PIC16LF18346-I/SS - 8-bit MCU 16KB Flash XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18346-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.4 | $2.40 |
| 10 | $2.1 | $21.00 |
| 100 | $1.8 | $180.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.3 | $1,300.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.1 | $3,300.00 |
PIC16LF18346-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a compact processor that integrates CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals on a single silicon die; it sits in the broader taxonomy MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. The PIC16F family is the workhorse mid-range line of Microchip's PIC architecture, emphasizing deterministic instruction execution, Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), and low sleep current for battery-powered designs.
Key features include a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, two comparators, a 5-bit DAC, a 10-bit PWM, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), a Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible digital-pin routing. Communication peripherals include two SPI/I2C interfaces and one EUSART. The XLP technology delivers sub-uA sleep currents, supressing quiescent draw in idle duty cycles.
The PIC16LF18346 uses an enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with a 14-bit instruction word and hardware Multiply and hardware CLC routing, achieving close to 16 MIPS at 32 MHz. PPS allows remapping of digital peripherals to physical pins, simplifying PCB layout when module assignments change between firmware revisions.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered HVAC thermometers and thermostats, LED lighting controllers, consumer white goods, small appliances, and remote control transmitters. Two compact motor-control loops are also supported through the 10-bit PWM and CLC digital signal routing.
When designing with this device, ensure the ICSP/ICD pins (RB7/RA0 or variant per pin map) are accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging, and pair the MCU with a low-ESR decoupling capacitor of at least 0.1 uF within 5 mm of VDD, plus a bulk 1 uF-10 uF capacitor for transient suppression. Unused I/O should be configured as outputs to minimize shoot-through current.
This page synthesizes Microchip distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives from the PIC16LF18346 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, supporting both engineers evaluating the part and sourcing teams managing second-source strategies.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18346-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 PIC16LF18346-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Communication, DAC, I/O Pins, Package, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18345-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18344-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18346-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18345-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, -I) |
| I/O Pins | 17 (max) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit PWM + CCP |
| CLC / NCO | Configurable Logic Cells and NCO |
| Communication | 2x SPI/I2C + 1x EUSART |
| Timers | 9 |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16LF18346-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — General purpose I/O / MCLR |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — General purpose I/O / OSC1 |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — General purpose I/O / OSC2 |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18346-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, HVAC Thermostats and Climate Control, LED Lighting Controllers, Small Appliance Control Boards, Remote Control and IR/RF Transmitters, Industrial Sensor Modules and Edge Nodes, Consumer White Goods User Interface Boards.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS's 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range, 16 KB Flash, and XLP sub-uA sleep currents make it ideal for coin-cell or 2x AA powered IoT sensor endpoints measuring temperature, humidity, occupancy, or asset tracking. The 10-bit ADC and two comparators handle analog front-end signal conditioning without external op-amps, while 2x SPI/I2C interfaces connect to sensors and EEPROM/NV memory. PPS flexibility allows digital-pin reassignment as board layout evolves across SKUs without firmware changes.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostats and Climate Control
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS's 17-channel 10-bit ADC handles multiple NTC thermistor inputs, setpoint potentiometers, and mode selectors in wall-mounted thermostats. The CCP/PWM and CLC peripherals drive TRIAC gate control for HVAC loads, while 5-bit DAC and two comparators support hysteresis-based bang-bang control loops. The industrial -40 C to +85 C range and XLP sleep current suit always-on wall thermostats that must operate for years on battery backup.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS integrates 10-bit PWM, CLC digital logic, and a 5-bit DAC, supporting digital-addressable LED string drivers such as WS2812B or APA102 in decorative and architectural lighting fixtures. PPS remapping lets the same PCB drive RGBW or RGBA configurations with different firmware, while 2 KB SRAM buffers LED frames without flicker. The 32 MHz core sustains 800 kbps WS2812B refresh rates on 100-LED strips with sub-1% duty timing margin.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Boards
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS's industrial temperature range, 9 timers, CCP/PWM, and 2x SPI/I2C make it well-suited for coffee machines, blenders, slow cookers, and air purifiers where brushed DC motor speed control and sensor feedback dominate. The 17 GPIO pins drive buttons, LEDs, relays, and triac gates, while the 5-bit DAC plus comparators implement thermistor-based over-temperature protection. PPS flexibility allows the same firmware SKU to support multiple board revisions with different pin assignments.
