PIC16LF18325T-I/SL - 8-Bit 32MHz 14KB Flash XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18325T-I/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.5 | $1.50 |
| 10 | $1.36 | $13.60 |
| 100 | $1.18 | $118.00 |
| 500 | $1.05 | $525.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
PIC16LF18325T-I/SL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), working memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals (ADC, timers, communication ports, GPIO). It sits at the lowest tier of the embedded-compute hierarchy - below microprocessors and SoCs - and is the canonical building block for sensing, control, and user-interface tasks in everything from wearables to industrial sensor nodes. The 'XLP' brand signals Microchip's eXtreme Low Power technology, targeting nanoWatt sleep currents that allow years of operation from a coin cell.
Key features include the 8-bit PIC16 CPU core with a 32MHz internal oscillator, 1KB of RAM, hardware Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible signal routing, 10-bit ADC with computation, complementary waveform generators, and multiple serial interfaces (I²C, SPI, EUSART). The 'LF' family supports a 1.8V to 3.6V supply range with operation down to 1.8V at 16MHz, while the non-LF PIC16F18325 variant runs at 2.3V to 5.5V.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF18325 uses a 14-bit instruction-word Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous fetch and access. PPS remaps digital peripherals to almost any I/O pin, dramatically simplifying PCB routing. The device integrates a hardware mTouch™ capacitive-touch module and a configurable logic cell (CLC) block for glue-logic replacement.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, capacitive-touch user interfaces, wearable health monitors, and energy-harvesting systems where the XLP sleep current directly determines service life.
When designing, prioritize the LF variant only when the supply rail is guaranteed to stay at or below 3.6V; otherwise select the PIC16F18325 (2.3V-5.5V) for 5V-tolerant designs. Always provide a 0.1µF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of VDD and reserve one GPIO for an in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) header.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the same SOIC-14 footprint, and practical design notes not found in the standalone Microchip datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18325T-I/SL — 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 PIC16LF18325T-I/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, MSL Level, Package, Core Architecture, Data EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18323T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18325T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1825T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18313T-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18325T-I/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF family) |
| Supply Voltage (typical) | 3.0 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, with Computation (5-bit / 10-bit modes) |
| Package | 14-pin SOIC (SL), 3.90 mm body width |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Communication Interfaces | I²C, SPI, EUSART (Enhanced USART) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes (hardware remap of digital peripherals) |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (eXtreme Low Power) with nanoWatt sleep modes |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch™ hardware module |
| Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) | Yes |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020, surface-mount SOIC) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Method | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF18325T-I/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5/MCLR#/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / Master Clear (Reset, active-low) / In-Circuit Serial Programming clock |
| Pin 2 | RA0/ICSPDAT/AN0 — Digital I/O / ICSP data / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V for LF variant) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2/AN6 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 6 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/AN7 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 7 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18325T-I/SL is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Wearable Health Monitors, Capacitive-Touch User Interfaces, Remote Controls and RF Transmitters, Energy-Harvesting Systems, Industrial Sensor Conditioning and 4-20mA Loops.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL is purpose-built for IoT sensor nodes running from a single CR2032 coin cell or 2x AA alkaline cells. Its 1.8V to 3.6V supply range eliminates the need for boost regulators, and the XLP nanoWatt sleep mode drops core current below 100 nA typical with RAM retention. The 10-bit ADC with computation (ADC2) performs autonomous sensor readings - temperature, light, battery voltage - without waking the CPU, then triggers a wake-on-interrupt to transmit over the EUSART or I²C. With 14KB Flash and 1KB RAM, the part fits a small BLE/Zigbee stack or LoRaWAN driver alongside sensor firmware. A typical duty cycle of one transmission per minute can yield 5-10 years of battery life, surpassing competing 8-bit MCUs that lack true nanoWatt sleep.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitors
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL suits wearable health monitors where PCB area is measured in mm² and battery life is measured in weeks. The 14-pin SOIC measures 3.90 mm wide - compact for wristbands and patch devices - while the 1.8V minimum supply permits direct operation from a single Li-coin or rechargeable Li-ion cell down to its cutoff voltage. The mTouch™ hardware capacitive-touch module enables touch-sensitive user interfaces (slide-to-wake, tap-to-record) without external mechanical buttons. The CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) block implements glue logic in hardware - for example, generating a wake pulse from an accelerometer interrupt - without CPU involvement. Combined with the 10-bit ADC reading heart-rate or SpO2 photodiode signals, this part delivers medical-grade data acquisition at hobbyist power budgets.
Recommended
Capacitive-Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL integrates Microchip's mTouch™ hardware capacitive-touch module, eliminating the need for an external touch controller IC in keyboards, slider controls, and appliance front panels. The mTouch block scans up to 12 electrodes autonomously, handles debounce and proximity detection in hardware, and wakes the CPU only when a valid touch is detected. The 14KB Flash accommodates touch firmware libraries and slider/gesture algorithms, while PPS allows touch channels to be reassigned to nearly any I/O pin - simplifying PCB layout when the touch sensor is routed away from the main MCU. The 1.8V-3.6V supply range supports both 3.3V and 1.8V system rails common in modern appliance designs.
