PIC18F4220-E/ML - 4KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 36 I/O, 44-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F4220-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.06 | $8.06 |
| 10 | $7.25 | $72.50 |
| 100 | $6.04 | $604.00 |
| 500 | $5.23 | $2,615.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.62 | $4,620.00 |
PIC18F4220-E/ML Overview
An 8-bit Flash microcontroller is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, volatile data memory, and peripherals such as ADC, timers, and communication interfaces into one package. The PIC18F family sits in the middle of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio, above the PIC16 and below the PIC24/dsPIC, offering a balance of cost, peripheral integration, and code efficiency for embedded control. Within this hierarchy, the PIC18F4220 belongs to the PIC18F2220/2320/4220/4320 family of 28/40/44-pin devices.
Key features of this part include 13 channels of 10-bit ADC, two analog comparators, two capture/compare/PWM modules, a USART with LIN support, an MSSP configurable as SPI or I2C, and nanoWatt technology for low-power operation. The internal oscillator reduces external component count, while self-programmability supports in-field firmware updates. The 36 available I/O pins make it suitable for human-interface and sensor-hub designs.
The PIC18F4220 uses an enhanced Harvard architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, plus hardware multiplier and 32 kHz secondary oscillator for real-time-clock applications. The -E temperature grade extends operation to -40 C to +125 C for industrial and harsh-environment use cases.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, low-cost sensor nodes, home appliances, small white goods, automotive body modules (non-safety), and consumer electronics such as remote controls and battery chargers. The 4 KB Flash is well-matched to compact state-machine code for BLDC or stepper control via the PWM modules.
When designing with this device, allocate decoupling capacitance on VDD/VSS pins and follow Microchip's recommended 44-pin QFN land pattern with thermal vias under the exposed pad. Designers migrating from older PIC16 designs benefit from upward code compatibility within the PIC18 instruction set, simplifying firmware reuse across product families.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, supporting faster component selection for engineers and buyers.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F4220-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 PIC18F4220-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Communication, Comparators, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F4320-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4220-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.97 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2320-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F4620-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F4520-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F4220-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit RISC, 16-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 4 KB (2K x 16) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 13 channels x 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Communication | 1x USART (LIN), 1x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Oscillator | Internal + external crystal support |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) |
| Package | 44-pin VQFN (Exposed Pad), 8x8 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Self-Programming | Yes |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes |
PIC18F4220-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Port A bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/RA8 — Crystal oscillator output / Port A bit 8 |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Port C bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCL — Port C bit 3 / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDA — Port C bit 4 / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Port C bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Port C bit 6 / UART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Port C bit 7 / UART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 25 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 26 | RE0/RD — Port E bit 0 / Parallel slave port read |
| Pin 27 | RE1/WR — Port E bit 1 / Parallel slave port write |
| Pin 28 | RE2/CS — Port E bit 2 / Parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 29 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 31 | RB0/INT0 — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 32 | RB1/INT1 — Port B bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 33 | RB2/INT2 — Port B bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 34 | RB3/CCP2 — Port B bit 3 / CCP2 PWM output |
| Pin 35 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 36 | RB5/PGM — Port B bit 5 / LVP programming |
| Pin 37 | RB6/PGC — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 38 | RB7/PGD — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 39 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / Programming voltage |
| Pin 40 | RF0 — Port F bit 0 |
| Pin 41 | RF1 — Port F bit 1 |
| Pin 42 | RF2 — Port F bit 2 |
| Pin 43 | RF3 — Port F bit 3 |
| Pin 44 | RF4 — Port F bit 4 |
Typical Applications
PIC18F4220-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Home Appliance Control Boards, Low-Cost Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body Modules (Non-Safety), Consumer Remote Controls and HIDs, Small Motor and Stepper Control.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18F4220-E/ML fits industrial control panels because its 36 I/O pins drive keypads, LED indicators, and relay arrays directly without external glue logic. The 13-channel 10-bit ADC reads analog sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, current) at 100 ksps, while the two CCP modules generate PWM for valve or heater control. Its -40C to +125C E temperature grade supports factory-floor environments with thermal cycling, and the 44-pin VQFN exposed pad provides adequate heat dissipation for panel-mount applications with limited airflow.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Boards
White-goods appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens benefit from the PIC18F4220-E/ML's combination of 4 KB Flash for state-machine firmware, two PWM channels for motor or buzzer drive, and the MSSP supporting both SPI displays and I2C sensors. The nanoWatt sleep modes reduce standby power below 1 uA, helping meet ENERGY STAR idle-draw requirements. The 44-pin QFN package's compact 8x8 mm footprint suits densely-populated appliance PCBs.
