PIC18F1220-I/ML - 8-bit MCU, 4KB Flash, 40MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F1220-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.35 | $4.35 |
| 10 | $3.91 | $39.10 |
| 100 | $3.48 | $348.00 |
| 500 | $3.12 | $1,560.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.85 | $2,850.00 |
PIC18F1220-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small, self-contained computing core that integrates CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, timers, and I/O peripherals onto a single silicon die. PIC18F-series parts are mid-range 8-bit MCUs in the broader microcontroller taxonomy (8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor). They are favored where deterministic execution, low power, and a Harvard RISC architecture matter more than raw compute throughput.
Key features of the PIC18F1220 include nanoWatt Technology with six software-controlled power-managed modes, standby current as low as 0.1 microamp, self-programmability, an ICD (in-circuit debugger) interface, and 10-bit ADC. The ML package is the lead-free 28-pin QFN variant with an exposed thermal pad, suitable for compact surface-mount designs where the SOIC, SSOP, or DIP variants would consume too much PCB area.
The PIC18F1220 employs an enhanced Harvard RISC architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, an 8 x 8 hardware multiplier, and a vectored interrupt controller. The flash memory supports self-programming via ICSP, allowing in-application firmware updates without an external programmer, and the nanoWatt modes include Run, Idle, Sleep, and several timer-driven wake variants for battery-optimized duty cycles.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, low-cost motor control (small DC brushed or stepper drivers via PWM + ADC), small appliances and white goods, capacitive-touch front panels using the AUSART for communication, USB-to-UART bridges when paired with an external PHY, and lighting ballast control. The wide 2.0-5.5 V range means a single part can run from a 3.3 V LDO or directly from a 2-cell AA pack.
When designing with this part, verify the ICSP/ICD pin assignments (PGC/PGD/MCLR) match your programming header and that the AUSART pins are not remapped onto I/O lines used by the ADC channels you need. The QFN exposed pad must be soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour for thermal and electrical performance.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F1220-I/ML — 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 PIC18F1220-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1320-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1330-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220-H/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC (16-bit instruction word) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 4 KB (2K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 7 channels |
| Communication Peripherals | AUSART (Addressable USART) |
| Timer / PWM Modules | Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), designator ML |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (QFN with exposed pad) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt Technology (6 power-managed modes) |
| Standby Current | as low as 0.1 uA |
| Self-Programming | Yes (ICSP) |
| In-Circuit Debugger | Yes (ICD) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F1220-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RA5 — Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage / digital I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / analog input 4 (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / analog input 5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal input / external clock / digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal output / clock out / digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T13CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / AUSART transmit / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / AUSART receive / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/AN6/INT0 — Digital I/O / analog input 6 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1/AN7 — Digital I/O / analog input 7 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18F1220-I/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Small DC Brushed Motor Control, LED Lighting Dimmer / Ballast, White Goods / Appliance Front Panel, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle, Capacitive-Touch User Interface, Industrial Sensor Transmitter.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC18F1220-I/ML fits battery-powered sensor nodes because its nanoWatt standby current drops to 0.1 uA and its 2.0-5.5 V supply range lets it run directly from a 2x AA alkaline pack. The 7-channel 10-bit ADC is enough for temperature, humidity, and battery-voltage sensing without an external analog front end. Placed between a low quiescent LDO (e.g., MCP1700) and the sensor load, it spends most of its life in sleep and wakes periodically via WDT or INT0 to take readings and transmit via AUSART. The trade-off versus a Cortex-M0+ alternative is lower MIPS (10 MIPS) but vastly better sleep current, which directly extends node lifetime by months.
Recommended
Small DC Brushed Motor Control
The PIC18F1220-I/ML drives small brushed DC motors in appliances and toys through its CCP module producing a single-channel PWM with current sensing on one ADC channel. Its 40 MHz / 10 MIPS throughput is adequate for software PI loops at 10 kHz update rate. Place the PIC between the power stage (e.g., DRV8870 or discrete FETs) and the user interface; the AUSART enables a debug console link during development. For higher-current multi-axis drives, upgrade to PIC18F1320-I/ML which adds the 6-channel Power Control PWM in the same 28-QFN package, doubling the design's headroom.
Recommended
LED Lighting Dimmer / Ballast
The PIC18F1220-I/ML is well-suited for LED dimming and ballast control, using its CCP PWM output to drive a constant-current LED string via a buck or linear regulator. The 10-bit ADC provides smooth dimming resolution at 1024 steps while the AUSART exposes a digital control channel for DMX-512, 0-10 V, or DALI bridge designs. Designed-in place between the mains-isolated low-voltage rail and the LED load, it offers a more deterministic real-time response than a Cortex-M0 alternative. The wide 2.0-5.5 V VDD simplifies running from either a 3.3 V or 5 V bias, reducing BOM cost in a single design.
