PIC18F26Q43-E/SS - 8-Bit 64MHz MCU, 64KB Flash, 28-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F26Q43-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.1 | $3.10 |
| 10 | $2.79 | $27.90 |
| 100 | $2.4 | $240.00 |
| 500 | $2.1 | $1,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.85 | $1,850.00 |
PIC18F26Q43-E/SS Overview
A PIC18 microcontroller is an 8-bit Harvard-architecture MCU from Microchip Technology belonging to the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU), which themselves sit inside the integrated circuits taxonomy (MCU -> 8-bit MCU -> PIC18 family -> peripheral-rich sub-family). The PIC18 core provides 16-bit wide instructions for compact code, deterministic interrupt latency of three cycles, and an instruction set that is forward-compatible with older PIC16 designs while adding vectored interrupts and a programmable vector table base address.
Key features of the PIC18F26Q43 include 64 KB self-programmable Flash with program memory access partitions, hardware capacitive touch support via ADCC CVD, six DMA channels that move data without CPU involvement, three 16-bit PWMs (six outputs total), three CLCs for glue-logic customization, two comparators, two I2C, three UART, one SPI, and XLP (eXtra Low Power) technology. The 12-bit ADCC includes oversampling, averaging, and threshold-detection hardware that offloads common signal-conditioning tasks from the CPU.
The architecture pairs a modified Harvard core with Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) - blocks that operate without code intervention. CIPs like CLC, NCO, DSM, and the ADCC automate signal processing, allowing real-time responses measured in microseconds. Six DMA controllers move data between memory and peripherals without waking the CPU, enabling ultra-low-power average current profiles even with high peripheral throughput.
Typical applications include capacitive touch user interfaces, LED lighting control, motor control with field-oriented control loops, IoT sensor nodes, automotive body and climate modules, and consumer appliance front-panel controllers. The wide temperature range and AEC-Q100-grade variants support harsh-environment deployments.
When designing with this part, plan the brown-out and watchdog configuration early because the XLP Sleep current depends on which peripherals remain active. Designers should also review the vector-table base address feature when porting legacy PIC18 firmware, as it changes interrupt vector placement relative to classic PIC18 devices.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing a single consolidated reference for sourcing and engineering decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F26Q43-E/SS — 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 PIC18F26Q43-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Program Memory (Flash), DAC, Operating Temperature, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F26Q43-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F27Q43-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26Q10-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F26K83-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F26K42-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25Q43-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F26Q43-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit Harvard) |
| Core Frequency (max) | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 4 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP |
| Pin Count | 28 |
| DMA Controllers | 6 |
| PWM Channels | 6 (three 16-bit dual PWMs) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with CVD |
| DAC | 8-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Configurable Logic Cells (CLC) | Yes |
| UART | 3 |
| I2C | 2 |
| SPI | 1 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F26Q43-E/SS 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 / VREF+ |
| 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 / ICSDA |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SCL |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input / SDA |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Bidirectional I/O / analog input |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — Bidirectional I/O / UART TX |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Bidirectional I/O / UART RX |
| Pin 27 | OSC1 — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 28 | OSC2 — Crystal/clock output |
Typical Applications
PIC18F26Q43-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interface, BLDC Motor Control, LED Lighting and Dimming, IoT Sensor Node, Automotive Body Control Module, Consumer Appliance Front Panel.
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18F26Q43's 12-bit ADCC with built-in Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) hardware automates touch-sensor scanning without CPU intervention, allowing multi-button, slider, and proximity-sensing interfaces while the CPU remains in Sleep. With 6 DMA channels moving ADC results into RAM autonomously, average current on a coin-cell powered remote control can stay under 20 uA. Designers should pair the Q43 with Microchip's mTouch CVD reference firmware (mTouch framework on MPLAB X) and provide guard-ring traces around each sensor pad to suppress moisture-induced false triggers.
Recommended
BLDC Motor Control
The PIC18F26Q43's three 16-bit dual PWMs (six outputs) drive a 3-phase inverter bridge for brushless DC motors with 1 ns PWM edge resolution at 64 MHz, while the DMA-fed ADCC samples back-EMF and current-sense ADCs without jitter from CPU activity. The Configurable Logic Cells (CLCs) implement hardware fault shutdown that disables PWMs within 10 ns of an over-current comparator trigger. For 24V motors under 100 W, pair the Q43 with a DRV8313 gate driver; for higher-power applications, use UCC27211 or IRS2003 gate drivers with the same 28-SSOP footprint for layout flexibility.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming
The PIC18F26Q43 supports high-resolution LED dimming through its six 16-bit PWM outputs, achieving greater than 16-bit effective dimming resolution via dithered PWM - critical for architectural and stage lighting where 0.1% dim steps are required. Three CLCs allow hardware-only color-mixing logic to run while the CPU handles DMX-512 or DALI protocol parsing. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range simplifies designs that drive both logic-level and 12 V LED chains. Plan for DMA-driven PWM update to avoid flicker during CPU-intensive comm-stack operations.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18F26Q43's XLP (eXtra Low Power) Sleep currents in the sub-microamp range combined with six DMA channels enable sensor nodes that wake on a timer, sample multiple sensors, transmit over UART or SPI, and return to Sleep - all without waking the CPU for data movement. The 12-bit ADCC with averaging and oversampling hardware eliminates the need for an external signal-conditioning ASIC in many industrial-sensor designs. Combine with an AT command-set LoRa or BLE module (RN2483, RN4871) for sub-1 GHz or Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity.
