PIC12F1840-I/P - 8-bit 32MHz XLP MCU 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F1840-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.45 | $1.45 |
| 10 | $1.3 | $13.00 |
| 100 | $1.12 | $112.00 |
| 500 | $0.96 | $480.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.85 | $850.00 |
PIC12F1840-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and programmable peripherals into one package. The PIC12F1840 belongs to the 8-bit PIC microcontroller family, itself a subfamily of microcontrollers within the broader integrated circuit and embedded systems taxonomy. Its XLP variants extend the family into ultra-low-power domains where quiescent current is measured in nanoamperes, making the PIC12F1840-I/P a hybrid of compact 8-pin form factor and modern low-power performance.
Key features include six I/O pins multiplexed with peripherals such as a 10-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, Enhanced PWM, MSSP for SPI/I2C, EUSART, and configurable logic cells. The device supports internal 32 MHz oscillator, 31 kHz LFINTOSC, and PLL, eliminating external crystals in many designs. Core peripherals include a WWDT windowed watchdog, BOR/POR power management, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP), and code protection via Microchip's low-pin-count IP (US Patent 5,847,450).
Architecturally, the PIC12F1840 uses a RISC Harvard CPU with separate program and data buses, single-cycle instruction execution at 32 MHz (125 ns instruction time), and 16-deep hardware stack. The flash memory is self-read/write capable, supporting live firmware updates and data EEPROM emulation. XLP technology provides sleep currents as low as 20 nA typical, with multiple power-managed operating modes (Run, Idle, Sleep) selectable in software.
Typical applications include consumer remote controls, sensor node interfaces, battery-powered IoT edge devices, simple motor control loops, LED driving, and low-cost educational platforms. The 8-pin PDIP form factor is also widely used in retrofits for legacy PIC12F675/PIC12F683 designs, since the PIC12F1840 offers a clean migration path with substantially more memory and peripherals.
When designing with this device, ensure decoupling caps (100 nF + 10 uF bulk) are placed close to VDD/VDDCORE pins, MCLR is pulled up correctly for ICSP, and unused I/O pins are configured as outputs low to minimize current. For automotive or AEC-Q100 work, the PIC12F1840-I/P industrial grade operates from -40C to +85C, so consult the automotive grade separately if required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F1840-I/P — 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 PIC12F1840-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, MSL Level, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1840-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-E/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-E/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1822-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1572-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1501-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit enhanced mid-range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Data SRAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM | Enhanced PWM, up to 4 outputs |
| Communication | MSSP (I2C/SPI), EUSART |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, 16-level hardware stack |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Package | PDIP-8 (through-hole) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F1840-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive power supply input (1.8 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O pin; analog AN4, CCP1, P1A, T1CKI |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O pin; analog AN3, CLKOUT, T1G, SDO |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Input only / Master Clear reset (active low) / ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O pin; analog AN5, CCP1, P1B, RX/DT |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O pin; analog AN6, SDA, SDI, TX/CK |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O pin; analog AN7, SCL, SCK, CCP2 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC12F1840-I/P is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control, White-Goods LED Driver Controller, Hobbyist and Education Platform, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Simple Closed-Loop Fan or Pump Controller, Retrofit Upgrade for PIC12F675 Designs.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC12F1840-I/P's nanoWatt XLP sleep mode and 1.8V minimum VDD let it run years on a coin cell for remote sensor nodes. Its 32 MHz core, 7 KB flash, and 10-bit ADC handle local filtering before waking the host. Use it as a sleep-mode MCU that wakes the main SoC only when threshold crossings occur, with the MSSP handling I2C/SPI sensor handoff. A typical design pulls 20 nA in sleep and 130 uA/MIPS active, an excellent ratio for duty-cycled IoT endpoints.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control
The PIC12F1840-I/P's compact 8-PDIP package, low power, and 32 MHz CPU make it well suited to IR remote control transmitter designs. The 16-bit timer and PWM peripheral generate the 38 kHz carrier for NEC, RC5, or SIRC protocols with no software overhead, and the 6 I/O pins handle a key matrix of up to 12 buttons plus an IR LED driver. A typical coin-cell design achieves 100,000-button-press battery life thanks to the 20 nA sleep floor of nanoWatt XLP.
