PIC16LF18426T-I/SL - 28KB Flash 8-bit XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18426T-I/SL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| 10 | $0.92 | $9.20 |
| 100 | $0.82 | $82.00 |
| 500 | $0.71 | $355.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.62 | $620.00 |
| 2,600 | $0.55 | $1,430.00 |
PIC16LF18426T-I/SL Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable processor built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for deterministic real-time control with low power consumption. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, an MCU is a microprocessor family -> microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> PIC16LF184xx sub-family. The PIC16 core uses a RISC-style Harvard architecture with 14-bit instruction words, giving 16 KB words of code space addressable from 28 KB Flash; the LF variant targets low-voltage, battery-backed applications.
Key features include XLP sleep currents measured in the tens of nanoamperes, peripheral pin select (PPS) for flexible signal routing, an idle/doze/current-shielding scheme for power budgeting, and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that execute timing-critical tasks without CPU intervention. The 12-bit ADCC and 5-bit DAC support sensor conditioning and bias generation, while the CWG drives synchronous MOSFET half-bridges for LED, motor, or PFC control. The integrated EUSART and SPI/I2C cover most sensor-bus and host-communication requirements.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless remote controls, wearable health patches, energy-harvesting switches, e-metering peripherals, and industrial sensor conditioning front-ends. In each case the LF voltage range, the nanoampere sleep current, and the 12-bit ADC with internal reference remove the need for a separate analog front-end IC.
When designing with this device, budget active and sleep currents separately: peak active current at 32 MHz from a 3.3 V rail is approximately 4-5 mA, while sleep current with the RTCC and ADC active stays below 1 microampere. Configure the PPS mapping early to avoid pin re-routing late in PCB design.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18426T-I/SL — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18426-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18426T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18446-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18426T-I/JQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18424T-I/SL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18426T-I/SL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 14-pin SOIC (SL) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Comparators | Yes |
| CWG | Complementary Waveform Generator |
| EUSART | 1 |
| SPI / I2C | Yes / Yes |
| XLP Sleep Current | Typical 50-100 nA range (XLP mode) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18426T-I/SL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O / Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 2 | RC5 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 3 | RC4 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 4 | RC3 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 5 | RC2 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 6 | RC1 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 7 | RC0 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA0 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 10 | RA1 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 12 | RA4 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 13 | RA5 — Digital I/O / PPS-mappable peripheral |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8V to 3.6V |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18426T-I/SL is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Front-End, Wearables and Health Monitoring Patches, Smart Home and Building Automation, Portable Consumer Electronics and Remote Controls, Energy Metering and Sub-Hz Data Loggers.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL's 1.8-3.6 V VDD range and XLP nanoampere sleep current below 1 microampere make it ideal for coin-cell or 2xAA battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. The 12-bit ADCC handles direct temperature, light, or analog sensor conditioning without an external front-end IC, while SPI/I2C interfaces low-power wireless transceivers like BLE or LoRa. Realistic battery life on a CR2032 with 1% duty-cycle sensor reads typically exceeds 5 years; the 28 KB Flash accommodates lightweight BLE provisioning stacks and over-the-air update handlers. Compared to a discrete 8-bit MCU family (PIC16LF183xx), the 18426 ADCC with hardware averaging reduces firmware loop overhead.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Front-End
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL serves as a 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitter, where its 1.8 V minimum VDD and 12-bit ADCC with hardware accumulation handle bridge sensor and RTD linearization directly. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) drives isolated H-bridge outputs for actuator control; the 5-bit DAC supplies excitation bias for platinum RTDs. SPI backhaul to a host PLC avoids protocol stack overhead. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade handles plant-floor environments, and the 14-SOIC is suitable for through-hole-friendly retrofit designs.
Recommended
Wearables and Health Monitoring Patches
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL is well suited to wearable health patches and continuous-monitoring sensor strips where board space and battery life are critical. Its 14-SOIC footprint fits compact PCB layouts, the 12-bit ADCC acquires photoplethysmography (PPG) or bioimpedance signals with 0.5 mV resolution, and XLP sleep holds total quiescent current below 1 microampere between samples. The integrated comparator and 5-bit DAC drive low-power LED pulse-oximetry front-ends without extra analog ICs. 28 KB Flash accommodates lightweight BLE communication stacks and on-device data compression.
