PIC16LF18856-E/SP - 32MHz 8-bit XLP MCU, 28KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18856-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.97 | $1.97 |
| 10 | $1.78 | $17.80 |
| 100 | $1.61 | $161.00 |
| 500 | $1.45 | $725.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.32 | $1,320.00 |
PIC16LF18856-E/SP Overview
What is a PIC16 microcontroller? The PIC16F family is Microchip's mid-range 8-bit MCU line built around a modified Harvard architecture and a 14-bit instruction word. Members of the PIC16LF1885x/7x family combine analog peripherals, core-independent peripherals (CIPs) such as CRC/SCAN, and XLP technology for battery-powered and general-purpose applications. PIC16LF variants run from a 1.8V to 3.6V supply, while PIC16F variants run from a wider range, making the LF parts the lowest-power members of the family.
Key features include 28 KB self-programmable Flash, 2 KB SRAM, 256 B EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with computation, a 5-bit and 10-bit DAC, comparators, PWM, Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Signal Measurement Timer (SMT), Hardware Limit Timer (HLT), Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT), SCAN/CRC, Zero-Cross Detection (ZCD), Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), one EUSART, two SPI/I²C, and eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) sleep modes. The wide operating voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) and nanoWatt XLP sleep current make this part suitable for battery-powered sensor nodes.
Technically, the part implements CIP blocks that allow timing-critical events to run without waking the CPU, including the CWG for half-bridge motor drive waveforms, SMT for precise capture/measurement, and PPS for flexible signal routing. The integrated 10-bit ADC with ADC2 computation offloads averaging and threshold detection from the core, freeing MIPS for the main application loop.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered metering, consumer electronics, LED lighting control, motor control signal generation (BLDC/PMSM commutation assist), and general-purpose embedded control replacing larger 16-bit parts. The 28-pin SPDIP package is particularly convenient for breadboard prototyping, hobbyist designs, and through-hole production lines where SMD reflow is unavailable.
When designing with this part, plan oscillator and configuration bits early: PPS must be unlocked before any peripheral remap, the ADC requires T_AD setup time, and the WDT must be configured before enabling code protection. Use Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler and MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) for rapid peripheral setup.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18856-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 PIC16LF18856-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F18856-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18855-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18854-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.22 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18855-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F18854-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18856-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18856-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 (8-bit, 14-bit instruction word, modified Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16(L)F1885x/7x, eXtreme Low Power (XLP) |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28 KB (16K × 14) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix, industrial/extended) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (Skinny Plastic DIP, 0.300", 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 with computation |
| DAC | 5-bit and 10-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM / CWG | PWM + Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) |
| Communication | 1× EUSART, 2× SPI/I²C |
| CIP / Safety | CRC/SCAN, WWDT, HLT, ZCD, PPS |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole package) |
PIC16LF18856-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O with PPS |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference (second) |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS / ICDCLK |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O with interrupt and PPS / ICDDAT |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (second) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18856-E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, LED Lighting Control and Dimming, Low-Cost Motor Control (BLDC Commutation Assist), Consumer Electronics User Input, Industrial Sensor Transmitters, Automotive Body and Convenience Electronics.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because of its XLP nanoWatt sleep technology with sub-microampere sleep current (per the Microchip PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E) and wide 1.8V-3.6V supply range that works directly from a single lithium coin cell or 2x AA cells. The integrated 10-bit ADC2 with computation offloads averaging and threshold detection from the CPU, allowing the core to remain in sleep while the ADC autonomously scans sensors. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) enables flexible assignment of UART, SPI, and I²C pins for connecting Nordic, TI, or LoRa radio modules without rewiring the PCB. Compared to a Cortex-M0+ alternative, the PIC16LF18856 typically draws 50-70% less sleep current, extending coin-cell life from months to years in periodic-transmission sensor designs.
