PIC16LF18857-E/SO - 56KB Flash 8-bit MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18857-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.78 | $2.78 |
| 10 | $2.49 | $24.90 |
| 100 | $2.1 | $210.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.49 | $1,490.00 |
PIC16LF18857-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus, integrating a CPU, non-volatile Flash program memory, volatile RAM, EEPROM, timers, analog peripherals, and digital communication interfaces. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip occupy the mid-tier of the embedded hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The "LF" prefix indicates a wide-voltage 1.8 V to 3.6 V core, ideal for battery-powered designs where the standard F (5.5 V max) variant would waste energy through internal LDO dropout.
Key features include four 16-bit timers, two USART, two SPI, two I2C peripherals, a 10-bit ADC with up to channels, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), and Core Independent Peripherals such as the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) and Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO). The on-chip 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal in most designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
The architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with a modified Harvard bus structure and a hardware stack, prioritizing deterministic interrupt latency and predictable code execution. The XLP technology combines nanoWatt XLP sleep modes with peripheral module disable to achieve quiescent currents suitable for years of battery life from coin cells.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless HMI panels, consumer white goods, battery-powered medical devices such as glucose meters, and automotive body controllers. The combination of generous memory and rich peripherals also suits industrial control modules requiring field-upgradeable firmware via the on-chip UART bootloader.
When designing with the PIC16LF18857-E/SO, leave the ICSP programming pins (PGED/PGEC) accessible for in-circuit programming and debugging, and place the decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin. Note that the E temperature grade designates -40 °C to +125 °C extended operation, suitable for automotive and harsh-environment deployments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design considerations not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18857-E/SO — 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 PIC16LF18857-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash), Family.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18855-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18856-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18857-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18854-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18857-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18876-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18857-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 56 KB (32K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 4 KB (4096 bytes) |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO, 0.295" / 7.50 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E grade, extended) |
| ADC | 10-bit with computation |
| Timers | 4 x 16-bit / 2 x 8-bit |
| Communication | 2 x EUSART, 2 x SPI, 2 x I2C |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, NCO, CWG, DSM, CCP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| ICSP Programming | PGED/PGEC |
PIC16LF18857-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/ICSPDAT/PGED — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/ICSPCLK/PGEC — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / MCLR |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 26 | VSS — Ground reference (secondary) |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply (secondary) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18857-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Battery-Powered Medical Devices, Consumer White Goods, Automotive Body Controllers, Industrial HMI Panels, Low-Power Wireless HMIs.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO suits IoT sensor nodes thanks to XLP nanoWatt sleep modes that drop quiescent current to single-digit microamps between measurements. The 10-bit ADC with computation offloads sensor averaging and threshold detection, freeing the core to remain in sleep for years on a coin cell. The 56 KB Flash accommodates BLE HCI stacks or LoRaWAN firmware while the dual EUSART/SPI/I2C interfaces drive digital sensors and radio modules.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Medical Devices
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO is well suited to battery-powered medical devices such as glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and portable nebulizers. Its 1.8 V to 3.6 V wide-voltage operation allows direct connection to two AA alkaline cells or a single Li-ion cell without an external LDO, while the 32 MHz core processes bio-signal filtering in real time. On-chip EEPROM stores calibration constants for the lifetime of the device, supporting FDA traceability requirements.
Recommended
Consumer White Goods
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO fits consumer white goods such as washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators where it controls user interfaces, motor drivers, and sensor inputs. Its Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, NCO, CWG) implement hardware-based state machines that respond to faults in microseconds, improving safety. The 28-SOIC package is easily hand-solderable for low-volume SKUs and reflow-friendly for high-volume production lines.
Recommended
Automotive Body Controllers
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO is appropriate for automotive body controllers including seat controllers, mirror modules, and lighting drivers thanks to its -40 °C to +125 °C extended temperature grade and robust peripheral set. The 10-bit ADC with computation handles multiple analog sensor inputs, while the EUSART supports LIN bus communication. For full AEC-Q100 qualified parts, Microchip offers the PIC16F18857-E/SO automotive variant in the same 28-SOIC footprint.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Panels
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO powers industrial HMI panels by driving character or graphic LCDs, scanning keypads, and managing Modbus RTU communication over EUSART. The 56 KB Flash stores multi-language firmware and configurable menu structures, while 4 KB RAM buffers display updates without flicker. Core Independent Peripherals handle rotary encoder decoding and PWM buzzer tones in hardware, leaving CPU cycles free for protocol handling.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless HMIs
The PIC16LF18857-E/SO suits low-power wireless HMIs such as remote controls, smart thermostats, and BLE beacons where it bridges user inputs to a companion radio module. The 32 MHz core performs debouncing and event encoding in software, while the on-chip peripherals drive haptic feedback motors and LED indicators without external glue logic. With XLP sleep currents below 1 µA, battery life extends beyond 5 years on a single CR2032 coin cell.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18857-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18855-E/SO | PIC16LF18856-E/SP | PIC16LF18854-E/SS | PIC16F18857-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) | 28-SOIC (SO) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 56 KB | 32 KB | 40 KB | 32 KB | 56 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB | 2 KB | 3 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (F) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E) |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc, USD) | $2.78 | $2.50 (estimated, lower Flash) | $2.65 (estimated, mid Flash) | $2.45 (estimated, lower Flash) | $2.85 (estimated, F core) |
Key Differentiators
- Wide-voltage LF core for battery efficiency (vs PIC16F18857-E/SO)
- 56 KB Flash for full protocol stacks (vs PIC16LF18855-E/SO)
- Extended -40 °C to +125 °C operation (vs PIC16LF18857-I/SO (industrial grade))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin, with a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the main VDD rail. The PIC16LF18857-E/SO can operate from 1.8 V to 3.6 V; choose an LDO with sub-µA quiescent current (e.g. MCP1700) to preserve XLP nanoWatt sleep performance. Estimated: at 32 MHz active current of ~2.2 mA plus sleep current of ~0.6 µA, average system current for a 1% duty cycle sensor node is ~22 µA.
Route the ICSP signals (PGED/RA0, PGEC/RA1) directly to a 6-pin header or test pad for in-circuit programming and debugging. Keep crystal traces short and surrounded by ground if an external oscillator is used; otherwise the on-chip 32 MHz HFINTOSC is accurate to ±1% over the full temperature range. Add a 4.7 kΩ pull-up on MCLR if not driven by a debugger.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on VDD or the LF core will latch up; the F variant supports 5.5 V and is the only choice above 3.6 V. Configure unused I/O pins as outputs driving low to minimize SOT (shoot-through) current. When migrating firmware from PIC16F18857 to PIC16LF18857, verify all peripheral register bit fields match the LF silicon revision - some features differ between F and LF cores.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page; E temperature grade -40°C to +125°C is suitable for non-safety automotive applications but not AEC-Q100 qualified. Lead-free matte-tin plating, reflow to 260°C per J-STD-020.
