PIC18F04Q41-I/ST - 8-bit 64MHz 16KB Flash MCU, TSSOP-14 | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F04Q41-I/ST ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.71 | $17.10 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.38 | $690.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.2 | $1,200.00 |
PIC18F04Q41-I/ST Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a small, single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus and a Harvard or von Neumann architecture. Within the taxonomy it sits under MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> integrated circuit. The PIC18F04Q41 belongs to the PIC18 family of Microchip's 8-bit PIC microcontrollers, which add enhanced instruction set, hardware multiplier, and C-friendly architecture on top of the original PIC16 core, balancing low cost and ease of use with deterministic real-time behavior.
Key features include 16 KB Flash, 1 KB SRAM, 512 B EEPROM, 12-bit ADCC, two 8-bit DACs, one on-chip op-amp, 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and fault handling, CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) peripherals, DMA, and a wide 1.8V to 5.5V supply range. The -I/ST industrial temperature grade spans -40C to +85C, while the TSSOP-14 footprint keeps the BOM small for space-constrained designs.
Technically, the PIC18-Q41 family integrates analog and digital signal conditioning directly on die, so a sensor front end, signal chain, and control loop can run from a single IC. The ADCC automates capacitive touch averaging, filtering, oversampling, and threshold decisions, while the CLC, 16-bit PWM, and op-amp enable hardware-level motor, lighting, and signal-conditioning loops without burdening the CPU.
Typical applications include capacitive touch keypads and sliders, IoT sensor nodes, LED lighting and color-mixing drivers, low-cost BLDC and brushed DC motor control, battery-powered instrumentation, and medical/industrial sensor signal conditioning. The integrated op-amp plus DAC pair is especially attractive for transducer excitation and signal conditioning.
When designing with this part, pay attention to the decoupling strategy: place a 100 nF ceramic plus 1 uF bulk capacitor near VDD, and provide a low-impedance ground return to keep ADC readings clean. Use the on-chip op-amp wisely - its bandwidth and offset must be budgeted against the analog signal chain. The TSSOP-14's exposed thermal pad on this small pin count package should still be soldered to a copper pour to dissipate switching noise.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F04Q41-I/ST — 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 PIC18F04Q41-I/ST (same form factor and footprint) — differing in PWM, ADC, DAC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F04Q41-E/ST
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F04Q41-I/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F04Q40-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F04Q41T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F04Q41-E/SL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F04Q41-I/ST Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 B |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 64 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) |
| DAC | 2 x 8-bit DAC |
| Operational Amplifier | 1 x on-chip op-amp |
| PWM | 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and fault input |
| DMA | Yes (Direct Memory Access) |
| Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, -I) |
| Package | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (per JLCPCB listing) |
PIC18F04Q41-I/ST Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/ANA0/INT0 — GPIO/analog input/interrupt |
| Pin 2 | RA1/ANA1 — GPIO/analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/ANA2 — GPIO/analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/ANA3/MCLR — GPIO/analog input/master clear (reset) |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA4/ANA4 — GPIO/analog input |
| Pin 8 | RA5/ANA5 — GPIO/analog input |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC1 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC4 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC5 — GPIO/peripheral I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC18F04Q41-I/ST is suitable for 6 applications: Capacitive Touch Keypads and Sliders, IoT Sensor Nodes and Edge Devices, LED Lighting and Color Mixing, Low-Cost BLDC and Brushed DC Motor Control, Battery-Powered Medical and Industrial Instrumentation, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front Ends.
Capacitive Touch Keypads and Sliders
The PIC18F04Q41-I/ST is purpose-built for capacitive touch human-machine interfaces. Its on-chip 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) automates capacitive voltage divider (CVD) techniques, averaging, filtering, oversampling, and threshold comparison, eliminating the need for an external touch IC. The 16 KB Flash hosts a Microchip mTouch reference firmware while the 1 KB SRAM handles debounce and gesture state. With 1.8V to 5.5V VDD, the same part serves battery-powered remote controls (2x AA) and mains-powered appliances. The TSSOP-14 footprint keeps the BOM compact for small panel-mount keypads used in white goods, smart locks, and industrial controls.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes and Edge Devices
For IoT sensor endpoints, the PIC18F04Q41-I/ST combines an 8-bit PIC18 core running at 64 MHz with on-chip op-amp, two 8-bit DACs, and a 12-bit ADCC that handles sensor readout, conditioning, and threshold decisions. According to the Microchip PIC18-Q41 family datasheet, the integrated signal chain lets a single IC interface directly to thermocouples, photodiodes, or strain-gauge bridges. DMA reduces CPU wake-time, an essential feature for battery-powered sensor nodes. The 1.8V to 5.5V VDD range supports coin-cell, AA, or Li-Ion chemistries, while the TSSOP-14 footprint fits inside sub-10 mm x 10 mm sensor modules.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Color Mixing
The PIC18F04Q41-I/ST supports multi-channel LED drivers with the on-chip 16-bit PWM featuring complementary outputs and a hardware fault input. This enables smooth dimming and color mixing without CPU overhead. Two 8-bit DACs can drive current-control loops for high-power LED strings, while the CLC peripheral implements custom timing logic in hardware. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V supply supports both 3.3V logic-level and 5V analog LED driver topologies. Compact TSSOP-14 packaging fits into MR16 bulbs, strip controllers, and architectural lighting fixtures where PCB real estate is tight.
