PIC18F448-E/L - 8-Bit 40MHz MCU 16KB Flash CAN 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F448-E/L ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.1 | $8.10 |
| 10 | $7.35 | $73.50 |
| 100 | $6.52 | $652.00 |
| 500 | $5.84 | $2,920.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.2 | $5,200.00 |
PIC18F448-E/L Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable logic device that executes instructions fetched from on-chip program memory and operates on data stored in registers and SRAM. In the embedded hierarchy, the PIC18F448 belongs to the PIC microcontroller family -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> programmable logic -> semiconductor. The PIC18 line uses a 16-bit modified Harvard architecture with an enhanced instruction set, allowing single-cycle execution of most operations and C-compiler-friendly orthogonal register handling. This makes PIC18F MCUs a bridge between legacy 8-bit designs and the 16-bit dsPIC platform.
Key features of the PIC18F448-E/L include 34 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 8 input channels, two enhanced CCP modules, a USART with RS-485 support, MSSP (SPI/I2C), two analog comparators, and a hardware ECAN module compliant with CAN 2.0B active. The 40 MHz oscillator (10 MIPS instruction throughput) combined with the integrated CAN peripheral reduces external component count for in-vehicle network nodes and industrial fieldbus implementations. With FLASH, EEPROM, and SRAM all internal to the die, firmware upgrades in the field are achievable via ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming).
The PIC18F448 architecture uses Microchip's standard PIC18 core with 16-bit instructions and 8-bit data paths, a hardware multiplier, and a 32-level stack. The ECAN peripheral includes acceptance filters, masks, and buffers that offload message filtering from the CPU, enabling deterministic latency in CAN networks. The 10-bit ADC achieves a typical throughput of approximately 30 ksps with acquisition time controlled by software, supporting sensor monitoring and feedback loops.
Typical applications for the PIC18F448-E/L include CAN bus nodes in automotive body and chassis ECUs, industrial automation (sensor hubs, motor controllers, machine tool interfaces), HVAC control boards, building automation controllers (BACnet/LonWorks bridges), medical instrumentation with CAN interfaces, and embedded data acquisition front-ends. The extended temperature grade enables deployment in under-hood automotive and outdoor industrial enclosures.
When designing with this device, ensure that the ECAN bus termination (typically 120 ohm at each end of the bus segment) and a proper transceiver IC (such as MCP2551 or MCP2561) are placed between the MCU's CAN_TX/CAN_RX pins and the bus. Adequate decoupling (100 nF ceramic plus bulk) near VDD/AVDD and proper oscillator layout are essential for the CAN module to meet bit-timing jitter requirements.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC18F alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers verify fit and source replacement parts for the PIC18F448-E/L.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F448-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 PIC18F448-E/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, I/O Pins, Mounting Type, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F448-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$11.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4480-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F458-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4580-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F258-I/L
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F448-E/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit, 16-bit instruction, Harvard) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz |
| MIPS (peak) | 10 MIPS |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 34 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| CAN Module | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) |
| Communication Peripherals | USART (RS-485), MSSP (SPI/I2C), ECAN |
| CCP/ECCP Modules | 2 |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| Timers | Timer0/1/2/3 |
| Operating Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended '-E' grade) |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (16.59 x 16.59 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| Programming | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC18F448-E/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 — Digital I/O / parallel port RD / analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — Digital I/O / parallel port WR / analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — Digital I/O / parallel port CS / analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive supply (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock / digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| 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/INT3 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 41 | CANTX — CAN bus transmit output (ECAN peripheral) |
| Pin 42 | CANRX — CAN bus receive input (ECAN peripheral) |
| Pin 43 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 44 | AVDD — Analog positive supply (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F448-E/L is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive CAN Bus Nodes, Industrial Sensor Hubs and Gateways, HVAC and Building Automation Controllers, Embedded Data Acquisition Front-Ends, Motor Control and PWM Drive Boards, Medical Instrumentation with CAN Interface, Smart Energy and Metering Endpoints.
Automotive CAN Bus Nodes
The PIC18F448-E/L fits automotive CAN bus node designs because of its integrated ECAN 2.0B active module, 40 MHz core for 10 MIPS throughput, and 16 KB FLASH that holds typical CANopen or J1939 stack plus application code. ECAN hardware acceptance filters offload message routing from the CPU, allowing deterministic bus latency under heavy CAN traffic in body controllers, door modules, and instrument clusters. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade enables under-hood deployment near engines and transmission ECUs. Pair the MCU with an MCP2551 or MCP2561 CAN transceiver, add 120 ohm bus termination at each bus end, and use 100 nF ceramic decoupling near every VDD pin.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hubs and Gateways
The PIC18F448-E/L serves as a sensor hub or protocol gateway in industrial automation because of its 10-bit ADC with 8 input channels, two analog comparators for threshold detection, USART for RS-485 Modbus, MSSP for SPI sensors, and ECAN for factory-floor networking. The 768 bytes RAM and 256 bytes EEPROM allow buffering of acquisition frames and storing calibration constants that survive power cycles. With 10 MIPS CPU performance, the PIC18F448 can poll a Modbus RTU network and forward data onto CANopen without missing bus timing. Use opto-isolation on the RS-485 link and 4-20 mA current loop inputs for harsh industrial EMI environments.
Recommended
HVAC and Building Automation Controllers
The PIC18F448-E/L is well suited to HVAC controllers and building automation nodes because of its flexible peripheral set (10-bit ADC, PWM CCP/ECCP for motor and damper drives, ECAN for BACnet MS/TP or proprietary bus, USART for LonWorks gateways). The 16 KB FLASH stores control algorithms for variable-air-volume boxes, fan-coil units, and chilled-water valves; the 256-byte EEPROM stores setpoints and commissioning parameters. Extended temperature operation allows mounting in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and outside-air plenums. Include watchdog timer and brown-out reset firmware patterns because HVAC equipment operates unattended for years.
