PIC16F18444-E/SO - 8-bit XLP MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F18444-E/SO β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.71 | $1.71 |
| 10 | $1.54 | $15.40 |
| 100 | $1.3 | $130.00 |
| 500 | $1.1 | $550.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
PIC16F18444-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash for program storage, SRAM for data, EEPROM for non-volatile data), and peripherals onto one die. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, an 8-bit MCU belongs to microcontrollers -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors. The "PIC" name comes from Peripheral Interface Controller, and PIC MCUs use a RISC Harvard architecture optimized for deterministic interrupt response and low power consumption.
Key features of the PIC16F18444 include Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate without CPU intervention, Functional Safety (FuSa) capability for safety-critical applications, and XLP technology enabling typical sleep currents below 1 uA. The 32MHz maximum clock speed delivers 8 MIPS of throughput, and the 12-bit ADCC supports automated averaging and threshold comparisons for sensor interfacing.
The device architecture combines a RISC CPU with hardware multiplier support and a 14-bit instruction word, while the analog subsystem integrates an internal voltage reference and capacitive touch sensing. Memory protection includes a configurable Flash write/erase lock to secure firmware IP. Programming is supported via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) and the enhanced low-voltage programming mode.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered portable instruments, automotive body and interior electronics, industrial control panels, and consumer white goods. The wide operating voltage range (1.8V to 5.5V for the LF variant, 2.3V to 5.5V for the F variant) suits both 3.3V and 5V system designs.
When designing with the PIC16F18444-E/SO, note that the "-E" suffix denotes the extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C), making it suitable for industrial and automotive environments. The 20-pin SOIC package allows hand-soldering and rework on prototype boards, while the -Q1 suffix variant provides AEC-Q100 qualification for safety-critical automotive applications.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives within the PIC16F184xx family, application guidance, and design notes not aggregated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F18444-E/SO 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 PIC16F18444-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Package, Operating Temperature, PWM Channels, ADC, DAC.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18444-I/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F18444-E/P
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18444-E/SS
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18446-E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1.34 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F18426-E/SO
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18344-E/SO
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.77 / Unit
View Datasheet βPIC16F18444-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC16 (L)F184xx |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 8 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F variant) |
| Number of I/O Pins | Up to 18 (20-pin package) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with computation |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, "-E" grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F18444-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 β Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 β Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR β Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 β Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 β Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA0 β Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS β Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD β Positive power supply |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1 β Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2 β Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC5 β Bidirectional I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RC4 β Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 β Bidirectional I/O / SPI/I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC2 β Bidirectional I/O / SPI/I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC1 β Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 16 | RC0 β Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 17 | RB7/ICSPCLK β Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB6/ICSPDAT β Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 19 | RB5 β Bidirectional I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 20 | RB4 β Bidirectional I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16F18444-E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body Electronics, Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Portable Instruments, Consumer White Goods, LED Lighting Drivers, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F18444-E/SO fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 1 uA with retained RAM, while the 12-bit ADCC with computation samples sensors and triggers thresholds without waking the CPU. Placed on a 3.3 V coin-cell or 2xAA supply, the 32 MHz core wakes only when a measurement cycle is required, extending battery life from months to years. Unlike larger Cortex-M0 nodes, this PIC integrates a 5-bit DAC and CWG on-die for transducer excitation, eliminating external analog components.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
In automotive body and interior modules (window lifters, seat controllers, ambient lighting), the PIC16F18444-E/SO's -40C to +125C extended temperature grade and 5V-tolerant I/O meet typical 12V battery transient environments when paired with a TVS. Its two PWM channels and Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) drive half-bridges or LED strings directly, while the 12-bit ADCC reads multiple analog sensors with hardware averaging. For applications that require formal AEC-Q100 qualification, the VAO-suffixed variant should be selected, while the base -E part serves non-safety body modules.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
