PIC16LF1518-E/SP - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU 20MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1518-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.84 | $1.84 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16LF1518-E/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer based on a RISC or CISC architecture with an 8-bit data path, integrating CPU, Flash, SRAM, peripherals, and interrupt logic on one die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, 8-bit MCUs sit at the entry tier of microcontrollers -> embedded processors -> digital ICs -> integrated circuits. The PIC16 family uses a modified Harvard RISC core with 14-bit wide instructions, optimized for deterministic interrupt response and low active current.
Key features of the PIC16LF1518-E/SP include a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), an SPI interface, and a Master I2C interface. The device also integrates a 16-level deep hardware stack, 256 bytes of EEPROM, and an internal voltage reference with 1.024V/2.048V/4.096V options for ADC and comparator use.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1518 uses a single-cycle instruction pipeline at 20 MHz (50 ns instruction cycle) and supports in-circuit debugging via the ICD interface. The XLP technology uses dynamic power management and deep sleep modes, achieving typical current draws of 20 nA in sleep with Watchdog Timer enabled and 800 nA in real-time clock operation from a 32 kHz crystal.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-end consumer appliances with capacitive-touch user interfaces, HVAC environmental monitors, IoT edge nodes transmitting on LoRa or sub-GHz radios, and industrial control boards using EUSART or SPI for inter-MCU communication. The 28KB Flash allows substantial firmware headroom for state-machine plus protocol-stack combinations.
A key design consideration is the 1.8V-3.6V VDD range: the LF variant is required for 1.8V-only designs, whereas the PIC16F1518-E/SP variant supports 2.3V-5.5V. Migration between the two is pin-compatible, allowing PCB reuse across industrial (3.3V) and battery (1.8V) product lines.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16 family, and practical design notes not aggregated on the manufacturer datasheet or distributor pages.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1518-E/SP — 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 PIC16LF1518-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, Timers, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1517-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1516-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1519-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$1.99 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1518-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518-I/SP
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$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1024 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (50 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | EUSART, SPI, Master I2C |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2, WDT) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Internal Voltage Reference | 1.024 V / 2.048 V / 4.096 V selectable |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C |
| XLP Sleep Current | 20 nA typical (WDT enabled) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1518-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — GPIO RA3 / ADC channel 3 / positive voltage reference input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4 — GPIO RA4 / ADC channel 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5 — GPIO RA5 / ADC channel 5 |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2 — GPIO RA6 / oscillator output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1 — GPIO RA7 / oscillator input |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — GPIO RC0 |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — GPIO RC1 |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — GPIO RC2 |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — GPIO RC3 |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — GPIO RC4 |
| Pin 11 | RC5 — GPIO RC5 |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — GPIO RC6 |
| Pin 13 | RC7 — GPIO RC7 |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 15 | RB0 — GPIO RB0 |
| Pin 16 | RB1 — GPIO RB1 |
| Pin 17 | RB2 — GPIO RB2 |
| Pin 18 | RB3 — GPIO RB3 |
| Pin 19 | RB4 — GPIO RB4 |
| Pin 20 | RB5 — GPIO RB5 |
| Pin 21 | RB6 — GPIO RB6 / ICSP CLK |
| Pin 22 | RB7 — GPIO RB7 / ICSP DAT |
| Pin 23 | RA0/AN0 — GPIO RA0 / ADC channel 0 |
| Pin 24 | RA1/AN1 — GPIO RA1 / ADC channel 1 |
| Pin 25 | RA2/AN2 — GPIO RA2 / ADC channel 2 |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 28 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1518-E/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Nodes, Industrial HVAC Environmental Monitors, Low-End Consumer Appliance Control, Portable Medical Monitoring Devices, IoT Edge Nodes and Smart Home Devices, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP is an excellent fit for coin-cell or 2xAA powered wireless sensor nodes. Its nanoWatt XLP sleep current of 20 nA typical (WDT enabled) and 1.8 V minimum VDD enable multi-year battery life in sub-GHz or BLE beacon applications. The 28 KB Flash accommodates LoRaWAN or BLE protocol stacks alongside sensor drivers, while the 10-bit ADC with 17 channels supports multiple environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, light). The 20 MHz CPU speed provides 50 ns instruction cycles for tight protocol timing.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC Environmental Monitors
For industrial HVAC monitoring, the PIC16LF1518-E/SP's 1.8-3.6 V operating range and 25 GPIO allow direct interface to 3.3 V sensor arrays, relays, and triac drivers. The two CCP modules drive PWM outputs for damper and valve control, while EUSART handles Modbus RTU communication to building management systems. The internal 4.096 V voltage reference enables accurate ADC measurements without an external reference IC, reducing BOM cost and PCB area in multi-sensor thermostats.
