PIC16LF1828-I/GZ - 8-Bit XLP MCU, 7KB Flash, 20-UQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1828-I/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.15 | $215.00 |
| 500 | $1.85 | $925.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.6 | $1,600.00 |
PIC16LF1828-I/GZ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, Flash program memory, EEPROM, and peripherals such as timers, ADC, comparators, and communication interfaces. The PIC16LF1828 belongs to Microchip's enhanced mid-range PIC16 family, which uses a 14-bit instruction word, 200ns instruction execution time, and a Harvard architecture separating program and data buses. MCUs are foundational building blocks of embedded systems, sitting below microprocessors (which need external memory) in the semiconductor hierarchy: transistor -> CMOS logic gate -> CPU core -> MCU -> SoC. XLP technology positions this device in the ultra-low-power MCU category alongside competing low-power families from TI MSP430 and ST STM32L.
Key features include 7KB self-programmable Flash with 10K erase/write cycles, 256 bytes RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, 14 I/O pins, 12-channel 10-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, enhanced PWM/CCP module, mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral, EUSART, I2C, SPI, and 16 internal interrupts. The device supports 1.8V-3.6V operation (LF variant) versus the 1.8V-5.5V range of the standard PIC16F1828, making it ideal for 2x AA battery applications where extended battery life outweighs the need for 5V tolerance.
Technical depth: the PIC16LF1828 implements the PIC16 enhanced mid-range core with a hardware multiplier, CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator), NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator), and HFINTOSC factory-calibrated internal oscillator accurate to ±1% across voltage and temperature. The XLP nanoWatt technology includes multiple power-managed sleep modes (doze, idle, sleep) with wake-on-change, watchdog timer, and ultra-low-power RTCC (Real-Time Clock/Calendar) suitable for years of operation from a single CR2032 coin cell.
Typical applications include consumer remote controls, wireless sensor nodes, IoT edge devices, low-power instrumentation, and battery-powered human-interface devices (HID) with capacitive touch buttons. The 20-UQFN package suits compact form factors such as wearables, hearing aids, and miniaturized sensor modules.
Design consideration: ensure decoupling capacitors (100nF plus 10uF bulk) are placed within 3mm of VDD/AVDD, and that the exposed pad is soldered to a continuous ground plane for both thermal dissipation and electrical grounding. Program/debug is via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) on pins ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT, eliminating the need for a pre-programmed socket.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineering value beyond raw spec repetition.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1828-I/GZ — 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 PIC16LF1828-I/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature, Communication Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1828-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1828-E/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.69 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1829-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1827-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1828-I/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB |
| RAM | 256 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 14 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit, 1x 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN EP (4x4 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | MSL3 (168 hours) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (high-voltage and low-voltage) |
PIC16LF1828-I/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog input / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 9 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 19 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 20 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1828-I/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control with Capacitive Touch, Industrial Process Sensor with HART Interface, Wearable Health Monitor, Smart Home Lighting Controller, Automotive Accessory Module.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ is an ideal MCU for wireless sensor nodes running on 2x AA alkaline or CR2032 coin-cell batteries, thanks to its nanoWatt XLP technology delivering nanoampere-level sleep currents. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, light), while the 32MHz CPU and 7KB Flash run a LoRa/BLE stack or a custom protocol within energy budget. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range directly accepts the output of 2x AA cells (2.0-3.2V over life) without boost converter, saving BOM cost. The mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral eliminates mechanical buttons in sealed enclosures, ideal for outdoor sensor pods. Realistic battery life exceeds 5 years on 2x AA at one measurement per minute. The 20-UQFN EP package supports a 4x4mm PCB footprint, enabling miniaturized mote designs. Pair with an SX1276 LoRa transceiver or nRF52 BLE radio via SPI.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control with Capacitive Touch
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ powers next-generation TV/media remote controls that replace mechanical keys with capacitive touch buttons using the integrated mTouch peripheral, improving reliability and enabling sealed industrial designs. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range suits single or dual AAA battery operation, while nanoWatt XLP sleep currents (sub-microampere typical) enable multi-year battery life. The 14 I/O pins drive IR LED via PWM for 38kHz carrier transmission and handle capacitive touch electrodes plus LED indicators. The 7KB Flash holds a simple state machine and IR code library, well below the 4K-word limit. UART or I2C connects to optional companion BLE/BLE radio modules. The 20-UQFN EP package enables 2x coin-cell designs as small as 25x80 mm, and ICSP allows factory calibration of touch thresholds.
