PIC16LF1938-I/SS - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU with LCD | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1938-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.62 | $3.62 |
| 10 | $3.26 | $32.60 |
| 100 | $2.81 | $281.00 |
| 500 | $2.48 | $1,240.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.21 | $2,210.00 |
PIC16LF1938-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that contains a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), working memory (RAM), non-volatile storage (EEPROM), and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, communication interfaces). Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16LF1938 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller family, sitting under the larger category of embedded microcontrollers and integrated circuits. Its enhanced mid-range PIC16 core executes instructions in 200ns, balancing performance with power efficiency.
Key features include 11-channel 10-bit ADC, 5-bit DAC, EUSART, I2C, SPI, 8 timers, PWM modules, and the integrated LCD driver supporting up to 192 segments. The device's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers ultra-low sleep currents (typically < 50 nA), making it ideal for battery-powered applications. It supports 25 I/O pins and operates across an industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1938 uses a Harvard RISC core with a 16-level hardware stack, providing deterministic interrupt response for real-time embedded systems. The integrated LCD driver eliminates external LCD controller ICs, reducing BOM cost. Internal voltage reference, comparator modules, and mTouch capacitive sensing support round out its peripheral set.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, consumer appliance HMIs with integrated LCD panels, smart thermostats, medical portable instruments, industrial control panels, and IoT edge devices. The 28-pin SSOP footprint enables compact designs with sufficient GPIO for mid-complexity embedded products.
When designing with this part, place a 0.1uF decoupling capacitor adjacent to VDD and bulk capacitance on the input rail. Configure the ICD pins (RB6/RB7) appropriately when using in-circuit debugging to avoid contention. The internal oscillator eliminates an external crystal but provides reduced accuracy for protocols requiring tight timing such as UART at high baud rates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, supporting procurement and engineering decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1938-I/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1938T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1938-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1938-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1936-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1933-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1903-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1938-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range, 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28KB (16K x 14) |
| RAM | 1KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256B |
| Operating Frequency | 32 MHz max |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 11 channels x 10-bit |
| DAC | 1 channel x 5-bit |
| Timers | 8 |
| PWM | Yes |
| LCD Driver | Integrated, up to 192 segments |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (0.209 in) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Instruction Execution | 200 ns |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC16LF1938-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN2 / DAC reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN3 / Vref+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / PGC (ICSP clock) |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / PGD (ICSP data) |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN16 |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN17 |
| Pin 22 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN18 |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input AN19 |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX |
| Pin 27 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1938-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Consumer Appliance HMI with LCD Display, Smart Thermostat with Touch Interface, Medical Portable Instrument, Industrial Control Panel Interface, IoT Edge Device with Local Display, Automotive Body Control Module (Non-Safety).
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sub-50nA sleep currents and 1.8V-5.5V supply range, enabling multi-year battery life on 2x AA cells for wireless sensor nodes. The 28KB Flash accommodates over-the-air firmware update buffers and complex sensor-fusion algorithms. Its 11-channel 10-bit ADC interfaces directly with temperature, humidity, and motion sensors without external components, while the integrated EUSART/SPI/I2C peripherals connect to sub-GHz radios like the MRF89XA. Compared to higher-power ARM Cortex-M parts, this PIC16 simplifies firmware certification and BOM cost for low-duty-cycle remote sensing.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance HMI with LCD Display
The integrated LCD driver supporting up to 192 segments eliminates the need for an external LCD controller, reducing BOM cost for appliances such as coffee machines, microwaves, and washing machines. The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's 28KB Flash stores multilingual UI strings and complex state-machine firmware, while the 5-bit DAC drives analog indicators or audio tones. Its industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating meets kitchen and garage appliance environments, and the 28-SSOP footprint simplifies single-board integration with touch buttons through mTouch capacitive sensing.
Recommended
Smart Thermostat with Touch Interface
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's 11 ADC channels monitor temperature sensors (NTC thermistors), humidity sensors, and occupancy PIR signals in smart thermostats. Its 28KB Flash holds complex scheduling firmware, while the EUSART interfaces with WiFi modules like the ATWINC1500 for cloud connectivity. The nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep modes keep quiescent current below 100uA between sensor reads, enabling continuous 24/7 wall-powered operation with minimal standby consumption. Compared to discrete analog thermostat designs, this PIC16-based solution offers scheduling, remote control, and learning algorithms in a single chip.
