PIC16LF1946T-I/MR - 8-bit LCD MCU, 14KB Flash, 32MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1946T-I/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.55 | $4.55 |
| 10 | $4.12 | $41.20 |
| 100 | $3.65 | $365.00 |
| 500 | $3.28 | $1,640.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.97 | $2,970.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.52 | $7,560.00 |
PIC16LF1946T-I/MR Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a RISC-based CPU optimized for deterministic real-time control. PIC MCUs sit within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers -> embedded controllers -> semiconductors. The 'LF' prefix denotes a low-voltage variant (2.0-3.6V operation) suited to battery-powered designs, while the integrated LCD segment driver eliminates an external driver chip, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
Key features of this part include 36 I/O ports, an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set, an on-chip 32 kHz oscillator for low-power sleep modes, a master synchronous serial port (MSSP) supporting SPI and I2C, two USART modules, and a charge time measurement unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 1 uA.
The architecture combines a Harvard-bus CPU with a peripheral-rich core that competes with 32-bit Cortex-M0 parts on integration but at lower cost and simpler toolchain (MPLAB X IDE + XC8 compiler). The wide operating temperature range of -40C to +85C supports industrial and outdoor installations.
Typical applications include battery-powered consumer appliances with LCD displays, low-cost metering and sensor readout panels, handheld medical devices, and IoT edge nodes with segmented LCD readouts. The integrated LCD driver up to 192 segments makes it particularly compelling for thermostat, scale, and appliance HMI designs.
Designers should note that the LF variant is not 5V tolerant - confirm signal compatibility with 5V peripherals, or select the non-LF 'F' variant (PIC16F1946) for mixed-voltage systems. The exposed pad on the QFN package must be soldered to the ground plane for proper thermal dissipation and electrical performance.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes for the PIC16LF1946T-I/MR, complementing the manufacturer datasheet with selection guidance for engineers choosing between the LF and F voltage variants.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1946T-I/MR — 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 PIC16LF1946T-I/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Communication, LCD Driver, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1946-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.83 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1947-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1946-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1946T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F1946T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1946T-I/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16LF1946 |
| Core | 8-bit PIC RISC (enhanced mid-range) |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash |
| RAM | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (125 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| LCD Segments | Up to 192 |
| Package | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR), 9x9 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, 'I') |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Communication | MSSP (SPI/I2C), 2x USART (EUSART) |
| Special Features | nanoWatt XLP technology, CTMU (capacitive touch), LCD driver |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (Pb-free) |
PIC16LF1946T-I/MR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 7 (ICSPDAT) |
| Pin 2 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 6 (ICSPCLK) |
| Pin 3 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 4 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 5 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 6 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 7 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3-3.6V) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 7 (RX/DT) |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 6 (TX/CK) |
| Pin 13 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 15 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 3 (SCL) |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 2 (SDA) |
| Pin 17 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 20 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 21 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 22 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 0 / AN0 |
| Pin 23 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 1 / AN1 |
| Pin 24 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 2 / AN2 / VREF- |
| Pin 25 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 3 / AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 26 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 4 / AN4 |
| Pin 27 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 5 / AN5 |
| Pin 28 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 6 / OSCOUT |
| Pin 29 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O port A bit 7 / OSCIN |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 31 | RD0 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 0 |
| Pin 32 | RD1 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | RD2 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | RD3 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 3 |
| Pin 35 | RD4 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 4 |
| Pin 36 | RD5 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 5 |
| Pin 37 | RD6 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 6 |
| Pin 38 | RD7 — Bidirectional I/O port D bit 7 |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3-3.6V) |
| Pin 41 | RE0 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 0 |
| Pin 42 | RE1 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 1 |
| Pin 43 | RE2 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 2 |
| Pin 44 | RE3 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 3 |
| Pin 45 | RE4 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 4 |
| Pin 46 | RE5 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 5 |
| Pin 47 | RE6 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 6 |
| Pin 48 | RE7 — Bidirectional I/O port E bit 7 |
| Pin 49 | RF0 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 0 |
| Pin 50 | RF1 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 1 |
| Pin 51 | RF2 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 2 |
| Pin 52 | RF3 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 3 |
| Pin 53 | RF4 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 4 |
| Pin 54 | RF5 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 5 |
| Pin 55 | RF6 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 6 |
| Pin 56 | RF7 — Bidirectional I/O port F bit 7 |
| Pin 57 | RG0 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 0 |
| Pin 58 | RG1 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 1 |
| Pin 59 | RG2 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 2 |
| Pin 60 | RG3 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 3 |
| Pin 61 | RG4 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 4 |
| Pin 62 | RG5 — Bidirectional I/O port G bit 5 |
| Pin 63 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 64 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3-3.6V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1946T-I/MR is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Thermostat with LCD, Handheld Medical Monitoring Device, Industrial Weighing Scale with Segmented LCD, Smart Home Sensor Hub with LCD, Consumer Appliance HMI Panel, IoT Edge Node with Local Display.
