PIC16LF1826-I/SS - 8-bit MCU, 3.5KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1826-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.43 | $0.43 |
| 10 | $0.39 | $3.90 |
| 100 | $0.34 | $34.00 |
| 500 | $0.3 | $150.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.27 | $270.00 |
PIC16LF1826-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) MCU is a RISC-based microcontroller family built on the enhanced mid-range core, optimized for deterministic real-time control, ultra-low-power sleep modes, and rich integrated peripherals. PIC microcontrollers belong to the broader category of microcontrollers -> embedded controllers -> ICs -> semiconductors, and they sit at the heart of countless consumer, industrial, and automotive subsystems.
Key features include eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology for battery applications, a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, mTouch capacitive touch sensing, and on-chip peripherals such as UART, SPI, and I2C. The 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates an external crystal in many designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The wide operating voltage range from 1.8 V to 3.6 V supports single-cell lithium and 2x AA battery topologies directly.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1826 uses a 14-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and configurable logic cells around the core. CIPs (Core Independent Peripherals) such as the CWG, NCO, and DSM allow complex signal generation without CPU intervention, freeing the 8-bit core for application code. The instruction-compatible family simplifies migration to larger PIC16LF19xx or smaller PIC10/12/16 devices.
Typical applications include wearable fitness bands, IoT sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, low-power remote controls, capacitive touch user interfaces, and battery-backed metering. The combination of XLP sleep currents below 50 nA and rapid wake-up makes the part ideal for energy-harvesting or duty-cycled designs.
When designing with this part, ensure the LF (low-voltage) suffix is selected for 1.8 V minimum operation; the non-LF PIC16F1826 variant requires a 2.5 V minimum supply. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic plus a bulk tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor placed within 3 mm of the supply pin to suppress noise on the internal FVR reference.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand and cross-brand alternatives, and practical design notes not found on a single manufacturer or distributor page, helping engineers select and qualify the PIC16LF1826-I/SS efficiently.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1826-I/SS — 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 PIC16LF1826-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1826T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1823-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1824-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1825-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F1826-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1826-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB (2K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns at 20 MHz, 125 ns at 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | 8-bit and 16-bit (multiple) |
| Communication | UART, SPI, I2C (MSSP) |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch support |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | MSL1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020, typical) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF1826-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O / master clear reset |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 19 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1826-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch User Interface, LED Lighting Controller, Low-Power Remote Control, Industrial Sensor Module, Wearable Fitness Band, Smart Home Sensor Node.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS is an excellent fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V VDD range lets it run directly from a single Li-ion or 2x AA cell, while its XLP sleep current (typically below 50 nA per the Microchip datasheet DS40001386) supports multi-year coin-cell life. The 32 MHz internal HFINTOSC removes the need for an external crystal, reducing BOM cost. The 10-bit ADC samples analog inputs and the UART/SPI/I2C MSSP drives an uplink to a BLE or LoRa module. The 20-pin SSOP keeps PCB area under 50 mm^2 for compact sensor enclosures.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS integrates Microchip's mTouch capacitive touch peripheral with the CVD (Charge-Voltage Discharge) hardware, supporting up to 12 touch channels without external touch ASICs. Combined with the 32 MHz core, the MCU can sample, debounce, and react to user touches in real time while still handling LED drive and communication tasks. The 1.8 V minimum VDD makes it suitable for USB-bus-powered and battery-powered touch panels, and the SSOP-20 package fits behind standard capacitive button overlays.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS drives low-power LED lighting controllers for decorative and architectural lighting. Its 17 I/O pins support PWM channels via the CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) and PWM peripherals, while the NCO and CWG CIPs generate precise color-mixing waveforms without CPU load. Operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V allows direct driving from a 2x AA battery or USB-C bus, and the SSOP-20 footprint reduces PCB size for compact lamp modules. Designers can also use the 10-bit ADC to read a photo sensor for ambient-light feedback.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Control
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS suits battery-powered IR/RF remote controls where standby current is critical. XLP sleep currents below 50 nA extend coin-cell life into multi-year territory, while the integrated timers and the CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) can drive IR LEDs or RF transmitters with zero CPU intervention. The 1.8 V VDD floor lets the device operate directly from a CR2032 coin cell. UART/SPI/I2C allow connection to a companion RF IC for protocol layers such as BLE, LoRa, or proprietary sub-GHz.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Module
In industrial sensor modules the PIC16LF1826-I/SS combines deterministic PIC16 architecture with the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature rating required for factory-floor deployment. The 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels reads analog process variables, and the MSSP drives SPI/I2C sensors at clock rates up to the system clock. The 32 MHz clock enables fast sampling of vibration or flow sensors. CIPs (NCO, DSM, CWG) implement signal conditioning and protocol generation without burdening the core, leaving CPU bandwidth for application logic.
