PIC16LF818T-I/ML - 8-bit PIC MCU, 10MHz, 1.75KB Flash, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF818T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.37 | $237.00 |
| 500 | $2.13 | $1,065.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
PIC16LF818T-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripherals onto one silicon die. Microchip's PIC16F family uses an enhanced Harvard RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word, which simplifies instruction decoding and produces compact, deterministic code suited for cost-sensitive embedded control. These MCUs sit below 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts in computational capability but excel at deterministic I/O control, low power, and small form-factor designs, making them a workhorse for consumer white goods, sensors, and industrial control modules.
The PIC16LF818T-I/ML runs from 2.0V to 5.5V (LF = low-voltage F-series variant), has 10 ADC channels at 10-bit resolution, a 3-channel enhanced capture/compare/PWM module, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, and hardware USART/MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripherals. The NanoWatt technology suite (extended WDT, sleep, and INT-on-change modes) plus a low-power 32 kHz internal oscillator lets the device achieve quiescent currents under 1 microamp in sleep, which is critical for battery-backed sensor nodes. The QFN-28 package with EP improves thermal dissipation and PCB density versus DIP/SOIC variants.
Typical applications include handheld instrumentation, sensor signal conditioning with on-chip ADC, low-power remote controls, battery chargers, motor-driver front-ends, and IoT edge nodes where deterministic control and ultra-low sleep current outweigh the need for higher MIPS. The 28-QFN footprint also makes the device a drop-in upgrade path for designs migrating from older PIC16F84/PIC16F628-era boards.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF818T-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 PIC16LF818T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, ADC, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF818-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.28 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF819-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SOTSL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit Mid-Range (14-bit instruction, Harvard) |
| Family | PIC16F (LF = low-voltage variant) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + one 16-bit |
| CCP Modules | 1 (Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication Peripherals | AUSART (RS-232/485), MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Internal Oscillator | 31 kHz LF + 8 MHz HF (factory calibrated) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6 x 6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Sensitivity | MSL3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF818T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/CVREF — Digital I/O / analog input / comparator voltage reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / analog input / Timer0 clock input (open-drain) |
| Pin 6 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — Digital I/O / oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — Digital I/O / oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 11 | RB1/AN5 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 12 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB3/PGM — Digital I/O / LVP programming entry |
| Pin 14 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICD clock / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICD data / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | Vdd — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Enhanced CCP1 output |
| Pin 23 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC6/TX/CK — USART async TX / I2C clock |
| Pin 27 | RC7/RX/DT — USART async RX / I2C data |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF818T-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Handheld Battery-Powered Instruments, Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes, Low-Power Remote Controls, Battery Charger Control Loops, Small Motor-Drive Front Ends, IoT Edge Nodes with Deterministic Control.
Handheld Battery-Powered Instruments
The PIC16LF818T-I/ML suits handheld battery-powered instruments because it operates from 2.0 V to 5.5 V and ships with NanoWatt technology that drops quiescent current below 1 microamp in sleep mode. The 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels digitizes sensor signals directly, while the 16 I/O lines drive LCD segments, keypads and status LEDs. The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package keeps the board footprint small enough for pen-sized form factors, and the on-chip 31 kHz LF oscillator eliminates an external watch crystal in many designs, cutting BOM cost by USD 0.20 to 0.40 per unit.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Nodes
The PIC16LF818T-I/ML is a strong fit for analog sensor signal-conditioning nodes that need on-chip ADC plus USART/SPI/I2C communication. Its 10-bit ADC at 5 channels delivers adequate resolution for thermocouple, thermistor and strain-gauge front ends after external amplification, and the 16 MIPS core computes linearization and averaging in real time. The 28-QFN EP package provides thermal headroom for sustained ADC sampling without derating, while 128 bytes of EEPROM stores calibration coefficients across power cycles.