Recommended
Automotive Body Control Module
The PIC18F26Q43-E/SS extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) and 64 KB Flash with ECC support body-electronics BCM functions including door-module control, seat-position memory, mirror positioning, and ambient lighting. The 12-bit ADCC with CVD supports both rotary encoders and proximity sensors, while the three 16-bit PWMs drive RGB ambient lighting channels with smooth dimming. The 3 UART / 2 I2C / 1 SPI set allows multi-bus LIN and CAN connectivity through external transceivers like MCP2003 or MCP2515.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Front Panel
The PIC18F26Q43 integrates capacitive touch sensing, multi-channel PWM for backlight and indicator LEDs, and communication buses (I2C, SPI, UART) all in a single 28-SSOP package - eliminating the multi-IC approach common in washer/dryer and microwave front-panel designs. The CLCs handle hardware key-debounce and rotary-encoder logic so firmware stays simple. Use the 8-bit DAC to generate audio chirps for end-of-cycle alerts without needing an external piezo-driver IC. The wide 1.8 V to 5.5 V supply range lets the MCU run directly from a 3.3 V or 5 V backlight-driver rail.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F26Q43-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F26Q43-I/SS | PIC18F27Q43-I/SS | PIC18F26Q10-I/SS | PIC18F26K83-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Core Speed | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB |
| DMA Controllers | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| PWM Channels | 6 (16-bit) | 6 (16-bit) | 6 (16-bit) | 2 (16-bit) | 2 (10-bit) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD | 12-bit ADCC w/ CVD | 12-bit ADC | 12-bit ADC |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Six DMA controllers (vs zero on Q10/K83) (vs PIC18F26Q10-I/SS)
- 12-bit ADCC with Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) (vs PIC18F26K83-I/SS)
- Three 16-bit dual PWMs (6 channels) (vs PIC18F26K42-I/SS)
- 128 KB Flash in same SSOP-28 footprint (F27Q43) (vs PIC18F27Q43-I/SS)
Design Notes
The 28-SSOP package has a thermal resistance (theta_JA) of approximately 80-90 C/W when mounted on a standard JEDEC test PCB - significantly higher than QFN packages but adequate for typical PIC18F26Q43 loads (less than 200 mW active). Estimated: in a sealed enclosure at 60C ambient, the SSOP adds about 8C rise above ambient at 150 mW - well within the -40C to +125C operating range. For higher ambient (125C) and continuous full-speed operation, ensure SSOP leads are soldered to copper pads with thermal vias for additional heat dissipation.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 10) with a short, wide trace to the ground plane. Add a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU supply input for DMA burst-current support. For capacitive touch designs using the ADCC CVD feature, dedicate a guard ring trace around each touch pad, routed back to a dedicated GPIO and tied to the same ground as the sensor. Avoid routing noisy PWM traces directly under or parallel to analog input traces to prevent crosstalk.
Do not assume pin compatibility between PIC18F26Q43 and PIC18F26K83 without verifying the peripheral mapping table - although both use the 28-SSOP footprint, some peripheral pin assignments differ between Q43 and K83 generations. The Configuration Words must be set correctly for the chosen clock source and oscillator mode; leaving the default internal oscillator can cause timing drift on UART. Always enable the watchdog timer in firmware for unattended embedded deployments, and use the ICD pin (RB6/RB7) as GPIO only when the debugger is not actively connected.
For 64 MHz operation, keep crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) under 5 mm in length and surround them with a ground pour to minimize EMI. If using the internal 64 MHz oscillator instead, no crystal layout is needed but the OSCOUT pin should be left disconnected to prevent coupling noise into adjacent traces. Place the ICSP programming header near the edge of the PCB on the same side as the MCU to keep programming cables short during prototyping.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed via Microchip product page. The -E temperature grade is suitable for harsh environments but is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified; choose the Q43 automotive-grade variants (with V or VAO suffix) for AEC-Q100 applications. Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in retrieved data - marked unknown.
