PIC16LF18456-E/SS - 28KB Flash, 32MHz XLP 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18456-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.36 | $2.36 |
| 10 | $2.05 | $20.50 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.52 | $760.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.34 | $1,340.00 |
PIC16LF18456-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip processor with an internal data bus and instruction bus width of 8 bits, optimized for embedded control rather than for high-throughput computation. Within the broader taxonomy it belongs to the PIC16 family, which in turn sits under Microcontrollers (MCU), Integrated Circuits (ICs), and finally Semiconductors. The PIC16F/LF184xx series specifically targets ultra-low-power applications where sleep currents in the nanoampere range and active currents near 30 µA/MHz enable years of battery life, while still offering modern analog and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that offload timing-critical tasks from the CPU.
Key specifications include 28 KB (16K x 14 words) of self-programmable Flash, 2 KB RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, an operating voltage range of 1.8 V to 3.6 V (with 2.5 V to 3.6 V nominal), and an extended industrial temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. The ADC2 peripheral provides up to 24 channels of 12-bit conversion with automated averaging, oversampling, and threshold comparison. The XLP architecture combined with idle and deep-sleep modes makes the part suitable for sensor nodes, IoT endpoints, and other energy-harvesting designs.
Designed applications span low-power sensor hubs, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and automotive body modules. The wide peripheral set also makes the device usable as a general-purpose controller in user-interface boards, motor-control signal generators, and battery-powered instrumentation.
When designing with the PIC16LF18456-E/SS, the primary trade-off is that the LF (low-voltage F) variant cannot operate above 3.6 V, so the regular PIC16F18456 must be selected when 5 V rails are present. The 28-SSOP package has better creepage than QFN variants, easing design in 230 V offline-isolated environments, but increases PCB footprint.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18456-E/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, DAC, ADC, Core Architecture, Family.
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View Datasheet →PIC16LF18456-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 |
| Family | PIC16F/LF184xx XLP |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Typical Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C (E grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP |
| I/O Pins | Up to 24 |
| ADC Channels | 24-channel 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 1-channel 5-bit DAC |
| PWM Modules | 2x PWM |
| Complementary Waveform Generator | Yes (CWG) |
| Comparators | Yes |
| EUSART | 1 |
| SPI / I2C | 2 SPI/I2C |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18456-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input or programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/VREF- — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 5 / negative voltage reference |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP programming data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18456-E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Hubs, Industrial Control and Sensor Conditioning, Consumer Appliance User Interfaces, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), Smart Energy and Metering Peripherals, LED Lighting and Signage Controllers, Medical and Wellness Wearable Devices.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Hubs
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS fits battery-powered IoT sensor hubs because its XLP architecture supplies nanoamp-level deep-sleep currents around 30 nA with a real-time clock running, while the 24-channel 12-bit ADC2 with computation offloads averaging and threshold checks from the CPU. In a typical wireless sensor node, the MCU sleeps at 30 nA between sensor reads and wakes via an interrupt to burst-convert with the ADC2, then transmits via EUSART or SPI. The wide 1.8 V-3.6 V supply range makes the part directly compatible with single-cell Li-ion or two AA cell chemistries. Designers can trade 8 MIPS CPU throughput for active current below 50 uA/MHz, yielding multi-year coin-cell battery life.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Sensor Conditioning
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS serves industrial control front-ends because its 12-bit ADC2 with built-in averaging and threshold comparison automates digital filtering without CPU intervention, and its CWG peripheral generates complementary PWMs for motor-control bridges. The -40C to +125C operating range matches industrial temperature-grade requirements, while the 28-SSOP package offers robust creepage for line-isolated equipment. In a 4-20 mA loop transmitter or PLC analog input module, the ADC2 oversamples the input and emits a wakeup only when the result crosses a configured window, freeing the CPU for protocol handling. Engineers also benefit from EUSART for RS-485 bus interfacing.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interfaces
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS fits consumer HMI boards because its two PWM modules and CWG drive LED backlights, buzzers, and capacitive touch illumination while its 5-bit DAC sets reference levels for comparators. The 24 GPIO pins easily manage segment LCD or button matrix scanning common in microwave ovens, washing machines, and coffee machines. The LF voltage range allows direct connection to 3.3 V system rails typical in consumer devices, and the XLP current profile keeps standby power below 0.5 W to meet global energy regulations. Designers frequently pair this MCU with the MCP23017 I/O expander for larger keypads.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
Although the PIC16LF18456-E/SS is supplied in industrial grade, the same PIC16F18456 silicon is available with AEC-Q100 screening for body-electronics modules such as interior lighting controllers, mirror adjusters, and HVAC blend-door actuators. The CWG peripheral generates complementary PWM signals for driving half-bridges that move small DC motors, while the 12-bit ADC reads position feedback from potentiometers or Hall sensors. With 32 MHz CPU and 8 MIPS throughput the device executes CAN-capable protocols through an external MCP2515 controller. The wide GPIO count supports seven-segment displays and LED matrix backlighting typical of automotive HMI.
