PIC16LF18456-E/SP - 32MHz 8-bit XLP MCU, 28KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18456-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.65 | $26.50 |
| 100 | $2.45 | $245.00 |
| 500 | $2.25 | $1,125.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC16LF18456-E/SP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program and data memory, and programmable I/O and peripherals. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC16LF18456 belongs to the 8-bit MCU class (one-byte ALU, accumulator-based Harvard architecture), the PIC16 sub-family (baseline-to-mid-range enhanced core), and Microchip's XLP (eXtreme Low Power) product line targeting battery-operated and energy-harvesting designs. Its role in an embedded system is to execute firmware that reads sensors, drives actuators, and coordinates communication while consuming the minimum quiescent current practical for the application.
Key differentiating features include 12-bit ADC resolution with automatic averaging and threshold comparison, hardware CIP (Core Independent Peripheral) functions such as the CWG that operate without CPU intervention, sleep currents measured in nanoamperes with multiple low-power modes (DOZE, IDLE, SLEEP, and peripheral disable), and on-chip debugging via MPLAB ICD. The wide operating voltage window permits direct connection to single-cell Li-ion or two-cell alkaline battery chemistries without external regulation.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, wearable health monitors, battery-powered remote controls, low-power wireless sensor endpoints, and industrial 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters. The extended temperature range also suits automotive under-hood and outdoor industrial cabinets.
When designing with this part, plan the oscillator configuration early: the device supports an internal 32kHz to 32MHz HFINTOSC with PLL, an external crystal, or an external clock, and the active clock source determines both ADC acquisition timing and instruction-cycle accuracy. Reserve one I/O pin for ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK if in-circuit serial programming is required in production.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, 28-pin SPDIP drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16F184xx family, and practical design notes drawn from Microchip application literature, content not assembled on a single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18456-E/SP — 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/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, DAC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18455-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18456-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18446-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18446-E/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18445-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18456-E/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18456-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 enhanced RISC |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 12-bit, 24 channels, with Computation (ADCC) |
| DAC | 5-bit, 1 channel |
| PWM Modules | 2 |
| Comparators | Yes |
| Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) | Yes |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, 2x SPI/I2C |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300 inch, 7.62mm) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, "E") |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18456-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 (digital I/O only) |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI — External crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO — External crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 20 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 21 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 22 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 23 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 24 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 25 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 27 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 28 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (analog/digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18456-E/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Wearable Health Monitors, Industrial 4-20mA Loop-Powered Transmitters, Remote Control and Home Automation Hubs, Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Modules, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Endpoints, Small Appliance and White-Goods Control.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18456-E/SP is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8V-3.6V VDD window and Microchip XLP technology deliver nanoamp sleep currents with the internal 32kHz LFINTOSC running the Watchdog Timer. In a typical 3.3V coin-cell deployment the MCU wakes periodically, samples a sensor through the 24-channel 12-bit ADCC, transmits via SPI to a sub-GHz radio, and returns to sleep, with overall average current below 10 uA and multi-year battery life. The 28KB Flash accommodates full sensor-fusion and OTA-bootloader firmware without external memory, while the 5-bit DAC can drive a power-rail reference or audio cue. Designers should budget the active-mode current against the radio transmit window and use the DOZE mode to throttle CPU clocks during idle sense windows.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitors
Wearable health monitors benefit from the PIC16LF18456-E/SP's extended -40C to +125C temperature range, 2KB SRAM for ECG or PPG signal buffers, and 256-byte EEPROM for patient-calibration constants. The 12-bit ADCC with hardware averaging and threshold comparison runs an automatic accumulation-and-detect sequence without waking the CPU, while the comparator supports zero-crossing detection on photodiode front-ends for heart-rate and SpO2 measurements. With one SPI port driving an OLED display and one I2C port scanning biometric sensors, the design needs no external bus multiplexer. For production, the ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) enable in-circuit serial programming after final PCB assembly.
Recommended
Industrial 4-20mA Loop-Powered Transmitters
Industrial 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters require ultra-low quiescent current, wide temperature tolerance, and reliable analog performance - all delivered by the PIC16LF18456-E/SP. The 12-bit ADCC with hardware averaging reads a bridge sensor directly, the 5-bit DAC calibrates the loop output, and the CWG generates the HART modem carrier without CPU intervention. Operating at 3.3V from a loop-derived LDO, the MCU delivers 8 MIPS throughput for linearization while drawing less than 2 mA total loop budget, leaving ample headroom for the sensor, HART modem, and isolation barrier. The extended temperature grade supports outdoor and process-plant installations, and the SPDIP-28 package allows hand-rework and field service.
Recommended
Remote Control and Home Automation Hubs
Remote controls and home-automation hubs rely on the PIC16LF18456-E/SP's EUSART for IR transmission, two PWMs for LED backlight and buzzer drive, and 28KB Flash for IR code libraries, encryption keys, and OTA updates. With sleep currents in the nanoamp range, a coin-cell-powered remote achieves 5+ years of life, while the comparator enables wake-on-button without external glue logic. The internal HFINTOSC at 32MHz provides the 38 kHz IR carrier accuracy required by RC5, NEC, and SIRC protocols. Designers use the CWG to generate the modulated IR signal in hardware, freeing the CPU for advanced features like voice control or capacitive touch via the ADCC.
