PIC16LF1829-I/SS - 8-bit XLP MCU 14KB Flash 32MHz SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1829-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.06 | $2.06 |
| 10 | $1.85 | $18.50 |
| 100 | $1.62 | $162.00 |
| 500 | $1.45 | $725.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.28 | $1,280.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.15 | $3,450.00 |
PIC16LF1829-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, peripherals, and I/O on one die. Within the embedded-system taxonomy the PIC16LF1829 sits at: MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> enhanced mid-range core -> Microchip mid-range portfolio. The 'LF' prefix denotes the low-voltage F-series variant optimized for 1.8-3.6 V supply operation, while the 'F' counterpart (PIC16F1829) extends the supply to 5.5 V. The '1829' family brings mTouch capacitive sensing hardware, a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO), complementary waveform generators, and multiple Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) ports.
Key features include: 32 MHz internal oscillator, 12 I/O pins, 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, two comparators, an 8-bit DAC, an mTouch hardware oscillator for capacitive touch, and 49 instruction word-set. Power consumption is among the lowest in the class: 1.8 V operation at 32 kHz standby draws under 1.3 µA, and sleep currents below 20 nA make it suitable for battery-powered sensor nodes.
The enhanced mid-range architecture adds interrupt context saving, a hardware multiplier, and a deeper stack, supporting deterministic real-time response for motor, lighting, and IoT edge workloads. The mTouch block performs capacitive measurement without external active components, eliminating the BOM cost of dedicated touch ICs.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, portable consumer electronics, LED lighting controllers, and low-power wireless sensor nodes. It also fits as a co-processor for housekeeping and wake-up functions in larger systems.
When designing with this part, ensure the supply is decoupled with 100 nF plus 10 µF ceramic capacitors within 5 mm of VDD; use the LF variant when the rail stays under 3.6 V to gain maximum XLP benefit. For firmware, MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler and PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger provides full debug support.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1829-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 PIC16LF1829-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, DAC, Timers, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1829-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1828-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1823-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1619-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 12 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| DAC | 8-bit, 1 channel |
| Communication | 2 x EUSART, 2 x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Low-Power Feature | XLP (eXtreme Low Power), <20 nA sleep |
| Touch Sensing | mTouch hardware capacitive oscillator |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16-bit opcode |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1829-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/C1IN+ — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / DAC reference / comparator positive input |
| Pin 2 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/C1OUT — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / Timer0 clock / comparator output |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/CPS1/SCL — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS / I2C clock |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0/CPS0/SDI — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS / SPI data in |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 8 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Bidirectional I/O / crystal oscillator output / system clock out |
| Pin 9 | RC0/SOSCFO/SCL — Bidirectional I/O / secondary oscillator / I2C clock |
| Pin 10 | RC1/SOSCFI/SDA — Bidirectional I/O / secondary oscillator / I2C data |
| Pin 11 | RC2/AN10/CPS2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS |
| Pin 12 | RC3/AN11/CPS3 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS |
| Pin 13 | RC4/CPS4/SDO — Bidirectional I/O / mTouch CPS / SPI data out |
| Pin 14 | RC5/CPS5 — Bidirectional I/O / mTouch CPS |
| Pin 15 | RC6/AN6/CPS6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O / ADC / mTouch / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 16 | RC7/AN7/CPS7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O / ADC / mTouch / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 17 | RB7/AN6/CPS10 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS |
| Pin 18 | RB6/AN5/CPS11 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / mTouch CPS |
| Pin 19 | RB5/AN11 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 20 | RB4/AN10 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1829-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Portable Consumer Electronics, LED Lighting Controllers, Industrial Control & Sensor Conditioning, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Hubs.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1829-I/SS fits coin-cell and energy-harvesting IoT sensor nodes because of its sub-20 nA deep-sleep current and 1.8-3.6 V supply range that matches CR2032 / 2xAA chemistries without a boost converter. The 14 KB Flash, 1 KB RAM, and 256-byte EEPROM comfortably handle sensor calibration, packetization, and rolling counters in BLE/Zigbee host MCUs as a wake-up co-processor. According to Microchip datasheet DS41440A, the 32 kHz LFINTOSC plus hardware RTC enable duty-cycled sampling with predictable timing and XLP-grade current. Place 100 nF plus 10 µF ceramic decoupling within 5 mm of VDD to maintain clean rail transitions during wake-up bursts that may draw 5-10 mA peaks.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16LF1829's integrated mTouch hardware capacitive oscillator eliminates the BOM cost of dedicated touch ICs and simplifies PCB layout by using the MCU itself as the touch controller. Per Microchip datasheet DS41440A, the mTouch block performs charge-time measurement with built-in noise immunity against moisture, AC line, and EMC transients - sufficient for kitchen, appliance, and consumer-electronics front panels. The 12 I/O and 10-bit ADC provide additional channels for sliders, proximity sensing, and legacy button scanning. The <20 nA sleep current lets the device sit in standby and wake on a touch interrupt for ultra-low-power wake-on-touch behavior on battery products.
