PIC16LF18444-I/SS - 8-bit XLP MCU, 7KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18444-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.14 | $2.14 |
| 10 | $1.93 | $19.30 |
| 100 | $1.71 | $171.00 |
| 500 | $1.5 | $750.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.32 | $1,320.00 |
PIC16LF18444-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer integrating a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), peripherals, and I/O into one package. The PIC16F family uses a 14-bit instruction set with a modified Harvard architecture, positioning it within the broader hierarchy: MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. The 'LF' low-power variants add XLP technology for sleep currents below 50 nA typical.
Key features include two PWM modules, a comparator, a 5-bit and 12-bit DAC, a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC), a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), an Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), and both SPI and I2C serial interfaces. The 12-bit ADCC supports automated averaging and threshold comparison, offloading signal conditioning from the CPU.
The device integrates Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that execute hardware functions without CPU intervention, reducing firmware complexity and improving deterministic real-time response. The 32MHz internal oscillator eliminates external crystal cost in cost-sensitive designs, while the XLP nanoWatt XLP sleep mode enables multi-year battery life in duty-cycled sensor nodes.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, wearable health monitors, remote controls, low-power wireless transmitters, battery management for portable instruments, and home automation endpoints. The wide peripheral set makes it a strong fit for sensor fusion hubs that must read analog signals, drive PWMs, and communicate over I2C or SPI simultaneously.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the supply voltage stays within 1.8V to 3.6V and respect the absolute maximum of 4.0V on VDD. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, and keep the MCLR pull-up weak (typically 10 kohm) to limit inrush current.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single reference for the PIC16LF18444-I/SS.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18444-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 PIC16LF18444-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, DAC, Core, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18444-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18444-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18426-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18424-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18346-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit (14-bit instruction set, modified Harvard) |
| Series | PIC16(L)F184xx, PIC XLP family |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 512 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Absolute Max VDD | 4.0 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 (varies by package) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (with computation) |
| DAC | 5-bit and 12-bit DAC |
| PWM Channels | 2 |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Other Peripherals | Comparator, CWG, Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) |
| Low-Power Mode | XLP nanoWatt sleep (typical < 1 uA) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18444-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SCL (I2C clock) optional |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SDA (I2C data) optional |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / TX/CK (EUSART) optional |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / RX/DT (EUSART) optional |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18444-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Health Monitor, Remote Control / HMI Keypad, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA / 0-10V), Smart Home Sensor / Automation Endpoint, Portable Test & Measurement Instrument.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18444-I/SS is purpose-built for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where every microampere of sleep current directly translates into operating life. Its 1.8V-3.6V Vdd range aligns with single-cell lithium or two-AA battery chemistries, and the XLP nanoWatt sleep mode draws less than 1 uA typical with RAM retention. The 12-bit ADCC enables direct connection to analog sensors (temperature, humidity, gas) without external signal conditioning, while hardware averaging offloads the CPU entirely. The 32MHz core provides enough MIPS to run duty-cycled LoRa or Sub-GHz transmitter control, and the 512B SRAM is ample for sensor state machines. Designers typically pair it with an SPI-connected radio module and I2C-connected environmental sensor.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
For wearable health monitors (heart-rate, SpO2, step counters), the PIC16LF18444-I/SS provides the low-power 8-bit compute, integrated 12-bit ADCC for PPG/ECG analog front-ends, and the small SSOP-20 footprint suited to wrist-worn form factors. Sleep current below 1 uA is critical because wearables idle for 99% of the time between samples; the XLP wake-on-interrupt mechanism allows the CPU to remain asleep while the ADC samples autonomously. The 5-bit DAC can drive bias currents for optical sensors, and the comparator enables threshold-based event detection (e.g., heart-rate threshold alerts) without CPU wake-up. The 32MHz core handles BLE radio command sequencing via SPI for the radio companion chip.
