PIC16F818-E/SO - 8-bit 20MHz MCU, 1.75KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F818-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.83 | $3.83 |
| 10 | $3.45 | $34.50 |
| 100 | $3.05 | $305.00 |
| 500 | $2.72 | $1,360.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.41 | $2,410.00 |
PIC16F818-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path and a Harvard memory architecture that separates program and data buses; the PIC16F818 family occupies the enhanced mid-range tier of Microchip's PIC16 portfolio, sitting below the PIC18 in raw performance and above the baseline PIC10/12/16 in peripheral integration. The -E suffix indicates an extended operating temperature range of -40 °C to +125 °C, qualifying the part for industrial and harsh-environment designs that exceed the 85 °C ceiling of the standard -I parts.
Key features include one 8-bit and one 16-bit timer/counter with a configurable Capture/Compare/PWM module, a synchronous serial port configurable as either 3-wire SPI or 2-wire I²C, an internal 8 MHz oscillator with PLL-free operation, and 10 source/sink current capability on selected I/O. The nanoWatt technology reduces quiescent current below typical MCU averages during sleep, enabling battery-friendly duty-cycled sensor applications. Brown-out Reset, Power-on Reset, and Watchdog Timer with on-chip RC oscillator are integrated to improve system robustness without external supervision parts.
Architecturally the device uses a 14-bit instruction word with single-cycle execution for most opcodes, an 8-level hardware stack for subroutines, and direct/indirect/relative addressing modes. The 10-bit ADC achieves approximately 1 LSB DNL/INL with successive-approximation conversion, while the synchronous SSP block supports both Master/Slave SPI and Master/Slave I²C with 7-bit or 10-bit addressing.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, low-cost motor control nodes, battery-powered instrumentation, and consumer appliance user-interface controllers where the 18-pin footprint, integrated ADC, and extended temperature grade simplify compliance. Designers also deploy it in HVAC controls, security peripherals, and small-form-factor IoT edge nodes where PCB real estate and unit cost dominate component selection. The device is supported by MPLAB X IDE, the XC8 compiler, and a mature ecosystem of application libraries.
When designing with this part, choose decoupling per the Microchip PIC16F818/819 datasheet: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, keep the MCLR pull-up close to the pin, and avoid routing high-current switching traces adjacent to the analog AVSS/AVDD pair to preserve ADC accuracy. The wide SOIC body (0.295 in / 7.5 mm) eases hand-prototyping but consumes more board area than the SSOP or QFN variants.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F818-E/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 PIC16F818-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Timers, Internal Oscillator.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F819-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F818-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.73 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit Harvard |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 128 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (factory calibrated) |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 5 channels, 10-bit |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit with CCP/PWM |
| Serial Interface | SSP (SPI or I²C, Master/Slave) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.5 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (extended, -E suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F818-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/Vref- — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 / ADC Vref- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 / ADC Vref+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/RA7 — External oscillator input / Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/RA6 — External oscillator output / Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16F818-E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Node, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Low-Cost Motor Control, Consumer Appliance User Interface, HVAC Control Peripheral, Security System Peripheral, Small IoT Edge Node.
Industrial Sensor Interface Node
The PIC16F818-E/SO is a strong fit for industrial sensor interface nodes because its 5 channels of 10-bit ADC cover the typical multi-sensor multiplexing required for temperature, pressure, and flow inputs, while the integrated 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal cost and the -40 °C to +125 °C extended temperature grade passes harsh-environment compliance. Placed on a sensor PCB with a 100 nF decoupling cap near VDD, it converts analog inputs and forwards them via SSP-configured I²C to a host controller; compared to a discrete op-amp + ADC chain, the integrated converter shrinks the BOM and lowers per-node cost by roughly 30 to 40 percent.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The PIC16F818-E/SO's nanoWatt technology and software-controlled sleep modes make it suitable for battery-powered instrumentation where quiescent current dominates runtime. With internal 8 MHz oscillator, on-board EEPROM for parameter storage, and low-power sleep currents in the microamp range per the PIC16F818/819 datasheet, the MCU supports duty-cycled wake-measure-murit cycles that stretch coin-cell life into multi-year territory. Compared to running the same workload on a 32-bit Cortex-M0, the PIC16F818-E/SO typically achieves 2-5x lower active-mode power on bit-banged I/O tasks.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Control
The PIC16F818-E/SO is well-suited to small brushed DC and unipolar stepper motor control thanks to its integrated Capture/Compare/PWM module, 16-bit timer/counter, and 5 ADC channels for current sensing. The CCP module generates hardware PWM at up to 20 MHz / 2 resolution, which is sufficient for 10-bit PWM at moderate switching frequencies, while the ADC samples back-EMF or shunt current for closed-loop regulation. Placed between an H-bridge driver and a position sensor, it replaces a dedicated motor-control ASIC with a programmable MCU; the trade-off is firmware complexity versus ASIC BOM savings.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface
The PIC16F818-E/SO fits consumer appliance UI boards because its 16 I/O pins drive LED indicators, button matrices, and rotary encoders, while the SSP peripheral talks to a host display or main controller. The extended -E temperature grade lets the same part serve refrigerator, oven, and HVAC peripherals without re-sourcing. Placed near a keypad and 7-segment display, it scans inputs and outputs while the host handles heavier graphics; compared to a 32-bit Cortex-M0, the PIC16F818-E/SO delivers adequate throughput at 30-50% lower unit cost.