Human-machine interface (HMI) panels and industrial control boards use the PIC16F18444-E/SO to drive indicator PWM dimming, scan keypads via ADCC, and communicate over RS-485/EUSART to a master PLC. Its Core Independent Peripherals offload debouncing, PWM, and UART framing from the CPU, leaving MIPS for application logic. The 32 MHz clock and 8 MIPS throughput handle 10 ms control loops comfortably, while the SOIC-20 package remains hand-solderable for prototyping. Its -E temperature grade tolerates cabinet environments reaching +70C internal.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Portable Instruments
Handheld meters, environmental loggers, and portable diagnostic tools benefit from the PIC16F18444-E/SO's XLP sleep modes (down to ~30 nA with RTC active) and 1.8V-5.5V operating range (LF variant) for direct 2xAA or lithium primary cell operation. The 12-bit ADCC delivers 0.5 mV resolution at 5 V full scale, sufficient for thermistor bridges and shunt current measurements. Compared with discrete op-amp + ADC designs, the integrated MCU reduces BOM cost and PCB area while the EUSART links to a Bluetooth or USB-UART bridge for tethered data transfer.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods
White goods such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers employ the PIC16F18444-E/SO to drive user-interface keypads, sense temperature and water level with the ADCC, and control triac-driven pumps and valves through the CWG and PWM. The 7 KB Flash fits state-machine control firmware plus a small bootloader for service updates, while the 5-bit DAC generates reference voltages for sensor bridges. The -E extended temperature grade survives the +85C ambient inside appliance cabinets and the under-cabinet thermal peaks during wash cycles.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers
Smart LED bulbs and architectural lighting modules use the PIC16F18444-E/SO to run DMX or DALI communication via EUSART, generate high-resolution dimming PWM at the CWG, and monitor LED current with the 12-bit ADCC for closed-loop thermal feedback. The Core Independent Peripherals let the CPU remain asleep while PWM edge-alignment and zero-cross detection happen in hardware, achieving sub-microamp quiescent draw in standby. The SOIC-20 footprint fits compact bulb base PCBs alongside constant-current LED drivers.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16F18444-E/SO integrates the Microchip mTouch peripheral for capacitive touch sensing through its ADCC and CIP, allowing up to 18 touch buttons or a small slider without external touch ICs. Its 12-bit ADC resolution yields robust proximity detection, while the Core Independent Peripherals handle scanning in hardware so the CPU sleeps between touches. The 32 MHz throughput supports advanced gesture decoding for white goods and consumer electronics, and the -E temperature grade handles cooktop and outdoor environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F18444-E/SO β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18444-I/SO | PIC16F18446-E/SO | PIC16F18344-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm) | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM Size | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 10-bit |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Extended -40C to +125C |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| XLP Low-Power Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Functional Safety (FuSa) integration at 8-bit cost (vs PIC16F18344-E/SO)
- 12-bit ADCC with hardware computation offload (vs PIC16F18344-E/SO)
- Extended temperature grade (-E) for harsh environments (vs PIC16F18444-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=3.3 V and active mode at 32 MHz, the PIC16F18444 typically draws ~3.5 mA from the supply. In Sleep mode with peripherals off, supply current drops to ~30 nA. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the board power entry. Keep the MCLR pull-up resistor at 10 kOhm to ensure a clean reset ramp and avoid false triggers in noisy environments.
Route the ICSP lines (RB6/ICSPDAT, RB7/ICSPCLK) to a 6-pin header or test pads for in-circuit programming and debugging. Place the 32.768 kHz crystal (if used for RTC) within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 pins with a guard ground ring to reduce noise coupling. For ADC accuracy, route analog inputs RA0-RA5 with ground guarding and keep them away from PWM outputs and switching regulator traces; a ground plane on the top layer under analog traces further reduces digital switching noise pickup.
Do not confuse the 'F' (2.3V-5.5V) and 'LF' (1.8V-5.5V) variants - the LF part is required for sub-2.3V battery operation, and code compiled for F may not run on LF without configuration bit review. The MCLR pin must not be left floating; either tie through a 10 kOhm pull-up to VDD or configure as a digital input with the internal pull-up enabled. Configuration bits must be set correctly before code execution or the device may run at unexpected oscillator settings; verify with MPLAB X IDE's configuration bit viewer.
The 12-bit ADCC achieves its full resolution only with a low-impedance input source (<10 kOhm) and adequate acquisition time. When sampling high-impedance sensors (e.g. thermistor bridges), insert a unity-gain op-amp buffer such as the MCP6001 close to the analog pin. Place the AVSS analog ground pin on the same ground plane as VSS; for high-precision applications use a star-ground topology where AVSS ties to VSS at the regulator output. The internal 1.024V or 2.048V voltage reference should be selected when absolute accuracy is required.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The base PIC16F18444-E/SO is not AEC-Q100 qualified; the VAO-suffixed variants provide automotive qualification. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance data.
