PIC16LF18456-E/SO - 32MHz 8-bit MCU, 28KB Flash, XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18456-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.27 | $227.00 |
| 500 | $2.03 | $1,015.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
PIC16LF18456-E/SO Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Interface Controller, or Peripheral Interface Controller) is an 8-bit RISC Harvard-architecture MCU family originally developed by General Instrument and now sold by Microchip Technology. PIC MCUs sit at the bottom of the embedded computing hierarchy (8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor) and remain popular because they combine low cost, deterministic interrupt latency, simple peripheral integration, and decades of mature toolchain support (MPLAB X, XC8 compiler, PICkit programmers).
Key features of this part include 26 digital I/O lines, a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2), two 10-bit PWMs, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), a 5-bit DAC, comparators, EUSART, and two SPI/I2C peripherals. Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) operate without CPU intervention, reducing firmware complexity and active-mode power consumption. The 'LF' suffix denotes the low-voltage (2.5V-3.6V) variant, while the 'F18456' die supports XLP nanoWatt technology with typical sleep currents below 1 uA.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF18456 uses an enhanced mid-range 16-bit instruction word core with a hardware multiply, providing 32MHz performance from a 31kHz to 32MHz internal oscillator block. The ADC2 peripheral includes oversampling, averaging, and threshold comparison hardware. Device Information Area (DIA) and Memory Access Partitioning (MAP) support secure boot and memory protection use cases.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered home automation, low-power wireless motor control, consumer appliances, automotive body electronics (sensor interfaces), and industrial control panels where deterministic behavior, low sleep current, and small footprint are critical.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of each VDD pin and tie unused I/O lines to defined logic levels (not floating) to minimize current leakage in XLP sleep modes. The ICSP programming pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) must be accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified Microchip alternatives, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet, with particular attention to the SOIC-28 drop-in variants in the PIC16LF18446/55/56 family.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18456-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 PIC16LF18456-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core, Operating Temperature, SPI / I2C.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18455T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18456-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18456-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16(L)F184xx |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC enhanced mid-range |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V nominal) |
| I/O Pins | 26 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Modules | 2 x 10-bit PWM |
| Comparators | Yes |
| CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) | Yes |
| EUSART | 1 |
| SPI / I2C | 2 (configurable SPI or I2C) |
| Timers | Multiple 8-bit / 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO, 300 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| XLP Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
PIC16LF18456-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/ANA0/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / Analog input / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/ANA1/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / Analog input / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/ANA2 — Digital I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Digital I/O / Master Clear (Reset, active low) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4/ANA4 — Digital I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/ANA5 — Digital I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RA6/OSC1 — Digital I/O / External oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.5V-3.6V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock (alternate) |
| Pin 27 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data (alternate) |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18456-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Home Automation Wireless Remote Control, Industrial Control Panel Interface, Consumer Appliance User Interface, Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Interface, Low-Power Wireless Motor Driver Companion.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18456-E/SO suits IoT sensor nodes where multi-year coin-cell or 2x AA battery life is mandatory. The nanoWatt XLP Sleep current under 1 uA (40 nA typical in Retention Sleep) plus active mode draws around 1.4 mA at 32 MHz let designers schedule wake-measure-transmit cycles that extend battery life beyond 5 years on a 600 mAh cell. The 12-bit ADC2 with Computation handles sensor signal conditioning, the two SPI/I2C ports connect to radios and sensors, and the 26 I/O lines drive status LEDs, buttons, and a UART debug channel. Placed on a 4-layer PCB with 0.1 uF decoupling close to VDD, it integrates sensor read, threshold compare, and radio wake-up without a separate companion MCU.
