PIC16LF818T-E/SO - 8-bit 10MHz 1.75KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF818T-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.12 | $31.20 |
| 100 | $2.78 | $278.00 |
| 500 | $2.41 | $1,205.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.15 | $2,150.00 |
PIC16LF818T-E/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, peripherals, and I/O into one package, and PIC16F-series parts are mid-range 8-bit RISC devices widely used in cost-sensitive embedded control. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, the PIC16LF818 sits at: microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC mid-range family -> FLASH-based MCU. This positioning explains its popularity for both prototyping and production designs.
Key features include nanoWatt technology for low-power operation, an internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator, and an operating voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V (LF variant). The 'LF' designation in the part number confirms the wide-range low-voltage core; the 'E' suffix designates the extended industrial temperature grade of -40C to +125C. The part supports up to 16 digital I/O pins, three timers, a 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels, and an integrated synchronous serial port configurable for SPI or I2C.
Architecturally, the PIC16LF818 employs a Harvard-style RISC core with separate code and data buses, a 14-bit wide instruction word, and a single-cycle hardware stack that accelerates deterministic interrupt handling. The CMOS FLASH process allows field re-programmability and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) through two pins, eliminating external programming sockets. An internal 8 MHz and 31 kHz oscillator pair, plus PLL selectors, cover several wake-up and low-power scenarios with no extra latency.
Typical applications span consumer electronics, industrial automation, low-power sensor interfaces, and automotive subsystems requiring an extended temperature grade. Designers select this MCU for compact 18-pin board layouts that still need ADC sampling, EEPROM-backed parameter storage, and serial communication to a host processor.
When designing with this part, ensure decoupling capacitors of at least 0.1 uF are placed adjacent to VDD/AVDD and VSS/AVSS pins. The ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7) should be reserved with appropriate isolation if the application uses those pins for digital I/O during normal operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives drawn from the PIC16LF818 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing engineers and procurement teams an at-a-glance reference.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF818T-E/SO — 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 PIC16LF818T-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, ADC, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF818T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Series | PIC 16F (PIC16LF818) |
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC, 14-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) FLASH |
| Data SRAM | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (extended grade) |
| I/O Pins | 16 digital I/O |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Serial Communication | SSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF818T-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RA5 — Master Clear (reset) input / RA5 digital I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog channel 3 / ADC reference positive |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / analog channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF818T-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Consumer Electronics Control, Industrial Sensor Interface, Low-Power Battery Devices, Automotive Auxiliary Subsystems, HVAC and Home Appliance Controls, Educational and Prototyping Boards.
Consumer Electronics Control
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO fits consumer electronics control because of its 10 MHz CPU (10 MIPS throughput), 16 digital I/O pins, and 2.0V to 5.5V wide-range supply that accepts battery or regulated 3.3V/5V rails directly. The 1.75 KB FLASH supports small-to-mid-sized user-interface state machines; 128 B SRAM handles transient UI buffers; 128 B EEPROM stores user preferences and calibration across power cycles. Placed on the system control PCB with a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor adjacent to VDD, and connected via SPI or I2C to a host display or wireless module, the PIC16LF818 provides deterministic interrupt-driven control. Compared with bare 8-bit logic, the MCU adds in-field re-programmability via ICSP through RB6/RB7.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO fits industrial sensor interface applications because its 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels provides sufficient resolution for temperature, pressure, and flow sensors, while the 2.0V to 5.5V supply and -40C to +125C extended temperature grade cover harsh factory environments. The 128 B EEPROM stores calibration coefficients and sensor IDs across power cycles. Placed near the analog front end with proper ground isolation, the MCU reads sensor values, applies digital filtering in 128 B SRAM, and reports results over SPI or I2C to a host PLC. The 1.75 KB FLASH is sufficient for linearization tables and Modbus-style protocol stacks.
Recommended
Low-Power Battery Devices
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO is ideal for low-power battery devices because its nanoWatt technology and 2.0V to 5.5V LF core support deep sleep currents in the microamp range. The internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator allows wake-up from low-power modes without external components, while 128 B EEPROM preserves parameters when the MCU is fully powered down. Placed between a 2x or 3x AA battery stack and the load, with Watchdog Timer enabled for periodic wake-ups, the PIC16LF818 typically achieves months-to-years battery life. The 1.75 KB FLASH fits small protocol stacks (BLE beacon, LoRaWAN node controller, simple sensor logger).
