PIC18F1230-E/SO - 8-bit MCU 4KB Flash 25MHz 18-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F1230-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.68 | $4.68 |
| 10 | $4.21 | $42.10 |
| 100 | $3.78 | $378.00 |
| 500 | $3.4 | $1,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.05 | $3,050.00 |
PIC18F1230-E/SO Overview
A PIC18F microcontroller is an 8-bit RISC flash MCU belonging to the PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) family -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded control IC hierarchy. The PIC18F series adds a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, linear program memory up to 2 MB, and C-friendly architecture to the classic PIC16 baseline, while remaining code-compatible with smaller PIC devices. The 'F' suffix indicates Flash program memory, enabling reprogrammable in-circuit development via ICSP.
Key features include 4 KB (2K x 16) self-programmable Flash, 256 bytes RAM, 16 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit A/D converter, an enhanced 14-bit PWM module with dedicated time-base, and nanoWatt power-managed sleep modes that drop Iq below 1 uA. The 8-bit RISC core executes most instructions in a single 100 ns cycle (at 40 MHz oscillator, FOSC/4 = 10 MHz instruction rate). On-chip peripherals include a USART/SCI, MSSP (SPI/I2C), two analog comparators, and a power-managed timer with 4-bit prescaler.
Typical applications include motor control (BLDC, brushed DC, stepper), low-end digital power conversion, LED lighting drivers with analog dimming, sensor conditioning front-ends, and small appliance controls. The extended -E temperature grade supports outdoor and industrial installations.
When designing with this device, ensure the 5V supply rail has 4.2V-5.5V tolerance under all load transients and that the ICSP programming header is accessible on the PCB. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and route the MCLR pull-up close to the IC to avoid spurious resets.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, cross-manufacturer drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the PIC18F1230-E/SO for both new designs and legacy system refresh.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F1230-E/SO — 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 PIC18F1230-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in A/D Converter, Core Architecture, Package, Analog Comparators, Communication Peripherals.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1230-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1320-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-E/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1230-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC18 RISC, 8-bit data / 16-bit instruction word |
| Program Memory | 4 KB Flash (2K x 16) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 25 MHz (FOSC = 40 MHz, 4 TCY per instruction) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit |
| PWM Module | Enhanced 14-bit PWM, 3 channels |
| Communication Peripherals | USART/SCI, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 with PWM time-base |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt (Sleep, Idle, Doze) |
| Operating Temperature (E suffix) | -40C to +125C (Extended Industrial) |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295", 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F1230-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / A/D VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / A/D VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O / Oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O / Oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2V-5.5V) |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 13 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2/PWM1 — Digital I/O / PWM1 output |
| Pin 15 | RB3/PWM2 — Digital I/O / PWM2 output |
| Pin 16 | RB4/PWM3 — Digital I/O / PWM3 output |
| Pin 17 | RB5/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM1 |
| Pin 18 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
Typical Applications
PIC18F1230-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Brushed DC Motor Control, LED Lighting Drivers with Analog Dimming, Small Appliance and Home-Appliance Controls, Sensor Conditioning and Signal-Processing Front-Ends, Automotive Cabin and Body Electronics, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes.
Brushed DC Motor Control
The PIC18F1230-E/SO is purpose-built for low-cost brushed DC motor drives. Its 14-bit enhanced PWM module generates 3 complementary channels with programmable dead-band, while the 25 MHz CPU executes the PID loop at sub-millisecond rates. Two on-chip analog comparators feed the back-EMF zero-cross detection directly into the PWM fault input, eliminating external op-amps. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade and 4.2V-5.5V supply tolerance cover automotive under-hood and industrial cabinet environments. Compared with discrete motor controllers, this IC reduces BOM count by 30-40% and supports in-field firmware updates via ICSP.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers with Analog Dimming
The PIC18F1230-E/SO drives constant-current LED strings via its 14-bit PWM outputs, achieving smooth analog dimming with 16384 brightness steps. The 10-bit A/D reads photodiode sensors for ambient-light feedback, while the nanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent current below 1 uA when the lamp is off. USART and MSSP peripherals enable DALI or 0-10V dimming protocol stacks without an external transceiver. The 18-SOIC footprint is mechanically compatible with standard LED-driver PCB layouts, and the extended temperature grade suits outdoor luminaires from -40C to +125C junction.
Recommended
Small Appliance and Home-Appliance Controls
Coffee machines, washing-machine pumps, and kitchen-hood fans are ideal applications for the PIC18F1230-E/SO. The 25 MHz CPU handles user-interface debouncing, PWM heating-element control, and safety timers simultaneously. 16 digital I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, capacitive-touch buttons, and relay outputs. The 4 KB Flash accommodates full state-machine firmware plus a USB-to-UART bootloader via the ICSP interface. The -E temperature grade ensures reliability near heating elements and steam, while the 4.2V-5.5V supply tolerates rectified-transformer rail droop at motor startup.
