PIC16F818-I/P - 8-bit 20MHz 1.75KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F818-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.59 | $35.90 |
| 100 | $3.24 | $324.00 |
| 500 | $2.86 | $1,430.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16F818-I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals into one package. The PIC16F818 belongs to Microchip's PIC16 mid-range family, which uses a 14-bit instruction word and Harvard architecture - separating program and data memory for deterministic 200ns instruction execution. MCUs sit at the heart of embedded systems, translating sensor inputs into actuator outputs in everything from washing machines to medical pumps.
Key features include an integrated 8MHz internal oscillator (reducing external component count), nanoWatt power-management technology for sleep currents below 1µA, and a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) configurable as SPI™ or I²C™ for inter-IC communication. Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) peripherals support motor, lighting, and timing-control applications, while 16 I/O pins deliver GPIO flexibility. The 10-bit ADC with 5 input channels enables direct sensor interfacing without external converters.
The device's nanoWatt Technology offers multiple power-managed operating modes - primary RC oscillator, Timer1 oscillator, and Watchdog Timer can all run during sleep. Brown-out Reset (BOR) and Power-on Reset (POR) protect against low-voltage corruption. The 35-instruction RISC instruction set, with only 14-bit-wide opcodes, makes assembly programming compact and predictable. The 8-level hardware stack and 16-bit-wide program memory bus support modular firmware architectures.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, low-cost motor control, battery-powered consumer devices, automotive body electronics (non-safety), appliance controls, and general-purpose embedded control. The 8MHz internal oscillator eliminates the external crystal for cost-sensitive designs, while the 20MHz external oscillator option supports time-critical tasks.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the configuration bits are set correctly for oscillator selection, watchdog, and code protection. The ICSP™ (In-Circuit Serial Programming) interface uses RB6/RB7 pins - reserve these for programming/debug and not for high-speed peripheral switching. The industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) suits outdoor enclosures, HVAC, and automotive cabin applications.
This page synthesizes distributor stock data, drop-in alternatives, design considerations, and pinout information not consolidated elsewhere on the web.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F818-I/P — 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-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Timers, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Internal Oscillator.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F818-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F819-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F819-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F818-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC® 16-bit Mid-Range (8-bit data path, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14 words) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) | 1 module |
| Serial Communication | MSSP - SPI™ / I²C™ configurable |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (Plastic Dual In-Line Package) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt Technology (sleep < 1 µA typical) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP™ (In-Circuit Serial Programming) via RB6/RB7 |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
PIC16F818-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR#/VPP — Master Clear (active-low reset) / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit2 / Analog input channel 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit4 / Analog input channel 4 (open-drain output) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS#/CVREF — PORTA bit5 / Analog input channel 5 / SPI Slave Select / Comparator Voltage Reference output |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Oscillator crystal output / 4x clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI — PORTC bit1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit3 / SPI clock / Serial clock (I²C) |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit4 / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7/VDD — PORTC bit7 / Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F818-I/P is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Low-Cost PWM Motor Speed Controller, Battery-Powered Consumer Remote Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Appliance Control Board, Educational Prototyping & Maker Projects, I²C Sensor Hub / SPI-to-I²C Bridge.
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16F818-I/P's 5-channel 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference and 16 GPIO pins make it ideal for multi-sensor data-acquisition front-ends. Each ADC channel delivers 10-bit (1024-step) resolution at up to 100 ksps, sufficient for thermocouple-conditioned signals, 4-20mA loop sensing via shunt resistors, and strain-gauge bridge readout with op-amp buffers. The MSSP (SPI/I²C) streams digitized readings to a host controller or display, while the internal 8MHz oscillator eliminates a crystal for cost-sensitive factory-floor installations. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) supports enclosure mounting near motors and drives. Power consumption in sleep drops below 1µA per nanoWatt specs, supporting battery-backed sensor telemetry nodes.
Recommended
Low-Cost PWM Motor Speed Controller
The PIC16F818-I/P's Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module generates hardware PWM up to 10-bit resolution, driving small DC motors, solenoids, fans, and LED dimming circuits without CPU overhead. The 20MHz CPU clock supports PWM frequencies above 20 kHz - above human hearing to eliminate audible motor whine. Timer1's 16-bit range handles slow-speed feedback tachometer input from Hall-effect sensors, enabling closed-loop RPM control. The industrial temperature grade suits under-hood automotive accessories, appliance controls, and HVAC damper actuators. With 1.75 KB Flash and 35 RISC instructions, the firmware footprint stays minimal for brushed DC, stepper sequencing, and BLDC commutation-table lookups.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Consumer Remote Control
The PIC16F818-I/P's nanoWatt Technology enables sleep currents below 1µA (typical), supporting coin-cell battery life of 5+ years in remote-control applications. The integrated 8MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM cost and PCB area - critical for sub-$3 retail products. The MSSP peripheral handles IR or RF transmitter IC control via SPI, while the GPIO pins read button matrices with wake-on-change interrupts. With 16 GPIO available, designers can implement full QWERTY-style keypads, scroll wheels, or capacitive touch interfaces via software. The 128-byte EEPROM stores user preferences, paired device IDs, and last-used settings through battery swaps.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16F818-I/P at industrial temperature (-40C to +85C) is suitable for non-safety automotive body modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror-adjust logic, seat-position memory, HVAC blend-door actuators, and accessory multiplexers. The 5-channel 10-bit ADC reads switch positions, potentiometer wiper voltages, and ambient-light sensors. The CCP module drives LED PWM dimming with hardware resolution. MSSP talks to body-control modules over SPI or LIN (via external transceiver). Note: PIC16F818-I/P is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical or AEC-Q100 applications, choose PIC16F818-E/P extended temperature grade or migrate to PIC18F family with automotive qualification.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F818-I/P powers sub-systems in washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, and small kitchen appliances. The CCP module controls triac-fired heater elements via zero-crossing detection; Timer1 measures line-frequency timing; the ADC reads thermistor temperatures for closed-loop cooking or refrigeration control. MSSP communicates with LED display drivers and EEPROM for preset memory. Brown-out Reset protects against line-voltage sags during motor startup. With 1.75 KB Flash, firmware easily fits state-machine logic for door interlocks, cycle timing, fault detection, and user-interface button decoding - all in 35 single-word instructions per Microchip datasheet DS39598E.