Recommended
Low-End Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP suits washing machines, microwave ovens, and small kitchen appliances where 25 GPIO drive LED indicators, keypads, seven-segment displays, and triac-controlled AC loads. The Master I2C interface supports capacitive-touch front panels using the MTCH101/MTCH102 touch controllers, while the SPI bus drives character LCDs or OLED displays. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user settings and fault history across power cycles without external memory.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Devices
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP is appropriate for portable pulse oximeters, glucose meters, and wearable health monitors requiring low power and reliable operation. The 1.8 V minimum VDD allows direct operation from single-cell Li-ion batteries, while XLP sleep modes extend shelf life and idle time. The 10-bit ADC captures SpO2 photodiode signals, and EUSART interfaces to Bluetooth modules for smartphone data relay. The 28-pin SPDIP package simplifies through-hole prototyping for medical device development.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes and Smart Home Devices
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP powers Wi-Fi or Thread/Zigbee edge nodes in smart home systems where sleep current and BOM cost dominate the design. Its 28 KB Flash stores Zigbee 3.0 or Matter application profiles, while the Master I2C bus connects environmental sensors and EEPROM. The CCP modules generate PWM outputs for LED dimming or motor control in smart lighting and motorized shades. The 1.8-3.6 V range simplifies integration with battery-backed or energy-harvesting power supplies.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP operates from -40 C to +125 C, supporting under-hood and cabin body electronics such as HVAC blend-door actuators, mirror controllers, and seat-position memory modules. With external protection (TVS diodes and load-dump protection per ISO 7637-2), the MCU drives MOSFET half-bridges for DC motors. The EUSART interfaces to LIN transceivers like MCP2003 for in-vehicle networking, while the ADC reads potentiometer or Hall-effect position sensors.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP is widely used in academic microcontroller courses and hobbyist projects due to its through-hole SPDIP package, which is breadboard-friendly and easy to solder. The PICkit 3 or PICkit 4 in-circuit debugger programs and debugs the device over the ICSP interface, and MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler is free. The 25 GPIO, 10-bit ADC, EUSART, and PWM provide all the peripherals needed for introductory embedded systems projects including motor control, sensor reading, and serial communication.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1518-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1517-I/P | PIC16LF1516-I/P | PIC16LF1519-I/P | PIC16F1518-I/SP | PIC16LF1518-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 14 KB (-50%) | 8 KB (-71%) | 28 KB (same) | 28 KB (same) | 28 KB (same) |
| SRAM | 1024 B | 1024 B (same) | 512 B (-50%) | 1024 B (same) | 1024 B (same) | 1024 B (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (same) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) |
| ADC Channels | 10-bit, 17 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch (same) | 10-bit, 12 ch | 10-bit, 17 ch (same) | 10-bit, 17 ch (same) | 10-bit, 17 ch (same) |
| XLP Sleep Current | 20 nA typical | 20 nA typical (same) | 20 nA typical (same) | 20 nA typical (same) | 50 nA typical | 20 nA typical (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in 28-pin SPDIP PIC16LF15xx family (vs PIC16LF1517-I/P)
- Lower voltage operation than F variant (vs PIC16F1518-I/SP)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature range (vs PIC16LF1518-I/SP)
Design Notes
Estimated: At VDD = 3.3 V and 20 MHz active CPU clock, the PIC16LF1518-E/SP active current is approximately 2.0-2.5 mA. In XLP Sleep mode with WDT enabled, current drops to 20 nA typical per datasheet DC characteristics. For battery-life estimation in a sensor node cycling at 1% duty cycle (10 ms active per second), average current is approximately (2.5 mA * 0.01) + (20 nA * 0.99) ~ 25 uA, yielding roughly 1 year on a 200 mAh coin cell. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD pin 27 and an additional 10 uF bulk capacitor if the supply traces exceed 50 mm.
The 28-pin SPDIP footprint has a 7.62 mm (0.300 inch) row spacing, compatible with standard 28-pin DIP sockets and breadboards. Route the MCLR/VPP pin 28 through a 10 kOhm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for ICSP programming. The ICSP DAT pin 22 and ICSP CLK pin 21 are shared with RB7 and RB6 - avoid external loads on these pins during programming. Place a ferrite bead or 10 Ohm resistor in series with VDD if the board shares a noisy supply with motors or relays.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 4.0 V (LF variant) or 5.5 V (F variant). The MCLR pin has an internal clamp diode; if using a supervisor or external reset controller, isolate with a series resistor to limit injection current below 2 mA. The LF variant cannot operate reliably below 1.8 V; for designs that must run on partially-depleted batteries below 1.8 V, choose the F variant with brown-out reset configured at 2.0 V. Always configure unused GPIO pins as outputs driven low (not high-impedance inputs) to minimize supply current leakage.
The PIC16LF1518-E/SP EUSART supports up to 5 Mbps in high-speed mode but practical RS-485/RS-232 communication should be limited to 115.2 kbps to match typical transceiver bandwidths. The SPI peripheral supports up to Fosc/4 = 5 MHz at 20 MHz CPU clock; derate to Fosc/16 or Fosc/64 when driving long PCB traces or capacitive loads. Place 22-100 Ohm series termination resistors on SCK, SDO, and EUSART TX lines if the trace length exceeds 50 mm or crosses a connector.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualified variants are available in the PIC16F1518-I/SP family with the /VAO suffix - check Microchip product selector for automotive-grade options. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification.
