PIC16LF18426-E/P - 8-bit XLP MCU, 32MHz, 28KB Flash, 14-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18426-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.69 | $1.69 |
| 10 | $1.55 | $15.50 |
| 100 | $1.34 | $134.00 |
| 500 | $1.15 | $575.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.99 | $990.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.85 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16LF18426-E/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), working memory (RAM), and a configurable set of peripherals such as timers, ADCs, and communication interfaces. Within the broader taxonomy, this part is an 8-bit RISC microcontroller → microcontroller → embedded processor → semiconductor. The PIC16F architecture is one of the longest-deployed 8-bit RISC cores in industry, prized for deterministic interrupt latency and a compact, deterministic instruction set, and the 184xx family extends it with CIPs that execute complex timing and signal-conditioning tasks in hardware without CPU intervention.
Key features include eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) technology with deep-sleep currents in the nanoampere range, an active current budget suited to battery-powered applications, and an operating voltage range that supports both 3.3V and 5V system rails. The 14-pin PDIP package allows easy breadboarding, through-hole soldering, and field-replacement — making this part especially attractive for prototypes, hobby projects, educational kits, and industrial controllers where socketed MCUs are common.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, low-power remote controls, battery-powered instrumentation, LED lighting controllers, simple motor-control loops, and industrial sensor signal conditioning. Engineers select this device when they need more analog integration than smaller-pin PICs offer but still want through-hole prototyping convenience.
A key design consideration is the 'LF' suffix indicating the low-voltage / F-version silicon: this device operates down to 1.8V and is the preferred choice for coin-cell or Li-Ion battery systems; for designs that must run up to 5.5V, the PIC16F18426-E/P (non-LF) is the recommended counterpart. Always add a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor close to VDD and follow Microchip's startup configuration guidelines to achieve the rated nanoampere sleep currents.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer brief — including same-package replacement guidance and reference to companion CIP-friendly MCUs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18426-E/P — 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 PIC16LF18426-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Comparators, DAC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18426-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18425-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18424-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18425-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18424-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18426-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Core | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (32 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Package | 14-PDIP (through-hole, 300 mil) |
| Pin Count | 14 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation) |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Comparators | Yes |
| CWG | Complementary Waveform Generator |
| CLC | Configurable Logic Cell |
| EUSART | Yes (1 module) |
| SPI | Yes |
| I²C | Yes |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (eXtreme Low-Power) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix = Enhanced) |
| Temperature Grade | Automotive |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
PIC16LF18426-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V for LF variant) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O pin with analog and interrupt capability |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O pin (also MCLR optional on some variants) |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O pin (SCL for I²C) |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O pin (SDA for I²C) |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O pin (CCP/PWM output) |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O pin |
| Pin 11 | RA1 — Analog-capable I/O pin (DAC output / comparator reference) |
| Pin 12 | RA0 — Analog-capable I/O pin (ADC input) |
| Pin 13 | RA2 — Analog-capable I/O pin (ADC / comparator) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18426-E/P is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Low-Power Remote Control Transmitter, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting Controller, Simple Brushless DC Motor Control, Educational Microcontroller Trainer, Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Hub.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18426-E/P fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8-3.6V operating window pairs with single-AA / coin-cell sources, and its nanoampere XLP deep-sleep currents enable multi-year battery life. The 28 KB Flash hosts application logic plus a small bootloader for OTA updates over EUSART or I²C. The 12-bit ADCC reads sensor data while the CPU sleeps, drawing power only during brief wake-and-transmit cycles, and the integrated 5-bit DAC and CWG allow hardware PWM for LED or buzzer feedback without waking the CPU. Compared to switching to a smaller PIC16LF183xx device, the extra 20 KB Flash headroom prevents firmware bloat in evolving designs.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Control Transmitter
The PIC16LF18426-E/P is well-suited to handheld remote controls where 32 MHz core performance drives IR/RF protocol bit-banging while XLP sleep currents preserve coin-cell life. The 14-PDIP package supports through-hole prototyping of battery compartments and is easily socketed for field replacement. The EUSART module interfaces to common 433 MHz / 915 MHz sub-GHz transmitters (e.g. CC1101 family), and the 12-bit ADCC reads potentiometer inputs for dimmer/joystick controls. The CWG can generate IR carrier modulation in hardware, freeing the CPU from timing-critical waveform generation.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Industrial sensor conditioning applications benefit from the PIC16LF18426-E/P's 12-bit ADCC with hardware accumulation and the integrated Comparator for threshold detection. The CLC and CWG blocks implement window comparators, PWM-based excitation, and frequency measurement without CPU load, which is critical for deterministic 4-20 mA loop transmitters. The 14-PDIP package eases through-hole assembly for harsh-environment enclosures, and the -40 °C to +125 °C operating range matches industrial temperature specs. The 28 KB Flash accommodates calibration tables and Modbus RTU stacks over EUSART.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
LED lighting and dimming systems use the PIC16LF18426-E/P's two PWM channels and CWG for high-resolution LED dimming with hardware dead-band control, while the 12-bit ADCC reads ambient light sensors for closed-loop brightness feedback. The 32 MIPS support level is enough for software DALI or DMX protocol stacks, and the 28 KB Flash holds effect tables and fade curves. The LF 1.8-3.6V range fits directly into 3.3V LED-driver rails without additional regulation. Compared to 8-pin PICs, the 14-PDIP gives engineers enough I/O for rotary or capacitive touch inputs without muxing.
