PIC16LF1518T-I/SO - 8-bit 20MHz 28KB Flash MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1518T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.88 | $1.88 |
| 10 | $1.69 | $16.90 |
| 100 | $1.5 | $150.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC16LF1518T-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit combining a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and peripherals such as ADC, timers, and communication interfaces on a single die. The PIC16 architecture belongs to the broader hierarchy of 8-bit microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> microprocessors & controllers -> integrated circuits -> semiconductors, and is one of the longest-lived 8-bit families in the industry. The "LF" prefix designates the low-voltage, low-power (XLP™) variant, while the "T" suffix indicates Tape & Reel packaging and the "-I" industrial temperature grade.
Key features include nanoWatt XLP™ technology for deep sleep currents in the sub-microamp range, a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), multiple Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (EUSART) and MSSP (I2C/SPI) interfaces, PWM modules, and a wide portfolio of timers. The 28-SOIC footprint also exposes additional I/O versus 14- or 20-pin SOIC parts in the same family, while remaining hand-solderable for prototypes.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, battery-powered instrumentation, consumer white goods, HVAC controls, LED lighting controllers, and small industrial controllers. The 28KB Flash supports modular, field-upgradable firmware while keeping ample headroom for application code and a small RTOS-style loop.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin and consider the unused-pin recommendations in the datasheet. Programming is supported through the ICSP™ interface using MPLAB X IDE and tools such as the MPLAB Snap or PICkit 4.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package Microchip drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet for the PIC16LF1518T-I/SO.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1518T-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 PIC16LF1518T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1518-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1518-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1519-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1517-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1518T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1516T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.53 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1518T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC16 (PIC® XLP™ 16F) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 |
| Program Memory Size | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) Flash |
| RAM Size | 1024 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, "I") |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP™ |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP™ (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| MSL Level | MSL 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020, generally for SOIC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel ("T" suffix) |
PIC16LF1518T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / Positive voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — PORTA bit 5 / Master Clear (reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output / Clock out |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input / Clock in |
| Pin 6 | RC0/SOSC/SCLKI — PORTC bit 0 / Secondary oscillator / External clock input |
| Pin 7 | RC1/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 8 | RC2/P1A/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / PWM output / CCP1 |
| Pin 9 | RC3/P1B/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / PWM output / I2C clock |
| Pin 10 | RC4/P1C/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / PWM output / I2C data |
| Pin 11 | RC5/P1D/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / PWM output / SPI data out |
| Pin 12 | RC6/TX/CK/SDI — PORTC bit 6 / EUSART TX / SPI clock / SPI data in |
| Pin 13 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / EUSART RX |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 16 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / Analog input 13 |
| Pin 19 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 20 | RB3/AN9/CCP3 — PORTB bit 3 / Analog input 9 / CCP3 |
| Pin 21 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / Analog input 8 |
| Pin 22 | RB1/AN7 — PORTB bit 1 / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 23 | RB0/AN6/INT — PORTB bit 0 / Analog input 6 / External interrupt |
| Pin 24 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 25 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 26 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V, second VDD pin) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1518T-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Consumer White Goods Control, LED Lighting Controllers, HVAC and Environmental Controls, Industrial Sensor and Actuator Nodes, Small Appliance and Toy Electronics, Smart Energy Meters and Sub-Metering.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO is well suited to battery-powered sensor nodes because it operates from 1.8V to 3.6V and integrates Microchip's nanoWatt XLP™ low-power technology, enabling deep-sleep currents in the sub-microamp range. Its 28KB Flash (16K x 14 words) comfortably fits typical sensor-fusion or LoRaWAN/BLE host stacks, while 1024 bytes of RAM holds short measurement buffers. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor, photodiode, or battery-monitor signals directly, removing an external ADC. The 28-SOIC package is hand-solderable for prototypes yet still compact for end products. Pairing this MCU with a 2x AA alkaline or single-cell Li-ion supply plus an LDO lets designers hit multi-year battery life targets without an external RTC.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods Control
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO fits consumer white-goods control boards (coffee makers, washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) where 28KB Flash is enough for keypad scanning, display multiplexing, motor timing, and safety interlocks. Its EUSART and MSSP (I2C/SPI) interfaces drive character LCDs, capacitive touch front panels, or external EEPROM/FRAM. The 1.8-3.6V range with industrial -40C to +85C tolerance survives the warm enclosures of motor-driven appliances. A 20MHz CPU clock executes PID loops for low-cost BLDC or universal-motor control in software when paired with an external gate driver. The 28-SOIC footprint eases PCB layout and rework versus smaller QFN packages in high-volume manufacturing.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO is a strong choice for LED lighting controllers driving constant-current strings via PWM, where the PIC16's enhanced CCP/ECCP modules deliver multiple PWM channels at adjustable frequencies. The 10-bit ADC monitors supply voltage, LED current sense, and thermal feedback for closed-loop brightness control, while the 1024 bytes of RAM handles smoothing and fade tables. Operating from 1.8-3.6V, the MCU can be powered from a small auxiliary winding or a low-Iq LDO. The 28-SOIC package is friendly to the thermal and mechanical constraints of lighting PCBs. XLP™ sleep modes drop standby consumption below 100nA for off-state standby energy compliance.