Battery-Powered Thermostat with LCD
The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR is well suited for battery-powered thermostats requiring an integrated LCD readout, low sleep current, and 3.3V-only operation. The device's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 1 uA, enabling multi-year battery life on 2xAA cells. Its integrated LCD driver supports up to 192 segments, eliminating the need for an external driver chip and reducing BOM cost. With 32 MHz operation and 14 KB Flash, the MCU can handle PID loop control, weekly schedule logic, and capacitive touch keypad scanning via the CTMU peripheral. Place the device between the battery and the LCD bias charge pump; ensure the exposed pad is soldered to a grounded copper pour for stable thermal performance across the -40C to +85C operating range.
Recommended
Handheld Medical Monitoring Device
The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR fits handheld medical monitoring devices (pulse oximeters, glucose meters, digital thermometers) that need low-power operation, an integrated LCD, and a modest pin count for sensor interfacing. The LF variant's 2.3-3.6V operation aligns with single-cell Li-ion battery packs (3.0-4.2V regulated to 3.3V). The CTMU peripheral enables capacitive touch button scanning without extra components, while the MSSP (SPI/I2C) communicates with sensor front-ends. With 14 KB Flash, firmware can implement sensor calibration curves, LCD animations, and BLE-passthrough command handling. The 32 MHz CPU speed keeps response time below 100 ms, which is critical for medical user experience. Use a 1 uF ceramic bypass capacitor near each VDD pin for clean ADC readings.
Recommended
Industrial Weighing Scale with Segmented LCD
Industrial bench scales require a microcontroller capable of driving a 4- or 6-digit 7-segment LCD, interfacing with a load-cell ADC, and operating reliably in factory environments. The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR meets these needs with its integrated LCD driver (no external driver needed), 32 MHz CPU for fast filter settling on load cell signals, and -40C to +85C industrial temperature range. The MSSP (SPI) can interface with a 24-bit sigma-delta ADC such as the MCP3551 for high-precision weight measurement, while the EUSART supports RS-232 or RS-485 communication with the host PLC. With 512 bytes of RAM and 256 bytes of EEPROM, the MCU can store calibration constants and last-known-good tare values across power cycles. The 64-VFQFN package provides ample ground/power pins for noise-immune layout.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Hub with LCD
The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR is a strong fit for smart-home sensor hubs that need a small local display (room temperature, humidity, CO2 readings) while maintaining low standby power. The LF voltage range matches common 3.3V wireless modules (ESP32, nRF24, LoRa). The integrated LCD driver allows direct connection to a 4x20 character or 128-segment display without an I2C expander, simplifying the BOM. The 14 KB Flash is ample for sensor fusion logic, hysteresis-based control, and simple BLE/Zigbee AT-command parsing. The CTMU peripheral enables touch-based user input (mode selection buttons) on the front panel. With nanoWatt XLP sleep below 1 uA, battery-powered versions of these hubs can run for over a year on 2xAA cells. Add a 100 nF decoupling cap on each VDD/VSS pair.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance HMI Panel
The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR drives the human-machine interface (HMI) of consumer appliances such as coffee machines, microwave ovens, and washing machines. Its integrated LCD driver eliminates an external driver chip, reducing PCB cost in cost-sensitive consumer products. With 36 I/O pins, the MCU can simultaneously scan a 4x4 capacitive touch keypad, drive PWM-controlled loads (pumps, valves, heaters), and interface with I2C sensors. The 32 MHz speed ensures responsive touch feedback and smooth LCD refresh. The wide operating temperature range supports the harsh thermal environment inside appliances. The CTMU peripheral simplifies touch-sensing firmware. Use opto-isolated drivers between the MCU and mains-powered actuators for safety compliance.
