PIC16LF18445-I/GZ - 14KB Flash, 32MHz 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18445-I/GZ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.96 | $19.60 |
| 100 | $1.65 | $165.00 |
| 500 | $1.42 | $710.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.21 | $1,210.00 |
PIC16LF18445-I/GZ Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a Von Neumann or Harvard-architecture processor with an 8-bit data path, optimized for deterministic real-time control, low power consumption, and small code footprint. The PIC16F184xx family sits in the hierarchy microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> XLP (eXtreme Low Power) family -> microcontrollers. XLP technology targets battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications where nanoWatt sleep currents and active-mode efficiency dominate design trade-offs versus 32-bit ARM Cortex-M alternatives.
Key features that differentiate this part include 14 KB self-programmable Flash (8K x 14 words), 1 KB SRAM, 256 B EEPROM, hardware CWG for half-bridge/full-bridge/H-bridge control, the ADCC averaging/filtering accelerator, an angular timer, zero-cross detect, and mathematical accelerator. PPS maps digital peripherals to any I/O pin, and the ICSP/ICD interface supports in-circuit debug without removing the device from the board. The wide 1.8 V–3.6 V operating range covers 2-cell alkaline, single-cell Li-ion, and 3.3 V regulated rails.
The PIC16LF18445 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with a 14-bit instruction word and a 32 MHz internal oscillator, eliminating an external crystal in most designs. Brown-out Reset (BOR), Power-on Reset (POR), and a Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT) improve robustness in noisy industrial environments. The device is supported by MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compilers, and the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) plug-in for rapid peripheral setup.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered medical wearables, touch/user-interface front panels, LED lighting drivers using CWG, motor control with BEMF sensing, and USB-less USB-to-UART bridges using EUSART. The combination of nanoWatt XLP sleep, PPS, and the integrated 12-bit ADCC enables single-chip sensor hubs with no external ADC.
When designing with this MCU, use a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and bond the exposed pad (EP) to a grounded copper pour of at least 25 mm² for thermal and electrical reference. Do not float the MCLR pin in F-series applications; tie it to VDD through a 10 kΩ resistor to avoid spurious resets. Program the CONFIG words in MPLAB X to set the oscillator, BOR threshold, and code protection before first use.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18445-I/GZ — 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-I/GZ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in DAC, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Comparators, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18444-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444T-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18445-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18345-I/GZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18445-I/GZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16 (XLP™ 16F) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with computation |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM Modules | 2 |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I²C |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18445-I/GZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — I/O port A bit 5 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — I/O port A bit 4 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — I/O port A bit 3 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — I/O port A bit 2 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — I/O port A bit 1 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — I/O port A bit 0 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 10 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 13 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 14 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 15 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 16 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — I/O port B bit 7 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — I/O port B bit 6 (PPS-mappable, ICSP clock) |
| Pin 19 | MCLR — Master Clear reset / ICSP data (active-low) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary bond) |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - tie to ground for thermal relief |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18445-I/GZ is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Wearable Medical/Health Monitor, LED Lighting Driver with CWG, Touch / User-Interface Front Panel, BLDC / Small Motor Controller, Industrial Sensor Hub with UART Bridge.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ is well suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because of its 1.8–3.6 V supply range and XLP nanoWatt sleep technology. Per Microchip's PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the device delivers 14 KB Flash and 1 KB SRAM, enough for a sensor driver plus a small protocol stack such as Modbus RTU or a vendor-proprietary RF command layer, while the integrated 12-bit ADCC with hardware averaging reduces firmware overhead. Placed between a coin-cell or 2x AA battery and the sensor front-end, it achieves months-to-years runtime by sleeping between wake-ups on timer or ADCC threshold interrupts.
Recommended
Wearable Medical/Health Monitor
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ fits wearable medical and health monitors where small PCB area, low active current, and an integrated analog front-end are essential. Per the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the 12-bit ADCC plus 5-bit DAC and the on-chip comparator enable direct connection to PPG photodiodes, thermistors, and bio-impedance electrodes without an external ADC. The 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) footprint leaves room for a CR2032 battery and a small BLE module, while XLP deep-sleep currents keep idle draw below 1 µA for multi-day wear time between charges.
Recommended
LED Lighting Driver with CWG
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ drives Class-2 LED lighting fixtures using its integrated Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) plus two PWM channels. Per Microchip's PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the CWG module supports half-bridge, full-bridge, and H-bridge topologies with programmable dead-band and auto-shutdown, eliminating an external gate-driver IC in many designs. Combined with PPS to route PWM to any pin and 12-bit ADCC for closed-loop current sensing, the MCU provides dimming, color-mixing, and thermal foldback on a single 4x4 mm die footprint.