Recommended
Simple Brushless DC Motor Control
Sensorless BLDC motor control benefits from the PIC16LF18426-E/P's Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), which generates complementary PWM pairs with hardware dead-band insertion — critical for safe half-bridge driving without CPU jitter. The 12-bit ADCC samples back-EMF for sensorless commutation, while the Comparator provides hardware overcurrent protection that triggers PWM shutdown without software latency. The 32 MIPS core supports Field-Oriented Control (FOC) lite algorithms for low-RPM fans and pumps, and the 14-PDIP makes hand-soldered prototypes feasible for hobby robotics.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Trainer
Educational and hobbyist training boards benefit from the PIC16LF18426-E/P's 14-PDIP through-hole package, which fits standard IC sockets for easy replacement during student labs. The PIC16(L)F184xx family is supported by MPLAB X IDE and the free MPLAB XC8 compiler, and the integrated peripherals (PWM, ADC, DAC, CWG, CLC) cover almost every introductory lab topic. The 32 MHz core + 28 KB Flash + 2 KB SRAM provides enough headroom for senior-project-scale designs, and the 1.8-3.6V LF operation teaches low-power design principles without requiring multiple supply rails.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Hub
Automotive body electronics — such as door modules, seat-position sensors, or simple lighting controllers — benefit from the PIC16LF18426-E/P's -40 °C to +125 °C operating range and automotive temperature grade, even though this part is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified. The 12-bit ADCC reads multiple analog sensors via the CIP scan sequencer without CPU intervention, and the EUSART/SPI/I²C peripherals interface to CAN transceivers or LIN slaves via external bus controllers. The 14-PDIP package suits service-friendly field-replacement sockets used in dealer repair environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18426-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18426-E/P | PIC16LF18425-E/P | PIC16LF18424-E/P | PIC16F18425-E/P | PIC16F18424-E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-PDIP | 14-PDIP (same) | 14-PDIP (same) | 14-PDIP (same) | 14-PDIP (same) | 14-PDIP (same) |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB (same) | 14 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-75%) | 14 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-75%) |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB (same) | 2 KB (same) | 2 KB (same) | 2 KB (same) | 2 KB (same) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| 12-bit ADCC | Yes | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) |
| CWG / CLC | Yes | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C (same) | -40 °C to +125 °C (same) | -40 °C to +125 °C (same) | -40 °C to +125 °C (same) | -40 °C to +125 °C (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage 28 KB Flash option in the 14-PDIP family (vs PIC16F18426-E/P)
- Largest Flash in the 184xx 14-PDIP family (vs PIC16LF18424-E/P)
- Nanoampere-class XLP deep-sleep currents (vs PIC16F18346-I/P)
- Integrated 12-bit ADCC with computation and 5-bit DAC (vs PIC16LF1769-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: to achieve the rated nanoampere deep-sleep current, place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1) and a bulk capacitor (≥ 1 µF) on the supply rail. Disable unused modules via the PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) registers before entering SLEEP. According to the PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, leaving the ADC, ADC, comparator, or DAC active can increase sleep current by orders of magnitude. Use the DDS (Deep Sleep) mode with WDT disabled for the lowest quiescent current when waking on interrupt only.
For the 14-PDIP package, keep all signal traces short and route the analog signals (RA0/RA1/RA2) away from PWM-driven switching traces (RC1/RC2) and the high-current CWG outputs. According to Microchip's analog-performance PCB guidelines, a ground pour on the top layer under the device and a single-point star ground for the AGND reference improves ADC noise performance by several LSBs. Place the ICSP programming header (PGC, PGD, MCLR, VDD, VSS) on the board edge for production programming access.
Do not operate the PIC16LF18426-E/P above 3.6 V — the LF silicon lacks the higher-voltage tolerance of the PIC16F18426. Verify the MCLR pin is pulled up to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor for normal operation; leaving MCLR floating causes erratic resets. According to the Microchip datasheet, the I²C peripheral requires the SDA and SCL pins to be configured as digital I/O with the appropriate slew-rate control bits set, otherwise bus glitches occur at 400 kHz and above. Always read the configuration-word settings from the ICSP programmer and confirm they match the application before first programming.
Place the 32.768 kHz secondary oscillator crystal as close as possible to the SOSCO/SOSCI pins if low-power RTC operation is required; keep traces short and symmetric, and surround the crystal with a ground pour to reduce EMI coupling. Estimated: at 32 MHz HF operation, route the CLKIN pin away from any switching node to avoid CPU jitter. Use the CWG outputs through a gate-driver IC for motor applications — the MCU pins can source/sink ~25 mA per pin but cannot directly drive power MOSFET gates.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. E/P package suffix denotes PDIP through-hole, lead-free finish. Not AEC-Q100 qualified — for AEC-Q100 automotive designs, choose the PIC16F18426-E/P automotive-grade equivalent or a higher-tier PIC16F variant. Halogen-free status not confirmed in the verified web data — set to 'unknown' rather than guessing.
