PIC18F442-E/L - 8-bit 40MHz 16KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F442-E/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.03 | $12.03 |
| 10 | $10.83 | $108.30 |
| 100 | $9.62 | $962.00 |
| 500 | $8.42 | $4,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $7.22 | $7,220.00 |
PIC18F442-E/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash/ROM), working memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals (timers, communication buses, ADC, PWM, I/O ports) into one package. PIC18F microcontrollers occupy the high-performance tier of Microchip's 8-bit PIC family, sitting above the baseline PIC16F parts, with an enhanced 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and a C-friendly architecture optimized for compiled-code density.
Key features of the PIC18F442-E/L include 34 digital I/O pins (shared with peripherals), two CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) modules, an MSSP peripheral configurable as either SPI or I2C, an enhanced USART, a parallel slave port, and a self-programming capability that allows in-application firmware updates. The on-chip 10-bit ADC supports 8 channels with conversion rates suitable for sensor sampling, and nanoWatt Technology offers multiple idle/sleep modes for battery-friendly designs.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, motor-drive control loops, sensor signal conditioning, consumer appliance user interfaces, and embedded communication bridges where 8-bit deterministic real-time response outweighs the higher cost-per-MIPS of 32-bit MCUs. The wide 4.2V-5.5V supply range and the robust PLCC socket-mount footprint also favor legacy designs and through-hole production lines that have not migrated to QFN.
When designing with this MCU, allocate attention to oscillator configuration (HS/HSPLL for 40 MHz), the ADC acquisition time register (ACQT), and the brown-out reset (BOR) thresholds to ensure reliable startup in noisy industrial environments. Note the E suffix indicates the Extended (-40C to +125C) temperature range, distinct from the I (-40C to +85C) variant.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the 44-PLCC footprint, and practical design notes not duplicated on the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F442-E/L — 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 PIC18F442-E/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Mounting Type, Operating Temperature, Self-Programming, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F442-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F452-E/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F452-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F442-E/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Program Memory Size (Flash) | 16 KB |
| RAM Size | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| CPU Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC (enhanced) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 10 MIPS (4 cycles per instruction) |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 34 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| CCP/PWM Modules | 2 |
| MSSP (SPI / I2C) | 1 |
| Enhanced USART | 1 |
| Parallel Slave Port | Yes |
| Self-Programming | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, E suffix) |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (J-Lead, L suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| Technology | nanoWatt Technology (managed power modes) |
PIC18F442-E/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 2 | RB3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / CCP2 module I/O |
| Pin 3 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 4 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 5 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 6 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 12 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 13 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 14 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 15 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 17 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port read / ADC input 5 |
| Pin 18 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port write / ADC input 6 |
| Pin 19 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port chip select / ADC input 7 |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (second VDD pin) |
| Pin 21 | VSS — Ground (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 22 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 23 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 alt |
| Pin 24 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 module I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 26 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 27 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 28 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 29 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 30 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port bit 0 |
| Pin 31 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel Slave Port bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel Slave Port bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel Slave Port bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel Slave Port bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | VSS — Ground (third VSS pin) |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Positive supply (third VDD pin) |
| Pin 40 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 41 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 42 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet PLCC pinout) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet PLCC pinout) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F442-E/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Sensor Signal Conditioning & Data Acquisition, Motor Control & PWM Drives, Consumer Appliance User Interfaces, Embedded Communication Bridges (SPI/I2C/UART), Legacy Through-Hole / Socket-Compatible Designs.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18F442-E/L fits industrial control panels because its 40 MHz / 10 MIPS core, 34 I/O pins, and 10-bit 8-channel ADC handle button scanning, LED/relay driving, sensor acquisition, and Modbus-style RS-485 comms in a single chip. The 16 KB Flash is sufficient for typical HMI logic, while 256 bytes EEPROM retains calibration and fault logs across power cycles. Its 4.2 V to 5.5 V supply rides 24 V industrial rails after regulation, and the -40/+125 C E grade tolerates cabinet temperatures. nanoWatt idle modes drop consumption between operator actions, satisfying industrial energy budgets without an external RTC.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning & Data Acquisition
Sensor-front-end designs benefit from the PIC18F442-E/L's 10-bit 8-channel ADC running at hundreds of ksps and its hardware CCP/PWM blocks for excitation drive. The 34 I/O lines accommodate multiple analog inputs plus digital trigger lines, and 768 bytes of RAM buffer moderate-size sample streams before serial upload. The 5 V supply powers legacy analog sensors (bridge, RTD front-ends) directly, and the E temperature grade supports outdoor or factory-floor deployment. Self-programming Flash enables field calibration firmware upgrades without board removal.