Recommended
IoT Edge Node with Local Display
IoT edge nodes that aggregate sensor data and show it locally on a small LCD are well served by the PIC16LF1946T-I/MR. The LF voltage range matches common wireless modules (LoRa, Sigfox, NB-IoT) that operate at 3.3V. The integrated LCD driver simplifies the local display, while the MSSP and EUSART peripherals handle both sensor and radio communication. With 14 KB Flash, the firmware can store configuration, perform edge analytics (peak detection, averaging), and format data for the radio module. The 32 MHz CPU keeps the local UI responsive even while the radio is transmitting. The 64-VFQFN package provides good thermal dissipation for continuous-duty radio applications. Designers should add TVS protection on the radio antenna line for ESD immunity.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1946T-I/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1946-I/MR | PIC16LF1947-I/MR | PIC16F1946-I/MR | PIC16LF1946T-I/PT | PIC16F1946T-I/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR) | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR) - same | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR) - same | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR) - same | TQFP-64 (PT) - different package, requires layout change | 64-VFQFN Exposed Pad (MR) - same |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash | 14 KB Flash (same) | 28 KB Flash (+100%) | 14 KB Flash (same) | 14 KB Flash (same) | 14 KB Flash (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 3.6 V (same) | 2.3 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (F, wider) | 2.3 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (F, wider) |
| 5V Tolerant I/O | No (LF variant) | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz / 8 MIPS | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) | 32 MHz (same) |
| LCD Segments | Up to 192 | Up to 192 (same) | Up to 192 (same) | Up to 192 (same) | Up to 192 (same) | Up to 192 (same) |
| I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) |
| Packaging Delivery | Tape & Reel (T suffix) | Tray (no T suffix) | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated LCD driver for up to 192 segments (vs PIC16LF1938T-I/ML)
- Low-voltage operation (LF variant) optimized for 3.3V battery designs (vs PIC16F1946-I/MR)
- nanoWatt XLP technology with deep Sleep mode (vs PIC16LF1939T-I/PT)
- CTMU peripheral for capacitive touch without external components (vs PIC16LF18455-I/SP)
Design Notes
The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR has four VDD pins and three VSS pins (plus the exposed pad) that must all be connected for proper operation. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the supply entry point. The nanoWatt XLP sleep current is rated below 1 uA in Sleep mode with the secondary oscillator off; using the secondary 32 kHz oscillator for Sleep with periodic wake-ups via WDT or RTCC consumes ~0.5-1 uA typical. Estimated: total quiescent current ~3-5 uA with watchdog enabled.
Solder the exposed thermal pad of the 64-VFQFN package to a grounded copper pour of at least 0.25 square inches for thermal dissipation and electrical ground return. Use 0.5 mm pitch QFN land pattern per IPC-7351; the central thermal pad should be approximately 5 mm x 5 mm with multiple thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 1 mm pitch) connecting to the inner ground plane. Under-fill is NOT recommended unless the device is used in high-vibration environments. Place the MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kohm) close to the MCLR pin and add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity.
The 'LF' (low-voltage) prefix means the device is NOT 5V tolerant on any digital I/O pin - applying >3.6V to any I/O will damage the part. If your design requires 5V peripheral interfacing, select the PIC16F1946 (F variant, 1.8-5.5V) instead. The PIC16LF1946T-I/MR is also incompatible with 5V analog references; use the internal bandgap reference or a low-voltage external reference (max 3.6V). Additionally, the 'T' suffix indicates Tape & Reel packaging - the same silicon in tray packaging is the PIC16LF1946-I/MR (no T), useful for prototype builds. Always confirm the full part number including suffix matches your BOM before placing production orders.
Route the ICSP programming lines (ICSPDAT = RB7, ICSPCLK = RB6) as short and direct as possible to the programming header, with no series resistors on the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK lines (these are required for in-circuit programming). Place the 32.768 kHz crystal within 5 mm of SOSCO/SOSCI pins with guard traces to reduce stray capacitance. The LCD segment outputs should be routed together and away from high-frequency noise sources (PWM outputs, oscillator traces) to prevent display artifacts. Use a ground guard ring around the analog inputs (AN0-AN7) for clean ADC readings.
When using the CTMU peripheral for capacitive touch sensing, allocate dedicated I/O pins (typically port C) for touch electrodes and avoid sharing them with high-impedance analog inputs. Use a 100 kohm pull-up on the MCLR line and bypass with 100 nF for reliable reset behavior in noisy industrial environments. For SPI communication at speeds above 4 MHz, add 33 ohm series damping resistors near the source to reduce ringing. Estimated: trace impedance mismatch on long SPI runs (>50 mm) can degrade signal integrity at 8 MHz clock.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page (Pb-free package). Not AEC-Q100 qualified; choose automotive-qualified PIC variants for automotive designs. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