Recommended
White-Goods LED Driver Controller
The PIC12F1840-I/P's Enhanced PWM and 32 MHz core deliver precise PWM dimming for white-goods LED lighting strips, with the 16-bit timer giving 16-bit duty resolution at 1 kHz. The 6 I/O pins can drive RGB or warm/cool white channels plus a button interface for user dimming. Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature grade and the 1.8-5.5 V supply range support direct connection to rectified 5 V or 3.3 V appliance rails without an LDO.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Education Platform
The PIC12F1840-I/P is a favorite on breadboards because the 0.1 inch PDIP-8 pitch accepts standard headers and the 8-pin DIP is large enough for students to probe. The 7 KB flash holds modest C programs written in MPLAB XC8, the 6 I/O pins drive LEDs, buttons, and a UART header, and the ICSP interface works with PICkit 3/4 programmers. Curriculum builds include a reaction timer, a stoplight, a tone generator, and a basic PWM motor driver.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC12F1840-I/P's 10-bit ADC, 1.024 V internal reference, and 32 MHz arithmetic are well matched to bridge-sensor and 4-20 mA loop signal conditioning in industrial panels. The MSSP peripheral supports I2C communication with external EEPROMs or ADCs, while the EUSART drives RS-485 transceivers for plant-floor backhaul. The industrial -40 C to +85 C rating covers outdoor enclosures and most factory environments.
Recommended
Simple Closed-Loop Fan or Pump Controller
The PIC12F1840-I/P can implement a temperature-proportional closed-loop fan or pump controller using its 10-bit ADC to read an NTC thermistor and the Enhanced PWM to drive a MOSFET gate. The 32 MHz core and 49-instruction RISC architecture deliver 8 MIPS, enough to run a PID loop at 1 kHz with no software optimization. Industrial temperature grade and the 1.8-5.5 V supply make the part robust against rectified mains-rail noise.
Recommended
Retrofit Upgrade for PIC12F675 Designs
The PIC12F1840-I/P is a true drop-in upgrade for legacy PIC12F675 and PIC12F683 8-pin designs: same DIP-8 footprint, same pinout, and the same 8-bit PIC core family. The 7x increase in flash (7 KB vs 1 KB), 4x increase in RAM (256 B vs 64 B), higher 32 MHz clock (vs 20 MHz), and modern XLP sleep modes let a 25-year-old product gain performance without any PCB changes. Firmware must be rebuilt with the latest XC8 toolchain to support the enhanced mid-range instruction set.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F1840-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1840-E/P | PIC12F1840-E/SN | PIC12F1840-E/MF | PIC12F1822-I/P | PIC12F1572-I/P | PIC12F1501-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | PDIP-8 | PDIP-8 - same | SOIC-8 | DFN-8 | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same | PDIP-8 - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB (-50%) | 3.5 KB (-50%) | 1.75 KB (-75%) |
| Data SRAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 128 B (-50%) | 128 B (-50%) | 64 B (-75%) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 8-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch | 10-bit, 4 ch |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP | nanoWatt XLP |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| 1k Piece Price (USD, as of 2026-09-15) | 0.85 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.78 | 0.82 | 0.70 |
Key Differentiators
- Largest flash memory in 8-pin PIC12 family (vs PIC12F1822-I/P)
- Highest 8-bit CPU speed in industrial grade (vs PIC12F1501-I/P)
- Drop-in upgrade from legacy PIC12F675/PIC12F683 (vs PIC12F675-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 1) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the same node to suppress switching transients when the internal charge pump or PWM driver switches. The PIC12F1840-I/P draws only 20 nA typical in Sleep mode but jumps to several mA when active; the bulk cap prevents the supply rail from sagging during fast wake-and-sleep cycles. For battery designs, place a 1 MOhm pull-up on MCLR to limit quiescent draw to the absolute minimum.
Route the ICSP signals (ICSPDAT on RC4/RC5, ICSPCLK on RC3) away from high-frequency switching nodes to prevent programming failures in-circuit. The 8-PDIP package allows standard 0.1 inch prototyping headers, but production layouts should still use wide ground traces around VSS (pin 8) and provide a solid ground pour. Estimated: with a 2-layer 1 oz copper board, the ground-pour thermal resistance is approximately 80 C/W, more than enough for the 100 mW maximum dissipation of this part.
Do not leave the MCLR/RA3 pin (pin 4) floating - it is the only input-only pin and is sampled during reset. A 10 kOhm pull-up to VDD is required for normal operation; for ICSP programming, the programmer drives this pin high. A second common pitfall is configuring the ADC channel on a digital output pin - the PIC12F1840's analog pins must be explicitly set to analog mode via the ANSEL register, or the digital input buffer will load the signal and skew ADC readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - industrial grade only; for AEC-Q100 work use the automotive-suffixed PIC12F1840 variant. Code protection covered by Microchip Low Pin Count Patent US 5,847,450.
