PIC18F2523-I/SP - 8-bit 32KB Flash MCU, 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F2523-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.96 | $6.96 |
| 10 | $6.12 | $61.20 |
| 100 | $5.05 | $505.00 |
| 500 | $4.3 | $2,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.65 | $3,650.00 |
PIC18F2523-I/SP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals such as ADCs, timers, and communication interfaces. The PIC18 family sits in Microchip's 8-bit PIC hierarchy: PIC18 -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. PIC18 devices use a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction execution and predictable interrupt latency.
Key features of the PIC18F2523 include 32KB Flash, 1536 bytes RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, a 12-bit ADC (10 channels), two analog comparators, two CCP/ECCP modules, an enhanced USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), two 8-bit timers plus three 16-bit timers, an internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator with 4x PLL (up to 32 MHz), and nanoWatt power-saving modes with a real-time clock.
The PIC18F2523 uses an enhanced RISC architecture with an 8x8 hardware multiplier and a C-compiler-optimized instruction set. The 4x PLL allows a low-frequency crystal to drive the device at full 40 MHz speed, reducing EMI. Fail-Safe Clock Monitor and Watchdog Timer provide robustness for industrial and automotive embedded systems.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor signal conditioning, low-power data loggers, USB-interface accessories (using CCP and USART), and home appliance control boards. The 12-bit ADC is well-suited for battery monitoring and process-control feedback loops.
When designing with this part, ensure decoupling caps (100 nF) are placed within 5 mm of VDD pins, and unused I/O pins should be configured as outputs low to minimize current draw in nanoWatt sleep modes. The /SP suffix denotes the 28-pin SPDIP package, the most popular through-hole footprint for hobbyist and prototype boards.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives sourced from Microchip's pin compatibility charts, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F2523-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 PIC18F2523-I/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core, Operating Temperature, ADC, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F2523-E/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2520-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.33 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2423-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2480-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2580-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2523-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16 words) |
| RAM | 1536 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 10 channels |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial grade, /I) |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (.300 inch) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 3 x 16-bit |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| PWM Channels | 2 CCP, 1 ECCP |
| Internal Oscillator | 31 kHz to 8 MHz, 4x PLL up to 32 MHz |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt (Idle, Sleep, Deep Sleep with RTCC) |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes, with separate oscillator |
| Instruction Set | PIC18 enhanced, 8x8 hardware multiplier |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Tube Quantity | 15 per tube |
PIC18F2523-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage / digital input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input / comparator 1 output |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/C2OUT — Digital I/O / analog input channel 4 / comparator 2 output |
| Pin 8 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O / oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O / oscillator input / clock input |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 13 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 14 | RB2/CANTX — Digital I/O / CAN TX (on PIC18F2480/2580 variants) |
| Pin 15 | RB3/CANRX — Digital I/O / CAN RX (on PIC18F2480/2580 variants) |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 19 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / ICSP data (programming) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 22 | RC0/T1OSO — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 24 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCL — Digital I/O / I2C clock |
| Pin 26 | RC4/SDA — Digital I/O / I2C data |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / EUSART TX / clock |
Typical Applications
PIC18F2523-I/SP is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Battery-Powered Data Loggers, Home Appliance Control Boards, Sensor Signal Conditioning Hubs, USB Interface Accessories (Low-Speed), Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety).
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18F2523-I/SP fits industrial control panels because its 28-SPDIP through-hole footprint simplifies hand-prototyping and field replacement. The 12-bit ADC with 10 channels acquires multiple sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, current) at 100 ksps, while 32 KB Flash holds complete Modbus or CANopen state machines. The 2.0V-5.5V range and 25 mA I/O sink/source support 24V-derived 5V rails through simple regulators. The nanoWatt sleep mode drops quiescent current below 1 uA for battery-backed panels.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Data Loggers
The PIC18F2523-I/SP suits battery-powered data loggers due to its nanoWatt power management with deep-sleep RTCC drawing less than 1 uA, plus 256 bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile configuration storage. The 12-bit ADC provides higher resolution per sample, reducing quantization noise in temperature and voltage measurements. The internal 31 kHz-8 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystals, reducing BOM and quiescent drain. With a 3V coin cell, the MCU can sustain multi-year logging intervals with 5-minute wake cycles.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Boards
The PIC18F2523-I/SP is well-suited for home appliance control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, HVAC thermostats) where 25 I/O pins drive relays, triacs, and switches while the 12-bit ADC reads thermistor and current-sense signals. Enhanced Flash self-programming enables field firmware updates via the appliance's existing user interface. The CCP/ECCP modules generate zero-cross triac triggers or PWM fan/valve control. Industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C) covers kitchen and laundry environments.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Hubs
For multi-signal sensor hubs in HVAC and process control, the PIC18F2523-I/SP's 10-channel 12-bit ADC aggregates thermocouples, RTDs, 4-20 mA loops, and voltage dividers. The EUSART provides RS-232/485 comms to a central PLC, while MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces digital sensors. The 1536-byte RAM holds buffer data for averaging and thresholding. Watchdog Timer with separate oscillator ensures recovery from sensor-induced firmware lockups in electrically noisy industrial settings.
