PIC16F18444T-I/GZ - 8-Bit 32MHz XLP MCU, 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F18444T-I/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.2 | $1.20 |
| 10 | $1.08 | $10.80 |
| 100 | $0.95 | $95.00 |
| 500 | $0.82 | $410.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.69 | $690.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.6 | $1,800.00 |
PIC16F18444T-I/GZ Overview
A PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and a configurable peripheral set. PIC16F-series MCUs target cost-sensitive, ultra-low-power embedded applications and sit within the PIC microcontrollers -> 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> embedded controllers taxonomy. The 'F' suffix denotes Flash program memory, while the 'XLP' designation identifies Microchip's eXtreme Low-Power platform designed for battery-operated products requiring nanoWatt standby currents.
Key features include 2x PWM outputs, 1x 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC), 1x 5-bit DAC, 2x comparators, 1x Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), 1x EUSART, 1x SPI, 1x I2C, and configurable logic cells. The CIP architecture allows analog signal conditioning, waveform generation, and communication handshaking to occur without CPU intervention, reducing wake events and energy consumption.
The PIC16F18444 uses a Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path. The 12-bit ADCC performs automated averaging, oversampling, and threshold comparisons on-chip, replacing many discrete analog components. Functional Safety (FuSa) support includes hardware diagnostics and documentation packages required by IEC 61508 / ISO 26262 customers developing safety-critical systems.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered wearables, low-power wireless modules, white goods and appliance user controls, LED lighting controllers, and consumer handheld devices. Designers choose the PIC16F18444T-I/GZ when they need 32 MHz performance with multiple analog peripherals in a 20-pin footprint that has no 14-pin equivalent.
When designing, allocate decoupling within 5 mm of VDD pins and follow the Microchip MPLAB X IDE + XC8 toolchain flow. Programming/debug is supported via ICSP and the PICkit 4 / MPLAB SNAP tools. Order parts in tape-and-reel for high-volume assembly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16F family alternatives, and practical design notes not aggregated elsewhere, helping engineers evaluate the PIC16F18444T-I/GZ in seconds.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F18444T-I/GZ — 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 PIC16F18444T-I/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, DAC, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18444-I/SO
✓ In Stock
$0.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18444-I/P
✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18444-E/SO
✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18444T-I/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 512 B |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Comparators | Yes |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 20-UQFN 4x4 mm (GZ) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Technology Family | PIC16F XLP (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Supported |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F18444T-I/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input / DAC output |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB7 — PORTB digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 9 | RB6 — PORTB digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 10 | RB5 — PORTB digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB4 — PORTB digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — PORTC digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — PORTC digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — PORTC digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — PORTC digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — PORTC digital I/O / TX |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — PORTC digital I/O / RX |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference (package pad) |
| Pin 20 | RA7 — PORTA digital I/O / analog input / oscillator |
Typical Applications
PIC16F18444T-I/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Battery-Powered Wearables, White Goods and Appliance Controls, LED Lighting Controllers, Low-Power Wireless Modules, Consumer Handheld Devices.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ suits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its XLP nanoWatt technology delivers sub-100 nA sleep currents while still providing 32 MHz wake performance. Its 12-bit ADCC with on-chip computation handles thermistor, voltage, and current sensing without external signal conditioning; integrated SPI/I2C/EUSART simplifies LoRa, BLE, or Sub-GHz radio connectivity. The 7 KB Flash stores typical Contiki/RIOT/Thread/Zigbee stacks or custom firmware for periodic wake-and-transmit cycles.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wearables
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ is well-matched to wearable health bands where a coin-cell battery must last 1+ years while periodically sampling heart rate, motion, and skin temperature. Its 12-bit ADCC, 2x comparator, and CWG allow direct sensor readout and pulse generation for optical PPG front-ends without an external analog IC. The 4x4 mm UQFN footprint fits inside a wristband PCB, and the 32 MHz core executes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) link-layer logic with room for firmware updates.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance Controls
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ drives user interface and sensor-processing tasks in washing machines, dishwashers, and induction cooktops where Functional Safety (FuSa) documentation simplifies IEC 60730 compliance. The 12-bit ADCC monitors temperature sensors, the CWG drives triac dimming or motor phase control, and the 2x PWM outputs handle variable-speed fans or pumps. The 20-pin UQFN footprint and -40C to +85C industrial rating suit appliance environments with high humidity and thermal cycling.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ is ideal for smart LED drivers and tunable-white luminaires because the CWG and 2x PWM outputs generate flicker-free dimming signals with phase-shift control. The 12-bit ADCC samples ambient light sensors and thermal feedback, while the 5-bit DAC provides analog reference levels for constant-current LED drivers. With 7 KB Flash and 512 B RAM, designers can implement DALI, DMX512, or proprietary protocols on-chip, eliminating an external communication MCU.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Modules
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ can serve as a co-processor or MCU base in low-power wireless modules (BLE beacons, LoRa end nodes, Zigbee routers) thanks to its EUSART, SPI, and I2C peripherals and XLP standby mode. The 12-bit ADCC performs RSSI and battery-voltage monitoring without extra analog, and the CWG generates accurate wake-up clock pulses for sub-GHz radios. With 32 MHz of processing headroom and 7 KB Flash, it can host a Bluetooth Low Energy stack or LoRaWAN application layer.
