PIC18F23K20-E/ML - 8-bit XLP MCU, 8KB Flash, 48MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F23K20-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.07 | $30.70 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.36 | $1,180.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.1 | $2,100.00 |
PIC18F23K20-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, data memory, and peripheral interfaces such as ADC, timers, and communication ports. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip sit in the 8-bit MCU category of the broader semiconductor taxonomy: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The "K" family designation indicates flash-based program memory with nanoWatt XLP energy management features, enabling deep-sleep currents in the nanoampere range for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features of the PIC18F23K20 family include 25 general-purpose I/O pins with high-current sink/source capability (25 mA per pin), a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 input channels, two analog comparators with rail-to-rail inputs, an mTouch capacitive-touch sensing peripheral, and three programmable external interrupts. The device integrates two USART modules, an SPI port, an I2C master/slave port with address masking, and four programmable 16-bit timers plus three CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) modules for motor control and lighting.
Architecturally, the PIC18F23K20 employs an 8-bit Harvard RISC core with a hardware 8x8 multiplier, a 31-level deep hardware stack, and 16-bit instructions that execute in four clock cycles. The 1.2V fixed voltage reference (FVR) provides a stable internal reference for the ADC and comparators, enabling consistent measurements even as VDD varies. A two-speed oscillator start-up allows the MCU to begin execution on an internal 31kHz source before switching to the high-frequency primary oscillator.
Typical applications span consumer white goods, home appliances, hand-held instrumentation, low-power remote sensors, building automation nodes, and any compact battery-powered product that benefits from nanoWatt XLP sleep currents and an integrated mTouch sensing peripheral. The 28-QFN footprint also makes it well suited to space-constrained PCB layouts.
When designing with this MCU, ensure that decoupling caps (typically 100nF plus 10uF bulk) sit within 5mm of VDD/VSS, and that unused I/O pins are configured as outputs low to minimize transient current. Program the device via ICSP using Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and the XC8 C compiler; the debugger pins PGC/PGD must be accessible on the PCB.
This page consolidates distributor stock, drop-in same-package alternatives, and engineering design notes for the PIC18F23K20-E/ML that are not assembled in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F23K20-E/ML — 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 PIC18F23K20-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, ADC, Mounting Type, Analog Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K20-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K20-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F23K20T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F23K20-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K20-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K22-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F23K20-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 RISC (Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit, 4-cycle, 12 MIPS @ 48MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 8 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| CPU Clock Frequency | 48 MHz max |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature (E suffix) | -40C to +125C (extended) |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA per pin |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 2 (rail-to-rail inputs) |
| Timers | Four 16-bit (Timer0/1/3) and one 8-bit (Timer2) |
| CCP Modules | 3 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x EUSART (LIN-capable), 1x SPI, 1x I2C master/slave |
| External Interrupts | 3 programmable |
| Interrupt-on-Change | 4 programmable |
| Fixed Voltage Reference (FVR) | 1.2V internal |
| nanoWatt XLP Sleep Current | Low-power XLP mode (see datasheet) |
| mTouch Capacitive Touch | Yes (Charge Time Measurement Unit) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm), ML suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming/Debugging | ICSP (2-wire), supports MPLAB X / XC8 |
PIC18F23K20-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RC7/RX1/DT1/SDO1 — Digital I/O / EUSART1 RX / SPI1 SDO |
| Pin 2 | RC6/TX1/CK1/SCK1 — Digital I/O / EUSART1 TX / SPI1 SCK |
| Pin 3 | RC5/SDO1/CCP1/P1A — Digital I/O / SPI1 SDO / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 4 | RC4/SDA1/SDI1 — Digital I/O / I2C1 SDA / SPI1 SDI |
