PIC16LF18346-I/SO - 8-Bit 32MHz XLP MCU 28KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18346-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.95 | $19.50 |
| 100 | $1.71 | $171.00 |
| 500 | $1.45 | $725.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.22 | $1,220.00 |
PIC16LF18346-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash/ROM for program code, SRAM for data, EEPROM for non-volatile storage), and a rich set of programmable peripherals. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip Technology use a modified Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. The PIC16F/LF18346 sits in the low-pin-count PIC16 hierarchy (PIC16 -> 8-bit PIC -> PIC microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded computing), and the XLP "LF" variant is engineered for battery-powered applications where nanoWatt sleep currents and active power efficiency are critical design constraints.
Key features include Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), which allows digital peripheral pins to be remapped to selected device I/O for layout flexibility; a 32 MHz internal oscillator; support for an external crystal/resonator; a wide operating voltage range suitable for 2V-3.6V operation; and on-board in-circuit debugging via programming/debug pins. The 20-SOIC package (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm body width) makes the part suitable for hand-soldered prototypes as well as high-volume surface-mount assembly.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless remote controls, LED lighting controllers, consumer appliances with touch/User-Interface buttons, industrial sensor conditioning front ends, and any battery-powered MCU application that benefits from core-independent peripherals (CLC, NCO) that can operate while the CPU sleeps. The XLP sleep modes and integrated CIP peripherals enable designs that wake briefly, process events, and return to deep sleep to extend battery life to years on a single coin cell.
Designers should note that the I/SO variant is industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C). The 20-SOIC footprint matches the standard JEDEC SO-300 mil pad pattern. When migrating to the F (Flash, 1.8-5.5V) variant, ensure the system voltage range is preserved.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, application circuits, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, with sources traced back to the Microchip PIC16(L)F18326/18346 family datasheet and current distributor inventory.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18346-I/SO — 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 PIC16LF18346-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, I/O Pins, DAC, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18346-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18345-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18346-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC (modified Harvard) |
| Family | PIC PIC XLP 16F |
| CPU Speed (max) | 32 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Comparators with 5-bit DAC | 2 |
| PWM | 10-bit |
| CCP Modules | Yes |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) | Yes |
| NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) | Yes |
| Communication Peripherals | 2x (SPI / I2C) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Operating Voltage Range (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18346-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS and interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 10 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 11 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable |
| Pin 12 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 13 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 14 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data (programming/debug) |
| Pin 15 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable, interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable, interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable, interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 19 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS, analog-capable, interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V-3.6V for LF variant) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18346-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Low-Power Wireless Remote Control, LED Lighting and Dimming Controller, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Front End, Consumer Appliance User Interface Controller, Smart Home Sensor / Edge Node.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18346-I/SO's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) architecture makes it ideal for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes that must run for years on a single coin cell. The integrated 10-bit ADC samples temperature, humidity, or analog sensors while core-independent peripherals (CLC, NCO) generate wake-up signals and timing without CPU intervention. The LF 1.8V-3.6V range covers the full discharge curve of a CR2032 coin cell, while the 2 KB SRAM comfortably buffers sensor reads. The 20-SOIC package keeps the BOM footprint small and the manufacturing cost low.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Remote Control
