PIC16LF18855-E/SS - 8-Bit 32MHz 14KB Flash MCU 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18855-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.96 | $19.60 |
| 100 | $1.62 | $162.00 |
| 500 | $1.42 | $710.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.28 | $1,280.00 |
PIC16LF18855-E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash for program, SRAM for data, EEPROM for non-volatile storage), and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC16LF18855 belongs to the enhanced mid-range 8-bit PIC family, with a 14-bit instruction word architecture that supports hardware multiply and a 16-level hardware stack. The XLP (eXtreme Low Power) designation indicates sleep currents in the nanoampere range, making this part suitable for battery-powered IoT and sensor applications.
Key features of the PIC16LF18855-E/SS include 1KB SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, 25 I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with computation (ADC2) up to 100 ksps, 4 capture/compare/PWM modules, and communication interfaces (I²C, SPI, EUSART with auto-baud detect). The device integrates 2 op-amps, 2 comparators, an 8-bit DAC, and 2 10-bit PWMs for direct analog control. On-board peripherals are interconnected through the Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) routing engine, simplifying PCB layout.
The architecture uses a Harvard-style RISC core executing most instructions in a single clock cycle at 32MHz, giving 8MIPS throughput. Hardware multipliers support signed/unsigned 8x8 operations without CPU overhead. The CIPs ecosystem allows analog signal conditioning, waveform generation, and event-based control without waking the CPU, dramatically reducing average power consumption.
Typical applications for the PIC16LF18855-E/SS include battery-powered sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, low-power IoT endpoints, and consumer electronics requiring extended battery life. The op-amps and comparators make it suitable for direct sensor signal conditioning, while the CLC enables custom logic functions without external glue logic.
When designing with this part, use MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler for firmware development. Decouple VDD with a 100nF capacitor placed within 5mm of the supply pin. For low-power operation, configure unused peripherals to OFF in firmware and use the Doze and Idle modes. The PPS feature allows remapping digital peripheral pins, simplifying board layout when routing is constrained.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a one-stop reference for selecting and implementing the PIC16LF18855-E/SS in low-power embedded designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18855-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 PIC16LF18855-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Comparators, DAC, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18855-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18855-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18855T-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18855-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 8-bit RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Flash Program Memory | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| SRAM Data Memory | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, -E suffix) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body width, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 100 ksps with computation (ADC2) |
| Op-Amps (Integrated) | 2 |
| Comparators | 2 |
| DAC | 1 x 8-bit |
| PWM Modules | 2 x 10-bit (configurable as 16-bit) |
| Communication Interfaces | EUSART, I²C, SPI (all with PPS remappable pins) |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD, DSM |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16LF18855-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD/RA5/MCLR/VPP — Power supply / I/O / Master Clear / Programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (analog/digital) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5/SS2 — PORTA bit 5 / SPI2 slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output |
| 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 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (interrupt-on-change) |
| 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 clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18855-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Low-Power Wearable Health Monitors, Industrial Sensor Conditioning Modules, Consumer Remote Controls and HIDs, Smart Home Sensor Hubs.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS is purpose-built for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where extended multi-year battery life is essential. Its 1.8V to 3.6V VDD range directly supports single-cell Li-ion (3.0V to 4.2V with LDO), 2x AA alkaline, or coin-cell batteries. The XLP technology delivers nanoamp sleep currents while retaining full SRAM, allowing the CPU to wake only when sensor thresholds are crossed. The integrated 2 op-amps and 2 comparators condition signals from thermistors, photodiodes, or piezo sensors without external analog front-end ICs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area in compact sensor module designs.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS excels in LED lighting controllers due to its integrated Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), 2 10-bit PWM channels (configurable as 16-bit), and Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD). The CWG produces complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-band control, ideal for half-bridge LED driver stages. ZCD detects mains AC zero-crossings for TRIAC dimmer interface, enabling phase-controlled dimming. The Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) generate lighting waveforms in hardware, leaving the CPU free for communication, sensor input, or user-interface tasks. Typical designs achieve less than 100 nA standby power when the lights are off.
