PIC12LF1840T-I/MF - 8-bit 32MHz 7KB Flash MCU 8-DFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1840T-I/MF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.66 | $16.60 |
| 100 | $1.48 | $148.00 |
| 500 | $1.32 | $660.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.18 | $1,180.00 |
PIC12LF1840T-I/MF Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals. Within the MCU taxonomy, this part is an 8-bit RISC microcontroller (Harvard architecture), belonging to the broader semiconductor category of integrated circuits used for embedded control. Its PIC® XLP™ 12F lineage emphasizes tiny package footprints, low active current, and ultra-low sleep currents — qualities that place it in the same engineering niche as ultra-low-power 8-bit MCUs from competing vendors.
Key features include a 32 MHz maximum oscillator with 125 ns instruction cycle, 49 instruction set with all single-cycle except branches, 16-level hardware stack, internal 31 kHz LF oscillator, and selectable 31 kHz internal oscillator for power-saving modes. The device integrates a 10-bit ADC with up to 6 channels, 2 capture/compare/PWM modules, enhanced USART, MSSP (I2C/SPI), 2 comparators, and an 8-bit DAC reference. nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents under 50 nA, enabling multi-year coin-cell operation.
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF operates across the industrial -40°C to +85°C temperature range (the "I" grade) and ships on tape-and-reel (the "T" suffix) for high-volume SMT assembly. The DFN-8 (3x3 mm) exposed-pad package provides a compact PCB footprint and enhanced thermal dissipation for handheld and space-constrained designs.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, remote control transmitters, low-power wireless end nodes, battery monitoring ICs, smart wearables, and consumer electronics that require long battery life in a sub-1 cm² footprint. The DFN package is also preferred for hand-held medical disposables and RFID/security tags where PCB area is at a premium.
When designing with this device, ensure the exposed pad is soldered to the PCB ground plane for mechanical strength and thermal performance. Because the LF variant operates only up to 3.6V, verify all peripherals share a common low-voltage rail; stepping up to the PIC12F1840 (4.0V-5.5V) variant is recommended for 5V systems.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives from the same Microchip PIC12 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet — providing a one-stop engineering reference for the PIC12LF1840T-I/MF.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1840T-I/MF — 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 PIC12LF1840T-I/MF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1840T-I/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1840-I/MF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1840T-I/MFVAO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LF1840T-I/RF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.296 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1840-E/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1840T-I/MF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Enhanced Mid-Range) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB (4K x 14) Flash, self read/write |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 32 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 125 ns at 32 MHz |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions, mostly single-cycle |
| Stack Levels | 16 hardware |
| I/O Pins | 6 GPIO |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 6 channels |
| PWM / CCP Modules | 2 ECCP |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin DFN (3x3 mm) with Exposed Pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Tape & Reel) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC12LF1840T-I/MF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5/T1CKI/P1C/P1D — GPIO / Timer1 clock input / PWM P1C-P1D |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN3/P1B/T1G — GPIO / ADC AN3 / PWM P1B / Timer1 gate |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO / Master Clear reset (active-low) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 5 | RA2/AN2/T0CKI/P1A — GPIO / ADC AN2 / Timer0 clock input / PWM P1A |
| Pin 6 | RA1/ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT/AN1 — GPIO / ICSP clock and data / ADC AN1 |
| Pin 7 | RA0/AN0 — GPIO / ADC AN0 |
| Pin 8 | VSS/EP — Ground and exposed thermal pad |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1840T-I/MF is suitable for 7 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Battery Monitoring ICs, Remote Control Transmitters, Smart Wearable Devices, Industrial Sensor Front-Ends, Consumer Smart Home Devices, RFID and Security Tags.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF is well-suited for IoT sensor end-nodes that transmit temperature, humidity, or motion data via a sub-GHz or BLE radio. The 7 KB Flash and 256 B RAM support a small sensor-and-stack protocol (such as a sub-GHz OOK or proprietary radio driver), while the nanoWatt XLP sleep current under 50 nA allows multi-year operation from a CR2032 coin cell. The 32 MHz CPU speed handles short payload bursts in real time, and the small 3x3 mm DFN-8 footprint fits inside the tightest sensor-module enclosures per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Battery Monitoring ICs
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF can serve as the embedded controller inside a single-cell Li-ion battery fuel gauge or primary-cell monitor. Its 10-bit ADC and 2 internal comparators provide battery voltage, current-sense, and temperature measurements through up to 6 analog channels, while the EUSART or MSSP interfaces communicate state-of-charge information to a host system over I2C/SPI. Wide 1.8V-3.6V operation matches single Li-ion cell range, and nanoWatt XLP sleep current keeps quiescent draw below 100 nA — well below cell self-discharge per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Remote Control Transmitters