Recommended
Sensor Conditioning and Signal-Processing Front-Ends
The PIC18F1230-E/SO serves as an intelligent analog front-end for industrial sensors. Its 10-bit A/D converter samples up to 9 channels at 100 ksps, while the hardware multiplier accelerates digital filters and scaling math. Dual analog comparators provide window detection for over/under-range alarms without CPU intervention. The MSSP peripheral drives SPI or I2C sensors, and the USART outputs RS-232 or RS-485 to the host PLC. With 4 KB Flash and nanoWatt sleep modes, the IC forms a compact, low-power bridge between analog transducers and digital control networks.
Recommended
Automotive Cabin and Body Electronics
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified, the PIC18F1230-E/SO is widely used in non-safety automotive subsystems such as HVAC actuators, mirror controllers, and seat-adjustment modules. The -E temperature grade (-40C to +125C) covers cabin conditions, and the 5V supply aligns with the automotive 12V-bus post-regulation. The 14-bit PWM produces precise motor-positioning signals for servo-driven mirrors and vents, while the LIN-compatible USART plus timer captures support body-network protocols. Hardware CRC and the 16-bit instruction word enable deterministic, real-time control without an RTOS.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
For low-duty-cycle IoT nodes, the PIC18F1230-E/SO delivers extended battery life via nanoWatt sleep modes with <1 uA Iq, periodic wake-up via the watchdog timer, and integrated 10-bit ADC for sensor reads. The 4 KB Flash accommodates simple LoRaWAN or Zigbee MAC stacks, and the USART interfaces with sub-GHz transceivers such as the Microchip MRF89XA. The 256-byte RAM is sufficient for queued sensor samples and protocol buffers. The 18-SOIC package is hand-solderable for prototype IoT boards, and the 4.2V-5.5V supply works directly from a 2x AA alkaline or single Li-ion cell with an LDO.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F1230-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1230-I/SO | PIC18F1230T-I/SO | PIC18F1320-E/SO | PIC18F1220-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 18-SOIC (0.295") | 18-SOIC (0.295") - same | 18-SOIC (0.295") - same | 18-SOIC (0.295") - same | 18-SOIC (0.295") - same |
| Program Flash | 4 KB (2K x 16) | 4 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB (+100%) | 4 KB |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 25 MHz / 10 MIPS | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | 25 MHz |
| PWM Module | Enhanced 14-bit, 3 channels | Enhanced 14-bit, 3 channels | Enhanced 14-bit, 3 channels | Standard 10-bit (downgrade) | 10-bit CCP (downgrade) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (-E grade) | -40C to +85C (-I grade) | -40C to +85C (-I grade) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C |
| I/O Pins | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Key Differentiators
- Enhanced 14-bit PWM module vs standard 10-bit CCP (vs PIC18F1220-E/SO)
- Extended industrial temperature grade (-40C to +125C) vs industrial (-40C to +85C) (vs PIC18F1230-I/SO)
- 4 KB optimized Flash vs 8 KB in PIC18F1320 (vs PIC18F1320-E/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: the PIC18F1230-E/SO draws ~15 mA active at 25 MHz CPU and <1 uA in Sleep mode. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 11) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum cap on the supply rail. The 4.2V-5.5V VDD range is intentionally narrow to keep ADC accuracy; design the upstream LDO or switching regulator for <50 mV ripple to avoid degrading the 10-bit A/D effective number of bits (ENOB) at full sample rate.
The PIC18F1230-E/SO MCLR pin (pin 9) is internally pulled high by configuration-bit selection. Always include an external 10 kohm pull-up to VDD with a 100 nF cap to ground to prevent spurious resets during noisy motor-drive events. ICSP programming requires the PGC/PGD pins (RB6/RB7) to be free of loading above 50 pF; do not place large LEDs or relays directly on these pins during development.
Route the oscillator traces (OSC1/OSC2, pins 8/7) symmetrically and within 5 mm of the IC with a guard ground on both sides to suppress radiated EMI. The PWM outputs (RB2/RB3/RB4) carry high dV/dt signals; keep these traces short and add series ferrite beads if they exceed 25 mm in length to comply with FCC/CE radiated-emission limits.
Estimated: at VDD = 5.5 V, 25 MHz active CPU, and all I/O toggling at 10 MHz, the 18-SOIC package dissipates roughly 80-100 mW. The 18-SOIC thermal resistance (theta_JA) is approximately 100 C/W, giving a junction temperature rise of 8-10 C above ambient. The -E temperature grade permits ambient up to 125 C, leaving minimal headroom; verify by thermal imaging during prototype characterization.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page; lead-free reflow profile JEDEC J-STD-020 supported. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive safety applications use PIC18F K-series with AEC-Q100 grade.