Recommended
Low-Cost BLDC and Brushed DC Motor Control
For cost-sensitive brushed DC and small BLDC motors, the PIC18F04Q41-I/ST integrates the 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and a fault input, enabling hardware commutation and overcurrent protection. The on-chip op-amp can sense motor current via a shunt resistor, while the 12-bit ADCC performs oversampling for accurate torque/speed control. DMA offloads commutation tables, freeing the CPU for higher-level control. With industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) and a tiny TSSOP-14 footprint, this MCU fits into small appliance motors, fans, and toy-grade BLDC drives.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Medical and Industrial Instrumentation
In medical and industrial sensors, low power consumption and analog precision matter most. The PIC18F04Q41-I/ST offers 1.8V to 5.5V operation from a single Li-Ion or 2x AA cell, plus DMA-driven ADC bursts that minimize CPU wake time. The on-chip op-amp, dual 8-bit DACs, and 12-bit ADCC form a complete transducer signal chain. According to the datasheet, the ADCC supports hardware averaging for higher effective resolution. The TSSOP-14 industrial-grade package (-40C to +85C) suits portable pulse oximeters, glucometers, and process-control sensor transmitters.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front Ends
The PIC18F04Q41-I/ST serves as a compact analog front end for strain gauges, RTDs, and load cells. Its on-chip op-amp provides gain stage buffering, while the dual 8-bit DACs generate excitation voltages or offset trim. The 12-bit ADCC performs oversampling and digital filtering, and DMA streams results to SRAM. The 64 MHz CPU closes calibration loops in microseconds, and the configurable logic cell (CLC) implements zero-crossing detectors and comparators in hardware. The TSSOP-14 package fits alongside the sensor in tightly packed instrumentation modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F04Q41-I/ST — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F04Q41-E/ST | PIC18F04Q41-I/SL | PIC18F04Q40-I/ST | PIC18F04Q41T-I/ST | PIC18F04Q41-E/SL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - pin-compatible | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-pin TSSOP (ST) - same | 14-pin SOIC (SL) - pin-compatible |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Extended -40C to +125C |
| ADCC (12-bit ADC w/ computation) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (legacy ADC) | Yes | Yes |
| On-chip Op-Amp | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 16-bit PWM (with complementary + fault) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| DMA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- ADCC with capacitive touch automation on-chip (vs PIC18F04Q40-I/ST)
- On-chip operational amplifier eliminates external signal chain IC (vs PIC18F04Q40-I/ST)
- 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and fault input (vs PIC18F04Q40-I/ST)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD/VSS with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a 1 uF bulk capacitor on the same rail. The PIC18F04Q41's ADCC and on-chip op-amp are sensitive to supply ripple; insufficient decoupling introduces ADC noise and op-amp offset drift. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V VDD range means a clean low-ESR LDO is recommended upstream.
Keep the analog and digital grounds separated and joined at a single point near the MCU's VSS pin. The TSSOP-14's exposed thermal pad (if present in this variant) should be soldered to a small ground copper pour to dissipate switching transients. Route ADC input traces away from PWM or switching signals to preserve 12-bit ADCC accuracy.
Estimated: the on-chip op-amp bandwidth is approximately 1 MHz at unity gain; do not assume it can drive high-capacitance loads without stability compensation. The 12-bit ADCC requires careful CVD timing configuration for capacitive touch - consult Microchip's TB3166 application note for proper sequencing. The MCLR pin is shared with RA3, so external reset circuits must not interfere with analog functions on that pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status per JLCPCB and DigiKey product listings. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification not applicable for industrial -I/ST grade; PIC18F04Q41-E/ST extended temp grade is for industrial use. REACH and conflict-minerals compliance declared by Microchip via standard product documentation.