Recommended
Touch / User-Interface Front Panel
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ serves as a capacitive-touch or matrix-keypad front-panel controller thanks to its on-chip comparator, 12-bit ADCC, and PPS flexibility. According to the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the mTouch® capacitive-touch library runs directly on the PIC16 core with no external touch IC, and EUSART/SPI/I²C let the part report events to a host MCU over a single wire. The 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) package keeps the front-panel PCB compact while industrial temperature range (-40 °C to +85 °C) supports appliance and industrial control panels.
Recommended
BLDC / Small Motor Controller
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ controls small BLDC, brushed-DC, or stepper motors using its CWG, two PWM modules, comparator, and 12-bit ADCC. Per Microchip's PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the CWG generates complementary PWM with hardware dead-band control, while the angular timer simplifies back-EMF zero-cross detection on sensorless BLDC designs. The 32 MHz core provides 8 MIPS to execute field-oriented control or trapezoidal commutation at high PWM frequencies, all within a 4x4 mm UQFN footprint suitable for space-constrained drone, appliance, or robotic actuator designs.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hub with UART Bridge
The PIC16LF18445-I/GZ functions as an industrial sensor hub, aggregating analog and digital inputs and bridging to a host via EUSART, SPI, or I²C. According to the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the 12-bit ADCC with computation engine handles hardware-averaged ADC scans, while PPS allows the same firmware to map the bridge peripheral to different pins for layout flexibility. Operating from a 3.3 V regulated rail at -40 °C to +85 °C, the part tolerates factory-floor temperature swings and supports factory calibration via the ICSP/ICD interface.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18445-I/GZ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18444-I/GZ | PIC16F18445-I/GZ | PIC16LF18346-I/GZ | PIC16LF18345-I/GZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) - same |
| Flash / SRAM | 14 KB / 1 KB | 7 KB / 1 KB (-50% Flash) | 14 KB / 1 KB (same) | 14 KB / 1 KB (same) | 14 KB / 1 KB (same) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 16 MHz (-50%) | 32 MHz (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF, same) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F, wider upper) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF, same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF, same) |
| CWG (Bridge Drive) | Yes | No | Yes (same) | No | No |
| PWM Channels | 2 + CWG | 2 (no CWG) | 2 + CWG (same) | More PWM channels | 2 (no CWG) |
| ADCC (12-bit ADC w/computation) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (earlier-gen without computation engine) |
Key Differentiators
- CWG + 12-bit ADCC computation in 4x4 mm UQFN (vs PIC16LF18345-I/GZ)
- Wider peripheral set than PIC16LF18444 sibling (vs PIC16LF18444-I/GZ)
- 1.8 V minimum supply vs 2.3 V on PIC16F18445 (vs PIC16F18445-I/GZ)
Design Notes
Estimated: at fOSC = 32 MHz and VDD = 3.3 V, active current is approximately 4 mA and XLP sleep current is below 1 µA. Decouple VDD (pin 1) with a 0.1 µF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the IC pin; add a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the supply entry point. For battery-powered designs, route the battery through a series ferrite bead to suppress inrush noise into the analog reference.
The 20-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) package exposes a thermal pad (EP) on the bottom side that MUST be soldered to a grounded copper pour of at least 25 mm² for thermal relief and electrical reference. Per the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, floating the EP degrades thermal performance and may cause ESD susceptibility. The UQFN land pattern uses NSMD pads with a 0.2 mm solder mask dam; follow IPC-7351 nominal land recommendations.
Do NOT leave the MCLR pin floating - tie MCLR (pin 19) to VDD through a 10 kΩ pull-up resistor to prevent spurious resets from injected noise. Per the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, MCLR is shared with the ICSP data line; ensure the in-circuit programmer can drive MCLR low without contention. Also configure the CONFIG words (FOSC, BOR, WDTE, etc.) in MPLAB X before first programming - default CONFIG may select an oscillator mode incompatible with your hardware.
Keep the analog AVSS/AVDD pair separated from noisy digital traces; place the ADCC reference capacitor within 5 mm of the reference pin. Per the Microchip PIC16(L)F184xx datasheet, the on-chip 12-bit ADCC achieves best noise performance when the input traces are guarded by a ground trace and the reference decoupling capacitor is a 0.1 µF COG/NP0 ceramic. Use Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) to remap CWG outputs adjacent to the gate-driver FETs to minimize switching-loop inductance.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status inferred from Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not qualified (industrial grade only, not automotive).
