PIC16LF1827-E/ML - 32MHz 8-bit MCU, 7KB Flash, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1827-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.21 | $22.10 |
| 100 | $1.96 | $196.00 |
| 500 | $1.75 | $875.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16LF1827-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, Flash program memory, peripherals, and I/O onto one silicon die, optimized for embedded control tasks such as sensor reading, actuator control, and human-machine interfaces. The PIC16LF1827 sits within the broader PIC16 enhanced mid-range family, which itself belongs to the 8-bit MCU category in the wider hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The 'XLP' (eXtreme Low Power) technology enables sleep currents that make this part ideal for IoT endpoints powered by coin-cell or energy-harvesting sources.
Key features include the mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing peripheral, enhanced CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM), multiple communication interfaces (I²C, SPI, UART/USART), 12-bit ADC, 5-bit DAC, and an integrated temperature indicator. The internal 32 MHz oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in many designs, while the on-chip configurable logic cell (CLC) and numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) provide flexible signal generation. Brown-out reset (BOR), power-on reset (POR), and watchdog timer (WDT) ensure robust operation in noisy environments.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1827 uses a RISC Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The 14-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path provide a code-efficient C-friendly environment, while the nanoWatt XLP technology minimizes active and sleep current draw. The device supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) via two pins, allowing firmware updates after PCB assembly without removing the MCU.
Typical applications include capacitive touch user interfaces, low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered consumer electronics, LED lighting controls, and small home appliances. The combination of integrated touch sensing and ultra-low sleep current enables sealed-button replacement in white goods and wearable devices where mechanical switches would compromise ingress protection.
When designing with this part, ensure the decoupling capacitor network is placed within 3 mm of the VDD pins, and use the ICSP pins carefully to avoid contention with application circuitry. The internal oscillator is factory-calibrated to ±1% across 0-70°C, but for USB or UART applications requiring tight baud-rate accuracy, an external crystal is recommended.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative listings, and practical low-power design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers with the context needed to evaluate this MCU for battery-powered embedded designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1827-E/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 PIC16LF1827-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1827-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1826-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1823-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1827-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1825-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1826-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1559-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1827-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC® XLP™ mTouch™ 16F |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-Bit |
| Core Architecture | RISC (Harvard) |
| Speed (Clock) | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Connectivity | I²C, SPI, UART/USART |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, POR, PWM, WDT, mTouch capacitive sensing |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) Flash |
| RAM | 384 bytes |
| Number of I/O | 16 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Data Converters | A/D 12x10-bit, D/A 1x5-bit |
| Oscillator Type | Internal (factory calibrated) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +125°C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF1827-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / ADC input / comparator input / voltage reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI/C1OUT — Port A bit 4 / ADC input / Timer0 clock / comparator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — Port A bit 5 / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Port A bit 6 / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Port A bit 7 / oscillator input / clock input |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0-/ICSPDAT — Port A bit 0 / ADC input / comparator input / ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | RA1/AN1/C12IN1-/ICSPCLK — Port A bit 1 / ADC input / comparator input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 9 | RA2/AN2/C1IN0-/VREF-/DACOUT — Port A bit 2 / ADC input / comparator input / DAC output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/SOSCO/T1CKI — Port C bit 0 / secondary oscillator / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 11 | RC1/SOSCI/CCP2 — Port C bit 1 / secondary oscillator / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Port C bit 3 / SPI clock / I²C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Port C bit 4 / SPI data in / I²C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / UART transmit / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / UART receive / data |
| Pin 18 | RB4/AN10 — Port B bit 4 / ADC input |
| Pin 19 | RB5/AN11 — Port B bit 5 / ADC input |
| Pin 20 | RB6/AN12/ICCK — Port B bit 6 / ADC input / ICSP clock (alternate) |
| Pin 21 | RB7/AN13/ICDAT — Port B bit 7 / ADC input / ICSP data (alternate) |
| Pin 22 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 23 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 24 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 25 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 26 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 27 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad (connect to VSS) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1827-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, LED Lighting Control, Small Home Appliance Control, Wearable Health Monitor, Industrial Sensor Transmitter, Automotive Interior Control Module.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's integrated mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing peripheral makes it ideal for sealed-button replacement in white goods, IoT devices, and consumer appliances. The 16 I/O pins can directly drive 12+ touch electrodes with no external components, while the nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 100 nA allows battery-powered touch interfaces to last 5+ years on a single CR2032 cell. The 12-bit ADC provides baseline capacitance measurement for robust proximity and touch detection, and the 32 MHz internal oscillator delivers 200 ns instruction execution for responsive touch event handling. Compared to mechanical switches, this approach enables fully sealed IP67-rated front panels with no moving parts to wear out.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's nanoWatt XLP technology with sub-100 nA sleep current and 1.8-3.6 V operating range makes it ideal for coin-cell or 2x AA battery-powered wireless sensor endpoints. The MCU can wake from sleep on timer, ADC threshold, or external interrupt, perform sensor reading and RF transmission via SPI-connected radio module, then return to sleep within milliseconds. The 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal cost and the 384 bytes RAM accommodates small sensor data buffers. Combined with a sub-GHz transceiver like the MRF89XA, this builds complete IoT nodes with multi-year battery life for environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, and asset tracking applications.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's enhanced CCP module with multiple PWM outputs and 12-bit ADC for current sensing enables precise LED dimming and color mixing in architectural and automotive lighting. The 16 I/O pins can drive 4-8 independent LED channels with PWM frequencies above 1 kHz to avoid flicker perception, while the I²C interface accepts commands from lighting control systems like DMX512 or DALI gateways. The internal 32 MHz oscillator provides stable PWM timing without external components, and the 1.8-3.6 V operation supports direct Li-ion battery power in portable lighting. The wide -40°C to +125°C operating range ensures reliable operation in outdoor and under-hood automotive environments.
