PIC16LF18445-E/SO - 14KB Flash 8-bit MCU, SOIC-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18445-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.49 | $14.90 |
| 100 | $1.27 | $127.00 |
| 500 | $1.08 | $540.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
PIC16LF18445-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable integrated circuit containing a CPU, Flash program memory, SRAM data memory, and configurable peripherals. The PIC architecture follows a Harvard RISC design with a 14-bit instruction word, where each instruction executes in one clock cycle (4 oscillator cycles). MCUs sit in the hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor, and serve as the decision-making core of countless battery-powered and industrial systems.
Key differentiating features of the PIC16LF18445 include Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Configurable Logic Cell (CLC), 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC), 5-bit DAC, two PWM modules, EUSART, SPI, and I2C peripherals. The device integrates eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) technology with sleep currents below 50 nA typical and active current under 50 uA/MHz, qualifying it for energy harvesting and IoT sensor nodes. The 12-bit ADCC provides automated averaging, threshold detection, and hardware accumulation, offloading signal-conditioning code from the CPU.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, battery-powered IoT nodes, consumer appliance controls, low-power remote controls, and motor control in small BLDC fans or stepper drivers. The wide 1.8V to 3.6V supply range allows direct connection to a single Li-ion or two AA cells without external regulation, simplifying BOM. For designs already using the 20-SOIC footprint, the PIC16F18445 (5V variant) and PIC16LF18444 (reduced-pin predecessor) remain drop-in compatible alternatives on the same 20-SOIC pad pattern, enabling platform scalability across voltage rails.
One important design consideration: verify the SOIC-20 footprint matches the 0.295 inch body width used by this part. Choosing a less expensive 0.300 inch width footprint will not mate correctly. This page compiles distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not aggregated elsewhere on manufacturer datasheets.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18445-E/SO — 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 PIC16LF18445-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Comparators, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18445-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18445-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18445-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.76 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18446-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18445-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Word | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC, up to 17 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 2 (10-bit) |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E suffix) |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CWG, CLC, NCO |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18445-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and IOC |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and IOC |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Input only / Master Clear reset |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O with EUSART TX/CK and PWM |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O with EUSART RX/DT |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O with DAC and comparator output |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O with comparator and DAC reference |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O with ICSPDAT |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O with ICSPCLK and ADC |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and CWG output |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 18 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and PWM |
| Pin 19 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and CWG output |
| Pin 20 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O with ADC and CWG output |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18445-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Small BLDC / Stepper Motor Control, Consumer Remote Control / HMI Keypad, Automotive Lighting / LED Driver Control, Test & Measurement Handheld Instrument.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18445-E/SO is well suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because of its 1.8V to 3.6V wide low-voltage supply range and eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) technology that keeps sleep current below 50 nA typical. The 12-bit ADCC with hardware accumulation enables multi-sample averaging while the CPU is asleep, reducing total system energy by an order of magnitude compared with polling architectures. Engineers typically pair it with a 2.4 GHz sub-GHz radio on the same 3V coin-cell rail. The 17 GPIO provide headroom for I2C/SPI sensors, indicator LEDs, and a wake-up interrupt button.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
For 4-20 mA loop-powered industrial sensor conditioning, the PIC16LF18445-E/SO's extended -40C to +125C temperature grade and 12-bit ADCC with integrated threshold detection are decisive. The CLC and CWG peripherals can implement hardware-level fail-safe outputs that continue functioning even if the CPU is halted by a fault, meeting industrial SIL requirements. The 5-bit DAC supports excitation current trimming for bridge sensors. Compared with a discrete op-amp + ADC solution, this integrated approach shrinks the BOM by 30-50% and improves ESD/EMC margins.
