PIC16LF1938-I/MV - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU 32MHz XLP LCD | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1938-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.05 | $3.05 |
| 10 | $2.74 | $27.40 |
| 100 | $2.44 | $244.00 |
| 500 | $2.19 | $1,095.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.95 | $1,950.00 |
PIC16LF1938-I/MV Overview
What is an 8-bit PIC microcontroller? An 8-bit PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) is a RISC-based microcontroller architecture developed by Microchip that uses a Harvard bus structure to execute instructions in a single cycle. The PIC16LF1xxx family belongs to the enhanced mid-range core, sitting in the hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> PIC microcontroller -> PIC16 family -> nanoWatt XLP series. These devices are designed for ultra-low-power embedded applications where battery life is critical.
Key features of the PIC16LF1938-I/MV include a wide 1.8V to 3.6V operating voltage range, 36 I/O pins (with 25 multifunction), an integrated 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels, multiple communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, EUSART), and an on-chip LCD driver supporting up to 192 segments. The 'LF' prefix indicates the low-voltage variant optimized for low-power operation, while 'I/MV' denotes the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade and UQFN MV package code.
Technically, the device uses an enhanced mid-range 8-bit core with 49 instructions and 16-level hardware stack, supporting interrupt priority and context saving. The nanoWatt XLP technology achieves standby currents below 100 nA, with multiple sleep modes (Idle, Sleep, and Deep Sleep) and peripheral modules capable of independent operation.
Typical applications include low-power battery-operated sensor nodes, consumer electronics with LCD displays (thermostats, scales, remote controls), industrial control panels, medical portable devices, and IoT edge sensor hubs. The integrated LCD driver makes it particularly suited for direct glass-segment displays.
When designing with this device, ensure adequate decoupling (100nF + 10uF bulk) close to VDD pins and follow Microchip AN1993 for low-power sleep mode tuning. Pin assignments should be planned early because several analog and digital functions share physical pins via PPS-like mapping on related parts, but the PIC16LF1938 uses fixed pin assignments.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specifications, distributor pricing, and verified drop-in alternatives - information not aggregated on any single source page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1938-I/MV — 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 PIC16LF1938-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, ADC, LCD Driver, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1938-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1937-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1936-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1939-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1938-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size | 28 KB (16K x 14) Flash |
| CPU Core | 8-bit PIC RISC (enhanced mid-range) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 32 MHz |
| RAM Size | 1024 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 (25 dedicated, others multiplexed) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| LCD Driver | Yes, up to 192 segments |
| Communication Peripherals | I2C, SPI, EUSART (1 each) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package Type | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm) - code MV |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (LEAD FREE per datasheet) |
PIC16LF1938-I/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/ICDDAT — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 / Comparator 1 input+ / ICD data |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/ICDCK — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 / Comparator 1 input- / ICD clock |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF-/CVREF — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / VREF- / Comparator VREF output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/C1OUT — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/C2OUT/SRQ — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input 4 / Comparator 2 output / SR latch Q output |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN/C2OUT — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 5 / SPI Slave Select / HLVD input / C2 output |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output / Clock out |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input / External clock in |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12/CCP4/SRI — PORTB bit 0 / Analog input 12 / CCP4 / SR latch input |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10/C1IN3-/C2IN3- — PORTB bit 1 / Analog input 10 / Comparator 1/2 in3- |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8/C1IN2-/C2IN2- — PORTB bit 2 / Analog input 8 / Comparator 1/2 in2- |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9/C1IN1-/C2IN1-/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Analog input 9 / Comparator 1/2 in1- / LVP programming |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN11/CCP5/P1B/SDA — PORTB bit 4 / Analog input 11 / CCP5 / PWM1B / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RB5/CCP1/P1A/T1G/SCL — PORTB bit 5 / CCP1 / PWM1A / Timer1 gate / I2C clock |
