PIC18F1230-I/ML - 8-bit 40MHz MCU 4KB Flash 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F1230-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.05 | $4.05 |
| 10 | $3.62 | $36.20 |
| 100 | $3.05 | $305.00 |
| 500 | $2.68 | $1,340.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.41 | $2,410.00 |
PIC18F1230-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip processor with an 8-bit data path, integrated flash program memory, RAM, and on-chip peripherals (ADC, PWM, timers, communication ports). MCUs sit within the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. They are widely used to sense, decide, and act in embedded systems ranging from appliances and motor drives to automotive body electronics. The PIC18 family specifically targets high-performance 8-bit applications that benefit from RISC-like instruction execution, hardware multiply, and C-friendly architecture.
Key features of the PIC18F1230 include nanoWatt technology for dynamic power management (multiple idle/sleep modes), an internal 8 MHz oscillator, an enhanced 14-bit Power Control PWM module optimized for motor control, a 10-bit A/D converter with up to 8 input channels, three on-chip analog comparators, and a LIN-capable Enhanced USART. The 28-QFN (ML) package provides a compact 6x6 mm footprint with an exposed thermal pad, suiting space-constrained PCB layouts while maintaining adequate heat dissipation for the specified operating range.
From an architectural standpoint, the PIC18F1230 uses a Harvard-class RISC core with hardware multiply, single-cycle instruction execution at the oscillator frequency (4 TCY per instruction cycle for a 40 MHz oscillator), and separate program/data buses. The 4 KB flash supports self-programming via the ICSP interface, allowing in-field firmware updates. The combination of high-speed PWM, fast comparators, and ADC allows sensorless and sensored motor-control loops to be closed in firmware without external hardware.
Typical applications include single-phase and three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor control, switched-mode power supply (SMPS) digital control, LIN-based automotive body electronics (window lift, seat, mirror, lighting), sensor fan control, and small appliance drives. Its LIN USART and PWM make it a frequent choice for low-cost automotive node ECUs.
When designing with this device, allow a decoupling capacitor (typically 100 nF plus bulk) on every VDD pin as close to the package as possible, and connect the QFN exposed pad to a solid ground plane for thermal and electrical performance. Programming uses Microchip's ICSP interface; plan header access or test points accordingly.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC18F family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a faster path from selection to prototype.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F1230-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 PIC18F1230-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Mounting Type, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1330-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1230-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1320-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC 18F |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 4 KB (2K x 16 words) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes (typical, PIC18F1x30 family) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 3 on-chip |
| PWM Channels | Power Control PWM (multiple outputs, 14-bit resolution class) |
| Communication | Enhanced USART (LIN-capable), AUSART |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial, '-I' suffix) |
| Package | 28-QFN (ML), 6x6 mm with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| I/O Pins | 21 (typical, 28-pin QFN device) |
| ICSP / In-Circuit Programming | Yes |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes (multiple idle/sleep modes) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes (per Microchip product page) |
PIC18F1230-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/C1OUT — Digital I/O / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal/oscillator input or digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/RA6 — Crystal/oscillator output or digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 12 | RC2/PWM1 — Digital I/O / PWM1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/PWM2 — Digital I/O / PWM2 output |
| Pin 14 | RC4/PWM3 — Digital I/O / PWM3 output |
| Pin 15 | RC5/PWM4 — Digital I/O / PWM4 output |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O / USART TX |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O / USART RX |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / External interrupt |
| Pin 19 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F1230-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC Motor Control, LIN Automotive Body Electronics, Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control, Sensor Fan Control, Small Appliance Drives, Battery-Operated Sensor Modules.
BLDC Motor Control
The PIC18F1230-I/ML is engineered for single-phase and small three-phase brushless DC motor control. Its Power Control PWM module (multiple complementary outputs with programmable dead time) and three on-chip analog comparators enable sensorless back-EMF zero-crossing detection at 40 MHz, while the 10-bit ADC supports current and voltage feedback. In a typical 5 V fan or pump drive the part's flash budget covers startup, commutation tables, and fault handling; its nanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent current between commands. For designers needing more code space, PIC18F1330-I/ML shares the same 28-QFN footprint and offers 8 KB flash as a drop-in upgrade.
