PIC16F18346-I/ML - 28KB Flash 32MHz 8-bit MCU | Microchip | 20-QFN
MPN: PIC16F18346-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.39 | $2.39 |
| 10 | $2.1 | $21.00 |
| 100 | $1.9 | $190.00 |
| 500 | $1.75 | $875.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16F18346-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a low-power, deterministic Harvard-architecture MCU built around a RISC instruction set with on-chip Flash program memory, byte-addressable RAM, and EEPROM data storage. PIC16F parts sit between the baseline PIC10/PIC12 families and the higher-end PIC18/PIC24 families, offering a balanced combination of analog integration, peripheral pin select (PPS) flexibility, and ultra-low-power sleep modes for general-purpose embedded designs. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16F18346 belongs to: PIC16F183xx -> PIC16F -> PIC mid-range -> PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor.
Key features include 16 KB words (28 KB) of self-programmable Flash with program counter up to 16K x 14, 2 KB SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, a 5-bit DAC, zero-cross detect, brown-out reset (BOR), windowed watchdog timer (WWDT), and four 16-bit timers. The device also includes the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), which lets designers remap digital peripherals to virtually any I/O pin.
The PIC16F18346's XLP nanoWatt architecture offers sleep currents measured in hundreds of nA, making it suited to long-life battery-powered designs. Its Functional Safety (FuSa) capability and IEC 60730 Class B support make it suitable for safety-critical appliance and industrial control applications where software-based self-test is mandatory.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless MCU hosts, industrial control, smart metering, capacitive touch interfaces (via mTouch), LED lighting controllers, and general-purpose embedded control. Its 20-QFN (4x4 mm) footprint is ideal for space-constrained designs.
When designing, pay attention to PPS remapping: digital peripherals default to fixed pins but can be relocated, freeing the actual I/O for application use. Also, the eXtreme Low Power modes (Sleep, Doze, Idle, Peripheral Module Disable) directly extend battery life in sensor and remote-control applications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, application examples, and design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F18346-I/ML — 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 PIC16F18346-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18346-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18345-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1829-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1828-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1789-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1788-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1786-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1784-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18346-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC (PIC16F mid-range) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM | 10-bit PWM, CCP |
| Timers | 4 x 16-bit |
| Digital Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, PPS, CCP |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial -I grade) |
| Package | 20-QFN (4x4 mm), 'ML' suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| XLP (eXtreme Low Power) | Yes - nanoWatt technology |
| Functional Safety | FuSa-capable, IEC 60730 Class B support |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F18346-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — GPIO/ADC/analog pin |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — GPIO/ADC/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — GPIO/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — GPIO/PPS-mappable digital peripheral |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — GPIO/ICSP programming pin |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference (exposed pad) |
Typical Applications
PIC16F18346-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Power IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Appliance Control (Functional Safety), Capacitive Touch Interface (mTouch), LED Lighting Controller, Industrial Control / Smart Metering, Wearable / Fitness Band.
Low-Power IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16F18346-I/ML is well-suited to IoT sensor nodes thanks to its XLP nanoWatt architecture and sleep currents measured in hundreds of nA. Its 28 KB Flash and 2 KB RAM hold small RTOS-style state machines or simple LoRa/Sigfox protocol stacks. The 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels reads multiple analog sensors, while PPS remapping frees scarce I/O pins. Sleep current of less than 1 uA extends battery life for years on coin cells.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control (Functional Safety)
With Functional Safety (FuSa) and IEC 60730 Class B support, the PIC16F18346-I/ML meets safety-critical appliance requirements for washing machines, ovens, and dishwashers. Its 32 MHz core executes software self-test routines and brown-out recovery. The 5-bit DAC and comparators provide closed-loop motor or heater control with 10-bit PWM resolution, and the 20-QFN package fits compact control boards behind appliance displays.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Interface (mTouch)
The PIC16F18346-I/ML with mTouch peripheral and PPS supports capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors directly on the 20-QFN footprint. Its XLP sleep mode lets touch sensing run continuously at less than 5 uA total system current, ideal for battery-powered remote controls and smart-home panels. PPS remapping allows touch channels and UART/I2C to coexist without pin contention.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16F18346-I/ML drives multi-channel LED lighting via its 10-bit PWM, CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator), and CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) hardware. The 32 MHz CPU generates smooth dimming curves and color-mixing math in firmware while the CWG offloads flicker-free complementary outputs for half-bridge LED drivers. The 20-QFN (4x4 mm) package is small enough for MR16 bulbs and strip-light controllers.