| Pin 5 | RC3/SCL1/SCK1 — Digital I/O / I2C1 SCL / SPI1 SCK |
| Pin 6 | RC2/CCP1/P1A — Digital I/O / CCP1 / PWM output |
| Pin 7 | RC1/CCP2/P1B — Digital I/O / CCP2 / PWM output |
| Pin 8 | RC0/T3CKI/T1OSO — Digital I/O / Timer3 clock in / Timer1 osc out |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O / crystal oscillator input / ext clock in |
| Pin 11 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O / crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 12 | RA5/AN4/SS1/HLVDIN — Digital I/O / ADC input / SPI1 SS / HLVD input |
| Pin 13 | RA4/AN3/T0CKI — Digital I/O / ADC input / Timer0 clock in |
| Pin 14 | RA3/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / ADC input / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 15 | RA2/AN1/VREF+/CVREF — Digital I/O / ADC input / ADC VREF+ / CVREF out |
| Pin 16 | RA1/AN0/C12IN0- — Digital I/O / ADC input / comparator1 in- |
| Pin 17 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0+ — Digital I/O / ADC input / comparator1 in+ |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference (second pad) |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 20 | RB7/INT3/PGD — Digital I/O / external interrupt 3 / ICSP data |
| Pin 21 | RB6/INT2/PGC — Digital I/O / external interrupt 2 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 22 | RB5/AN13/C2IN+ — Digital I/O / ADC input / comparator2 in+ |
| Pin 23 | RB4/AN11/C2IN- — Digital I/O / ADC input / comparator2 in- |
| Pin 24 | RB3/AN9/CCP2/C12IN2-/C2IN+ — Digital I/O / ADC / CCP2 / comparator inputs |
| Pin 25 | RB2/AN8/C12IN2-/INT2 — Digital I/O / ADC / comparator input / external interrupt |
| Pin 26 | RB1/AN10/C12IN1-/INT1 — Digital I/O / ADC / comparator input / external interrupt |
| Pin 27 | RB0/AN12/INT0/FLT0 — Digital I/O / ADC / external interrupt 0 / PWM fault |
| Pin 28 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master clear / programming voltage / I/O RE3 |
Typical Applications
PIC18F23K20-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node, mTouch Capacitive Touch Keypad, Home Appliance Control Board, Industrial Building Automation Node, Handheld Test and Measurement Instrument, Automotive Body and Comfort Module (sub-system), IoT Edge Sensing Endpoint.
Battery-Powered Remote Sensor Node
The PIC18F23K20-E/ML is purpose-built for battery-powered sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt XLP architecture. Sleep currents in the nanoampere range allow coin-cell or two-AA cells to last years; the integrated 10-bit ADC paired with the 1.2V FVR enables accurate battery-monitoring and sensor measurements without external references. The 48 MHz CPU provides ample headroom for periodic sensor reads, averaging, and wireless-stack forwarding. Compared with a discrete MCU-plus-LDO solution, the PIC18F23K20-E/ML reduces BOM by integrating brown-out reset, voltage reference, and a 31 kHz low-power oscillator. Pin-1 to 28-QFN routing fits easily inside a CR2032-backed PCB.
Recommended
mTouch Capacitive Touch Keypad
The PIC18F23K20-E/ML's Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) and mTouch library support up to 11 capacitive sensing channels on the 28-QFN footprint, sufficient for a 9-key home-appliance keypad plus two proximity sensors. The 10-bit ADC and configurable timer1 capture timing precisely, allowing reliable button differentiation even under wet or glove conditions. The XLP sleep modes keep current consumption negligible between key presses, critical for AC-line-powered white goods where standby regulations apply. Designers can also use the EUSART to drive a UART-controlled LED ring for visual feedback.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
In a washing machine, dishwasher, or oven control board, the PIC18F23K20-E/ML's extended -40C to +125C temperature grade, 25 mA per-pin I/O drive, and 3 CCP/PWM channels cover relay coils, solenoid valves, and triac firing circuits directly without external drivers. The 8 KB flash comfortably fits state-machine firmware plus a small diagnostic log, while 768 bytes of RAM support keypad scanning, timer scheduling, and LIN bus message buffering. The two rail-to-rail analog comparators monitor AC zero-cross events and water-level probes. The 28-QFN 6x6 mm footprint fits within tightly packed rear-panel PCBs.
Recommended
Industrial Building Automation Node
For building automation nodes such as HVAC dampers, smart valves, or lighting dimmers, the PIC18F23K20-E/ML provides the right balance of peripherals: two EUSARTs to bridge Modbus RTU and a local sensor port, an I2C master to read temperature/humidity sensors, and four timers to schedule 0-10V dimming or PID damper control. The extended temperature grade handles attic and rooftop enclosures, and the 8 KB Flash is sufficient for small BACnet or KNX-style state machines. Migration to PIC18F24K20-E/ML (16 KB Flash) keeps the same board for larger protocol stacks.