Recommended
Low-Power Wearable Health Monitors
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS is well-suited for wearable health monitors such as heart-rate straps, pulse oximeters, and fitness bands where ultra-low power and small PCB footprint are critical. The 14KB Flash supports BLE radio firmware (RN4870/I co-processor) and heart-rate algorithm code, while the 1KB SRAM handles signal buffers. The integrated op-amps can be configured as transimpedance amplifiers for PPG (photoplethysmography) photodiode conditioning, eliminating external amplifier ICs. Sleep currents under 100 nA extend battery life to weeks in continuous-monitoring wearable applications.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning Modules
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS serves as an ideal core for industrial 4-20mA sensor transmitters and signal-conditioning modules in factory automation systems. Its extended -40C to +125C temperature range (E-suffix) handles harsh industrial environments. The 10-bit ADC2 with computation performs hardware-averaged oversampling for noise rejection without CPU intervention. Integrated op-amps and comparators condition signals from strain gauges, RTDs, and thermocouples, supporting software-configurable input ranges. The EUSART outputs 4-20mA via a DAC-driven loop, replacing expensive analog instrumentation circuitry in PLC analog input modules.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and HIDs
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS is commonly deployed in consumer remote controls, gaming peripherals, and human-interface devices (HIDs) due to its low power and integrated peripherals. The CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) can implement custom debounce logic for mechanical keypads without CPU intervention, reducing firmware complexity. The NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) generates IR carrier frequencies for remote-control transmission. Operating from a single CR2032 coin cell, the LF variant achieves typical standby lifetimes exceeding 5 years through nanoamp sleep modes and event-driven wake-up.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Hubs
The PIC16LF18855-E/SS functions as a low-cost edge node in smart home sensor hubs, particularly for battery-powered door/window sensors, motion detectors, and environmental monitors. Its CIPs architecture allows background tasks like ZCD-based motion-detection pulse counting to run independently of the CPU, dramatically reducing average current draw. The EUSART/I²C/SPI peripherals interface with sensors and sub-GHz radio modules (e.g., LoRa or proprietary 433MHz). With 14KB Flash and 1KB SRAM, the LF18855 handles Zigbee/Wi-Fi co-processor command sequences alongside local sensor fusion algorithms.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18855-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18855-E/SS | PIC16LF18855-I/SS | PIC16LF18855T-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Architecture | PIC16 8-bit, 14-bit instruction word | PIC16 8-bit, 14-bit instruction word | PIC16 8-bit, 14-bit instruction word | PIC16 8-bit, 14-bit instruction word |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | No | Yes | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 1.8V to 3.6V operating voltage supports single-cell Li-ion and 2x AA battery configurations (vs PIC16F18855-E/SS)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range supports industrial and automotive under-hood applications (vs PIC16LF18855-I/SS)
- Integrated Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) handle background tasks without CPU intervention (vs PIC16LF18855T-E/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5mm of the supply pins (pin 1 and pin 20 in the 28-SSOP package). For designs with high-current transients from peripherals (e.g., driving LEDs or motors), add a bulk capacitor of 4.7uF to 10uF to suppress VDD dips. Use the SLEEP() instruction and configure all unused peripherals to OFF before entering low-power modes to achieve the LF family's nanoamp-level standby currents.
The PIC16LF18855 LF variant operates at 1.8V to 3.6V; applying 5V to VDD will damage the part. If 5V supply rails exist in the system, use the PIC16F18855 instead, which supports 2.3V to 5.5V. Always verify that the I2C pull-up voltage matches VDD, as 5V pull-ups on LF parts will exceed absolute maximum ratings. Configure the PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) carefully - remapped pins must still respect analog/digital pin capability.
Route the crystal oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2) as short as possible with a guard ring to ground to minimize EMI. Place the ICSP programming connector footprint accessible on the PCB edge for production programming. When using ADC channels, route analog inputs away from switching digital lines (e.g., PWM outputs) to prevent coupling noise. The exposed thermal pad on this SSOP package is electrically floating and should be soldered to a ground pad for mechanical stability.
For I2C bus runs longer than 50mm, use lower pull-up resistor values (2.2kohm to 4.7kohm) and consider an I2C buffer like LTC4311 to maintain signal integrity. SPI clock rates above 4MHz on the LF18855 require attention to trace impedance and length matching. The EUSART auto-baud feature simplifies host MCU communication but requires a sync byte at startup - allocate one timer channel for baud-rate detection timeout.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified for automotive - consider dsPIC33/PIC18 for AEC-Q100. Lead-free and halogen-free packaging standard.
