PIC18F15Q41-I/SS - 8-Bit MCU, 64MHz, 32KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F15Q41-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| 10 | $1.75 | $17.50 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.35 | $675.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.15 | $1,150.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.95 | $2,850.00 |
PIC18F15Q41-I/SS Overview
What is a PIC18 microcontroller? The PIC18 is Microchip's high-performance 8-bit MCU family built on a modified Harvard architecture with a C-optimized instruction set. PIC18 microcontrollers belong to the broader category of microcontrollers (MCUs), which sit inside the integrated circuit (IC) hierarchy along with memory, analog, and interface ICs. Within an embedded system, an MCU provides the central processing, memory, and peripheral integration that replaces discrete logic and analog chains, making the PIC18F15Q41 a single-chip solution for compact sensor/control nodes.
Key features include a wide 1.8V to 5.5V operating voltage range, 18 general-purpose I/O pins, hardware UART/SPI/I2C, configurable logic cells, and zero-crossing detection. The device operates across -40 C to +85 C (industrial) and supports in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) plus on-chip debugging. An integrated temperature indicator and 5-bit DAC simplify closed-loop designs.
The Q41 architecture combines a 16-bit instruction path with 8-bit data paths and a hardware multiplier, enabling efficient DSP-style filtering on the ADC channel. The 12-bit ADC with accumulation and averaging automates sensor linearization, while the complementary waveform generator produces complementary, dead-band-controlled PWM for power-conversion and motor-drive stages.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, LED lighting controllers, medical monitoring peripherals, industrial sensing, capacitive-touch human interfaces, and low-power fan/HVAC control. The combination of analog integration and small SSOP-20 footprint enables shrinking analog front-end designs into compact PCBs.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the supply decoupling network uses a 100 nF ceramic capacitor directly on VDD plus a bulk capacitor on the analog rail. Review the configuration word settings early in firmware development since incorrect oscillator or watchdog settings are the most common bring-up pitfalls.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Pinout, parametric differences, and same-package alternatives are consolidated for engineers evaluating the PIC18F15Q41-I/SS against PIC18F14Q41 and PIC18F05Q41 family members.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F15Q41-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 PIC18F15Q41-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), DAC, PWM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F14Q41-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14Q40-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14Q41T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14Q40T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1330-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F15Q41-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| GPIO Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 12-bit, with computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 8-bit x 2 |
| Operational Amplifier | On-chip op-amp |
| PWM | 16-bit PWM module |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP (SS) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP and on-chip debug |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F15Q41-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — GPIO RA5/ANA5/C1IN3-/SDA2/Segment33 |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — GPIO RA4/ANA4/C1IN2-/T0CKI/SCL2/Segment32 |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — GPIO RA3/ANA3/C1IN1+/T6IN/Segment31/Master Clear (MCLR)/VPP |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — GPIO RA2/ANA2/C1OUT/T5CKI/INT2/Segment30/DAC1OUT2 |
| Pin 5 | RA1 — GPIO RA1/ANA1/C1IN0-/T4CKI/Segment29/DAC2OUT2 |
| Pin 6 | RA0 — GPIO RA0/ANA0/C1IN0+/Segment28/DAC1OUT1 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 9 | RB7 — GPIO RB7/ANB7/C2OUT/TX2/CK2/Segment37/ICSPDAT/ICDDAT |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — GPIO RB6/ANB6/C2IN+/RX2/DT2/Segment36/ICSPCLK/ICDCLK |
| Pin 11 | RB5 — GPIO RB5/ANB5/C2IN-/T1G/Segment35 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — GPIO RB4/ANB4/SDA1/Segment34 |
| Pin 13 | RB3 — GPIO RB3/ANB3/C1IN3-/SCL1/CCP2/Segment5 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — GPIO RB2/ANB2/C1IN2+/SDA2/Segment4 |
| Pin 15 | RB1 — GPIO RB1/ANB1/C1IN1-/SCL2/Segment3/CCP1 |
| Pin 16 | RB0 — GPIO RB0/ANB0/C2IN1+/INT0/Segment2/CCP1 |
| Pin 17 | RA7 — GPIO RA7/ANA7/C1IN3-/Segment27/OSC1/CLKIN |
| Pin 18 | RA6 — GPIO RA6/ANA6/C2IN1-/Segment26/OSC2/CLKOUT |
| Pin 19 | VDDIO2 — I/O port supply voltage reference |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC18F15Q41-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Medical Monitoring Peripherals, Industrial Sensing and Control, Capacitive-Touch Human Interfaces, Low-Power Fan and HVAC Control.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F15Q41-I/SS is well-suited for compact IoT sensor nodes because it integrates a 12-bit ADC with computation (ADC2), on-chip op-amp for signal conditioning, and 32 KB Flash for protocol stacks. The 64 MHz CPU delivers ample MIPS for sensor fusion and BLE/Zigbee host SPI traffic. Operating from 1.8V to 5.5V lets it run directly from a single-cell Li-Ion or 2x AA battery pack without external regulation. Designers typically pair it with an SPI-connected radio module and use the dual 8-bit DACs for calibration trim or analog actuator drive. The 20-pin SSOP footprint keeps the PCB compact enough to fit inside small sensor housings.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC18F15Q41's 16-bit PWM with complementary waveform generator (CWG) and dead-band control makes it ideal for LED lighting controllers driving high-brightness strings, RGBW color-mixing channels, or dimmable drivers. The 12-bit ADC reads photo-sensors or 0-10V analog dimming inputs directly, while the on-chip op-amp buffers current-sense signals. The 32 KB Flash holds color-space conversion tables (HSL to RGB), temperature-foldback algorithms, and DMX-512 or DALI protocol stacks. The 1.8V-5.5V range simplifies designs that draw directly from 5V or 24V-buck rails. The SSOP-20 package fits easily inside MR16 and linear-LED fixture form factors.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Peripherals
The PIC18F15Q41-I/SS is well-matched for medical monitoring peripherals such as pulse oximetry front-ends, body-temperature patches, and inhaler dose-counters because its on-chip op-amp conditions low-level analog signals (PPG photodiode currents, thermistor bridges) directly without external instrumentation amplifiers. The 12-bit ADC with oversampling and accumulation (ADC2) supports the EN 60601-1-2 EMI-margin techniques that medical designs demand. Industrial -40 C to +85 C grading covers body-worn and clinical environments. The compact SSOP-20 footprint allows miniaturized wearables. Pair it with a low-power BLE module over UART and an EEPROM-backed patient log.