Recommended
USB Interface Accessories (Low-Speed)
The PIC18F2523-I/SP can implement low-speed USB accessory firmware using the MSSP and EUSART plus external USB transceiver chips, or via bit-banged software USB on I/O pins. Although the PIC18F2523 lacks native USB, designers can use it as a co-MCU paired with a dedicated USB interface IC like the MCP2200 or MCP2221A for CDC serial emulation. The 32 KB Flash comfortably holds CDC, HID, or vendor-class stacks for HID-class peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or industrial input devices.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards
The PIC18F2523-I/SP is a popular choice for educational and hobbyist boards due to its 28-SPDIP through-hole package, which seats in standard breadboards and ZIF sockets for easy replacement. MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and PICkit 5 debugger support the device fully, with free C compilers and Microchip's code configurator. The 32 KB Flash accommodates complete projects; ICSP programming via RB6/RB7/MCLR avoids removing the MCU for reprogramming. Many open-source compilers and frameworks target the PIC18F2523.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC18F2523-I/SP supports non-safety automotive body electronics such as interior lighting controllers, seat control modules, mirror adjusters, and HVAC blend-door actuators. Its 2.0V-5.5V input tolerates 12V battery transients through external regulation; for harsher environments use the PIC18F2523-E/SP variant rated -40 C to +125 C. The EUSART supports LIN bus via external LIN transceivers such as MCP2021A. The 12-bit ADC accurately senses potentiometers and thermistors used in seat position and climate control.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F2523-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F2523-E/SP | PIC18F2520-I/SP | PIC18F2423-I/SP | PIC18F2480-I/SP | PIC18F2580-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 1536 bytes | 1536 bytes | 1536 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| CAN Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (CAN 2.0B) | Yes (CAN 2.0B) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Unit Price @ 100 pcs (USD) | 5.05 | 5.85 | 4.75 | 4.50 | 5.40 | 5.95 |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC with 10 channels vs PIC18F2520's 10-bit ADC (vs PIC18F2520-I/SP)
- Industrial temperature grade with extended variant for automotive (vs PIC18F2523-E/SP)
- Native 12-bit ADC across the PIC18F2523 family (vs PIC18F2480-I/SP)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 40 MHz with VDD = 5.0 V, typical I_DD is approximately 12 mA (per datasheet typical characteristics). Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 11 and 21) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum at the regulator output. For battery applications, use Sleep mode (CPU off, peripherals off) which drops current below 1 uA per the nanoWatt spec, and wake via Watchdog Timer or external interrupt.
Place the 28-SPDIP socket (if used) oriented with pin 1 notch at the top-left. Keep the ICSP header (5-pin) near pins 1 (MCLR), 18 (ICSPCLK), and 19 (ICSPDAT) to minimize programming trace length. For the 28-SPDIP, leave at least 0.1 inch clearance between the IC body and surrounding tall components for clip-on programming. Analog inputs (RA0-RA5) should be routed with guard rings if high-impedance sources connect to them.
Critical pitfalls: (1) The MCLR pin (pin 1) MUST be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor and have a 100 nF cap to VDD for proper reset; floating MCLR causes sporadic resets. (2) Unused I/O pins MUST be configured as outputs low to minimize current draw in Sleep mode; inputs float and draw transition current. (3) The 12-bit ADC requires acquisition time based on source impedance - use Tacq >= 2.4 us for 10 kohm sources or longer for higher impedances. (4) In-Circuit Serial Programming requires no capacitor on PGD/PGC (RB7/RB6) above ~100 pF.
For the MSSP used as I2C, install 2.2 kohm-10 kohm pull-up resistors on SDA (RC4) and SCL (RC3) for 400 kHz Fast Mode; weaker pull-ups cause clock stretching and missing start/stop bits. For SPI master mode, route SCK, SDI, SDO as parallel traces under 50 mm with ground guard on each side; long SPI traces pick up motor switching noise in appliance boards. The EUSART at high baud rates (e.g., 115200) requires the baud-rate generator error to stay below +/-2 percent - verify with the Microchip baud-rate calculator.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The PIC18F2523-I/SP is industrial-grade (-40 C to +85 C) and not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications use the PIC18F2523-E/SP extended-temperature variant (still no AEC-Q100 letter, but rated for -40 C to +125 C).
