Microchip PIC16LF1827-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Datasheet and Design Guide

The Microchip PIC16LF1827-I/SO is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit microcontroller built on Microchip’s enhanced mid-range PIC® architecture with the powerful XLP technology. This device is housed in an SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, making it suitable for space-constrained and power-sensitive applications such as consumer electronics, sensor nodes, battery-powered systems, and embedded control.

Core Features and Capability

At the heart of the PIC16LF1827 lies an enhanced Harvard architecture CPU with a 32-level deep hardware stack and 49 instructions. It operates at a maximum frequency of 32 MHz, delivering up to 8 MIPS performance. The microcontroller includes 14 KB of Flash program memory and 1024 bytes of RAM, providing ample space for embedded applications. A key highlight is its eXtremely Low Power (XLP) feature, which enables nanoWatt-level consumption, making it ideal for designs requiring long battery life.

Integrated Peripherals for System Flexibility

The PIC16LF1827 integrates a rich set of peripherals designed to reduce system complexity and component count. It features:

- mTouch™ capacitive sensing module for implementing touch interfaces without external components.

- Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI/I²C) modules for system communication.

- Two 8-bit and one 16-bit timers, along with a Watchdog Timer (WDT) for robust system management.

- A 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 12 channels for precision analog signal acquisition.

- Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules for motor control and power management applications.

Design Considerations

When designing with the PIC16LF1827, particular attention should be paid to power management and clock configuration. Utilizing the Internal Oscillator Block can save board space and reduce cost. The IDLE and DOZE sleep modes are critical for optimizing power efficiency. For reliable operation, proper decoupling and PCB layout practices are essential, especially when using the ADC or high-speed communication interfaces.

Development Support

Microchip provides a comprehensive ecosystem for development, including the MPLAB® X IDE and PICKit™ programming tools. The MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) is a particularly valuable plugin that generates drivers and simplifies peripheral initialization, significantly accelerating firmware development.

ICGOODFIND: The PIC16LF1827-I/SO stands out as a versatile, ultra-low-power 8-bit MCU. Its combination of high integration, exceptional power economy, and robust peripheral set makes it an outstanding choice for designers aiming to build efficient, compact, and responsive embedded systems.

Keywords:

Low Power Consumption

Capacitive Sensing

Enhanced Peripherals

XLP Technology

SOIC Package