PIC18F24K42-E/ML - 8-bit 64MHz 16KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F24K42-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.51 | $25.10 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.92 | $960.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.68 | $1,680.00 |
PIC18F24K42-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, volatile and non-volatile memory, and programmable peripherals. The PIC18F family is Microchip's high-performance 8-bit architecture, positioned between the baseline PIC10/12/16 families and the 16-bit dsPIC/dsPIC33 families. Within the PIC18 family, the K42 sub-family integrates the rich set of core-independent peripherals (CIPs) and intelligent analog peripherals designed for low-power mixed-signal embedded designs. The XLP (eXtreme Low Power) technology allows deep-sleep currents in the nanoamp range, enabling battery-powered applications.
Key differentiating features include the 12-bit ADC2 with computation engine, which automates Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) for advanced touch sensing, plus hardware averaging, filtering, oversampling and threshold comparison. The vectored interrupt controller provides fixed-latency interrupt handling for deterministic real-time response. Direct Memory Access (DMA) moves data between peripherals and memory without CPU intervention, freeing cycles for application logic. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) provides flexible signal routing, simplifying PCB layout.
This PIC18F24K42 device uses a pipelined C-optimized architecture with a hardware multiplier, 49 instruction set, and 16-level stack. The operating voltage range is 1.8V to 5.5V (extended), and the part includes multiple low-power modes (Doze, Idle, Sleep, Deep Sleep). The CIPs include a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), multiple Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, and configurable logic cells, which allow peripheral interconnections without external glue logic.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, HVAC and building control, LED lighting control, consumer appliances, battery chargers, and automotive body modules. Industrial 4-20 mA loop-powered instruments benefit from the nanoamp sleep current. In automotive body electronics, the device can drive LED arrays, read multiple sensor inputs via ADC2, and run LIN slave protocol using the UART with auto-baud.
When designing with this MCU, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on every VDD pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the package. The exposed thermal pad (EP) must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour for electrical grounding and thermal dissipation. Use MPLAB X IDE with the XC8 compiler for development; program the part via ICSP using PGED1/PGEC1 pins or via the unified programming pin pair. The PPS feature requires configuration of PPSLOCK to prevent accidental remapping.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet. Cross-references include PIC18F24K42 family members and competitors sharing the 28-pin QFN (ML) footprint.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F24K42-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 PIC18F24K42-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, DAC, Comparators, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K42-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K42-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K40-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.66 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K40-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K22-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K20-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K42-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit |
| CPU Frequency | 64 MHz (max) |
| Flash Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 14 instructions) |
| SRAM Data Memory | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm with EP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation |
| DAC | Yes (5-bit / 8-bit) |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM Channels | Yes (CCP / CWG) |
| DMA | Yes |
| Vector Interrupts | Yes (fixed-latency) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Low-Power Modes | XLP: Sleep / Deep Sleep / Doze / Idle |
| Instruction Set | 49 instructions with hardware multiplier |
| ICSP Programming | Yes (PGED1 / PGEC1) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F24K42-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 7 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 (PPS-capable I/O, INT0) |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 (PPS-capable I/O, INT1) |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 (PPS-capable I/O) |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 (PPS-capable I/O, PGED1) |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 (PPS-capable I/O, PGEC1) |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 (PPS-capable I/O) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F24K42-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Power IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch User Interface, HVAC and Building Climate Control, Battery Charger and Power Bank Controller, Automotive Body Electronics Module, Industrial 4-20 mA Loop-Powered Sensor.
Low-Power IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML fits low-power IoT sensor nodes because of its nanoamp-range deep-sleep current and its ADC2 Computation engine that automates averaging and threshold comparison without waking the CPU. The 16 KB Flash holds an MQTT-SN or CoAP stack plus sensor drivers for temperature, humidity, and motion. The DMA controller moves ADC samples into RAM while the core sleeps, extending battery life on a single CR2032 coin cell to multi-year operation. The PIC18F24K42-E/ML's 1.8-5.5V VDD range supports both 3.3V LoRa/Sigfox modules and 5V sensor boards from a single design.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML's ADC2 with Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) is purpose-built for touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors, replacing mechanical keys with a sleek glass front panel. The hardware oversampling and threshold detection offload firmware, allowing the MCU to handle up to 16 touch channels in parallel while the core runs a UI state machine. The 64 MHz CPU keeps touch latency below 10 ms. The PPS feature remaps touch inputs to almost any pin, simplifying PCB layout and reducing the GPIO count previously needed for multi-key pads.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Climate Control
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML handles HVAC thermostats, damper actuators, and zone controllers because its 12-bit ADC reads thermistor and humidity sensors with 0.1C resolution and its CWG module generates the PWM that drives TRIAC phase-angle control for fan motors. The vectored interrupt controller keeps the control loop deterministic at sub-millisecond timing, critical for compressor safety. Industrial -40C to +125C temperature grade operates in unconditioned attics and outdoor enclosures. The DMA-fed ADC pipeline eliminates CPU jitter, improving comfort stability across multi-zone systems.
