PIC16F1829-I/SO - 8-bit 32MHz 14KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F1829-I/SO â Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.79 | $1.79 |
| 10 | $1.62 | $16.20 |
| 100 | $1.43 | $143.00 |
| 500 | $1.27 | $635.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
PIC16F1829-I/SO Overview
A PIC16 microcontroller is a member of the 8-bit RISC microcontroller family built around a Harvard-architecture core with a hardware stack, accumulator-based ALU, and a compact instruction set. The PIC16F1829 specifically belongs to the enhanced mid-range (PIC16F1xxx) sub-family, which adds a deeper hardware stack, automatic context saving on interrupts, more peripheral I/O mapping, and C-optimized instruction extensions. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC16 sits under microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor, and is Microchip's main-stream low-pin-count platform competing against Atmel AVR and STM8 in cost-sensitive embedded applications.
Key features of the PIC16F1829 include 14KB Flash (8K x 14 words), 1KB SRAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, 32MHz internal oscillator, 18 I/O lines, 12 ADC channels (10-bit), two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, two comparators, one EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and four 10-bit PWM outputs. The XLP technology enables sleep currents as low as 20 nA typical, making it suitable for battery-powered applications. Integrated mTouch capacitive sensing support allows touch-button and slider interfaces without external hardware.
Architecturally, the device uses a RISC core with 49 single-word instructions executed in one instruction cycle (except branches which take two), a 16-level hardware stack with overflow/underflow reset, and an interrupt controller with automatic context saving. The on-chip voltage regulator and dual-oscillator configuration (HFINTOSC with PLL plus LFINTOSC) provide flexible clocking, while the configurable instruction-set extensions (CITEREF used for C-compiler optimization) reduce code size relative to legacy baseline PIC devices.
Typical applications include home appliances and consumer white goods, battery-powered sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, motor control for small DC and BLDC fans, LED lighting controllers, and industrial automation peripheral boards. The wide 2.5V-5.5V operating range also makes it well suited to USB-powered dongles and 5V hobby/embedded platforms.
When designing with the PIC16F1829, note that the 20-pin SOIC variant offers 18 usable I/O lines, leaving two pins for VDD and VSS; ensure decoupling capacitors (100nF ceramic plus a bulk 10uF) are placed within 5mm of the supply pins and that the MCLR pin is either tied high via a 10k resistor or used for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). Designers migrating from older PIC16F886 designs benefit from code-compatible peripherals but must account for the new register map and the FIC instruction extensions. This page combines manufacturer datasheet parameters, current distributor pricing, and same-family drop-in alternatives to support engineering decisions and BOM validation.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F1829-I/SO â 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 PIC16F1829-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) â differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool â Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesPIC16F1829-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced mid-range RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions (16-bit opcode, single-cycle except branches) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit, 1x 16-bit (CCP/ECCP) |
| Communication | 1x EUSART (UART), 1x MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 4 (via ECCP/CCP) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (typical sleep 20 nA) |
| Capacitive Sensing | mTouch hardware module |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial 'I' grade) |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP via MCLR/PGM/DAT pins, no debug header required |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SOIC-20) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F1829-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD â Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 â Bidirectional I/O / digital-only input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 â Bidirectional I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP/RA3 â Master Clear (reset) / ICSP programming voltage / I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC5 â Bidirectional I/O / CCP1 / PWM |
| Pin 6 | RC4 â Bidirectional I/O / C2OUT / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 7 | RC3 â Bidirectional I/O / SCL/MSSP I2C clock |
| Pin 8 | RC6 â Bidirectional I/O / TX/CK (EUSART) |
| Pin 9 | RC7 â Bidirectional I/O / RX/DT (EUSART) |
| Pin 10 | RB7 â Bidirectional I/O / ICDPG data |
| Pin 11 | RB6 â Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK clock |
| Pin 12 | RB5 â Bidirectional I/O / AN11 |
| Pin 13 | RB4 â Bidirectional I/O / AN10 |
| Pin 14 | RB3 â Bidirectional I/O / CCP2 / AN9 |
| Pin 15 | RB2 â Bidirectional I/O / AN8 |
| Pin 16 | RB1 â Bidirectional I/O / AN10 / C1IN1- |
| Pin 17 | RB0 â Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change / AN12 |
| Pin 18 | RA1 â Bidirectional I/O / ICSPDAT / AN1 |
| Pin 19 | RA0 â Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK / AN0 |
| Pin 20 | VSS â Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16F1829-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Small DC Motor / Fan Control, LED Lighting Controller, Industrial Sensor Transmitter Board, Consumer Appliance Main Board.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16F1829-I/SO is engineered for capacitive touch user-interface panels in home appliances, kitchen equipment, and consumer white goods. Its integrated mTouch hardware module supports up to 18 capacitive sensing channels without external components, while the 14 KB Flash provides ample code space for gesture recognition, slider calibration, and proximity detection algorithms. The XLP technology drives sleep currents to roughly 20 nA, allowing battery-powered remote controls and wall switches to idle for years on a coin cell. Designers pair the MCU with low-cost PCB electrodes and the SAM touch library to deliver reliable, water-tolerant touch surfaces that pass IEC 61000-4-2 ESD tests. The 32 MHz CPU runs the touch scan loop in microseconds, leaving headroom for the application main loop and BLE/Wi-Fi host communication.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
For wireless sensor nodes and IoT edge devices, the PIC16F1829-I/SO offers a compelling balance of 32 MHz performance and nanoWatt XLP low-power features. Sleep currents below 1 uA with RTC running from the 31 kHz LFINTOSC allow multi-year operation from a CR2032 coin cell when the radio duty cycle is below 0.1%. The on-chip 10-bit ADC supports 12 channels for temperature, humidity, light, and battery-voltage sensing without external signal conditioning. The 256-byte EEPROM provides non-volatile storage for calibration constants and event counters that must survive power cycles. Designers typically pair this MCU with sub-GHz transceivers such as the MRF89XA or LoRa modules, using the EUSART for AT-protocols and the MSSP for SPI-based sensor interfaces.
