PIC16LF18857T-I/SO - 8-bit XLP MCU, 56KB Flash, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF18857T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.83 | $2.83 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.21 | $221.00 |
| 500 | $1.95 | $975.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.74 | $1,740.00 |
PIC16LF18857T-I/SO Overview
A PIC® microcontroller is a RISC-based 8-bit MCU built around the PIC16 instruction set, used widely for sensor interfacing, motor control, and small-form-factor consumer/industrial products. PIC16F/LF188xx parts sit one tier below the PIC18 family and target designs that need more analog and digital peripherals than a PIC10/12/16F1xxx device but less MIPS than a dsPIC or PIC32. Within Microchip's catalog, the PIC16LF1885x/7x series is positioned as the mainstream Low Pin Count (LPC) controller with a rich mix of CIP (Core Independent Peripherals).
Key features include 56KB (32K × 14 words) self-programmable Flash, 4KB RAM, 256-byte EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with Computation, two 10-bit DACs, two comparators, a complementary waveform generator with 4 outputs (CWG), multiple PWMs (CCP, ECCP), a hardware RTCC, an EUSART, two MSSP (SPI/I2C) modules, and 25 GPIOs. The device also integrates Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) so peripherals can be remapped to nearly any I/O. A 32MHz internal oscillator reduces external component count.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF18857T-I/SO leverages an enhanced mid-range core with a 14-bit instruction word, a 31-level hardware stack, and interrupt-driven control with atomic CIP operations that let the MCU react to analog and timing events without waking the CPU. DSM, CLC, NCO, and Configurable Logic Cell peripherals assist in real-time signal conditioning.
Typical applications include IoT edge nodes (LoRa/Zigbee host MCUs), battery-powered sensor hubs, low-power instrumentation with on-screen feedback, appliance control (white goods, coffee machines), USB/HID bridges when paired with an external transceiver, automotive interior lighting and body controllers (AEC-Q100 variants available separately), and small medical wearables. Trade-offs: 8-bit core limits floating-point math, so heavy DSP work should move to a dsPIC33 or PIC32.
Design tip: place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 5mm of each VDD pin and add a bulk 10µF + 1µF pair near the IC. Always configure the unused I/O pins as digital low-output to minimize quiescent current, and use the nMCLR pin with a 10kΩ pull-up plus a 100nF cap to ground for clean reset behavior. This page synthesizes datasheet highlights, current distributor pricing, drop-in Microchip variants, and practical design notes not collated in one place by the manufacturer.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF18857T-I/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 PIC16LF18857T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF18857-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F18857T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18857-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF18855T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18877-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF18857T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range 8-bit |
| Family | PIC16LF188xx (XLP) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 56 KB (32K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 4 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 (with PPS) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| DAC | 2 x 10-bit |
| PWM | Multiple (CCP/ECC/CWG) - 4 CWG outputs |
| Comms | 1 x EUSART, 2 x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (7.5 mm body) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (industrial, "I") |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| RoHS | Compliant |
PIC16LF18857T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/RE3 — General I/O, 5V tolerant analog |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — General I/O, analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — General I/O, analog input |
| Pin 4 | MCLR/VPP/RA3 — Reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — General I/O (open-drain) |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — General I/O |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — OSC2 / General I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — OSC1 / General I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — Interrupt-on-change / analog |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Interrupt-on-change / analog |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8-3.6 V) |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — Interrupt-on-change (PPS) |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Interrupt-on-change / analog |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — ICS Clock / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — ICS Data / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — General I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — General I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — General I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — General I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — General I/O / SDA1 (MSSP) |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — General I/O / SCL1 (MSSP) |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — General I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — General I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 27 | RE0 — General I/O |
| Pin 28 | RE1 — General I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF18857T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Home Appliance Control Board, Handheld Medical Wearable, USB-to-UART / HID Bridge, Industrial Sensor Hub with Local Display, Automotive Interior Lighting and Body Controller.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO drives battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where low current consumption is non-negotiable. The XLP "LF" revision consumes <1 µA in deep sleep with the RTCC and interrupt-on-change still alive, allowing coin-cell operation for multi-year lifetimes. Its built-in 10-bit ADC with computation block filters noisy sensor readings without waking the CPU, while an external SPI-controlled LoRa or Zigbee transceiver gets the data to the gateway. The wide 1.8-3.6 V VDD range fits directly off two alkaline AAs or a 3 V Li-MnO2 primary cell, eliminating a step-up regulator and saving BOM cost. Engineers prefer this MCU because CIP peripherals like CLC and DSM react to analog thresholds autonomously, so the core can stay asleep for minutes at a time.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO finds a home in white-goods control boards such as coffee makers, dishwashers, and washing machines. Its 56 KB Flash holds user-interface state machines and sensor-fusion firmware, while the 4 KB RAM supports multi-tasking between motor, valve, and display interrupts. The Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) drives triac gate pulses for AC loads, with built-in dead-band control. Mid-range PIC16 8-bit cores are well established for appliance reliability, and the 28-SOIC footprint is hand-solderable, easing rework in service channels. The industrial -40 °C to +85 °C grade handles vibration, humidity, and supply transients inside kitchen cabinets.
