PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 16 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.2 | $3.20 |
| 10 | $2.9 | $29.00 |
| 100 | $2.55 | $255.00 |
| 500 | $2.3 | $1,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture 8-bit RISC processor family from Microchip that integrates Flash program memory, data RAM, EEPROM, peripherals, and a CPU into a single chip. PIC microcontrollers sit within the broader taxonomy of microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC, and are widely used in cost-sensitive, low-power embedded designs. The PIC16F/LF8xx family specifically targets applications that require ADC and PWM peripherals with nanoWatt low-power operation, balancing capability with the simplest PIC instruction set (35 single-word instructions).
Key features of the PIC16LF818 include 5 channels of 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) for sensor interfacing, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module for motor and lighting control, nanoWatt power management modes for battery-friendly operation, and an internal oscillator that eliminates the need for an external crystal in many designs. The 'LF' variant specifies the extended low-voltage operating range of 2.0 V to 5.5 V versus the 'F' variant's typical 4.0 V to 5.5 V range. The /SOTSL suffix decodes as: SO = SOIC-18 package, T = tape and reel, SL = Matte-Tin lead finish (Pb-free / RoHS compliant).
Architecturally, the PIC16LF818 uses a 14-bit instruction word with separate program and data buses, enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and data access. Its nanoWant Power Management unit provides Sleep mode with current as low as the sub-µA range, an internal RC oscillator with selectable frequencies (31 kHz to 8 MHz), and a watchdog timer for unattended recovery. The 10-bit ADC with 5 channels supports both single-ended and differential conversions, while the CCP module can generate PWM signals for dimming, motor speed control, or timing applications.
Typical applications for the PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL include sensor interface nodes in industrial control, low-power remote controls, small appliance control boards, battery-powered instrumentation, LED lighting controllers, and consumer electronics subsystems. Its 16 I/O count fits well with mid-complexity designs that need digital I/O plus ADC channels without moving up to larger PIC18 or dsPIC devices.
When designing with this device, choose your oscillator configuration carefully - the internal oscillator saves BOM cost but offers reduced timing precision compared to an external crystal. For ADC accuracy, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on VDD and AVSS as close to the IC as possible, and follow Microchip's recommended PCB layout for analog and digital ground separation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, drops-in alternatives within the SOIC-18 footprint, and practical design notes drawn from the Microchip PIC16F818 family datasheet - information beyond what the bare datasheet provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL — 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 PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Internal Oscillator, ADC, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF818T-I/SOTSL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F88-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC 8-bit Microcontroller |
| Core | PIC16 RISC (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 128 x 8 bytes (128 B) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns @ 10 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 5 channels x 10-bit |
| CCP / PWM Module | 1 module (Capture / Compare / PWM) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Oscillator | Internal (no external crystal required for basic operation) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 inch, 7.50 mm width) - SOTSL designation |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Lead Finish | Matte-Tin (Pb-free, RoHS compliant) |
| Packaging | Tube (T = Tape & Reel alternate) |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/Vpp/RA5 — Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage / PORTA bit 5 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/Vref- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input channel 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / Oscillator crystal output / Clock output |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / Oscillator crystal input / Clock input |
| Pin 10 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt input |
| Pin 11 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming input |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 16 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / In-circuit debugger clock |
| Pin 17 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / In-circuit debugger data |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL is suitable for 7 applications: Low-Power Sensor Interface Module, LED Lighting Controller, Remote Control / IR Transmitter, Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Small Appliance Control Board, Consumer Device Subsystem Controller, Hobby / Educational Electronics Projects.
Low-Power Sensor Interface Module
The PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL is well-matched to industrial sensor interface nodes that must run from 2.0 V to 5.5 V battery or 3.3 V regulated rails. The on-chip 5-channel 10-bit ADC handles thermocouple, RTD bridge, and analog transducer signals with 10-bit resolution (4.88 mV at 5 V VREF), while the 1.75 KB Flash accommodates typical sensor linearization lookup tables. NanoWatt Sleep mode (sub-µA) enables duty-cycled wake-up/sleep sampling that extends coin-cell life into years. The internal oscillator removes BOM cost and PCB area versus an external crystal, and the SOIC-18 footprint is compatible with hand-soldered prototypes through high-volume SMT lines.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF818's Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module generates PWM signals up to 10-bit resolution at modest frequencies, ideal for LED dimming and color-mixing control in architectural or accent lighting. Its 16 I/O pins drive multi-channel LED strings, and the 1.75 KB Flash supports DMX or DALI protocol stacks for professional lighting installations. The LF supply range (2.0 V to 5.5 V) supports direct USB-powered or 24 V-buck-converter-fed topologies. The internal 8 MHz oscillator provides accurate PWM timing without external crystal cost, while nanoWatt Sleep mode lets battery-powered accent strips idle at µA-level current between fade commands.
