Microchip PIC16LF1829-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Datasheet and Design Guide

The Microchip PIC16LF1829-I/SO is a high-performance, low-power 8-bit microcontroller based on Microchip’s enhanced mid-range PIC® architecture. This device integrates a rich set of peripherals, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of embedded control applications, including consumer electronics, sensor interfaces, and low-power battery-operated systems.

A key strength of the PIC16LF1829 lies in its ultra-low power consumption (XLP technology), which is critical for designs requiring extended battery life. The microcontroller operates over a wide voltage range (1.8V to 3.6V), enabling flexibility in power source selection. Its core features include 14 KB of Flash program memory, 1024 bytes of RAM, and 256 bytes of EEPROM, providing ample space for code and data storage.

The peripheral set of the PIC16LF1829 is particularly impressive for its class. It includes:

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

Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART) and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) / Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C™) modules for robust communication.

Two analog comparators and a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 12 channels for precision analog signal measurement.

Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) output for controlling power and brushless DC motor drives.

The PIC16LF1829-I/SO comes in an SOIC (150mil) package, which is suitable for automated assembly processes and offers a good balance between board space and ease of prototyping. Designers must pay close attention to the layout guidelines provided in the datasheet, especially for the LF variant, to ensure stable low-voltage operation and minimize noise affecting the analog and capacitive sensing peripherals. Decoupling capacitors should be placed as close as possible to the VDD and VSS pins.

Development is supported by Microchip’s comprehensive MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the PICKit™ 3 or 4 programmers/debuggers, allowing for rapid code development and in-circuit debugging.

ICGOODFIND: The Microchip PIC16LF1829-I/SO is a highly capable and energy-efficient 8-bit MCU. Its standout features include integrated capacitive sensing (mTouch), an extreme low-power (XLP) core, and a versatile peripheral set, making it a superior choice for space-constrained, power-sensitive, and cost-effective embedded designs.

Keywords:

1. Ultra-Low Power (XLP)

2. mTouch Capacitive Sensing

3. Enhanced Mid-Range Core

4. Peripheral Integration

5. SOIC Package