PIC18F23K20-I/MV - 8-bit MCU, 8KB Flash, 64MHz, UQFN-28 | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F23K20-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.58 | $25.80 |
| 100 | $2.22 | $222.00 |
| 500 | $1.94 | $970.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.72 | $1,720.00 |
PIC18F23K20-I/MV Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and configurable peripherals. The PIC18 family uses a 16-bit modified Harvard architecture with RISC instruction set, executing most instructions in a single clock cycle. Within the broader taxonomy, an 8-bit MCU like this one is positioned between 4-bit legacy controllers and 32-bit Cortex-M0/M4 devices, fitting applications that need deterministic low-power control without the cost or complexity of an ARM core. It belongs to the power management and embedded control hierarchy used in industrial, consumer, and automotive subsystems.
Key features include a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 input channels, two 8-bit and three 16-bit timers, two Enhanced USART modules, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and nanoWatt Technology power management for ultra-low sleep currents. The wide 1.8V to 3.6V operating range with internal voltage regulator allows single-supply designs. The internal 16 MHz RC oscillator plus 4x PLL eliminates external crystals in many designs, freeing two pins for additional GPIO.
Typical applications include industrial sensor nodes, low-power battery telemetry devices, LED lighting controllers, motor control peripherals, USB-to-UART bridges (with companion parts), and consumer appliance control panels. The 256-byte EEPROM is particularly useful for storing calibration data, configuration, and user preferences without external memory.
When designing with this part, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor directly across VDD/VSS pairs near the IC pins, and follow Microchip's recommended ICSP programming header layout for in-circuit firmware updates. Engineers migrating from PIC18F2XK20 series predecessors benefit from code compatibility and identical peripheral register maps. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F23K20-I/MV — 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-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Communication, Core Architecture, Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F23K20-E/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K20-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K20-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26K20-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F23K20-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F23K20-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 RISC (modified Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MHz Fosc x 4 PLL) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature (Industrial) | -40C to +85C |
| Package | UQFN-28 EP (4x4 mm) - MV suffix |
| GPIO Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + three 16-bit |
| Communication | 2x EUSART (UART), MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Oscillator | Internal 16 MHz RC, PLL x4, external crystal support |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt Technology (idle, sleep, deep sleep, run) |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC18F23K20-I/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Digital I/O (open-drain) |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2 — Digital I/O / Oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1 — Digital I/O / Oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V) |
| Pin 11 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear reset input / Programming voltage |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 13 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Digital I/O (low-voltage programming) |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Digital I/O / Interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 19 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX — Digital I/O / USART TX |
Typical Applications
PIC18F23K20-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Node, Battery-Powered Consumer Remote Control, LED Lighting Controller, Appliance Control Panel, USB-to-UART Bridge Module, Hobby Robotics Motor Controller.
Industrial Sensor Node
The PIC18F23K20-I/MV is well suited for industrial sensor nodes because its 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels digitizes analog sensor inputs at sampling rates up to 100 ksps, while the 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants directly accessible via I2C/SPI. The 1.8-3.6 V supply range accepts a single lithium battery or 3.3V regulated rail, and nanoWatt Technology sleep modes draw under 100 nA, enabling multi-year battery life on duty-cycled wireless sensor telemetry. The 25 GPIO pins handle multiple digital sensors, status LEDs, and a UART link to a radio module without external glue logic.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Consumer Remote Control
Consumer handheld remotes benefit from the PIC18F23K20-I/MV because its nanoWatt Technology delivers microamp-level sleep currents, extending coin-cell battery life to several years. The 25 GPIO pins support matrix keypads up to 5x5, IR LED driver via PWM, and tactile wake-up interrupts on RB0/INT. Internal 16 MHz oscillator plus 4x PLL eliminates the external crystal, reducing BOM cost and freeing PCB area for slimmer remote enclosures. The 8 KB flash accommodates complex button-mapping firmware plus IR protocol libraries for TV/AV universal remotes.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller
RGBW LED strip controllers rely on the PIC18F23K20-I/MV for its three 16-bit timers generating hardware PWM at 16-bit resolution, allowing smooth color fades without software overhead. The MSSP SPI interface can drive APA102 or WS2812 LED strips via bit-banged or hardware DMA, and the 2x EUSART provides DMX512 or RS-485 connectivity for stage lighting. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade ensures reliable operation in enclosed fixtures. The internal 16 MHz + PLL supports 64 MHz CPU cycles, leaving headroom for complex lighting patterns and BLE control via an attached module.