Recommended
Consumer Handheld Devices
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ fits consumer handheld devices such as remote controls, electronic toys, and personal-care tools where the 20-UQFN footprint, low price point, and 32 MHz speed drive value. The CWG produces audio or motor tones, the comparators handle capacitive-touch sensing, and the 12-bit ADCC drives battery-fuel-gauge functions. Its 7 KB Flash accommodates product-specific firmware updates, and the EUSART enables factory calibration via a serial port.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F18444T-I/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18444-I/SO | PIC16F18444-I/P | PIC16F18444-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-UQFN 4x4 mm (GZ) | 20-SOIC 7.5 mm (SO) | 20-PDIP (P) | 20-SOIC 7.5 mm (SO) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC (XLP) | 8-bit PIC (XLP) | 8-bit PIC (XLP) | 8-bit PIC (XLP) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Larger Flash than PIC16F18424 in same 20-UQFN footprint (vs PIC16F18424T-I/GZ)
- Functional Safety (FuSa) documentation included (vs PIC16F18346T-I/GZ)
- Compact 4x4 mm UQFN package option (vs PIC16F18444-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16F18444T-I/GZ XLP platform achieves sub-100 nA typical sleep currents, but only when unused peripherals are disabled via PMD registers. Enable Sleep mode via SLPEN, set IDLEN=0, and confirm the ADC, comparators, and FVR modules are powered down before sleep. Estimated: a poorly configured application can draw 10-50 uA in idle even when the CPU is halted. Always measure actual Iq with a Source Measurement Unit (SMU) at the VDD pin, not at the bench supply.
The 20-UQFN (GZ) package has a theta_JA of approximately 39 C/W on a 1-oz 4-layer JEDEC test board, allowing up to 3.2 W dissipation at 85C ambient. However, in real PCBs with thermal vias the practical ceiling is lower. Place thermal vias under the exposed pad (EP) and stitch at least 4 vias into the inner ground plane. Estimated: a poorly cooled UQFN can exceed 100C in confined enclosures without these vias.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 18) and a bulk 10 uF ceramic on the same rail. Keep the MCLR pin (RA3) decoupling separate to avoid programming glitches. For high-frequency SPI or EUSART lines, place 33 ohm series resistors at the driver outputs to dampen ringing. Keep analog input traces short and shield them with a ground pour to preserve the 12-bit ADCC accuracy.
Do not assume the 'F' in PIC16F18444T-I/GZ guarantees 256 bytes of EEPROM - the EEPROM size must be checked in the datasheet because it varies by family member. Do not connect 5V signals to RA4 directly; this pin is open-drain and requires a pull-up. For ICSP programming, both ICSPCLK (RB6) and ICSPDAT (RB7) must be accessible even in the final layout; do not assign them to high-impedance peripherals without buffering.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance confirmed by Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 automotive grade available in PIC16F18444T-E/GZVAO variant - select VAO suffix for AEC-Q100 designs.
