PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL - 8-bit MCU, 1.75KB Flash, 128B RAM, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.36 | $1,180.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and programmable peripherals. Within the broader product taxonomy, the PIC16LF818 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller class, which sits under the wider umbrella of embedded microcontrollers, which in turn are a subset of integrated circuits and finally semiconductors. The "LF" prefix designates the low-voltage, low-power variant of the PIC16F818, while the "16" denotes the 14-bit instruction-word architecture used across the PIC16F mid-range family.
Key differentiating features include an internal 8 MHz oscillator, 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory, two analog comparators, a 10-bit ADC with up to 5 input channels, two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, a Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module, and nanoWatt sleep modes drawing as little as 100 nA. These peripherals enable motor control, sensor interfacing, and simple closed-loop control without external analog components.
The 20-pin SSOP package (SSTSL suffix, 209-mil body width) provides a compact surface-mount footprint roughly half the board area of an 18-pin DIP, supporting miniaturized designs while retaining through-hole-compatible pin order for easy migration from PIC16F818-I/P designs.
Typical applications include low-power battery sensors, automotive body controllers, HVAC damper drivers, IR remote control transmitters, and small appliance control panels where deterministic real-time response and low standby current are essential. Designers should leverage Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and the XC8 compiler for code development, and use the ICD debugger header for in-circuit programming. The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL supports ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) via the RB6/RB7 pins for production-line programming without removing the device from the board. This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16 family alternatives, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet summary.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL — 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/SSTSL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Program Memory (Flash), Core Architecture, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F818-I/SSTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F819-I/SSTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Enhanced Mid-Range (8-bit, 14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 10 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) | 1 module |
| Comparators | 2 analog comparators |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz (factory calibrated) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SSTSL) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| nanoWatt Sleep Current | Typical <1 uA (datasheet figure) |
| ICSP | Yes (RB6/RB7) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Reset input / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — Digital I/O / analog input / comparator reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input / positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/CCP2 — Digital I/O / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / UART TX / I2C clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / UART RX / I2C data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground (second pin for SSOP) |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body and Interior Controllers, Small Appliance Control Panels, IR Remote Control Transmitters, HVAC Damper and Fan Drivers, Hobbyist and Education Development Boards, Industrial Process Sensor Interface.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL's nanoWatt sleep current of under 1 uA and 2.0 V minimum VDD make it ideal for battery-powered sensor nodes that wake briefly to measure temperature, humidity, or PIR motion and return to sleep for months. With 128 B SRAM and 1.75 KB Flash, it can run Microchip's MiWi P2P stack-free sensor firmware in compact form. The 10-bit ADC provides 5 channels of analog sensing, removing the need for an external ADC. Place 0.1 uF ceramic bypass on VDD/VSS within 5 mm of the IC, and use sleep mode with WDT to extend CR2032 coin-cell life to several years.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Interior Controllers
The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL's industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C), 16 GPIO, and CCP module for PWM driving make it well-suited to automotive body controllers such as mirror adjusters, ambient lighting dimmers, and seat-position memory switches. Its 2.0-5.5 V supply range handles crank-down conditions on 12 V automotive buses when fed through an LDO. The 10-bit ADC reads back current-sensing shunts for LED drivers. Per Microchip datasheet, the device is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical automotive applications, migrate to PIC16LF18855 or PIC18F family parts that carry automotive grade certification.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Panels
The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL fits small-appliance control panels such as coffee makers, kitchen scales, and slow cookers where 16 GPIO drive LED-bar indicators, capacitive touch buttons, and triac-fired heater elements. The internal 8 MHz oscillator eliminates an external crystal, reducing BOM cost in sub-$20 consumer goods. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor inputs for closed-loop temperature control, and the CCP module generates zero-crossing-switched PWM for triac phase-angle control. Use the ICSP pins on RB6/RB7 for production-line programming to keep firmware field-upgradeable.
