PIC16F1828-E/SO - 8-bit 32MHz 7KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1828-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.78 | $17.80 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16F1828-E/SO Overview
What is an 8-bit Flash microcontroller? An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that processes 8 bits of data per instruction cycle and integrates CPU core, non-volatile Flash memory, RAM, peripherals (ADC, timers, communication ports), and I/O pins onto a single die. Microcontrollers sit within the broader semiconductor hierarchy as a subclass of microprocessors, designed for embedded control rather than general-purpose computing. The "XLP" (eXtreme Low Power) family targets battery-powered applications, and "mTouch" denotes integrated capacitive-touch sensing peripherals.
The PIC16F1828 integrates an Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit CPU core running at up to 32 MHz, with single-cycle hardware multiply support, 256 bytes of data RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, and a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels. On-chip peripherals include multiple timers, enhanced PWM, EUSART, I²C/SPI, and the mTouch capacitive touch sensing module. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers active currents in the tens of microamps and sleep currents below 100 nA, making the part attractive for energy-harvesting and battery-backed designs.
Architecturally, the device uses a 14-bit instruction word, RISC-style single-cycle execution for most instructions, and a 16-level hardware stack. Internal oscillator accuracy is factory-calibrated to ±1 % across the full temperature and voltage range, eliminating the need for an external crystal in many designs. The 32 MHz oscillator also provides a flexible clock source for USB-touch interfacing via the mTouch peripheral.
Typical applications include low-power consumer products, capacitive touch user interfaces, sensor node firmware platforms, LED lighting controllers, and small appliance controls. Designers favor the part for its low BOM cost, integrated mTouch sensing, and the free MPLAB X IDE plus XC8 toolchain.
When designing with this device, ensure the VDD decoupling network uses a 100 nF ceramic cap close to the supply pin and bulk capacitance near the regulator. Pickit™ 3 or MPLAB ICD 3 programmers/debuggers connect via the ICSP pins and require no separate debug header for -E/SO variants.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the SOIC-20 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1828-E/SO — 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 PIC16F1828-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1828-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1828T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1829-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1827-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1826-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1788-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1828-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit PIC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | Multiple 8/16-bit timers with PWM |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Touch Sensing | mTouch capacitive touch module |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (extended, -E suffix) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) - SOIC-20 wide body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant per Microchip product page |
PIC16F1828-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — I/O / MCLR (reset, weak pull-up only) |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — I/O / mTouch channel |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — I/O / mTouch channel / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — I/O / mTouch channel / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 15 | RA7 — I/O / OSC1 |
| Pin 16 | RA6 — I/O / OSC2 |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC7 — I/O / RX |
| Pin 20 | RC6 — I/O / TX |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1828-E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Small Appliance Control, LED Lighting Controller, Automotive Body Electronics, Smart Home Edge Node, Industrial Control Module.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16F1828-E/SO's integrated mTouch capacitive touch sensing module eliminates the need for an external touch controller, reducing BOM cost by ~$0.30-$0.50 in touch-button panels. Its 32 MHz core runs Microchip's mTouch library to debounce up to 12 touch channels with sub-100 ms response, while nanoWatt XLP keeps idle touch-scanning current under 5 uA. The 7 KB Flash comfortably fits state-machine touch firmware plus slider/gearwheel algorithms; the 10-bit ADC supports guard-channel measurements for moisture rejection. Place 100 nF X7R ceramics on VDD and route touch traces with 0.5 mm clearance and a grounded guard ring for EMC robustness.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
With nanoWatt XLP technology, the PIC16F1828-E/SO draws under 100 nA in sleep with RTCC running and approximately 50 uA/MIPS active, enabling multi-year operation from a single CR2032 coin cell in periodic-sense duty-cycled designs. The 256-byte RAM and 256-byte EEPROM suffice for sensor calibration tables and last-known-state retention across brown-outs. The 32 MHz internal oscillator provides ±1 % timing accuracy for wake intervals without an external crystal. The 1.8 V minimum supply allows direct operation from a depleted-but-usable Li-ion cell at 2.7-3.0 V, extending usable battery runtime.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control
The PIC16F1828-E/SO's PWM module drives TRIACs or IGBTs at 32 MHz for precise phase-angle or zero-cross firing in coffee makers, blenders, and toaster ovens. Its 10-bit ADC samples temperature (NTC), current (shunt), and line voltage through a divider. The 7 KB Flash supports PID control loops and capacitive user panels; the wide -40 to +125 °C -E range covers kitchen-counter ambient plus self-heating from power semiconductors. The integrated mTouch module replaces mechanical buttons with sealed glass fronts, increasing product durability.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F1828-E/SO's Enhanced PWM with independent time bases drives RGBW LED strings with 16-bit color-depth resolution at low PWM frequencies to avoid audible noise. Its 32 MHz core executes Color-Mixing algorithms (HSL/CIE-1931 conversion) and supports DMX-style or 0-10 V dimming input via ADC. nanoWatt XLP idle current (~50 nA) suits always-on wireless LED controllers waiting for BLE/Zigbee pairing commands. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user-defined scenes across power cycles.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The -40 to +125 °C -E temperature grade makes the PIC16F1828-E/SO suitable for non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting, HVAC panel controls, and accessory interfaces. The 7 KB Flash handles LIN-stack protocol, PWM for backlight dimming, and ADC sampling for ambient-light sensors. Note: the -E grade is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 grade-1 requirements, the PIC16F1828 automotive variants should be sourced. Same SOIC-20 footprint simplifies layout migration.
