PIC18F43K20-E/P - 8KB Flash 8-bit MCU 48MHz 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F43K20-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.84 | $3.84 |
| 10 | $3.46 | $34.60 |
| 100 | $3.07 | $307.00 |
| 500 | $2.65 | $1,325.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.21 | $2,210.00 |
PIC18F43K20-E/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, peripherals, and I/O. The PIC18 family is Microchip's high-performance 8-bit line with a modified RISC architecture, optimized for C-compiler efficiency and widely adopted in consumer, industrial, and automotive body electronics. PIC18 K-series parts specifically add nanoWatt XLP technology for ultra-low sleep currents in battery-powered applications.
Key features of the PIC18F43K20 include 10-bit A/D converter with up to 14 channels, multiple communication peripherals (EUSART, MSSP for SPI/I2C), PWM modules, comparators, and configurable logic cells. The device operates from 1.8V to 3.6V and includes self-programming Flash with block erase support, making firmware updates practical in the field. The 48 MHz instruction rate delivers up to 12 MIPS throughput.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor signal conditioning, low-power remote monitoring, USB-to-UART bridges (with companion parts), and legacy drop-in upgrades for earlier PIC18 designs. The extended temperature range supports under-hood automotive body controllers, outdoor metering, and HVAC peripherals.
When designing with this part, plan for decoupling with 100 nF ceramic capacitors on each VDD/VSS pair within 5 mm of the pins, follow Microchip's MPLAB ICD programming pinout, and use the ICD3 or PICkit 4 for in-circuit debugging. The 40-pin PDIP footprint remains the most user-friendly package for prototype work and breadboard integration.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F43K20-E/P — 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 PIC18F43K20-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, ADC, Timers, MSL Level.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F43K20-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4320-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4220-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4221-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F43K20-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit, modified Harvard RISC |
| Program Memory | 8 KB Flash (4K x 16) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 83 ns (at 48 MHz) |
| Throughput | 12 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Communication | 1x EUSART, 1x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| PWM Modules | 2x CCP, 1x ECCP |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended grade) |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600", 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| MSL Level | 1 (not moisture sensitive) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F43K20-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| 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 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 (open-drain) |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 8 | RE0/AN6 — Digital I/O / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/AN7 — Digital I/O / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/AN8 — Digital I/O / Analog input 8 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/RA7 — Oscillator input / Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/RA6 — Oscillator output / Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 19 | RD0 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 20 | RD1 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 21 | RD2 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 22 | RD3 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — Digital I/O port C |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — Digital I/O port D |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive power supply |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 34 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2/INT2 — Digital I/O / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — Digital I/O port B |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — Digital I/O port B |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — Digital I/O port B |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18F43K20-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Control Panels, Automotive Body Electronics, Consumer Electronics Prototyping, HVAC and Environmental Monitoring, Educational and Maker Projects.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F43K20-E/P is well-suited for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes due to its nanoWatt XLP technology delivering sub-100 nA sleep current, integrated 14-channel 10-bit ADC for direct sensor interfacing, and 48 MHz CPU enabling fast active-mode processing. In a typical temperature/humidity sensor node, the MCU wakes periodically via Watchdog Timer, performs a single ADC conversion in <100 us, transmits via the EUSART or MSSP peripheral, and returns to sleep, achieving multi-year battery life on a coin cell. The 8 KB Flash accommodates BLE stack fragments or LoRaWAN drivers when paired with an external transceiver.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18F43K20-E/P fits industrial control panel designs because of its extended -40C to +125C temperature grade and 36 I/O pins sufficient for keypad scanning, LED matrix driving, relay control, and 4-20 mA sensor inputs. The 10-bit ADC with internal 2.048V reference simplifies analog front-end design, eliminating external reference ICs. RS-485 communication via EUSART with external transceiver supports MODBUS RTU slave protocols. The 40-pin PDIP package is preferred in industrial settings for field-serviceability and through-hole reliability under vibration.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
The PIC18F43K20-E/P's extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) and PWM modules make it suitable for non-safety automotive body applications such as interior lighting controllers, seat adjustment modules, and HVAC blend door actuators. The 2x CCP and 1x ECCP PWM peripherals generate precise control signals for LED dimming and motor speed control. With 14 ADC channels, multiple sensor inputs (temperature, position, current) can be monitored simultaneously. AEC-Q100 qualification is not present on this part, so it is appropriate only for non-safety body electronics, not for powertrain or ADAS.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics Prototyping
The PIC18F43K20-E/P is widely used in consumer electronics prototyping because the 40-pin PDIP package fits standard breadboards and IC sockets, eliminating soldering for rapid iteration. Designers can test firmware on the PDIP variant and migrate to QFN/MLF packages for production. The 8 KB Flash and MPLAB X IDE support enable C-based development with the XC8 compiler. Common consumer applications include remote controls, toy electronics, smart home sensor hubs, and small appliance controllers.