In wireless remote control handsets (RF, IR, BLE-button), the PIC16LF18346-I/SO's XLP sleep current in the nanoAmpere range extends battery life to multi-year levels. The 10-bit PWM drives IR LEDs with stable carrier frequencies, while the CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) handles button debouncing and timing without waking the CPU. The PPS feature allows IR Tx and key inputs to be routed to any GPIO, simplifying PCB layout. The 28 KB Flash stores complex button mapping, IR protocols, and RF pairing logic.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Controller
The PIC16LF18346-I/SO integrates dedicated lighting peripherals that simplify LED driver design: CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) drives half-bridges with built-in dead-band control for synchronous buck/boost LED drivers, the 10-bit PWM provides smooth dimming across a wide brightness range, and the high-speed comparator triggers over-current protection without CPU latency. PPS routing of PWM and comparator outputs shortens PCB design cycles. The industrial temperature grade supports outdoor and industrial lighting installations.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Front End
The PIC16LF18346-I/SO serves as a low-cost analog front end in industrial sensor transmitters, where its 10-bit ADC and two comparators with 5-bit DAC references implement linearization, threshold detection, and HART-style signaling. The NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) generates precise frequency outputs proportional to measured signals, simplifying loop-powered 4-20 mA transmitter design. The 32 MHz CPU enables on-chip DSP-style filtering, while the 20-SOIC footprint supports both through-hole-friendly prototyping and SMD production.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface Controller
In consumer appliances (coffee machines, washing machines, kitchen hoods, fans), the PIC16LF18346-I/SO drives keypads, encoders, LED indicators, and basic display segments while communicating with the main appliance MCU via I2C or SPI. The 10-bit PWM controls fan motor speed or dimmable LEDs smoothly, the CLC handles rotary-encoder quadrature decoding in hardware, and the 28 KB Flash stores appliance UI state machines. The wide operating voltage tolerates noisy 3.3V rails common in appliance power supplies.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor / Edge Node
The PIC16LF18346-I/SO anchors smart-home edge nodes (door/window sensors, leak detectors, occupancy sensors) where battery life of 5-10 years is mandatory. The combination of deep-sleep XLP modes, core-independent peripherals that run with the CPU off, and the PPS routing flexibility lets the MCU wake only on meaningful events. The 2 KB SRAM buffers sensor data, and the 10-bit ADC reads analog sensors directly. The 20-SOIC industrial temp range handles temperature swings in residential and light-commercial installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18346-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18346-I/SO | PIC16LF18345-I/SO | PIC16LF18344-I/SO | PIC16LF18346-I/P | PIC16LF18346-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-PDIP (different) | 20-SOIC (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 18 KB | 16 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 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 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40 to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 to +85 C) | Industrial (-40 to +85 C) | Extended (-40 to +125 C) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| CPU Speed (max) | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Wider operating voltage range in same 20-SOIC footprint (vs PIC16LF18346-I/P)
- Extended temperature grade option in same footprint (vs PIC16LF18346-I/P)
- Lower-cost lower-memory sibling within same family (vs PIC16LF18344-I/SO)
Design Notes
For battery-powered designs, leverage the PIC16LF18346's XLP deep-sleep modes and route periodic tasks (timing, waveform generation, signal conditioning) to core-independent peripherals (CLC, NCO, CWG, comparators) so the CPU can stay in sleep longer. A 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor must be placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VDD rail handles load transients during RF transmission events. Estimated: average current in 1 Hz wake-measure-transmit cycle with CPU off ~1.5 uA including sensor bias.
The 20-SOIC footprint uses the standard JEDEC SO-300 mil pad pattern. For programming/debug, the ICSP pins (RB6/ICSPCLK = pin 15, RB7/ICSPDAT = pin 14) must be accessible either through a header or test points - routing them to inner board layers complicates in-circuit programming. Keep the ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT traces short (< 50 mm) and avoid running them parallel to high-current switching signals to minimize programming noise.
Do not migrate to the PIC16LF18326-I/SO when seeking a 20-pin alternative - the 18326 is a 14-pin device with a different peripheral subset and is NOT pin-compatible. Within the 20-SOIC family, the LF vs F distinction (1.8V-3.6V vs 1.8V-5.5V) is a common source of BOM errors: the LF part will be damaged if exposed to 5V rails. The MCLR pin (RA3/MCLR, pin 3) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF cap to ground for clean reset; omitting this causes intermittent start-up failures.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive designs requiring AEC-Q100, evaluate PIC16F18346-E/SO (extended temp) or dedicated PIC16F1xxx AEC-Q100 parts. Lead-free / halogen-free per Microchip 2017+ green-product policy.
