PIC16LF1618-I/SO - 8-Bit XLP MCU 32MHz 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1618-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.78 | $1.78 |
| 10 | $1.61 | $16.10 |
| 100 | $1.42 | $142.00 |
| 500 | $1.25 | $625.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.1 | $1,100.00 |
PIC16LF1618-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a set of on-chip peripherals such as ADCs, timers, communication interfaces, and digital I/O. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16LF1618 sits in the 8-bit MCU sub-class of microcontrollers, which sit inside embedded processors, which in turn are part of the larger digital IC / logic IC family. 8-bit MCUs remain dominant in cost- and power-sensitive applications where deterministic real-time response and tiny standby currents outweigh the throughput of 32-bit cores.
Key features of the PIC16LF1618 include a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, a 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT) for precision time capture, multiple CCP/PWM modules, Zero-Cross Detect, and on-chip peripherals including I²C, SPI, UART/USART and LIN connectivity. The device also integrates brown-out reset, power-on reset, and a watchdog timer for robust embedded operation. The "XLP" eXtreme Low Power designation delivers nanoWatt sleep currents, making the part attractive for battery-powered designs.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1618 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word and a 2-stage pipeline. Internal oscillators (31 kHz LF and 16 MHz HF with 4× PLL to 32 MHz) remove the need for external crystals in most designs, saving both BOM cost and PCB area.
Typical applications include small motor control (the 24-bit SMT and PWM target this directly), general-purpose embedded control, low-power IoT sensor nodes, consumer white goods, and LIN-connected automotive body electronics.
When designing with this part, route the ICSP™/ICD programming signals (PGC/PGD) to a dedicated header or test pad so firmware can be updated in-circuit, and respect the decoupling capacitor placement guidelines in the datasheet's "Tips for High-Performance" section.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the PIC16 family, and practical design notes not consolidated on a single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1618-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 PIC16LF1618-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1618T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1618-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1618-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1769-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF15355-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1507-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1618-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K × 14) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Connectivity | I²C, LIN, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1618-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O / Master Clear (Reset) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSP PGC (programming clock) |
| Pin 21 | RB7 — Digital I/O / ICSP PGD (programming data) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1618-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Small Motor Control (Brushed DC / Fan), Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, LIN-Connected Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer White Goods (Washer / Dryer / Dishwasher HMI), Industrial Sensor Conditioning & Transmitters, General-Purpose Embedded Control & Education.
Small Motor Control (Brushed DC / Fan)
The PIC16LF1618-I/SO is purpose-built for small brushed DC motor and fan control: its 24-bit Signal Measurement Timer (SMT) captures tachometer feedback with sub-microsecond resolution, while on-chip CCP/PWM modules generate the drive waveform. The 32 MHz core executes the closed-loop PID at 8 MIPS, and the 1.8-3.6V supply allows direct Li-ion battery operation. Place current-sense and back-EMF filtering capacitors close to the IC and use the zero-cross detect peripheral to switch at minimum inductor current, reducing switching losses by up to 40%.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
For wireless or wireline IoT sensor endpoints, the PIC16LF1618-I/SO's XLP nanoWatt sleep current and 1.8V minimum VDD let it run for years on a CR2032 coin cell. The 10-bit ADC reads up to 12 sensor channels (temperature, humidity, light), and the 7 KB Flash comfortably holds a state-machine plus a small LoRaWAN/Sigfox/Thread stack. Use Sleep mode between sensor reads with wake-on-RTCC or external interrupt, achieving average quiescent current below 1 µA in typical duty-cycled deployments.
