PIC18F15Q40-I/SS - 64MHz 8-bit MCU, 32KB Flash, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F15Q40-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.97 | $19.70 |
| 100 | $1.72 | $172.00 |
| 500 | $1.45 | $725.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.21 | $1,210.00 |
PIC18F15Q40-I/SS Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a programmable computing core that executes one byte per internal data path and integrates Flash program memory, SRAM, and peripherals into a single silicon die. The PIC18 family extends Microchip's baseline PIC16 architecture with a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, linear RAM map, and C-friendly compiler support (XC8), placing it in the MCU hierarchy above PIC10/12/16 and below the 16-bit dsPIC/PIC24 and 32-bit PIC32 lines. PIC18-Q40 specifically targets compact, low-pin-count real-time control designs.
Key features of the PIC18F15Q40 include a 12-bit ADC-with-Computation (ADCC) supporting automated Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) touch sensing, two 8-bit DACs, two 16-bit PWMs with complementary outputs and center-aligned modes, a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller, Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) for hardware glue logic, and communication peripherals including UART, SPI, and I2C. The ADCC engine performs oversampling, averaging, and threshold comparisons autonomously, reducing CPU burden.
Architecturally, the device combines an 8-bit data path with a 16-bit enhanced Harvard instruction set, 31-level stack, and 49 instructions. Internal 64 MHz oscillator accuracy is +/-1 percent across voltage and temperature. The CIP (Core Independent Peripherals) approach - CLC + DMA + ADCC - allows sensor-processing pipelines to run without waking the CPU, enabling low-power sensor node designs.
Typical applications include capacitive touch user interfaces, sensor signal conditioning, LED lighting control, small motor control, IoT end nodes, and battery-powered instrumentation. The combination of ADCC, DAC, and PWM in a 20-pin SSOP suits appliance front panels, white-goods controls, and compact industrial sensor modules.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the SSOP-20 footprint accommodates 0.65 mm pitch routing and that the CVD touch sensor trace geometry follows Microchip's mTouch guidelines. Power sequencing is straightforward within the 1.8 V to 5.5 V range, and decoupling per the datasheet (100 nF + 1 uF) should be placed within 3 mm of VDD pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes - including DMA and CLC usage patterns - that are not collected in a single location in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F15Q40-I/SS — 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 PIC18F15Q40-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, DAC, Package, PWM, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F14Q40-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F14Q40T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F15Q41-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F15Q40-E/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14Q41-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K22-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F15Q40-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC18-Q40 |
| Core | 8-bit PIC18 |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC-with-Computation (ADCC), automated CVD |
| DAC | 2 x 8-bit DAC |
| PWM | 2 x 16-bit PWM (with complementary outputs) |
| DMA | Yes (Direct Memory Access controller) |
| CLC | Configurable Logic Cells (hardware glue logic) |
| Communication | UART, SPI, I2C |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial, /I suffix) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F15Q40-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Digital I/O / ADC input |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — Digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — Digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O / OSCOUT |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — Digital I/O / OSCIN |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — Digital I/O / SCL |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — Digital I/O / SDA |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — Digital I/O / TX |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground (digital) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | VPP/MCLR — Programming voltage / Master Clear reset |
Typical Applications
PIC18F15Q40-I/SS is suitable for 7 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, Sensor Signal Conditioning and Data Logging, LED Lighting and Dimming Control, Small Motor and Fan Control, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node, Appliance and White-Goods Front Panel Control, Industrial Sensor Module (4-20 mA / 0-10 V).
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS is purpose-built for capacitive touch front panels because of its integrated 12-bit ADC-with-Computation (ADCC) that automates Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) scanning. CVD charges and transfers through the sensor pad while the ADCC samples and applies oversampling/averaging, all without CPU intervention. With 18 GPIO and 32 KB Flash, the device supports up to 18 touch electrodes plus a small UI state machine, while the CLC (Configurable Logic Cells) can combine sensor triggers in hardware. The 20-SSOP package fits behind slim glass or plastic panels, and 1.8-5.5 V operation simplifies Li-ion or 3.3 V system designs. Typical standby current in sleep is sub-uA, supporting always-on touch wake.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Data Logging
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS integrates the ADCC, two 8-bit DACs, and a DMA controller that together form a complete sensor-processing pipeline. The ADCC performs 12-bit sampling, oversampling, and threshold comparison; DMA moves results directly to RAM buffers without waking the CPU; the DACs provide bias or excitation voltages to bridge-type sensors. With 2 KB SRAM and 512 B EEPROM for calibration constants, the MCU can log sensor history locally. The 64 MHz core (16 MIPS) is ample for simple digital filtering or PID control. Compared to external ADC+MCU solutions, this single-chip integration reduces BOM and PCB area, ideal for compact sensor modules.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS delivers precise lighting control through its two 16-bit PWMs with center-aligned and complementary-output modes - ideal for driving high-brightness LEDs and buck/boost LED drivers. The CLC enables hardware PWM fault shutdown, dimming logic, and color-mixing without CPU overhead, while DMA continuously updates PWM duty registers for flicker-free animation. The integrated 8-bit DACs can generate analog 0-10 V dimming signals for professional lighting fixtures. At 64 MHz, the MCU supports DALI, 0-10 V, and proprietary lighting protocols on UART. Its 1.8-5.5 V range and small 20-SSOP package suit space-constrained LED driver boards.
