PIC12LF1840-E/P - 7KB Flash 8-Bit MCU, 32MHz, XLP | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1840-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.46 | $14.60 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.07 | $1,070.00 |
PIC12LF1840-E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip integrating a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripherals on a single die. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC12LF1840 belongs to: 8-bit PIC MCU -> enhanced mid-range (XLP) PIC12 family -> PIC PIC12F -> flash microcontroller -> microcontroller -> semiconductor. Its XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology provides sub-microamp sleep currents, making the PIC12LF1840 a strong choice when battery life dominates the design trade-off.
Key differentiating features include four 10-bit ADC channels (with computation), two PWM modules, an EUSART, an MSSP (I2C/SPI) module, two comparators, and a data signal modulator. Peripherals are routed through Microchip's Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible I/O mapping. Internal oscillator accuracy is +/-2% across voltage and temperature, eliminating the need for an external crystal in most designs.
The PIC12LF1840 implements an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set architecture (200 ns per instruction at 32 MHz) with a hardware multiplier and a vectored interrupt controller supporting context save/restore. The integrated Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) - including the CWG, NCO, and DSM blocks - allow complex signal generation and modulation without CPU intervention, freeing the 8-bit core for application logic.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-end remote controls, LED lighting controllers, IoT edge nodes, and consumer appliances where cost, footprint, and ultra-low sleep current dominate the BOM. The 8-pin PDIP package also makes it a popular choice for hobbyist, education, and breadboard-friendly prototypes using the MPLAB PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger.
When designing with this device, observe absolute maximum VDD of 4.0V (operate within 1.8-3.6V) and ensure I/O sink/source ratings (25 mA per pin, 90 mA per port) are respected. Decouple VDD with at least 0.1uF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the supply pin, and leave MCLR unbonded when not used as a reset input.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in pin-compatible alternatives within the PIC12 family, and practical design notes not collected in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1840-E/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 PIC12LF1840-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Maximum CPU Speed, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LF1840-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12F1840-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1840-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1840-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC enhanced mid-range 8-bit (14-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| SRAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended "-E" grade) |
| I/O Pins | 6 (with PPS Peripheral Pin Select) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels, with computation mode |
| PWM Modules | 2 (10-bit) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| EUSART | Yes (1 module) |
| MSSP (I2C/SPI) | Yes |
| Internal Oscillator | 31 kHz / 32 MHz selectable (+/-2%) |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit, 2 x 16-bit |
| Package | 8-pin PDIP (P) |
| XLP Sleep Current | nanoWatt XLP technology (typical <1 uA) |
| Lead-Free / RoHS | Yes - Compliant |
| Programming/Debug | MPLAB PICkit 5 (ICSP via PGD/PGC pins) |
PIC12LF1840-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / Timer0 gate |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear reset (active-low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / PWM output |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SDA |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SCL |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference (0 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1840-E/P is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Consumer Remote Control, LED Lighting Controller, Industrial Control and Sensor Conditioning, IoT Edge Node with Core Independent Peripherals, Hobbyist / Education Prototyping, Automotive Interior Lighting and Switch Module.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits battery-powered wireless sensor nodes because its nanoWatt XLP sleep current of typically <1 uA and 1.8 V minimum VDD let a coin cell run for years between replacements. The integrated 32 MHz oscillator eliminates the external crystal, and the 10-bit ADC with computation mode handles periodic sensor reads without waking the CPU. Place it as the local MCU between a low-power sensor (e.g., temperature or PIR) and a sub-GHz or BLE radio; its 256-byte SRAM is sufficient for packet buffering, and its EUSART/MSSP interfaces connect to most radios. Trade-off: only 6 usable I/O pins constrain simultaneous sensors plus radio control.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Control
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits consumer IR remote controls because its 32 MHz core runs the IR carrier timer precisely while the EUSART handles the protocol encoding and the integrated comparators detect battery-low events. Its 8-pin PDIP through-hole package is easy to hand-solder for low-volume SKUs, and the 7 KB Flash accommodates multi-protocol learning remotes. Operate it from 2x AA cells (3.0 V nominal) with VDD held inside the 1.8-3.6 V window. The XLP sleep current extends shelf life to multi-year levels with no standby switch required.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits LED lighting controllers because its two 10-bit PWM modules can drive two independent LED channels (warm-white + cool-white) or one RGB channel at 8-bit effective resolution after dithering. The MSSP module drives WS2812-style addressable LED strips via bit-banged SPI, while the CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator) handles high-side FET timing. Use it for low-cost, non-dimmable mains-isolated DC LED drivers that derive 3.3 V locally. Note that only 6 I/O pins are exposed - PWM and FET drive take most of them, leaving limited room for buttons or status LEDs.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Sensor Conditioning
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits industrial 4-20 mA loop and sensor-conditioning front ends because its 10-bit ADC with computation mode provides oversampling and averaging for low-frequency signals, and its two comparators handle threshold detection for alarms. The -E extended temperature grade (-40 to +125 C) covers most factory-floor environments including outdoor enclosures. Drive the MCU from a 3.3 V LDO fed by the loop or a 24 V industrial rail; the EUSART handles Modbus RTU over RS-485 transceivers. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants across power cycles without external storage.
