PIC16LF18445-I/P - 8-Bit 32MHz XLP MCU, 14KB Flash 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18445-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.84 | $1.84 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.32 | $132.00 |
| 500 | $1.14 | $570.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.98 | $980.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.85 | $2,550.00 |
PIC16LF18445-I/P Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Interface Controller) is an 8-bit RISC MCU family originally developed by General Instrument and now led by Microchip Technology. PIC MCUs combine a Harvard architecture, deterministic instruction timing, and a compact instruction set to deliver predictable real-time behaviour in cost-sensitive embedded designs. The PIC16 sub-family sits between the baseline PIC10/12/14 parts and the higher-pin-count PIC18/24 devices, providing a balance of code density, peripheral integration, and low power consumption (XLP). Within the system hierarchy, the PIC16LF18445 belongs to: microcontroller (MCU) -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC16 family -> PIC16(L)F184xx sub-family -> power management and signal conditioning class.
Key features include 14 KB Flash (8K x 14 words), 1 KB SRAM, 256 B EEPROM, an active clock scaling peripheral, a temperature indicator, mTouch capacitive touch support, and eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology with sleep currents below typical 1 uA. The 12-bit ADCC with automatic averaging and threshold comparisons offloads signal conditioning from the CPU, and the CWG allows generation of complementary PWM with dead-band control for half-bridge drivers.
The architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word, two hardware stack levels, and an interrupt controller with hardware context save/restore. The instruction pipelining delivers near 1 MIPS per MHz, so the device sustains ~16 MIPS at 32 MHz. The integrated low-power features include multiple Idle/Doze/Sleep modes with multiple wake sources (Interrupt-on-Change, RTC, WDT).
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered handheld instruments, LED lighting controllers, low-cost motor and fan control, consumer white goods, and small home-automation controllers. The through-hole 20-PDIP package is convenient for prototyping, hobby projects, and field-serviceable designs where socketed parts are preferred.
A key design consideration is decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD/VSS pins and follow Microchip's recommended PCB layout for the analog and oscillator pins to preserve ADC accuracy and clock stability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the PIC16(L)F184xx and PIC16(L)F183xx families, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18445-I/P — 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/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, CWG, DAC, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18445-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18345-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18425-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18444-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18346-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18445-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC16(L)F184xx |
| Core Processor | PIC16 (8-bit RISC, enhanced mid-range) |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (with computation) |
| DAC | 5-bit / 8-bit DAC |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | 2 |
| CWG | Yes (Complementary Waveform Generator) |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Timers | 11 (per Mouser listing) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| XLP Low Power | Yes (eXtreme Low Power) |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (DIP-20) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unsealed DIP) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free finish variant exists as PIC16LF18445-I/P in Pb-free) |
PIC16LF18445-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/RA3 — Reset (active low) or digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Digital I/O / analog input / SCL |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input / SDA |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RB7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 19 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18445-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes and Wireless End-Points, Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments, LED Lighting Controllers, Small Motor and Fan Control, Consumer White Goods and Appliance UI, Home Automation and Smart Home Controllers.
IoT Sensor Nodes and Wireless End-Points
The PIC16LF18445-I/P is well matched to IoT sensor nodes because its eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology delivers sub-microampere sleep currents that extend coin-cell battery life to multiple years. The 14 KB Flash stores networking stacks and sensor calibration, while the 12-bit ADCC performs on-chip averaging and threshold detection so the CPU can wake only when a meaningful event occurs. The EUSART/SPI/I2C peripherals interface directly to sub-GHz transceivers such as the Microchip MRF89XA or LoRa modules without external glue logic. Designers typically pair the MCU with a sensor like the MCP9808 temperature IC and use a 32.768 kHz crystal for timekeeping; the resulting BOM is small, the quiescent current is in the 1-2 uA range, and the 20-PDIP package is socket-friendly for field replacement in remote installations.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instruments
The PIC16LF18445-I/P fits handheld instruments such as digital multimeters, thermometers, and portable gas detectors because the 1.8-3.6 V range accommodates two alkaline or lithium cells directly without an LDO. The 12-bit ADCC with computation digitizes bridge sensors (load cells, thermistors) with hardware averaging, while the integrated temperature indicator can be used for cold-junction compensation in thermocouple measurements. The CWG generates the excitation PWM for inductive proximity or capacitive measurement, eliminating an analog oscillator. The 20-PDIP through-hole package is mechanically robust for handheld enclosures and survives field-soldering rework. Typical designs pair the MCU with an I2C LCD driver, a low-side MOSFET for buzzer/LED control, and a 32.768 kHz crystal for RTC-driven logging.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF18445-I/P is suitable for constant-current LED drivers and architectural lighting controllers because the CWG produces complementary PWM with programmable dead-band for synchronous buck/boost topologies. The 12-bit ADCC samples a high-side current-sense amplifier to maintain constant LED current without software overhead. The EUSART/SPI peripherals drive DMX-512 (RS-485) or APA-102/SK9822 LED strips, while the I2C bus can drive a small OLED display for local status. Designers often pair the MCU with a Microchip MCP14A0152 gate driver for the power stage. The wide 1.8-3.6 V operating range enables direct Li-ion battery drive for portable or stage lighting, while the 20-PDIP package simplifies bench prototyping during thermal testing of the LED array.
