PIC18F15Q41-I/REB - 8-Bit MCU, 32KB Flash, 20-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F15Q41-I/REB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| 10 | $1.31 | $13.10 |
| 100 | $1.18 | $118.00 |
| 500 | $1.04 | $520.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.92 | $920.00 |
PIC18F15Q41-I/REB Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, integrating a CPU, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, peripherals, and I/O on one silicon die. PIC18-family MCUs from Microchip use a Harvard-architecture RISC core with hardware multiplier, offering deterministic instruction timing, low power consumption, and a mature MPLAB X / MCC toolchain. They sit within the broader category of embedded microcontrollers -> microprocessors -> semiconductors -> integrated circuits.
Key differentiating features of the PIC18F15Q41-I/REB include a 12-bit ADC2 with computation, an 8-bit DAC, two on-chip operational amplifiers, a 16-bit PWM, DMA, and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS). The device also integrates two UART, SPI, and I2C peripherals plus a complementary waveform generator (CWG) and numerically controlled oscillator (NCO). These features position the part above general-purpose 8-bit MCUs and adjacent to Microchip's PIC16 family.
Architecturally, the PIC18F15Q41 leverages the enhanced mid-range core with a modified Harvard bus, hardware multiply/divide, and vectored interrupts. The advanced analog peripherals - op-amp + 12-bit ADC2 - reduce the bill of materials in sensor-conditioning circuits, while DMA offloads data movement from the CPU.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, industrial sensing and control loops, LED lighting drivers, medical instrumentation front-ends, and consumer appliances requiring on-chip analog conditioning in a small 3x3 mm VQFN footprint. When designing with this device, ensure the VQFN-20 (3x3) thermal pad is properly soldered to the PCB ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical reference. The on-chip op-amp output drives only modest loads - buffer externally if heavy sourcing/sinking is required.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F15Q41-I/REB — 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 PIC18F15Q41-I/REB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, DAC, Program Memory (Flash), Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F15Q41T-I/REB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F16Q41-I/REB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F14Q41-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.52 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F05Q41T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F06Q40T-I/ST
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F15Q41-I/REB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with computation |
| DAC | 8-bit DAC |
| Operational Amplifiers | 2 on-chip op-amps |
| PWM | 16-bit PWM |
| DMA | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x UART, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 20-VQFN (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F15Q41-I/REB Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — I/O port A bit 5 |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — I/O port A bit 4 |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — I/O port A bit 2 / DAC output |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — I/O port A bit 1 / OPA1 input |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — I/O port A bit 0 / OPA1 output |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — I/O port A bit 7 / OPA2 input |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — I/O port A bit 6 / OPA2 output |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 14 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 15 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 16 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 17 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8-5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — I/O port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | RB6 — I/O port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
Typical Applications
PIC18F15Q41-I/REB is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Conditioning, LED Lighting Drivers, Medical Instrumentation Front-Ends, Consumer Appliance Control, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety).
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB fits IoT sensor-node designs because its on-chip op-amps, 12-bit ADC2, and 64 MHz core eliminate most external analog components while staying within a 3x3 mm VQFN footprint. With 32 KB Flash it can run Microchip's 8-bit TCP/IP stack variants, sensor-fusion firmware, or Bluetooth Low Energy beacon controllers via SPI-attached transceivers. Designers place the part on a 4-layer PCB with the thermal pad soldered to ground for thermal dissipation. Compared with discrete op-amp + MCU solutions, the integrated analog chain reduces BOM by 3-5 components and shrinks the analog front-end below 15 mm squared.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB is well suited for industrial 4-20 mA loop transmitters, bridge-sensor readouts, and process-control front-ends where on-chip op-amps directly condition strain-gauge or thermocouple signals. The 12-bit ADC2 with computation performs hardware-averaged conversions, offloading the CPU. UART/SPI interfaces connect to industrial transceivers or HMI displays. The 1.8-5.5 V supply range accommodates both 24 V-loop-derived and 3.3 V-rail instrumentation. Operating temperature of -40C to +85C (industrial grade) covers factory-floor environments.