Recommended
IoT Edge Node with Core Independent Peripherals
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits IoT edge nodes that need to respond to external events without waking the CPU because its Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) - NCO, CWG, DSM - generate, modulate, and capture signals autonomously. Combined with PPS, this lets the part implement quadrature decoding, PWM dimming, or DCC signal generation in hardware, freeing the CPU to sleep. Use it for low-cost edge gateways bridging legacy industrial protocols to modern wireless transports. The trade-off vs larger PIC16/PIC18 parts is RAM (256 bytes) - only small packet buffers fit.
Recommended
Hobbyist / Education Prototyping
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits hobbyist and education prototyping because its 8-pin PDIP package fits a standard 0.300 inch DIP socket, breadboard, or through-hole perfboard - no fine-pitch soldering required. The MPLAB PICkit 5 ICSP connects to PGD (pin 1) and PGC (pin 8 area, via ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK) for in-circuit programming. With 7 KB Flash, students can build real applications (LED chaser, servo driver, UART echo) while learning the enhanced mid-range PIC instruction set. The 1.8-3.6 V VDD range teaches low-power design by allowing direct coin-cell operation.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Lighting and Switch Module
The PIC12LF1840-E/P fits automotive interior lighting and switch modules because its -40 to +125 C extended temperature grade handles cabin environments, and the EUSART connects to body-control LIN or CAN slaves. PWM modules drive RGB ambient lighting while MSSP drives addressable LEDs. Operate it from a 3.3 V LDO fed by the 12 V battery through load-dump protection. Use PPS to route PWM and UART to any of the 6 I/O pins, simplifying PCB layout. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification is not held by this part - for safety-critical automotive designs, choose PIC12F1840-E/P Q-graded variants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1840-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LF1840-I/P | PIC12F1840-E/P | PIC12F1840-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin PDIP (P) | 8-pin PDIP (P) | 8-pin PDIP (P) | 8-pin PDIP (P) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| SRAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 6 (PPS) | 6 (PPS) | 6 (PPS) | 6 (PPS) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40 to +125 C temperature grade in the same 8-pin PDIP footprint (vs PIC12LF1840-I/P)
- 1.8 V minimum VDD for true coin-cell operation (vs PIC12F1840-E/P)
- NanoWatt XLP sleep current under 1 uA (vs PIC12F615-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: with VDD = 3.0 V, 32 MHz active current is approximately 3 mA and XLP sleep current is <1 uA per the datasheet 40001441F. Decouple VDD with at least one 0.1 uF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of pin 1. For battery life estimation, average current = (I_active * t_active + I_sleep * t_sleep) / (t_active + t_sleep); a 220 mAh CR2032 with 0.1% active duty cycle yields roughly 8 years of life.
Do not apply voltage above 4.0 V to VDD on the PIC12LF1840 - this is the absolute maximum and the LF suffix does NOT extend to 5 V operation. If 5 V is required, use the PIC12F1840 (F-suffix) variant. Leave MCLR (pin 4) connected to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up if external reset is not used, and add a 100 nF cap to VSS for noise immunity on the reset line.
Place the 0.1 uF VDD decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of pin 1 with a direct ground via to the VSS plane. Keep the ICSP PGD/PGC traces short (under 50 mm) and away from switching signals to ensure reliable in-circuit programming with the PICkit 5. When using the internal oscillator, leave the clock input pins available for PPS-peripheral remapping rather than dedicating them to fixed functions.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. NOT AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety-critical designs use a Q-graded PIC12F1840 variant. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification.