Recommended
Small Motor and Fan Control
The PIC16LF18445-I/P controls small BLDC and brushed DC motors and fans because the 32 MHz CPU executes field-oriented-control math quickly, while the CWG outputs complementary PWM with dead-band to drive a half-bridge gate driver. The two on-chip comparators can be used for back-EMF sensing in sensorless trapezoidal commutation, and the 12-bit ADCC measures motor current via a shunt amplifier for closed-loop torque control. I2C drives an external digital potentiometer as a speed reference, while EUSART provides Modbus or LIN connectivity for industrial fan control. Pairing the MCU with an MCP14A0152 or MCP8024 gate driver yields a compact 24 V motor-control front-end. The 20-PDIP through-hole footprint simplifies thermal validation by allowing easy socket changes.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods and Appliance UI
The PIC16LF18445-I/P runs the user interface on washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and other white goods because the 14 KB Flash holds the rotary-knob/mTouch user-interface state machine plus the appliance cycle logic. The mTouch capacitive-sensing support drives the touch buttons and slider without external ICs, while the 12-bit ADCC reads the temperature probes and water-level sensors. The CWG and PWM modules drive triac firing circuits and buzzer tones. The 20-PDIP package is field-replaceable by service technicians, which keeps aftermarket repair costs low. Designers pair the MCU with a TRIAC-driver optocoupler, an I2C EEPROM for cycle memory, and a small SPI OLED for the cycle display.
Recommended
Home Automation and Smart Home Controllers
The PIC16LF18445-I/P serves as a small home-automation controller (thermostat, smart plug, dimmer) because the 14 KB Flash stores the connectivity stack plus local schedules, while the 1 KB SRAM holds the mesh table. The EUSART can drive an RS-485 wired backbone or a sub-GHz link, the SPI/I2C buses connect to sensors and a small OLED/e-ink display, and the CWG dims mains AC via a zero-cross TRIAC with dead-band control. The mTouch peripheral reads capacitive touch keys and slider for the front panel. Designers often pair the MCU with an HLW8012 power-meter IC, an HLK-PM01 AC-DC module, and an MRF89XA for sub-GHz communication. The XLP sleep currents keep standby power below 0.5 W, satisfying energy-efficiency regulations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18445-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18445-I/P | PIC16LF18345-I/P | PIC16LF18425-I/P | PIC16LF18444-I/P | PIC16LF18346-I/P | PIC16LF1829-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same | 20-pin PDIP - same |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 8 KB (-43%) | 7 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-50%) | 28 KB (+100%) | 14 KB |
| Data RAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 512 B | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (with computation) | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADC (no ADCC) | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADC | 8-bit ADC (lower resolution) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (no CWG) |
| Temperature Grade | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Approximate 100-piece price (USD, as of 2026-09-24) | ~$1.32 | ~$1.40 (5 V variant, slightly higher) | ~$1.20 (lower cost, smaller Flash) | ~$1.10 (smaller Flash) | ~$1.10 | ~$1.45 (more Flash) | ~$1.30 (older family) |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADCC with on-chip computation vs standard 12-bit ADC (vs PIC16LF18345-I/P)
- Doubled Flash capacity vs older PIC16F182x family (vs PIC16LF1829-I/P)
- Tighter code density and more RAM vs cost-reduced PIC16LF18425 (vs PIC16LF18425-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 1) and VSS (pin 20) on the PIC16LF18445-I/P. For designs using the ADC, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor plus a ferrite bead between the digital and analog VDD rails to keep digital switching noise out of the ADC conversion. The XLP sleep current specification assumes the VDD rail is stable; if the regulator droops during RF transmission or PWM bursts, the brown-out reset can falsely trigger.
Configure the CONFIG words for the correct oscillator mode (INTOSC default), disable the watchdog timer unless it is used, and set the MCLR pin to either MCLR (reset) or digital I/O as required. The PIC16LF18445 defaults to internal 32 MHz after reset, but if you are migrating firmware from PIC16F18345 you must verify the ADCC configuration registers - the 12-bit ADCC adds new registers (ADCON0/1/2, ADACT, ADCAP, ADPRE) that are not present on the older 12-bit ADC used in the PIC16LF18345.
Route the ICSPDAT (RA0/ICSPDAT) and ICSPCLK (RA1/ICSPCLK) lines to a 5-pin header (or dedicated programming pads) so the device can be programmed in-circuit without removing the MCU. Keep the trace length below 50 mm and avoid running the ICSP lines parallel to switching power traces. Place the 32.768 kHz crystal (if used) within 5 mm of the SOSCO/SOSCI pins with a grounded guard ring to minimize stray capacitance for accurate RTC operation.
Estimated: at 32 MHz CPU clock with 14 KB Flash and 1 KB SRAM active, peak digital switching current can reach 8-10 mA. Use a ground plane on the underside of the 20-PDIP footprint to provide a low-impedance return path; if the board is single-sided, add a wide ground pour running along the full length of the device. Keep analog inputs away from PWM outputs to avoid capacitive coupling into ADC readings.
The PIC16LF18445-I/P is rated for -40 C to +85 C industrial operation. At typical active currents of 3-5 mA and sleep currents below 2 uA, self-heating is negligible in the 20-PDIP package (theta_JA around 80-100 C/W for PDIP). Ensure ambient airflow inside the enclosure is sufficient when the MCU is driving multiple PWM channels at high frequency, and derate the maximum operating temperature by 10 C if the device is sealed inside an IP65-rated housing.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade (I) -40 C to +85 C operating range. Pb-free finish available as part of Microchip's lead-free packaging program. No AEC-Q100 automotive variant in the -I/P suffix; the -E/P extended grade offers -40 C to +125 C.
