PIC16LF18344-I/SS - 8-Bit XLP MCU 32MHz 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18344-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.78 | $1.78 |
| 10 | $1.62 | $16.20 |
| 100 | $1.34 | $134.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.08 | $1,080.00 |
PIC16LF18344-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, low-power programmable computer on a single chip that combines a CPU, non-volatile program memory, RAM, EEPROM and a rich set of peripherals including timers, ADC/DAC, communication interfaces and core-independent peripherals. The PIC16 architecture sits in Microchip's broader taxonomy of 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor, with the LF (low-power F-series) variants being optimized for ultra-low-power (XLP) battery and IoT applications.
Key features that distinguish this device include eXtreme Low Power (XLP) operation with a typical sleep current under 50 nA, a 10-bit ADC, a 5-bit DAC, two comparators, a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO), configurable logic cells (CLC), complementary waveform generator (CWG), capture/compare/PWM (CCP), 10-bit PWM and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible digital peripheral routing. The LF prefix denotes the 1.8V-3.6V wide operating voltage range that makes the part suitable for single-cell Li-ion and 2xAA battery systems.
On the connectivity side, the device integrates an EUSART (configurable for RS-232/RS-485), SPI and I2C (MSSP) peripherals, providing drop-in serial communication without external bridge ICs. The PPS module allows these digital peripherals and the CLC/CWG/PWM outputs to be mapped to a wide range of pins, simplifying PCB layout and enabling hardware reuse across product variants in a family. Core independent peripherals (CIPs) such as CLC and CWG continue running without CPU intervention, reducing power consumption further.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, ultra-low-power wireless endpoints, battery-powered medical and wearable devices, consumer remote controls, white-goods and appliance front panels, and compact industrial sensor interfaces. The combination of 32 MHz core speed, 7 KB Flash and the wide analog/digital peripheral set makes the device well-suited to small-form-factor designs that need intelligence without the cost of an ARM Cortex-M part.
When designing with the PIC16LF18344-I/SS, allow adequate decoupling (typically 100 nF plus 1uF bulk) close to VDD and provide a clean MCLR circuit. The LF variants do not support 5V operation, so system rails must remain in the 1.8V-3.6V window - for 5V-tolerant designs select the non-LF PIC16F18344-I/SS.
This page synthesizes current distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives in the same 20-SSOP footprint and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet summary.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18344-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 PIC16LF18344-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, DAC, Comparators, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18344-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16F/LF183xx - XLP (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 512 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltage at 16 MHz | 1.8 V minimum |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit, 1 channel |
| Comparators | 2 with selectable references |
| PWM | 10-bit, multiple instances |
| CCP Modules | Yes (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) | Yes, 20-bit |
| CLC (Configurable Logic Cells) | Yes |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| EUSART | 1 (RS-232/RS-485 capable) |
| MSSP (SPI / I2C) | 1 (configurable SPI or I2C) |
| Timers | 8-bit and 16-bit, multiple |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.3 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial, -I suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Debug Support | ICD / In-Circuit Debugger via PICKit |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF18344-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — GPIO RA5 / Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0/CWG1IN/C1IN+/C2IN+/DAC1OUT — GPIO / analog input / CWG input / comparator input / DAC output |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/C1OUT — GPIO / analog input / comparator inverting input / comparator output |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+ — GPIO / analog input / comparator non-inverting input / voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — GPIO / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V for LF variant) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — GPIO / crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — GPIO / crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/PPS — GPIO RC0 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 12 | RC1/PPS — GPIO RC1 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 13 | RC2/PPS — GPIO RC2 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 14 | RC3/PPS — GPIO RC3 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 15 | RC4/PPS — GPIO RC4 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 16 | RC5/PPS — GPIO RC5 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 17 | RC6/PPS — GPIO RC6 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 18 | RC7/PPS — GPIO RC7 (PPS-remappable) |
| Pin 19 | RB7/ICSPDAT — GPIO RB7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | RB6/ICSPCLK — GPIO RB6 / ICSP clock |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18344-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer Remote Controls and HMI Panels, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Portable Medical and Wearable Devices, White Goods and Home Appliance UI, Automotive Body and Lighting Modules.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18344-I/SS fits wireless sensor nodes because its XLP nanoWatt sleep modes typically draw well under 1 uA while the Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, NCO) continue operation without waking the CPU. With 7 KB Flash the part holds small RTOS-less firmware plus a sub-GHz radio driver, and the 1.8 V-3.6 V wide Vdd range covers a single 3 V coin cell or 2x AA alkaline battery stack with no LDO required. The 10-bit ADC plus on-chip temperature indicator removes the need for an external analog front end, while EUSART and MSSP (SPI/I2C) provide direct radio and sensor connectivity.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and HMI Panels
Remote controls, IR/HID panels and white-goods user interfaces benefit from the PIC16LF18344-I/SS because of its low cost, low power and integrated CWG + PWM peripherals to drive IR LEDs, piezo buzzers and segmented LED indicators without external timer ICs. The CLC module can implement custom debouncing and protocol encoding in hardware, freeing the 8-bit core from polling tasks. The 20-SSOP footprint is small enough to fit inside the slim plastic of a remote enclosure while exposing enough I/O for keypads, LEDs and IR diodes.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
In factory sensor signal conditioning the PIC16LF18344-I/SS integrates a 10-bit ADC, two comparators and a 5-bit DAC in one chip, replacing multi-IC analog front ends on 4-20 mA loop or thermocouple interface boards. PPS routing lets the designer place ADC inputs near the connector for short analog traces, while CLC implements window-comparator fault logic without CPU overhead. The 1.8 V-3.6 V range supports 3.3 V industrial sensor rails directly, and the SSOP-20 package fits inside standard 25 mm sensor housings.
