PIC18F442T-I/L - 8-bit 40MHz 16KB Flash MCU 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F442T-I/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.48 | $64.80 |
| 100 | $5.76 | $576.00 |
| 500 | $5.18 | $2,590.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.61 | $4,610.00 |
PIC18F442T-I/L Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program and data memory, peripheral I/O, and timers on one die. The PIC18F family belongs to Microchip's 8-bit enhanced Harvard architecture tier, offering 16-bit opcodes, 31-level hardware stack, and 77 single-word instructions, sitting above the baseline PIC16 family in memory and peripheral sophistication. Within Microchip's broader portfolio it is categorized as a high-performance enhanced Flash MCU with nanoWatt power management, popular in industrial control, automotive body modules, and consumer white-goods designs.
Key features of the PIC18F442T-I/L include an integrated 10-bit ADC with up to 8 channels, a USART for serial communication, an MSSP module supporting SPI and I2C, capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules, and 34 digital I/O lines. The 'T' suffix denotes tape-and-reel packaging, 'I' indicates the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range, and 'L' identifies the PLCC package. Operating voltage spans 4.2 V to 5.5 V from a single supply.
The architecture uses a separate instruction and data bus with a 25 ns instruction cycle at 40 MHz. This deterministic pipeline simplifies real-time control loops and avoids the fetch-decode bottleneck of von Neumann designs. The 8-bit datapath keeps code density high for bit-oriented and byte-oriented tasks.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, motor control front-ends, low-cost automotive body controllers, HVAC control boards, and consumer appliance mainboards. The wide operating voltage and strong peripheral set make it a frequent choice for upgrading older PIC16 designs needing more memory.
When designing with this MCU, observe the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) voltage requirements and ensure decoupling is placed within 5 mm of the supply pins. The 5V-only range means it is not directly drop-in compatible with 3.3V-only systems without level translation. This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F442T-I/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 PIC18F442T-I/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, Mounting Type, Communication, Instruction Set.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F442-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F452-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F458-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F252-I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F442T-I/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18F (8-bit enhanced Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16 words) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Performance | 10 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 34 / 36 (depending on datasheet revision) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Communication | USART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| PWM / CCP | 2 CCP modules |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (16.59 x 16.59 mm), J-Lead |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Instruction Set | 77 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Cycle | 100 ns at 40 MHz |
PIC18F442T-I/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input channel 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / read control |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / write control |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / chip select |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 23 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port data 0 |
| Pin 24 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port data 1 |
| Pin 25 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port data 2 |
| Pin 26 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port data 3 |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port data 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port data 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port data 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port data 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 34 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/INT3 — PORTB bit 3 / external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F442T-I/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Controller, Low-Cost Automotive Body Control, HVAC Control Board, Consumer Appliance Mainboard, Motor Control Front-End (Pre-Driver), Battery-Backed Sensor / Data Logger.
Industrial Sensor Interface Controller
The PIC18F442T-I/L suits industrial sensor interface boards where 16 KB of Flash accommodates multi-protocol driver stacks (Modbus RTU, HART-like, custom binary) and 768 bytes of SRAM handles small packet buffers. The 40 MHz / 10 MIPS core is fast enough for 10 ms acquisition loops reading 4-20 mA transducers via the 10-bit 8-channel ADC, with filter math executing in a single instruction cycle. Industrial -40C to +85C operation covers cabinet-mounted controls, and the 5V supply rails tolerate 24V industrial backplanes when paired with a small DC-DC brick. The USART and MSSP peripheral set supports both RS-485 transceiver links (via USART) and SPI-driven local DACs or EEPROM calibration memories.
Recommended
Low-Cost Automotive Body Control
Automotive body controllers - seat modules, mirror controllers, and lighting nodes - commonly use PIC18F442T-I/L class MCUs because of their 5V-tolerant I/O, large output drive on PORTC/PORTD (25 mA per pin), and 34 I/O lines. The 256 bytes of EEPROM store trim and option-code settings across the vehicle lifetime. CCP modules generate the PWM needed for mirror positioning or LED dimming, while the USART talks to a body LIN master via a TJA1027 transceiver. Note that AEC-Q100 qualification requires the PIC18F442-I/PT automotive-grade variant rather than the standard industrial-grade part for OEM-supplier contracts.