Recommended
LIN Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC18F1230-I/ML's LIN-capable Enhanced USART and 2.0-5.5 V operating range make it a cost-effective node ECU for window lift, mirror, seat, and lighting modules. The 4 KB flash comfortably stores LIN SCI/LIN 1.x/2.x stacks plus command handlers, while the 256-byte RAM holds RX/TX buffers. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade is suitable for cabin-mounted body ECUs. Decoupling must follow automotive practice (100 nF plus 10 uF bulk near VDD pins); for higher-grade AEC-Q100 requirements consult dsPIC33 or PIC18K families.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Digital Control
The 40 MHz CPU, fast comparator sub-system, and Power Control PWM make the PIC18F1230-I/ML suitable for digital control of small DC-DC converters and LED drivers. The PWM supports high-resolution duty cycle control at switching frequencies up to several hundred kHz, while the comparators provide hardware cycle-by-cycle current limiting. The 10-bit ADC samples output voltage/current for closed-loop regulation. With only 4 KB of flash, control loops should be implemented with tight assembly-critical sections in C; for more complex multi-loop PFC designs step up to dsPIC33 or PIC18K devices.
Recommended
Sensor Fan Control
Compact cooling fans for networking, storage, and consumer electronics pair well with the PIC18F1230-I/ML. The PWM drives an external FET or integrated driver to commutate the motor, while the analog comparators and ADC read tach pulses or temperature sensors to vary duty cycle. The 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm package plus exposed thermal pad fits even small 50 mm fan hub boards. With nanoWatt sleep, the part draws negligible current when the system is idle but still allows fast wakeup on a comparator or timer event.
Recommended
Small Appliance Drives
Coffee grinders, blenders, mixers, and similar small appliances benefit from the PIC18F1230-I/ML's combination of motor-control PWM, comparators, and on-chip peripherals in a tiny 28-QFN. The 5 V supply range allows direct connection to rectified 5 V rails, and 4 KB flash is enough for UI debouncing, safety timing, and speed profiles. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports typical kitchen and workshop environments. For wireless or touch-UI add-on functions, an external companion IC can be added without changing the MCU footprint.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Sensor Modules
The PIC18F1230-I/ML's nanoWatt technology (sleep currents in the microampere range) plus 8 MHz internal oscillator make it a fit for battery-powered sensor nodes that wake, sample, transmit, and sleep. The 10-bit ADC reads temperature, light, or pressure sensors; the Enhanced USART or AUSART talks to a companion BLE/Zigbee/Sub-GHz radio via SPI or UART; and 256-byte RAM plus 4 KB flash cover a typical sensor stack. Run from 2x AA cells or a CR2032 with a boost regulator; check current budget carefully against PIC18F1230 datasheet 39758D power curves.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F1230-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1330-I/ML | PIC18F1230T-I/ML | PIC18F1220-I/ML | PIC18F1320-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm | 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same |
| Program Flash | 4 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes (family-typical) | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes (family-typical) |
| Max CPU Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Power Control PWM | Yes (enhanced, motor-control grade) | Yes (enhanced, motor-control grade) | Yes (same die as this product) | Older PWM variant | Different PWM variant |
| LIN-capable USART | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Power Control PWM tuned for motor drive (vs PIC18F1220-I/ML)
- Drop-in 8 KB flash upgrade path (vs PIC18F1330-I/ML)
- nanoWatt low-power modes vs competing 8-bit MCUs (vs PIC18F1220-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN (ML) package exposes a thermal pad on the underside that must be soldered to a copper pad and stitched with vias to the ground plane for both electrical reference and heat dissipation. Place 100 nF plus 10 uF bulk ceramic decoupling as close to each VDD pin as possible; long traces create ringing on switching PWM edges that the analog comparators can pick up as noise.
Pin functions on the PIC18F1230 are multiplexed - PWM, USART, ADC, comparators, and the ICSP programming pins share I/O. Forgetting that RB6 is also PGC (programming clock) and RB7 is also PGD (programming data) is a common board-design mistake; if either pin is hard-pulled to logic low/high, in-circuit serial programming will fail. Reserve test points for ICSP access on prototype boards.
Estimated: The 28-QFN (ML) 6x6 mm package, when soldered to a 1 oz copper 4-layer board with stitched thermal vias, typically achieves theta_JA around 35 C/W (per Microchip package diagrams in datasheet 39758D). With full 40 MHz operation at 5 V, an MCU typical active current around 12 mA yields only 60 mW internal dissipation, so thermal shutdown is not a concern for typical embedded use; still, the exposed pad must be soldered to keep junction temperature low in enclosed housings.
Compliance Information
Per Microchip product page, the PIC18F1230 family is RoHS compliant and lead-free/halogen-free. The -I industrial grade is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive AEC-Q100 applications consult AEC-Q100-qualified members of the PIC18K or dsPIC33 families.
