PIC18C442-E/P - 8-bit 40MHz 16KB OTP MCU | Microchip 40-DIP
MPN: PIC18C442-E/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.5 | $9.50 |
| 10 | $8.55 | $85.50 |
| 100 | $7.65 | $765.00 |
| 500 | $6.85 | $3,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.1 | $6,100.00 |
PIC18C442-E/P Overview
As a member of the PIC18C family, this device sits in the broader 8-bit MCU taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> PIC microcontroller -> PIC18C series. PIC18C parts introduced the enhanced PIC18 instruction set with 16-bit wide instructions and an 8-bit wide data path, 77 single-word instructions, a hardware single-cycle 8x8 multiplier, and a vectored interrupt controller with multiple priority levels, superseding the earlier PIC16C/PIC17C families while remaining source-code compatible at the architectural level.
Key features include a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with up to 8 input channels, three external hardware interrupt sources, a USART/SCI port, a master/slave SPI port, and a master I2C port. Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules support timing and motor-control applications. The -E suffix denotes the extended industrial temperature grade of -40C to +125C. The external oscillator interface accepts a 4-10 MHz crystal or a 40 MHz clock input directly.
Architecturally, the PIC18C442 implements a Harvard-style CPU with separate program and data buses, a 31-level hardware stack, and a programming model compatible with PIC16 mid-range parts. The OTP program memory is windowless, requiring no UV erase, simplifying manufacturing flow but removing field-upgrade capability. Designers upgrading to a flash-based equivalent should consider the PIC18F442 as the recommended migration path.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, automotive body electronics, consumer appliances, HVAC thermostats, and general-purpose embedded designs that benefit from the 40-pin DIP form factor for prototype and through-hole assembly. The wide temperature range also makes it suitable for outdoor and automotive environments.
When designing with this part, ensure the power supply decoupling follows Microchip's recommended layout: 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pair, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the main rail. The MCLR pin must use the recommended RC reset network (typically 10 kohm pull-up to VDD with a 0.1 uF to ground) to guarantee a clean POR.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC18C/PIC18F alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Pricing and inventory are quoted as of 2026-09-26.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18C442-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 PIC18C442-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Mounting Type, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F442-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F452-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18C452-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2520-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.33 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2550-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18C442-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18C (8-bit Harvard) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time-Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Throughput | 10 MIPS |
| Instruction Set Width | 16-bit instructions, 8-bit data path |
| Number of I/O Pins | 33 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Operating Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Oscillator Type | External |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600" / 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, -E grade) |
| Peripherals | USART, SPI (master/slave), I2C (master), CCP, 10-bit ADC |
| Interrupt Priority Levels | Yes (high/low) |
| Hardware Multiplier | 8x8 single-cycle |
| Recommended Replacement | PIC18F442 (flash-based, pin-compatible) |
PIC18C442-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active-low |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 20 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 21 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 22 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 23 | RB3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / CCP2 alternate pin |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming) |
| Pin 28 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 29 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 30 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 31 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 32 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 33 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 34 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 35 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 36 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 37 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 38 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 39 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read control |
| Pin 40 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write control |
Typical Applications
PIC18C442-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Automotive Body Electronics, HVAC Thermostat Controllers, Consumer Appliance Control, General-Purpose Embedded Prototyping, Data Acquisition Front Ends.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18C442-E/P's 33 digital I/O pins and 10 MIPS throughput make it well-suited for industrial control panels that scan keypads, drive indicator LEDs, and interface to optoisolated inputs. Its 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels reads analog setpoints from potentiometers and 4-20 mA loop transducers with sufficient resolution for most process-control loops. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade supports deployment in factory-floor enclosures, while the 40-pin PDIP package simplifies through-hole assembly for low-volume industrial products. Engineers commonly pair it with character LCDs, EEPROM data logs, and RS-485 transceivers for SCADA nodes.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC18C442-E/P's extended temperature range (-40 C to +125 C), external oscillator robustness, and 16 KB OTP program memory suit automotive body modules such as central-locking controllers, mirror-adjust units, and HVAC damper actuators. Its CCP modules generate PWM signals for driving small DC motors and solenoids directly through FET drivers, while the hardware 8x8 multiplier accelerates sensor-scaling math. OTP memory suits fixed-function automotive ECUs that ship with calibration data burned in at production. For new automotive designs, Microchip recommends the AEC-Q100-qualified PIC18F442 family successors.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Controllers
The PIC18C442-E/P delivers the I/O count, ADC resolution, and temperature tolerance needed for residential and commercial HVAC thermostat controllers. Its 10-bit ADC reads thermistor temperature sensors with better than 0.5 C resolution across a 0-50 C range, while PWM outputs drive TRIAC-controlled furnace blowers and compressor relays. The 16 KB OTP program memory holds fixed temperature-control algorithms, scheduling tables, and user-interface state machines. Extended temperature operation ensures reliable performance near heating vents and in unconditioned equipment closets. The 40-pin PDIP footprint also suits hand-soldered prototype thermostats.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
White-goods appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens benefit from the PIC18C442-E/P's combination of 33 I/O pins, hardware PWM, and extended-temperature operation. The USART allows firmware download via diagnostic ports in service centers, while the I2C bus drives character LCD displays and user-interface keypads. OTP memory prevents accidental firmware tampering in production-line appliances. The 10 MIPS throughput handles real-time motor-control loops and user-interface refresh concurrently. For high-volume appliances, Microchip's PIC18F successors in equivalent packages are recommended to enable in-field firmware updates.