Recommended
Handheld Test and Measurement Instrument
A handheld multimeter or process-meter benefits from the PIC18F23K20-E/ML's 10-bit ADC for voltage/current measurements, the internal FVR for ratiometric conversion, and the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes that extend battery life between uses. The two analog comparators with rail-to-rail inputs allow over-range detection and continuity testing without an external op-amp. The EUSART can drive an IR or Bluetooth SPP link to log data to a phone, while CCP modules generate PWM tones for audible feedback. The 28-QFN footprint leaves room for a 2.4-inch LCD with backlight control.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Comfort Module (sub-system)
Although the PIC18F23K20-E/ML is not AEC-Q100 qualified (the automotive grade is the -EQ variant), it is widely used in body-electronics prototypes, bench testers, and aftermarket LIN-bus peripherals where automotive EMC and ESD hardening are added externally. The PIC18's LIN-capable EUSART (with auto-baud), 11-channel ADC, and robust 25 mA I/O drive map directly to window-lift, mirror-control, and seat-positioning firmware. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade matches cabin environments, and the 28-QFN layout is small enough to fit behind a switch pack.
Recommended
IoT Edge Sensing Endpoint
As an edge-sensing endpoint in IoT deployments, the PIC18F23K20-E/ML performs local ADC sampling, threshold detection, and event framing before waking a downstream radio. The combination of low sleep current and fast wake time from XLP sleep supports duty cycles below 0.1%, allowing years of battery life on a single primary cell. The 8 KB Flash supports small custom RF command interpreters and OTA-ready bootloaders when paired with an external SPI flash, while the integrated EEPROM stores calibration data that survives firmware upgrades. The 28-QFN footprint lets the whole MCU sit inside a coin-cell holder.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F23K20-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K20-E/ML | PIC18F25K20-E/ML | PIC18F23K20-I/ML | PIC18F23K20-I/ML | PIC18F24K20-I/ML | PIC18F25K22-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 768 B | 768 B | 1536 B | 768 B | 768 B | 768 B | 1536 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| CPU Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade vs the -40C to +85C I suffix (vs PIC18F23K20-I/ML)
- Drop-in Flash density upgrade to 16 KB without firmware change (vs PIC18F24K20-E/ML)
- nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current under typical conditions (vs PIC18F25K22-E/ML)
- mTouch CTMU peripheral for capacitive touch with no external IC (vs ATmega328P-AU (Atmel 32-TQFP))
Design Notes
PIC18F23K20-E/ML VDD must be held within 1.8V to 3.6V; brown-out reset thresholds are factory-trimmed at 1.86V and 2.25V (BOREN configurable). Place a 100nF X7R decoupling cap within 5mm of pins 18/19 and a 10uF bulk cap on the same rail. For battery operation, switch the MCU into XLP Sleep (SLEEP instruction, IDLEN=0) and rely on INT0..INT3 or the WDT to wake - sleep current is in the nanoampere range per datasheet.
The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package has an exposed center pad (EP) on the underside that MUST be soldered to a PCB thermal land of at least equal area with vias for heat dissipation. Missing the EP solder connection can cause 2x to 3x worse thermal resistance and reduce Flash retention at high temperature. Microchip AN-26 specifies the recommended land pattern - keep-out zones on inner PCB layers should be removed so vias can carry heat away.
Route the ICSP pair PGC (RB6, pin 21) and PGD (RB7, pin 20) so that the 4-pin header for the PICkit/MPLAB debugger is on the board edge, with no other signal within 2mm. The MCLR/VPP pin (pin 28) needs a 10k pull-up to VDD; the debugger drives this line to +12V during programming, so do not place a low-impedance load on it. Series resistor (1k) between MCLR and VPP is acceptable for protection.
Configuration bits must be programmed correctly: FOSC<3:0> selects oscillator (HSPLL vs INTIO67 vs EC), WDTE enables/disables the watchdog, LVP must be disabled if MCLR is used as a digital input, and MCLRE should be ON for production. Forgetting to set the IESO bit causes slow wake from Sleep. The I2C pins RC3/RC4 must have external pull-ups (2.2k to 10k) because the PIC18 internal weak pull-ups are not strong enough for I2C bus levels above 100 kHz.
When using the 10-bit ADC at VDD > 3.0V, ensure acquisition time (ACQT<2:0>) is at least 2 us for 10k source impedance - the datasheet provides a recommended table for Tad and Tcy combinations. For high-impedance sources (>10k), add an external op-amp buffer (e.g., MCP6002) and increase ACQT. The internal FVR provides a stable 1.2V reference but adds 1 to 2 LSb of noise - average multiple samples in firmware to improve SNR.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant lead-free QFN package per Microchip datasheet 41303E. AEC-Q100 not qualified - the automotive-grade equivalent is the PIC18F23K20-EQ variant. REACH SVHC declarations available via Microchip compliance portal.