Recommended
Small Home Appliance Control
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's combination of 7 KB Flash, 384 bytes RAM, multiple PWM channels, and integrated mTouch sensing is well-suited for small home appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, rice cookers, and air purifiers. The 16 I/O pins handle motor control via PWM, sensor reading via ADC, user input via capacitive touch, and status indication via LED drivers through SPI. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure reliable operation across power-line disturbances common in consumer environments, while the 32 MHz internal oscillator maintains timing accuracy for motor speed control. Extended temperature grade (-40°C to +125°C) supports under-cabinet and garage installations.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 100 nA and compact 6x6 mm QFN package make it suitable for wearable health monitoring devices such as fitness bands, heart rate monitors, and smartwatches. The 12-bit ADC reads analog sensor outputs from photoplethysmography (PPG), temperature, and motion sensors via SPI/I²C, while the integrated capacitive touch peripheral supports swipe and tap user interfaces on small display areas. The 1.8-3.6 V operation enables direct Li-ion or Li-polymer battery power with no regulator, and the small QFN footprint fits within 50 mm² wearable form factors. Sleep currents under 100 nA extend battery life to multi-week operation between charges.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's extended -40°C to +125°C operating range, robust peripherals, and industrial communication interfaces (I²C, SPI, UART) make it ideal for 4-20 mA loop-powered or RS-485 industrial sensor transmitters. The 12-bit ADC with internal voltage reference provides accurate sensor measurements, while the enhanced UART supports MODBUS RTU protocol at baud rates up to 115.2 kbps. Brown-out detect and watchdog timer ensure reliable operation in electrically noisy factory environments, and the integrated capacitive touch peripheral allows sealed front-panel programming without mechanical buttons. The 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal cost in price-sensitive industrial sensor designs.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Control Module
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML's extended -40°C to +125°C temperature range and AEC-Q100-compatible operation make it suitable for non-safety automotive interior applications such as ambient lighting controllers, seat position memory, mirror adjustment modules, and HVAC blend door actuators. The enhanced PWM with complementary outputs and dead-band control drives small DC motors and LED strings, while the 12-bit ADC reads position feedback from potentiometers and Hall sensors. The integrated mTouch capacitive sensing enables sealed touch controls for premium interior surfaces, and the SPI interface connects to body control modules for command reception. Low sleep current supports parasitic-drain compliance for always-connected vehicles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1827-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1827-I/ML | PIC16LF1826-E/ML | PIC16LF1823-E/ML | PIC16F1827-E/ML | PIC16F1825-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 2 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 384 bytes | 384 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 384 bytes | 1.5 KB |
| Max Clock Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C |
| Number of I/O | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 16 |
| Sleep Current (XLP) | <100 nA typical | <100 nA typical | <100 nA typical | <100 nA typical | ~1 uA typical | ~1 uA typical |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral (vs PIC16LF1826-E/ML)
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature range (vs PIC16LF1827-I/ML)
- nanoWatt XLP sub-100nA sleep current at 1.8V (vs PIC16F1827-E/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1827-E/ML nanoWatt XLP technology enables sleep currents below 100 nA at 1.8V VDD per Microchip datasheet 41391D. To achieve this low sleep current, disable all unused peripherals via PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) registers before entering SLEEP, configure all unused I/O pins as outputs driven low (not inputs floating), and disable the ADC, comparators, and FVR modules when not in use. Use the RTC with 32 kHz crystal for periodic wake-up rather than WDT for best accuracy at sub-microamp currents.
The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package requires careful PCB layout for reliable operation. The exposed thermal pad (pin 28) must be soldered to a ground pad of at least equal size on the PCB with multiple thermal vias to the internal ground plane for heat dissipation. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 22) with traces no wider than the pad to minimize inductance. For ICSP programming, route the ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT traces away from high-frequency signals to prevent programming interference.
When using the mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral, route the touch electrode traces on the opposite PCB side from any ground pour, with a minimum 0.5 mm clearance to adjacent traces. The touch sensor traces should be as short as possible (under 50 mm ideal) and not cross any high-frequency or high-current signals. Add a ground ring around each touch electrode with 2-3 mm spacing for noise immunity, and keep the touch sensing area away from the switching power supply and LED driver traces to prevent false touches.
Do not connect the MCLR pin (pin 3 / RA5) directly to VDD without a series resistor or use it as a regular I/O without considering the programming voltage requirements. The internal 32 MHz oscillator accuracy of ±1% is insufficient for UART communication at high baud rates (above 57.6 kbps) - use an external crystal for RS-232/485 applications requiring tight baud-rate matching. The 'LF' voltage range is strictly 1.8V to 3.6V - connecting 5V signals to any I/O pin will damage the device; use the PIC16F1827-E/ML (5.5V tolerant) instead for mixed-voltage designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified explicitly; however, the extended -40C to +125C temperature range supports automotive interior applications. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance documentation. The 'LF' suffix does not change the compliance status compared to non-LF variants.
