PIC18F1220T-I/ML - 8-bit 40MHz MCU 4KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F1220T-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.42 | $342.00 |
| 500 | $3.05 | $1,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.74 | $2,740.00 |
PIC18F1220T-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data bus and CISC architecture, integrating CPU core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, peripheral set, and I/O pins into one package. Microcontrollers in this category typically serve as the embedded control brain in low-to-mid complexity products where deterministic timing, low power, and small footprint outweigh the throughput of 32-bit cores. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC18F parts sit at the high-performance end of the 8-bit family, sitting below 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC and 32-bit PIC32M/PIC32MX parts, all under the umbrella of microcontrollers, embedded controllers, and finally semiconductor ICs.
Key features include 16 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter, hardware USART, ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) for in-field firmware updates, and an internal 8 MHz RC oscillator with PLL. The device also integrates nanoWatt power-managed modes such as Sleep, Idle, and several software-configurable low-power states ideal for battery-powered applications. The 28-pin QFN package offers a 6x6 mm PCB footprint with an exposed thermal pad for improved thermal dissipation in space-constrained layouts.
The PIC18F1220 is built on Microchip's enhanced Harvard architecture, featuring a 16-bit wide instruction word with 8-bit data path, hardware multiplier, and C compiler-friendly instruction set. The enhanced core delivers up to 10 MIPS at 40 MHz while remaining code-compatible with the larger PIC18F family, allowing straightforward migration to higher-pin-count or higher-memory siblings without firmware rework.
Typical applications include sensor signal conditioning, low-power remote controls, battery management controllers, HVAC thermostat controls, consumer appliance interfaces, and small appliance motor control where the device's combination of nanoWatt Technology, 10-bit ADC, and compact QFN footprint provides an optimal cost/performance balance. The wide voltage range also suits automotive body electronics and industrial sensor nodes operating from unregulated supplies.
When designing with this part, ensure decoupling capacitors (typically 100 nF plus 10 uF bulk) are placed within 5 mm of the VDD/VSS pins and that the exposed thermal pad is soldered to a sufficient ground copper pour to meet thermal and EMI requirements. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML is intended for industrial temperature operation (-40C to +85C).
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F1220T-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 PIC18F1220T-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1220-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-H/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1320T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1330T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF1220T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220T-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit enhanced Harvard |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 4 KB (2K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Supply Voltage (datasheet rated) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| ADC Channels | 7 |
| USART | 1 (hardware) |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 ECCP + 1 CCP |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz RC with PLL |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Power Management | nanoWatt Technology (6 software-controlled modes) |
| Standby Current | 0.1 uA typical |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F1220T-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN — General-purpose I/O / oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT — General-purpose I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — General-purpose I/O / Master Clear (reset) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA4/AN4 — General-purpose I/O / analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — General-purpose I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — General-purpose I/O / analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 7 | RA1/AN1 — General-purpose I/O / analog input 1 |
| Pin 8 | RA0/AN0 — General-purpose I/O / analog input 0 |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | RB7/PGD — General-purpose I/O / ICSP data line |
| Pin 12 | RB6/PGC — General-purpose I/O / ICSP clock line |
| Pin 13 | RB5/CCP1 — General-purpose I/O / Capture-Compare-PWM 1 output |
| Pin 14 | RB4/ECCP1/P1A — General-purpose I/O / Enhanced CCP1 / PWM output P1A |
| Pin 15 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — General-purpose I/O / analog input 9 / CCP2 output |
| Pin 16 | RB2/AN8 — General-purpose I/O / analog input 8 |
| Pin 17 | RB1/AN10 — General-purpose I/O / analog input 10 |
| Pin 18 | RB0/AN12/INT — General-purpose I/O / analog input 12 / external interrupt |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB7 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
| Pin 22 | RB6 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
| Pin 23 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package pinout) |
| Pin 24 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet package pinout) |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
| Pin 26 | RB4 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
| Pin 27 | RB3 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
| Pin 28 | RB2 — General-purpose I/O (alternate location) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F1220T-I/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Operated Sensor Nodes, Remote Control Handheld Transmitters, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Small Appliance Motor Control, HVAC Thermostat Control, Automotive Body Electronics, USB-to-Serial Bridge Adapters.
Battery-Operated Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's nanoWatt Technology with 0.1 uA standby current and 2.0-5.5V VDD range fits battery-powered wireless sensor nodes that spend most of their life asleep, waking only to sample and transmit. The 10-bit ADC with 7 input channels handles thermistor, photodiode, and battery-voltage monitoring without external signal conditioning, while the 4 KB Flash stores the sensor-stack protocol stack and calibration tables. Placed on a 6x6 mm QFN footprint, the MCU enables coin-cell or two-AAA form factors where board area is at a premium.
Recommended
Remote Control Handheld Transmitters
Consumer remote controls require a small, low-power MCU capable of waking on a button interrupt, scanning a keypad, modulating an IR or RF carrier, and returning to deep sleep. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's 0.1 uA standby current extends battery life across years of typical use, while its 16 digital I/O pins accommodate 4x4 matrix keypads plus status LEDs. The hardware USART interfaces directly with low-cost RF transmitter modules, and the 28-QFN (6x6 mm) footprint enables slim ergonomic enclosures under 10 mm thick.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered transmitters and PLC analog input modules demand deterministic 8-bit control with built-in ADC. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's 10-bit ADC with 7 channels and 2.0-5.5V operation handles bridge sensors, RTDs, and 0-10V process signals directly. The industrial -40C to +85C rating and QFN's exposed thermal pad support factory-floor environments with elevated ambient temperatures, while ICSP enables in-field firmware updates via the same terminals used for power and signal.
