PIC16F18444-I/SO - 8-bit XLP MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F18444-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.52 | $1.52 |
| 10 | $1.36 | $13.60 |
| 100 | $1.14 | $114.00 |
| 500 | $0.92 | $460.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.78 | $780.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.68 | $2,040.00 |
PIC16F18444-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path CPU, on-chip program and data memory, and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, ADCs, and communication ports. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology are a textbook example of the category and sit within the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. The XLP family specifically targets battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs by combining nanoWatt sleep modes, low-power brown-out reset, and ultra-low watchdog timer current.
Key features of the PIC16F18444 include a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC), a 5-bit/8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), two PWM modules, a complementary waveform generator (CWG), EUSART, SPI, and I2C communication, plus functional safety (FuSa) support. Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) and Signal Measurement Timer (SMT) allow complex timing and logic tasks without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application-level code.
The device operates from 2.3V to 5.5V (F suffix denotes Flash >5.5V capable variant), with internal oscillator accuracy typically within +/- 1% across voltage and temperature after calibration. The 20-pin SOIC footprint is industry-standard, allowing hand-soldering and breadboard-friendly prototyping while remaining compatible with automated pick-and-place assembly. The integrated peripheral set is engineered to displace multiple discrete components in sensor-interface and motor-control designs, shrinking BOM cost and PCB area.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless transmitters, battery management modules, LED lighting controllers, home appliances, industrial sensor interfaces, and functional safety systems requiring IEC 61508 SIL-2 capable firmware paths. The XLP technology makes the device well suited to remote controls and wearable medical accessories where quiescent current in sleep directly determines battery life.
When designing with this MCU, configure the SLPCTRL register to select IDLE vs STANDBY vs DREAM sleep mode according to whether the ADC, peripherals, or only interrupts need to wake the core. Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor on VDD within 5mm of the pin and follow Microchip's application note AN2806 for PCB layout of the 20-pin SOIC footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the SOIC-20 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F18444-I/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 PIC16F18444-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, DAC, Operating Temperature, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18444-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18444-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18345-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18344-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1827-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18444-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16(L)F184xx |
| CPU Core | PIC16 (8-bit RISC) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| SRAM Data Memory | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (0.300"/7.50mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC, up to multiple channels |
| DAC | 5-bit / 8-bit selectable |
| PWM Modules | 2x (10-bit resolution) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, SMT, NCO |
| Sleep Modes (XLP) | IDLE, STANDBY, DREAM (nanoWatt) |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes (diagnostics library supported) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 |
PIC16F18444-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICD |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICD |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F18444-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Home Appliance Control Board, LED Lighting and Dimming Controller, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Functional Safety (FuSa) Subsystem, Automotive Body Electronics, Portable Medical Accessory.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16F18444-I/SO fits IoT sensor nodes where battery life is the dominant constraint. Its XLP nanoWatt technology supports sleep currents below 1 uA in DREAM mode, while the CLC and SMT peripherals can wake the device on a sensor threshold crossing without CPU intervention. Operating from 2.3 V to 5.5 V makes it compatible with single-cell Li-ion, two AA cells, or a 3.3 V regulated rail. The integrated 12-bit ADCC reads temperature, humidity, or gas-sensor outputs directly. Place the MCU between the battery and the sensor front-end, configure SLPCTRL for DREAM mode, and use the EUSART to drive a sub-GHz transceiver such as the MRF89XA.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F18444-I/SO serves as the main controller in home appliances such as coffee machines, washing machines, and HVAC zone controllers. Its 32 MHz CPU delivers 8 MIPS sufficient for user-interface debouncing, PID control loops, and display driving. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) can directly drive a half-bridge for low-side switching or TRIAC commutation. The 12-bit ADCC samples thermistor or current-sense signals, while two PWM channels drive the load. Operating over the industrial -40C to +85C range covers garage and outdoor appliances.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Controller
The PIC16F18444-I/SO controls constant-current LED drivers in commercial and architectural lighting. Its 10-bit PWM modules deliver flicker-free dimming down to 0.1% duty cycle, while the CWG can drive a high-side MOSFET in a buck topology. The 12-bit ADCC closes the loop on photodiode feedback for constant-lumen output. With its XLP low-power modes, the MCU can remain in standby when lights are off and wake on a wall switch event detected by an interrupt-on-change pin. The 20-pin SOIC package fits behind a standard wall-plate.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16F18444-I/SO is well suited to industrial 4-20mA loop sensors, RTD conditioners, and strain-gauge amplifiers. The 12-bit ADCC digitizes low-level analog signals with auto-averaging and oversampling for noise immunity. The EUSART and SPI interfaces provide connectivity to an industrial bus gateway or local HMI. Core Independent Peripherals such as the CLC handle hardware-level overcurrent detection without CPU load, while the SMT measures pulse widths from an external flowmeter. The industrial -40C to +85C rating supports deployment in factory cabinets.
