PIC16LF18446-E/SO - 8-bit 32MHz 28KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18446-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.6 | $1.60 |
| 10 | $1.44 | $14.40 |
| 100 | $1.12 | $112.00 |
| 500 | $0.95 | $475.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.82 | $820.00 |
PIC16LF18446-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program/data memory, peripherals, and I/O on one silicon die. The PIC16LF18446 belongs to the broader 8-bit MCU taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded MCU -> PIC architecture -> Microchip mid-range enhanced core. It sits within the 'LF' subfamily that targets battery-powered applications by lowering the maximum VDD to 3.6V and adding sleep currents in the nanoampere range, making it distinct from the 5V-tolerant PIC16F18446 variant.
Key features include a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC), a 5-bit/8-bit DAC, two PWMs with complementary outputs, a Comparator, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), an EUSART, and SPI/I2C peripherals. The device supports Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that operate without CPU intervention, freeing the core for housekeeping or sleep. The 32MHz maximum clock delivers up to 16 MIPS, while the XLP technology enables typical sleep currents below 50 nA with retention RAM.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, industrial sensor transmitters, consumer white goods interfaces, and portable medical accessories. The integrated 12-bit ADCC simplifies direct sensor conditioning and averaging in firmware, while the CWG simplifies half-bridge and full-bridge power-switching timing.
Designers should observe the 3.6V absolute maximum VDD, use proper decoupling (100 nF + 1 uF) close to VDD/SS pins, and configure unused pins as outputs to minimise current. Programming is supported via Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and PICkit or ICD debug tools.
This page combines distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and design notes not found on a single distributor listing, helping engineers pick the right Microchip PIC16 variant for low-power embedded designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18446-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 PIC16LF18446-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Family, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18446-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18445-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18444-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18426-I/SL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18446-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | 8-bit PIC enhanced mid-range |
| Family | PIC16(L)F184xx XLP |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 17 (typical for 20-pin SOIC, see datasheet) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (with computation) |
| DAC | 5-bit / 8-bit |
| PWM | 2 x PWM (with Complementary Waveform Generator) |
| Comparators | Yes |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free) |
PIC16LF18446-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Master Clear reset / I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / SCL |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / SDA |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 12 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O (note: actual pinout per datasheet) |
| Pin 18 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 19 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input / DAC ref |
| Pin 20 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18446-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Transmitters, Consumer Remote Controls, Portable Medical Accessories, Smart Home Edge Devices, LED Lighting Controllers.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18446-E/SO is well matched to wireless sensor node designs where every microamp of sleep current determines battery life. Its XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 50 nA with full RAM retention, and the 12-bit ADCC with hardware averaging can sample a thermistor or battery monitor without waking the CPU. The integrated EUSART or SPI/I2C peripherals talk directly to sub-GHz radios or BLE modules such as the Microchip RN4870. Estimated at 32 MHz / 3.3V with 0.1% duty cycling, average current drops into the single-digit-amp unit range, enabling multi-year coin-cell operation for indoor environmental sensors, soil moisture probes, and asset trackers.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16LF18446-E/SO suits 4-20 mA loop-powered or battery-backed sensor transmitters because of its 12-bit ADCC, integrated DAC for analog front-end trimming, and extended -40C to +125C temperature range (E suffix). The CWG peripheral generates precise complementary PWM pairs for driving half-bridge sensor excitation, while the 32MHz core runs PID loops at high update rates without offloading. Engineers should add a TVS diode and bulk capacitor near the loop interface and use the internal voltage reference for ratiometric measurements.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls
In IR remote controls for TVs, set-top boxes, and smart lighting, the PIC16LF18446-E/SO handles IR carrier generation, button matrix scanning, and sleep management. The CWG peripheral can synthesize the 38 kHz / 56 kHz IR carrier without CPU overhead, freeing the core to remain in sleep between button events. With its 1.8V minimum VDD, the device runs directly from a single CR2032 coin cell for years of typical use. Estimated standby current is under 1 uA with retention RAM, and the 28KB Flash easily holds complex protocols like NEC, RC5, and SIRC plus custom OEM extensions.