Recommended
Motor Control & PWM Drives
Two CCP/PWM modules on the PIC18F442-E/L generate complementary PWM pairs for brushed DC or low-cost BLDC motor commutation, while the 10 MIPS core computes current-control loops in real time. The 34 I/O lines interface to Hall sensors, optocouplers, and gate-driver fault inputs. Hardware MSSP (SPI/I2C) talks to external digital potentiometers or current-sense ADCs, and the parallel slave port enables fast data exchange with a host controller for coordinated multi-axis systems. The -40/+125 C operation suits motor bay environments.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interfaces
Appliance HMIs (washing machines, microwave ovens, HVAC thermostats) leverage the PIC18F442-E/L's large 34 I/O pin count to drive 7-segment displays, keypads, and buzzer/relay outputs without external I/O expanders. The enhanced USART interfaces with Wi-Fi or BLE modules for smart-appliance connectivity, and the nanoWatt sleep mode drops the standby power below ENERGY STAR thresholds. The 4.2-5.5 V supply is well-suited to rectified 5 V rails typical in appliance power supplies. 256 bytes EEPROM stores user preferences and fault histories across brown-outs.
Recommended
Embedded Communication Bridges (SPI/I2C/UART)
The PIC18F442-E/L acts as a protocol bridge between SPI sensors, I2C peripherals, and a host UART/CAN link. Its MSSP supports both SPI master/slave and I2C master/slave, while the enhanced USART handles RS-232/RS-485 framing. Self-programming Flash allows field upgrades to the bridge firmware when new sensor types are added. 16 KB Flash and 768 bytes RAM are sufficient for streaming translation buffers in metering and asset-tracking applications where latency budgets are tens of milliseconds.
Recommended
Legacy Through-Hole / Socket-Compatible Designs
The PIC18F442-E/L's 44-PLCC package with J-leads accepts standard PLCC sockets, allowing fast socketed programming, field replacement, and breadboard-style prototyping. The same die is offered in 40-pin DIP (/P) and 44-pin TQFP (/PT), letting a single firmware image target sockets, hand-wired prototypes, or reflow-soldered production boards. This makes the part ideal for educational labs, low-volume industrial retrofits, and design houses that maintain PLCC test fixtures and need a reliable long-life MCU source.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F442-E/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F442-I/L | PIC18F452-E/L | PIC18F452-I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same | 44-PLCC (J-Lead) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes | 1536 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) | -40 C to +125 C (E grade) | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) |
| I/O Pins | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40/+125 C operating temperature range (vs PIC18F442-I/L)
- 16 KB Flash / 768 B RAM headroom for typical 8-bit firmware (vs PIC18F452-E/L)
- PLCC socket compatibility for prototyping and field service (vs PIC18F442-E/P (40-DIP))
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD pin (the PIC18F442-E/L has three VDD pins and three VSS pins on the 44-PLCC package). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum electrolytic at the regulator output. MCLR/VPP must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; for ICSP programming, route this pin to the ICD header. Brown-Out Reset (BOR) should be enabled in CONFIG to ensure deterministic startup from 4.2 V supply rails.
Keep the 40 MHz crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and surrounded by a ground pour to minimize EMI and jitter. Place load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) within a few millimeters of the oscillator pins. Avoid routing digital signal traces (PORTD parallel slave port) under the crystal area. The ADC analog inputs (AN0-AN7) should be routed away from PWM outputs and digital switching lines to preserve 10-bit ADC accuracy.
Do not confuse the /L (44-PLCC) suffix with /P (40-DIP) or /PT (44-TQFP); only /L fits a PLCC socket. The E temperature suffix (-40 to +125 C) is required for automotive or industrial enclosures - using an I variant in those environments violates datasheet specs. Watch the configuration bits: the watchdog timer (WDT) is enabled by default in many factory configurations and must be explicitly disabled in software if not used, otherwise an unintended reset will occur. The CCP2 pin is multiplexed with PORTB and PORTC; verify the PPS setting before assigning it.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; E temperature grade (-40/+125 C) supports but does not certify to AEC-Q100. Lead-free, halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance disclosure.