Recommended
Home Automation Wireless Remote Control
The PIC16LF18456-E/SO is well-matched to handheld remote controls for lighting, blinds, and HVAC. The 2.5V-3.6V supply accepts 2x AA cells directly without a boost converter, and XLP Sleep below 1 uA prevents battery drain when the remote sits idle. The CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) drives IR LED modulation while the EUSART serves as a debug port; the 28KB Flash hosts stack-based control firmware with up to 28,000 instruction words. A 12-bit ADC reads potentiometer-based dimmer inputs, and the two PWMs generate precise timing for sub-GHz or BLE companion radio modules. The SOIC-28 package supports hand-soldering for prototype builds.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel Interface
For industrial control panels with keypads, status LEDs, and small OLED/LCD displays, the PIC16LF18456-E/SO delivers 32MHz performance, 12-bit ADC2, and enough Flash to host MODBUS over EUSART plus display UI logic. The -40 C to +125 C operating range covers most factory environments. The CWG and dual PWMs control buzzer tones and backlight dimming, while two SPI/I2C ports interface to graphical displays or I/O expanders. Placed with TVS protection on external connectors and isolated RS-485, the 28-SOIC footprint fits standard industrial PCB modules. CIPs reduce CPU loading so the core stays free for safety diagnostics.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface
In consumer appliances such as coffee machines, washing machines, or induction cooktops, the PIC16LF18456-E/SO drives touch-button interfaces, LED rings, and small TFT displays. The 5-bit DAC generates smooth analog references for LED dimming curves while the 12-bit ADC reads temperature sensors (NTC/PTC) for safety limits. The CWG produces dead-time-controlled complementary PWM outputs suitable for small motor or buzzer drivers. With 28KB Flash the firmware can host multilingual menus and Bluetooth Low Energy profiles via a companion radio. The SOIC-28 industrial-temperature part supports hand-rework during prototyping.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Interface
In automotive body modules - seat-position sensors, mirror controllers, lighting nodes - the PIC16LF18456-E/SO acts as a small signal-conditioning MCU. Its 12-bit ADC2 with Computation performs hardware averaging and threshold detection on up to 26 channels. The EUSART serves as a LIN slave interface to the body controller. The -40 C to +125 C industrial temperature range covers cabin locations, while the SOIC-28 footprint supports conformal-coated PCB assemblies. Note: this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive designs use PIC16F18456-E/SO-Q1 or similar Q-graded parts.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Motor Driver Companion
As a companion MCU next to a wireless-controlled motor driver, the PIC16LF18456-E/SO runs the radio protocol stack (e.g., Zigbee or proprietary 2.4 GHz) while the main motor-driver IC handles FET switching. The CWG produces timing references for the motor gate driver, the comparators sense over-current events, and the two PWMs control motor speed via optocouplers to the high-voltage side. With XLP Sleep below 1 uA, the standby current budget stays within BLE module limits. SOIC-28 hand-solders easily for low-volume custom builds.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18456-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18446-E/SS | PIC16LF18455T-I/SO | PIC16F18456-E/SO | PIC16LF18456-E/ML | PIC16LF18456-E/STX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 (300 mil) | SSOP-28 | SOIC-28 (300 mil) | SOIC-28 (300 mil) | QFN-28 (6x6 mm) | TSSOP-28 |
| Max Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (at 16MHz) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Highest memory in PIC16LF184xx SOIC-28 family with full CIP set (vs PIC16LF18455T-I/SO)
- Low-voltage XLP operation down to 2.5 V (vs PIC16F18456-E/SO)
- Industry-standard SOIC-28 footprint, not QFN/TSSOP (vs PIC16LF18456-E/ML (QFN-28))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD and AVDD pin, with a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. The PIC16LF18456-E/SO is sensitive to supply ripple in XLP Sleep modes; noisy rails can prevent the part from entering Sleep and waste microamps. For battery applications, add a 100 kohm + 10 uF RC on MCLR/VPP for clean power-on reset.
Estimated: SOIC-28 has a thermal resistance of approximately 80 C/W (theta_JA) on a standard 2-layer PCB with no copper pour. At 32 MHz and 3.3 V, the part consumes around 8 mA active, so self-heating is below 0.3 C - negligible. For high-temperature environments approaching +125 C ambient, ensure the PCB includes at least 100 mm^2 of copper ground plane to keep junction temperature within Microchip derating curves.
Keep the ICSP traces (ICSPCLK, ICSPDAT, MCLR/VPP) short and direct to a programming header or test pad. Do not place bypass capacitors between the ICSP pins and the programming header - the PICkit programmer can otherwise fail to enter ICSP mode. If the design uses an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2, keep the crystal traces short and surround them with a ground pour to minimize EMI coupling into sensitive analog ADC inputs.
The 12-bit ADC2 achieves best accuracy when the analog supply (AVDD) is bypassed with a separate 0.1 uF + 10 uF pair and is referenced to a quiet ground (separate analog ground island if mixed-signal). Use the largest possible ADC acquisition time (TAD) for high-impedance sources; the ADC2 hardware oversampling and averaging can further reduce noise by 2-3 LSBs without CPU overhead.
Floating I/O pins can leak microamps in Sleep mode. Always tie unused I/O lines to VDD or VSS through a defined logic level (e.g., a 100 kohm resistor to VSS for unused inputs, or direct to VDD for unused outputs). Also note the 'LF' suffix means 2.5 V minimum VDD - using this part at 5 V will damage it; choose the PIC16F18456-E/SO for 5 V designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product environmental data. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F18456-E/SO-Q1 or dsPIC33EP for automotive-grade designs.