Recommended
Smart Energy and Metering Peripherals
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS fits smart-metering peripherals because its 12-bit ADC2 with oversampling and burst averaging yields effective ENOB above 13 bits when measuring current-sense amplifier outputs, while the LF voltage range aligns with 3.3 V battery-backed metering rails. EUSART or SPI links the MCU to a metering SoC, with the PIC16LF18456 handling display refresh, tamper detection, and low-power sequencing. The XLP architecture supports sleep currents around 30 nA between metering updates, extending battery life on battery-assisted meters. CWG generates the precision timing pulses required for metrology-grade calibration.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Controllers
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS controls LED lighting installations because its complementary waveform generator (CWG) emits dead-band-corrected complementary PWM pairs ideal for buck and boost LED driver synchronization. With two PWM outputs plus CWG the device can drive a 4-channel LED strip with smooth 16-bit dimming at near-zero standby current. The 24-channel 12-bit ADC provides ambient-light and color-mixing feedback for daylight harvesting. SPI or I2C peripheral connects to external constant-current LED drivers and digital potentiometers. Deep-sleep currents under 1 uA keep standby power below regulatory thresholds for energy-efficiency programs.
Recommended
Medical and Wellness Wearable Devices
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS serves medical and wellness wearables because its XLP architecture delivers sub-50uA active current and deep-sleep currents near 30 nA, supporting weeks of battery life on a coin cell. The 12-bit ADC2 with oversampling is sufficient for heart-rate, SpO2 photodiode, and temperature sensor signal chains. The 28-SSOP package supports both reflow and hand-repair soldering common in wearable prototypes. The PIC16LF18456 also integrates an EUSART for Bluetooth LE module interfacing via modules such as the RN4870, enabling low-cost connected health devices. Designers appreciate the integrated comparator and DAC for adaptive sensor biasing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18456-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18456-E/SO | PIC16F18456-E/SS | PIC16LF18455-E/SS | PIC16LF18446-E/SS | PIC16LF18346-E/P | PIC16LF1768-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SOIC (wider body) | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 28 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 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 Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| XLP / Nano-Watt Sleep | Yes (deep-sleep ~30 nA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- ADC2 with hardware computation reduces CPU load and energy (vs PIC16LF18346-E/P)
- 28 KB Flash offers 2x code space versus PIC16LF18455 (vs PIC16LF18455-E/SS)
- Same PCB footprint as 5 V-compatible PIC16F18456 enables family scaling (vs PIC16F18456-E/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF18456-E/SS operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V with core consumption below 50 uA/MHz at low frequencies and approximately 1.8 mA at 32 MHz. To maximize battery life, place the MCU in Deep-Sleep (30 nA typical with RTC running) when no task is pending and use the ADC2 with hardware threshold comparison to wake the CPU only when sensor readings exceed programed thresholds. Estimated: at 3.3 V, sleep current of 30 nA and wake-every-10 s active duty cycle of 0.1% keeps system average around 2 uA, enabling multi-year coin-cell operation.
The 28-SSOP package has 0.65 mm pin pitch with thermal and routing headroom around the 24 GPIO pins. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) plus an additional 100 nF at pin 10 (GND) to suppress voltage transients during ADC conversions. Isolate the analog AVDD path with a ferrite bead and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic cap for motor-inrush and CWG switching loads. Ground the unused RA/RB/RC pins to defined states via firmware to prevent floating-pin current leakage that can dominate low-power budget.
Do not confuse the PIC16LF18456 with the PIC16F18456 - they share the same datasheet but the LF variant cannot operate above 3.6 V. Connecting 5 V to an LF MCU permanently damages the silicon. Also avoid using the MCLR pin as a general-purpose I/O without considering its open-drain behavior during in-circuit serial programming (ICSP). Estimated: the WDT, BOR, and POR modules require correct configuration word settings; failure to lock the configuration bits can cause unintended resets or supply-voltage lockups in noisy environments. Always restore DEBUG_DISABLED bit to allow ICD debugging through PGD/PGC (pins 27/28) during board bring-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +125C E-grade temperature range. For AEC-Q100 designs an automotive-suffix PIC16F18456 part number should be selected instead of the PIC16LF18456-E/SS.