Recommended
White Goods / Appliance Front Panel
The PIC18F1220-I/ML drives washing-machine or dishwasher front-panel keypads, displays, and rotary encoders using its 16 GPIO and 7 ADC channels. Its industrial -40 to +85 C temperature range and self-programmable flash allow field firmware updates without a service visit. Placed as the human-machine interface brain, it scans up to 16 buttons via the ADC matrix, drives a 7-segment or LCD panel, and exposes AUSART to the main appliance controller. Compared to a pure hardware front end, it removes dozens of discrete logic ICs and enables end-of-line configuration via ICSP without an external programmer.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle
The PIC18F1220-I/ML can act as a soft USB-to-UART bridge when paired with an external USB peripheral controller (e.g., MCP2200 or MCP2221), or it can be paired with an FTDI-style bridge chip and use its AUSART to expose a CDC virtual COM port. Its 4 KB flash and 10 MIPS are sufficient to buffer packets and run a small command parser. The 28-QFN package keeps the dongle footprint under 36 mm squared, smaller than DIP or SOIC alternatives, while the 5.5 V tolerance simplifies direct bus-powered designs without additional level translation. The trade-off is no native USB; designers needing native USB should move to PIC18F14K50.
Recommended
Capacitive-Touch User Interface
The PIC18F1220-I/ML supports capacitive touch buttons via the mTouch sensing solution, using the ADC and a software CVD (charge-time measurement) loop to detect finger proximity on copper pads. Its 10 MIPS throughput sustains a 10-channel scan in under 5 ms, and the AUSART bridges the touch state to a host MCU. Placed behind a glass or plastic panel, it eliminates mechanical buttons and provides a modern industrial-grade HMI. The trade-off versus dedicated touch ICs like AT42QT1010 is more code complexity but greater flexibility to mix touch with LED driving and ADC sensing on the same part.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter
The PIC18F1220-I/ML is a compact core for 4-20 mA or 0-10 V industrial sensor transmitters, using its 10-bit ADC to read a sensor bridge and the AUSART plus a UART-to-RS485 transceiver to drive a long-cable industrial bus. The wide 2.0-5.5 V input allows direct 24 V loop operation with a single linear regulator drop. Designed in place at the field end, it consumes under 1 mA active and 0.1 uA standby, satisfying NAMUR NE43 fault-current budgets. The trade-off versus a Cortex-M0+ alternative is less DSP headroom for advanced sensor linearization, but the simpler toolchain (MPLAB X + XC8) reduces certification effort.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F1220-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1320-I/ML | PIC18F1230-I/ML | PIC18F1330-I/ML | PIC18F1220T-I/ML | PIC18F1220-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 4 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB (identical) | 4 KB |
| SRAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B (identical) | 256 B |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Power Control PWM | Not present | Yes, 6 channels | Yes, 6 channels | Yes, 6 channels | Not present | Not present |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| ADC Channels | 7 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit | 7 channels, 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Lower flash and no Power Control PWM (vs PIC18F1320-I/ML)
- Highest flash efficiency vs PIC18F1230-I/ML (vs PIC18F1230-I/ML)
- Smaller QFN footprint vs SOIC/SSOP variants (vs PIC18F1220-I/SO)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN (ML) package dissipates heat primarily through the exposed thermal pad (EP) on the bottom of the package. Estimated: with theta_JA of approximately 40 C/W on a 1-oz 4-layer 1 sq-inch copper pour, a worst-case 200 mW active load yields a 8 C rise above ambient. For continuous high-load operation, increase the EP copper area to at least 1 sq-inch with 8 thermal vias to the inner ground plane.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same rail near the MCU. The exposed pad MUST be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour; missing or insufficient EP solder voids raise junction temperature and may cause field reliability failures. Keep the ICSP/ICD lines (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) on a clean path to a 6-pin header with no series resistors above 100 ohm.
Estimated: when running at 40 MHz with all peripherals active the PIC18F1220 draws about 11 mA typical, while deep sleep with nanoWatt Technology drops consumption to 0.1 uA. To exploit this for battery applications, drive the MCLR pin high via the internal pull-up and avoid leaving floating ADC inputs; tie unused analog channels to ground or VDD to prevent shoot-through currents.
Route the AUSART traces (RC6/TX, RC7/RX) as short matched-length pairs and avoid running them parallel to switching signals. Place the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) over a continuous ground pour and surround them with a guard ring; keep them under 5 mm to minimize stray capacitance. The ICD pins RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD must be brought out to a programming header with no series resistor above 100 ohm to avoid debugger communication errors.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F1220-E/ML for extended temperature. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in retrieved data.
