PIC16F1503-I/ST - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 12 I/O, TSSOP-14 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1503-I/ST β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.45 | $1.45 |
| 10 | $1.3 | $13.00 |
| 100 | $1.17 | $117.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.94 | $940.00 |
PIC16F1503-I/ST Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (flash), volatile data memory (RAM), and peripherals on one die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F1503 is a Harvard-architecture RISC MCU, an enhanced mid-range member of Microchip's PIC16 family. Flash-based MCUs enable in-circuit reprogramming via ICSP, which is essential for field upgrades and iterative development with MPLAB X IDE and PICkit 3 / ICD 3 tools.
Key features include a 31 kHz internal oscillator, 16 MHz internal oscillator with 1% accuracy, an 8-channel 10-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, enhanced PWM (ECCP) module, and a configurable logic cell (CLC) peripheral. The 14-pin TSSOP package offers a small footprint with exposed-pad-style thermal performance suited to space-constrained PCBs.
Typical applications include consumer white goods, low-cost sensor interfaces, LED lighting controllers, battery-powered IoT nodes, and simple human-machine interface (HMI) panels where 8-bit performance and low power are sufficient. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V operating range supports both lithium and regulated 3.3V supplies.
When designing, ensure decoupling capacitors are placed close to VDD and VSS pins, and consider using the internal oscillator to save BOM cost. Programming and debugging require the PICkit 3, ICD 3, or Curiosity development platform; an external debug header (AC244051 / AC244052) is required for in-circuit debug on this TSSOP variant.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from Mouser, LCSC, and Octopart, drop-in alternative MPNs from Microchip's PIC16 family, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1503-I/ST β 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 PIC16F1503-I/ST (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Instruction Set, Package, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1503-E/ST
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.52 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F1503T-I/ST
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1503-I/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16 stack levels |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Enhanced PWM (ECCP) | Yes |
| Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) | Yes |
| Internal Oscillator | 31 kHz LF + 16 MHz HF (1% accuracy) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I' grade) |
| Package | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Debug Support | External header AC244051 / AC244052 required |
PIC16F1503-I/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3 β Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4 β Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR β Digital I/O / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 4 | RC0 β Digital I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 5 | RC1 β Digital I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 6 | RC2 β Digital I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 7 | RC3 β Digital I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 8 | RC4 β Digital I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 9 | RC5 β Digital I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 10 | RA0/ICSPDAT β Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 11 | RA1/ICSPCLK β Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 12 | RA2 β Digital I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 14 | VDD β Positive supply 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1503-I/ST is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer White Goods Control, Low-Cost Sensor Interface Hubs, LED Lighting Controllers, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes, Automotive Interior Accessories, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels.
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16F1503-I/ST fits consumer white goods control boards (rice cookers, washing machines, microwave displays) because its 3.5 KB flash accommodates small state-machine firmware for keypad scanning, LED driving, and relay timing, while the 1.8 V to 5.5 V range runs from a single-cell lithium backup or a 3.3 V regulator. The TSSOP-14 footprint suits compact front-panel PCBs, and the integrated 16 MHz internal oscillator removes the external crystal BOM cost.
Recommended
Low-Cost Sensor Interface Hubs
For sensor hubs reading thermistors, NTCs, or analog environmental sensors, the PIC16F1503-I/ST's 10-bit ADC with up to 8 input channels supports multi-sensor PCB designs without external multiplexers. The configurable logic cell (CLC) can implement simple event-detection glue logic in hardware, offloading the CPU, while the 49-instruction PIC16 core keeps the firmware footprint below 2 KB. Source: Microchip PIC16F1503 datasheet peripheral chapter.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F1503-I/ST is well suited to entry-level LED drivers and decorative lighting controllers: its enhanced PWM (ECCP) module generates multiple dimming channels at up to 10-bit resolution, and the 12 available I/O pins drive RGB channels plus key-scan inputs. Sleep currents in the low-microamp range allow battery-backed lighting remotes, while the TSSOP-14 package fits slim lamp-base PCBs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes
For ultra-low-cost IoT edge nodes that report sensor data via UART or simple GPIO, the PIC16F1503-I/ST provides 3.5 KB flash for tiny sensor drivers and a sleep mode drawing microamps, making it competitive against low-end ARM Cortex-M0+ parts on BOM cost. Industrial -40C to +85C operation supports outdoor enclosures, while the 14-pin TSSOP package leaves room for a small coin-cell holder.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessories
In non-safety automotive interior accessories (ambient lighting, USB charger indicators, cup-holder illumination), the PIC16F1503-I/ST can drive status LEDs, read buttons, and modulate PWM channels for color mixing. For under-the-hood or AEC-Q100-qualified applications, step up to PIC16F1503 automotive-grade equivalents or Microchip's PIC16F1xxx AEC-Q100 family, since the standard 'I' grade is -40C to +85C only.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Panels
For simple HMI panels (elevator call buttons, vending-machine keypads, door-entry keypads), the PIC16F1503-I/ST's 12 I/O pins scan a 3x4 or 4x4 matrix and drive status LEDs without external logic. The 128-byte RAM buffers key debouncing, and the enhanced PWM drives a buzzer or backlight brightness. The TSSOP-14 footprint fits behind tight bezel openings.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1503-I/ST β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1503-E/ST | PIC16F1503T-I/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-14 (ST) | TSSOP-14 (ST) - same | TSSOP-14 (ST) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Memory | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash | 3.5 KB Flash |
| RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Packaging Form | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature range without extended-grade cost premium (vs PIC16F1503-E/ST)
- Tube packaging for prototype-friendly handling (vs PIC16F1503T-I/ST)
- Lowest-cost entry into PIC16F1503 family with identical silicon (vs PIC16F1503T-I/ST)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (TSSOP-14 pin 14) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same rail. The PIC16F1503's internal oscillator is sensitive to supply ripple, so keep the MCU VDD trace short and away from PWM-driven LED traces to avoid logic-level noise injection.
TSSOP-14 has no exposed pad, so thermal dissipation is via the VDD/VSS pin traces. For applications near the 5.5 V upper limit or at sustained high CPU activity, widen VDD and VSS traces to at least 0.5 mm to reduce pin-thermal stress. Source: Microchip PIC16F1503 package thermal characteristics section.
Do NOT assume PIC16F1503 and PIC16F1455 are drop-in compatible in TSSOP-14: the PIC16F1455 dedicates pins to USB D+/D-, so pin functions differ. Also note that the 'I' suffix means industrial grade - for automotive or extended-temperature designs, use the 'E' variant PIC16F1503-E/ST. The MCLR pin (RA5) must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation.
In sleep mode the PIC16F1503 draws low microamp currents, making it competitive against ARM Cortex-M0+ parts on battery life for wake-on-GPIO applications. Estimated: at 3.3 V supply with WDT disabled, sleep current is approximately 50 nA typical. Always verify against the actual datasheet electrical characteristics table for production designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) but not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, select an AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16 family variant.