Recommended
Portable Medical Accessories
The PIC16LF18446-E/SO fits handheld medical devices such as pill reminders, glucose meter accessories, and pulse-oximeter interfaces. Its 12-bit ADCC digitizes photodiode signals for SpO2 measurement with hardware averaging that improves SNR without CPU load. The DAC drives LED bias currents for PPG sensors, while EUSART or SPI transfers data to a host phone. The low 1.8V VDD allows direct Li-ion or alkaline battery operation, and the XLP sleep currents help achieve the long battery life demanded by medical device end users.
Recommended
Smart Home Edge Devices
The PIC16LF18446-E/SO works well in smart-home edge nodes such as battery-powered door/window sensors, motion detectors, and HVAC zone controllers. Its low sleep current, integrated 12-bit ADCC, and PWM outputs drive LEDs, buzzers, and small relays without external components. The CWG and NCO peripherals can synthesize user-visible tones or chirps for alarms, and the SPI/I2C ports connect to radios like the Microchip RN2903 LoRa module for long-range links. Engineers can implement AES-like firmware authentication entirely in the on-chip Flash.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
In LED drivers and digital lighting controllers, the PIC16LF18446-E/SO uses its CWG and PWM peripherals to generate precise dimming waveforms and colour-mixing outputs. The 12-bit ADCC monitors LED current via a sense resistor and supports closed-loop constant-current regulation in firmware. The integrated DAC can set reference levels for analog dimming interfaces (0-10V). With its 1.8V-3.6V supply, it pairs naturally with low-voltage LED strings driven by external MOSFETs controlled by the CWG output pairs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18446-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18446-I/SO | PIC16LF18445-I/SO | PIC16LF18444-I/SO | PIC16LF18346-I/SO | PIC16LF18426-I/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 512 B | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Max CPU Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 10-bit | 12-bit ADCC |
| CWG Peripheral | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No (variant-dependent) |
| Temperature Grade | E (extended, -40 to +125 C) | I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) | I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) | I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) | I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) | I (industrial, -40 to +85 C) |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash density in same 20-SOIC package (vs PIC16LF18445-I/SO)
- 12-bit ADCC with hardware computation (vs PIC16LF18346-I/SO)
- Complementary Waveform Generator peripheral (vs PIC16LF18346-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF18446-E/SO requires a 100 nF decoupling capacitor placed within 3 mm of the VDD pin, plus a 1 uF to 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. Use a low-ESR ceramic (X7R or X5R). For battery-powered designs, place the bulk cap at the battery terminal rather than at the MCU to avoid inrush through the MCU's VDD pin. Decoupling should be star-routed to VSS.
Route the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK lines (RB6/RB7 on 20-SOIC) directly to the 6-pin ICSP header without series resistors for reliable in-circuit debugging. Keep traces under 50 mm to avoid capacitive loading. Place the ICSP connector at the board edge so the PICkit can be attached without removing the enclosure. Reserve the MCLR line for the ICSP pull-up; do not add a manual reset button without a 100 ohm series resistor.
Do not exceed 3.6V on VDD - the 'LF' variant is not 5V tolerant even though the 'F' variant is. Configure all unused I/O pins as outputs and drive them low to minimise sleep current. Disable unused peripherals in firmware (PMD registers) to avoid hidden current draw. When migrating from PIC16LF1825, the configuration bits and PPS mapping have changed - verify your code against the PIC16LF18446 configuration chapter before production release.
Keep the analog AVSS/AVDD pair isolated from noisy digital traces; the PIC16LF18446's 12-bit ADCC is sensitive to digital switching noise on adjacent layers. Place a ground pour under the analog section and stitch with multiple vias to the inner ground plane. Use a 4-layer stack-up (signal-ground-power-signal) for best ADCC performance; on 2-layer boards route ground in a wide pour around the analog pins.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant lead-free SOIC package per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs choose a Q-qualified PIC16 variant. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification.
