PIC18F25Q43-E/STX - 32KB Flash 8-bit MCU 64MHz 28-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F25Q43-E/STX ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.61 | $26.10 |
| 100 | $2.3 | $230.00 |
| 500 | $2.05 | $1,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
| 3,300 | $1.65 | $5,445.00 |
PIC18F25Q43-E/STX Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for deterministic, low-cost embedded control rather than raw computational throughput. The PIC18 family uses an enhanced Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, and the Q43 sub-family extends the PIC18 line with advanced Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that let hardware blocks - not software - handle timing-critical tasks. Microcontrollers belong to the broader category of embedded processors (microcontrollers -> microcontrollers -> processors -> semiconductors), and PIC18-Q43 specifically targets real-time control, sensor signal conditioning, and user-interface applications.
Key features include six Direct Memory Access (DMA) controllers, three 16-bit dual PWMs producing six PWM outputs, a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter with Computation (ADCC) supporting capacitive voltage divider (CVD) touch sensing, an 8-bit DAC, configurable logic cells (CLCs), multiple UART/SPI/I2C interfaces, vectored interrupts with selectable priority, and a programmable vector table base address. The ADCC automates averaging, filtering, oversampling and threshold detection, which offloads the CPU and reduces firmware complexity in sensor and motor-control designs.
The architecture integrates CIPs and 32 KB self-programmable FLASH with 10,000 erase/write cycle endurance. Programmable BOR/POR, low-voltage detection and a windowed watchdog improve robustness in industrial environments, while idle and sleep current in the nanoampere range support battery-powered edge nodes. The CIP model is the family differentiator: designers route hardware events through CLCs, PWMs and ADCC to build state machines without writing interrupt service routines.
Typical applications include BLDC and stepper motor control with field-oriented control (FOC), capacitive touch human-machine interfaces (HMI), LED lighting controllers, IoT sensor nodes, household appliances, and industrial process controllers. The combination of low-power modes, fast wake-up and on-chip touch support fits sealed-keypad and battery-backed designs equally well.
When designing with the PIC18F25Q43-E/STX, use MPLAB X IDE with the XC8 compiler and the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) for CIP and pin mapping. Always place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor close to each VDD pin and a bulk cap on VDD/VSS, and route the exposed thermal pad (EP) to a contiguous ground pour for thermal relief.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in VQFN-28 alternatives from the same PIC18-Q43 family, design notes and the application reference designs found in the manufacturer datasheet - information not consolidated on any single distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F25Q43-E/STX — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F25Q43-I/STX
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24Q43-I/STX
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25Q43-E/STX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC18-Q43 |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 1024 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Package | 28-pin VQFN (4x4 mm) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix - Extended industrial) |
| PWM Channels | 3 x 16-bit dual PWMs (6 PWM outputs) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with CVD support |
| DAC | 8-bit DAC |
| DMA Controllers | 6 |
| Communication Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C (multiple instances) |
| XLP Technology | Yes (eXtreme Low-Power) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F25Q43-E/STX Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 11 | RB0 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Bidirectional I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSCLK |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — Bidirectional I/O / ICSDAT |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground (additional) |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (additional) |
| Pin 21 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / TX |
| Pin 28 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / RX |
| Pin 29 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground pour |
Typical Applications
PIC18F25Q43-E/STX is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC and Stepper Motor Control, Capacitive Touch HMI, IoT and Sensor Hub Nodes, LED Lighting Controllers, Industrial Process Controllers, Household Appliances.
BLDC and Stepper Motor Control
The PIC18F25Q43-E/STX is engineered for real-time motor control. Its three 16-bit dual PWMs deliver six channels with edge-aligned or center-aligned modes, supporting 1- or 3-phase BLDC commutation and stepper microstepping at the 64 MHz core clock. The 12-bit ADCC samples current shunts with hardware averaging and threshold detection, while six DMA channels move conversion results to PWM duty registers without CPU intervention. The Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) let designers wire ADCC-to-PWM triggers entirely in hardware, so the firmware only adjusts speed/torque setpoints. XLP sleep modes and fast wake-up enable battery-backed motor latches in cordless tools and e-bikes.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI
The PIC18F25Q43-E/STX's 12-bit ADCC implements Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) techniques in hardware, which is the foundation of robust touch sensing under gloves, water and noisy supplies. CIPs handle scan timing and oversampling so the CPU remains free for higher-level gesture decoding (sliders, wheels, matrix keys). The internal 8-bit DAC drives guard-ring and shielding waveforms to suppress moisture-induced false triggers, and the 32 KB FLASH comfortably holds mTouch libraries plus custom UI state machines. The -40C to +125C rating supports outdoor panels and appliance fronts.
