PIC16LF1938T-I/ML - 28KB Flash 8-bit MCU 32MHz XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1938T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.27 | $227.00 |
| 500 | $2.04 | $1,020.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
| 1,600 | $1.73 | $2,768.00 |
PIC16LF1938T-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, and a rich set of peripheral interfaces. PIC microcontrollers use a Harvard-architecture RISC core with a 14-bit instruction word optimized for deterministic, low-power embedded control. Within the power management hierarchy, this MCU belongs to the XLP (eXtreme Low Power) family, with nanoWatt technology enabling sleep currents below 100 nA, making it ideal for battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications where coin-cell or Li-ion batteries must last years.
Key features include 28KB self-programmable Flash with read-while-write support, 1KB SRAM, 256B EEPROM, an integrated LCD driver supporting up to 96 segments, a charge time measurement unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch, 25 source/sink capable I/O pins, an Enhanced 10-bit ADC with 12 channels, three timers (Timer0/1/2), two capture/compare/PWM modules, an EUSART, two MSSP (I2C/SPI) modules, and four configurable logic cells. The QFN-28 package provides a small 6x6mm footprint with an exposed pad for improved thermal dissipation.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF1938 uses a 14-bit instruction set with a two-stage pipeline, hardware multiplier, and a unified interrupt controller supporting vectored interrupts with multiple priority levels. The XLP technology integrates multiple low-power modes (Run, Idle, Sleep, and Deep Sleep) with a Real-Time Clock (RTCC) that can wake the device from Sleep, allowing year-long operation from a single CR2032 cell. The integrated LCD driver supports static, 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 multiplex modes with software-configurable bias generation.
Typical applications include handheld consumer electronics (remote controls, fitness monitors, wearable health patches), battery-powered sensor nodes (IoT endpoints, environmental monitors), industrial HMI panels with LCD displays, capacitive touch user interfaces, medical monitoring devices (glucose meters, pulse oximeters), and small appliance controllers. The combination of LCD driver, mTouch sensing, and nanoWatt XLP makes it especially suited for human-interface products running on batteries.
When designing with this device, ensure the exposed pad on the QFN package is soldered to a sufficient copper pour to maintain junction temperature within the -40C to +85C industrial range. Decouple VDD with at least a 100nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3mm of each power pin, and reserve the ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT pins for in-circuit serial programming during prototyping.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers shorten BOM selection and design cycles.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1938T-I/ML — 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 PIC16LF1938T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Timers, Package, LCD Driver, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1938-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1938T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1938T-I/MV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1936T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1938T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC, 8-bit, 14-bit instruction word |
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Family | PIC16LF1938 |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 28KB (16K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 1KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12 channels |
| LCD Driver | Up to 96 segments |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x EUSART, 2x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| PWM Modules | 2x CCP/ECCP |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch via CTMU peripheral |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF1938T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/C2IN+/CTMU/RTCC — GPIO RA0 with analog input, comparator, CTMU, RTCC |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/C2IN-/CTMU — GPIO RA1 with analog input and CTMU |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/C2IN+/VREF-/CTMU — GPIO RA2 with analog input and VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+/CTMU — GPIO RA3 with analog input and VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/C2OUT/T0CKI/SEG16 — GPIO RA4 with analog input and LCD segment |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/C1OUT/T1CKI/SEG17 — GPIO RA5 with analog input and LCD segment |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT/SEG18 — GPIO RA6 or oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN/SEG19 — GPIO RA7 or oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12/C1IN+/SRI/INT/FLT0/SEG0 — GPIO RB0 with interrupt and LCD segment |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10/C1IN-/SDA/INT/SEG1 — GPIO RB1 with SDA and LCD segment |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8/C2IN-/SCL/INT/SEG2 — GPIO RB2 with SCL and LCD segment |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9/C2IN+/CCP2/INT/SEG3 — GPIO RB3 with CCP2 and LCD segment |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN11/C1OUT/SDA2/INT/SEG4 — GPIO RB4 with secondary SDA |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13/C2OUT/SCL2/CCP3/INT/SEG5 — GPIO RB5 with secondary SCL |
| Pin 17 | RB6/ICSPCLK/ICDCLK/SEG6 — GPIO RB6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/ICSPDAT/ICDDAT/SEG7 — GPIO RB7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 21 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI/P2A/SEG20 — GPIO RC0 with Timer1 oscillator |
| Pin 22 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2/P2A/SEG21 — GPIO RC1 with Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 23 | RC2/P1A/CCP1/SEG22 — GPIO RC2 with PWM output |
| Pin 24 | RC3/P1B/SEG23 — GPIO RC3 with complementary PWM |
| Pin 25 | RC4/SEG24 — GPIO RC4 with LCD segment |
| Pin 26 | RC5/SEG25 — GPIO RC5 with LCD segment |
| Pin 27 | RC6/TX/CK/SS1/SEG26 — GPIO RC6 with EUSART TX/CK |
| Pin 28 | RC7/RX/DT/SDO1/SEG27 — GPIO RC7 with EUSART RX/DT |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1938T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Handheld Consumer Electronics, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Medical Monitoring Devices, LCD-Based HMI Panels, Small Appliance Motor Control.