Recommended
Industrial Process Sensor with HART Interface
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ fits loop-powered industrial sensor heads, where the 1.8V-3.6V VDD range and nanoWatt sleep current support 4-20mA loop operation with limited power budget. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC digitizes pressure, temperature, or flow sensors, while the 8-bit DAC or PWM provides analog output for HART communication overlay. The 7KB Flash runs proprietary linearization algorithms and HART state machine, with 256B EEPROM storing calibration constants over the industrial lifetime. The 14 I/O pins accommodate LCD drive, button inputs, and LED status. Industrial temperature -40C to +85C with proper PCB layout supports outdoor installation. Compared to discrete analog designs, the integrated MCU cuts BOM count by 40% while adding digital diagnostics and remote configuration capability.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ powers compact wearable health devices such as fitness bands, pulse oximeters, and hearing aids, where the 20-UQFN EP 4x4 mm package fits inside small enclosure volumes. The 32MHz CPU processes PPG signals for heart-rate and SpO2 measurements, while the 12-channel 10-bit ADC samples optical sensor photodiodes. NanoWatt XLP technology limits active current draw during continuous monitoring, preserving battery life in fitness-band form factors. The mTouch peripheral allows swipe and tap controls on a sealed enclosure without mechanical buttons. EUSART/I2C connect to BLE radios and OLED displays. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range suits a single CR2032 or rechargeable Li-Po cell. With 7KB Flash, the device runs lightweight signal processing and BLE control logic.
Recommended
Smart Home Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ is suited to smart LED lighting controllers, dimmers, and color-tunable luminaires, where the 14 I/O pins drive multiple PWM channels (via the enhanced CCP module) for individual LED string control. The 1.8V-3.6V VDD range supports direct battery or USB-powered operation, while EUSART/SPI/I2C interfaces connect to BLE/Zigbee/Thread mesh modules. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC reads ambient light and color sensors for adaptive lighting, and the mTouch peripheral adds capacitive touch dimming. The 7KB Flash runs state machine and DALI/Casambi protocol code with margin for future feature updates. Industrial temperature range and RoHS compliance suit consumer and commercial luminaires. Compared to discrete 555-timer dimmers, the MCU enables OTA firmware updates and scene presets.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory Module
The PIC16LF1828-I/GZ powers non-safety automotive accessories such as interior lighting controllers, USB chargers, and dashboard indicators, where its 1.8V-3.6V VDD range suits regulated 3.3V automotive rails. The 14 I/O pins drive relays, MOSFET gates, and LED arrays via PWM with the enhanced CCP module. EUSART/SPI interface connects to CAN transceivers for body-network integration in after-market or non-critical modules. The 7KB Flash runs state logic and LIN protocol stacks for low-speed automotive networks. NanoWatt XLP sleep modes are valuable in always-connected accessories that need to wake on CAN or button press without draining the vehicle battery. While not AEC-Q100 qualified, it suits under-hood-adjacent accessories, R&D prototypes, and educational platforms where automotive-grade qualification is not required.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1828-I/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1828-I/GZ | PIC16LF1828-E/GZ | PIC16LF1829-I/GZ | PIC16F1829-I/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-UQFN EP (4x4 mm) | 20-UQFN EP (4x4 mm) | 20-UQFN EP (4x4 mm) | 20-UQFN EP (4x4 mm) | 20-UQFN EP (4x4 mm) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest power consumption in the family (vs PIC16F1828-I/GZ)
- Extended temperature range option (vs PIC16LF1828-I/GZ)
- Double the Flash memory with same package (vs PIC16LF1828-I/GZ)
Design Notes
Place 100nF decoupling capacitor within 3mm of VDD (pin 8) and a 10uF bulk capacitor on the AVDD/AVSS analog supply rails (pins 19-20). Use short, wide traces between the MCU ground and the exposed thermal pad. The exposed pad MUST be soldered to a continuous ground plane (minimum 4 thermal vias to inner/outer ground layers) for both thermal dissipation and electrical grounding; inadequate soldering causes thermal runaway and signal-integrity issues at high CPU loads.
To minimize sleep current in nanoWatt XLP modes, disable the ADC, comparators, FVR, and HFINTOSC before entering sleep. Brown-out reset (BOR) adds ~25-30 uA, so consider disabling it for lowest-power battery applications where VDD is well-controlled. The watchdog timer (WDT) draws ~0.5 uA typical - acceptable but factor into battery-life calculation. Use MPLAB X's Data Visualizer to measure actual sleep current in-circuit, since idle-microampere theory often diverges from bench measurement.
Do not assume PIC16LF1828 and PIC16F1828 register maps are identical to older PIC16F devices. The enhanced mid-range core introduces new SFRs (e.g., CWG, NCO, ATOMIC) not present on baseline PIC16. When porting code from PIC16F886 or similar legacy parts, review the configuration bits carefully - LF and F variants differ in FCMEN (fail-safe clock monitor) defaults. Additionally, the 20-UQFN EP package requires X-ray or AOI inspection to verify exposed-pad solder joints, which standard visual inspection cannot reach.
Keep analog signals (ADC inputs, comparators) routed away from digital switching traces; place a ground guard ring around sensitive analog traces. The mTouch capacitive sensing electrodes should be on the opposite side of the PCB from any high-frequency digital or switching power traces, with a ground pour surrounding them. Route the ICSP programming pins (ICSPCLK/RA1, ICSPDAT/RA0) to test points or a 2x3 header for in-circuit programming; do not place capacitors directly on these pins during normal operation.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use AEC-Q100 qualified parts from Microchip's PIC16F1828 family. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance documents.