| Pin 17 | RB6/CCP2/TX/CK/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / CCP2 / USART TX / I2C clock / ICD clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/CCP3/RX/DT/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / CCP3 / USART RX / I2C data / ICD data |
| Pin 19 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — PORTE bit 3 (input only) / Master Clear reset / Programming voltage |
| Pin 20 | RC0/SOSCFO/T1OSO/SCLKI — PORTC bit 0 / Secondary oscillator / Timer1 osc out / Secondary clock in |
| Pin 21 | RC1/SOSCFI/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Secondary oscillator in / Timer1 osc in / CCP2 |
| Pin 22 | RC2/CCP1/P1A/T0CKI — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 / PWM1A / Timer0 clock in |
| Pin 23 | RC3/REFO/SCL/TX — PORTC bit 3 / Reference output / I2C clock / USART TX |
| Pin 24 | RC4/SDA/RX/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / I2C data / USART RX / SPI data in |
| Pin 25 | RC5/SDO/C2OUT/TX — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out / Comparator 2 out / USART TX |
| Pin 26 | RC6/SS/HLVDIN/CCP3 — PORTC bit 6 / SPI SS / HLVD input / CCP3 |
| Pin 27 | RC7/AN17/CCP4/SDO — PORTC bit 7 / Analog input 17 / CCP4 / SPI data out |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 29 | EP — Exposed thermal pad (must be soldered to ground for thermal performance) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1938-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Consumer LCD Display Products, Industrial Control Panels and HMIs, Portable Medical Monitoring Devices, Smart Home Thermostats and Environmental Controllers, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety).
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF1938-I/MV is well-matched to wireless sensor node designs where the integrated nanoWatt XLP technology enables sub-100nA Sleep current with the RTCC and WDT active, directly extending CR2032 coin-cell battery life to multi-year operation. The 10-bit ADC with 17 input channels supports multi-sensor analog front-ends (temperature, humidity, light) without external muxes, while I2C and SPI interfaces connect to radios and digital sensors. Its 1.8V-3.6V supply matches the battery voltage curve, eliminating boost regulators and their quiescent losses. The 28KB Flash accommodates BLE/Zigbee stack fragment or LoRaWAN MAC layer code on related nodes.
Recommended
Consumer LCD Display Products
The PIC16LF1938-I/MV's integrated LCD driver with up to 192-segment support directly drives glass-segment displays in thermostats, kitchen scales, remote controls, and microwave oven user interfaces - eliminating external LCD controller ICs and reducing BOM cost by $0.50-$1.50 per unit. The 32MHz CPU core smoothly handles capacitive touch scanning via the CTMU peripheral, while the nanoWatt XLP feature supports battery-backed real-time clock operation with the on-chip RTCC drawing under 800 nA. The 4x4 mm UQFN package fits space-constrained handheld enclosures common in consumer appliances.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels and HMIs
For industrial operator panels and HMI terminals, the PIC16LF1938-I/MV provides the LCD driver for 4x20 character or 192-segment custom displays, alongside 36 I/O lines for keypad scanning, LED indicators, relay drivers, and RS-485 communication via EUSART. The 1.8V-3.6V operation requires regulated 3.3V supply, and the wide -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade handles factory floor environments. The 28KB Flash supports Modbus RTU slave firmware plus application logic, while the 1024-byte RAM accommodates protocol buffers and display refresh.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Devices
Medical-grade portable monitors benefit from the PIC16LF1938-I/MV's medical-relevant features: sub-100nA Sleep current for implanted or wearable devices, on-chip 10-bit ADC for direct sensor signal digitization (SpO2, blood pressure cuff pressure, body temperature), and integrated LCD driver for direct display of vital signs without extra components. The 1.8V low-voltage operation supports Li-ion single-cell battery packs with low-battery cutoff down to 1.8V, maximizing usable capacity. The 32MHz clock provides adequate compute for simple filtering and trending algorithms.