Recommended
LED Lighting Control and Dimming
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP suits LED lighting control because of its 10-bit PWM, Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) for half-bridge drivers, Zero-Cross Detection (ZCD) for TRIAC dimming, and PPS for flexible signal routing. According to the PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E, the CWG can generate complementary PWM outputs with programmable dead-band, ideal for driving N-channel MOSFET half-bridges in buck/boost LED drivers. The 32 MHz CPU core provides enough bandwidth to run DMX512, DALI, or 0-10 V dimming protocol stacks alongside lighting control logic. Operating from 1.8V-3.6V lets the part share the same 3.3V rail as LED driver ICs without level shifters. The 28-SPDIP package is convenient for retrofit designs and through-hole production lines common in commercial LED fixtures.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Control (BLDC Commutation Assist)
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP is well-matched to low-cost BLDC or PMSM motor control as a commutation-assist or sensor-monitoring co-processor. The integrated CWG generates complementary PWM with programmable dead-band for half-bridge gate drivers, while SMT provides precise pulse-width capture for Hall-sensor feedback and back-EMF zero-crossing detection. According to the PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E, the 32 MHz CPU delivers 8 MIPS, sufficient to run sensorless trapezoidal commutation algorithms at speeds up to ~30,000 RPM in small fan or pump motors. The 10-bit ADC with ADC2 computation provides hardware-averaged current sensing for basic torque control. For higher-performance FOC, consider a dsPIC33 instead; for simple brushed DC or stepper applications, the PIC16LF18856's 28-SPDIP pinout is sufficient.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Input
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP fits consumer electronics user-interface applications such as touch buttons, rotary encoder decoding, IR remote reception, and LCD segment driving. The 5-bit and 10-bit DACs allow direct analog waveform generation for IR carrier modulation and audio cue tones, while the comparators support capacitive-touch sensing via the mTouch proprietary firmware library. With 28 KB Flash and 2 KB RAM, this part comfortably runs Microchip's mTouch and DALI stack libraries without code-size pressure. The 1.8V-3.6V Vdd range enables direct connection to single-cell Li-ion or 2x AAA batteries common in remote controls and small appliances, while the -40°C to +125°C operating range covers outdoor and appliance environments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP suits 4-20 mA loop-powered and industrial sensor transmitters because of its 1.8V-3.6V supply that operates from a regulated loop or 24V industrial rail with a small LDO, plus extended -40°C to +125°C operating range for factory-floor environments. The 10-bit ADC2 with computation handles 4-20 mA current-loop measurement, RTD/thermocouple cold-junction compensation, and bridge-sensor linearization while offloading the CPU. The CRC/SCAN peripheral performs hardware-based memory integrity checks for functional-safety applications per IEC 61508 SIL-1 guidelines. The WWDT and HLT add windowed watchdog supervision required by many industrial standards. According to the PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E, the PPS block simplifies pin assignment for the various sensor front-ends without PCB redesigns.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Convenience Electronics
The PIC16LF18856-E/SP is useful for non-safety automotive body and convenience applications such as interior lighting controllers, seat-adjustment keypads, mirror modules, and aftermarket accessories, though the standard E/SP suffix is industrial-grade; for AEC-Q100 qualified automotive, choose the -I/SP or -E/SP in the automotive catalog (verify Microchip's automotive portfolio for specific qualification status). The 28 KB Flash comfortably hosts CAN-friendly middleware and LIN stacks, while PPS enables flexible bus routing. With 1.8V-3.6V Vdd and -40°C to +125°C operating range, the part handles under-the-hood and cabin environments with appropriate thermal design. Per the PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E, the CWG can generate complementary PWM for small motor drives used in seat and mirror actuators.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18856-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F18856-I/SP | PIC16LF18855-I/SP | PIC16LF18854-I/SP | PIC16F18855-I/SP | PIC16F18854-I/SP | PIC16LF18856-E/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP (0.300") | 28-SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-SPDIP (0.300") - same | 28-UQFN (4x4) - SMD equivalent |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / CPU Speed | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same | PIC16, 8-bit, 32 MHz - same |
| Program Flash | 28 KB (16K × 14) | 28 KB - same | 14 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-75%) | 14 KB (-50%) | 7 KB (-75%) | 28 KB - same |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB - same | 1 KB (-50%) | 1 KB (-50%) | 1 KB (-50%) | 1 KB (-50%) | 2 KB - same |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same |
| Supply Voltage Vdd | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) - same | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) - same | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) - same |
| CIP / Peripheral Set | CWG, SMT, HLT, WWDT, CRC/SCAN, ZCD, PPS, ADC2, DAC | Same - identical peripheral set | Same - identical peripheral set | Same - identical peripheral set | Same - identical peripheral set | Same - identical peripheral set | Same - identical peripheral set |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix) - same |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | $1.97 | ~$1.97 (similar tier) | ~$1.65 (lower Flash, lower price) | ~$1.40 (lowest Flash) | ~$1.65 | ~$1.40 | ~$1.80 (UQFN, SMD) |
Key Differentiators
- 28 KB Flash with full CIP peripheral set in 28-SPDIP (vs PIC16LF18855-I/SP)
- NanoWatt XLP sleep current down to sub-uA range (vs PIC16F18856-I/SP)
- Extended -40°C to +125°C industrial temperature range (vs PIC16LF18855-I/SP)
Design Notes
Estimated: when running at 32 MHz from 3.3 V, the PIC16LF18856 active current is approximately 5-8 mA depending on peripherals enabled, while XLP sleep current is in the 50-500 nA range per the PIC16LF18856/76 datasheet DS40001824E. Use the VREGPM bit to switch the internal regulator to low-power mode during sleep, and gate unused peripherals via PMD registers to minimize quiescent draw. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each Vdd/Vss pair (the 28-SPDIP has two Vdd pins and two Vss pins) and a 10 µF bulk cap at the board supply input.
Place the 28-SPDIP in a socket-friendly footprint if the design must support in-system programming via ICSP on pins RB6/RB7 (ICDCLK/ICDDAT). Keep the ICSP connector or pogo-pad array at least 5 mm clear of analog traces routed through RA0-RA5 to avoid coupling noise into the 10-bit ADC. Use a ground plane on the bottom layer directly under the MCU and route the high-speed PPS-remapped SPI signals (SCK/MOSI/MISO) over an unbroken reference plane to maintain signal integrity at 8 MHz SPI rates.
PPS must be unlocked by writing 0x55 to PPSLOCK, then 0xAA, before any peripheral pin remap takes effect; failure to do this is the most common cause of 'no peripheral output' debugging sessions. The ADC requires a minimum T_AD acquisition time depending on source impedance - allow at least 1 µs for high-impedance sources. The CONFIG words must be set before code protection is enabled, otherwise debugging becomes impossible. Use Microchip's MCC plugin to autogenerate safe initialization sequences.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The E/SP suffix is industrial/extended temperature grade and is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive, consult Microchip's automotive-grade PIC portfolio.
