PIC18F1230-I/P - 8-Bit 40MHz 4KB Flash MCU 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F1230-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.09 | $5.09 |
| 10 | $4.62 | $46.20 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.05 | $3,050.00 |
PIC18F1230-I/P Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC CPU that executes one instruction per clock cycle (excluding branches) and stores its program code in non-volatile Flash, allowing in-system reprogramming via ICSP. The PIC18 family sits above the baseline PIC16 line with deeper pipelining, a wider 16-bit instruction word, and a richer peripheral set, making it the workhorse tier for cost-sensitive motor control and sensor-interface designs.
Key specifications include 4 KB Flash (2K x 16 words), 256 bytes of SRAM, 16 GPIO, the integrated 10-bit A/D converter with multiple input channels, a dedicated Power Control PWM (PCPWM) module suited for driving MOSFETs in half-bridge and full-bridge topologies, and nanoWatt power-saving modes (Idle, Sleep, and oscillator switching). The wide 4.2 V - 5.5 V supply range allows direct regulation from a 5 V rail or a USB-powered bus.
Architecturally, the PIC18F1230 shares its silicon die and peripheral set with the 8 KB-flash sibling PIC18F1330; the two parts differ only in program-memory density and are otherwise interchangeable on the same PCB. Internally the CPU executes a 16-bit instruction set, the Flash is self-programmable under software control, and the PCPWM block supports complementary outputs with programmable dead-band delay - a feature rarely found on competing 18-pin MCUs.
Typical applications include sensor-conditioned motor control (BLDC, brushed DC, and small 3-phase inverters), power-conversion control loops, fan and pump controllers, low-cost SMPS primary-side regulation, and industrial instrumentation front-ends. In these roles the high-performance PWM and on-chip A/D reduce the BOM by eliminating an external gate-driver logic array.
Designers should allocate at least 0.1 µF decoupling on VDD and AVSS, follow Microchip's PCB layout recommendations for the analog section to preserve A/D accuracy, and verify that the chosen oscillator mode meets the 40 MHz FOSC limit. The ICSP/ICD interface uses pins RB6 and RB7, which must be left free of any external driver that would prevent in-circuit programming.
This page synthesises distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives (PIC18F1330-I/P, PIC18F1220-I/P, PIC18F1320-I/P), and practical design notes that are not found in a single manufacturer datasheet or distributor listing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F1230-I/P — 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/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1330-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1320-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F1220-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 4 KB (2K x 16 words) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| PWM Module | Power Control PWM (PCPWM), complementary outputs with dead-band |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt: Idle, Sleep, oscillator switching |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18, 0.300 in / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (THT) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Finish | Matte Tin (Pb-free) |
PIC18F1230-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analogue input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analogue input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analogue input / A/D VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analogue input / A/D VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / analogue input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1 — Crystal / external clock input |
| Pin 9 | OSC2 — Crystal / clock output |
| Pin 10 | PWM1 — Power Control PWM output 1 |
| Pin 11 | PWM2 — Power Control PWM output 2 |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 13 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB5/PWM3 — Digital I/O / Power Control PWM output 3 |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply (4.2 V - 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F1230-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control, Small 3-Phase Inverter / Fan Controller, Primary-Side SMPS Control, Sensor-Conditioning Front-End, Automotive Auxiliary Control (AEC-Q100 variants), Consumer Appliance Control.
Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control
The PIC18F1230-I/P is well suited to small BLDC and brushed DC motor drives because its integrated Power Control PWM (PCPWM) provides complementary outputs with programmable dead-band, eliminating the external gate-driver logic that competing 18-pin MCUs require. The 10-bit A/D simultaneously samples back-EMF or current-shunt signals for closed-loop speed and torque control. With a 40 MHz clock delivering 10 MIPS, the firmware can execute a full sensorless-commutation cycle well under 100 µs, leaving headroom for housekeeping and serial diagnostics.
Recommended
Small 3-Phase Inverter / Fan Controller
In 3-phase fan and pump controllers the PIC18F1230-I/P's PCPWM module directly drives three half-bridge legs with hardware dead-band insertion, removing the software latency risk of PWM-update glitches. The 4 KB Flash holds a sinusoidal or space-vector commutation table plus PI loop, while the 256-byte SRAM retains live phase variables. Operating from 4.2 V - 5.5 V lets the MCU share the 5 V rail of a USB-powered or wall-adapter design.
