PIC16LF18426-E/SL - 8-bit MCU, 28KB Flash, 32MHz, XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18426-E/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.1 | $1.10 |
| 10 | $1.05 | $10.50 |
| 100 | $0.92 | $92.00 |
| 500 | $0.8 | $400.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.69 | $690.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.57 | $1,710.00 |
PIC16LF18426-E/SL Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around a RISC core with separate program and data buses (Harvard architecture), which executes one instruction per clock cycle for predictable real-time performance. The PIC16F184xx family extends this baseline with Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as CWG, NCO, and configurable logic cells, plus eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) modes for battery-sensitive designs. The "LF" prefix denotes a wide 1.8V to 3.6V supply range, differentiating it from the "F" variants (2.3V to 5.5V) within the same die family.
Key features include a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) supporting up to 11 channels, a 5-bit DAC, two PWMs with complementary outputs, a Comparator, Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD), temperature sensor, Fixed Voltage Reference (FVR), EUSART, SPI, and I2C communication peripherals. The device integrates 256 bytes of EEPROM and includes peripheral pin select (PPS) for flexible signal routing. These CIPs allow hardware-level state machine control without CPU intervention, reducing active-mode current draw.
The PIC16LF18426 uses a modified Harvard RISC core with 14-bit instruction words and an internal 32MHz oscillator block with four selectable PLL modes. XLP technology provides typical 50 nA sleep current in Retention mode and sub-uA RTC current from the 32kHz LFINTOSC, enabling multi-year coin-cell battery operation. The integrated 12-bit ADCC performs averaging, oversampling, and threshold comparisons autonomously.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, wearable health devices, battery-powered remote controls, low-power wireless HMI controllers, energy-harvesting systems, and industrial sensor signal conditioning with on-chip analog. The wide 1.8V to 3.6V VDD range supports single-cell alkaline, NiMH, or Li-MnO2 battery chemistries directly without external regulation.
When designing with this MCU, configure PPS to map peripherals to the limited 14-pin SOIC I/O set and verify the 2KB SRAM budget for buffered communication stacks. Choose the "LF" variant only when sub-3.6V supply is mandatory; otherwise the "F" variant (PIC16F18426) is more readily available.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey/Mouser/LCSC, drop-in SOIC-14 same-family alternatives from Microchip, and practical XLP design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18426-E/SL — 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/SL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Communication, DAC, EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18426-E/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18446-E/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18425-E/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18424-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18326-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18426-E/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC (modified Harvard RISC) |
| Core Family | PIC16 (L)F184xx (XLP) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix) |
| Package | 14-pin SOIC (SL) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with computation, up to 11 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Modules | 2 with complementary outputs |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CWG, NCO, ZCD, FVR, Comparator, Temp Sensor, PPS |
| Other Peripherals | Zero-Cross Detect, Fixed Voltage Reference, Temperature Sensor |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18426-E/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt-on-change, analog input (AN4/C1IN2) |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input (AN3/C1IN1) |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR — Bidirectional I/O or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input (AN2/DACOUT/C1OUT) |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input (AN1/C1IN0/VREF+) |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O, analog input (AN0/C1IN-) |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O, oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O, oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O, PPS-remappable peripheral |
| Pin 11 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O, PPS-remappable peripheral |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O, PPS-remappable peripheral |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O, PPS-remappable peripheral |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive power supply (1.8V to 3.6V for LF variant) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18426-E/SL is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitoring Device, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Low-Power Wireless HMI Controller, Energy Harvesting Wireless Switch, Automotive Interior Sensor Module.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18426-E/SL is well suited for coin-cell battery IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8V to 3.6V VDD range (LF prefix) directly accepts single-cell alkaline or Li-MnO2 chemistries without boost regulators. The integrated 12-bit ADCC with computation performs averaging, oversampling, and threshold comparisons autonomously, allowing the CPU to remain in 50 nA Retention sleep mode between samples. Combined with the XLP technology's sub-microamp RTC current from the 32 kHz LFINTOSC, this MCU can deliver multi-year battery life in temperature, humidity, or air-quality sensors that report via SPI/I2C to a companion radio. The 28 KB Flash accommodates Zigbee or LoRa MAC stacks plus application firmware, while the 2 KB SRAM buffers measurement data between transmissions.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitoring Device
Wearable fitness bands and health patches benefit from the PIC16LF18426-E/SL's combination of low voltage operation, 32 MHz processing, and on-chip analog. The 12-bit ADCC supports photoplethysmography (PPG) and skin-temperature analog front-ends without external amplifiers, while the integrated 5-bit DAC and comparator enable hardware-level pulse detection without CPU wakeups. PPS routing frees I/O for sensor expansion on the 14-pin SOIC, and XLP sleep currents under 1 uA preserve battery runtime during idle days. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) and NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) CIPs handle LED drive and haptic feedback in hardware, allowing the CPU to sleep while the peripherals run autonomously. This makes the device ideal for fitness trackers, glucose monitors, and disposable medical patches.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LF18426-E/SL operates reliably from -40C to +125C (industrial "E" temperature suffix), making it appropriate for factory-floor sensor transmitters and process-control edge nodes. The 12-bit ADCC with oversampling achieves effective 16-bit resolution for strain gauge, thermocouple, and 4-20mA loop measurements, while the 5-bit DAC calibrates analog front-end offsets. The EUSART, SPI, and I2C peripherals simultaneously drive RS-485 transceivers, isolated SPI ADCs, and I2C sensors. The 14-pin SOIC footprint allows dense PCB layouts inside small IP65 sensor heads. With 28 KB Flash and PPS, the same MCU family supports Modbus RTU firmware variants without hardware changes, simplifying inventory across product lines.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless HMI Controller
Human-machine interfaces such as remote controls, e-paper BLE beacons, and battery-backed keypads leverage the PIC16LF18426-E/SL's XLP features and CIPs. The CWG generates precise IR carrier signals without CPU intervention, while the NCO creates tone frequencies for audible feedback. The ZCD (Zero-Cross Detect) synchronizes AC mains timing in TRIAC dimmer interfaces, and the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference) stabilizes the ADCC against VDD drift in mains-powered applications. With 28 KB Flash, designers can embed Bluetooth Low Energy beacon profiles or proprietary 433/868 MHz protocols. Sleep currents in the nanoamp range permit months of operation from AAA cells in remote controls and BLE finders.
