What this 8-bit PIC brings to a low-power BOM
The Microchip PIC16LF15323T-I/SL is an 8-bit PIC MCU from the PIC® XLP™ 16F series, built for applications where every microamp matters. It runs at 32 MHz from an internal oscillator, operates from 1.8V to 3.6V, and carries 3.5KB of Flash program memory, 256 bytes of RAM, and 224 bytes of EEPROM. The 'LF' designation signals the low-voltage, low-power variant — the core runs down to 1.8V without a separate regulator, which simplifies single-cell Li-ion or two-alkaline designs. Typical applications span sensor nodes, handheld instruments, IoT edge controllers, and battery-monitoring subsystems where the XLP technology keeps sleep-mode draw minimal.
At 32 MHz the PIC16LF15323T-I/SL executes most single-cycle instructions, so a tight control loop — say, reading the ADC, applying a PID correction, and updating a PWM duty cycle — completes in a few microseconds. That is fast enough for motor commutation at a few kHz, digital power-supply loop closure, or real-time sensor polling without needing a DMA engine.
Memory sizing: 3.5KB Flash, 256B RAM, 224B EEPROM
The 3.5KB Flash (2K x 14 words) constrains firmware to compact, single-purpose routines — think state-machine-driven sensor interface, not a full RTOS. The 256-byte RAM handles a few dozen variables and a small stack; if your application needs a large lookup table or a serial buffer over 100 bytes, budget for external SPI SRAM or a larger PIC. The 224-byte EEPROM is useful for storing calibration constants, node ID, or configuration parameters that survive power cycles without wear-leveling concerns — endurance is typically 100k writes per byte, enough for infrequent updates over the product life.
Supply range and temperature: where it fits
Rated for 1.8V to 3.6V Vdd, the PIC16LF15323T-I/SL runs directly from a 3.6V Li-ion cell (down to its near-empty voltage) or from two alkaline cells in series.