Recommended
LIN-Connected Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC16LF1618-I/SO integrates a hardware LIN-USART transceiver interface, making it well suited to automotive body modules such as window lifters, mirror adjusters, seat controllers, and ambient lighting. The 18 I/O pins are ample for relay drivers and switch-matrix scanning, and the 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants across the -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range. Note that AEC-Q100 Grade 1 automotive qualification requires the PIC16F1618-E/SO extended-temperature variant; the LF industrial-grade part is acceptable for non-safety automotive body applications per OEM guidance.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods (Washer / Dryer / Dishwasher HMI)
The PIC16LF1618-I/SO drives capacitive-touch or matrix-key HMI panels in washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. The 24-bit SMT measures mains-frequency zero-cross timing for TRIAC-based heater and motor dimming, while UART/USART links to a host MCU or display module. Its 32 MHz throughput handles debounce, rotary encoder, and PWM buzzer tasks concurrently. Industrial-grade operating temperature ensures reliable operation in appliance environments with elevated ambient heat, and the 20-SOIC package is friendly to wave-soldered or hand-assembled boards.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning & Transmitters
The PIC16LF1618-I/SO builds a complete 4-20 mA loop-powered or 0-10 V analog-output sensor transmitter: the 10-bit ADC digitizes bridge or RTD inputs, while on-chip PWM plus a filter op-amp reconstruct the analog output. The 256-byte EEPROM holds calibration constants, and the industrial temperature range supports factory-floor deployments. Use the internal 16 MHz oscillator to keep BOM cost low, and pair the MCU with an external precision op-amp such as the MCP6V51 for high-accuracy ratiometric measurements.
Recommended
General-Purpose Embedded Control & Education
The PIC16LF1618-I/SO serves as a versatile general-purpose MCU for educational kits, hobby projects, and small-batch embedded controllers. Its 20-SOIC package is breadboard-friendly with an SOIC-to-DIP adapter, and the integrated peripherals cover most introductory embedded curricula: ADC, PWM, UART, I²C, SPI, timers, and interrupts. The 7 KB Flash holds sizeable assembly or C programs written in MPLAB X IDE with the XC8 compiler, and the ICSP pins allow student-friendly in-circuit programming using a PICkit 3 or PICkit 4 debugger.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1618-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1618T-I/SO | PIC16F1618-I/SO | PIC16LF1618-I/P | PIC16LF1769-I/SO | PIC16LF15355-I/SO | PIC16LF1507-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 20-PDIP - different (TH) | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 20-SOIC (7.50 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K × 14) | 7 KB (4K × 14) | 7 KB (4K × 14) | 7 KB (4K × 14) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| I/O Pins | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) | -40°C to +85°C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Compliance | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
Key Differentiators
- Lower minimum supply voltage (1.8 V vs 2.3 V) (vs PIC16F1618-I/SO)
- More Flash memory (7 KB vs 3.5 KB, +100%) (vs PIC16LF1507-I/SO)
- Smaller die with better active current efficiency at low VDD (vs PIC16LF1769-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: total VDD decoupling budget should target 0.1 µF + 10 µF ceramic within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus an additional 0.01 µF for high-frequency noise. The PIC16LF1618 draws peak transient currents during Flash write cycles; undersized decoupling causes VDD dips that trigger brown-out resets. Place a bulk 10 µF X7R capacitor near the IC and route a short, wide ground-return trace directly to the GND pin. For battery designs, a Schottky diode between battery and VDD prevents reverse-current faults during hot-swap events.
Route the ICSP™ signals (PGC on RB6, PGD on RB7) as short direct traces to a 6-pin header or test-pad array. Keep these signals away from switching nodes and high-current traces to avoid programming failures in-circuit. The MCLR/VPP pin requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF decoupling cap to VSS; a TVS diode to VSS is recommended for ESD-prone applications. Use the device's internal weak pull-ups on PORTB to reduce external component count for switch-matrix scanning.
At 32 MHz CPU clock and 3.6 V VDD, the PIC16LF1618 typically draws ~7 mA active current, dissipating ~25 mW. The 20-SOIC package has θJA of approximately 80°C/W, giving a junction temperature rise of only 2°C above ambient. No heatsinking is required. For enclosed IP65-rated enclosures, derate ambient by 10°C to account for reduced convection, and verify junction temperature stays below the +85°C industrial limit using the thermal metrics in the datasheet section "Thermal Considerations".
Do not confuse the PIC16LF1618 (1.8–3.6 V) with the PIC16F1618 (2.3–5.5 V); powering an LF part above 3.6 V causes permanent damage to the Flash. When migrating from PIC16F1618 to PIC16LF1618 firmware, verify that peripheral configuration bits do not enable 5V-tolerant features unavailable in the LF variant. Always use the latest XC8 compiler and MPLAB X IDE configuration bits; legacy C18 projects require careful register-level review.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade temperature range -40°C to +85°C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; use PIC16F1618-E/SO extended-temperature variants for AEC-Q100 automotive body applications. RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in verified data.