Recommended
HVAC and Environmental Controls
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO suits HVAC and environmental controllers that read temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors over I2C or SPI, drive triac/MOSFET outputs for fans and dampers, and present a UI on segment LCDs or character displays. Its 28KB Flash stores lookup tables for setpoint scheduling, while 1024 bytes of RAM buffers sensor logs. The industrial -40C to +85C range covers equipment-room and outdoor-residential environments. The 10-bit ADC provides adequate resolution for thermistor/NTC10K and CT current-sensing channels. A 28-SOIC footprint survives the long thermal-cycling environments typical of HVAC control boards.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor and Actuator Nodes
For industrial sensor and actuator nodes on 24V factory buses, the PIC16LF1518T-I/SO interfaces to 4-20mA loops, RS-485 transceivers, and digital isolators over EUSART and MSSP. Its 1.8-3.6V core must be supplied from a wide-Vin DC-DC or isolated LDO, but the MCU's 20MHz throughput handles Modbus RTU framing and basic filtering in firmware. The 28KB Flash hosts a Modbus stack plus application logic, while 1024 bytes RAM supports circular buffers. The -40C to +85C industrial grade and 28-SOIC footprint ease integration onto legacy industrial PCBs. nanoWatt XLP™ sleep modes reduce idle consumption between sensor polls.
Recommended
Small Appliance and Toy Electronics
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO fits small appliance and toy electronics that need a friendly 8-bit core, modest Flash for sound/light sequencing, and a handful of ADC channels for capacitive touch or motor-current feedback. The 28-SOIC package is forgiving for hand assembly and rework in low-volume toy lines. Its 1.8-3.6V supply works directly from 2x AA alkaline cells, while XLP™ sleep modes keep shelf life long. EUSART and MSSP interfaces drive addressable RGB LED strips, audio DACs, or IR transceivers for remote-control toys. The 10-bit ADC is sufficient for touch-proximity sensing and battery monitoring.
Recommended
Smart Energy Meters and Sub-Metering
The PIC16LF1518T-I/SO serves as the MCU in single-phase sub-metering and energy-monitoring modules, where its 10-bit ADC samples current-transformer and shunt signals at the line frequency, while EUSART outputs Modbus or DLMS/COSEM frames to a concentrator. The 28KB Flash holds calibration tables and basic communication stacks; 1024 bytes RAM buffers instantaneous-power accumulators. The 1.8-3.6V core is fed from a low-Iq LDO tied to the line-side auxiliary supply. The 28-SOIC footprint simplifies the mixed-signal PCB layout and keeps analog and digital grounds cleanly separated.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1518T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1518-I/SO | PIC16LF1519-I/SO | PIC16LF1517-I/SO | PIC16F1518T-I/SO | PIC16LF1516T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm) - same |
| Program Memory | 28 KB Flash | 28 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash | 28 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash |
| RAM | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP™ | nanoWatt XLP™ | nanoWatt XLP™ | nanoWatt XLP™ | Standard (no LF/XLP) | nanoWatt XLP™ |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tube | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage operation in the PIC16F151x family (vs PIC16F1518T-I/SO)
- NanoWatt XLP™ low-power technology integrated (vs PIC16F1518T-I/SO)
- 28KB Flash vs smaller family members (vs PIC16LF1517-I/SO)
- 28-pin SOIC vs QFN package flexibility (vs PIC16LF1518-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 15 and 28 on the 28-SOIC) and a bulk 1uF-10uF capacitor on the same rail. For battery designs, ensure the brown-out-reset (BOR) trip is configured above the minimum 1.8V supply to avoid undefined operation. The XLP™ Sleep mode can drop Iq below 100nA, so verify the chosen LDO has a quiescent current below the MCU sleep Iq if Sleep is the dominant mode.
Keep analog traces (AN0-AN13, VREF+) short and away from switching nodes such as PWM outputs (RC2/RC3/RC4/RC5 or P1A-P1D). Use a single-point ground or split analog/digital ground with a single bridge under the MCU's VSS pins. The 28-SOIC (0.295"/7.50 mm) footprint accepts either hand-soldering or standard reflow profiles; respect the MSL 1 floor-life requirements if reusing parts from opened bags.
Do not exceed 3.6V on VDD - the LF variant is permanently damaged above its absolute maximum. If migrating from the PIC16F1518 to the PIC16LF1518, retune the BOR and oscillator settings for the new voltage range. The MCLR pin (pin 5 / RA5) must have a pull-up if not used; leaving it floating can cause spurious resets. Finally, ICSP™ programming requires pin 16 (PGD) and pin 17 (PGC) to be free of strongly-loaded circuits during in-circuit programming.
Compliance Information
Microchip PIC16LF1518T-I/SO is RoHS compliant and lead-free per the Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; this is an industrial-grade MCU. For automotive applications use the AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F1518-E/SOQ variants or similar.
