC16F1615-I/ML | PIC16F1615-E/ML | PIC16LF15354-E/ML | PIC16LF1559-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 | 16-QFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Supply 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 | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 1 KB |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C |
| XLP nanoWatt Sleep | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CWG Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unit Price (qty-1) | $1.62 | $1.55 | $1.55 | $1.65 | $1.75 | $1.40 | $1.50 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF1615-I/ML)
- 1.8V minimum supply for deep battery operation (vs PIC16F1615-E/ML)
- Full CWG/NCO/SMT peripheral set for motor control (vs PIC16LF1559-E/ML)
- Twice the Flash for complex firmware (vs PIC16LF15354-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 16-QFN (4x4 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad (EP) on the underside that must be soldered to the PCB ground plane. Use a copper pour of at least 10mm x 10mm with thermal vias (4-8 vias of 0.3mm diameter) under the EP to meet the package's thermal dissipation requirements. Without proper EP soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance rises significantly, potentially causing thermal shutdown at high CPU loads.
For battery-powered designs, take advantage of the XLP nanoWatt sleep modes. In Sleep mode (CPU off, peripherals off), current consumption is below 100 nA typical. Use the Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC) or Watchdog Timer to wake the MCU periodically. Place decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic + 10 uF bulk) within 3 mm of the VDD pin to suppress inrush current during sleep-to-active transitions.
The MCLR pin (RA3 on this package) is a dual-function pin. If left floating, the MCU may randomly enter reset or programming mode. Always tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor, and add a 100 nF capacitor to ground for noise filtering if the pin is exposed to ESD-prone environments. The ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (RC0/RC1) should not be pulled low at power-up or the MCU enters programming mode unintentionally.
Route the ICSP signals (ICSPDAT on RC0, ICSPCLK on RC1) with short, direct traces to a 2x3 or 1x6 header on the PCB edge for in-circuit programming access. If using the internal oscillator, place the MCU away from high-frequency switching nodes (DC-DC converters, motor drivers) to minimize EMI-induced clock jitter. For designs using the ADC, add a small RC filter (100 ohm + 100 nF) on each analog input to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into measurements.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial-grade MCU); for AEC-Q100 automotive-qualified PIC16 parts, see PIC16F1615-E/ML automotive variants or dsPIC33 families.
