Microchip PIC16F1828-I/SO 8-Bit Microcontroller Overview and Application Guide
The Microchip PIC16F1828-I/SO is a high-performance, 8-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) from Microchip Technology’s extensive PIC® MCU portfolio. Housed in a 20-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package, this device is engineered for a wide range of embedded control applications, offering an optimal blend of processing capability, peripheral integration, and power efficiency.
At its core, the PIC16F1828 is built upon Microchip’s enhanced mid-range architecture. It operates at up to 32 MHz using its internal oscillator, delivering a solid 8 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) performance. This speed is more than sufficient for complex control algorithms and real-time system responses. A key feature is its nanowatt XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology, making it exceptionally suitable for battery-powered and energy-sensitive applications where minimizing power consumption is critical.
The MCU is equipped with a rich set of peripherals that reduce the need for external components, thereby lowering system cost and board space. Notable integrated features include:
Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART): Facilitates robust serial communication (UART) for connecting to PCs, other microcontrollers, or modules like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP): This peripheral can be configured as either I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), enabling communication with a vast ecosystem of sensors, memory chips, and display drivers.
Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG): An advanced peripheral for generating complementary PWM signals, which is ideal for motor control and power conversion applications like driving H-bridges.
10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): With up to 17 channels, it allows for precise measurement of multiple analog signals from sensors monitoring temperature, light, or voltage.
Hardware Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD): This unique feature supports advanced touch sensing with high noise immunity, enabling the design of robust capacitive touch interfaces.
The 14 KB of self-read/write Flash program memory and 1024 bytes of RAM provide ample space for application code and data handling. Furthermore, its 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory allows for the storage of critical parameters that must be retained even after a power cycle.
Application Guide
The versatility of the PIC16F1828-I/SO makes it a preferred choice across numerous industries:

Consumer Electronics: Used in remote controls, smart home devices, and personal care appliances, leveraging its touch sensing and low-power capabilities.
Automotive: Employed in subsystems like sensor interfaces, interior lighting control, and fan speed regulators due to its robust communication peripherals.
Industrial Control: Ideal for small-scale motor control, power supplies, and sensor nodes because of its CWG, communication interfaces, and analog features.
Internet of Things (IoT) Endpoints: Serves as the main controller in low-power sensor nodes that collect and transmit data to a central hub.
Development is supported by Microchip’s comprehensive ecosystem, including the MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the PICkit™ 4 In-Circuit Debugger, allowing for efficient coding, debugging, and programming.
The Microchip PIC16F1828-I/SO stands out as a highly integrated and power-efficient 8-bit MCU. Its combination of core performance, advanced peripherals like the CWG and hardware CVD, and nanowatt XLP technology makes it an exceptionally flexible solution for designers aiming to create sophisticated, reliable, and energy-conscious embedded systems across consumer, industrial, and automotive markets.
Keywords:
1. PIC16F1828-I/SO
2. 8-bit Microcontroller
3. Nanowatt XLP Technology
4. Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG)
5. Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD)
