PIC16LF18324-E/ST - 8-Bit XLP MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18324-E/ST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.23 | $1.23 |
| 10 | $1.11 | $11.10 |
| 100 | $0.95 | $95.00 |
| 500 | $0.86 | $430.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.78 | $780.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.71 | $2,130.00 |
PIC16LF18324-E/ST Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip containing a CPU, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), non-volatile storage (EEPROM), and programmable peripheral interfaces on a single die. Within the broader power management and embedded hierarchy, MCUs sit alongside voltage regulators and interface ICs as the core of any digital control subsystem, and the PIC16 family occupies the mid-range 8-bit tier between baseline PIC10/12/16 devices and 16-bit dsPIC/dspIC families. The "LF" prefix indicates the low-voltage, low-power F-version process variant that supports 1.8 V to 3.6 V operation, while the "E" suffix denotes the extended temperature grade of -40 °C to +125 °C.
Key features include a 10-bit ADC, a 5-bit DAC, two comparators, a 10-bit PWM with capture/compare/PWM (CCP) module, Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), and serial interfaces including EUSART, SPI, and I2C. The 14-pin TSSOP package exposes 12 user I/O pins with PPS remapping, allowing flexible peripheral-to-pin assignment without PCB rework.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF18324 uses an enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC core with a single-cycle instruction path, hardware stack, and interrupt controller that services up to 14 interrupt sources. The XLP architecture integrates nanoWatt features such as idle/doze/sleep modes with sub-microamp standby current, making the part suitable for battery-powered IoT endpoints.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, wearable health monitors, low-power wireless remotes, home automation controllers, and industrial sensor interfaces. The combination of XLP sleep current, ADC, DAC, and PPS routing is particularly useful for tightly integrated analog/digital designs where board area is constrained.
When designing with this MCU, allocate 2 KB of Flash for bootloader overhead when planning field updates, and use the PPS feature to route peripherals to any I/O pin, which simplifies PCB layout. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor adjacent to VDD and tie the MCLR pin through a 10 kΩ pull-up for normal operation. This entry distills catalog specs, distributor inventory, and drop-in equivalents into a single decision-ready reference not found in any single source datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18324-E/ST — 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 PIC16LF18324-E/ST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core, Package, ADC, PWM Channels, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18324-I/ST
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18324-E/SL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18324-E/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18324T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18324-E/STVAO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18324-E/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 512 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (E grade) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit PWM + CCP |
| Serial Interfaces | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) | Yes |
| Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) | Yes |
| Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 |
| Package | 14-pin TSSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18324-E/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 7 | RA4 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 8 | RC0 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 10 | RC2 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 11 | RC3 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 12 | RC5 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 13 | RC4 — Digital I/O / IOCOM with PPS remapping |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18324-E/ST is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitor, Home Automation Controller, Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Low-Power Wireless Remote Control, LED Lighting Dimmer Controller.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18324-E/ST fits IoT sensor nodes because its XLP architecture delivers sub-microamp sleep current while retaining 12 I/O pins for sensor interfacing. Operating from 1.8 V to 3.6 V lets the MCU run directly from a CR2032 coin cell or single Li-ion cell without an LDO, and the 10-bit ADC and 5-bit DAC simplify analog sensor conditioning. With 7 KB Flash and 512 B RAM, the device handles BLE-bootloader-style command handling plus periodic sampling and reporting. Use the CLC to debounce mechanical switches in hardware and free the CPU for application logic.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
For wearable health monitors, the PIC16LF18324-E/ST's XLP sleep currents (under 100 nA typical in deep sleep) keep total system quiescent draw low enough for multi-day runtime on small Li-ion cells. The 32 MHz CPU can sample PPG/heart-rate sensors and run lightweight signal-processing filters between sleeps. The integrated 10-bit ADC captures analog bio-sensor signals, while the EUSART/SPI/I2C interfaces link to BLE modules and OLED displays. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lets designers route I2C and SPI to any available I/O, simplifying board layout around curved enclosures.
