PIC12F1840T-I/RF - 8-bit 32MHz XLP MCU 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC12F1840T-I/RF โ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.36 | $1.36 |
| 10 | $1.22 | $12.20 |
| 100 | $1.08 | $108.00 |
| 500 | $0.95 | $475.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.84 | $840.00 |
PIC12F1840T-I/RF Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and peripheral interfaces such as timers, ADC, communications, and I/O. PIC12-series parts are 8-bit Harvard-architecture devices in the broader microcontroller taxonomy: MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC microcontroller -> PIC12 family -> enhanced mid-range core. Their 49-instruction, 16-level hardware stack RISC engine enables deterministic interrupt response in real-time control loops.
Key features include a 4-channel 10-bit ADC with internal voltage reference, one enhanced capture/compare/PWM (ECCP) module, one MI2C/SPI/EUSART with auto-baud peripheral, two comparators with selectable references, an integrated mTouch capacitive sensing module, a data signal modulator (DSM), and 25 mA source/sink I/O for direct LED drive. XLP technology supports nanoWatt sleep currents below 100 nA typical, which is essential for battery-powered sensor nodes.
The architecture uses a 14-bit instruction word with an 8-bit data path, a 16-level hardware stack, and self-read/write Flash. The integrated 32 MHz high-precision internal oscillator eliminates the need for an external crystal on cost-sensitive boards and reduces the BOM. The exposed thermal pad on the UDFN package provides a low thermal resistance path for higher-current I/O switching.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, wearable health devices, low-power remote controls, LED lighting controllers, capacitive touch user interfaces, and battery-backed security/keypad modules. The combination of a 10-bit ADC, ECCP PWM, and EUSART with auto-baud also suits brushed-DC fan control and simple BLDC commutation logic.
When designing with the PIC12F1840, leave the exposed pad (EP) soldered to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and supply decoupling. Always decouple VDD with a 0.1 uF ceramic close to the pin and place the ICSP programming pins (ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT) on dedicated test points or a 6-pin header to enable in-circuit debugging with the MPLAB Snap or PICkit.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from Mouser/DigiKey, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that are not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet. All data is sourced from verified distributor pages and Microchip's official PIC12F1840 datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12F1840T-I/RF โ 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 PIC12F1840T-I/RF (same form factor and footprint) โ differing in ADC, Core Architecture, MSL Level, Maximum CPU Speed, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool โ Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1840-I/RF
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1840T-I/RFVAO
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1840-E/RF
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1822T-I/RF
โ Drop-Inโ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet โPIC12F1571T-I/RF
โ Drop-In๐ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1840T-I/RF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC enhanced mid-range 8-bit (49 instructions, 16-level stack) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (internal oscillator) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 4-channel, 10-bit, with internal voltage reference |
| PWM Module | 1x ECCP (Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Comparators | 2 with selectable voltage reference |
| Communication Peripherals | MI2C, SPI, EUSART w/auto-baud |
| Capacitive Sensing | Integrated mTouch module |
| Data Signal Modulator | Yes (DSM module) |
| I/O Source/Sink Current | 25 mA |
| XLP Sleep Current | NanoWatt (typical <100 nA) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12F1840T-I/RF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD โ Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5/AN4/CPS5/CCP1/T1G/MDMIN โ Bidirectional I/O; ADC ch4; cap-touch; PWM; gate timer1; DSM input |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN3/CPS4/C1OUT/T1G/MDMOM โ Bidirectional I/O; ADC ch3; cap-touch; comparator1 out; gate timer1; DSM modulator output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP โ Input only; Master Clear reset (active low); ICSP programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2/AN2/CPS2/CVREF/COUT/MDMC โ Bidirectional I/O; ADC ch2; cap-touch; CVREF; comparator2 out; DSM carrier |
| Pin 6 | RA1/AN1/CPS1/C1IN0-/ICSPCLK โ Bidirectional I/O; ADC ch1; cap-touch; comparator1 neg; ICSP clock |
| Pin 7 | RA0/AN0/CPS0/C1IN0+/ICSPDAT โ Bidirectional I/O; ADC ch0; cap-touch; comparator1 pos; ICSP data |
| Pin 8 | VSS โ Ground reference |
| Pin EP | EP โ Exposed thermal pad - solder to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC12F1840T-I/RF is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch Keypad Interface, Wearable Health Monitor, LED Lighting Controller, Brushed DC Fan Motor Controller, Remote Control / Key Fob Transmitter, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA).
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC12F1840T-I/RF is ideally suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its XLP nanoWatt technology with typical sleep currents below 100 nA and a wide 1.8-5.5 V supply range that accepts Li-ion or 2x AA cells directly. The 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates an external crystal, and the integrated 4-channel 10-bit ADC reads temperature, humidity, or analog sensor outputs without external components. With 99% sleep duty cycle on a CR2032 coin cell, expected battery life exceeds 5 years. The 7 KB Flash supports small TCP/HTTP or LoRaWAN stacks, and the EUSART with auto-baud interfaces directly to common radio modules like the RFM95W.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Keypad Interface
The integrated mTouch hardware peripheral of the PIC12F1840T-I/RF enables capacitive touch sensing without external touch ICs, reducing BOM cost for sealed-key panels on appliances and industrial controls. Up to 4 touch channels can be configured using the 6 I/O pins, with hardware-driven charge-time measurement that does not burden the CPU. The PIC's 25 mA source/sink I/O directly drives LED backlighting without buffers. The 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) package fits behind a 5x5 mm touch pad cutout, making it ideal for medical and consumer user interfaces.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
Wearable health monitors benefit from the PIC12F1840T-I/RF's tiny 8-UDFN footprint (3x3 mm), XLP low-power sleep modes below 100 nA, and on-chip 10-bit ADC that reads heart-rate, SpO2, or galvanic-skin-response analog front-ends. The 32 MHz core executes pulse-oximetry DSP at sample rates up to 1 kSPS while still spending 95% of the time in sleep. The EUSART auto-baud peripheral connects to Bluetooth Low Energy modules like the RN4870 without manual baud-rate setup. Operating from a single 3 V coin cell, the device fits inside a watch-style enclosure with minimal PCB area.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC12F1840T-I/RF's 25 mA I/O sink current directly drives low-current indicator LEDs without external transistors, and its ECCP module generates PWM dimming signals up to 32 kHz for flicker-free brightness control. The Data Signal Modulator (DSM) mixes PWM and analog signals for tunable-white or RGB color-mixing applications using just one pin output. The 1.8-5.5 V supply range allows direct 3.3 V or 5 V LED strip control, and nanoWatt sleep mode drops standby power below 100 nA in off-state fixtures. The 8-UDFN footprint fits inside a GU10 lamp base.