Recommended
Handheld Medical Wearable
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO is well suited to handheld medical wearables such as pulse oximeters and pill dispensers. The 1.8 V minimum operation lets designers run directly off a single Li-ion cell during discharge, and the PIC16LF18857T's EUSART plus two MSSP peripherals expose enough serial buses for PPG sensors, an OLED display, and an EEPROM health log. The on-chip 10-bit DAC calibrates the LED drive current for accurate SpO2 measurements, while the hardware RTCC schedules pill-reminder routines with no CPU wake needed. XLP technology keeps the BOM small by removing external RTC and voltage supervisor chips.
Recommended
USB-to-UART / HID Bridge
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO is a low-cost USB CDC/HID bridge for legacy serial peripherals. Adding a USB3320 or MCP2200 companion turns the device into a USB-to-UART converter while keeping the PIC core free for protocol translation. With 32 MHz CPU, 56 KB Flash, and a generous 4 KB RAM, designers can embed vendor-specific command sets over EUSART or SPI without external memory. The Peripheral Pin Select lets the same PCB firmware be reused across multiple connectors (DB9, RJ45, RJ-50). This is a common Microchip pattern in industrial handhelds and point-of-sale accessories.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hub with Local Display
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO drives industrial sensor hubs that must display values locally while still publishing over a fieldbus. The 25 GPIO lines and PPS redistribute can drive up to two I2C-display LCDs plus SPI or I2C sensor expansions. The dual 10-bit DACs can re-inject calibration voltages, and the on-chip comparators provide zero-cross detection for AC line monitoring. The industrial temperature grade is sufficient for factory-floor cabinets and unconditioned enclosures. Compared with a 32-bit MCU, the PIC16 architecture consumes noticeably less idle current and is easier to certify under IEC 61000-4 EMC immunity for industrial control equipment.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting and Body Controller
The PIC16LF18857T-I/SO (industrial grade) runs ambient lighting, HVAC fan control, and rear-mirror mirrors in non-safety automotive nodes. The CWG and ECCP modules generate up to 4 complementary PWM pairs to fade RGB LED strings smoothly, while the comparators handle current-sense feedback for short-circuit protection. Designers can reuse firmware across trim levels because Peripheral Pin Select remaps I/O at runtime. For full AEC-Q100 qualification, Microchip supplies the PIC16F18857-E/SO automotive sibling with identical die, ensuring the same code base across consumer and auto SKUs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF18857T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF18857-I/SO | PIC16F18857T-I/SO | PIC16LF18857-E/SO | PIC16LF18855T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SOIC-28 (7.5 mm) | SOIC-28 (7.5 mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.5 mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.5 mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.5 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 56 KB | 56 KB | 56 KB | 56 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 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 |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Temperature Range | -40 to +85 °C (I) | -40 to +85 °C | -40 to +85 °C | -40 to +125 °C | -40 to +85 °C |
| AEC-Q100 | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- 1.8 V minimum VDD for single-cell battery operation (vs PIC16F18857T-I/SO)
- Larger Flash and RAM for firmware complexity (vs PIC16LF18855T-I/SO)
- Integrated CIP peripherals reduce external BOM (vs PIC16F18855-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VDD/VDDCORE pin pair, and add a bulk 10 µF + 1 µF cap close to the IC. Because the PIC16LF18857T-I/SO has PIC16-only internal LDO requirements, run the recommended 1.8-3.6 V rail through a low-ripple source such as a TPS7A02 or MCP1700 LDO. Use a digital I/O with 1 µA of hysteresis to wake the MCU from deep sleep via interrupt-on-change; this is the lowest-cost wake path.
Route a 4-layer board with one dedicated ground plane below the MCU; the 28-SOIC benefits from a continuous GND pour to lift the thermal dissipation for 32 MHz operation. Keep high-frequency signals (PWM, EUSART) away from the analog VDD/VSS pair. The Peripheral Pin Select lets you reassign peripherals at firmware level, so layout swaps late in the project no longer require board re-spins.
Do not float the MCLR pin; tie it through a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and add a 100 nF cap (or schottky) for clean reset behavior. Unused I/O pins must be configured as digital low-output to minimize Iq. When debugging, hold the device in RESET to share the ICSP pins, then release MCLR for normal operation. Estimate: typical active current at 32 MHz / 3.3 V ≈ 7 mA, idle ≈ 2 mA, deep-sleep < 1 µA.
Compliance Information
Microchip confirms RoHS and REACH compliance through their material declaration portal. The -I industrial grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified; use PIC16F18857T-E/SO or PIC16LF18857-E/SO for AEC-Q100 automotive deployments.