Recommended
Appliance Control Panel
White goods such as washing machines and dishwashers use the PIC18F23K20-I/MV as a main control MCU because of its 8 KB flash holding user-interface state machines plus fault logs, 256-byte EEPROM for end-user settings, and nanoWatt sleep for low standby power to meet Energy Star ratings. The 25 GPIO directly drive 7-segment displays, capacitive touch buttons via the CTMU peripheral, and triac-based AC loads. Wide operating voltage 1.8-3.6 V accommodates rectified 5V/12V supplies with simple LDO regulation, simplifying the BOM.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Module
The PIC18F23K20-I/MV is used in USB-to-UART bridge firmware (with companion USB MCUs such as PIC18F14K50) because its 2x EUSART modules handle dual serial channels at up to 115.2 kbps while the MSSP SPI provides a high-speed configuration channel. Internal EEPROM stores user-defined baud-rate defaults and VID/PID settings, while the 8 KB flash holds firmware update logic and bootloader for field upgrades. Operating from 1.8-3.6 V enables direct USB-powered designs without an additional regulator, reducing board space.
Recommended
Hobby Robotics Motor Controller
Hobby robotics projects use the PIC18F23K20-I/MV to drive small DC motors and servos through its 16-bit timers generating hardware PWM at up to 20 kHz, silent to the human ear. The MSSP SPI bus interfaces directly to MPU6050 IMU and nRF24L01 wireless modules without external glue logic. nanoWatt Technology sleep modes extend battery life between charges, and the 25 GPIO pins drive up to four H-bridge motor drivers simultaneously. The UQFN-28 EP package's small 4x4 mm footprint suits space-constrained drone flight controllers and small robotic arms.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F23K20-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F23K20-E/MV | PIC18F24K20-I/MV | PIC18F25K20-I/MV | PIC18F26K20-I/MV | PIC18F23K20-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | UQFN-28 EP (4x4 mm) | UQFN-28 EP - same | UQFN-28 EP - same | UQFN-28 EP - same | UQFN-28 EP - same | SSOP-28 (MV cross-compatible silicon) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 8 KB |
| Data SRAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes | 3896 bytes | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 1024 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| GPIO Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels |
Key Differentiators
- Smallest 28-pin flash footprint in PIC18 K-series (vs PIC18F23K20-I/SS (SSOP-28))
- nanoWatt Technology sleep current under 100 nA (vs PIC18F24K20-I/MV)
- Industrial temperature grade is standard for the part family (vs PIC18F23K20-E/MV (extended temp))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pin pair (10 and 20/21) with short, wide traces. Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the board supply input. For battery-powered designs, switch to nanoWatt Technology sleep mode (SLEEP instruction with IDLEN=0) and wake via RTCC or INT0 to draw under 100 nA standby current per the datasheet DS41303E.
The UQFN-28 EP package has an exposed thermal pad (pin 29) on the bottom that MUST be soldered to the PCB ground pour for thermal dissipation and electrical grounding. Use a 5x5 array of 0.3 mm thermal vias in the EP land to conduct heat to inner ground planes. Recommended land pattern is documented in Microchip application note AN331.
Configuration bits (CONFIG1H through CONFIG5X) must be set in source code for oscillator selection, watchdog timer, brown-out reset, and code protection before programming. A common mistake is leaving the oscillator in HS mode with the internal RC, causing code to fail to execute. Use MPLAB X IDE's Configuration Bits window or #pragma config directives to set bits explicitly. Always tie MCLR high through a 10 kohm resistor unless external reset circuitry is required.
Route ICSP pins RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) to a 6-pin header (RJ-11 style) using short traces and avoid crossing high-current switching signals to prevent programming failures. Add a 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR/VPP. For EMI-sensitive analog designs, keep the analog AVCC/AVSS pins separate from digital VDD/VSS via ferrite bead or LC filter, and use star-ground topology at the IC.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 not qualified - for automotive applications use PIC18F23K20-E/MV extended grade or migrate to AEC-Q100 qualified PIC18FxxKxx automotive variants.
