PIC16LF1518T-I/ML - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 20MHz, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1518T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.2 | $220.00 |
| 500 | $1.9 | $950.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.65 | $1,650.00 |
| 3,300 | $1.45 | $4,785.00 |
PIC16LF1518T-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computing device built around an 8-bit CPU core with on-chip Flash, RAM, and a rich set of peripherals (ADC, timers, UART, I2C, SPI, PWM). It belongs to the embedded computing hierarchy (microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC) and serves as the decision-making brain in millions of battery-powered and space-constrained products. The PIC16F151x family is part of Microchip's mid-range PIC16 architecture, which uses a 14-bit instruction word and a RISC-based Harvard architecture optimized for deterministic interrupt response and ease of C/assembly programming.
Key features include 17 channels of 10-bit ADC, up to 24 I/O pins, two 8-bit and two 16-bit timers, two capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules, one enhanced USART, one MSSP (I2C/SPI), and an operating temperature range of -40C to +85C (industrial "I" grade). The "T" suffix in the MPN designates Tape & Reel packaging, while "/ML" specifies the 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) package code.
This device utilizes the enhanced mid-range PIC16 core with a 14-bit instruction set, supporting C-optimized code generation through MPLAB XC8 and the free MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) peripheral libraries. Hardware debugging is supported via the in-circuit debugger interface, and the chip includes a low-power BOR (Brown-Out Reset) and a windowed watchdog timer for safety-critical applications.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless modules, consumer white-goods control boards, LED lighting controllers, and industrial sensor interfaces where the LF family's wider 2.3V-5.5V supply range and nanoWatt XLP sleep modes (<50 nA typical) directly extend battery life.
Designers should pair this MCU with a decoupling capacitor network (100nF plus 1uF-10uF bulk) within 3mm of each VDD pin, and route the exposed thermal pad to a continuous ground pour for improved thermal and EMI performance. Programming/debug requires a PICkit, MPLAB Snap, or ICD debugger connected to the ICSP pins.
This page synthesizes real distributor pricing, drop-in QFN-28 alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet, supporting both new design engineers and supply-chain managers performing second-source qualification.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1518T-I/ML — 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 PIC16LF1518T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1518-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1518T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1508T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1454T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.88 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range, 8-bit data, 14-bit instruction |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1024 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (LF variant) |
| I/O Pins | Up to 24 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 17 channels |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit, 2x 16-bit |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| EUSART | 1 |
| MSSP (I2C/SPI) | 1 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial "I" grade) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed thermal pad ("ML") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | MSL3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes / Yes |
PIC16LF1518T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ADC voltage reference plus |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2 — Bidirectional I/O / resonator output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1 — Bidirectional I/O / resonator input |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3 V - 5.5 V) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0/AN12 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RB1/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RB2/AN8 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RB3/AN9 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RB4/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RB5/AN13 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / ICD clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 15 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICD data (programming/debug) |
| Pin 16 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RE3/MCLR — Input only / Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 25 | RA0/AN0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 26 | RA1/AN1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 27 | RA2/AN2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 29 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to VSS/ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1518T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Interface Boards, White Goods & Consumer Appliance Control, LED Lighting & Dimmer Controllers, Portable Medical & Wellness Devices, Automotive Body & Comfort Modules.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1518T-I/ML is well-suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 2.3-5.5 V supply range directly supports 2x or 3x AA alkaline cells, and its nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sleep currents below 50 nA typical per Microchip datasheet. The 28 KB Flash and 1024 B SRAM comfortably fit a small RTOS or state-machine with BLE/HLoS transmit bursts, while the 17-channel 10-bit ADC interfaces directly to temperature, humidity, and motion sensors without an external mux. Designers place the MCU in sleep between sensor reads and use a watchdog or RTC wake-up, extending coin-cell life to multi-year spans in environmental telemetry deployments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Boards
For industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered or 24 V-bus sensor interfaces, the PIC16LF1518T-I/ML provides 24 GPIO, two UARTs (one EUSART), MSSP I2C/SPI, and a 10-bit ADC with 17 channels - more than enough for sensor aggregation in PLC backplanes and remote I/O modules. Its -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature rating covers most factory-floor enclosures. Design teams pair the MCU with external TVS diodes on field wiring and a 3.3 V LDO to ride out transients on the 24 V supply, achieving IEC 61000-4-2 ESD robustness without an extra supervisory MCU.
Recommended
White Goods & Consumer Appliance Control
Washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and air-conditioner control boards benefit from the PIC16LF1518T-I/ML's 28 KB Flash for state machines plus a UI driver, 2x CCP modules for triac/SCR-fired heater or motor control, and PWM-driven indicator LEDs. The wide 2.3-5.5 V supply lets the MCU run directly off rectified 5 V or 3.3 V rails without additional regulation. Production engineers value the automotive-grade stability and Microchip's long-term supply commitment, which keeps BOM risk low across the 7-10 year appliance lifecycle.
