PIC16LF18854-E/ML - 7KB Flash 32MHz 8-bit XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18854-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.4 | $2.40 |
| 10 | $2.16 | $21.60 |
| 100 | $1.94 | $194.00 |
| 500 | $1.74 | $870.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC16LF18854-E/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An MCU (microcontroller unit) is a single-chip computer integrating a CPU, non-volatile program memory (Flash), volatile data memory (RAM), non-volatile user data storage (EEPROM), and a mix of analog and digital peripherals. The "8-bit" datapath refers to ALU width and register architecture; the PIC16F core uses a Harvard-style architecture with separate program and data buses. Within the power-management hierarchy, an MCU belongs to Integrated Circuits > Microcontrollers, sitting above simple digital logic ICs but below 32-bit application processors. The "LF" prefix indicates the Low-Voltage Flash variant tuned for ultra-low-power (XLP) operation, and "18854" identifies the specific memory/peripheral combination in Microchip's PIC16F188xx family.
Key features of the PIC16LF18854-E/ML include eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology with nanoWatt XLP sleep currents under 30 nA typical, an active-high power-on reset (POR) and brown-out reset (BOR), 25 general-purpose I/O pins, two Enhanced USART modules supporting RS-485/IrDA, two SPI/I2C peripherals, an IDLE/DOZE power-savings mode, and a Cyclic Redundancy Check / Memory Scan (CRC/SCAN) block for safety-class applications.
The architecture uses a pipelined 14-bit instruction word with a modified Harvard bus. The 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in cost-sensitive designs, and the instruction cache, combined with single-cycle execution for most instructions, delivers ~8 MIPS throughput. The ADC2 (ADC with computation) performs hardware averaging, oversampling, and threshold comparisons autonomously, offloading the CPU in sensor-interface applications.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power remote controls, wearable medical monitoring accessories, industrial sensor signal conditioning, automotive body and interior electronics, white goods and HVAC control panels, and LED lighting drivers. The QFN-28 with exposed pad enables compact PCB footprints where thermal dissipation from the die to the PCB copper pour is critical for sustained CPU activity.
When designing with this part, allocate the QFN exposed pad (EP) to a contiguous copper pour on the top layer stitched with thermal vias to inner ground planes. Program the configuration words carefully to enable the low-power Brown-Out Reset (BOR) and disable the Watchdog Timer if unused, and use the PPS feature to remap peripheral functions when routing constraints conflict with default pin assignments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and design considerations derived from the Microchip datasheet and reference manuals not found in any single distributor catalog entry.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18854-E/ML — 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 PIC16LF18854-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18854-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18854T-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18855-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18856-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18857-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1768-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1784-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1829-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18854-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Core | PIC16 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = extended) |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 (with computation) |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM Channels | Yes (PWM / CWG) |
| Serial Interfaces | 2x EUSART, 2x SPI/I2C |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF18854-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 3 | RA3/MCLR — I/O or Master Clear (reset) input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 8 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP programming data |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 25 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 26 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 27 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator input |
| Pin 28 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O / oscillator output |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18854-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Wearable Health-Monitoring Devices, Automotive Body and Interior Electronics, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting and Smart Bulb Controllers, White Goods and HVAC Control Panels.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML fits IoT sensor nodes because of its nanoWatt XLP sleep current under 30 nA typical and 32 MHz HFINTOSC that wakes the CPU within microseconds. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the 10-bit ADC2 with hardware averaging autonomously samples temperature, battery voltage, or analog sensor signals while the CPU sleeps, offloading routine measurements and extending battery life to multi-year horizons. The 25 I/O pins and PPS peripheral pin select let designers route SPI/I2C or EUSART to any available pin, easing PCB layout for compact sensor-node enclosures. 7 KB Flash accommodates typical LoRaWAN end-device stacks or simple Zigbee profiles.
Recommended
Wearable Health-Monitoring Devices
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML suits wearable health monitoring because of its QFN-28 (6x6 mm) small footprint, sub-30 nA sleep current, and integrated 5-bit DAC for biasing analog front-end circuits. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the 32 MHz CPU delivers enough throughput for heart-rate or SpO2 signal processing at low duty cycle, while the 10-bit ADC2 captures photodiode current from PPG sensors. The ZCD (Zero-Cross Detect) peripheral can synchronize sampling to mains or motion signals, and the CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) drives haptic-feedback motor drivers. EUSART links directly to Bluetooth modules for smartphone data relay.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Interior Electronics
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML applies to automotive body and interior modules where its -40C to +125C extended temperature rating and 25 I/O lines interface directly to switches, LEDs, and LIN bus transceivers. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the PWM and CWG peripherals drive LED interior lighting with hardware-generated complementary waveforms, while the CRC/SCAN block adds functional-safety diagnostics required by some OEM interior controllers. Although the LF variant is rated to 3.6V, the F variant (PIC16F18854) extends to 5V for direct 12V-bus-derived rails. PPS keeps PCB routing flexible for tight body-control housing.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML is well-suited for industrial sensor-signal conditioning front-ends where its 10-bit ADC2 with computation and integrated comparators implement standalone threshold detection. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the ADC2 hardware-oversampling mode and threshold interrupts wake the CPU only when measurements exceed user-set windows, enabling 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor heads with years of unattended operation. The HLT (Hardware Limit Timer) and SMT (Signal Measurement Timer) measure pulse widths and frequencies of incoming digital signals without CPU intervention, making the part ideal for flow meters, photoelectric sensors, and proximity switches in factory-automation environments.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Smart Bulb Controllers
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML drives LED lighting applications using its PWM, CWG, and high-resolution 10-bit ADC2. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the CWG outputs complementary PWM waveforms with programmable dead-band delay suitable for half-bridge LED-driver topologies, while the 5-bit DAC provides analog reference levels for tunable-white or RGB color-mixing loops. The 32 MHz CPU processes DMX-512 or DALI control frames over EUSART and SPI with negligible latency. Combined with the small QFN-28 footprint, the part fits inside MR16 or PAR16 bulb form factors.
