PIC16LF18344T-I/SS - 32MHz 8-bit XLP MCU 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18344T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.45 | $145.00 |
| 500 | $1.28 | $640.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.12 | $1,120.00 |
PIC16LF18344T-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, program and data memory, and programmable peripherals into a single chip. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC architecture optimized for deterministic execution and low power consumption, and the PIC16F family extends this with on-chip 12-bit ADC, comparators, PWM, CLC, CWG, and CCP modules that enable system functions without burdening the CPU. The 'LF' prefix indicates the wide 1.8V-3.6V operating range suited to coin-cell, battery, and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features of the PIC16LF18344T-I/SS include 32MHz internal oscillator, 512B RAM, 256B EEPROM, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible I/O mapping, and multiple low-power modes such as Sleep, Deep Sleep, and Idle that drop current consumption to single-digit microamperes. The device integrates a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC), up to 17 I/O pins, and supports I2C, SPI, UART, and EUSART communication.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF18344 employs an 8-bit modified Harvard core with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. The XLP technology minimizes active and sleep currents, while Core Independent Peripherals offload timing-critical tasks such as signal generation, conversion sequencing, and event-driven logic.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensors, wearable health and fitness devices, remote controls, low-power wireless sensor nodes, low-energy consumer products, and general-purpose embedded control where small size, low power, and flexible I/O mapping are required. The 20-SSOP package provides compact assembly for small-form-factor PCBs.
When designing with this MCU, select an appropriate supply decoupling scheme (100nF near VDD) and ensure the MCLR pull-up is correctly biased. PPS enables routing of digital peripherals to most I/O pins, simplifying board layout but requiring careful configuration to avoid peripheral pin conflicts.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18344T-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 PIC16LF18344T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18344T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18344T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18325T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (PIC16) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 512 B |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | Up to 17 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) |
| Communication Peripherals | I2C, SPI, UART, EUSART |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) | CLC, CWG, CCP, PWM, NCO |
| Low-Power Modes | XLP - Sleep, Deep Sleep, Idle, Doze |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18344T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 5 | RC1 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 7 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog / PPS |
| Pin 8 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog / PPS |
| Pin 9 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog / PPS |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RC7 — Digital I/O / PPS / EUSART |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — Digital I/O / PPS / EUSART |
| Pin 13 | RC5 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 15 | RC3 — Digital I/O / PPS / SCL |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — Digital I/O / PPS / SDA |
| Pin 17 | RA7 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 18 | RA6 — Digital I/O / PPS |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18344T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Wearable Health & Fitness Devices, Remote Controls & Consumer IR, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Networks, Industrial Sensor & Control Modules, Smart Home & Building Automation.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18344T-I/SS is well suited to battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its 1.8V-3.6V operating range, XLP eXtreme Low Power technology, and integrated Core Independent Peripherals. The device's Sleep and Deep Sleep modes drop current to single-digit microamperes, while peripherals like CLC, CWG, and NCO continue operating autonomously, enabling years of battery life on coin-cell or 2xAA supplies. Engineers typically pair the MCU with a sub-GHz or LoRa transceiver, sample sensors via the 12-bit ADCC, and let the CIP handle signal conditioning and wake events without CPU intervention.
Recommended
Wearable Health & Fitness Devices
The PIC16LF18344T-I/SS supports wearable health and fitness devices by combining low-power operation with a 32MHz CPU capable of running lightweight signal-processing firmware. The 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) oversamples and averages sensor data on-chip, reducing firmware burden for heart-rate, SpO2, and motion-sensor applications. The 20-SSOP package footprint is compact enough for wristbands and patches, and XLP modes enable continuous wear-time between charges. PPS allows designers to remap peripheral pins late in development, accelerating layout iterations on small PCBs.