Recommended
Embedded Data Acquisition Front-Ends
The PIC18F448-E/L handles data acquisition front-ends that require deterministic sample timing because of its 10-bit ADC with selectable acquisition time and hardware-triggered conversion via CCP, plus ECAN to push samples upstream at high rate. The PIC18 core executes a 10 MIPS instruction throughput, enabling FIR filtering or peak detection on 8 channels before forwarding. The on-chip FLASH supports self-programming for remote firmware updates over the fieldbus. Use a 2.5 V or 4.096 V external reference for the ADC if absolute accuracy is required; otherwise the internal bandgap reference is sufficient for relative measurements.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drive Boards
The PIC18F448-E/L drives small brushless DC and stepper motors in industrial equipment through its two CCP/ECCP modules producing complementary PWM with programmable dead-band, hardware fault inputs, and ADC-triggered sampling synchronized to the PWM period. The ECAN peripheral enables distributed motion control over CANopen DS402 or proprietary CAN protocols in multi-axis machines. The 10 MIPS throughput is sufficient for field-oriented control loops on small motors below 1 kW; for higher power or finer control consider dsPIC33. Add bootstrap high-side drivers and gate-drive isolation when switching above 48 V.
Recommended
Medical Instrumentation with CAN Interface
The PIC18F448-E/L powers portable medical instruments such as patient monitors and infusion pumps that need an isolated CAN bus for inter-device communication, plus 10-bit ADC for analog sensor inputs (pressure, flow, SpO2). The extended temperature grade supports continuous operation in clinical environments where equipment is rarely powered down. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration data, and FLASH self-programming enables validated field updates via CAN. Use medical-grade isolation (per IEC 60601) between the PIC18F448 power domain and any patient-connected circuitry, and include watchdog timers and hardware fault interlocks for safety-critical functions.
Recommended
Smart Energy and Metering Endpoints
The PIC18F448-E/L fits smart energy metering endpoints such as electricity, water, or heat meters that need a low-power 8-bit MCU with ECAN to report to a data concentrator, plus ADC inputs for analog measurement of consumption. The 16 KB FLASH holds DLMS/COSEM or IEC 62056 application layers; the 256-byte EEPROM stores tariff tables and consumption registers that survive power-loss events. Extended -40C to +125C operation supports outdoor meter enclosures and basement deployments. Include lithium battery backup or supercapacitor hold-up for RTC and tamper detection, and seal the firmware to prevent unauthorized meter modification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F448-E/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F448-I/L | PIC18F4480-I/L | PIC18F458-I/L | PIC18F4580-I/L | PIC18F258-I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-PLCC (16.59 x 16.59 mm) | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same | 44-PLCC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes | 1536 bytes | 1536 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| CAN Module | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) | ECAN (CAN 2.0B active) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended -E) | -40C to +85C (industrial -I) | -40C to +85C (industrial -I) | -40C to +85C (industrial -I) | -40C to +85C (industrial -I) | -40C to +85C (industrial -I) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | Active | NRND | Active | NRND |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated ECAN 2.0B active controller on chip (vs PIC18F452-I/L (no CAN module))
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature (vs PIC18F448-I/L (industrial -I grade))
- Drop-in 44-pin PLCC footprint shared across PIC18Fxx8 family (vs dsPIC30F4013 in 40-PDIP)
Design Notes
Estimated: Power budget for PIC18F448-E/L is dominated by the ECAN module, ADC, and CPU activity. At 40 MHz with ECAN active, typical supply current is 25 mA from a 5 V rail (approximately 125 mW). Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VDD/AVDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the package. A separate analog ground (AVSS) plane is recommended; tie AVSS to VSS at a single point near the package to avoid ground-loop noise coupling into the ADC.
The ECAN peripheral on PIC18F448-E/L requires tight bit-timing accuracy; clock source must be a crystal or ceramic resonator with stability better than 1.5% across the operating temperature range. Use a 4x PLL or external oscillator if high CAN bit rates (>500 kbps) are required. The CANTX and CANRX pins are 5 V tolerant CMOS; ensure the external transceiver (MCP2551 or MCP2561) is powered before the MCU begins CAN bus activity to avoid bus contention during power-up.
For the 44-pin PLCC package, use a PLCC socket (e.g., 3M Textool) for prototype and field-replaceable units; for production volume consider IR-reflow soldering directly onto a PLCC land pattern. Keep the 40 MHz oscillator traces short (under 10 mm) and shield with a ground pour on both sides of the PCB. Place the CAN transceiver IC within 20 mm of the CANTX/CANRX pins to keep the differential pair short and impedance-controlled to 120 ohms.
Configuration word bits must be set correctly before code execution; an unconfigured CONFIG4H can lock the oscillator mode or disable the ECAN module. Always program BOR (brown-out reset) to 4.2 V to match the lowest operating voltage, and enable the watchdog timer (WDT) for unattended deployments. Do not exceed 5.5 V on any I/O pin even though the part is 5 V tolerant; ESD strikes on CAN bus pins can destroy the ECAN peripheral if a TVS diode array is omitted.
Compliance Information
Lead-free per Microchip packaging standard. AEC-Q100 not qualified - this part is industrial/automotive-grade by temperature but not formally AEC-Q100 certified; for AEC-Q100-qualified CAN MCU consider PIC18F458-I/PT or dsPIC33 variants. RoHS/REACH status not explicitly stated in verified distributor data; marked as unknown pending datasheet confirmation.