Recommended
Wearable Fitness Band
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS is well-suited to wearable fitness bands and small health devices that demand long battery life and compact packaging. The XLP technology delivers sleep currents under 50 nA per the Microchip datasheet, allowing coin-cell-powered step counters, sleep trackers, or pulse-rate meters to run for months without battery replacement. The mTouch peripheral can drive capacitive buttons or sliders on a wrist-strap housing, and the 1.8 V VDD floor enables direct coin-cell operation. The 20-pin SSOP footprint reduces PCB size below 30 mm^2.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1826-I/SS powers smart-home sensor nodes such as door/window sensors, motion detectors, and HVAC controllers. XLP sleep modes below 50 nA (Microchip datasheet DS40001386) let these devices run 5+ years on a single CR2032 cell, while the integrated mTouch peripheral enables touch-button user interfaces. The 32 MHz core handles ZigBee/BLE/Wi-Fi co-processor communication over UART/SPI/I2C, and the 10-bit ADC reads analog temperature, light, or battery voltage. The 20-pin SSOP fits inside a coin-cell sensor housing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1826-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1826T-I/SS | PIC16LF1823-I/SS | PIC16LF1824-I/SS | PIC16LF1825-I/SS | PIC16F1826-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB (same) | 2 KB | 4 KB | 14 KB | 3.5 KB |
| Data SRAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum Clock | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Capacitive Touch Support | mTouch | mTouch (same) | mTouch | mTouch | mTouch | mTouch |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -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
- Industry-leading XLP sleep current below 50 nA (vs PIC16F1826-I/SS)
- 1.8 V minimum VDD floor for single-cell battery operation (vs PIC16F1826-I/SS)
- Internal 32 MHz HFINTOSC eliminates external crystal (vs PIC16LF1826-I/P)
- Balanced 3.5 KB Flash vs larger-family variants (vs PIC16LF1825-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 32 MHz with VDD=3.3 V the PIC16LF1826-I/SS typically draws 6-8 mA active and below 50 nA in XLP sleep (per Microchip datasheet DS40001386). Always enable the internal voltage regulator (VREGPMD bits) to drop to a stable low-power core voltage before entering sleep. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic plus a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor placed within 3 mm of the package to keep the FVR reference stable and prevent BOR misfires.
Keep the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK traces away from high-current switching nodes (LED PWMs, RF) by at least 3x the trace-to-trace spacing. Place a 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR (pin 4) for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), but verify that this does not load the reset line during normal operation. The SSOP-20 thermal pad is not exposed; rely on a copper pour under the package to spread heat at sustained 32 MHz load.
For mTouch capacitive sensing, route the touch traces with a minimum 0.5 mm clearance to adjacent digital traces and add a hatched ground guard ring around each touch pad. Use the CVD (Charge-Voltage Discharge) hardware module rather than software sampling to achieve stable readings across temperature. Reference: Microchip AN1478 mTouch design guide.
Common pitfalls: (1) Selecting the PIC16F1826 (non-LF) variant for battery designs with VDD < 2.5 V - the LF suffix is required; (2) Exceeding the absolute maximum VDD of 4.0 V will damage the internal HFINTOSC; (3) Driving the MCLR pin below VSS without a series resistor can trigger latch-up; (4) Forgetting to clear the GIE bit before entering sleep can cause spurious wake-ups on peripheral flags. Reference: Microchip PIC16LF1826 datasheet (DS40001386) electrical specifications section.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page (verified 2026-09-24). This part is the industrial (-40 C to +85 C) variant; the automotive AEC-Q100 grade is supplied under a separate PIC16LF1826-E/SS ordering code.
