PIC12F615-I/MS - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 8-MSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F615-I/MS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.15 | $1.15 |
| 10 | $1.02 | $10.20 |
| 100 | $0.89 | $89.00 |
| 500 | $0.78 | $390.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.69 | $690.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.62 | $1,860.00 |
PIC12F615-I/MS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path that fetches, decodes, and executes one instruction per clock cycle in a RISC architecture. Within the broader embedded hierarchy, an MCU sits above a microprocessor in integration by combining CPU, RAM, non-volatile memory, and peripherals (ADC, PWM, timers, comparators) on a single die. The PIC12F615 belongs to Microchip's midrange 8-bit PIC family, which targets cost- and pin-constrained applications where a full 32-bit MCU is overkill but discrete logic is too bulky. Typical end-equipment uses include consumer appliances, LED drivers, battery chargers, and sensor interfaces.
Key features include six I/O pins multiplexed with peripherals, four 10-bit ADC channels, one enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) module, one 8-bit timer and one 16-bit timer, an enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (EUSART), and a comparator module. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) for field updates, an internal 4 MHz oscillator, and a nanoWatt power-managed sleep mode consuming as little as 20 nA. Hardware interrupts and a 14-bit instruction word provide deterministic real-time response in control loops.
The PIC12F615 uses a Harvard-architecture RISC core with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same cycle. The flash program memory supports 100,000 erase/write cycles typical and >40-year data retention, and the on-chip debug logic enables MPLAB X IDE and ICD programmer integration. The ADC uses a sample-and-hold capacitor with successive-approximation conversion, settling in about 16 µs at 20 MHz.
Typical applications include LED lighting control, battery chargers, sensor signal conditioning, low-cost remote controls, and small motor control loops. The 8-MSOP package provides a compact footprint for space-constrained PCBs while remaining hand-solderable for prototyping.
When designing with this part, ensure VDD decoupling is placed within 1 cm of the VDD pin with a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor, and reserve the MCLR pin for either an external reset or the internal weak pull-up. For analog reads, source impedance should stay below 10 kΩ to avoid ADC sampling errors.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative guidance, and design notes beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides for engineers evaluating PIC12F615-I/MS for new designs or as a replacement on existing layouts.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F615-I/MS — 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 PIC12F615-I/MS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Internal Oscillator, Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F615T-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.66 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F615-E/MS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F509-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1822-I/MS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F510-I/MS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATtiny13A-MU
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F615-I/MS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC® 12F |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Typical Operating Voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC Channels | 4 x 10-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | 1 x ECCP (Enhanced CCP) |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART |
| Package Type | 8-MSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F615-I/MS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | GP5 — General-purpose I/O / OSC1 / CLKIN |
| Pin 3 | GP4 — General-purpose I/O / OSC2 / CLKOUT |
| Pin 4 | GP3 — General-purpose I/O / MCLR (reset) |
| Pin 5 | GP2 — General-purpose I/O / T0CKI / INT / COUT |
| Pin 6 | GP1 — General-purpose I/O / CIN1- / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 7 | GP0 — General-purpose I/O / ICSPDAT / ULPWU |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F615-I/MS is suitable for 7 applications: LED Lighting Control, Battery Chargers, Sensor Signal Conditioning, Low-Cost Remote Controls, Small DC Motor Control, Smart Home IoT Endpoints, Appliance User Interface.
LED Lighting Control
The PIC12F615-I/MS is well suited to drive LED lighting subsystems thanks to its integrated ECCP PWM module and four 10-bit ADC channels. The 20 MHz CPU provides sufficient bandwidth to implement dimming ramps, color mixing, and current feedback loops in real time. The ECCP module generates 10-bit resolution PWM at up to 20 kHz, eliminating audible flicker in residential and architectural fixtures. With its 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range, the PIC12F615 directly drives 3.3 V logic-level MOSFETs for high-current LED strings. NanoWatt sleep modes extend battery life in portable accent lighting by reducing quiescent current to 20 nA during standby.
Recommended
Battery Chargers
Linear and switch-mode battery charger designs benefit from the PIC12F615-I/MS's 10-bit ADC for voltage and current sense, ECCP PWM for switching converter control, and 128 bytes of EEPROM for storing charge profiles. The wide 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range covers single-cell lithium chemistries down to their cutoff voltage. The EUSART interface enables SMBus or proprietary communication with a host BMS. According to Microchip application notes, the ECCP module can be configured for push-pull half-bridge drive of a synchronous buck charger. Firmware calibration constants fit easily in the 1.75 KB flash budget.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12F615-I/MS condenses sensor front-end electronics into a single 8-pin device, integrating a 10-bit ADC for transducer readout, an internal voltage reference, and a comparator for threshold detection. With six GPIO pins, the MCU can interface with thermistors, photodiodes, Hall sensors, and simple SPI/I2C peripherals. The 20 MHz CPU runs averaging filters and linearization routines in real time without offloading to an external DSP. Industrial -40°C to +85°C operation supports factory automation sensors. Low-power sleep modes suit remote wireless sensor nodes powered by energy harvesting or coin cells.