Recommended
Remote Controls & Consumer IR
The PIC16LF18344T-I/SS is ideal for IR remote controls and consumer IR transceivers due to the CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) which produces precise carrier frequencies for IR modulation without CPU intervention. The NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) CIP allows accurate timing generation at sub-Hz resolution, useful for learning remotes and PWM dimming. With XLP Sleep currents below 1uA, a coin-cell-powered remote can last years on standby. The 7KB Flash accommodates protocol stacks (RC5, RC6, SIRC, NEC) and user-customization code.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Networks
For low-power wireless sensor networks, the PIC16LF18344T-I/SS pairs with sub-GHz transceivers such as the MRF89XA or LoRa modules over its SPI or EUSART interfaces. The CIPs handle packet timing, address filtering, and wake-on-radio duty cycling while the CPU remains in Sleep. With 7KB Flash and 512B RAM, the MCU can run simple MAC protocols and small sensor-fusion algorithms. The 1.8V supply aligns with battery chemistries including LiSOCl2 and LiMnO2 primary cells commonly used in remote wireless deployments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor & Control Modules
The PIC16LF18344T-I/SS supports industrial sensor and control modules in factory automation environments where compact PLCs and sensor hubs require deterministic real-time behavior. The 32MHz CPU, 12-bit ADCC, and PPS flexibility enable multi-channel analog and digital sensor interfacing. The Industrial-grade -40C to +85C temperature rating suits most factory-floor deployments, while the -40C to +125C E-grade (PIC16LF18344-E/SS) covers harsh locations. CLCs implement custom logic gates in hardware for safety interlocks and signal debouncing, while PWM channels drive motor control and LED indicators.
Recommended
Smart Home & Building Automation
In smart home and building automation, the PIC16LF18344T-I/SS operates as a sub-controller for thermostats, lighting controls, security keypads, and HVAC peripheral modules. Its 1.8V-3.6V range supports 2xAA battery-powered wireless sensors and 3.3V hardwired systems alike, while EUSART and I2C interfaces integrate with wall-bus networks and touchscreen displays. The CIP architecture enables reliable capacitive touch sensing using the ADCC and CWG without taxing the main CPU, while XLP Deep Sleep modes drop standby current to under 1uA for battery sensors that must last 5+ years.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18344T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18344-I/SS | PIC16F18344T-I/SS | PIC16LF18344-E/SS | PIC16LF18344T-I/SO | PIC16LF18344-I/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SSOP (same) | 20-SOIC | 20-UQFN |
| Core / Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz (same) | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz (same) | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz (same) | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz (same) | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 32MHz (same) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V (same) | 2.3V to 5.5V (F-variant) | 1.8V to 3.6V (same) | 1.8V to 3.6V (same) | 1.8V to 3.6V (same) |
| Flash / RAM / EEPROM | 7KB / 512B / 256B | 7KB / 512B / 256B (same) | 7KB / 512B / 256B (same) | 7KB / 512B / 256B (same) | 7KB / 512B / 256B (same) | 7KB / 512B / 256B (same) |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel (T) | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tube or T&R | Tape & Reel (SOIC) | UQFN |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage operation in PIC16F18344 family (vs PIC16F18344T-I/SS)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for automated SMT assembly (vs PIC16LF18344-I/SS (tube))
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) flexibility (vs PIC16LF1829-I/SS)
- Industrial-grade operating temperature range (vs PIC16LF18344-E/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF18344T-I/SS operates from 1.8V to 3.6V and requires a 100nF decoupling capacitor placed within 3mm of each VDD pin (pin 1 and pin 20 share VDD). For battery-powered designs, add a 10uF bulk capacitor near the supply input to handle load transients during RF transmissions or sensor activation. The LF grade's 1.8V lower bound enables direct connection to single-cell LiSOCl2 and 2xAAA alkaline batteries without boost conversion, simplifying BOM and improving efficiency.
The 20-SSOP package requires careful PCB land-pattern design per IPC-7351 SSOP standards (0.65mm pitch). Maintain 0.5mm trace-to-pad clearance for proper solder joint formation. Place a ground plane on the layer beneath the SSOP to reduce EMI susceptibility and provide a low-impedance return path for high-frequency signals. If using ADC channels, isolate analog VDD/VSS routing from digital switching signals to minimize conversion noise.
Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) allows remapping of digital peripherals (USART, SPI, I2C, CCP, CWG, CLC) to most I/O pins, but configuration is implemented in firmware and should be verified at the start of main() code. Avoid simultaneously assigning two peripherals to the same pin or unlock PPS before reprogramming, otherwise peripherals will silently fail. For noise-sensitive analog pins (RA0-RA2, RA4), route traces away from PWM and high-frequency switching signals and add a small RC filter at the ADC input if needed.
Common pitfalls include: (1) omitting the MCLR pull-up resistor, which prevents the device from starting; (2) failing to disable the WDT in low-power designs, which causes excessive sleep current; (3) over-driving I/O pins above VDD or below VSS, which can latch up the device; (4) using F-grade (5V) firmware on LF-grade silicon, which can stress I/O at higher voltages; (5) leaving unused I/O pins floating, which can cause excessive supply current; configure them as outputs driving low, or enable internal weak pull-ups.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose PIC16LF18344-E/SS or AEC-Q100 equivalents for automotive. Halogen-free status not confirmed in available data.