Recommended
Small Appliance Motor Control
Small universal and BLDC motors in kitchen appliances, fans, and power tools need compact MCU control with PWM generation and ADC for current sensing. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's Enhanced CCP and standard CCP modules deliver complementary or single-ended PWM outputs for triac or MOSFET drivers, while the 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF and current shunt signals. The 40 MHz core closes control loops within 100 us, fast enough for sensorless BLDC start-up and synchronous rectification. The 28-QFN package fits densely populated motor-control PCBs.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostat Control
Wall-mounted HVAC thermostats need low-cost MCUs that can read thermistors, drive LCD or LED displays, switch relays, and manage weekly schedules. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's 7-channel ADC handles room temperature, humidity sensor, setpoint potentiometer, and supply-rail monitoring. The 4 KB Flash accommodates scheduling firmware and PID loops for proportional heating/cooling control. Industrial temperature grade supports unheated equipment closets, while nanoWatt Technology keeps idle-mode consumption below 50 uA so a 24VAC trickle supply is sufficient.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Automotive body controllers (window lifts, mirror adjusters, lighting modules) operate from a 12V battery rail and need wide-tolerance, low-cost MCU control. The PIC18F1220T-I/ML's 2.0-5.5V range accepts the regulated 5V body rail directly, and the 10-bit ADC reads wiper position, ambient light, and switch inputs. The 16 digital I/O pins drive MOSFET bridges and indicator LEDs, while ICSP supports dealer-level firmware reflashing. For harsher under-hood conditions, the PIC18F1220-H/ML high-temperature variant shares the same footprint.
Recommended
USB-to-Serial Bridge Adapters
Low-cost USB-to-UART debug bridges and field-programmer adapters can be built around the PIC18F1220T-I/ML, leveraging its hardware USART and ICSP programming interface. The 4 KB Flash stores CDC-class USB firmware or a simple bootloader, while the 40 MHz core handles USB polling and serial echo without buffering overruns. The QFN's 6x6 mm footprint fits inside Type-A connector shells, and the wide 2.0-5.5V VDD range tolerates bus-powered 5V and 3.3V signaling on the target side.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F1220T-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1220-I/ML | PIC18F1220-H/ML | PIC18F1320T-I/ML | PIC18F1230T-I/ML | PIC18F1330T-I/ML | PIC18LF1220T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC Resolution / Channels | 10-bit / 7 channels | 10-bit / 7 channels | 10-bit / 7 channels | 10-bit / 12 channels | 10-bit / 12 channels | 10-bit / 12 channels | 10-bit / 7 channels |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +150C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest 18F MCU footprint in the 28-pin QFN option (vs PIC18F1220T-I/SO (SOIC wide))
- Lowest-cost 4 KB Flash option in the 28-QFN PIC18F family (vs PIC18F1320T-I/ML)
- Industrial temperature grade standard, extended grade available in same footprint (vs PIC18F1220-H/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC18F1220T-I/ML operates from a single 2.0V to 5.5V rail. Decouple VDD/VSS pairs with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 5 mm of each supply pin and add a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the MCU entry point. Per the Microchip datasheet, supply noise above 50 mVpp can degrade ADC accuracy and cause instruction fetch errors; use a ferrite bead if the rail shares a noisy switching converter.
Estimated: at 40 MHz CPU clock and 5V VDD, the PIC18F1220T-I/ML typically draws about 11 mA active (~55 mW). For the 28-QFN 6x6 mm package with exposed thermal pad, junction-to-ambient theta_JA is approximately 39 C/W per typical QFN data, yielding a junction rise of 2 C above ambient at full active load. No heatsink is required, but the exposed pad MUST be soldered to a ground copper pour of at least 1 square inch to achieve the rated thermal performance.
The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) ML package has a 0.5 mm pitch land pattern and exposed thermal pad. Per IPC-7351 guidelines, route signals on inner layers with via-in-pad recommended under the thermal pad for ground stitching. Keep clock traces (OSC1/OSC2) shorter than 10 mm and guard them with ground copper. Avoid routing analog signals (AN0-AN9) directly under the QFN body to minimize capacitive coupling to digital return currents.
Do not assume the LF (low-voltage) variants are drop-in replacements without verifying VDD range - the PIC18LF1220T-I/ML only operates up to 3.6V versus 5.5V for the standard F part. Per the Microchip datasheet, exceeding 3.6V on an LF variant can cause permanent damage. Also note that the ICSP pins (PGD/PGC) share RB6/RB7; if these pins are used for general I/O, add a series resistor or buffer to prevent in-circuit programming collisions.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The -I suffix denotes industrial temperature (-40C to +85C); the -H suffix denotes extended temperature (-40C to +150C). Not AEC-Q100 qualified as standard - contact Microchip for automotive-grade PIC18F equivalents.