Recommended
Automotive Under-Hood Sensor Modules
Automotive under-hood sensor modules benefit from the PIC16LF18456-E/SP's -40C to +125C extended temperature grade and robust 12-bit ADCC with hardware threshold comparison for engine-bay thermistors, fluid-level sensors, and pressure transducers. The two PWMs drive solenoid or LED indicators, while the EUSART connects to a LIN or CAN-transceiver companion for body-network communication. At 32MHz the MCU executes LIN 1.3 stack and SAE J2602 transport layer in firmware while leaving cycles for diagnostics. The through-hole SPDIP-28 package simplifies prototyping and pre-production builds; for high-volume production, swap to the QFN variant (PIC16LF18456-E/ML) on the same firmware image.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Endpoints
Low-power wireless sensor endpoints use the PIC16LF18456-E/SP as the application processor for sub-GHz radios such as LoRa, Sigfox, or proprietary FSK modems. The EUSART drives the radio UART, SPI configures the radio IC, and a hardware interrupt from the radio's IRQ pin wakes the MCU from SLEEP in under 5 us. With 28KB Flash supporting a full LoRaWAN stack plus user application, and 2KB SRAM for transmit/receive buffers, the design needs no external memory. The 5-bit DAC can sweep the radio's PA bias for closed-loop transmit-power control, and the comparator monitors the battery voltage through a divider. Average current stays below 8 uA for periodic transmissions at 1-minute intervals.
Recommended
Small Appliance and White-Goods Control
Small appliances such as coffee machines, induction cooktops, and washing-machine user-interface boards use the PIC16LF18456-E/SP for HMI, sensor reading, and motor/valve control. The CWG generates complementary PWM outputs for a half-bridge driver, the comparator senses overcurrent, and the 12-bit ADCC reads thermistors and water-level probes. The two PWMs and 5-bit DAC drive LED indicators, buzzer tones, and analog references. With 28KB Flash the firmware includes the user-interface state machine, safety diagnostics, and field-test routines, and the SPDIP-28 package supports the through-hole assembly typical of white-goods manufacturing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18456-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18455-I/SP | PIC16LF18456-I/SP | PIC16LF18446-I/SP | PIC16LF18446-E/SP | PIC16LF18445-I/SP | PIC16F18456-E/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300 inch) | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Core | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same | 8-bit PIC16, 32MHz - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 28 KB | 14 KB (-50%) | 28 KB - same | 14 KB (-50%) | 14 KB (-50%) | 14 KB (-50%) | 28 KB - same |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB - same | 2 KB - same | 2 KB - same | 2 KB - same | 2 KB - same | 2 KB - same |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (+0.5V upper) |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) - same | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) - same |
| ADC / DAC | 12-bit ADCC 24-ch / 5-bit DAC | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same | 12-bit ADCC / 5-bit DAC - same |
| SPI/I2C Peripherals | 2x | 2x - same | 2x - same | 1x (-50%) | 1x (-50%) | 1x (-50%) | 2x - same |
| Unit Price (1pc) | $2.85 | Lower (less Flash) | Similar | Lower (less Flash) | Lower (less Flash) | Lower (less Flash) | Similar |
Key Differentiators
- 28KB Flash with extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16LF18455-I/SP)
- Two SPI/I2C peripherals versus one on smaller variants (vs PIC16LF18446-I/SP)
- Low-voltage LF process (1.8V-3.6V) versus standard F process (vs PIC16F18456-E/SP)
- 28-pin SPDIP through-hole package for prototyping and field service (vs PIC16LF18456-E/ML (QFN-28))
Design Notes
Estimated: At 32MHz active current from VDD = 3.3V, the PIC16LF18456-E/SP draws approximately 4 mA; in SLEEP with WDT disabled, typical current drops below 100 nA. For battery-powered designs, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD pin 12 and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VDD rail. Use the internal HFINTOSC and disable the secondary oscillator when not needed to minimize active-mode current by ~30%.
Estimated: At full active load (32MHz, all peripherals on, I/O sourcing 20 mA total) the SPDIP-28 package dissipates approximately 200 mW, well within the package's 800 mW absolute maximum at 25C. At +125C ambient, derate to approximately 270 mW. For under-hood automotive deployments, ensure the PCB copper pour on VDD and VSS pins exceeds 100 mm^2 to stay below the 90 C/W junction-to-ambient thermal resistance.
Place the 28-pin SPDIP socket or through-hole pads on 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) centers with at least 0.5 mm annular ring. Keep the ICSP programming header (MCLR/VPP, ICSPDAT/RB7, ICSPCLK/RB6) accessible on the board edge for production programming. Per Microchip ICD layout guidelines, route ICSPCLK and ICSPDAT traces shorter than 50 mm and avoid running them parallel to switching signals to prevent debug-session errors.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor or drive it actively. Unused I/O pins must be configured as outputs low or inputs with the internal weak pull-up enabled to prevent shoot-through current. When migrating from the PIC16F18456 to the PIC16LF18456, verify VDD minimum - the F variant tolerates 2.3V while the LF variant tolerates 1.8V, so 1.8V-only designs may fail with the F variant.
Route the analog ADC inputs away from switching PWM traces and clock lines; keep ground return paths short and use a single-point ground at the VSS pin. Place the AVdd supply bypass (100 nF ceramic) within 3 mm of the AVdd pin if separate analog supply is used. Per Microchip TB3013 application note, maintain 4x trace width spacing between analog traces to minimize crosstalk below the 12-bit ADC noise floor.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose automotive-grade PIC16F18456 variants (AEC-Q100) for automotive applications. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