Recommended
Primary-Side SMPS Control
The PIC18F1230-I/P can act as a primary-side controller for isolated AC-DC or DC-DC converters, where its PCPWM drives the main MOSFET and the 10-bit A/D samples the auxiliary winding for output-voltage estimation. The 40 MHz instruction rate supports digital-compensator loops that close at 50-100 kHz PWM, well above the audible band. nanoWatt sleep modes reduce standby consumption to single-digit µA for ENERGY-STAR and EuP-compliant adapters.
Recommended
Sensor-Conditioning Front-End
The on-chip 10-bit A/D and 16 GPIO make the PIC18F1230-I/P an effective front-end for industrial sensor modules that combine temperature, pressure, or position inputs. The microcontroller can scale, linearise, and serialise sensor data on a single 5 V rail, with nanoWatt modes used during sample intervals to extend battery life. With 4 KB Flash the device holds calibration tables for several sensor types, eliminating an external EEPROM in many designs.
Recommended
Automotive Auxiliary Control (AEC-Q100 variants)
The PIC18F1230-I/P industrial-grade version is suitable for non-safety automotive auxiliaries such as HVAC flap motors, mirror actuators, and seat-position feedback. The integrated PCPWM and A/D let one device replace a discrete op-amp plus 8-bit timer circuit, reducing PCB area and BOM cost. For AEC-Q100-qualified designs the automotive-grade PIC18F1230-I/P variant should be specified - the industrial part is rated -40 °C to +85 °C.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
In white-goods and small kitchen appliances, the PIC18F1230-I/P drives TRIACs, relays, or low-side MOSFETs for heater and motor loads while reading thermistor or rotary-encoder inputs through the 10-bit A/D. The 18-pin PDIP through-hole package simplifies hand-soldered prototypes and field repairs. nanoWatt sleep plus wake-on-keypad reduces idle power below typical ENERGY-STAR standby limits for the entire appliance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F1230-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1330-I/P | PIC18F1220-I/P | PIC18F1320-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-pin PDIP (DIP-18, 0.300 in) | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same | 18-pin PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 4 KB (2K x 16) | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 4 KB (2K x 16) | 4 KB (2K x 16) |
| SRAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Max CPU Clock | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Power Control PWM | Yes (PCPWM, complementary + dead-band) | Yes (PCPWM) | No (standard CCP/PWM) | No (standard CCP/PWM) |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit, multi-channel | 10-bit, multi-channel | 10-bit, multi-channel | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated Power Control PWM with hardware dead-band (vs PIC18F1220-I/P)
- Same-package code-size upgrade path (vs PIC18F1330-I/P)
- 10 MIPS throughput at 40 MHz (vs PIC18F1320-I/P)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18) and a bulk 10 µF electrolytic on the same supply trace. The PIC18F1230-I/P draws up to ~25 mA at 40 MHz; without local bypassing the internal PCPWM outputs can couple noise into the A/D reference, degrading conversion accuracy. Microchip recommends separate AVSS/VSS ties at one star-ground point.
Estimated: at VDD = 5 V, FOSC = 40 MHz, the device typically dissipates ~120 mW, which is well within the 18-pin PDIP 100 °C/W theta-JA envelope. Verify in your mechanical environment that ambient + self-heating rise stays below +85 °C. Reduce FOSC or use Sleep mode for thermally constrained sealed enclosures.
The PIC18F1230-I/P is through-hole in a 0.300 in PDIP footprint. Reserve the ICSP pads on RB6/RB7 so a PICkit 5 or ICD programmer can attach in-circuit. Keep analog traces (AN0-AN4, VREF+/VREF-) short and guarded with a ground pour; route PWM traces (PWM1-PWM3) away from the A/D inputs to minimise digital-to-analogue crosstalk.
Do not pull RB6/RB7 high during reset - both pins are used for ICSP high-voltage mode. Leaving an external pull-up on either pin can prevent entry to programming mode. Also, the PCPWM module requires explicit configuration of the dead-band registers before enabling complementary outputs, otherwise a shoot-through current can destroy the external half-bridge.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade -40 °C to +85 °C. Pb-free matte-tin finish per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualified automotive variants are sold under a different ordering code (PIC18F1230-I/P automotive version); confirm part number suffix before automotive use.