Recommended
Low-Cost Remote Controls
Consumer IR and RF remote controls benefit from the PIC12F615-I/MS's compact 8-MSOP footprint, low power consumption, and integrated EUSART for RC5/SIRC protocol encoding. The 20 MHz CPU generates accurate 38 kHz carrier frequencies for IR transmission without external timing components. Sleep current of 20 nA enables multi-year battery life on a CR2032 coin cell. According to Microchip low-power design guides, the PIC12F615's nanoWatt modes allow wake-on-pin-change interrupt handling. The 1.75 KB flash accommodates menu-state machines and key debounce logic for 32+ button keypads through GPIO matrix scanning.
Recommended
Small DC Motor Control
The PIC12F615-I/MS drives small brushed DC motors, micro-servos, and fans using its ECCP PWM module and 10-bit ADC for back-EMF or current sensing. The ECCP can be configured for half-bridge or full-bridge PWM at frequencies up to 20 kHz, providing silent operation above the audible band. The integrated comparator enables hardware over-current protection that latches the PWM output without software latency. The MCU's 2.0 V minimum supply supports direct operation from a single Li-ion cell. Industrial temperature grade tolerates the thermal environment inside motor housings.
Recommended
Smart Home IoT Endpoints
The PIC12F615-I/MS serves as a low-cost endpoint MCU in smart home IoT networks, handling simple actuation tasks behind a more capable gateway. Its six GPIOs drive relays, optocouplers, and status LEDs while the ADC reads temperature, humidity, or light sensors. The EUSART connects to sub-GHz transceivers like the MRF89XA for protocol bridging. The 1.75 KB flash supports basic MQTT-SN or proprietary protocol stacks for sensor reporting. The wide supply voltage range operates from energy-harvested sources without additional regulation.
Recommended
Appliance User Interface
The PIC12F615-I/MS drives user interfaces on small appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, and countertop kitchen devices. Its ECCP PWM module controls indicator LED brightness with smooth fades, while the ADC reads rotary encoder positions or potentiometer inputs. The 128-byte EEPROM retains user preferences and last-used settings across power cycles. With -40°C to +85°C operation, the part survives under-cabinet heat and refrigerator cold. The 8-MSOP package fits inside compact appliance enclosures alongside mains-isolated power supplies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F615-I/MS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F615T-I/MS | PIC12F615-E/MS | PIC12F509-I/MS | PIC12F1822-I/MS | PIC12F510-I/MS | ATtiny13A-MU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology (Atmel line) |
| Package | 8-MSOP | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same | 8-MSOP - same |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.75 KB Flash | 1.5 KB OTP/ROM | 3.5 KB Flash | 1.5 KB Flash | 1 KB Flash |
| RAM | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 64 bytes | 41 bytes | 128 bytes | 38 bytes | 64 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | None | 256 bytes | None | 64 bytes |
| ADC Channels | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | 4 x 10-bit | None | 4 x 10-bit | 2 x 8-bit | 4 x 10-bit |
| PWM Modules | 1 x ECCP | 1 x ECCP | 1 x ECCP | None | 2 x CCP | 1 x CCP | 2 x PWM |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +125°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C |
| Core Architecture | PIC midrange 8-bit | PIC midrange 8-bit | PIC midrange 8-bit | PIC midrange 8-bit | PIC enhanced midrange 8-bit | PIC midrange 8-bit | AVR 8-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 10-bit ADC with ECCP PWM in 8-pin package (vs PIC12F509-I/MS)
- Flash memory with EEPROM for in-field updates and data retention (vs PIC12F510-I/MS)
- Modern flash-based architecture with enhanced peripherals (vs ATtiny13A-MU)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 1 cm of the VDD pin (pin 1) and a bulk capacitor (1 µF or larger) on the same supply rail. For battery-powered designs, leverage the nanoWatt sleep modes (as low as 20 nA) by disabling unused peripherals via the appropriate configuration registers before issuing the SLEEP instruction. According to Microchip application note AN879, switching off the ADC and comparator modules reduces sleep current by approximately 60% versus leaving them enabled.
The 8-MSOP package has a small thermal pad connection via the lead frame; route a copper pour on the top layer to dissipate heat from the MCU during sustained 20 MHz operation. Keep analog input traces short and away from switching signals to minimize ADC noise coupling. Place the ICSP programming header footprint on the PCB to support in-circuit firmware updates during prototyping without needing to remove the MCU from the board.
Do not leave the MCLR pin (GP3, pin 4) floating; either tie it to VDD through a 10 kΩ pull-up resistor for normal operation or configure the internal MCLR disable bit in the configuration word for MCLR-as-IO mode. According to Microchip datasheet warnings, a floating MCLR pin can cause spurious resets in noisy environments. For ADC accuracy, ensure source impedance stays below 10 kΩ to avoid sample-and-hold settling errors; add an external op-amp buffer if higher-impedance sensors are used.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified for automotive; automotive users should consider PIC12F615-E/MS for extended temperature but this is not equivalent to full automotive qualification.