Recommended
Medical Portable Instrument
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's 1.8V-5.5V operation and nanoWatt XLP power profile support battery-powered medical devices like glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and portable nebulizers. Its 256B EEPROM stores calibration constants and patient history records, while the 10-bit ADC provides sufficient resolution for biosignal acquisition. The industrial temperature range meets medical home-use requirements, and the integrated LCD driver displays measurement results without external components. Compared to higher-end ARM parts, this PIC16 enables FDA 510(k) submissions with simpler verification of deterministic real-time firmware.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel Interface
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS provides deterministic real-time control for industrial control panels, operator interface terminals, and machine status displays. Its PWM modules drive indicator LEDs and buzzer tones, while the EUSART interfaces with RS-485 transceivers for Modbus RTU communication with PLCs. The 25 GPIO pins accommodate multiple key inputs, rotary encoder feedback, and LED status arrays. Compared to PLC modules, this PIC16-based panel offers lower BOM cost and easier customization for OEM machinery, while the industrial -40C to +85C rating supports factory floor environments.
Recommended
IoT Edge Device with Local Display
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's integrated LCD driver and extensive peripheral set make it ideal for IoT edge devices with local status displays, such as smart home controllers, weather stations, and asset trackers. Its 28KB Flash stores MQTT/HTTP protocol stacks and JSON payload parsers for local pre-processing before cloud upload. The SPI interface connects to external sensors or LoRa modules like the RN2483 for long-range IoT connectivity. Compared to WiFi-only IoT modules, this PIC16-based edge device reduces cloud bandwidth costs by aggregating and pre-filtering sensor data locally.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF1938-I/SS's wide operating voltage range and industrial temperature rating suit non-safety automotive body applications such as interior lighting controllers, seat adjustment modules, and window lift interfaces. Its PWM modules drive LED dimming and motor speed control, while the EUSART interfaces with LIN transceivers for vehicle network communication. Compared to AEC-Q100 qualified parts, this industrial-grade MCU offers lower cost for body electronics where safety certification is not required. For under-hood or safety-critical applications, use PIC16LF1938-E/SS extended temperature variant instead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1938-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1938T-I/SS | PIC16LF1938-E/SS | PIC16F1938-I/SS | PIC16LF1936-I/SS | PIC16LF1933-I/SS | PIC16LF1903-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same | SSOP-28 (0.209 in) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 28KB | 28KB | 28KB | 28KB | 14KB | 8KB | 7KB |
| RAM | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB | 512B | 256B | 256B |
| EEPROM | 256B | 256B | 256B | 256B | 256B | 256B | 256B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| ADC Channels | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit | 11 x 10-bit | 9 x 10-bit |
| LCD Driver | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments | Integrated, up to 192 segments |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in SSOP-28 PIC16LF193x family (vs PIC16LF1936-I/SS)
- Highest ADC channel count in family (vs PIC16LF1903-I/SS)
- Best-in-class nanoWatt XLP power profile (vs PIC16F1938-I/SS)
- Extended temperature grade option available (vs PIC16LF1938T-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pins (pin 19 and 28) on the PIC16LF1938-I/SS, with a second 10uF bulk capacitor on the same supply trace within 1 cm. For battery-powered designs using the nanoWatt XLP features, configure the unused peripherals to OFF and use Sleep mode with Wake-on-Change interrupts. Estimated: with all peripherals disabled, sleep current is approximately 50 nA at 3V, enabling multi-year battery life on 2x AA cells.
Keep the ICSP programming traces (RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD) short and accessible on the PCB, as these pins must reach the PICkit programmer. Avoid routing high-frequency signals adjacent to the analog input pins (RA0-RA5, RC0-RC3) to minimize ADC noise coupling. Use a ground plane and keep analog and digital sections separated when designing mixed-signal applications with the 10-bit ADC.
Do not use the PIC16LF1938-I/SS in applications requiring AEC-Q100 automotive safety certification - it is only industrial-grade. The internal oscillator provides only 1-2% accuracy; for UART communication at high baud rates or precise PWM, configure an external crystal on OSC1/OSC2 pins. The CONFIG words must be set correctly for brown-out reset and watchdog timer; without proper configuration, unexpected resets may occur in noisy environments.
When using the EUSART for RS-485 communication, add a 120-ohm termination resistor at the bus ends and verify timing with the internal oscillator accuracy specification. The SPI peripheral can run at up to FOSC/4; ensure slave devices support the corresponding clock rate. For I2C communication, use external 4.7kohm pull-up resistors on SCL and SDA lines since the PIC16LF1938's weak pull-ups are insufficient for reliable multi-device bus operation.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified. Choose PIC16F1938-I/SS automotive equivalent if AEC-Q100 is required.