Recommended
Smart Home Thermostats and Environmental Controllers
Smart thermostats leveraging the PIC16LF1938-I/MV gain direct LCD display driving for temperature setpoint, humidity, and schedule indication, while the nanoWatt XLP Sleep current allows year-long battery operation on a 2x AA battery pack for wall-mounted wireless units. The 10-bit ADC multiplexes up to 17 thermistor inputs for multi-zone sensing, and the integrated CTMU enables touch-button interfaces without dedicated touch ICs. Per Microchip application notes, designers commonly pair this MCU with an external Wi-Fi/BLE module over UART for connected home integration.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
Non-safety automotive applications like interior lighting controllers, seat-position memory, and accessory multiplexers benefit from the PIC16LF1938-E/MV variant's -40C to +125C automotive temperature grade in the same 28-pin UQFN footprint. The 32MHz core handles LIN bus slave communication via the EUSART with LIN-compatible hardware, and the 28KB Flash stores protocol stacks plus application logic. The integrated LCD driver supports instrument-cluster secondary displays. Note: for safety-critical automotive functions, use a functional-safety-compliant MCU rather than this general-purpose part.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1938-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1938-E/MV | PIC16LF1937-I/MV | PIC16LF1936-I/MV | PIC16LF1906-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm, MV) | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm, MV) | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm, MV) | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm, MV) | 28-pin UQFN (4x4 mm, MV) |
| Flash Memory | 28 KB | 28 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V - 3.6V | 1.8V - 3.6V | 1.8V - 3.6V | 1.8V - 3.6V | 1.8V - 3.6V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ADC Channels | 17 channels (10-bit) | 17 channels (10-bit) | 17 channels (10-bit) | 11 channels (10-bit) | 11 channels (10-bit) |
| LCD Driver | Yes (192 segments) | Yes (192 segments) | Yes (192 segments) | Yes (192 segments) | No |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty-1000) | $1.95 | $2.05 (estimated) | $1.75 | $1.65 | $1.50 (estimated) |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest package in 28-pin PIC16LF193x family (vs PIC16LF1938-I/ML)
- Highest Flash density with full peripheral set in MV package (vs PIC16LF1936-I/MV)
- Industrial temperature grade for cost-sensitive applications (vs PIC16LF1938-E/MV)
- Integrated LCD driver eliminates external components (vs PIC16LF1906-I/MV)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1938-I/MV's nanoWatt XLP Sleep current is specified below 100 nA with RTCC and WDT active. To achieve this low figure, disable all unused peripherals in the PMDx registers before entering Sleep mode, and ensure the ADC is powered down via ADCEN=0 with the ADCON1 configured for all digital I/O. Per Microchip AN1993, pull all unused I/O pins to defined states (VSS or VDD) to prevent floating-pin leakage of several microamps per pin.
Decouple VDD with a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3mm of pin 9 (VDD), and add a bulk 10uF ceramic or tantalum capacitor at the board entry point. The exposed thermal pad (EP, pin 29) MUST be soldered to a ground plane with thermal vias for proper heat dissipation and electrical performance - leaving it floating may cause intermittent operation and reduces thermal mass for high-I/O drive scenarios.
MCLR (pin 19) is mandatory for proper reset behavior; tie it to VDD through a 10k resistor with a 100nF cap to ground for noise immunity, never leave it floating. The LF (low-voltage) prefix means the device WILL be damaged at 5V - if interfacing with 5V logic, use a level translator like the TI TXS0108E or resistor dividers. Configuration bits (CONFIG1/2) must be set correctly for the oscillator source and watchdog timer, or the part may fail to start.
Route the crystal oscillator traces (RA6/OSC2 and RA7/OSC1) symmetrically with short, equal-length traces and a ground guard ring to minimize EMI susceptibility. Keep high-speed switching signals (SPI clock, PWM outputs) away from the analog ADC inputs (AN0-AN17) and route analog grounds in a separate star-ground topology. The 4x4 mm UQFN package has 0.4mm pitch pads - design the PCB land pattern per IPC-7351 with NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads for best solder joint reliability.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page and datasheet. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - select PIC16LF1938-E/MV for automotive-grade applications. REACH compliance per Microchip product declaration.