Recommended
Remote Controls and RF Transmitters
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL is an ideal host MCU for sub-GHz and 2.4GHz remote controls pairing with Microchip's MRF89XA, MRF24J40, or RN4871 Bluetooth modules. The 32MHz core provides ample MIPS to drive SPI-based transceivers and run a custom RF protocol stack. XLP nanoWatt sleep current below 100 nA means a typical TV remote sits idle for years on a pair of AAA cells. The 14KB Flash fits a full custom protocol, button matrix scan, and battery-low detection. PPS simplifies PCB routing by allowing SPI or UART peripherals to be assigned to whichever pins are physically closest to the RF module, reducing trace length and EMI susceptibility.
Recommended
Energy-Harvesting Systems
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL is well-suited for energy-harvesting applications such as solar-powered wireless sensors, kinetic-powered switches, and thermoelectric generators. The XLP sleep current below 100 nA means the MCU can operate from harvested energy with only brief active bursts. The 1.8V minimum supply allows direct operation from low-voltage solar cells (2-3 cells in series) without boost conversion. The CLC block can be configured as a hardware supervisor to wake the MCU only when the harvested supply exceeds a usable threshold, preventing brown-out lockups. With 1KB RAM and 14KB Flash, the part can run lightweight energy-management firmware alongside sensor and protocol code.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning and 4-20mA Loops
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL handles industrial sensor-conditioning tasks in PLC input modules, smart transmitters, and 4-20mA loop-powered devices. The 10-bit ADC with computation supports hardware averaging and threshold comparison, reducing CPU load for continuous sensor monitoring. The CLC block can implement custom logic for fault detection, while the EUSART handles RS-485 Modbus communication. Note: industrial loops typically require 2.3V-5.5V, so the non-LF PIC16F18325T-I/SL is often paired with this LF part for system redundancy. The industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and 14-pin SOIC footprint simplify integration into DIN-rail-mounted sensor assemblies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18325T-I/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18323T-I/SL | PIC16F18325T-I/SL | PIC16LF1825T-I/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 7 KB | 14 KB | 8 KB |
| RAM | 1 KB | 512 B | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| mTouch Capacitive Touch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (older revision) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Lifecycle Status | Active | Active | Active | Active (legacy generation) |
Key Differentiators
- 14KB Flash in the 14-SOIC footprint at 1.8V minimum (vs PIC16LF18323T-I/SL)
- Lower minimum supply voltage than the F variant (vs PIC16F18325T-I/SL)
- Hardware Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible PCB routing (vs PIC16LF1825T-I/SL)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF18325T-I/SL's XLP nanoWatt sleep current is specified below 100 nA typical with RAM retention, but only if the ADC, comparators, and FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference) are explicitly disabled before entering Sleep. Estimated: if an unconfigured peripheral (e.g., the ADC with default clock on) draws 1 µA continuously, battery life drops by 10x. Always verify Sleep current on the final PCB by measuring the supply current with all peripherals disabled in software - a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD is required for clean ADC readings and stable Sleep currents.
Pin 1 of the 14-SOIC package is RA5/MCLR#/ICSPCLK. Always reserve this pin for the ICSP programming header - never use it as a general-purpose output without a debug-friendly footprint. The MCLR# pin requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD for normal operation; a 100 nF capacitor to ground on MCLR# improves reset noise immunity. For in-circuit programming, expose ICSPCLK (pin 1) and ICSPDAT (pin 2) on a 2x3 or 1x6 header. PPS allows remapping of digital peripherals, so lay out I/O for the most likely UART/SPI pin pair even before firmware is finalized.
Do not connect the LF variant to a 5V supply - the absolute maximum VDD is 3.6V. For 5V systems, use the PIC16F18325T-I/SL (2.3V-5.5V) instead. The ADC input voltage must not exceed VDD + 0.3V or fall below VSS - 0.3V; external resistor dividers for higher-voltage signals must account for this. PPS configuration must be unlocked via the PPSLOCK register sequence before changes take effect; failing to do so leaves peripheral routing in an undefined state. Estimated: the ADC's 10-bit resolution gives a quantization step of VDD/1024 - at 3.0V, that is ~2.9 mV per LSB, sufficient for most sensor conditioning but not for 16-bit precision requirements.
The 32MHz internal oscillator has a typical accuracy of ±2% across the industrial temperature range, sufficient for UART communication up to 250 kbps. For higher baud rates (e.g., 1 Mbps), use a crystal on OSC1/OSC2 (note: 14-SOIC only exposes RA5/RA7, not dedicated OSC pins - use the internal FRC with PLL for high-speed operation). Keep SPI traces short (<50 mm) and add 33 Ω series resistors at the source end if traces exceed 100 mm to reduce ringing. The mTouch electrodes should be surrounded by a ground hatch (no traces within 1 mm of the electrode perimeter) for stable capacitive readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade MCU, not automotive. Choose AEC-Q100-qualified dsPIC33 or PIC18 variants for automotive designs.
