PIC16LF818T-I/SS - 1.75KB Flash MCU, 10MHz, SSOP-20 | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF818T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.12 | $3.12 |
| 10 | $2.81 | $28.10 |
| 100 | $2.49 | $249.00 |
| 500 | $2.18 | $1,090.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.86 | $1,860.00 |
PIC16LF818T-I/SS Overview
A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is a compact, Harvard-architecture 8-bit MCU originally developed by Microchip. PIC MCUs sit in the broader hierarchy of: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. They are optimized for deterministic real-time control with low power consumption and small code footprint, making them ideal for embedded control loops, sensor reading, and simple human-machine interfaces.
Key features of the PIC16LF818 include 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory, an 8MHz internal oscillator, nanoWatt power management with multiple sleep modes, a USART for serial communication, an I2C/SPI master/slave synchronous serial port, capture/compare/PWM modules, and nanoWatt technology for low standby current. These peripherals integrate so that a single chip can replace discrete logic plus a timer plus a UART.
Architecturally the PIC16LF818 uses a 14-bit instruction word, separate program and data buses (Harvard architecture), a hardware multiplier-free ALU, and a programmable code-protection scheme. The wide 2.0V-5.5V operating range allows direct operation from a 3.3V rail or a 4.5V battery stack without an additional regulator.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, consumer appliance controls, industrial telemetry, LED lighting controllers, battery chargers, and small motor/H-bridge drivers. The wide VDD range also suits USB-bus-powered toys and wearable devices.
When designing with this part, ensure the MCLR pull-up is present for proper reset behavior, place the decoupling 100nF capacitor within 3mm of the VDD pin, and use the ICSP programming footprint to allow in-circuit firmware updates.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF818T-I/SS — 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/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Internal Oscillator, Program Memory (Flash), ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F818T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818-I/SSTSL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF818T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 128 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Communication | USART, I2C/SPI (MSSP) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SS) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF818T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — GPIO RA0 / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — GPIO RA1 / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — GPIO RA2 / analog input AN2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — GPIO RA3 / analog input AN3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — GPIO RA4 / analog input AN4 / Timer0 clock |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS/HLVDIN — GPIO RA5 / analog input AN5 / SPI SS / HLVD input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — GPIO RC0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — GPIO RC1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — GPIO RC2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — GPIO RC3 / SPI SCK / I2C SCL |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — GPIO RC4 / SPI SDI / I2C SDA |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — GPIO RC5 / SPI SDO |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — GPIO RC6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — GPIO RC7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF818T-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Consumer Appliance Control, Industrial Telemetry and Monitoring, LED Lighting Controller, Battery Charger Controller, Small Motor / H-Bridge Driver, USB-Bus Powered Toy / Wearable.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC16LF818T-I/SS fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its 2.0V-5.5V VDD range allows direct operation from two AA cells (3.0V nominal) down to a 2.0V cutoff without an LDO, saving quiescent current and PCB area. Its nanoWatt sleep modes drop standby current to a few microamps, extending coin-cell life. The 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels reads battery voltage, temperature, and a digital sensor without external signal conditioning. The 16 GPIO pins provide plenty of I/O for SPI/I2C sensors and a status LED. Integrated USART enables wireless module uplink to an XBee or LoRa transceiver with no extra hardware. SSOP-20 fits inside a small IP67 enclosure, and the industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade supports outdoor deployment.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
In consumer appliances like coffee makers, microwave ovens, or air purifiers, the PIC16LF818T-I/SS drives the user interface, reads keypad inputs, and controls relays or TRIACs. The 16 GPIO pins directly drive a 7-segment LED display plus indicator LEDs and a buzzer without an I/O expander. The 200ns instruction cycle handles capacitive touch scanning or rotary encoder debouncing in real time. Internal EEPROM stores user presets (temperature, timer) without external memory. The 2.0V-5.5V VDD range simplifies designs that share a 5V supply with a TRIAC driver. The wide industrial temperature range supports the high ambient inside an appliance housing. SSOP-20 reflow-solders cleanly onto the appliance main PCB.
Recommended
Industrial Telemetry and Monitoring
For industrial telemetry, the PIC16LF818T-I/SS acts as a remote sensor-to-modbus gateway. The 10-bit ADC samples 4-20mA or 0-10V transducer inputs after a simple resistor divider; the USART outputs Modbus RTU frames over RS-485 with a small external transceiver. The wide -40C to +85C industrial temperature range survives factory floor and outdoor cabinet environments. The 2.0V-5.5V supply accepts both 24V industrial rails (after a small buck) and 3.3V battery backup during power dips. Internal 128-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and node address without external memory. The 20-pin SSOP package has the mechanical robustness for vibration-prone cabinets and is easy to hand-rework for serviceability.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC16LF818T-I/SS drives multi-channel LED lighting controllers in architectural or automotive interior lighting. The Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module generates hardware PWM independent of CPU cycles, allowing smooth dimming without flicker artifacts. With a 10MHz clock and 10-bit PWM resolution, fade transitions are visually seamless. The I2C/SPI peripheral drives LED driver ICs like the TLC5940 or WS2801 over a short bus. Internal EEPROM stores user-selected color presets and brightness curves. The 2.0V-5.5V range accepts a 5V LED supply directly, while the LF variant also supports a 3.3V standby mode for power-off memory retention. SSOP-20 is small enough to fit inside a junction box.