Recommended
Energy Harvesting Wireless Switch
Self-powered wireless light switches and EnOcean-style transmitters rely on the PIC16LF18426-E/SL's ability to operate below 2.0 V from harvested energy. The LF voltage range (1.8-3.6V) starts up directly from a single energy-harvesting solar cell or piezoelectric pulse, and the 50 nA Retention sleep current ensures no quiescent drain when the harvester is idle. The CIPs (CWG, NCO, comparator) compose a complete radio frame and transmit it in a single 1 ms energy pulse without firmware assistance. The 14-pin SOIC package is compatible with standard hand-soldered and wave-soldered assembly lines for low-volume building automation products.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Sensor Module
Inside cabin sensing applications - occupant detection, ambient light, and humidity monitoring - the PIC16LF18426-E/SL delivers 32 MHz CPU performance with the CIP-rich PIC16 core. While the "E" industrial -40 to +125C rating covers interior cabin temperatures, the PPS routing enables flexible PCB layouts behind instrument clusters. The 12-bit ADCC with oversampling supports ambient-light sensors with >15-bit effective resolution, while the integrated 5-bit DAC drives LED indicators for driver feedback. Note that for under-hood or AEC-Q100 automotive applications, Microchip's PIC16F184xx Q1 variants should be selected instead. The 14-pin SOIC footprint supports miniaturized PCB integration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18426-E/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18426-E/SL | PIC16LF18446-E/SL | PIC16LF18425-E/SL | PIC16LF18424-E/SL | PIC16LF18326-E/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB (identical) | 28 KB (identical) | 14 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-75%) | 28 KB (identical) |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB (identical) | 4 KB (+100%) | 2 KB (identical) | 512 B (-75%) | 2 KB (identical) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (+28% Vin) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (identical) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (identical) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (identical) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (identical) |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz (identical) | 32 MHz (identical) | 32 MHz (identical) | 32 MHz (identical) | 32 MHz (identical) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC (identical) | 12-bit ADCC (identical) | 12-bit ADCC (identical) | 12-bit ADCC (identical) | 10-bit ADC (legacy) |
| CWG / NCO CIPs | Yes | Yes (identical) | Yes (identical) | Yes (identical) | Yes (identical) | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C (identical) | -40C to +125C (identical) | -40C to +125C (identical) | -40C to +125C (identical) | -40C to +125C (identical) |
Key Differentiators
- 28 KB Flash is the highest in the 14-pin SOIC PIC16LF184xx family (vs PIC16LF18425-E/SL)
- 12-bit ADCC with computation enables autonomous oversampling (vs PIC16LF18326-E/SL)
- LF (1.8-3.6V) variant enables single-cell battery operation (vs PIC16F18426-E/SL)
- Core Independent Peripherals (CWG, NCO, ZCD) offload real-time tasks (vs PIC16LF18424-E/SL)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 32 MHz active current is typically 3-4 mA at 3.3 V (around 10-13 mW); in Retention sleep the LF18426 drops to ~50 nA. For coin-cell designs, total energy per measurement cycle = active-time * Iactive + sleep-time * Isleep. Limit ADCC oversampling to 1024 samples max to keep active time under 5 ms. Always route unused I/O as outputs driven low (never floating) to eliminate parasitic current paths on the 14-pin SOIC.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of VDD pin 14, with the ground return via the shortest possible path to pin 7 VSS. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the battery or regulator output to handle the inrush when waking from sleep to active 32 MHz. For the 14-pin SOIC land pattern, follow IPC-7351 SOIC-14 nominal density; for hand soldering increase pad width by 0.1 mm to improve wetting.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on VDD - the LF variant lacks the 5V tolerance of the F variant and will suffer latch-up. Ensure MCLR/VPP (pin 3) is pulled high via 10 kohm with optional 100 nF to ground for noise immunity; floating MCLR causes spurious resets. PPS registers must be unlocked via PPSLOCK before configuration; otherwise PPS writes silently fail. Configure the 32 kHz LFINTOSC and switch to it before sleep to minimize wake-up time.
Keep the analog AV-related signals (RA0-RA2) physically separated from the switching RC pins on the 14-SOIC layout. Use a ground pour on the bottom layer with via stitching around the analog section. For PPS flexibility, route signals on inner layers near the chip to enable multiple peripheral assignments without rewiring. The exposed pad is not present on this 14-SOIC package, simplifying two-layer PCB designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. Halogen-free per Microchip PIC16F18426 family datasheet. AEC-Q100 not qualified - choose PIC16F18426-E/SL Q1 automotive variants for vehicle applications.