Recommended
Home Automation Controller
The PIC16LF18324-E/ST suits home automation controllers because its 12 I/O pins drive multiple digital sensors and actuators while the CLC, NCO, and CWG peripherals synthesize timing, modulation, and complementary waveforms. Operating at 1.8 V to 3.6 V matches battery-powered wireless remotes, and the integrated comparators enable zero-crossing detection for AC-line-coupled dimming. The 14-TSSOP package is small enough for in-wall switches. According to Microchip application notes, the PPS feature lets one MCU design serve multiple SKUs with different peripheral-to-pin assignments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
Industrial sensor modules benefit from the PIC16LF18324-E/ST's extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade and 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range, which suits 24 V industrial rails with a small switching pre-regulator. The 10-bit ADC and 5-bit DAC handle analog 4-20 mA loop emulation or thermistor conditioning, while the EUSART serves RS-485 link layers via external transceivers. The 7 KB Flash accommodates MODBUS RTU or IO-Link-style stacks, and the CLC blocks implement safety logic in firmware-free hardware. PPS routing simplifies PCB layouts with non-standard pin assignments.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Remote Control
Wireless remote controls leverage the PIC16LF18324-E/ST's XLP deep-sleep current to extend battery life to multi-year levels on a single coin cell. The integrated NCO and CWG peripherals synthesize sub-GHz carrier frequencies without external crystals, while the 10-bit PWM drives IR-LED modulation. The 32 MHz CPU allows button debouncing, multi-key press decoding, and RF protocol stacks within the 7 KB Flash budget. PPS lets the designer place the antenna matching network on quiet I/O pins for best RF performance.
Recommended
LED Lighting Dimmer Controller
LED dimmer controllers use the PIC16LF18324-E/ST because the CWG and 10-bit PWM peripherals deliver flicker-free phase-controlled dimming and color-mixing on RGBW strips. The comparators detect zero-crossing of the AC mains for TRIAC-compatible dimming, and the CLC blocks implement safety interlocks in hardware without CPU round-trip latency. The 14-TSSOP fits behind wall plates, and 1.8 V to 3.6 V operation lets a single low-dropout regulator serve both logic and analog rails. The 7 KB Flash accommodates DMX/DALI/Hue-style protocols.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18324-E/ST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18324-I/ST | PIC16LF18324-E/SL | PIC16LF18324-E/P | PIC16LF18324T-I/ST | PIC16F18324-E/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TSSOP-14 (/ST) | TSSOP-14 (/ST) | SOIC-14 (/SL) | PDIP-14 (/P) | TSSOP-14 (/ST) | TSSOP-14 (/ST) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| 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 | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| DAC | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit | 5-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Lower voltage range than PIC16F18324-E/ST (vs PIC16F18324-E/ST)
- Wider temperature range than I-grade variant (vs PIC16LF18324-I/ST)
- More Flash and I/O than PIC16LF18323 (vs PIC16LF18323-E/ST)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF18324-E/ST supports 1.8 V to 3.6 V operation. For full 32 MHz performance, VDD must remain at or above 2.5 V. Below 2.5 V the CPU is throttled by the LF process variant. When designing battery-powered nodes, choose a Li-ion (3.0 V nominal) or CR2032 (3.0 V) source and add a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor adjacent to pin 14 (VDD) and pin 5 (VSS). Estimated: at 32 MHz CPU clock, ICC is approximately 5 mA active; sleep current can drop below 1 µA with XLP mode.
TSSOP-14 has 0.65 mm pitch and requires careful PCB layout. Place a 4-layer board with a continuous ground plane under the package and route VDD with a 0.1 µF + 10 µF bulk capacitor pair. Keep clock traces short. The exposed thermal pad on TSSOP is not present on this 14-pin variant, but a top-side ground pour improves EMI. Always tie MCLR (pin 4) to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor for normal operation; pull low only during reset.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD rating of 4.0 V (LF variant) or 5.5 V (F variant) - ESD and over-voltage events will permanently damage the part. Always configure the Configuration Words (CONFIG1/CONFIG2) for the correct oscillator mode and WDT setting before code download. Avoid leaving floating analog inputs - tie unused ADC pins to either VDD or VSS through a resistor to prevent shoot-through current. Per the Microchip datasheet, all digital I/O pins default to inputs on startup.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. This part is industrial/extended grade - it is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications select the AEC-Q100 screened Q1 / VAO suffix variants.