Recommended
Educational Prototyping & Maker Projects
The PIC16F818-I/P in PDIP-18 through-hole format is ideal for breadboard-friendly hobbyist and educational use. The 0.1-inch pin pitch accepts standard IC sockets and jumper wires, while the ICSP header (RB6/RB7) supports in-circuit programming with low-cost tools like PICkit 3. The 35-instruction RISC instruction set is approachable for students learning assembly, while MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler support C development for advanced users. Internal 8MHz oscillator removes crystal-handling friction for first projects. PIC16F818-I/P serves as an upgrade path from PIC16F84A with more memory, ADC, and PWM - extending classic tutorial material to modern capabilities.
Recommended
I²C Sensor Hub / SPI-to-I²C Bridge
The PIC16F818-I/P's MSSP (configurable as SPI master or I²C master/slave) lets it act as a low-cost protocol bridge or sensor aggregator. For example, it can read multiple I²C sensors (temperature, humidity, accelerometer) and forward processed data over SPI to a host CPU. The 5-channel ADC can simultaneously sample analog signals while the digital bus is active. CCP1 provides timing for periodic sensor polling. With 128 bytes RAM, the MCU buffers multiple sensor frames before host transfer. This application suits IoT edge nodes, smart-home bridges, and instrumentation data loggers where a 1.75 KB Flash MCU suffices.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F818-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F818-E/P | PIC16F819-I/P | PIC16F819-E/P | PIC16F88-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PDIP-18 | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same | PDIP-18 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) - +100% | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) - +100% | 4 KB - +128% |
| Data RAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 368 bytes - +188% |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes - +100% |
| Maximum Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 5 ch / 10-bit | 7 ch / 10-bit - +40% |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| CCP / PWM Modules | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 + ECCP (Enhanced) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial temperature grade with nanoWatt Technology (vs PIC16F818-E/P)
- Compact 1.75 KB Flash for cost-optimized firmware (vs PIC16F819-I/P)
- Through-hole PDIP-18 footprint for prototyping (vs PIC16F818-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible between pin 18 (VDD) and pin 8 (VSS), with trace length below 5mm to minimize parasitic inductance. For designs using the internal 8MHz oscillator, add a bulk-mode 10uF capacitor near the MCU supply pin to handle switching transients when the ADC or PWM peripherals toggle. Pin 1 (MCLR#/VPP) should have a 10kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100nF cap to ground for clean reset behavior; do not leave MCLR# floating.
RB6 and RB7 serve dual roles as ICSP programming pins (PGC and PGD respectively). Do not place low-impedance loads (LEDs without resistors, direct relay coils) on these pins without buffering, otherwise in-circuit programming will fail. Reserve RB6/RB7 for programming/debug access during development, and add 4.7kΩ series resistors if peripheral isolation is needed. Configuration bits (CONFIG1, CONFIG2) must be set correctly before code protection - lock bits prevent future ICSP access without a full-chip erase.
When using the ADC, switch the I/O pin back to digital mode after conversion completes - leaving pins in analog mode draws extra current and prevents digital reads. For SPI/I²C bus runs above 50mm, add 4.7kΩ pull-ups on SDA and SCL (I²C mode) and use 4.7kΩ series resistors on SCK/MOSI/MISO traces to dampen ringing. The internal 8MHz oscillator has ±1% accuracy across voltage and temperature - for UART baud-rate-critical applications, use an external crystal.
Estimated: At VDD=5V, CPU=20MHz, and 16 GPIO pins each sourcing 10mA, the PIC16F818-I/P dissipates approximately 0.4W worst-case. The PDIP-18 package has theta_JA around 70 C/W, giving a 28°C junction-temperature rise above ambient - well within the 85°C industrial limit. The MCU does not require a heatsink in typical 4-layer through-hole designs, but reduce source current per pin if the device is sealed in a non-ventilated enclosure.
Use nanoWatt sleep modes aggressively for battery-powered designs. The PIC16F818-I/P supports multiple sleep modes: SLEEP (CPU off, peripherals off - typical <1µA), and idle modes with selective peripheral clocks. Wake-up sources include Watchdog Timer, external interrupts on RB0, and peripheral interrupts. Brown-out Reset voltage threshold is configurable - set it just below the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.0V) to prevent code corruption during battery droop.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety applications, migrate to PIC18F family with automotive qualification or PIC16F818-E/P extended temperature grade for non-safety body electronics.