Recommended
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB drives LED lighting applications via its 16-bit PWM, complementary waveform generator, and on-chip op-amps for current-sense amplification. It supports dimming protocols including 0-10 V analog, DALI via UART, and DMX via UART at up to 250 kbaud. With DMA, the PWM duty-cycle registers update without CPU intervention, enabling smooth color-mixing transitions across multiple LED channels. The 3x3 mm VQFN outline fits inside MR16-form-factor luminaires where board area is severely constrained.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation Front-Ends
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB serves medical front-ends such as pulse-oximeter sensors, glucose-meter analog chains, and handheld diagnostic probes. The 12-bit ADC2 plus op-amps measure photodiode currents in pulse-oximetry or potentiostat currents in electrochemical sensors. The 8-bit DAC provides bias or stimulation waveforms. With deterministic 16 MIPS throughput, the part executes filter and demodulation routines within real-time budgets required by Class A and Class B medical equipment. Compact VQFN-20 packaging enables wearable form factors.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB powers small consumer appliances - coffee machines, hair dryers, air purifiers - by combining capacitive-touch sensing via PPS-mapped peripherals, PWM motor control, and UART/I2C connectivity. The PPS feature routes UART, SPI, and PWM signals to almost any I/O pin, simplifying PCB layout for capacitive-sensor PCBs. On-chip op-amps condition thermistor inputs for over-temperature protection. Low-cost pricing around USD 0.92 at qty 1000 makes it suitable for cost-sensitive consumer SKUs as of 2026-09-26.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC18F15Q41-I/REB targets non-safety automotive body modules such as ambient lighting, seat-position controllers, and HVAC damper drivers. While the -I (industrial) grade suits cabin environments, the AEC-Q100-qualified Q41 variants address stricter module requirements. The 16-bit PWM drives small brushed-DC and stepper motors for seat positioning, while UART/LIN transceivers attach for body-network communication. On-chip op-amps amplify seat-occupancy sensor signals, reducing external analog IC count.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F15Q41-I/REB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F15Q41T-I/REB | PIC18F16Q41-I/REB | PIC18F14Q41-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-VQFN (3x3 mm) | 20-VQFN (3x3) - same | 20-VQFN (3x3) - same | 20-SOIC - same family, different package |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | Up to 64 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2-4 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| On-Chip Op-Amps | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| DAC | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit | 8-bit |
| PWM | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit | 16-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash density within same Q41 family (vs PIC18F14Q41-I/SO)
- Smaller 3x3 mm VQFN package for miniaturized designs (vs PIC18F14Q41-I/SO)
- Modern Q41 peripherals vs older Q40 generation (vs PIC18F06Q40T-I/ST)
Design Notes
The 20-VQFN (3x3 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad that MUST be soldered to a PCB ground plane for proper thermal dissipation and electrical reference. Use an array of thermal vias (8-12 vias of 0.3 mm drill) under the pad to conduct heat to internal ground planes. Without proper soldering, junction temperature can rise by 20-30 C above ambient during normal operation, degrading reliability. Per Microchip packaging guidelines, the pad should occupy at least 80% of the package footprint.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor on the same supply trace within 10 mm. The PIC18F15Q41 has multiple power domains; if using the ADC2 at high sampling rates, add a separate analog supply filter (10 ohm + 100 nF) to the AVdd rail. Estimated decoupling effectiveness assumes a 4-layer PCB with a dedicated ground plane.
When routing high-speed SPI signals (above 10 MHz) or PWM outputs at 100 kHz+, keep traces short (<25 mm) and maintain 50 ohm characteristic impedance using a 4-layer stackup. The PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) feature allows remapping peripherals to almost any I/O, but grouping PPS-mapped signals away from analog inputs reduces crosstalk into the ADC2. Keep digital traces at least 5 mm away from analog signal traces, or use a guard ground trace between them.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on any I/O pin; even momentary over-voltage events during hot-plug can damage the ESD cells. Ensure the ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7) are not pulled low at reset, or programming will fail. The on-chip op-amps have limited output drive (around 5 mA) - buffer externally with a discrete op-amp if driving low-impedance loads below 1 kohm. The internal 8 MHz HFINTOSC drift is +/- 2% across temperature - use the PLL with an external crystal for UART timing accuracy.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade (-I) suffix denotes -40C to +85C operating temperature. AEC-Q100 qualification applies to automotive variants of the Q41 family, not the standard industrial grade. RoHS and REACH compliance confirmed by Microchip product page.
