PIC16F18856T-I/SO - 8-bit MCU, 32MHz, 28KB Flash, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F18856T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.35 | $2.35 |
| 10 | $2.15 | $21.50 |
| 100 | $1.92 | $192.00 |
| 500 | $1.71 | $855.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
| 2,500 | $1.39 | $3,475.00 |
PIC16F18856T-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals on one die, executing instructions 8 bits wide per cycle. PIC16F1885X/7X parts sit in the PIC16 family hierarchy as PIC16 -> PIC16F1xxx enhanced mid-range -> PIC16F188xx sub-family, optimized for low-power eXtreme Low Power (XLP) operation. They belong to the broader class of microcontrollers -> embedded ICs -> integrated circuits, providing deterministic control for general-purpose and battery-powered applications.
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO features 24-channel 10-bit ADC2, a 5-bit DAC, two comparators, 4 16-bit timers, and PPS signal routing that allows peripheral I/O remapping. Functional Safety (FuSa) features include the Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT), Hardware Limit Timer (HLT), and CRC/SCAN diagnostics. Communication peripherals include EUSART and two SPI/I2C modules, and the device supports up to 25 mA source/sink on I/O pins for direct LED drive.
The enhanced mid-range architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with 32MHz internal oscillator and 49 instruction execution, balancing code density with throughput. The XLP technology delivers nanoWatt sleep currents under 100 nA typical, enabling years of battery life on a single coin cell. The PPS routing matrix simplifies PCB layout by allowing UART, SPI, and PWM signals to be assigned to multiple pin locations.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered wireless controllers, automotive body and lighting modules, industrial control panels, and consumer white goods. The wide operating voltage range (1.8V-5.5V) suits both 3.3V and 5V designs, and the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade supports harsh environments. A development board such as the Curiosity HPC enables rapid prototyping with the integrated programmer/debugger.
When designing with the PIC16F18856T-I/SO, use MPLAB X IDE with the XC8 compiler for code development. Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor as close to the pin as possible, and use a 10uF bulk capacitor on the rail. Configure PPS once in the init code to lock peripheral I/O mapping, and enable the WWDT for functional safety applications requiring IEC 61508 SIL compliance.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F18856T-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 PIC16F18856T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, MSL Level, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18855T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.81 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18857T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18876T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18856-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18856T-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18856T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC16F188xx (PIC16(L)F1885X/7X) |
| Core | Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit PIC16 |
| Instruction Set | 14-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 with Computation, up to 24 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | Multiple CCP/ECCP with PPS |
| Timers | 4x 16-bit timers |
| Communication | EUSART, 2x SPI/I2C |
| Functional Safety | WWDT, HLT, SCAN/CRC, ZCD |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, -I suffix) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (wide body, 7.50 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| I/O Pins | Up to 25 high-current source/sink |
| eXtreme Low Power (XLP) | Yes |
PIC16F18856T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+/T1G — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / voltage reference positive / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T1G — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/DAC1OUT1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / DAC1 output 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / programming clock |
| Pin 15 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / programming data |
| Pin 16 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 21 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 22 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 23 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 24 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 25 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 26 | RA2/AN2/Vref- — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / voltage reference negative |
| Pin 27 | MCLR/Vpp/RE3 — Master clear reset / programming voltage / digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
Typical Applications
PIC16F18856T-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body and Lighting Controllers, Industrial Control Panels, Consumer Appliance Controls, Battery-Powered Medical Devices, Home Automation and Smart Lighting, Educational and Maker Projects.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO's XLP nanoWatt sleep modes under 100 nA typical and 32 MHz wake performance make it ideal for duty-cycled IoT sensor nodes transmitting temperature, humidity, or motion data. The 24-channel 10-bit ADC2 with Computation oversampling provides sensor signal conditioning without external analog ICs, while EUSART or SPI/I2C interfaces connect to radios such as the MRF24XA, RN2483 LoRa, or BLE modules. Battery life on 2xAA can exceed 5 years when using HLT wake timers and SCAN/CRC integrity checking.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Lighting Controllers
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO's 25 mA source/sink I/O drives LEDs and relays directly for automotive interior lighting, door modules, and seat controllers. Its functional safety peripherals (WWDT, HLT, SCAN-CRC) support ISO 26262 ASIL-A requirements when properly designed, and the extended -40C to +125C variants target under-hood environments. The PWM and CWG peripherals enable smooth LED dimming, while the comparators implement over-current protection on driven loads. CAN connectivity requires an external MCP2515 or MCP2518FD CAN controller over SPI.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO's robust 1.8V to 5.5V operating range, -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade, and high-noise-immunity design suit factory-floor control panels and HMI sub-systems. The 28 KB Flash stores complex state machines for relay sequencing, the 24-channel ADC reads analog sensor inputs (4-20 mA via shunt), and PWM outputs drive proportional valves and motor speed references. EUSART and SPI/I2C interface to industrial displays, keypads, and Modbus transceivers. PPS routing simplifies PCB layout when multiple SPI devices share bus pins.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controls
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO integrates white-goods control functions including motor drive (PWM + CWG), temperature sensing (ADC2), user interface scanning (matrix keypad via PPS), and display driver (SPI to LCD or LED). Its 32 MHz throughput executes complex multi-state control algorithms in real time, while XLP sleep reduces standby power below 1 mA for energy-star compliance. The 28-SOIC package fits standard appliance control board footprints, and 256B EEPROM stores user settings, calibration, and fault logs across power cycles.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Medical Devices
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO's XLP technology with sub-100 nA sleep currents makes it ideal for battery-powered medical devices such as glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and portable nebulizers. The 24-channel ADC2 with hardware oversampling delivers high-resolution measurements from electrochemical sensors, while the 5-bit DAC drives bias references for photodiode front-ends. The WWDT and SCAN/CRC peripherals help satisfy IEC 60601 functional safety requirements at the system level. The 28-SOIC package supports standard medical PCBA manufacturing flows.