Recommended
LED Lighting & Dimmer Controllers
In LED drivers and smart-lighting controllers, the PIC16LF1518T-I/ML drives PWM outputs at up to 20 MHz instruction rate, enabling 16-bit PWM resolution for high-CRI dimming without visible flicker. The 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors and 0-10 V analog dimming inputs, while the EUSART interfaces to DALI, 0-10 V, or wireless DMX bridges. The exposed thermal pad on the 28-QFN package conducts heat efficiently into the LED driver PCB copper pour, sustaining reliable operation at 85 C ambient in enclosed luminaires.
Recommended
Portable Medical & Wellness Devices
Blood-pressure monitors, glucose meters, and pulse-oximeters benefit from the PIC16LF1518T-I/ML's low sleep current for multi-month battery life, plus its 17-channel 10-bit ADC for sensor fusion (PPG, SpO2, temperature). The hardware EUSART and MSSP connect to BLE modules and OLED displays, while the integrated watchdog and BOR ensure FDA 21 CFR Part 820-compliant reliability for prescription and over-the-counter devices. Designers appreciate the deterministic interrupt latency of the PIC16 enhanced mid-range core for real-time PPG signal processing.
Recommended
Automotive Body & Comfort Modules
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified itself, the PIC16LF1518T-I/ML serves as a development platform for non-safety automotive body modules - window lifters, mirror adjusters, seat controllers, and ambient lighting - where its 28 KB Flash accommodates LIN-stack plus capacitive-touch firmware. Designers use it for prototyping before migrating to the AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F1518-I/ML-Q1 or dsPIC33CK variants. The 5 V-tolerant I/O and 2.3-5.5 V supply align with 12 V automotive bus rails post-regulation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1518T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1518-I/ML | PIC16F1518T-I/ML | PIC16LF1508T-I/ML | PIC16LF1454T-I/ML | PIC16LF1507T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB (16K x 14) | 28 KB - same | 28 KB - same | 7 KB (-75%) | 14 KB (-50%) | 3.5 KB (-87%) |
| SRAM | 1024 B | 1024 B - same | 1024 B - same | 256 B (-75%) | 1024 B - same | 128 B (-87%) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V - 5.5 V | 2.3 V - 5.5 V - same | 1.8 V - 3.6 V (lower) | 2.3 V - 5.5 V - same | 2.3 V - 5.5 V - same | 2.3 V - 5.5 V - same |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same | 20 MHz - same |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS) | No |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Tube vs Tape & Reel packaging variant with identical die (vs PIC16LF1518-I/ML)
- Wide 2.3-5.5 V supply vs narrow 1.8-3.6 V supply (vs PIC16F1518T-I/ML)
- Highest Flash density in PIC16F151x QFN-28 family (vs PIC16LF1508T-I/ML)
- No USB peripheral but lower cost than USB-enabled sibling (vs PIC16LF1454T-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD pin and a 1 uF-10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic on the VDD rail. For battery-powered designs, leverage nanoWatt XLP sleep modes (typically <50 nA) by gating peripheral clocks via PMD registers and using RTCC or Watchdog Timer wake-up rather than polling loops. Verify the BOR (Brown-Out Reset) voltage setting in the CONFIG2 register matches your minimum operating VDD to avoid spurious resets during battery droop.
Solder the 28-QFN exposed thermal pad (pin 29) to a continuous ground pour with at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) connecting to an inner ground plane. This both improves thermal dissipation and provides a low-inductance ground reference for the ADC. Keep analog traces (AN0-AN13) short and routed away from PWM switching nodes to avoid digital crosstalk into ADC measurements.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD - the LF variant is rated 2.3-5.5 V and overvoltage will damage the device; use the PIC16F1518 (1.8-3.6 V) only for low-voltage designs. Configure the MCLR pin as MCLR (not as RE3 I/O) unless you provide a proper POR supervisor - leaving MCLR floating or weak can cause intermittent reset. Always read the device ID via ICSP and verify against expected 0x30XX signature to detect counterfeit or relabeled parts during incoming inspection.
Estimated: for I2C bus runs above 100 mm, add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on SCL/SDA and consider slew-rate control via the SSPSTAT register. For SPI clock rates above 4 MHz, keep traces matched within 25 mm and place a 33 ohm series resistor near the MCU pin to dampen reflections. Use the MSSP module's FIFO buffering (where available) to avoid overrun at high baud rates.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. MSL3 moisture sensitivity level per JEDEC J-STD-020. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive body modules requiring AEC-Q100, use the Q1 suffix variant (PIC16LF1518T-I/ML-Q1) or migrate to dsPIC33CK AEC-Q100 parts.
