PIC16LF18456-I/SP - 32MHz 8-bit MCU, 28KB Flash, XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18456-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.34 | $2.34 |
| 10 | $2.21 | $22.10 |
| 100 | $2.05 | $205.00 |
| 500 | $1.88 | $940.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.72 | $1,720.00 |
PIC16LF18456-I/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer built on a single IC containing a CPU, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and integrated peripherals. Within the taxonomy MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor, 8-bit PIC MCUs target cost-sensitive and low-power applications where deterministic real-time response and ease of programming outweigh raw throughput. The 'LF' prefix denotes the low-voltage (1.8V-3.6V) variant of the F-series, enabling battery-powered designs.
Key features include 26 general-purpose I/O pins, 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC) supporting automated averaging, filtering, and threshold comparison, two 10-bit PWMs with independent time bases, a 5-bit DAC, and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as CWG and NCO that offload tasks from the CPU. The integrated EUSART plus dual SPI/I2C provide flexible communication for sensor and display interfaces.
The PIC16LF18456 implements a Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and 16-level hardware stack, optimized for low-power operation through XLP nanoWatt techniques including sleep currents below 50 nA typical and multiple idle/sleep modes. The 28-pin SPDIP package simplifies breadboarding and field-serviceable designs while still exposing the full peripheral set of the family.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, IoT edge devices, low-power wireless sensor hubs, handheld instrumentation, LED lighting controllers with analog dimming, and consumer appliances requiring mixed-signal front-ends. The wide 1.8V-3.6V VDD range supports direct Li-ion or 2xAA battery operation.
When designing with this device, allocate the 28KB Flash budget across the application code, bootloader (if used), and configuration words. Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the IC, and route the MCLR pin through a 10k pull-up to VDD with a 100nF capacitor for noise-free reset. The ICSP programming footprint should be reserved on the PCB even if in-circuit programming is not used initially.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to accelerate Microchip PIC16LF18456 selection and second-source qualification.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18456-I/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-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, MSL Level, Package, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18456-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18455-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18456-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18456-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 26 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC (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) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300", 7.62mm), Through-Hole |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (not moisture-sensitive, through-hole) |
PIC16LF18456-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 / MCLR (if MCLRE=1) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 / OSC1 |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 / OSC2 |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 / SCL1 (I2C) |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 / SDA1 (I2C) |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 / TX1 (EUSART) |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 / RX1 (EUSART) |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference (second VSS) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 / AN12 |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 / AN10 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 / AN8 |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 / AN9 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (second VDD) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18456-I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Hub, Handheld Test & Measurement Instrument, LED Lighting Controller with Analog Dimming, Consumer Appliance Control Board, Wireless Sensor Node with CWG-Driven Piezo Buzzer, Industrial Process Sensor Front-End.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Hub
The PIC16LF18456-I/SP suits battery-powered IoT sensor hubs thanks to its 1.8V-3.6V VDD range, XLP nanoWatt sleep modes below 50 nA typical, and 26 GPIO for sensor fan-in. Its 12-bit ADCC with hardware-averaging samples temperature, humidity, and battery voltage while the CPU sleeps, then wakes the EUSART to push packets over SPI/I2C-connected radios. The 28KB Flash accommodates a small RTOS, over-the-air update bootloader, and a 2KB SRAM buffer for queued payloads.
Recommended
Handheld Test & Measurement Instrument
The 12-bit ADCC, 5-bit DAC, two PWMs, and CWG make the PIC16LF18456-I/SP a strong fit for handheld multimeters and signal sources. The 32MHz core drives real-time waveform generation via CWG, while the ADCC samples inputs with hardware oversampling for noise rejection. The 28-pin SPDIP simplifies breadboarding prototypes and field-replaceable units where through-hole parts are preferred over SMD for repairability.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller with Analog Dimming
The Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and 2x 10-bit PWM modules of the PIC16LF18456-I/SP drive full-bridge LED drivers and analog-dimmed constant-current regulators. The 5-bit DAC and Comparator provide closed-loop thermal foldback without CPU intervention, while XLP technology keeps standby power below 1 mA for always-on smart lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Board
With 26 GPIO, the PIC16LF18456-I/SP directly drives user-interface keypads, seven-segment displays, relays, and triac interfaces in washing machines, coffee makers, and air purifiers. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and the 12-bit ADCC handle NTC temperature sensing plus motor-current monitoring, while EUSART enables connectivity to higher-level HMI boards.
Recommended
Wireless Sensor Node with CWG-Driven Piezo Buzzer
The PIC16LF18456-I/SP's CWG drives a piezo buzzer for local alarm generation in security and environmental monitoring nodes without CPU overhead. The dual SPI/I2C interfaces connect a sub-GHz transceiver and a digital sensor (e.g., accelerometry or air-quality), and the 28KB Flash hosts a small wireless protocol stack plus the sensor-processing pipeline, all running on a coin-cell or 2xAA battery at <50 nA sleep current.
Recommended
Industrial Process Sensor Front-End
The PIC16LF18456-I/SP acts as a low-power analog front-end for industrial 4-20 mA loop sensors and bridge-type pressure transducers. The 12-bit ADCC's hardware-averaging and oversampling achieve effective >14-bit resolution at low sample rates, while the 5-bit DAC trims sensor offset. The EUSART implements HART or RS-485 half-duplex communication, and the -40C to +85C range covers industrial enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18456-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18456-I/SP | PIC16LF18455-I/SP | PIC16LF18456-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300") | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K x 14) | 28 KB (16K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) -50% | 28 KB (16K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB -50% | 2 KB |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (wider range) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC | 12-bit ADCC |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage variant in the F18456 family (vs PIC16F18456-I/SP)
- Doubled program memory vs the lower F18455 variant (vs PIC16LF18455-I/SP)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade vs extended variant (vs PIC16LF18456-E/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 19 and 28 on the 28-pin SPDIP). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor at the board input if the supply rail exceeds 10 cm trace length. For battery operation, the LF (1.8V-3.6V) variant draws roughly 30-50% less active current than the F variant at the same clock rate.
Reserve the ICSP footprint (RA5/ICSPCLK, RA4/ICSPDAT, MCLR/RA3, VDD, VSS) on every PCB even if in-circuit programming is not initially planned. Layout the MCLR pin with a 10 k pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground; omit the capacitor only if brownout digital design constraints permit direct MCLR drive.
Configuration words must be set BEFORE the first code execution: oscillator selection (HS/XT/LP/RC), watchdog timer enable/disable, brownout voltage, MCLR pin function, and code protection bits. A wrong oscillator configuration can lock the device in an unprogrammable state if WDT is also enabled. Estimate: configuration words are at Flash address 0x8007 and 0x8008 for PIC16LF18456; refer to datasheet DS40002038C for the exact layout.
Estimated: at 32 MHz, 3.3V VDD, and 70% peripheral duty cycle, the PIC16LF18456-I/SP draws roughly 5-7 mA active current (~16-23 mW dissipation). The 28-pin SPDIP package has typical theta_JA around 60 C/W in still air, resulting in a junction temperature rise of only 1-1.5 C above ambient - well below the +85 C industrial limit.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade part. For automotive applications, refer to the AEC-Q100-qualified PIC16F18456 variants instead.