White Goods and HVAC Control Panels
The PIC16LF18854-E/ML fits white-goods and HVAC control panels where its 32 MHz CPU and rich peripheral mix handle user-interface scanning, sensor acquisition, and motor-control command generation. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the SMT peripheral precisely measures AC-line zero-cross timings for TRIAC dimmer control, while the WWDT (Windowed Watchdog Timer) satisfies IEC 60730 functional-safety requirements for household appliance class B software. The 25 I/O pins interface directly to keypads, seven-segment LED displays, and EEPROM for user settings, with PPS allowing flexible front-panel routing inside cramped appliance enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18854-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18854-E/ML | PIC16LF18854T-E/ML | PIC16LF18855-E/ML | PIC16LF18856-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC16 RISC | 8-bit PIC16 RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16 RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16 RISC - same | 8-bit PIC16 RISC - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 14 KB (+100%) | 28 KB (+300%) |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes - same | 512 bytes - same | 1 KB (+100%) | 2 KB (+300%) |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes - same | 256 bytes - same | 256 bytes - same | 256 bytes - same |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same | 32 MHz - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V - 3.6V | 1.8V - 5.5V (wider) | 1.8V - 3.6V - same | 1.8V - 3.6V - same | 1.8V - 3.6V - same |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 - same | 25 - same | 25 - same | 25 - same |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 (with computation) | 10-bit ADC2 - same | 10-bit ADC2 - same | 10-bit ADC2 - same | 10-bit ADC2 - same |
Key Differentiators
- ADC2 with hardware computation offloads averaging/threshold from CPU (vs PIC16LF1768-E/ML)
- Lower supply voltage ceiling optimizes for battery-powered designs (vs PIC16F18854-E/ML)
- Newer CIPs including SMT, HLT, and ZCD add measurement automation (vs PIC16LF1829-E/ML)
- Same QFN-28 footprint as memory-upgraded siblings for design reuse (vs PIC16LF18855-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN package has a center exposed pad (EP) that must be soldered to a ground copper pour on the top PCB layer. Stitch the EP pour to inner ground planes with at least 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pad) for proper heat sinking. Without the EP connection, the die can overheat during sustained CPU activity at 32 MHz, especially in enclosed IoT enclosures with limited airflow. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the EP is internally bonded to Vss and serves as the primary thermal path.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the Vdd pin (pin 7 or pin 20) with a short trace. Add a bulk 10 uF ceramic or tantalum capacitor on the same node. The PIC16LF18854-E/ML datasheet recommends both a high-frequency bypass and a bulk capacitor on each Vdd pin pair (pins 7 and 20 are not internally bonded on QFN-28). Keep trace inductance below 5 nH between the capacitor and pin for clean ADC reference and oscillator stability.
Configuration words must be programmed before the part executes user code - omitting the WDTE (watchdog enable) configuration can leave the WWDT disabled permanently. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, the LFINTOSC drift can exceed 5% across temperature; for UART communication requiring tight baud-rate tolerance, switch to the 16 MHz HFINTOSC with PLL or use an external crystal. The ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) must be left disconnected or pulled to defined levels in the final application to prevent accidental re-entry into programming mode.
Use PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) to remap EUSART, SPI, and I2C functions to any available I/O pin. This lets you place the crystal or antenna on the most EMI-quiet side of the PCB and route signals without crossover. PPS mapping must be unlocked via the PPSLOCK register sequence, and the configuration words should set PPS1WAY to require re-unlock for each subsequent change. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, PPS reconfiguration during run time requires careful lock/unlock sequence to avoid mid-stream glitches.
Enable nanoWatt XLP sleep modes by configuring IDLE/DOZE bits and disabling unused peripherals. Per Microchip datasheet DS40001825, sleep current drops below 30 nA when all peripherals are off and the CPU is in Sleep mode. For battery-life calculations, use the IDLE current (typically 1.5 mA at 32 MHz) and Sleep current separately rather than averaging them, because the duty cycle between active and sleep periods dominates total energy. Watch the ADC2 sample-and-hold current if used periodically - it can add 200 uA during conversions.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualification not available for this part; PIC16F18854 with same -E temperature grade is the standard industrial/consumer choice. For automotive designs, consider dsPIC33 or PIC18 AEC-Q100 qualified parts instead.