Recommended
Remote Control and IR/RF Transmitters
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS's XLP technology delivers sub-uA sleep current for battery-powered remote controls that must idle for years between button presses. The CCP module generates precise 38 kHz carrier for IR transmission, and the CLCs implement custom protocol encoding without CPU load. The 5-bit DAC and comparators monitor battery voltage for low-battery indication, while 2 KB SRAM buffers scan-key states and protocol state machines.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Modules and Edge Nodes
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS's industrial -40 C to +85 C range, 5-bit DAC, dual comparators, and 10-bit ADC suit 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor heads, RTD conditioners, and edge nodes bridging analog sensors to industrial RS-485 or CAN networks. The 2x SPI/I2C interfaces connect to isolated transceivers, while the 16 KB Flash holds sensor calibration curves, linearization tables, and protocol stacks. The 32 MHz core sustains 250 kbps CAN 2.0B bit timing without CPU saturation.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods User Interface Boards
The PIC16LF18346-I/SS powers user-interface boards in washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators, driving LED/LCD displays, capacitive touch keys, and buzzer feedback. The CLC peripheral handles capacitive-sensing scanning via the mTouch framework, while 5-bit DAC and comparators interface with the main control board via UART or LIN bus. The XLP sub-uA sleep modes support always-on display clock and door-open alarm without mains power.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18346-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18345-I/SS | PIC16LF18344-I/SS | PIC16F18346-I/SS | PIC16LF18345-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (0.209 inch / 5.30 mm) | 20-pin SSOP (same) | 20-pin SSOP (same) | 20-pin SSOP (same) | 20-pin SOIC (different body width) |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage | 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 5.5 V (wider) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| GPIO Pins | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels | 10-bit, up to 17 channels | 10-bit, up to 17 channels | 10-bit, up to 17 channels | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| SPI/I2C Interfaces | 2x | 1x | 1x | 2x | 1x |
| PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash + SRAM density in PIC16L SSOP-20 family (vs PIC16LF18345-I/SS)
- Dual SPI/I2C interfaces (vs single on '45/'44) (vs PIC16LF18345-I/SS)
- Low-voltage XLP variant (1.8-3.6 V) vs standard F (1.8-5.5 V) (vs PIC16F18346-I/SS)
- SSOP-20 (5.30 mm body) vs SOIC-20 (7.50 mm body) (vs PIC16LF18345-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF low-ESR ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair to suppress switching transients during 32 MHz core activity. Add a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same rail for load transients. For XLP sleep-mode designs, the MCU draws sub-uA quiescent current but the regulator quiescent current dominates - select an LDO such as MCP1700 with sub-uA Iq to preserve battery life.
Reserve at least one ICSP-capable pin pair (typically RA0/RA1 or RA4/RA5 depending on configuration bits) for in-circuit serial programming and debugging access. If the design must use these pins as GPIO, provide test-point access for programming clips. Keep trace lengths to the ICSP connector short (< 25 mm) to ensure reliable programming at 32 MHz.
Configure unused I/O pins as outputs driven low (not high-impedance inputs) to minimize shoot-through current in floating-input buffers. Place the external 32.768 kHz crystal (if used) within 5 mm of the OSC pins with a guard ring tied to ground to reduce noise coupling. For PPS remapping flexibility, group digital peripheral signals on adjacent pins so future pin remapping stays within the same PCB region.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 4.0 V on the LF variant - the 5 V-tolerant F variant tolerates higher but the LF is rated 1.8 V to 3.6 V only. Do not leave MCLR floating; tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor or drive it directly from the ICSP connector. Do not skip the bulk capacitor on VDD - core activity at full 32 MHz creates load steps that a 0.1 uF alone cannot suppress.
For SPI/I2C bus traces longer than 50 mm, add series 22-100 ohm resistors on clock and data lines near the MCU to dampen ringing. For I2C, place pull-up resistors (typically 4.7 kohm at 400 kHz) close to the MCU end of the bus. For high-noise environments, add 1 nF to 10 nF capacitors at I/O pin clusters to shunt conducted EMI before it couples into the analog ADC inputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. The -I suffix denotes industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C); not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16LF18346-E or PIC16LF18346-H automotive variants for automotive designs. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the verified web snippets.