Recommended
Small Motor and Fan Control
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS supports BLDC, brushed DC, and stepper motor control with its 16-bit PWMs, complementary outputs with programmable dead-band, and integrated 12-bit ADC for back-EMF sensing. The CLC implements hardware commutation logic that offloads the CPU, while DMA feeds PWM duty updates without jitter. With 32 KB Flash, complex field-oriented control (FOC) or sensorless commutation algorithms fit comfortably. The 20-SSOP footprint is small enough for inline motor controllers in fans, small pumps, and appliance drives. Industrial -40 to +85C operating range and 5 V tolerance suit harsh under-hood or motor bay environments.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS is well-suited to battery-powered IoT edge nodes thanks to its 1.8-5.5 V operating range (single-cell Li-ion compatible) and nanoWatt XLP sleep modes that drop current consumption to sub-microamp levels. The CLC, DMA, and ADCC peripherals continue to process sensor data in sleep without CPU wake, dramatically extending battery life. With 32 KB Flash and 2 KB SRAM, the device runs MQTT-SN or proprietary RF stack plus a sensor application. The 20-SSOP package minimizes PCB area in coin-cell or AAA-powered designs. Compared to Cortex-M0+ alternatives, the PIC18-Q40 offers lower sleep current and integrated analog for sensor nodes.
Recommended
Appliance and White-Goods Front Panel Control
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS targets appliance user interfaces because it combines capacitive touch (ADCC+CVD), display driving via SPI to LCDs, and PWM for backlight or buzzer control in a single chip. With 18 GPIO and 32 KB Flash, it supports up to 20 touch buttons, an SPI/I2C display, and rotary encoder inputs - typical for washing machines, ovens, and induction cooktops. The CLC implements hardware safety interlocks (e.g., child-lock combinations) without CPU code. Industrial -40 to +85C operation and 5 V tolerance suit the noisy mains-coupled environment of white goods, while the SSOP-20 footprint fits behind sealed membrane keypads.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Module (4-20 mA / 0-10 V)
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS forms the brain of compact industrial sensor modules by combining the 12-bit ADCC for sensor input, an 8-bit DAC for analog output, and UART for RS-485 or 0-10 V signaling. With DMA, the ADCC continuously samples the sensor while the CPU handles linearization and protocol conversion. The CLC implements hardware watchdog and fault-detection logic. The 20-SSOP package fits DIN-rail-mounted sensor heads where PCB area is at a premium. Industrial -40 to +85C and 5.5 V tolerance accommodate 24 V industrial bus rails with appropriate external protection. The 32 KB Flash supports calibration tables and Modbus RTU stacks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F15Q40-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F14Q40-I/SS | PIC18F14Q40T-I/SS | PIC18F15Q41-I/SS | PIC18F15Q40-E/SS | PIC18F14Q41-I/SS | PIC18F13K22-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same | 20-SSOP - same |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 | 8-bit PIC18 | 8-bit PIC18 | 8-bit PIC18 | |||
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | |||
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | ||
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 512 B | |||
| EEPROM | 512 B | 512 B | 512 B | 256 B | |||
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD + slope ADC | 10-bit ADC (no ADCC) | |||
| DMA | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |||
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated 12-bit ADCC with hardware CVD for capacitive touch (vs PIC18F13K22-I/SS)
- DMA controller offloads CPU for sensor and PWM data movement (vs PIC18F13K22-I/SS)
- 32 KB Flash with same 20-SSOP footprint as 16 KB variant (vs PIC18F14Q40-I/SS)
- Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) implement hardware glue logic (vs PIC18F13K22-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC18F15Q40-I/SS operates from 1.8 V to 5.5 V with on-chip LDO and BOR. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD pin, plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF capacitor on the main supply. For battery-powered designs, route ADC reference (VDD) separately from digital VDD if the analog section is sensitive, and use the device's nanoWatt XLP sleep mode for sub-uA standby. BOR should be enabled in firmware (BOREN = 1) for industrial deployments to prevent code execution at low VDD.
For capacitive touch sensing using the ADCC+CVD, follow Microchip's mTouch design guidelines: route touch sensor traces as short and narrow as possible, with consistent ground shielding, and avoid crossing touch traces with high-frequency digital signals. Place a ground flood under and around touch sensors but maintain a hatched ground plane to reduce parasitic capacitance. The 20-SSOP package has 0.65 mm pin pitch - keep trace widths at least 0.15 mm and use micro vias if internal routing is required. Keep the IC's VSS pin directly bonded to the ground plane with multiple vias for lowest touch noise.
Common pitfalls with PIC18F15Q40-I/SS include: (1) forgetting to enable peripheral pin select (PPS) for remappable functions like UART TX/RX; (2) not configuring the ADCC acquisition time long enough for high-impedance sensors (use at least 8 ADCLK cycles); (3) misconfiguring the CLC and forgetting that CLC inputs require specific source selection; (4) using internal oscillator at low VDD without checking HFINTOSC stability - external crystal may be needed for UART reliability; (5) ignoring the Flash write/erase voltage requirement (Vmin for NVM operations is typically 2.7 V, lower at reduced system frequency). Always consult the PIC18F04/05/14/15Q40 datasheet electrical characteristics section before finalizing the design.
For PWM-driven motor or LED applications, use the 16-bit PWM center-aligned mode to reduce EMI by spreading switching edges symmetrically. Enable PWM complementary outputs with programmable dead-band to prevent shoot-through in half-bridge drivers. Route PWM traces away from analog sensor inputs and add ground guards between PWM and analog sections. For UART communication at speeds above 115200 baud, prefer the external crystal oscillator mode (HS or XT with PLL) rather than the internal HFINTOSC to ensure baud rate accuracy within +/-2 percent. The CLC can be configured as a hardware fault-monitor that immediately shuts down PWM outputs on overcurrent events without CPU latency.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliance per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable - choose PIC18F family variants with /VAO suffix for automotive qualification if needed.