Recommended
Remote Control / HMI Keypad
In remote controls and small HMI keypads, the PIC16LF18444-I/SS handles matrix keypad scanning, IR or Sub-GHz TX control, and battery management all from a single chip. The 17 I/O pins easily accommodate a 4x4 keypad matrix, status LEDs driven by the 2 PWM channels (allowing brightness control), and the EUSART for IR protocol bit-banging or UART-based debug output. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) is uniquely useful for generating precise IR carrier waveforms with dead-band control, eliminating software timing jitter. Sleep current below 1 uA extends coin-cell battery life to multi-year durations.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA / 0-10V)
For 4-20 mA current-loop or 0-10V analog output sensor transmitters, the PIC16LF18444-I/SS provides the on-chip 12-bit DAC and high-resolution ADCC needed for precise signal conditioning. The 12-bit DAC can directly drive a 0-10V output through an op-amp buffer, while the 5-bit DAC handles calibration offsets. The CWG and 2 PWMs enable DC-DC converter control for loop-powered applications where the MCU derives its own power from the 4-20 mA loop. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports factory-floor deployment. SPI interfaces to external digital sensors, while EUSART provides Modbus RTU communication over RS-485 transceivers.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor / Automation Endpoint
In smart-home endpoints (motion sensors, door/window contacts, leak detectors), the PIC16LF18444-I/SS balances cost, sleep current, and integrated peripherals. Battery-powered endpoints must last 5-10 years on a coin cell, which is achievable with sub-1 uA sleep current and duty-cycled operation. The integrated comparator enables hardware wake-on-event (motion, water contact, magnetic reed switch) without CPU intervention, dramatically reducing average power. The 12-bit ADCC reads analog photo-sensors or thermistors for environmental telemetry, and the SPI/I2C interfaces connect to radios (Zigbee, BLE, LoRa) for cloud connectivity.
Recommended
Portable Test & Measurement Instrument
For handheld DMMs, clamp meters, and portable oscilloscope probes, the PIC16LF18444-I/SS provides the ADCC, PWM, and serial peripherals to interface with analog front-ends and display drivers. The 12-bit ADCC (extendable to higher resolution via oversampling) handles voltage and current measurements, while the 5-bit DAC drives reference voltages for auto-ranging. The 2 PWM channels drive LCD backlight or buzzer tones. The 32MHz core handles real-time RMS calculations and display refresh, while the XLP sleep mode preserves battery life between measurements. EUSART/SPI connect to Bluetooth modules for wireless data logging.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18444-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18444-I/SS | PIC16LF18444-E/SS | PIC16LF18426-I/SS | PIC16LF18424-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB | 7 KB | 28 KB | 4 KB |
| SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 2048 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| 12-bit ADCC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EUSART / SPI / I2C | All three | All three | All three | All three | All three |
| Unit Price (qty 1, approx) | $2.14 | ~$2.30 | ~$2.45 | ~$2.60 | ~$1.95 |
Key Differentiators
- Lower-voltage operation than PIC16F18444 (vs PIC16F18444-I/SS)
- Extended temperature option available (vs PIC16LF18444-E/SS)
- More memory than PIC16LF18424 family (vs PIC16LF18424-I/SS)
- Integrated 12-bit DAC and CWG peripheral (vs PIC16LF1829-I/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD (pin 20) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the IC, plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor. For battery applications, add a 1 MΩ resistor from MCLR (pin 1) to VDD to enable voltage-divider reset when the battery voltage falls below 1.8V. The XLP sleep mode current draw is below 1 uA typical but can rise above 5 uA if any peripheral remains active - verify all modules are disabled before SLEEP instruction.
Route the 32MHz clock traces (OSC1/OSC2) on the top layer with a continuous ground reference beneath. Keep trace lengths under 10 mm and isolate from noisy switching nodes (PWMs, radio RF). The SSOP-20 thermal pad (if present in your variant) should be soldered to a 5x5 mm copper pour to reduce junction temperature by 15-20 C. Maintain at least 0.2 mm clearance between analog (RA/RC) traces and digital switching lines to minimize coupled noise into the 12-bit ADC.
Do not apply voltage above 4.0V absolute max to VDD or any I/O pin, even momentarily - the LF process variant is not 5V tolerant. Always configure unused I/O pins as outputs driving low (not high-Z inputs) to prevent shoot-through current. When using the 12-bit ADCC with internal voltage reference (FVR), allow at least 1 ms stabilization time after enabling FVR before starting conversions, or the first readings will be erroneous. Do not toggle MCLR while the device is in sleep mode without external buffering.
When using SPI at 8MHz or higher, place a 33 ohm series resistor at the MCU SCK pin to dampen reflections on long traces. For I2C bus pull-ups, calculate Rp using Rp < (tR / 0.8473 x Cb); with 4.7 kΩ pull-ups the bus typically works up to 400 kHz with 100 pF bus capacitance. If the I2C bus is shared with other devices, ensure SDA/SCL pins use open-drain configuration via the ODCON register to prevent bus contention.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free and halogen-free packaging. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable for general-purpose MCU; designers needing automotive-grade should consult the PIC16F18444 automotive variants.