Handheld Consumer Electronics
The PIC16LF1938T-I/ML is well suited for handheld consumer products such as remote controls, fitness bands, and electronic toys, where the integrated XLP nanoWatt technology delivers sub-100 nA sleep current for multi-year coin-cell operation. Its 32MHz CPU (8 MIPS) executes UI logic and radio control sequences comfortably, while the 28KB Flash supports layered application code with OTA-style bootloader updates. The 25 GPIO pins drive LCD segments, LEDs, and keypad matrices in compact form factors, eliminating external peripheral ICs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
For IoT endpoints measuring temperature, humidity, or air quality, the PIC16LF1938T-I/ML offers a 1.8V-3.6V operating range ideal for 3.3V coin-cell or Li-ion packs. The RTCC can wake the MCU from deep sleep on scheduled intervals, while the CTMU and 12-channel 10-bit ADC capture sensor data without external analog front ends. The 1KB RAM supports small packet buffers for sub-GHz radios, and EUSART + MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces connect to common transceivers like the SX1276 family with minimal glue logic.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16LF1938T-I/ML integrates the CTMU peripheral that drives mTouch capacitive sensing firmware, supporting up to 12 touch buttons or a small slider/wheel without external capacitive controller ICs. Combined with the 28KB Flash and 1KB RAM, designers can implement capacitive touch + LED feedback + haptic control on a single chip. The 32MHz instruction rate samples CTMU charge times in microseconds, enabling response times below 50 ms that meet consumer product expectations.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Devices
The PIC16LF1938T-I/ML powers portable medical devices such as pill dispensers, pulse oximeters, and single-parameter patient monitors, where the XLP low-power architecture and integrated ADC simplify FDA/IEC 62304 compliance efforts. The 10-bit ADC with 12 channels digitizes sensor inputs like SpO2 photodiode current or thermistor bridges directly. Sub-100 nA sleep current extends battery life for prescribed-use devices that may sit idle for months between patient interactions.
Recommended
LCD-Based HMI Panels
With the integrated LCD driver supporting up to 96 segments, the PIC16LF1938T-I/ML drives 7-segment or dot-matrix character LCDs directly without an external driver IC, reducing BOM cost for appliance and industrial HMI panels. The 28KB Flash stores multilingual menus, and 1KB RAM holds display buffers for 4-mux or 8-mux configurations. Combined with the QFN-28 6x6mm footprint, the MCU fits in compact human-interface modules behind glass panels.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control
The PIC16LF1938T-I/ML drives small appliance subsystems such as fan speed controllers, blender PWM drivers, and coffee machine heater PID loops via its two CCP/ECCP modules producing complementary or half-bridge PWM at 32MHz timer resolution. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC samples feedback from current-sense shunts and thermistors for closed-loop control. At 1.8V-3.6V operation, the part pairs naturally with low-voltage gate drivers controlling 12V or 24V BLDC motors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1938T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1938-I/ML | PIC16F1938T-I/ML | PIC16LF1936T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6) | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same |
| Program Memory | 28KB Flash | 28KB Flash | 28KB Flash | 14KB Flash |
| RAM | 1KB | 1KB | 1KB | 512B |
| EEPROM | 256B | 256B | 256B | 256B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 12-ch | 10-bit, 12-ch | 10-bit, 12-ch | 10-bit, 11-ch |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMD lines (vs PIC16LF1938-I/ML)
- Lower voltage range for battery and 3.3V systems (vs PIC16F1938T-I/ML)
- Larger Flash memory headroom over smaller PIC16LF1936 (vs PIC16LF1936T-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN package exposes a thermal pad (EP) that must be soldered to a contiguous ground copper pour to meet the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range. For continuous 32MHz operation at 3.6V, expect typical IDD around 5 mA; dissipation is approximately 18 mW, well within the package's thermal capability when the EP is properly stitched with thermal vias to the internal ground plane.
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3mm of each VDD pin (pins 10 and 20), with an additional 10uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. For battery applications, leverage the XLP deep-sleep mode to drop current consumption below 100 nA by gating peripheral clocks and disabling unused modules through the PMD register family. Use RTCC wake events for periodic sensor sampling.
Reserve pins RB6 (ICSPCLK) and RB7 (ICSPDAT) for in-circuit serial programming during prototype bring-up; do not connect low-impedance loads to these pins or in-circuit programming will fail. For QFN-28 layouts, follow Microchip AN1258 (QFN PCB Land Pattern Design) for correct land geometry, and ensure 0.5mm pitch traces use 0.15mm/0.20mm width/spacing rules on the outer layers.
Do not assume the LF variant's 1.8V minimum works with 5V peripherals; the I/O pins are NOT 5V tolerant and exceeding 3.6V on any pin will damage the device. Also note that the LF and F variants differ only in operating voltage - if a design accidentally substitutes an F variant into an LF socket, the LF part will simply not regulate below 2.3V, which may break boot sequences in low-battery conditions.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C operating range; no AEC-Q100 automotive grade qualification available for this part.