Recommended
Smart Home Edge Node
The PIC16F1828-E/SO runs low-power wireless protocols (LoRa P2P, sub-GHz proprietary) as an always-on edge node with sub-microamp sleep current, and processes simple sensor fusion (temperature/humidity/motion) before forwarding events. Its EUSART interfaces with sub-GHz transceivers (e.g., Microchip MRF89XA), while I2C reads environmental sensors. The mTouch module supports local override buttons on wall switches. ICSP pins enable field firmware updates via the PICkit 3-compatible programmer.
Recommended
Industrial Control Module
In factory automation, the PIC16F1828-E/SO drives relay coils, reads 4-20 mA current loops through the 10-bit ADC, and provides isolated RS-485 communication via the EUSART. Its extended -40 to +125 °C range supports unheated cabinet installations, and the internal 32 MHz oscillator with ±1 % accuracy handles Modbus RTU timing without an external crystal. The 7 KB Flash fits Modbus slave state machines plus diagnostic logging, with 256-byte EEPROM storing calibration constants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1828-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1828-I/SO | PIC16F1828T-I/SO | PIC16F1829-E/SO | PIC16F1827-I/SO | PIC16F1826-I/SO | PIC16F1788-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-20 | SOIC-20 (same) | SOIC-20 (same) | SOIC-20 (same) | SOIC-20 (same) | SOIC-20 (same) | SOIC-20 (same) |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 28 KB |
| Data RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 1 KB | 384 B | 256 B | 2 KB |
| Temperature Range | -40 to +125 C (E) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +125 C (E) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +125 C (E) |
| mTouch Module | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V | 1.8 to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 to +125 C industrial temperature range (vs PIC16F1828-I/SO)
- Same SOIC-20 drop-in pinout with double the Flash and 4x the RAM (vs PIC16F1827-I/SO)
- Integrated mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral (vs PIC16F1826-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF X7R 16 V decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1), and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor at the regulator output. For battery-powered designs, the PIC16F1828-E/SO's nanoWatt XLP sleep current can drop below 100 nA with RTCC running - ensure no high-impedance pull-ups leak current into the supply rail, and gate any always-on sensors with a low-leakage MOSFET load switch.
Route mTouch sensor traces with 0.5 mm minimum width and 0.5 mm clearance to ground pour; surround each touch pad with a grounded guard ring to prevent moisture false-triggers. The VDD trace to the IC should be wider than 0.3 mm, and a ground plane stitched with 1 mm vias every 5 mm improves EMC immunity. Place the ICSP header at the board edge with 100 mil spacing to allow easy in-circuit debugging without removing the MCU.
Do not leave the MCLR pin (pin 4) floating in production - even though the PIC16F1828 has an internal weak pull-up on MCLR, an external 10 kohm pull-up to VDD plus a 100 nF cap to ground prevents spurious resets from EMI. The ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (pin 19/13) must not be repurposed as outputs during programming - leave them as high-impedance inputs in firmware. Brown-out Reset must be enabled in CONFIG words to prevent Flash corruption at low VDD.
Estimated: at 32 MHz active current ~5 mA at 5 V, the PIC16F1828-E/SO dissipates approximately 25 mW - well below the SOIC-20 thermal limit. The -E grade silicon supports junction temperatures up to +150 C, and SOIC-20 thermal resistance junction-to-ambient is approximately 80 C/W on a standard 4-layer JEDEC test board. No heatsinking is required even at +85 C ambient with maximum I/O loading; only at the +125 C extreme should I/O source/sink currents be limited to 10 mA per pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The -E grade provides extended -40 to +125 C range but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 grade-1 automotive applications, contact Microchip for the PIC16F1828 automotive-qualified variant.
