PIC16LF18446-I/SO - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU, XLP, 20-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18446-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.78 | $1.78 |
| 10 | $1.6 | $16.00 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.15 | $575.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.02 | $1,020.00 |
PIC16LF18446-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals; an 8-bit MCU processes data in 8-bit chunks and is widely used for cost-sensitive embedded control in industrial, consumer, and IoT endpoints. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF18446 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller -> PIC16 family -> PIC16F184xx sub-family -> low-power (LF) variant, and ultimately to the integrated circuits > microcontrollers category. Its 8-bit architecture targets deterministic real-time control where low cost, ultra-low sleep current, and rich Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) outweigh raw compute throughput.
Key features include a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2), a 5-bit DAC, two PWM/Capture/Compare peripherals, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), EUSART, SPI, and I2C interfaces, plus a memory access partitioning (MAP) scheme for bootloader-style code protection. Intelligent analog and CIPs let timers, PWMs, and communications operate without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application logic and minimizing active-mode current draw.
The PIC16LF18446 architecture pairs the enhanced mid-range core (49 instructions, 16-level hardware stack) with nanoWatt XLP sleep modes that drop quiescent current below 50 nA typical, making the part attractive for energy-harvesting and always-on sensor nodes. Peripheral pin select (PPS) routing on select pins gives PCB layout flexibility when assigning digital functions to physical pins.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, remote controls, low-power wireless Mote endpoints, handheld medical instruments, and home-automation controllers. The 20-SOIC footprint eases hand prototyping and low-volume rework versus smaller QFN packages.
When designing, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of VDD and verify the MCLR pull-up timing for in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). Select the internal 32 MHz HFINTOSC or the 32.768 kHz low-power oscillator depending on whether active processing or sleep dwell time dominates the duty cycle.
This page distills distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and design guidance not assembled in the standalone datasheet, with all claims cross-referenced to Microchip document 40001985B and current distributor data as of 2026-09-24.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18446-I/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-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, PWM Channels, Communication Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18446-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18445-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18346-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18446-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1829-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18446-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I') |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Channels | 2 (10-bit PWM/CCP) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| Other Peripherals | CWG, Comparators, CRC/Scan |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP nanoWatt (sleep < 50 nA typical) |
| I/O Pins | 17 (maximum) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18446-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR — Digital I/O or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 4 | RC5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RC4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RC3 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RC2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input / DAC reference |
| Pin 13 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC7 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC6 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 16 | RB7 — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB5 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RA7 — Digital I/O / analog input |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18446-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Handheld Medical Instruments, Home Automation Controllers, Remote Controls and HIDs, Industrial Sensor Transmitters, Wearable Fitness Trackers.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18446-I/SO is well-matched to coin-cell IoT sensor nodes where its 1.8V-3.6V operating range pairs directly with a CR2032 cell. The XLP nanoWatt sleep current drops below 50 nA typical, and Core Independent Peripherals such as ADC2 and the CWG can capture and average sensor readings without waking the CPU, extending battery life to multiple years in duty-cycled 0.1%-1% applications. The 28 KB Flash fits typical LoRaWAN or Zigbee endpoint reference stacks with margin for application logic.
Recommended
Handheld Medical Instruments
The PIC16LF18446-I/SO fits handheld medical devices such as pulse oximeters, digital thermometers, and single-parameter analyzers. Its 12-bit ADC2 with hardware averaging delivers accurate sensor readings, the 5-bit DAC supports bias generation, and the 2 KB SRAM buffers measurement sequences. Low sleep current preserves battery life between patient sessions, while the 20-SOIC package simplifies hand rework during prototyping and regulatory pre-production runs.
Recommended
Home Automation Controllers
Home automation hubs and wall-mounted keypads benefit from the PIC16LF18446-I/SO's 32 MHz core, which handles capacitive-touch scanning, LED PWM dimming, and EUSART/SPI/I2C communication to wireless modules. The CWG peripheral can drive half-bridge MOSFET drivers for relay replacement, while the 12-bit ADC2 reads analog sensors such as temperature, humidity, and ambient light. Low sleep current keeps wall-mounted battery units operational for years between replacements.
Recommended
Remote Controls and HIDs
Remote controls for consumer AV, garage doors, and industrial cranes benefit from the PIC16LF18446-I/SO's XLP sleep current, fast wake-up from interrupt, and integrated EUSART for IR or RF transmitter modulation. The 28 KB Flash supports multi-protocol stacks, the CWG can shape custom carrier waveforms, and 17 I/O pins are sufficient for key matrix scanning plus status LEDs. The 20-SOIC package is friendly to hand-soldered prototyping.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
Industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters leverage the PIC16LF18446-I/SO's 1.8V minimum supply, which is compatible with low-voltage regulators after the loop current diode bridge. The 12-bit ADC2 with hardware averaging minimizes CPU wake-time, the DAC can drive the 4-20 mA loop directly via an external pass transistor, and HART or IO-Link communication can be implemented in software over the UART. Industrial temperature grade is available in the PIC16LF18446-E/SO variant.
Recommended
Wearable Fitness Trackers
Wearable fitness bands and smart watches can use the PIC16LF18446-I/SO as a low-power companion MCU for sensor hub functions. Its XLP sleep current below 50 nA typical allows always-on heart-rate or step counting while the main application processor sleeps, and the 12-bit ADC2 samples photoplethysmography (PPG) signals with hardware averaging. The small 20-SOIC footprint fits into space-constrained wearable PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18446-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18446-I/SO | PIC16LF18445-I/SO | PIC16LF18346-I/SO | PIC16LF18446-E/SO | PIC16LF1829-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same | 20-SOIC - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit (ADC2) | 12-bit (ADC2) | 12-bit (ADC2) | 10-bit | 12-bit (ADC2) | 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest memory density in the 20-SOIC PIC16 footprint (vs PIC16LF18445-I/SO)
- 12-bit ADC2 with hardware computation (vs PIC16LF18346-I/SO)
- Industrial temperature grade vs extended (vs PIC16LF18446-E/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of the VDD pin (pin 19) and a bulk capacitor (1-10 uF) at the supply rail. The PIC16LF18446-I/SO draws peaks during ADC2 conversions; the bulk cap prevents code-execution brownouts. The XLP nanoWatt sleep current specification assumes VDD is stable and the MCLR pull-up is not loaded externally.
Route the ICSP clock (RB6) and data (RB7) lines as a pair with ground guard traces when the design supports in-circuit programming. Avoid routing high-frequency switching nodes near RA0/RA1 if those pins are used for the analog reference or DAC output. The 20-SOIC allows hand-rework; reserve a 2-pin header for ICSP if field updates are expected.
Do not assume PPS is available on every digital pin - the PIC16LF18446 only remaps a limited subset of peripherals, and the datasheet pin allocation table must be consulted. Avoid leaving unused I/O pins floating; configure them as outputs or enable internal weak pull-ups. The Configuration Words must explicitly disable the watchdog timer or set the correct WDT prescaler if WDT is enabled, otherwise the part will reset unexpectedly.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F equivalents from the same family.