Recommended
Brushed DC Fan Motor Controller
Closed-loop brushed DC fan control fits the PIC12F1840T-I/RF well: the ECCP generates a 25 kHz PWM drive signal, two comparators sense back-EMF zero-crossings for commutation timing, and the 10-bit ADC reads tachometer or current-sense feedback. Hardware PWM with dead-band control prevents shoot-through on the H-bridge. The 32 MHz core runs PID control loops in less than 10 microseconds per iteration. The 8-UDFN footprint and 100 nA sleep current make it ideal for always-on standby fans in servers or industrial equipment.
Recommended
Remote Control / Key Fob Transmitter
Battery-powered remote controls and key fobs use the PIC12F1840T-I/RF for its ultra-low sleep current (under 100 nA) and 1.8 V minimum supply, which together enable 5-10 year battery life on a CR2032 coin cell. The 6 I/O pins read up to 6 buttons or a 4x4 keypad matrix using the mTouch capacitive peripheral, and the EUSART drives ASK/FSK transmitter ICs at 1.2-115.2 kbaud with auto-baud detection. The 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) package fits inside a key fob shell, and the 32 MHz internal oscillator eliminates a crystal for shock resistance.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA)
Industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters use the PIC12F1840T-I/RF for its 1.8-5.5 V supply (compatible with loop-derived 5 V rails), 10-bit ADC for sensor measurement, and ECCP PWM to drive a current-setting op-amp. The DSM module modulates HART or proprietary digital signals onto the 4-20 mA loop using the same pin as the analog PWM, eliminating extra components. The 8-UDFN's wide -40 to +85 C industrial operating range fits process-control environments. With 100 nA sleep current, the entire transmitter draws less than 3.5 mA loop current at zero reading.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12F1840T-I/RF โ comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1840-I/RF | PIC12F1822T-I/RF | PIC12F1571T-I/RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 8-UDFN (3x3) | 8-UDFN (3x3) - same | 8-UDFN (3x3) - same | 8-UDFN (3x3) - same |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 1.75 KB |
| RAM | 256 B | 256 B | 128 B | 128 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 128 B | 0 B |
| Comparators | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Data Signal Modulator (DSM) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| EUSART | Yes (auto-baud) | Yes (auto-baud) | Yes (auto-baud) | No (no EUSART) |
| Max CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
Key Differentiators
- Only 8-UDFN PIC12 family member with Data Signal Modulator (vs PIC12F1822T-I/RF)
- Highest EEPROM density in 8-pin PIC12 family (vs PIC12F1571T-I/RF)
- Dual comparators with selectable voltage reference (vs PIC12F1822T-I/RF)
Design Notes
The 8-UDFN package on PIC12F1840T-I/RF has an exposed thermal pad (EP) that MUST be soldered to the ground plane for thermal dissipation and supply decoupling. The pad also reduces lead inductance on VSS, improving EMI performance. Per Microchip application note AN2341, use at least 4 thermal vias in the EP land pattern, each 0.3 mm diameter, to a continuous ground pour on the back side of the PCB.
Place a 0.1 uF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of the VDD pin (pin 1) and a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the supply rail. For battery applications, add a 100 nF and 10 uF capacitor pair at the battery terminal. The PIC12F1840's XLP sleep mode draws less than 100 nA but is sensitive to supply noise - keep digital switching currents away from the VDD pin trace.
The RA3/MCLR/VPP pin (pin 4) is INPUT ONLY and serves as the device Master Clear reset. Tie MCLR to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up and place a 100 nF cap to VDD on the MCLR line for noise immunity. For ICSP programming, route ICSPCLK (pin 6) and ICSPDAT (pin 7) to test points or a 6-pin header with 0.1 inch pitch. Do NOT add series resistors greater than 100 ohm on these lines or programming will fail.
When using the EUSART with auto-baud at 115.2 kbaud or higher, ensure the TX/RX traces are short (under 50 mm) and routed away from PWM or PWM-complementary signals. Add a 100 ohm source-termination resistor in series with TX if the trace exceeds 30 mm to prevent ringing. The internal 32 MHz oscillator has +/- 2% accuracy at 25 C, adequate for most UART links but marginal for CAN or USB without external clock.
For capacitive mTouch sensing, keep the CPS pin guard ring (GND trace) at least 4 mm wide surrounding each touch pad and avoid running digital signals under or adjacent to the touch electrodes. Use a hatch-fill ground plane rather than solid copper beneath the touch pads to reduce parasitic capacitance. Microchip AN1250 and TB3069 provide reference layouts for capacitive touch that improve SNR by 10-15 dB over generic PCB layouts.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40 to +85 C. For automotive applications, choose the PIC12F1840T-I/RFVAO AEC-Q100 variant.