Recommended
Industrial Control / Smart Metering
For industrial control and smart-metering designs, the PIC16F18346-I/ML combines a 32 MHz core with 28 KB Flash for Modbus, BACnet, or custom protocol stacks. Its 10-bit ADC reads sensor inputs at up to 17 channels, while comparators provide fast overcurrent or zero-cross detection. XLP modes reduce idle current to nanoamps, extending battery life in remote meters and wireless sensor nodes deployed in field installations.
Recommended
Wearable / Fitness Band
The PIC16F18346-I/ML's XLP nanoWatt technology and 20-QFN (4x4 mm) footprint are ideal for wearable fitness bands, watches, and medical patches. Sleep currents in the sub-microamp range preserve coin-cell battery life, while the 32 MHz CPU processes accelerometer, optical heart-rate, and temperature data in real time. PPS remapping enables direct LCD drive via the CLC and PWM peripherals without external logic.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F18346-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18346-E/ML | PIC16F18345-I/ML | PIC16F1829-I/ML | PIC16F1828-I/ML | PIC16F1789-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML - same | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML - same | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML - same | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML - same | 20-QFN (4x4 mm) ML - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Max Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit | 12-bit |
| PPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) flexibility (vs PIC16F1829-I/ML)
- Higher-resolution ADC (vs PIC16F1828-I/ML)
- 5-bit DAC integration (vs PIC16F1789-I/ML)
- Functional Safety (FuSa) IEC 60730 Class B support (vs PIC16F18345-I/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC16F18346-I/ML in the 20-QFN (4x4 mm) package relies on the exposed pad (EP) for thermal dissipation. Solder the EP to a copper pad of at least 25 mm^2 for best heat-sinking. Internal die power dissipation is low (less than 50 mW at 32 MHz active), so no external heatsink is normally required for typical embedded control loops.
Place decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic plus 1 uF to 10 uF bulk) within 2 mm of the VDD pin. Use a continuous ground plane under the device and stitch vias around the QFN exposed pad to reduce ground bounce on switching I/O. Keep clock traces short and avoid routing high-current switching traces under the IC to minimize injected noise into analog ADC inputs.
A common pitfall is forgetting to enable Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lock for production. By default PPS settings are unlocked and can be accidentally overwritten by runaway firmware. Set PPSLOCK before reset exit to lock the configuration. Also, confirm that the mTouch acquisition rate and ADC sampling do not both wake from Sleep simultaneously or current budget will exceed XLP targets.
For mixed-signal designs, separate analog (RA) and digital (RC/RB) ports to different copper pours. Use a star-ground routing topology with the ground pin of the QFN package as the single connection point. Route the analog reference (VDD/VSS) pair with traces wider than 0.2 mm and bypass with a dedicated 100 nF capacitor to keep ADC reference noise below 1 LSB.
To maximize XLP savings, use the Doze and Sleep modes selectively. Typical Sleep current is less than 100 nA with RTC and watchdog disabled. Estimate: a coin-cell CR2032 (220 mAh) running in 1 uA average Sleep with 8 mA peak active duty 0.1 percent yields approximately 5 years of battery life. Always use the PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) register to shut down unused peripherals on entry to Sleep.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not applicable for general-purpose industrial MCU. IEC 60730 Class B library support for functional safety.