Recommended
IoT and Sensor Hub Nodes
Battery-powered sensor nodes need a low-power MCU with on-chip intelligence - exactly the PIC18F25Q43-E/STX profile. Its XLP technology delivers nanoampere-level sleep current with sub-microsecond wake-up, while the 6 DMA channels and CIPs aggregate sensor data without waking the CPU until a meaningful event occurs. The 32 KB FLASH accommodates protocol stacks such as Modbus RTU, while 2 KB SRAM handles buffers for UART/SPI/I2C sensor front ends. Multiple UART and I2C ports let the same board interface temperature, pressure and motion sensors concurrently, and the -40C to +125C range supports outdoor or industrial deployments.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC18F25Q43-E/STX drives high-channel-count LED fixtures and architectural lighting with deterministic, hardware-accelerated PWM generation. Its 16-bit PWMs enable 16-bit dimming resolution, eliminating low-end flicker visible to the eye, and CIPs chain PWMs to maintain color-temperature and brightness profiles without CPU load. The 12-bit ADCC reads ambient light sensors and potentiometer inputs for closed-loop intensity control, while DMA shuttles conversion results to PWM compare registers. The 32 KB FLASH supports DMX-512, DALI or proprietary protocols, and the 28-pin VQFN keeps driver boards compact.
Recommended
Industrial Process Controllers
In industrial process loops the PIC18F25Q43-E/STX acts as a dedicated PID controller for temperature, flow or pressure regulation. The 12-bit ADCC digitizes sensor signals with on-chip oversampling for noise rejection, the three 16-bit PWMs drive SSR or proportional valves, and DMA moves data between ADC and PWM registers without CPU involvement. Vectored interrupts with programmable priority keep safety functions responsive under heavy loop load. The -40C to +125C Extended grade and programmable BOR/POR support deployment on factory floors and process skids.
Recommended
Household Appliances
White-goods designers favor the PIC18F25Q43-E/STX for washing machines, dishwashers, induction cooktops and HVAC control boards. The combination of 12-bit ADCC, 8-bit DAC, three 16-bit PWMs and XLP low-power modes covers motor drive, sensor reading, valve control and standby energy compliance in a single chip. The 28-pin VQFN (4x4 mm) footprint fits densely populated control PCBs, and the -40C to +125C temperature grade handles hot enclosures near heaters and induction coils. The 32 KB FLASH supports IEC 60730 class B safety library integration for fault detection routines.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F25Q43-E/STX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F25Q43-I/STX | PIC18F24Q43-I/STX | PIC18F25Q43-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin VQFN (4x4 mm) | 28-pin VQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-pin VQFN (4x4 mm) - same | 28-pin SSOP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program FLASH | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB (-25%) | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| PWM Channels | 6 (3 x 16-bit dual) | 6 (3 x 16-bit dual) | 6 (3 x 16-bit dual) | 6 (3 x 16-bit dual) |
| DMA Controllers | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest FLASH in 28-pin VQFN PIC18-Q43 family (vs PIC18F24Q43-I/STX)
- Extended industrial temperature grade (vs PIC18F25Q43-I/STX)
- Smallest footprint in PIC18F25Q43 family (vs PIC18F25Q43-E/SS)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD pin with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin and a 4.7-10 uF bulk capacitor on the main VDD/VSS rail. The exposed thermal pad (EP, pin 29) on the VQFN-28 package must be soldered to a contiguous ground pour that extends at least 4 mm in all directions; this provides the only thermal relief path and also shorts pin 29 to VSS for EMI performance. Per Microchip PIC18-Q43 hardware design guidelines, avoid routing digital signals across the EP thermal relief array.
The PIC18F25Q43-E/STX runs from VDD across a wide range, but analog accuracy on the 12-bit ADCC degrades below 2.0V. Configure the ADCC reference voltage to a clean, externally bypassed source rather than VDD when measurement precision below 1 mV is required. Always enable the programmable BOR in firmware for industrial deployments - leaving BOR disabled can allow the FLASH to be corrupted during brownouts at 32 KB of code size.
When using the on-chip 12-bit ADCC for capacitive touch via CVD, separate the touch-sensing trace width from any high-frequency PWM trace by at least 4 mm and use a guard ring tied to an analog pin. CIP routing via CLCs can shift PWMs away from ADCC sampling windows, so enable the ADCC hardware accumulation filter (oversampling) rather than relying on software averaging. Cross-reference Microchip AN1478 "mTouch CVD Tips and Tricks" for board-layout details.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. AEC-Q100 not certified - refer to AEC-Q100 automotive-grade PIC18F variants (not in Q43 family) for qualified options.