Recommended
Low-Cost Sensor Nodes
Battery-powered sensor hubs leverage the PIC18F4220-E/ML's nanoWatt technology to achieve years of operation from a single coin cell. The internal 31 kHz low-power oscillator and multiple sleep modes reduce active current to under 1 uA in deep sleep, waking on timer or external interrupt to take ADC readings from the 13 analog channels. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and node identification across power cycles, while the 4 KB Flash accommodates BLE/Zigbee stack bridging code via the MSSP SPI port.
Recommended
Automotive Body Modules (Non-Safety)
The -E temperature grade of PIC18F4220-E/ML supports -40C to +125C operation typical of under-hood and cabin automotive environments. The part drives seat adjusters, mirror controls, interior lighting, and HVAC dampers via its 36 I/O pins and two PWM outputs. While not AEC-Q100 qualified, it is commonly used in non-safety body electronics where cost is paramount. The USART with LIN-bus capability interfaces to body-control networks, and the 10-bit ADC reads position feedback from motors and potentiometers.
Recommended
Consumer Remote Controls and HIDs
Universal remote controls and human-interface devices use the PIC18F4220-E/ML's low-power modes to extend battery life, while the 36 I/O pins scan key matrices up to 8x8 directly. The MSSP drives SPI-based LCD or OLED displays, while the USART communicates with wireless modules at 115.2 kbps. The 4 KB Flash is sufficient for USB HID report descriptors and IR protocol libraries (RC5, NEC, SIRC), making this part a cost-effective choice for high-volume consumer accessories.
Recommended
Small Motor and Stepper Control
Stepper motor controllers and small BLDC drivers benefit from the PIC18F4220-E/ML's two CCP modules generating complementary PWM pairs for H-bridge control. The 10 MIPS CPU executes commutation tables for sensorless or Hall-sensor BLDC drives at moderate RPM, while the 13-channel ADC samples back-EMF and current-sense amplifiers. The 256-byte EEPROM stores motor calibration parameters, and the 36 I/O pins interface to limit-switch, encoder, and enable inputs typical of motion-control PCBs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F4220-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F4320-E/ML | PIC18F4220-I/ML | PIC18F4620-I/ML | PIC18F4520-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin VQFN (8x8 mm) | 44-pin VQFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-pin VQFN (8x8 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 4 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 3.8 KB | 1.5 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 1 KB | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS | 40 MHz / 10 MIPS |
| I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| ADC Channels | 13 x 10-bit | 13 x 10-bit | 13 x 10-bit | 13 x 10-bit | 13 x 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Direct upgrade path with doubled Flash in same package (vs PIC18F4320-E/ML)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC18F4220-I/ML)
- Compact 44-VQFN package with high I/O count (vs PIC18F2320-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 44-pin VQFN package has a center exposed pad (EP) that must be soldered to a PCB ground plane with thermal vias for heat dissipation. According to Microchip packaging guidelines, design at least 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) under the EP to a 1 oz copper inner-plane pour. Without proper EP soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance rises and the device may exceed maximum junction temperature at high ambient + load conditions.
Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors as close as possible to each VDD/VDDCORE pin pair, plus a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the main VDD rail. The 44-pin VQFN package has VDD on pin 29 and VSS on pin 30; route these wide and short to a low-impedance ground/power plane. Avoid routing high-speed signals (MSSP, USART) under the exposed pad to prevent coupling.
Do not exceed the maximum VDD of 5.5 V; the PIC18F4220 is rated 2.0-5.5 V. Always configure the MCLR pin with a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; floating MCLR causes spurious resets. When using LVP (low-voltage programming), the PGM/ RB5 pin must be pulled low in application to prevent entry into programming mode at power-up.
Route the crystal or external clock traces symmetrically with short, equal-length traces and a ground guard ring. The PIC18F4220 datasheet recommends keeping the crystal within 0.5 inch of OSC1/OSC2 pins to minimize parasitic capacitance. If using the internal 31 kHz oscillator for low-power modes, follow Microchip TB087 for tuning to within +/- 2% accuracy.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH status not explicitly listed in the provided web data; engineers should consult the Microchip product page or distributor environmental disclosures for current compliance certificates. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this part targets industrial/consumer, not automotive safety.