Recommended
Battery Charger and Power Bank Controller
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML manages single-cell Li-ion/LiPo charger systems, reading the battery voltage through the 12-bit ADC2 while controlling charge current via a PWM-driven buck MOSFET. The hardware comparators enable instant over-voltage and over-current protection without firmware latency, critical for lithium safety. The PIC18F24K42-E/ML's nanoamp sleep current preserves battery charge when no device is connected to the USB-C port. The 5-bit DAC sets the charge termination voltage with fine resolution, and the UART/SPI/I2C interfaces drive LED status indicators and USB-PD negotiation chips.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Module
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML's extended -40C to +125C temperature grade and 28-pin QFN footprint suit automotive body control modules such as door locks, window lifts, mirror adjusters, and interior LED lighting. The PWM module drives LED strings with hardware fade and breath effects, while the DMA keeps CAN/LIN message handling off the CPU. The on-chip 12-bit ADC reads switch positions and current-sense amplifiers for short-circuit detection. Microchip's MPLAB development ecosystem with the ICD 4 debugger accelerates AEC-Q100 design workflows for Tier-1 automotive suppliers.
Recommended
Industrial 4-20 mA Loop-Powered Sensor
The PIC18F24K42-E/ML operates as the brain of a 4-20 mA loop-powered sensor thanks to its nanoamp deep-sleep current that lets the entire sensor draw less than 3 mA budget while still running ADC2 conversions. The 12-bit ADC directly reads bridge-type pressure sensors and RTD signals after on-chip PGA amplification. Hardware CIPs implement the HART or Modbus digital protocol without external components, reducing the BOM cost of a fully loop-powered field instrument. The wide 1.8-5.5V operating range accepts unregulated loop voltage with no LDO required.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F24K42-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K42-I/ML | PIC18F25K42-I/ML | PIC18F24K40-I/ML | PIC18F24K40-E/ML | PIC18F24K22-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same | 28-pin QFN (ML) 6x6 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB (+100%) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 2 KB (+100%) | 1 KB | 1 KB | 768 B (-25%) |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| ADC Type | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation | 12-bit ADC2 | 12-bit ADC2 | 10-bit ADC (no ADC2) | 10-bit ADC (no ADC2) | 10-bit ADC (no ADC2) |
| DMA Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade option (vs PIC18F24K42-I/ML)
- 12-bit ADC2 with Computation engine vs 10-bit ADC (vs PIC18F24K40-I/ML)
- DMA controller offloads data movement (vs PIC18F24K22-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF low-ESR ceramic decoupling capacitor on every VDD pin (pin 1 and pin 20) within 3 mm of the package. Add a single 10 uF bulk capacitor (X5R or X7R) near the package. The PIC18F24K42-E/ML's nanoamp deep-sleep current makes PCB leakage paths critical - guard-ring sensitive analog traces with grounded shields to prevent leakage currents from exceeding the deep-sleep budget. Estimated: with two VDD pins each drawing <1 uA leakage budget, total quiescent leakage allowance is 2 uA in deep-sleep.
The 28-pin QFN (ML) exposed thermal pad (EP) MUST be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour for both electrical grounding and thermal dissipation. Stencil apertures for the EP should be a 4x4 array of 0.5 mm circles with 0.1 mm gaps to ensure proper solder wetting. The EP thermal pad improves power dissipation and reduces die temperature rise during high-MIPS operation, critical for the -40C to +125C extended temperature grade parts.
PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) registers must be unlocked via the PPSLOCK sequence before remapping digital peripheral functions to GPIOs. Forgetting the unlock sequence is the #1 reason PPS configurations appear to 'not work'. Additionally, the PPSLOCK bit is write-only and reads back as 0 - poll the sequence completion with the PPSLOCKED read register. Finally, avoid remapping an output function to a pin that is also a high-impedance analog input to prevent digital noise coupling into the ADC readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. -E grade supports automotive applications but is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified; check Microchip's automotive-grade part list for Q100 variants if formal automotive certification is required.