Recommended
Automotive Auxiliary Subsystems
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO fits automotive auxiliary subsystems because its -40C to +125C extended temperature grade handles cabin and body-electronics thermal stress, and its 16 digital I/O drive LED drivers, relay coils, and switch inputs. The 10-bit ADC samples battery voltage and analog sensor inputs; 128 B EEPROM stores fault codes and trim values that survive engine-off conditions. Placed inside a body control module with reverse-battery and load-dump protection, the MCU runs LIN or simple CAN message handling on top of its SSP peripheral. For safety-critical or under-hood applications, choose an AEC-Q100-qualified variant; for interior accessories this E-grade part is appropriate.
Recommended
HVAC and Home Appliance Controls
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO fits HVAC and home appliance controls because its 16 I/O, 10-bit ADC, three timers, and PWM-capable Timer2 support motor-speed control, fan PWM, and triac-fired heater drives. The 1.75 KB FLASH fits typical state-machine firmware for washers, dishwashers, or thermostats; 128 B EEPROM retains user settings after power loss. Placed on the appliance control board with mains isolation and zero-cross detection, the MCU reads temperature/pressure sensors via the ADC and switches loads via opto-isolated drivers. The extended temperature grade ensures reliable operation in hot attics or near compressor enclosures.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Boards
The PIC16LF818T-E/SO is widely used in educational and prototyping boards because its ICSP interface (RB6/RB7) lets students program and debug without removing the chip, and the 18-SOIC package is breadboard-friendly with adapter PCBs. The 1.75 KB FLASH, 128 B EEPROM, and 10 MHz CPU are sufficient for introductory embedded C and assembly labs. Placed on a PIC training board with LEDs, pushbuttons, and a UART bridge, students exercise GPIO, timer interrupts, ADC sampling, and EEPROM read/write. The Microchip MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler are free, lowering the barrier to entry for educational institutions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF818T-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF818T-I/SO | PIC16LF818-I/SO | PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL | PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-SOIC | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same | 18-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH | 1.75 KB FLASH |
| Data SRAM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Packaging Form | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature grade -40C to +125C (vs PIC16LF818T-I/SO)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for SMT assembly (vs PIC16LF818-I/SO)
- Same die, same FLASH/RAM/EEPROM/CPU across the family (vs PIC16F818 (non-LF))
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 10) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the supply entry. The PIC16LF818 family is sensitive to VDD rise time for proper Power-on Reset; ensure the supply ramp is monotonic and below the BOR threshold ramp rate specified in the datasheet electrical characteristics. For battery-powered designs, use Sleep mode with Watchdog Timer wake-up to achieve quiescent currents in the microamp range.
Keep the ICSP clock and data traces (RB6/RB7) short and isolated from switching nodes; add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on RB6/RB7 if those pins are also used as digital I/O during normal operation to prevent floating-line programming errors. Place the crystal (if used) within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 with grounded guard traces, and route analog input traces away from digital switching lines to minimize ADC crosstalk.
Do not exceed 5.5V on VDD or apply voltage to any pin before VDD is powered; this can latch-up the CMOS logic and permanently damage the part. Configure unused I/O pins as outputs (driven low) or inputs with pull-ups to minimize Sleep-mode current. When using the ADC, set the TRIS register for analog pins and disable the digital input buffer on the active analog channel to prevent parasitic current draw.
The 10-bit ADC achieves best linearity with an input bandwidth limiter (RC low-pass) on each analog channel and an independent AVSS ground pin tied to the analog ground plane. For accurate ADC readings, perform a calibration cycle on power-up and average multiple samples in SRAM; the 128 B SRAM is sufficient for a 16-sample rolling-average filter on one input at a time.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the 'E' suffix indicates extended industrial temperature only, not automotive qualification. For AEC-Q100 qualified automotive safety applications, choose an AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16 variant. Lead-free confirmed per Microchip packaging specifications.