Recommended
Home Automation and Smart Lighting
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO enables smart lighting, dimmer switches, and home automation hubs with its CWG peripheral for zero-crossing detection and LED dimming, plus its EUSART/SPI/I2C for wireless module integration (Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, LoRa). PPS allows flexible PCB routing to multiple antenna or bus connectors. The XLP sleep and fast wake-up support battery-powered wireless switches with 10+ year coin-cell life. Functional safety features (WWDT, SCAN-CRC) ensure reliable operation in residential environments with fluctuating power quality.
Recommended
Educational and Maker Projects
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO is widely used in educational curricula and maker projects thanks to its rich peripheral set at low cost, MPLAB X IDE support, and the PICkit 4 / Curiosity Nano programmer ecosystem. Its 28-SOIC footprint is breadboard-friendly via SOIC-to-DIP adapters, and the 28 KB Flash comfortably fits C and assembly tutorials covering GPIO, ADC, PWM, I2C, SPI, and UART. Students learn peripheral pin select (PPS), DMA-free interrupt architecture, and the enhanced mid-range instruction set before transitioning to dsPIC or PIC32 parts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F18856T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18855T-I/SO | PIC16F18857T-I/SO | PIC16F18876T-I/SO | PIC16F18856-I/SO | PIC16F18856T-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Flash | 28 KB | 14 KB (-50%) | 56 KB (+100%) | 28 KB (same) | 28 KB (same) | 28 KB (same) |
| RAM | 2 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels | 10-bit ADC2, 24 channels |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles Flash memory over PIC16F18855T-I/SO at same package footprint (vs PIC16F18855T-I/SO)
- Wide 1.8V to 5.5V operating range supports single-cell Li-ion and 5V industrial rails (vs PIC16F18856T-E/SO)
- Tape and reel packaging optimized for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC16F18856-I/SO)
- Functional Safety (FuSa) peripherals support IEC 61508 SIL-1 designs (vs PIC16F18857T-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as physically possible to the VDD pin (pin 22) with the ground trace returning directly to VSS (pin 23) to minimize switching noise injection. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail within 1 inch of the MCU for transient response during ADC conversions. For battery-powered designs, place the bulk capacitor before the LDO output and verify the regulator's dropout voltage at the minimum battery level - the PIC16F18856T-I/SO draws up to 8 mA at 32 MHz.
Use the 28-SOIC wide-body footprint with at least 8 mil trace clearance and 4 mil dielectric spacing per IPC-2221. Place the ICSP header footprint on every prototype board (RA0/RA1/RA2/MCLR/VSS) for production-line programming and field firmware updates. Route the crystal oscillator traces (if used) symmetrically with grounded guard rings to suppress crosstalk, and keep them short (<10 mm). Decoupling capacitor ground pads must use stitched vias to a ground plane on layer 2.
Do not assume the PIC16F18856T-I/SO ships with PPS pre-configured - you MUST call PPSLock and PPSUnLock sequences in the init code or peripherals will not map to their assigned pins. Always configure the analog/digital mode of pins using the ANSxxx registers before ADC reads, otherwise the channel will read near-zero. Avoid using the 32 kHz LFINTOSC for UART baud-rate generation; use the HFINTOSC with PLL for accurate EUSART timing above 9600 baud. When entering sleep, verify WWDT is disabled or properly serviced to prevent unintended reset.
The PIC16F18856T-I/SO's PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) routing lets you remap peripherals to almost any digital I/O, but mismatched pin drive strengths can introduce reflections on SPI buses above 10 MHz. Add 33 ohm series resistors on SCK/MOSI traces for SPI runs longer than 50 mm on FR4. For EUSART RS-485 connections at 1 Mbps or higher, use a transceiver with slew-rate control (e.g. MAX3485) and add a 120 ohm termination resistor at the bus end. Keep analog traces (sensor inputs to ADC) away from PWM or digital switching signals to preserve ADC SNR.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is the industrial-grade -I suffix part. For AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, contact Microchip for the VAO or Q-grade part numbers. Functional Safety (FuSa) peripherals support IEC 61508 SIL-1 designs when used per Microchip FMEDA guidance.
