PIC18F23K20-I/SP - 8-bit PIC MCU, 64MHz, 8KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F23K20-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.45 | $4.45 |
| 10 | $3.92 | $39.20 |
| 100 | $3.41 | $341.00 |
| 500 | $2.93 | $1,465.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
PIC18F23K20-I/SP Overview
A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) microcontroller is a compact, self-contained computer-on-a-chip integrating a CPU core, program memory, data RAM, peripherals, and I/O on a single silicon die. PIC microcontrollers follow a Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses and use a RISC instruction set. The PIC18 family is Microchip's highest-performance 8-bit line, with 16-bit opcodes, linear memory addressing, and a priority interrupt controller. PIC MCUs are widely used in industrial control, consumer appliances, automotive subsystems, and IoT edge nodes where deterministic real-time response, low power, and long-term supply continuity matter more than raw throughput.
Key features include nanoWatt XLP ultra-low-power technology with sleep currents below 50 nA, two Enhanced USART modules, two MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripherals, and four timers including RTCC with calendar mode. The PIC18F23K20 also offers a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels, dual comparators, and a configurable reference. The device supports ICD (In-Circuit Debugger) programming via two pins, eliminating the need for a debug header on prototype boards.
Architecturally, the PIC18F23K20 uses a 16-bit enhanced instruction set with an 8-level hardware stack and an instruction pipeline. Self-programming is supported in the field, enabling bootloader-driven firmware updates. Hardware multipliers, table read/write for EEPROM emulation, and PMP (Parallel Master Port) on larger pin-count variants complete the peripheral set. The device consumes approximately 6 mA active at 64 MHz and drops to nanoamp-level currents in sleep, making it ideal for battery-backed designs.
Typical applications include sensor interface nodes, battery-powered handheld instruments, HVAC damper and thermostat controls, appliance user-interface boards, USB HID bridges, and low-cost motor-control peripherals. The 28-SPDIP package is well suited to breadboard prototyping and through-hole assembly in legacy industrial designs. The wide operating range (1.8V to 5.5V) and XLP sleep modes also make it a strong fit for solar- or coin-cell-powered remote sensors.
When designing with this part, mind the absolute maximum VDD of 5.5V and ensure decoupling capacitors are placed within 5mm of each power pin. Use ICD pins dedicated to debugging only when in-circuit debug is not needed to reclaim RB6/RB7 as standard GPIO. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F23K20-I/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 PIC18F23K20-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Communication, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Package, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K20-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K20-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F26K20-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2331-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2320-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F23K20-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit Harvard, RISC, 16-bit opcodes) |
| Family | PIC18F K-series with nanoWatt XLP |
| Program Memory | 8 KB Flash (4K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 768 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2, Timer3) |
| Communication | 2x EUSART, 2x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300 inch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Sleep Current | Typical < 50 nA (XLP mode) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Pb Free per supplier data |
PIC18F23K20-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — GPIO / analog AN2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — GPIO / analog AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — GPIO / analog AN4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — GPIO / analog AN5 |
| Pin 5 | RA6 — GPIO / analog AN6 / OSC2 |
| Pin 6 | RA7 — GPIO / analog AN7 / OSC1 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — GPIO / analog AN12 / INT0 |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — GPIO / analog AN10 / INT1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — GPIO / analog AN8 |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — GPIO / analog AN9 / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — GPIO / SDA1 (MSSP1) |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — GPIO / SCL1 (MSSP1) |
| Pin 14 | RB6 — GPIO / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 15 | RB7 — GPIO / ICSP programming data |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — GPIO / analog AN16 |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — GPIO / analog AN17 / CCP2 |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — GPIO / analog AN18 / CCP1 |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — GPIO / analog AN19 / SCL2 |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — GPIO / analog AN20 / SDA2 |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — GPIO / analog AN21 |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — GPIO / analog AN22 / TX1 |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — GPIO / analog AN23 / RX1 |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | RA0 — GPIO / analog AN0 / ULPWU |
| Pin 29 | RA1 — GPIO / analog AN1 |
Typical Applications
PIC18F23K20-I/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Node, Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument, HVAC Damper and Thermostat Controller, Consumer Appliance User-Interface Board, Low-Cost Motor Control Peripheral, USB HID Bridge and Protocol Converter, Solar-Powered Remote Sensor Node.