Recommended
HVAC Control Board
Residential and light-commercial HVAC control boards (thermostats, zone controllers) use PIC18F442T-I/L because the 10 MIPS performance handles PI control loops for damper actuators while the 16 KB Flash holds scheduling, occupancy, and Wi-Fi co-processor command stacks. The 10-bit ADC reads thermistor bridges for supply-air and return-air temperature; the 2 CCP modules drive TRIAC phase-control outputs for fan-speed regulation. nanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent to under 1 uA between sensor reads, important for battery-backed thermostats. Industrial temperature range covers garage and attic installations.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Mainboard
White-goods and small appliance mainboards (washing machines, dishwashers, induction cooktops) are a classic fit for PIC18F442T-I/L because the 5V supply rail, 34 I/O, and 40 MHz throughput cover motor sequencing, button-matrix debouncing, and seven-segment display multiplexing in one chip. The MSSP port drives character LCDs via SPI or I2C, and the USART supports diagnostic UART to service tools. The 256-byte EEPROM retains wash-cycle preferences across power cycles, while flash endurance (100k erase/write cycles typical) tolerates firmware update workflows via ICSP during service.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-End (Pre-Driver)
The PIC18F442T-I/L acts as a pre-driver controller for brushless DC (BLDC) or stepper motors in low-power applications. The 2 CCP modules plus Timer1/Timer3 generate the complementary PWM signals needed for a 3-phase inverter bridge, while the 40 MHz throughput executes a Field-Oriented Control (FOC) loop on a small motor up to about 1 kHz electrical frequency. The 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF or shunt-current feedback at modest resolution suitable for fans and pumps. For higher-current or higher-FOC-bandwidth designs, step up to dsPIC33 or PIC32MK, but for cost-bound fans and pumps the 18F442 is an effective pre-driver.
Recommended
Battery-Backed Sensor / Data Logger
The PIC18F442T-I/L combined with nanoWatt technology and the 256-byte EEPROM fits low-power data loggers - cold-chain temperature loggers, remote weather stations, energy meters - where 16 KB Flash holds simple scheduling and averaging algorithms. The MSSP I2C port reads digital sensors (SHT30 humidity, MAX31855 thermocouple) and the internal EEPROM stores the logger's configuration. Sleep current under 1 uA extends coin-cell battery life to years. Real-time clock duties are handled by Timer1 with an external 32.768 kHz crystal, freeing the main oscillator for active measurement bursts.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F442T-I/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F442-I/L | PIC18F452-I/L | PIC18F458-I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-PLCC (L) | 44-PLCC (L) - same | 44-PLCC (L) - same | 44-PLCC (L) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 16 KB (identical) | 32 KB (+100%) | 32 KB (+100%) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 768 B | 768 B (identical) | 1536 B (+100%) | 1536 B (+100%) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| CAN Peripheral | No | No | No | Yes (CAN 2.0B) |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 100) | USD 5.76 | USD 5.76 (same) | USD 6.40 | USD 7.10 |
Key Differentiators
- 44-PLCC package with established 5V peripheral ecosystem (vs PIC18F45K22-I/P (DIP-40))
- Industrial temperature range with nanoWatt power management (vs PIC16F877A-I/P)
- 16 KB Flash with ICSP and self-programming (vs PIC18F242-I/SP (28-pin, 16 KB))
Design Notes
The PIC18F442T-I/L operates only at 4.2 V to 5.5 V. Use a low-dropout regulator such as MCP1700 or LM7805 to derive the 5 V rail from a 6-9 V input. Place 100 nF decoupling within 5 mm of every VDD/VSS pin pair (pins 11/12 and 31/32). Adding a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the IC handles inrush during FLASH programming via ICSP. The brown-out reset (BOR) module should be enabled in configuration bits to recover gracefully from supply droop during motor inrush events.
Route the ICSP signals (PGC on RB6, PGD on RB7, MCLR) so a 6-pin header can reach them on the final PCB without crossing other signal traces. Keep the 44-PLCC land pattern on a 1.6 mm or 2 mm board; PLCC sockets (e.g. 44-pin machined-pin) are available for easy field replacement. Keep the crystal load capacitors within 5 mm of OSC1 and OSC2. The 5V-only I/O is not directly 3.3V-compatible - if a 3.3V peripheral must connect, use a level translator such as TXS0108E rather than resistors.
Do not omit the MCLR pull-up resistor - floating MCLR causes random resets, especially during ICSP programming. Watch for inadvertent enables on the analog-select registers (PCFG bits in ADCON1) that would re-route a digital pin back to analog input. Always disable the watchdog timer (WDT) in configuration bits unless it is part of the design, or supply periodic CLRWDT instructions in long loops. Finally, when migrating code from PIC16 to PIC18F442, remember that the page and bank memory model differs - use the built-in table-read (TBLRD) for Flash access.
Compliance Information
Standard industrial-grade part, not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F442-I/PT automotive variant for AEC-Q100. RoHS/REACH compliance status not explicitly stated in the verified data; refer to Microchip product page or datasheet for current environmental compliance certifications.
