PIC16LF1906-I/SP - 8-bit MCU 14KB Flash LCD XLP 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1906-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.11 | $2.11 |
| 10 | $1.93 | $19.30 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.36 | $1,360.00 |
PIC16LF1906-I/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable integrated circuit that executes instructions from on-chip Flash memory using an 8-bit data path; it belongs to the broader hierarchy of microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device, and PIC microcontrollers specifically use a RISC instruction set designed for deterministic execution and code-density efficiency. The PIC16LF1906-I/SP sits in the PIC16F family, which targets low-power and human-interface applications such as metering, white goods, and consumer LCD products.
Key features include 14 KB (8K x 14 words) Flash, 512 bytes SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, an integrated LCD driver supporting up to 72 segments, a 12-bit ADC with Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) for touch sensing, multiple communication peripherals (I2C/SPI/EUSART), and nanoWatt XLP technology providing typical sleep currents in the hundreds of nanoamperes. The part operates from 1.8V to 3.6V, making it compatible with single-cell Li-ion and 2xAA battery chemistries.
Technically, the device combines a 16-level hardware stack, an enhanced mid-range instruction set with C compiler optimizations, and configurable oscillator modes including 31 kHz internal LFINTOSC for RTC-style keep-alive operation. The 28-SPDIP package gives a robust 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) pitch suited for hand-soldered prototypes, breadboards, and educational environments where surface-mount variants like SOIC-28 or SSOP-28 would be harder to handle.
Typical applications include battery-powered metering and instrumentation with LCD readout, low-power IoT sensor nodes with segmented displays, white-goods user-interface controllers, consumer electronics with LCD menus, capacitive-touch front panels using the ADC CVD feature, and remote controls or handheld devices requiring long battery life. The integrated LCD driver eliminates the need for an external LCD controller, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
When designing with this MCU, ensure decoupling capacitors (100 nF plus 10 uF bulk) are placed within 5 mm of the VDD pins and that unused I/O pins are configured as outputs low to minimize leakage. Designers should also leverage the Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature to remap digital peripherals, simplifying PCB routing on dense boards. Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler are the standard toolchain; debugging requires an MPLAB Snap, PICkit 4, or ICD 4 programmer.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC16 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1906-I/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 PIC16LF1906-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, LCD Driver, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F1906-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1907-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906T-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906-E/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1902-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1903-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC (enhanced mid-range) |
| CPU Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 24 |
| ADC | 12-bit with computation (CVD) |
| LCD Driver | Up to 72 segments with charge pump |
| Timers | 5 (Timer0/1/2/4/6) |
| Communication | I2C, SPI, EUSART (with LIN) |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch CVD via ADC |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (sub-uA sleep) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1906-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — I/O / Analog input 3 / Voltage reference plus |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — I/O / Analog input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5 — I/O / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — I/O / Oscillator output / Clock out |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — I/O / Oscillator input / Clock in |
| Pin 6 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0/AN12/INT0 — I/O / Analog input 12 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 9 | RB1/AN10/INT1 — I/O / Analog input 10 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2/AN8 — I/O / Analog input 8 |
| Pin 11 | RB3/AN9 — I/O / Analog input 9 |
| Pin 12 | RB4/AN11 — I/O / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 13 | RB5/AN13 — I/O / Analog input 13 |
| Pin 14 | RB6/ICSPCLK — I/O / In-Circuit Serial Programming clock |
| Pin 15 | RB7/ICSPDAT — I/O / In-Circuit Serial Programming data |
| Pin 16 | RC0/SOSCO — I/O / Secondary oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | RC1/SOSCI — I/O / Secondary oscillator input |
| Pin 18 | RC2/AN14 — I/O / Analog input 14 |
| Pin 19 | RC3/AN15 — I/O / Analog input 15 |
| Pin 20 | RC4 — I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC5 — I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC6/AN16/TX/CK — I/O / Analog input 16 / EUSART TX / Clock |
| Pin 23 | RC7/AN17/RX/DT — I/O / Analog input 17 / EUSART RX / Data |
| Pin 24 | RD0 — I/O |
| Pin 25 | RD1 — I/O |
| Pin 26 | RD2 — I/O |
| Pin 27 | RD3 — I/O |
| Pin 28 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — Input / Master Clear (reset) / Programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1906-I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Metering with LCD Display, Capacitive Touch Front-Panel Controller, White Goods and Appliance User Interfaces, Consumer Remote Controls and Handheld Devices, IoT Sensor Nodes with Segmented Display, Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Platforms.
Battery-Powered Metering with LCD Display
The PIC16LF1906-I/SP fits battery-powered metering applications because its nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sub-microampere sleep currents (typical <1 uA with LCD enabled), directly translating to multi-year battery life on a single CR2032 or 2xAA cell. The integrated LCD driver with internal charge pump supports up to 72 segments without an external VLCD supply or controller IC, eliminating BOM cost in electricity, water, or gas meters. The 14 KB Flash holds the metrology library plus segmented display fonts, while the 12-bit ADC with computation handles sensor front-ends. Real-world designs use the LF1906 in sleep mode 99% of the time, waking briefly to measure and update the LCD.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Front-Panel Controller
The PIC16LF1906-I/SP suits capacitive touch front-panel designs through its 12-bit ADC with Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) technology, which scans up to 24 touch electrodes without dedicated touch ICs. Combined with the integrated LCD driver, a single PIC16LF1906-I/SP can scan the touch matrix and drive the segmented display in the same die, reducing BOM cost versus discrete touch-plus-LCD solutions. The nanoWatt XLP sleep mode keeps average current below 5 uA even with periodic touch scanning. Designers use mTouch CVD reference firmware from Microchip to implement sliders, buttons, and proximity wake-up on a single chip.
