PIC16LF18344-E/SS - 8-Bit MCU, 32MHz, 7KB Flash, XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18344-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.96 | $0.96 |
| 10 | $0.92 | $9.20 |
| 100 | $0.81 | $81.00 |
| 500 | $0.71 | $355.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.62 | $620.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.54 | $1,620.00 |
PIC16LF18344-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile data memory (SRAM), non-volatile data memory (EEPROM), and a set of peripherals onto a single die. The PIC16 family belongs to the PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) architecture, a Harvard-design RISC core with separate program and data buses that has been produced since the 1970s. Within that hierarchy, the LF sub-family denotes low-voltage variants (1.8V-3.6V), and the 183xx series emphasizes mixed-signal integration with Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), and multiple communications peripherals.
Key features include an integrated 10-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2) providing automated averaging, threshold comparison, and oversampling, a 5-bit DAC, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (EUSART), SPI, I2C, up to 17 I/O pins, and 256 bytes of EEPROM. The PPS module allows digital peripheral signals (CLC, CWG, CCP, PWM, communications) to be remapped to most I/O pins, dramatically easing PCB layout constraints.
The architecture is built around an enhanced mid-range PIC16 CPU core with a hardware stack, hardware interrupt controller, and a single-cycle instruction fetch. The XLP design provides sleep currents in the nanoamp range, making the part suitable for battery-powered products that must wake periodically, sample a sensor, transmit, and return to sleep.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless remote controls, battery-powered medical wearables, consumer appliances with capacitive touch, industrial sensor transmitters, and small white-goods control boards. The wide peripheral mix also supports simple closed-loop control and LED driving via PWM, CWG, and the on-chip comparator and DAC.
When designing with this device, plan the peripheral-to-pin map via PPS before laying out the PCB - remapping digital functions after layout forces a board respin. For lowest sleep current, disable unused peripherals via PMD, switch to the LFINTOSC during idle periods, and verify that pull-ups on MCLR are not leaking current.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18344-E/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 PIC16LF18344-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, ADC, Communication Peripherals, DAC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18344-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18325-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18324-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18325-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18344-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | Up to 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit with Computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, PWM, Configurable Logic |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix) |
| XLP Sleep Current | Typ. low-nA range (XLP) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18344-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR — GPIO RA3 or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — GPIO RA4 (also analog/digital via PPS) |
| Pin 3 | RA5 — GPIO RA5 |
| Pin 4 | RA6 — GPIO RA6 |
| Pin 5 | RA7 — GPIO RA7 |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — GPIO RB0 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — GPIO RB1 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — GPIO RB2 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — GPIO RB3 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — GPIO RB4 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — GPIO RB5 (PPS remappable) |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — GPIO RB6 (PPS remappable, ICSCLK) |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — GPIO RB7 (PPS remappable, ICSDAT) |
| Pin 16 | RA0 — GPIO RA0 (also analog input) |
| Pin 17 | RA1 — GPIO RA1 (also analog input) |
| Pin 18 | RA2 — GPIO RA2 (also analog input) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18344-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitor, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Industrial Sensor Transmitter, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Wireless Remote Control.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18344-E/SS fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8V-3.6V VDD range is directly compatible with single-cell Li-ion or 2x AA supplies, and the XLP technology yields nanoamp-range sleep currents between sensor readings. The integrated 10-bit ADC2 with Computation automoversampling reduces firmware wake-time, and the 17 I/O pins accommodate multiple analog sensors plus a UART-attached radio. EUSART/SPI/I2C peripherals connect directly to sub-GHz transceivers such as the MRF89XA. PPS allows the SPI lines to be reassigned after layout, easing PCB routing in dense sensor PCBs.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