Recommended
Industrial Sensing and Control
The PIC18F15Q41's 12-bit ADC, on-chip op-amp, and 16-bit PWM target industrial sensing and control designs such as 4-20 mA loop transmitters, RTD/thermocouple readers, and small-motor controllers. The complementary waveform generator with dead-band control produces center-aligned PWM for half-bridge motor drives. The 1.8V-5.5V supply range survives brown-out conditions on 24V industrial rails when paired with a wide-input buck regulator. Hardware UART, SPI, and I2C support Modbus RTU and IO-Link PHYs. The SSOP-20 package fits in DIN-rail module enclosures, and the industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature grade tolerates factory-floor environments.
Recommended
Capacitive-Touch Human Interfaces
The PIC18F15Q41-I/SS integrates Microchip's mTouch peripheral for capacitive-touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors, making it a strong fit for appliance control panels, smart-switch user interfaces, and industrial HMI keypads. The 12-bit ADC with hardware averaging handles the high-impedance capacitive measurements reliably, while the 32 KB Flash stores gesture-recognition firmware and LED-feedback patterns. The dual 8-bit DAC drives LED brightness ramps without PWM channel overhead. The wide 1.8V-5.5V supply supports both 3.3V and 5V touch-panel designs. The 18 GPIO pins can scan up to 17 touch electrodes plus LED indicators in a single-chip solution.
Recommended
Low-Power Fan and HVAC Control
The PIC18F15Q41's 16-bit PWM with complementary outputs and dead-band control, plus its 12-bit ADC and on-chip op-amp, are well-suited for low-power BLDC fan controllers, Peltier HVAC drivers, and small valve actuators. Idle/doze/sleep modes draw microamp-level currents, extending battery life in portable HVAC monitors. The 32 KB Flash holds custom fan-curve lookup tables and fault-detection logic. Hardware UART enables Modbus or BACnet connectivity for building-automation networks. The 18 GPIO pins handle tachometer input, fault outputs, and I2C temperature sensors simultaneously. The SSOP-20 package fits in motor-control daughter boards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F15Q41-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F14Q41-I/SS | PIC18F14Q40-I/SO | PIC18F14Q41T-I/SO | PIC18F14Q40T-I/SS | PIC18F13K50-I/SO | PIC18F1330-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same | Microchip Technology - same |
| Package | SSOP-20 | SSOP-20 - same | SOIC-20 - same 20-pin count, different land pattern | SOIC-20 - same 20-pin count, different land pattern | SSOP-20 - same | SOIC-20 - same 20-pin count, different land pattern | SSOP-20 - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 48 MHz | 32 MHz |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit (ADC2) | 12-bit (ADC2) | 12-bit | 12-bit (ADC2) | 12-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| On-Chip Op-Amp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Dual 8-bit DAC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash/RAM in the 20-pin Q41 family (vs PIC18F14Q41-I/SS)
- SSOP-20 with identical pinout across the Q41 family (vs PIC18F05Q41)
- Industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature grade (vs PIC18F15Q41-E/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin, plus a bulk 1-10 uF electrolytic or tantalum on the analog supply rail. The PIC18F15Q41 has separate digital VDD and VDDIO2 rails - both must be decoupled. The on-chip voltage regulator (if used) requires its own 1 uF capacitor on the VCAP pin. Power-up sequencing is not critical since the device includes Power-on Reset (POR) and Brown-out Reset (BOR) configurable through the configuration word.
Route the ICSP clock and data lines (RB6/RB7) away from high-frequency switching nodes - these pins are shared with GPIO and ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT. The MCLR pin (RA3) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD for normal operation and must be accessible for in-circuit programming. Place a ground pour under the SSOP-20 footprint and use a star-ground topology if mixing analog and digital ground returns. Keep oscillator traces short and surrounded by ground.
Most PIC18F15Q41 bring-up failures come from incorrect configuration word settings - specifically the oscillator selection (HS vs INTOSC), watchdog timer enable state, and BOR voltage threshold. Start with the factory default configuration word and verify the device ID before flashing custom firmware. The PIC18F15Q41 ADC2 requires the ADCON register properly initialized with the correct reference voltage; floating analog pins can cause elevated current draw if left as analog inputs without proper TRIS settings.
When using the 12-bit ADC at 64 MHz CPU clock, sample at less than 500 ksps to maintain ADC2 linearity. Place a small RC filter (10 ohm + 100 nF) on analog input pins to limit source impedance. For capacitive-touch sensing, route the touch electrodes as short, narrow traces guarded by ground pours, and use the mTouch hardware averaging for noise immunity. The I2C lines require 4.7 kohm pull-ups to VDD per the SMBus specification.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance verified through distributor listings. Industrial temperature grade -40 C to +85 C. AEC-Q100 not applicable for industrial-grade 'I' variant. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed - verify before halogen-sensitive applications.
