PIC18F2331-E/SP - 8KB Flash 8-bit MCU 40MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F2331-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.95 | $6.95 |
| 10 | $6.2 | $62.00 |
| 100 | $5.4 | $540.00 |
| 500 | $4.78 | $2,390.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.3 | $4,300.00 |
PIC18F2331-E/SP Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and I/O peripherals on one die. The PIC18 family uses an enhanced RISC Harvard architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, sitting in Microchip's PIC microcontroller hierarchy between the baseline PIC10/12/16 and the high-performance PIC24/dsPIC lines. This category of MCU is widely used in motor control, sensor interfacing, and embedded control where deterministic interrupt response and low power are required.
Key features include nanoWatt power management with multiple idle and sleep modes, a 16-bit Power Control PWM module with programmable dead-time and duty cycle, a 10-bit ADC with up to 5 channels, hardware multiplier for 8x8 unsigned operations in one cycle, and an enhanced capture/compare/PWM peripheral. The E suffix denotes the extended industrial temperature grade of -40C to +125C, suitable for harsh-environment deployments.
The PIC18F2331 architecture uses a 2-stage pipeline with 200 ns minimum instruction cycle at 40 MHz. On-chip oscillator options include a 32 kHz secondary oscillator and a 4x phase-locked loop (PLL), enabling flexible clocking from internal or external sources without external crystals in many applications. The device also includes a 5-bit programmable brown-out reset and a low-voltage detect circuit for robust supply supervision.
Typical applications include BLDC and brushed DC motor drives, sensor signal conditioning, industrial automation modules, appliance control boards, and low-cost automotive subsystems. The integrated 14-bit PWM is particularly suited to variable-frequency drives and switched-mode power stages where deterministic switching and dead-time insertion are critical.
When designing with this device, ensure your programmer/debugger supports the ICSP interface (PGC/PGD pins), as the PIC18F2331 does not include a JTAG port. Use Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler for firmware development; legacy PIC18 C and assembly code are fully compatible with this part.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing an actionable reference for hardware engineers evaluating the PIC18F2331-E/SP for new designs or field replacements.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F2331-E/SP — 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 PIC18F2331-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, I/O Pins, Core Architecture, Maximum CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F2331-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2431-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.91 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2431-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.49 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4331-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2331-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Core Architecture | Enhanced RISC Harvard |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Instruction Cycle | 200 ns minimum |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 5 channels |
| PWM Channels | 14-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART (Enhanced) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (300 mil) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Voltage | 4.2V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended industrial) |
| Brown-out Reset | Yes (programmable threshold) |
| Low-Voltage Detect | Yes |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, LVD, PWM, Enhanced Capture/Compare, Motor Control PWM |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F2331-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / Programming voltage / Digital I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS/LVDIN — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 5 / SPI slave select / LVD input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Oscillator input / External clock input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Oscillator output / Clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2/FLTA — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 / Fault input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART async transmit / sync clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART async receive / sync data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT0/FLTB — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 / Fault input B |
| Pin 22 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/INT3 — PORTB bit 3 / External interrupt 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / LVP programming |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18F2331-E/SP is suitable for 7 applications: BLDC Motor Control, Brushed DC Motor Drives, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Appliance Control Boards, Automotive Subsystems, Switched-Mode Power Supply Digital Control, Stepper Motor Positioning Systems.
BLDC Motor Control
The PIC18F2331-E/SP is engineered for brushless DC motor control applications, integrating a 14-bit Power Control PWM module with programmable dead-time insertion that prevents shoot-through in the inverter stage. At 40 MHz, the core executes field-oriented control (FOC) sensorless algorithms within the 200 ns instruction cycle budget, while the 22 I/O pins drive gate drivers, sense phase currents, and read Hall sensors or back-EMF. The 256-byte EEPROM stores tuning parameters such as PID gains and acceleration profiles that survive power cycling. NanoWatt power-management modes reduce standby draw when the motor is idle, a key requirement for battery-powered appliances and portable tools. Designers typically pair this MCU with a three-phase gate driver like the MCP8026 or FAN8082 to build compact, high-efficiency variable-frequency drives.
Recommended
Brushed DC Motor Drives
The PIC18F2331-E/SP excels at driving brushed DC motors via its enhanced PWM module and quadrature encoder interface, enabling closed-loop speed and position control. The 10-bit ADC samples current sense and back-EMF feedback, while the hardware multiplier accelerates PID calculations to keep the control loop stable across the 1 Hz to 20 kHz operating range. With 22 digital I/O pins, the MCU can directly interface to H-bridge drivers, encoder inputs, and digital command signals without external glue logic. The 28-pin SPDIP package suits through-hole designs in industrial control boards and appliance subsystems where hand-rework and field serviceability matter. Extended -40C to +125C operation supports automotive under-hood and outdoor industrial installations.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC18F2331-E/SP integrates a 10-bit ADC with up to 5 analog input channels, sufficient for temperature, pressure, and flow sensor signal chains in industrial PLCs and process controllers. Enhanced USART and I2C peripherals connect to digital sensors, while SPI supports high-speed interfaces to ADC front-ends or display drivers. The 768-byte SRAM accommodates calibration tables and filter state, while 8 KB of flash stores control firmware and 256-byte EEPROM retains calibration constants that survive power loss. The brown-out reset and low-voltage detect circuit supervise noisy industrial supplies, and the extended temperature grade supports outdoor and factory-floor deployments. Designers can pair the MCU with op-amps such as the MCP6002 for signal conditioning before the ADC stage.