Recommended
Battery Charger Controller
In single or multi-cell battery chargers, the PIC16LF818T-I/SS monitors cell voltage via the 10-bit ADC, drives a charger FET, and terminates charge based on V/I/T algorithms. The 2.0V-5.5V range covers both Li-ion (3.7V nominal) and NiMH (1.2V per cell, stacked) chemistries. The 16 GPIO pins connect to the protection FETs, status LEDs, and a temperature sensor for cell thermal monitoring. The CCP module regulates charge current via a buck converter or linear pass element without CPU overhead. Internal EEPROM stores the last-used charging profile across power cycles. Industrial temperature grade supports garage or outdoor charging stations.
Recommended
Small Motor / H-Bridge Driver
For small DC motor or stepper drivers like RC servos, fans, or micro-pumps, the PIC16LF818T-I/SS generates the 50Hz servo PWM pulse train with hardware timers, freeing the CPU for feedback control. The 16 GPIO pins drive a discrete H-bridge (or external driver like the L293D) for bidirectional motor control. The 10-bit ADC reads current-sense amplifier output for closed-loop torque limiting. The 2.0V-5.5V range supports both 3.3V logic and 5V driver supply. The wide temperature range handles motor-mounted PCB heating. SSOP-20 reflow-solders onto the motor PCB for compact integration.
Recommended
USB-Bus Powered Toy / Wearable
In USB-bus powered toys, wearables, or novelty gadgets, the PIC16LF818T-I/SS draws power directly from the USB 5V rail (within the 2.0V-5.5V range) and runs animations, sound, or LED sequences. The 16 GPIO pins drive RGB LEDs, a small speaker via PWM, and capacitive touch pads. Internal EEPROM stores user-customized modes. nanoWatt sleep extends battery life on portable versions. The industrial temperature range covers body-heat-warmed enclosures. SSOP-20 reflows easily on a small flex or rigid PCB inside a wearable housing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF818T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F818T-I/SS | PIC16LF818-I/SS | PIC16LF818T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SS) | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same | 20-pin SSOP (SS) - same | 28-pin QFN (ML) - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Architecture | PIC 8-bit | PIC 8-bit | PIC 8-bit | PIC 8-bit |
| Flash Memory | 1.75 KB (1K x 14) | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B |
| EEPROM | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B | 128 B |
| Max Clock | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz | 10 MHz |
| VDD Range | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.0V to 5.5V (narrower) | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 (28-pin pkg) |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Unit Price (1 pc) | USD 3.12 | USD 3.05 | USD 3.20 (tube) | USD 3.25 |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.0V-5.5V VDD supports battery and 3.3V designs (vs PIC16F818T-I/SS)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range (vs PIC16LF818-E/SS)
- Tape & Reel packaging for SMT production (vs PIC16LF818-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3mm of the VDD pin (pin 20), with the ground return to the nearest VSS pin (pin 19) to minimize supply bounce during I/O switching. For noisy motor or relay circuits, add a 10uF tantalum or ceramic bulk capacitor on VDD. The PIC16LF818's internal 8MHz oscillator draws ~1mA active and <1uA in sleep per datasheet 30330F; if using an external crystal, also add a 100nF cap on each OSC pin to ground.
The PIC16LF818T-I/SS does not have an internal pull-up on MCLR. Always include an external 10k pull-up to VDD on pin 1, otherwise the device will randomly reset or fail to start. For ICSP programming, route MCLR/VPP, VDD, VSS, RB6/PGC, and RB7/PGD to an in-circuit programming header. Failure to add these connections blocks firmware updates after assembly.
Route the ICSP clock (PGC) and data (PGD) lines away from switching signals like PWM outputs or relay coils. Place the SSOP-20 footprint with adequate copper pour on the exposed pads to improve thermal dissipation during sustained GPIO switching. Keep analog input traces short and guarded with a ground trace on both sides to minimize ADC crosstalk. Reserve a 6-pin header footprint for ICSP even if not populated, to enable field firmware updates.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance confirmed by Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive, consider PIC16F818-E/SS or PIC16F818T-I/SS in automotive-qualified lots.