Recommended
Remote Control / IR Transmitter
Consumer IR remote controls benefit from the PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL's nanoWatt Sleep current (sub-µA), so the MCU can idle indefinitely and wake via the RB0/INT external interrupt on a button press. The 1.75 KB Flash holds NEC, RC5, or SIRC protocol encoding tables for TV/STB/audio control, while the internal 8 MHz oscillator provides timing accuracy sufficient for IR carrier generation. 16 I/O pins cover a 4x4 button matrix for typical remote layouts, and the 2.0 V to 5.5 V range supports 2xAAA alkaline battery stacks down to end-of-life voltage. The 18-SOIC surface-mount package is well-suited for thin remote enclosures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Instrumentation
Portable instrumentation such as digital calipers, handheld multimeter peripherals, and field data loggers benefit from the PIC16LF818's 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range and nanoWatt sleep modes. The 10-bit ADC reads bridge sensors or potentiometer inputs with sufficient resolution for display scaling, while the CCP module generates timing pulses for ultrasonic ranging or piezo buzzer drive. 128 B RAM provides working buffer for moving-average filtering and calibration constants. The internal oscillator eliminates crystal standby current, and the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range supports outdoor and cold-chain logistics deployments.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
Coffee makers, blenders, fans, and similar small appliances use the PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL to read push-button / rotary-encoder inputs and drive TRIAC-gate or relay outputs for motor and heater control. The 16 I/O pins handle multi-button user interfaces, while the CCP PWM module drives TRIAC firing-angle modulation for proportional heating or fan speed. The ADC channels monitor temperature or motor current. Operating from 5 V DC derived from a mains-isolated supply, the MCU runs without voltage concerns. The SOIC-18 hand-solders easily on a single-layer appliance PCB, and the industrial temperature range tolerates under-cabinet heat.
Recommended
Consumer Device Subsystem Controller
Within a larger consumer product, the PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL serves as a sub-system controller for keyboards, capacitive-touch button scanning, low-side segment displays, or peripheral housekeeping. Its small Flash (1.75 KB) fits low-complexity glue-logic firmware, while 16 I/O pins map cleanly to a 4x4 key scan plus a few status LEDs. The internal oscillator is sufficient for sub-MHz scanning rates. Slave-mode I2C/SPI via MSSP can offload status reporting to a main host MCU. The 2.0 V to 5.5 V range follows the parent device's supply rail. The SOIC-18 package is widely accepted in high-volume SMT lines.
Recommended
Hobby / Educational Electronics Projects
The PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL is widely used in educational settings for teaching 8-bit embedded programming because the PIC16 architecture is straightforward to learn and Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler is free. Students can implement timer-based blinking, ADC sampling, PWM motor control, and serial communication within the 1.75 KB Flash budget. The SOIC-18 package is breadboard-compatible via SOIC-to-DIP adapter boards, and the internal oscillator eliminates crystal wiring complexity for first projects. Industrial temperature rating supports hobbyist field experiments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF818T-I/SOTSL | PIC16LF818-I/SO | PIC16F818-I/SO | PIC16F88-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (SO) | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-SOIC (SO) - same | 18-SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 7 KB (+300%) |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 368 B (+188%) |
| Data EEPROM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 256 B (+100%) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (no LF range) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (no LF range) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Number of I/O Pins | 16 | 16 - same | 16 - same | 16 - same | 16 - same |
| ADC Channels | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 7 x 10-bit (+2 channels) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended low-voltage 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range (vs PIC16F818-I/SO)
- Same 18-SOIC pinout with 4x larger Flash (vs PIC16F88-I/SO)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range (vs PIC16LF818-E/SO (extended))
Design Notes
Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on VDD (pin 18) placed within 5 mm of the IC, and a bulk 10 uF aluminum or tantalum capacitor for board-level decoupling. The PIC16LF818 supports Sleep mode with sub-µA current; ensure unused I/O pins are configured as outputs (low) or inputs with the internal weak pull-up disabled to minimize Sleep-mode leakage. The internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator is sufficient for most applications, but for asynchronous serial at standard baud rates an external 20 MHz crystal or the internal 8 MHz with PLL is recommended.
Separate analog and digital ground planes where possible. The PIC16LF818's 5 ADC inputs (AN0-AN4) share a common VREF; place AVSS and VSS as a single low-impedance ground return, and route analog traces away from digital switching signals. Place the VREF decoupling capacitor (typically 10 uF + 100 nF) directly on the VREF+ pin if used, or tie VREF+ to VDD with the internal reference selected. Pin 1 (MCLR) should be tied to VDD via a 10 kohm pull-up; if in-circuit programming is desired, place the ICSP header close to pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD per Microchip's debugger reference schematic.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on VDD - the LF range down to 2.0 V is the LF variant's only advantage over the F variant, but it still does not extend to 6 V typical of older PIC designs. When migrating from PIC16F818 to PIC16LF818, verify that any voltage reference or sensor output driving ADC channels does not exceed VDD + 0.3 V absolute maximum. The internal oscillator is factory-calibrated but can drift +/- 2% over temperature; for UART or USB timing-critical applications, use an external crystal. Pin RB3/PGM should be left low during normal operation to prevent inadvertent entry into Low-Voltage Programming mode.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance confirmed via SL (Matte-Tin) lead finish suffix. The 'I' suffix indicates industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C), not AEC-Q100 automotive. For automotive applications, refer to PIC18F or dsPIC automotive-grade part numbers.