Recommended
Small DC Motor / Fan Control
The PIC16F1829-I/SO integrates four 10-bit PWM channels, two comparators, and configurable dead-band control - all required for small DC motor and BLDC fan drives up to a few hundred watts. The enhanced CCP/CCP modules drive gate-driver ICs directly, while the on-chip comparators handle back-EMF sensing and over-current protection without external op-amps. With 32 MHz operation and 4 PWM channels, the MCU can control a 4-phase BLDC fan in sensorless mode using zero-cross detection from the comparator inputs. Industrial-grade temperature range (-40 to +85 C) supports under-hood automotive and HVAC applications, and the 14 KB Flash hosts both the speed-control loop and a Modbus or LIN slave interface.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
Architectural LED lighting, RGB strips, and dimmable fixtures benefit from the PIC16F1829-I/SO's four PWM channels, mTouch input capability, and 2.5V-5.5V supply range. Designers implement smooth logarithmic dimming curves, color-temperature mixing, and capacitive touch brightness control without external DACs or LED drivers. The on-chip comparators enable zero-cross detection for trailing-edge TRIAC dimmer compatibility, while XLP technology supports battery-powered accent lighting with multi-year battery life. With 14 KB of Flash, complex DMX-512 or DALI-2 lighting protocol stacks fit alongside the dimming control loop and color-space conversion routines.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter Board
The PIC16F1829-I/SO suits 4-20 mA loop-powered and industrial sensor transmitter boards requiring industrial-grade temperature range, robust peripherals, and long-term Microchip supply. Its 10-bit ADC with 12 input channels accepts signals from pressure, temperature, and flow sensors, while the EUSART and MSSP drive 4-20 mA DACs and HART modems. The wide 2.5V-5.5V VDD range tolerates the variable loop voltage of a 4-20 mA transmitter and supports loop-powered operation down to 3.3V. The on-chip EEPROM stores calibration data and configuration, and the integrated debug interface simplifies field firmware updates during commissioning.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Main Board
Washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and HVAC indoor units commonly use the PIC16F1829-I/SO as the main controller, integrating user I/O, sensor reading, and small motor/valve control on a single MCU. The 18 I/O lines directly drive seven-segment displays, keypads, buzzer drivers, and relay coils without external logic. The MSSP SPI interface drives character LCDs and graphical OLED displays, while the EUSART supports IR remote receiver communication. The MCU's XLP features reduce standby power consumption below 1 mW, helping products meet ENERGY STAR idle-power requirements while maintaining instant-on response from sleep mode.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F1829-I/SO â comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1829-I/P | PIC16F1829-E/SO | PIC16F1828-I/SO | PIC16F1827-I/SO | PIC16F1826-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) | 20-pin PDIP (different package, not drop-in) | 20-pin SOIC (SO) | 20-pin SOIC (SO) | 20-pin SOIC (SO) | 20-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 256 B | 384 B | 256 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 2.5V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Extended -40 to +125 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C | Industrial -40 to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Industry-leading XLP nanoWatt low-power technology (vs PIC16F1828-I/SO)
- Integrated mTouch capacitive sensing hardware module (vs PIC16F1827-I/SO)
- Active production status across all major distributors (vs PIC16F886-I/SO (legacy part))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1) and a bulk 10 uF capacitor near the VSS pin (pin 20) to suppress supply transients during PWM transitions. For battery-powered designs using XLP sleep mode, ensure the MCLR pin is tied to VDD via a 10 k resistor rather than left floating, and add a 10 nF cap from MCLR to VSS to filter noise. The MCU's internal voltage regulator requires at least 2.5V on VDD for stable operation; designing below this may cause brown-out reset events.
The 20-pin SOIC footprint uses 1.27 mm pin pitch with a recommended pad length of 1.6 mm and pad width of 0.5 mm. Route ICSP signals PGD (RB7) and PGC (RB8) as short, direct traces to an in-line 6-pin header footprint to enable field firmware upgrades. Keep analog ADC inputs (ANx) routed over a continuous ground pour and away from PWM switching traces to minimize digital noise coupling into the ADC readings.
Do not configure the MCLR pin as a general-purpose output, or the device will be unable to enter ICSP programming mode. When migrating from PIC16F886 or PIC16F887 designs, verify that register names map to the new enhanced mid-range SFR layout - some peripheral control register names changed in the PIC16F1xxx family. Always assert CONFIG_IDLE_CALF and CONFIG_VREGEN bits per the datasheet, as failing to configure the internal regulator can prevent the device from starting up reliably from cold.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. The -I/SO grade is industrial-temperature (-40 to +85 C); for AEC-Q100 automotive applications, choose a PIC16F1xxx part with the -VAO suffix.