Recommended
Smart Home and Building Automation
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL powers battery-powered smart-home sensors such as wireless door/window contacts, occupancy sensors, and smart thermostats. Its EUSART and SPI/I2C interfaces cover Zigbee, Thread, BLE, and sub-GHz radio modules; the 12-bit ADCC reads light, temperature, and humidity transducers with 0.1 C accuracy after calibration. The CWG generates the audible alarm chirp for smoke or CO sensor bases without extra PWM ICs. Battery life on a 2xAA pack typically exceeds 7 years at one event per minute; the LF variant's 1.8 V floor is critical for primary lithium cell deployment.
Recommended
Portable Consumer Electronics and Remote Controls
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL serves as the main MCU in voice remote controls, electronic shelf labels, and e-reader peripherals where standby current and tactile button response time are key. Its nanoampere sleep with wake-on-touch supports years of standby on a coin cell; the 12-bit ADCC decodes resistive touch buttons or capacitive sense via charge-time measurement; the integrated CWG drives haptic feedback buzzers. The 32 MHz core handles IR or sub-GHz protocol encoding in firmware without external peripherals, and the 14-SOIC is small enough for slim remote enclosures.
Recommended
Energy Metering and Sub-Hz Data Loggers
The PIC16LF18426T-I/SL fits battery-powered energy meters, gas-meter AMR modules, and environmental data loggers that pulse-count then sleep. The 32 MHz core handles pulse accumulation and CRC checks; the 12-bit ADCC samples battery voltage for state-of-charge estimation; the EEPROM stores rolling 30-90 day data logs; and the XLP sleep holds quiescent below 100 nanoamperes with the WDT active. Its 1.8 V minimum VDD is critical for metering units powered by harvested indoor light or thermal gradients, where the supply may dip well below 2 V. 28 KB Flash accommodates DLMS/COSEM or wM-Bus protocol stacks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18426T-I/SL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18426-I/SL | PIC16F18426T-I/SL | PIC16LF18446-I/SL | PIC16LF18424T-I/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 14-SOIC (SL) | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same | 14-SOIC (SL) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 32 KB) | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Same-package memory upgrade with double the RAM (vs PIC16LF18446-I/SL)
- Cost-down option with half the Flash (vs PIC16LF18424T-I/SL)
- Wide-voltage LF variant vs F variant (vs PIC16F18426T-I/SL)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=3.3 V, 32 MHz active core draws approximately 4-5 mA peak, while XLF sleep with RTCC and WDT active stays below 1 microampere per Microchip XLP datasheet. For coin-cell designs on CR2032 (220 mAh), budget active duty cycle at less than 0.1% to achieve 5+ year battery life. Use the IDLE current mode for sensor read events that need ADC + computation but no I/O activity. The 1.8 V minimum VDD is critical for single-cell Li-FeS2 or depleted Li-MnO2 primary cells.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 14) with the ground return via to VSS (pin 8) directly underneath; this forms the shortest high-frequency loop. Add a 1-10 uF bulk capacitor near the IC if the supply impedance exceeds 1 ohm at 10 MHz. For ADC accuracy, route analog signals (RA0/RA1) away from PWM/CWG outputs (RC2/RC3/RC4/RC5) by at least 3x the trace width. Place the ICGSP crystal or resonator (if used) within 5 mm of the OSC pins.
Do not enable interrupts before configuring PPS; PPS registers are unlocked via IOCON and must be written in the unlock sequence per datasheet. The MCLR pin (RA3/MCLR, pin 1) is shared with general-purpose I/O - configure MCLREbits FUSE to repurpose as RA3 only if the reset function is not needed. The 32 MHz internal oscillator needs at least 2.0 V VDD for full-speed operation; below 2.0 V, switch to 16 MHz or 8 MHz via the OSCCON register to maintain timing accuracy.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F18426 (F variant) for AEC-Q100 Grade 1/Q0 functional safety applications.