Recommended
White Goods and Appliance User Interfaces
In white goods such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens, the PIC16LF1906-I/SP provides the LCD user interface controller combined with motor-control timing and sensor polling. Its 20 MHz CPU delivers enough throughput for menu navigation, button debouncing, and rotary encoder handling, while the EUSART with LIN support allows simple connectivity to the main appliance control board. The 1.8V-3.6V LF voltage range accommodates the 3.3V power rails typical in modern appliance electronics. Designers appreciate the 28-SPDIP package for hand-reworkable prototypes before committing to surface-mount SOIC variants.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and Handheld Devices
The PIC16LF1906-I/SP powers handheld consumer devices such as universal remote controls and small instrumentation by combining ultra-low sleep current with adequate Flash for protocol stacks (NEC, RC5, SIRC IR decoding). Its nanoWatt XLP technology allows 2xAAA alkaline cells to last 2+ years in a typical remote use profile (button presses a few times per day). The 12-bit ADC digitizes battery voltage for low-battery detection, and the LCD driver handles small status displays. Developers use the PIC16 LF family's well-known peripheral library to accelerate remote firmware development.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes with Segmented Display
The PIC16LF1906-I/SP fits IoT sensor nodes with on-device segmented displays, where its integrated peripherals handle sensor reading, local LCD visualization, and low-power RF control via an external transceiver (e.g. SPI-controlled sub-GHz or BLE module). Its 1.8V-3.6V operation aligns directly with common coin-cell and energy-harvesting power sources. The nanoWatt XLP sleep current combined with periodic ADC wake-up achieves multi-year battery life in indoor environment monitors. Engineers can migrate firmware between LF1906 and LF1907 if their code base outgrows 14 KB Flash.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Embedded Platforms
The PIC16LF1906-I/SP is widely used in educational curricula and hobbyist projects because its 28-SPDIP through-hole package drops easily into breadboards and perfboards, and Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with the free XC8 compiler provides a zero-cost toolchain. Students learn 8-bit RISC concepts, register-level peripheral control, and assembly/C hybrid programming on the LF1906 with abundant example code online. The 14 KB Flash is sufficient for textbook projects from blinking LEDs to I2C sensor interfacing, while the LCD driver enables visual feedback without extra hardware.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1906-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F1906-I/SP | PIC16LF1907-I/SP | PIC16LF1906T-I/SP | PIC16LF1902-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 5.5 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V | 1.8 V - 3.6 V |
| SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 1 KB | 512 bytes | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| LCD Driver Segments | 72 | 72 | 96 | 72 | 32 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Unit Price (qty 1) | $2.11 | $2.11 (similar) | Higher (28 KB Flash) | $2.11 (same die) | Lower (less memory) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage envelope in the LF190x family (vs PIC16F1906-I/SP)
- 72-segment LCD with internal charge pump (vs PIC16LF1902-I/SP)
- XLP sub-microampere sleep current with active LCD (vs PIC16F1936-I/SP)
- mTouch CVD capacitive touch sensing integrated (vs PIC16LF1847-I/P)
Design Notes
Decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the package. The PIC16LF1906-I/SP internal charge pump draws brief inrush during LCD bias generation; the bulk capacitor prevents VDD droop during scan bursts. Estimated local supply impedance target: <0.1 ohm from 100 kHz to 10 MHz, achievable with one 100 nF X7R + one 10 uF X5R per rail.
Layout: keep the LCDF pins routed with short, parallel traces to minimize cross-coupling between segment lines; route common planes (COM0-COM3) as wider traces to maintain low-impedance AC waveforms. Place the 31 kHz crystal within 5 mm of the SOSCO/SOSCI pins if used, and guard the traces with a ground pour. For breadboard prototype, the 28-SPDIP package allows 0.1 inch pitch - verify pin 1 orientation against the notch marking.
Watch out: (1) The LF variant cannot tolerate 5 V on any pin - if interfacing to 5 V logic, use the F variant or level-shifters. (2) Unused I/O pins must be configured as outputs low to minimize leakage in XLP sleep mode. (3) PPS is not available on this family - peripherals are pin-mapped, so verify pin assignment before PCB layout. (4) The ICD debug pins (RB6/RB7) share RB6/RB7 general I/O - leave them accessible for in-circuit programming. (5) Sleep current rises if the LCD charge pump remains enabled - disable the pump when the display is not active to reach sub-uA standby.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 grade is -I (industrial, -40C to +85C) and -E (extended, -40C to +125C); neither qualifies for AEC-Q100 automotive unless explicitly ordered as such. Lead-free (Pb-free) packaging confirmed.