Recommended
HVAC Control Peripheral
The PIC16F818-E/SO suits HVAC control peripherals - damper actuators, zone sensors, and smart thermostat sub-boards - because the 5 ADC channels read thermistor bridges, the SSP drives SPI displays, and the -40 °C to +125 °C temperature range handles plenum environments. Brown-out Reset and Power-on Reset ensure clean starts under noisy HVAC rails. Placed between thermistor networks and a 4-20 mA loop driver, it digitizes setpoints; the trade-off versus a dedicated HVAC ASIC is software flexibility versus deterministic ASIC guarantees.
Recommended
Security System Peripheral
The PIC16F818-E/SO fits PIR sensor modules, door-contact transmitters, and glass-break detectors because its low sleep current extends battery life, the EEPROM stores tamper flags and zone IDs, and the SSP supports encrypted RF transceivers. The extended -E temperature grade lets outdoor-rated sensors share a single part number. Placed between a pyroelectric sensor and an RF link, it filters spurious triggers and packs the alarm payload; the MCU's 20 MHz core is fast enough for rolling-code encryption firmware in security peripherals.
Recommended
Small IoT Edge Node
The PIC16F818-E/SO is useful for simple IoT edge nodes reporting via SPI or I²C peripherals to a wireless module, where its 20 MHz core handles sensor pre-processing, ADC, and packet framing. The internal 8 MHz oscillator avoids external crystals, and the -E temperature grade fits outdoor enclosures. Placed between an environmental sensor and an SPI-attached LoRa or BLE module, it bridges analog sensor world to wireless data packets; the trade-off versus 32-bit Cortex-M0 alternatives is lower throughput but easier software development in the MPLAB X IDE with XC8.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F818-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F818-I/SO | PIC16F819-I/SO | PIC16F818-E/P | PIC16F818-E/SS | PIC16F818-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (7.5 mm width) | 18-SOIC (7.5 mm width) - same | 18-SOIC (7.5 mm width) - same | 18-PDIP - different (thru-hole) | 20-SSOP - different footprint | 28-QFN - different footprint |
| Flash Program Memory | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB - same | 3.5 KB (+100%) | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 - same | 16 - same | 16 - same | 16 - same | 16 - same |
| ADC Channels | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same | 8 MHz - same |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same | 128 bytes - same |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade -40 °C to +125 °C on the same silicon (vs PIC16F818-I/SO)
- Double the Flash when more code is required (vs PIC16F819-I/SO)
- Wide-body SOIC for hand-prototyping ease (vs PIC16F818-E/SS (SSOP-20))
- Lower-cost thru-hole alternative (vs PIC16F818-E/P (PDIP-18))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a bulk-foil alternative on the analog AVdd rail when the ADC is active. The PIC16F818/819 datasheet recommends separate analog and digital ground returns tied at a single star point to minimize ADC noise coupling. In battery-powered designs use the nanoWatt sleep modes (Sleep instruction + watchdog disable) to achieve quiescent currents in the low-microamp range for multi-year battery life.
Avoid routing high-current traces adjacent to the analog AVss/AVdd pair or the analog input pins RA0-RA4 to preserve ADC accuracy. Keep the MTR ribbon on the wide SOIC layout at least 3 mm away from switching converter inductors. The 18-SOIC package has 1.27 mm pin pitch which simplifies breadboard and hand-solder prototypes compared to finer-pitch QFN alternatives; however, the wide 7.5 mm body consumes more PCB area than the SSOP or QFN variants.
The MTR pin requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and must not be left floating, or the MCU will see spurious resets. The CONFIG word must set the oscillator mode (INTOSC for internal 8 MHz, HS for high-speed crystal) before the first instruction executes, otherwise the part will fail to start. Brown-out Reset (BOR) should be enabled via CONFIG for industrial deployments where Vdd may droop below the 4.0 V BOR threshold.
The I²C bus on the SSP peripheral requires external pull-up resistors (typically 4.7 kohm at 100 kHz or 2.2 kohm at 400 kHz) on SCL and SDA lines - the PIC16F818 SSP block has open-drain outputs that cannot drive the bus high. For SPI master mode, the SCL pin becomes SCK and the SSP block supports mode 0-3 with clock rates up to Fosc/4 (5 MHz at 20 MHz CPU).
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F818 automotive variants for automotive applications.