Recommended
Low-Power Remote Controls
For IR/RF remote controls and wireless keyfobs, the PIC16LF818T-I/ML draws under 1 microamp in sleep and wakes in microseconds via the Watchdog Timer or external interrupt. The hardware USART plus MSSP block generates IR-modulated carrier patterns or drives an external 433/915 MHz transceiver without software bit-banging, and 1.75 KB of Flash holds a full RC5/RC6 or proprietary protocol stack. The exposed-pad QFN-28 package meets handheld drop-test requirements better than SOIC variants.
Recommended
Battery Charger Control Loops
The PIC16LF818T-I/ML closes the control loop on single-cell Li-ion / LiPo / NiMH chargers. Its 10-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and charge current at 1 ms cadence, while the Enhanced CCP module generates PWM for a synchronous buck or linear regulator pass element. The 16 MIPS core runs CC-CV profile state machines with thermal-foldback, and 128 bytes of EEPROM retains learned battery parameters through shipment and storage. The 2.0 V minimum Vdd allows direct connection to a single-cell pack without a separate LDO.
Recommended
Small Motor-Drive Front Ends
For brushed DC and small stepper motor front ends, the PIC16LF818T-I/ML provides the Enhanced CCP module for PWM generation up to 20 kHz, plus quadrature decoding for encoder feedback via the 16-bit timer. The 25 mA source/sink per pin can drive logic-level MOSFET gate drivers directly, eliminating a pre-driver stage. Hardware USART streams telemetry back to a host controller at 115.2 kbps while the on-chip ADC monitors motor current for stall detection.
Recommended
IoT Edge Nodes with Deterministic Control
The PIC16LF818T-I/ML targets low-cost IoT edge nodes where deterministic GPIO control, sub-microamp sleep, and a compact 6x6 mm QFN outweigh the need for 32-bit performance. The MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces to environmental sensors and an external radio module, while the USART links to a host gateway. The 14-bit Mid-Range core produces compact, predictable interrupt-service routines that fit in 1.75 KB Flash, and the 28-QFN footprint lets designers place the MCU on the back side of small sensor PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF818T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF818-I/ML | PIC16LF819-I/ML | PIC16LF818T-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN family - same |
| Core | 8-bit Mid-Range (14-bit instr.) | 8-bit Mid-Range (14-bit instr.) | 8-bit Mid-Range (14-bit instr.) | 8-bit Mid-Range (14-bit instr.) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| Program Flash | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 3.5 KB (+100%) | 1.75 KB |
| SRAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Larger 3.5 KB Flash with identical 28-QFN footprint for future code growth (vs PIC16LF819-I/ML)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range vs PIC16F818 at the same price tier (vs PIC16F818-I/ML)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature option for automotive/industrial under-hood use (vs PIC16LF818T-E/SO)
Design Notes
Decouple Vdd with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of pin 18, and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum polymer capacitor on the same rail. The PIC16LF818T-I/ML's NanoWatt sleep current is below 1 microamp only when the ADC, comparators, and peripherals are disabled; failing to clear the ADC ON bit (ADON) before SLP keeps the ADC bias running and inflates Iq by 100 to 200 microamps. Estimated: Iq sleep ~0.7 uA per manufacturer datasheet typical curves at 3 V.
The 28-QFN EP (exposed pad) MUST be soldered to a continuous ground pour that reaches at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 1 mm pitch) to the inner/ground plane. Without EP soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance theta_JA can rise above 80 C/W and cause thermal shutdown at only 250 mW dissipation. For high-I/O-count designs, route PORTA/PORTB/RC traces on the top layer only and use the bottom layer as an uninterrupted ground plane to minimize EMI.
Do not leave MCLR (pin 6) floating; tie it to Vdd through a 10 kohm resistor and add a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity, otherwise spurious resets occur during power-ramp. PIC16LF818 LF variants require firmware configuration of the internal 31 kHz LF oscillator and the fail-safe clock monitor before relying on it as the system clock. The ICD/ICSP pins (RB6/RB7) must NOT be used as outputs driving LEDs without a series resistor, because LVP programming mode reclaims those pins at reset and can source/sink current unexpectedly.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use the PIC16F818-E or PIC16F819-E variants.