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF fits hand-held remote controls for garage doors, fans, dimmers, and consumer RF/IR transmitters. Its 49-instruction PIC® RISC core plus 32 MHz oscillator is fast enough to encode sub-GHz OOK/FSK packets or IR RC-5/RC-6 protocols, while only 5 of the 6 GPIO are needed for keyboard matrix and LED feedback. The 3x3 mm DFN-8 footprint leaves room for the RF transceiver and coin-cell battery inside a slim keyfob, and XLP sleep modes preserve battery life between button presses per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Smart Wearable Devices
For fitness bands, heart-rate straps, and disposable medical wearables, the PIC12LF1840T-I/MF provides a low BOM-cost MCU in a sub-1 cm² footprint. The 6 GPIO are sufficient to drive an LED, scan a capacitive touch pad, and talk to a BLE/SPI sensor over MSSP. Typical active current under 1 mA at 32 MHz and sleep current under 50 nA via nanoWatt XLP give wearable designs multi-month battery life at typical usage rates, all packed into a 3x3 mm DFN-8 footprint per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Front-Ends
In industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor transmitters, the PIC12LF1840T-I/MF is an excellent front-end controller. Its 1.8V minimum operating voltage starts up cleanly from the small loop current, while the 10-bit ADC and internal comparators measure bridge-sensor or 4-20 mA feedback. The wide industrial -40°C to +85°C operating range and -40°C to +125°C option (E grade) handle harsh factory environments, and the DFN-8 exposed pad provides thermal dissipation for in-cabinet enclosures per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Consumer Smart Home Devices
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF can act as the application processor inside small smart-home devices such as smart plugs, simple sensor hubs, and battery-powered wall switches. Its 7 KB Flash holds a small Zigbee/BLE driver or a custom sub-GHz protocol, the MSSP/I2C interface talks to a network coprocessor or sensor, and the EUSART provides debug console output. The 3.6V maximum VDD works with single-cell Li-Po or 2x AA supplies, and the DFN-8 footprint fits inside standard wall-switch back-boxes per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
RFID and Security Tags
The PIC12LF1840T-I/MF is small and cheap enough to be embedded in disposable RFID and security tags where PCB area is at a premium. The 6 GPIO pins can be configured to drive a low-frequency RFID front end, monitor a tamper switch, and blink a status LED. Its sub-50 nA sleep current is critical for battery-assisted passive (BAP) tags, and the 3x3 mm DFN-8 package leaves room for a tiny antenna coil inside credit-card form-factor tags per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A).
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1840T-I/MF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1840T-I/MF | PIC12LF1840-I/MF | PIC12LF1840T-I/MFVAO | PIC12LF1840T-I/RF | PIC12LF1840-E/MF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-DFN (3x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Flash Memory | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Automotive VAO) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T) | Tape & Reel (T) | Tray (no T) | Tape & Reel (T) | Tape & Reel (T) | Tray (no T) |
| Automotive Grade | No | No | No | Yes (VAO) | No | No (extended temp only) |
Key Differentiators
- Same DFN-8 3x3 mm footprint with broader voltage range (vs PIC12F1840T-I/MF)
- Automotive-grade qualification (vs PIC12LF1840T-I/MFVAO)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature range (vs PIC12LF1840-E/MF)
Design Notes
For lowest quiescent current, switch the PIC12LF1840T-I/MF into Sleep mode with all peripherals disabled and the primary 31 kHz internal oscillator selected as the system clock on wake. Per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A), typical sleep current is under 50 nA at 25°C. Estimate: a 220 mAh CR2032 cell running with 99% sleep duty cycle and 1 mA active current at 32 MHz yields approximately 8-10 years of battery life. Always include a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and a 1 uF bulk cap on VSS/EP.
Solder the DFN-8 exposed pad (pin 8 / VSS/EP) directly to the PCB ground plane to maximize thermal dissipation and mechanical strength. Estimated: at 32 MHz active with VDD=3.3V and full GPIO load, the device dissipates under 30 mW, so thermal performance is rarely a limiting factor — but without a properly soldered EP pad the part can see 20-30% higher junction temperature. Use at least 4 thermal vias (0.3 mm diameter) on the EP land to a bottom-side ground pour.
The 3x3 mm DFN-8 footprint requires fine-pitch PCB manufacturing: 0.5 mm pitch pads, NSMD (non-solder mask defined) pad geometry, and a continuous ground plane beneath the part. Per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A), the EP pad should be the largest single copper region on the board — this also acts as the VSS return for the analog ADC and comparator pins. Route RA1/RA0 (ICSP) to test points so the device can be programmed without removing it from the board.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VDD of 3.6V on the LF variant — the standard PIC12F1840T-I/MF (F grade) must be used instead if your supply rail is 5V. Per the Microchip datasheet (DS41441A), exceeding 3.6V will damage the LF silicon. Also, the MCLR pin (RA3) is shared with the VPP programming voltage input and must include a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation. Forgetting this pull-up is one of the most common debug failures on first-prototype PIC12 boards.
Compliance Information
RoHS/lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. PIC12LF1840T-I/MF is not AEC-Q100 qualified — choose PIC12LF1840T-I/MFVAO for automotive. REACH compliance status confirmed on Microchip product page.