Recommended
IR Remote Control Transmitters
With only 1.75 KB of Flash, the PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL holds RC-5/RC-6 or SIRC transmit protocols for hand-held IR remote controls. The CCP module generates the 36/38/40 kHz carrier PWM, while a GPIO drives the IR LED through a BJT current sink. nanoWatt sleep at sub-1 uA preserves AAA battery life across years of standby. The 16 GPIO handle the keypad matrix scanning (up to 8x8) with internal weak pull-ups, and the 10-bit ADC is unused or used for battery-voltage end-of-life detection.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Fan Drivers
In zoned HVAC systems, the PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL runs the damper actuator and multi-speed fan controller, using its CCP module for PWM fan speed and a GPIO pair for H-bridge damper drive. The 10-bit ADC reads return-air temperature and humidity sensors, while the two analog comparators provide over-current fault detection on the motor driver without a dedicated comparator IC. Its 2.0 V minimum VDD lets it ride out brownouts on long motor-cable runs, and the 128 B EEPROM stores setpoints across power cycles.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Education Development Boards
The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL is widely used on Microchip's PICDEM and Curiosity development boards for educational coding and embedded-systems labs because of its 20-pin SSOP manageable I/O count, internal oscillator, and MPLAB X IDE / XC8 compiler support. It programs over ICSP via PICKIT 4 or Snap, and the modest 1.75 KB Flash keeps projects within the free XC8 optimization tier. The 10 MHz operation, 10-bit ADC, and CCP module cover most introductory to mid-level embedded curriculum topics including PWM, ADC, timers, and interrupts.
Recommended
Industrial Process Sensor Interface
The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL's 10-bit ADC, two comparators, and CCP module support industrial sensor-interface cards that read 4-20 mA loops, RTDs, or thermocouples and report them over UART or simple SPI. Its 2.0-5.5 V supply tolerance accommodates 24 V industrial bus rails through a simple resistor divider. The 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration coefficients for each sensor channel, eliminating factory re-trim. nanoWatt sleep modes make it suitable for solar-powered remote telemetry units in unattended field installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL | PIC16F818-I/SSTSL | PIC16F819-I/SSTSL | PIC16LF818-I/SO | PIC16LF818-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (SSTSL) | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SOIC (SO) | 18-PDIP |
| Flash Program Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same | 3.5 KB | 1.75 KB - same | 1.75 KB - same |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 256 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same |
| EEPROM | 128 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same | 256 B | 128 B - same | 128 B - same |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF only on /SSTSL) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same |
| CPU Speed | 10 MHz | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same | 10 MHz - same |
| ADC Channels / Resolution | 5 x 10-bit | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same | 5 x 10-bit - same |
| Pin Count | 20 | 20 - same | 20 - same | 20 - same | 20 - same | 18 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage operation in the family (2.0 V vs 4.0 V for the F variant) (vs PIC16F818-I/SSTSL)
- Identical footprint and instruction set for seamless upgrade (vs PIC16F819-I/SSTSL)
- Through-hole migration path for prototype-to-production (vs PIC16LF818-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) with a short trace to the VSS pin (pin 19). For applications switching high-current loads, add a 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same supply rail to suppress voltage transients. The PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL can operate from 2.0 V to 5.5 V - derate maximum clock frequency at VDD below 3.0 V per datasheet Figure 5-1.
Configure unused I/O as outputs driving low (or inputs with internal weak pull-ups enabled) to minimize IIDD. Never leave the MCLR pin floating - tie it through a 10 kohm resistor to VDD or drive it actively. When using the ICSP interface, isolate the RB6/RB7 pins from external circuitry that could load the programmer during in-circuit programming; 10 kohm series resistors are typically sufficient.
Keep the analog and digital grounds on a star-ground topology with the analog reference capacitor (if VREF+ is used) returning to the analog ground pin. Route the ADC inputs (RA0-RA5) away from switching nodes and PWM outputs to minimize digital-to-analog crosstalk. Place the optional external crystal (if not using the internal 8 MHz oscillator) close to OSC1/OSC2 with a guarded ground plane to reduce EMI pickup.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed via Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for safety-critical automotive applications migrate to PIC16LF18855 or PIC18F family parts that carry automotive grade certification.