Recommended
Appliance Control Boards
The PIC18F2331-E/SP is well-suited for washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and HVAC blower control, where its motor-control PWM drives compressor and fan motors with precision timing. The nanoWatt power management reduces standby consumption below typical appliance energy-star requirements, and the 256-byte EEPROM stores user-set preferences (cycle selection, temperature setpoints) across power cycles. With 22 I/O pins, the MCU reads push-buttons, drives LED indicators and seven-segment displays, and switches relays via low-side drivers. The 28-pin SPDIP package allows hand-soldered prototype rework during development. Robust brown-out reset and watchdog timer ensure safe operation in electrically noisy mains environments.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystems
The PIC18F2331-E/SP with extended -40C to +125C temperature grade serves in non-safety automotive subsystems: HVAC blend-door actuators, mirror-position controllers, seat-position memory, and lighting dimmers. The 14-bit PWM provides smooth proportional control of DC motor speed and LED brightness, while the hardware multiplier accelerates table-based interpolation for position feedback. Watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure recovery from load-dump transients on the 12V battery bus, though for ASIL-rated applications designers should evaluate the PIC18F K-series with automotive-grade validation. The 28-pin SPDIP package remains serviceable for low-volume specialty vehicle platforms and aftermarket modules where surface-mount parts are less common.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supply Digital Control
The PIC18F2331-E/SP provides digital control for low-to-medium power switched-mode power supplies, using its 14-bit PWM to drive the power stage and the 10-bit ADC to sense output voltage and current. The hardware multiplier and 40 MHz throughput enable digital voltage-mode and peak-current-mode control loops with switching frequencies up to 500 kHz. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration and tuning values, while flash supports in-field firmware updates for end-of-line optimization. Soft-start, over-current protection, and cycle-by-cycle current limiting are implemented in firmware, reducing analog component count. Designers commonly pair this MCU with a power-stage gate driver like the MCP14A0901 to build digital POL converters and LED drivers.
Recommended
Stepper Motor Positioning Systems
The PIC18F2331-E/SP drives bipolar and unipolar stepper motors through its enhanced PWM and digital I/O, with microstepping implemented in firmware using sine-cosine lookup tables stored in flash. The 10-bit ADC reads potentiometer or encoder feedback for closed-loop position verification, while the USART accepts commands from a host controller or HMI panel. NanoWatt idle modes reduce holding torque between motion commands, and the 256-byte EEPROM retains step counts and reference positions across power cycles. The 22 I/O pins drive dual H-bridges directly for two-axis CNC, pick-and-place, or 3D-printer auxiliary systems. Extended industrial temperature grade supports enclosure-less deployment in machinery cabinets.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F2331-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F2331-I/SP | PIC18F2431-E/SP | PIC18F2431-I/SP | PIC18F4331-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 28-pin SPDIP - same | 40-pin SPDIP - extended |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| CPU Speed | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 34 |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| ADC | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 5 channels | 10-bit, 9 channels |
| PWM | 14-bit, 4 channels | 14-bit, 4 channels | 14-bit, 4 channels | 14-bit, 4 channels | 14-bit, 8 channels |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated Motor Control PWM with programmable dead-time (vs PIC18F2320-I/SP)
- Same-family 28-pin SPDIP footprint across memory variants (vs PIC18F4331-I/SP)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade option (vs PIC18F2331-I/SP)
Design Notes
The PIC18F2331-E/SP requires a stable 5V supply within 4.2V to 5.5V; design with a low-dropout regulator such as MCP1700 for 250 mA loads and add a 100 nF decoupling cap within 5 mm of the VDD pin. The AVDD (if used for ADC reference) should be tied to the same 5V rail through an LC filter to reject switching noise. For motor control applications, isolate the MCU supply from the inverter switching node using a ferrite bead and bulk capacitance.
Place the 32.768 kHz secondary oscillator crystal (if used for Timer1) within 5 mm of pins 11-12 with short traces and a ground guard ring. Route the ICSP clock/data lines (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) away from PWM outputs and switching power traces to prevent programming glitches from switching transients. Maintain a continuous ground plane under the SPDIP footprint; avoid signal traces under the package.
Ensure the MCLR pin (pin 1) is pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor and not left floating, or the MCU will randomly reset under noise. The PGM pin (RB5) must be held low during normal operation to prevent inadvertent low-voltage programming entry. Verify the configuration bits match your oscillator and watchdog settings before locking the code; an incorrect config can brick the device requiring a high-voltage programmer to recover.
Estimated: At maximum CPU activity (40 MHz core, all peripherals on), the PIC18F2331-E/SP dissipates approximately 35-50 mW, well within the SPDIP-28 thermal rating. In sealed enclosures above 60C ambient, verify junction temperature stays below 125C by adding thermal vias or a small heatsink clip. Most applications do not require derating; verify with a thermocouple measurement during worst-case qualification.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. PIC18F2331-E/SP is not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications, evaluate PIC18F K-series parts. Halogen-free status not confirmed in verified data.