Industrial Sensor Interface Node
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP serves as an industrial sensor interface node reading 4-20 mA loops, thermistors, or digital sensors and forwarding values via RS-485. The 64MHz CPU rate handles up to 11 channels of 10-bit ADC at 30 ksps total throughput, while the dual EUSART supports RS-485 auto-direction switching for Modbus RTU slave communication. The nanoWatt XLP sleep mode lets the node idle under 50 nA between conversions, enabling years of unattended operation on a coin-cell or solar supply. The 28-SPDIP footprint simplifies through-hole assembly on legacy industrial control boards.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP fits handheld instruments such as digital multimeters, environmental meters, and portable data loggers. Its 64 MHz CPU drives segmented LCD via software bit-bang or external driver, while the 8 KB Flash holds calibration routines and the 768 bytes RAM buffers measurement samples. Wide 1.8V-5.5V supply means two AA cells in series can power the system directly. nanoWatt XLP sleep keeps standby current near zero between measurements. The 28-SPDIP package allows hand-soldered prototypes before committing to surface-mount.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Thermostat Controller
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP drives damper actuators and reads thermistor networks in HVAC zone controllers. Dual comparators handle trip-point detection for safety limits, while two MSSP peripherals drive SPI-bus DAC outputs for variable-airflow control. Industrial -40C to +85C operation tolerates mechanical-room environments, and the 5.5V tolerant I/O interfaces directly with 24V logic through external opto-couplers. The 10-bit ADC is sufficient for thermistor temperature computation with software calibration.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User-Interface Board
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP runs the user-interface and timing logic on consumer appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or coffee makers. Its PWM outputs and Timer0/1/2/3 peripherals drive seven-segment displays, buzzer tones, and relay sequencing. The two EUSART modules bridge to a main MCU and a wireless module if the appliance is IoT-enabled. nanoWatt XLP reduces standby power for Energy Star compliance when the appliance is idle but plugged in.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Control Peripheral
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP provides auxiliary logic in BLDC or stepper motor systems, handling Hall-sensor input decoding and PWM generation. The CCP/ECCP module drives FET drivers, while the 10-bit ADC reads motor current via shunt resistors for basic closed-loop control. The 28-SPDIP through-hole package simplifies hand-rework on motor-control PCBs. Wide operating voltage handles 12V or 24V industrial bus systems after regulation. If motor-control-specific features are needed, PIC18F2331-I/SP is a same-footprint drop-in alternative.
Recommended
USB HID Bridge and Protocol Converter
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP functions as a low-speed USB HID bridge or legacy-protocol converter, pairing a USB-capable companion chip with industrial UART devices. Its dual EUSART and dual MSSP can simultaneously handle USB-via-serial and RS-232/RS-485 conversion. The 64 MHz CPU rate processes HID descriptors, command buffering, and protocol translation in real time. nanoWatt XLP sleep preserves battery in portable USB accessories such as barcode scanners and handheld terminals.
Recommended
Solar-Powered Remote Sensor Node
The PIC18F23K20-I/SP is well suited for solar- or energy-harvesting remote sensors deployed in agricultural, environmental, or smart-city installations. Its nanoWatt XLP technology with RTCC at 500 nA keeps time-keeping current minimal during sleep, while 64 MHz wake-and-process cycles handle sensor reads and LoRa/Wi-Fi transmission. The wide 1.8V to 5.5V supply accepts unregulated solar cells directly. The 28-SPDIP through-hole package is repairable in the field with hand tools.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F23K20-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K20-I/SP | PIC18F25K20-I/SP | PIC18F26K20-I/SP | PIC18F2331-I/SP | PIC18F2320-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | 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) | 28-pin SPDIP (same) | 28-pin SPDIP (same) |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes | 3896 bytes | 768 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit, 11 ch | 10-bit, 11 ch | 10-bit, 11 ch | 10-bit, 11 ch | 10-bit, 8 ch | 10-bit, 5 ch |
| Operating Voltage | 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 | 2.0V to 5.5V |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in 28-SPDIP K-series at 64 MHz (vs PIC18F2320-I/SP)
- Lower pin count and broader code-size scaling (vs PIC18F24K20-I/SP)
- Industrial temperature grade vs automotive-grade equivalent (vs PIC18F23K20-E/SP)
- Motor-control vs general-purpose K-series (vs PIC18F2331-I/SP)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (pins 11/16 and 26/27). For battery-powered applications, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU to handle peak loads during ADC sampling and EUSART transmission. The PIC18F23K20 features brown-out reset (BOR) configurable via fuses; set BOREN to enabled for industrial environments to prevent undefined execution on power dips. When using the internal HFINTOSC, supply noise should remain below 50 mV peak-to-peak to avoid clock jitter affecting UART timing.
Pins RB6 and RB7 serve as ICSP programming clock and data, respectively. Do not place low-impedance loads directly on these pins; use a series resistor or buffer if external circuitry is required, otherwise in-circuit debugging and programming will be impaired. Configure the LVP (Low-Voltage Programming) bit in CONFIG4L correctly for your toolchain - mismatched LVP settings can lock the device, requiring high-voltage parallel programming to recover. The 5.5V absolute maximum VDD should never be exceeded, even briefly during power-up.
Estimated: at 64 MHz active CPU and 5.5 V supply, the PIC18F23K20 typically draws ~9 mA, dissipating ~50 mW of power. Junction temperature rise with SPDIP-28 package (theta_JA ~50 C/W on 2-layer PCB) is approximately 2.5 C above ambient - well within industrial -40C to +85C operating range. In Sleep mode, current drops to <50 nA, virtually eliminating thermal concerns. Ensure PCB ground pours are adequate around SPDIP-28 footprint to keep the die temperature well below the 150 C absolute maximum.
Route the crystal/oscillator traces short and symmetric with a guard ground to minimize EMI. Place analog reference (VREF+) and VDD analog traces away from digital switching signals to reduce ADC noise coupling. The ADC channel assignment is configurable; group frequently-sampled channels on adjacent pins to minimize channel-switching transients. When using the comparators, keep comparator inputs separated from PWM outputs to prevent false triggering. Pin 1 (MCLR) requires a pull-up resistor (typically 10 kohm) unless disabled by the MCLRE configuration fuse.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance and Pb Free status confirmed by DigiKey and Mouser listing data. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range; not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC18F23K20-E/SP for automotive-grade applications. REACH and halogen-free status not explicitly stated in supplier data.