For wearable health monitors, the PIC16LF18344-E/SS operates directly from a coin-cell or Li-Po cell in the 1.8V-3.6V range and consumes nanoamps in sleep between heart-rate or SpO2 samples. Its 5-bit DAC and on-chip comparator can drive an LED pulse for PPG measurement, while the 10-bit ADC2 samples the photodiode return signal with automated oversampling. The 32 MHz CPU executes DSP-like filtering on each wake event before returning to sleep. The 20-SSOP package is thin enough (1.75 mm) for slim wristbands.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC16LF18344-E/SS is well-suited for capacitive touch buttons and sliders because it integrates the Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) including the CLC and NCO that can implement touch scanning without CPU wakeup. The 10-bit ADC2 reads the mTouch CVD touch sensor with hardware averaging, and the PPS module allows up to 17 touch channels to be remapped to any I/O pin for flexible PCB layout. The 32 MHz CPU debounces and post-processes touches when needed, while sleep currents remain in the nanoamp range when no touch is detected.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
In industrial 4-20 mA sensor transmitters, the PIC16LF18344-E/SS operates from a regulated 3.3 V rail and its 10-bit ADC2 with Computation oversamples bridge or RTD sensor outputs to deliver 12-bit effective resolution. The 5-bit DAC and on-chip op-amp (if present in variant) can source excitation currents for resistive sensors, and the EUSART serves as an isolated RS-485 link. The -40C to +125C operating range handles plant-floor environments without additional thermal protection.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF18344-E/SS works well as the main controller in small consumer appliances such as coffee makers, air purifiers, or kitchen hoods. The 17 I/O pins drive relays, triacs, status LEDs, and a small character LCD, while the PWM and CWG peripherals produce timed signals for motor speed control or heater triac triggering. The CLC module implements safety interlocks entirely in hardware so the firmware can fail safely. The 20-SSOP package is hand-solderable for prototyping.
Recommended
Wireless Remote Control
The PIC16LF18344-E/SS is a strong fit for low-power wireless remote controls because its XLP nanoamp sleep current extends coin-cell battery life across years of standby, while the 32 MHz core executes button-debounce and RF encoding in microseconds after wake. The CWG and NCO can synthesize the RF carrier in hardware, freeing the CPU entirely during transmission. The EUSART/SPI/I2C blocks attach directly to sub-GHz or BLE radio modules, and PPS allows the RF signal path to be reassigned for PCB antenna placement.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18344-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18344-E/SS | PIC16LF18325-E/SS | PIC16LF18324-E/SS | PIC16LF18344-I/SS | PIC16F18325-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 5.5 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| I/O Pins | Up to 17 | Up to 17 | Up to 17 | Up to 18 | Up to 17 | Up to 17 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest VDD upper limit at 5.5 V in same footprint (vs PIC16F18344-E/SS)
- Larger Flash and SRAM headroom (vs PIC16LF18325-E/SS)
- Lower operating temperature ceiling (industrial) (vs PIC16LF18344-I/SS)
Design Notes
For nanoamp-level sleep current, disable all unused peripherals via the PMD register before entering Sleep, switch the system clock to LFINTOSC (31 kHz), and ensure no floating digital inputs leak through the input buffer. Decouple VDD with 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 3 mm of pin 7 (and pin 19 if bonded); add a bulk 4.7 uF if the load transients are heavy. MCLR must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor - leaving it floating invites spurious resets.
Keep the ICSP signals (ICSCLK on RB6, ICSDAT on RB7) accessible on the PCB even in production - field firmware updates via ICSP require these pins. Route the analog ADC inputs (RA0-RA2, RA4) away from digital switching signals; add a ground guard ring if the source impedance is above 2 kohm. Exposed SSOP pads are not internally connected to VSS - the only ground reference is pin 6 (and pin 20 if bonded), so provide a solid ground pour under the package.
Do not assume 32 MHz operation below 2.5 V VDD - the PLL and HFINTOSC reduce maximum frequency at low VDD per the datasheet electrical characteristics. Configuration Words must be set early in firmware; an unlocked configuration will leave BOR and WDT at defaults that may not match the design. PPS registers default to GPIO on most pins; failing to unlock PPS (PPSLOCK bit) before writing PPS assignments leaves peripherals disconnected.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via Microchip product page and distributor listings. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this part is not auto-qualified; Microchip offers automotive variants under separate -VAO part numbers.