Recommended
Small BLDC / Stepper Motor Control
The Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) provides hardware dead-band control and complementary PWM outputs suited for low-voltage 3V BLDC or stepper drives up to a few hundred milliamps. The two PWM channels can drive high-side and low-side FET gates with programmable dead time, eliminating software timing jitter. With 32 MHz CPU and 14KB Flash, simple FOC or 6-step commutation algorithms fit comfortably. The 'LF' supply range (1.8-3.6V) matches single-cell Li-ion battery motor packs for small fans or vibrator motors.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control / HMI Keypad
In a TV remote, smart thermostat keypad, or appliance control panel, the PIC16LF18445-E/SO's XLP sleep mode (<50 nA) keeps coin-cell batteries running for years. The 12-bit ADCC supports touch-button proximity sensing via a simple RC network, and the CLC can debounce mechanical buttons in hardware before the CPU ever wakes. EUSART/SPI/I2C provide connectivity to RF transceivers or LED driver chips. Its 1KB RAM is sufficient for menu state machines and small icon bitmaps.
Recommended
Automotive Lighting / LED Driver Control
For interior LED lighting strips, ambient cabin lighting, or motorcycle tail-light controllers, the PIC16LF18445-E/SO's extended temperature range and Core Independent Peripherals deliver robust performance. The CWG provides flicker-free PWM dimming down to 0.1% duty cycle, while the 12-bit ADCC monitors battery voltage and temperature for fault detection. Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, in-cabin automotive applications can use it when paired with an external automotive-grade regulator. The 14KB Flash holds LIN-style software stacks and lighting animations.
Recommended
Test & Measurement Handheld Instrument
Portable multimeters, cable testers, and field-installed sensor calibrators benefit from the PIC16LF18445-E/SO's combination of low power, 12-bit ADCC, and multiple serial interfaces. Engineers can implement a 4-digit DMM front end using the ADCC for voltage/current measurement and the 5-bit DAC for reference trimming. The CLC can implement a hardware frequency counter that runs while the CPU samples, offloading the time-critical gate timing. Three AA cells (4.5V max) exceed the 3.6V supply range, requiring an external LDO such as MCP1700.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18445-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18445-I/SO | PIC16F18445-E/SO | PIC16LF18444T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC (0.295 in) | 20-SOIC (0.295 in) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 in) - same | 20-SOIC (0.295 in) - same |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B |
| Supply 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 |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC |
| CIPs (CWG/CLC/NCO) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) for hardware glue logic (vs PIC16LF18444T-I/SO)
- Extended temperature grade for industrial environments (vs PIC16LF18445-I/SO)
- Lower-voltage operation than F variant (vs PIC16F18445-E/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 32 MHz CPU, 3.3V supply, and active peripherals the PIC16LF18445 draws approximately 5-8 mA active. Sleep current with RTC running is sub-uA. For coin-cell designs, gate the I/O pull-ups through software to eliminate parasitic leakage paths; the typical 'disabled pull-up on RA' guideline reduces quiescent current by 2-5 uA per pin. Use the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference) module to bias the ADC reference from the internal 1.024V or 2.048V source to remove external reference current.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of VDD (pin 1), and a bulk 4.7 uF or 10 uF tantalum/ceramic capacitor adjacent to it. The 20-SOIC footprint (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm body width) is critical: many PCB libraries default to 0.300 inch wide SOIC-20 which will not mate correctly. Verify land pattern against Microchip package specification document. Provide a dedicated ground pour under the IC with at least 4 vias stitching the top and bottom ground planes for thermal and EMI performance.
Do not exceed 3.6V on VDD on the LF variant - the device lacks 5V tolerance and will permanently latch up. The MCLR/RA3 pin is input-only when used as MCLR but bidirectional when used as a GPIO. Ensure the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (RA0/RB7) are not pulled low at reset or the application code cannot execute. The CWG peripheral requires careful dead-band configuration to prevent shoot-through in complementary drive applications; consult the family reference manual section on CWG before powering FETs.
The 12-bit ADCC achieves best performance when the source impedance is below 1 kohm and the acquisition time is at least 4 ADC clock cycles. For 4-20 mA loop sensing, add a 100 ohm series resistor and a 10 nF filter capacitor at the ADC input. The EUSART in synchronous master mode produces a clean SPI substitute for high-speed peripheral interconnects up to 8 MHz; for higher rates, use the dedicated MSSP module in SPI mode.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, consult Microchip automotive-grade PIC16F184xx variants.