Recommended
Portable Consumer Electronics
Handheld devices such as remote controls, e-readers accessories, fitness bands, and personal-care appliances benefit from the PIC16LF1829-I/SS combination of 14 KB Flash, 1 KB RAM, low-voltage operation, and 32 MHz execution headroom. The EUSART and MSSP peripherals directly drive displays, sensors, and BLE modules without glue logic. As referenced in Microchip's mid-range datasheet, the XLP features (RTC running from 32 kHz crystal, ultra-low-power wake, brown-out reset) meet portable product lifetime targets on a single coin cell for months. Designers typically pair this MCU with a SPI NOR flash and a small TFT-OLED for compact UI.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF1829-I/SS drives smart-LED strips and constant-current lighting fixtures using its 16-bit timer for PWM generation and its 8-bit DAC for logarithmic dimming curves. The 32 MHz CPU executes dimming math, color mixing, and BLE/Zigbee protocol frames with low jitter. According to Microchip datasheet DS41440A, the part's PWM has 10-bit resolution at 32 kHz, well above the perceptual flicker threshold for indoor lighting. The 1.8-3.6 V supply pairs with a buck-boost front-end directly fed from 12 V or 24 V LED driver rails, eliminating auxiliary regulator stages. The mTouch peripheral enables touch dimming without mechanical buttons.
Recommended
Industrial Control & Sensor Conditioning
Factory-floor sensor conditioning, process monitoring, and machine-health modules leverage the PIC16LF1829-I/SS 10-bit ADC, dual comparators, and industrial -40C to +85C rating. The 12 I/O drive 4-20 mA loops, opto-isolated inputs, and RS-485 transceivers. As specified in Microchip datasheet DS41440A, the ADC achieves 10 bits at up to 100 ksps, sufficient for vibration, temperature, and pressure acquisition. XLP-grade sleep current suits battery-backed remote telemetry units (RTUs) and condition-monitoring edge nodes that spend 99% of the time in standby. Pair with an RS-485 transceiver for industrial field-bus connectivity.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Hubs
The PIC16LF1829-I/SS serves as the housekeeping MCU in low-power wireless sensor hubs, managing sub-GHz or BLE radio enable, supervisory sequencing, and on-board diagnostics. With <20 nA sleep, the part itself adds negligible quiescent current to a battery budget dominated by the radio. The 14 KB Flash hosts MAC/PHY glue code, AT command parsing, and OTA update images. According to Microchip's PIC16F/LF1825/1829 datasheet, the integrated 16-bit timer captures wake timestamps precisely, supporting synchronized sleeping across multi-node sensor meshes for years on AA cells. Pair with the MRF89XA sub-GHz transceiver or RN4871 BLE module.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1829-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1829-I/SS | PIC16LF1829-I/SO | PIC16LF1829-I/ML | PIC16LF1828-I/SS | PIC16LF1823-I/SS | PIC16LF1619-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SOIC - same pinout | 20-QFN - same pinout | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Supply 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 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB (-50%) | 8 KB (-43%) | 14 KB |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 256 B (-74%) | 256 B (-74%) | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| mTouch Support | Yes (hardware) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (fewer channels) | No (HW math accel instead) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash density in the PIC16LF182x SSOP-20 family (vs PIC16LF1828-I/SS)
- mTouch hardware capacitive touch oscillator integrated (vs PIC16LF1619-I/SS)
- Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) on LF supply rail (vs PIC16F1829-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 5 mm of the pin plus a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The PIC16LF1829-I/SS draws <20 nA in deep sleep but can pull 5-10 mA peaks during active execution - inadequate bulk capacitance causes VDD sag and unwanted brown-out resets. For battery applications, route the bulk capacitor so that wake-up inrush flows directly to the VDD pin without traversing ferrite beads.
Route the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK signals to dedicated test pads or a 1x3 0.1 inch header for programming and debug. Place the ICSP header at the board edge so the PICkit 5 can clip on without disturbing the rest of the circuit. The MCLR pin must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; add a 100 ohm series resistor if the pin is exposed externally to limit ESD current.
Do not apply voltages above 3.6 V to the LF variant - this is a top reason for field failures when LF and F parts are accidentally substituted. Verify the -LF prefix on every incoming reel. For 5 V systems, use PIC16F1829-I/SS instead. Also confirm the LFINTOSC is calibrated for temperature - Microchip's datasheet specifies +/- 2% typical at 25C but +/- 5% over the full industrial range.
When using the mTouch capacitive sensor, guard the sense traces with a ground plane and avoid running them parallel to noisy switching traces for more than 5 mm. The datasheet recommends a trace width of 0.5-1.0 mm and a clearance of at least 2 mm from other signals to minimize parasitic coupling. Adding a 4.7 nF series capacitor on the shield electrode (if used) reduces moisture sensitivity.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status per Microchip product page. Halogen-free per JLCPCB part detail (PIC16LF1829-I/SS datasheet listing). AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a general-purpose MCU; automotive users should select the PIC16F1829-E/SS or PIC16LF1829-E/SS automotive-qualified variants instead.