Recommended
Portable Medical and Wearable Devices
Wearable pulse oximeters, glucose monitor dongles and disposable medical patches benefit from the PIC16LF18344-I/SS LF family's sub-microamp sleep, eXtreme Low Power CIPs and integrated 10-bit ADC for sensor readout. The 32 MHz CPU is enough to run lightweight digital filters on photodiode or bio-impedance signals, while EUSART and I2C connect to BLE or NFC transceivers for data upload. The 20-SSOP package fits inside the small enclosures of single-use medical disposables.
Recommended
White Goods and Home Appliance UI
Washing machine, dishwasher and induction cooktop user-interface boards benefit from the PIC16LF18344-I/SS because of its integrated CWG, PWM, comparators and 10-bit ADC that drive triac/relay control and Sense multiple analog signals without extra ICs. The LF part's wide Vdd supports 3.3 V logic-level gates, and CLC implements safety interlocks (door switch + button combination) in hardware for fast deterministic response. The 20-SSOP package is cost-effective for mid-volume appliance runs.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Lighting Modules
Although the standard PIC16LF18344-I/SS is industrial grade, the related PIC16F18344 with extended temperature or AEC-Q100 PIC16F variants target automotive body controllers, lighting drivers and HVAC actuators. The 32 MHz 8-bit core and CIPs can run LIN-style PWM comms, while the integrated 10-bit ADC and CWG handle LED dimming and DC motor drive. Designers upgrade to PIC16F18344 in the same SSOP-20 land pattern for 5 V automotive rails, providing a smooth migration path from the LF industrial part.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18344-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18344-E/SS | PIC16LF1829-I/SS | PIC16F18344-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Program Flash | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 8 KB (4K) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| SRAM | 512 B | 512 B | 1 KB | 512 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| CLC / NCO / PPS CIPs | Yes (CLC + NCO + PPS) | Yes (same die) | No (older family) | Yes (same die, F variant) |
Key Differentiators
- 7 KB Flash in 20-SSOP with Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, NCO, PPS) (vs PIC16LF1829-I/SS)
- Industrial grade (-40C to +85C) with full LF family low-power optimizations (vs PIC16F18344-I/SS (F variant))
- Drop-in compatible with PIC16LF18344-E/SS extended temperature grade (vs PIC16LF18344-E/SS)
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) enables flexible pin mapping (vs PIC16LF1829-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: VDD decoupling must include at least one 100 nF ceramic cap placed within 2 mm of the VDD pin (pin 7) and one 1 uF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail. For battery applications, add a 100 kohm-1 Mohm MCLR pull-up because an open MCLR causes erratic reset behaviour. The LF variant cannot survive 5 V - verify downstream USB or boost-converter rails stay below 3.6 V or use the F variant instead. Avoid noisy switching nodes near the VDD and VSS bond wires.
Estimated: 20-SSOP pin pitch is 0.65 mm, so keepout and trace width of 0.15 mm with 0.15 mm spacing is recommended for hand-routed boards. Use a continuous ground pour under the SSOP body to provide thermal relief and reduce digital switching noise coupling into the analog pins. Route the analog inputs (RA0-RA4) on the opposite side of the chip from PWM and PWM-driven digital outputs to minimize crosstalk. Place the ICSP connector (RB6/RB7) at the edge of the board for PICKit access during debug.
Estimated: do not enable the internal weak pull-ups on RA4 (open-drain, no internal pull-up) and remember that PPS routing changes do not take effect until the PPSLOCK unlock sequence is executed in firmware. The 5-bit DAC has very limited load capability - buffer it externally if driving more than ~1 mA. The LF part's sleep current advantage is lost if I/O lines are left floating with cross-conduction; configure all unused I/O as outputs low or enable weak pull-ups. Watch the LF-vs-F Vdd distinction: LF parts in 5 V systems will latch-up and be damaged.
Estimated: separate analog and digital ground if the SSOP-20 board has a mix - return analog currents (ADC, DAC, comparators) on a dedicated AGND trace that joins the main GND at a single point near the VSS pin. For HF or RF carrier designs, route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2 at RA7/RA6) symmetrically with a ground guard ring on both sides and minimum length. The PPS-remappable pins (RC0-RC7) should be mapped in firmware rather than swapping wires on the PCB; this is intentional and one of the PIC16LF18344's main advantages.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Standard industrial (-I) grade, not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F18344-E/SS or PIC16F18344 with automotive screening for vehicle applications. Lead-free finish confirmed by /SS suffix packaging per Microchip ordering information.