Recommended
Functional Safety (FuSa) Subsystem
The PIC16F18444-I/SO supports IEC 61508 SIL-2 functional safety designs through Microchip's FUSA library. The device's built-in diagnostic features include windowed watchdog, brown-out reset with software trap, hardware CRC, and clock fail monitor. It can serve as a safety companion to a higher-performance host MCU, monitoring supply rails, temperature, and communication integrity. The 20-pin SOIC footprint fits alongside a main MCU without consuming significant PCB area, while the industrial temp grade matches the operating envelope of most industrial safety systems.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
While the PIC16F18444-I/SO itself is not AEC-Q100 qualified, the same die is offered as PIC16F18444-E/SO in automotive-compatible variants for non-safety body electronics. It controls interior lighting, seat heaters, mirror adjustments, and HVAC blend doors via LIN or SPI. The 10-bit PWM modules and CWG handle motor and LED loads, while the 12-bit ADCC reads position sensors. The wide 2.3-5.5V supply range tolerates automotive cranking transients with proper external protection.
Recommended
Portable Medical Accessory
The PIC16F18444-I/SO fits portable medical accessories such as pulse-oximeter probes, electronic thermometers, and pill-dispenser timers. Its XLP nanoWatt technology supports coin-cell operation with multi-year battery life when the device samples periodically. The 12-bit ADCC reads photodiode or thermistor signals, while the CLC detects a finger presence without waking the core. SPI/I2C interfaces connect to a small OLED or EEPROM for calibration constants. The SOIC-20 footprint is hand-solderable for low-volume medical prototyping.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F18444-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18444-E/SO | PIC16F18345-I/SO | PIC16F18344-I/SO | PIC16F1827-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC | 20-pin SOIC - same | 20-pin SOIC - same | 20-pin SOIC - same | 20-pin SOIC - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B | 384 B |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| ADCC (12-bit) | Yes | Yes | No (10-bit ADC) | No (10-bit ADC) | No (10-bit ADC) |
Key Differentiators
- Functional Safety (FuSa) diagnostic library support (vs PIC16F18345-I/SO)
- 12-bit ADCC with computation vs 10-bit ADC (vs PIC16F18344-I/SO)
- Extended temperature upgrade path (vs PIC16F18444-I/SO vs PIC16F18444-E/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 32 MHz active, VDD=3.3V, the PIC16F18444-I/SO draws approximately 4-6 mA typical. In DREAM sleep mode the same device draws <1 uA. Configure SLPCTRL<SLPEN>=1 and select IDLE for peripheral-wake applications or DREAM for deepest sleep with periodic WDT wake. Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pins (18 and 20) and a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum/ceramic near the supply rail. For battery-powered designs, gate the LDO output with the MCU's IO to fully starve analog sensors in sleep, restoring them only on wake.
Follow Microchip's SOIC-20 PCB layout recommendations from application note AN2806. Use a ground plane under the MCU with stitching vias around the perimeter, and keep traces short on MCLR/RA3 to support stable in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). For noise-sensitive analog reads via the ADCC, route analog and digital sections in separate ground zones tied at a single point. Place a 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR (pin 4) per the datasheet programming section to ensure reliable reset.
Do not omit the ICSP connector footprint on production boards - field firmware updates require ICSP access. Note that the PIC16F18444-I/SO industrial temperature grade is -40C to +85C; for higher temperatures select PIC16F18444-E/SO (extended). Configuring the wrong oscillator mode (HFINTOSC vs LFINTOSC) will cause the device to draw excessive current in sleep, defeating the XLP advantage. Verify the PPLLEN bit is left clear if the system clock must stay below 32 MHz to meet EMI or power targets.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only; not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive applications, select AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F18444 variants.