Recommended
General-Purpose Embedded Prototyping
The PIC18C442-E/P's 40-pin PDIP through-hole package is popular in university embedded-systems curricula and hobbyist prototyping because it fits standard 0.1" pitch breadboards and ZIF sockets, allowing the part to be reprogrammed (in the OTP variant, swapped out) repeatedly during development. With 16 KB of program memory, 512 bytes of RAM, and 10 MIPS throughput, students implement real-time schedulers, sensor-fusion routines, and communication stacks without external memory. The PIC18C enhanced instruction set introduces hardware multiply and priority interrupts that prepare students for advanced 32-bit ARM Cortex-M designs.
Recommended
Data Acquisition Front Ends
Multi-channel data acquisition systems use the PIC18C442-E/P as a low-cost front-end controller that sequences analog multiplexer channels into its 10-bit ADC, timestamps samples using CCP capture, and streams data over USART to a host PC or external logger. With 40 MHz operation, the part can sample and process analog signals at several kSPS aggregate rates while still servicing the serial port. The extended temperature range supports deployment in outdoor or vehicular data loggers. OTP memory secures the firmware against accidental field reprogramming in instrumentation applications.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18C442-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F442-I/P | PIC18F452-I/P | PIC18C452-E/P | PIC18F2520-I/SP | PIC18F2550-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600") | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 40-pin PDIP (same) | 28-pin SPDIP (different pin count) | 28-pin SPDIP (different pin count) |
| Program Memory | 16 KB OTP | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB OTP | 32 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash |
| RAM Size | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 1.5 KB | 2 KB |
| Maximum Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 8 channels | 10-bit, 10 channels |
| USB | None | None | None | None | None | USB 2.0 FS |
| Memory Type | OTP | Flash | Flash | OTP | Flash | Flash |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 23 | 24 |
Key Differentiators
- Industry-standard PIC18C core with extensive third-party toolchain support (vs PIC16F877A-I/P (legacy 14-bit PIC16 core))
- OTP memory for tamper-resistant production firmware (vs PIC18F442-I/P (flash successor))
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade standard (vs PIC16F877A-I/P (commercial 0 C to +70 C))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VDD/VSS pair on the PIC18C442-E/P. Add a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the main 5 V rail. For mixed-signal designs, separate AVdd/AVss from digital Vdd/Vss and join them at a single point under the MCU to prevent ADC noise coupling. The ADC reference pin (RA3/VREF+) requires a low-impedance 5 V source - a 10 uF + 0.1 uF local bypass is mandatory for ADC accuracy.
Keep the crystal/oscillator traces between OSC1 and OSC2 short and symmetric (within 5 mm). Surround the crystal body with a ground guard ring connected to VSS at one point. For ADC accuracy, route analog inputs (RA0-RA5) away from digital switching signals (RB, RC, RD ports). When using the parallel slave port (PORTD/PORTE), add 100 ohm series resistors on PSP data lines to limit ringing on long traces to external bus devices.
Do not leave the MCLR pin floating - use a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 0.1 uF capacitor to ground for the standard Microchip reset network. Floating MCLR causes spurious resets. Note that the PIC18C442 uses OTP memory - firmware bugs cannot be patched in-circuit; budget for one or two PIC18F442 prototypes during development and switch to PIC18C442 only for production. Configuration bits must be set explicitly; an unconfigured part defaults to a watchdog-enabled state that locks the CPU if not cleared in code within 18 ms.
The I2C port on PIC18C442 is master-only (no slave mode) per the datasheet - do not attempt to use it as an I2C slave. For SPI, ensure the SCK idle/active polarity matches the slave device - the PIC18C SPI defaults to clock idle low, active high (CKE=1, CKP=0). When driving long cables from the USART, add a 100 ohm series resistor at the TX pin and a small RC filter (1 kohm + 100 pF) on RX to suppress EMI ringing.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status marked unknown because the verified web data does not explicitly state compliance. The PIC18C442-E/P is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified (PIC18F family variants with -Q1 suffix are AEC-Q100). Lifecycle status: NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) per Microchip product page.