Recommended
HVAC and Environmental Monitoring
The PIC18F43K20-E/P supports HVAC and environmental monitoring applications through its 14-channel 10-bit ADC for temperature, humidity, and pressure sensor inputs, plus EUSART for MODBUS or BACnet connectivity to building management systems. nanoWatt XLP technology enables battery or Energy-Harvest-powered wireless sensor nodes that report air quality data. The 48 MHz core provides ample processing headroom for sensor linearization algorithms and filtering. Extended temperature operation ensures reliable performance in unconditioned spaces such as attics, crawlspaces, and outdoor enclosures.
Recommended
Educational and Maker Projects
The PIC18F43K20-E/P is extensively used in educational settings and maker projects due to its DIP package compatibility with breadboards, MPLAB X IDE free development environment, and abundant online tutorials. The PICkit 4 programmer/debugger connects via ICSP pins for in-circuit debugging. With 8 KB Flash and a rich peripheral set, students can learn embedded C programming, ADC, PWM, and serial communication in a single platform. Universities and hobbyists commonly use this MCU for robotics controllers, data loggers, and capstone engineering projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F43K20-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F43K20-I/P | PIC18F4320-I/P | PIC18F4220-I/P | PIC18F4221-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-PDIP | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same | 40-PDIP - same |
| Program Memory | 8 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 8 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash | 4 KB Flash |
| CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 13 channels | 10-bit, 13 channels | 10-bit, 13 channels |
| XLP Sleep Mode | Yes (nanoWatt) | Yes (nanoWatt) | No (legacy nanoWatt) | No (legacy nanoWatt) | No (legacy nanoWatt) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended industrial temperature grade with nanoWatt XLP technology (vs PIC18F43K20-I/P)
- 40-pin PDIP package for through-hole prototyping and field-serviceability (vs PIC18F43K20-I/ML (QFN package))
- nanoWatt XLP technology with sub-100 nA sleep current (vs PIC18F4320-I/P)
Design Notes
Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors on each VDD/VSS pair (pins 11/12 and 31/32) within 5 mm of the package. For noisy environments, add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the MCU. The PIC18F43K20-E/P operates from 1.8V to 3.6V; voltages above 3.6V will damage the part. Use the internal 2.048V reference for ADC to reduce external component count, or apply an external VREF+/VREF- on RA2/RA3 for higher accuracy applications. nanoWatt XLP sleep currents are specified with all peripherals disabled; ensure unused peripherals are clock-gated before entering sleep.
For 40-pin PDIP layout, route the ICSP pins (RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD) to a 6-pin header with the standard Microchip ICSP pinout: 1=MCLR, 2=VDD, 3=VSS, 4=PGD, 5=PGC, 6=NC. This enables in-circuit debugging with PICkit 4 or ICD3 without removing the MCU from the board. Keep analog traces (RA0-RA5, RE0-RE2) short and away from digital switching signals to minimize ADC noise coupling. Place the ADC reference capacitor (typically 0.1 uF) close to VREF+ pin.
Configuration bits must be set correctly: disable the Watchdog Timer (WDT) for predictable firmware development, or enable it with a long timeout for production; configure the oscillator mode (HS, XT, EC, or internal) before programming. The MCLR pin should be pulled up to VDD via a 10 kohm resistor for proper reset behavior. For low-power designs, ensure unused I/O pins are configured as outputs (driven low) or inputs with internal pull-ups enabled, never left floating. The MSSP peripheral requires explicit configuration of SDA/SCL direction for I2C mode.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - not recommended for safety-critical automotive applications. Lead-free and halogen-free packaging per Microchip environmental specifications.
