PIC18F44K20T-I/PT - 8-bit 64MHz 16KB Flash MCU 44-TQFP
MPN: PIC18F44K20T-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.45 | $5.45 |
| 10 | $4.91 | $49.10 |
| 100 | $4.36 | $436.00 |
| 500 | $3.92 | $1,960.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.49 | $3,490.00 |
PIC18F44K20T-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and programmable peripherals on one silicon die. Within the broader embedded taxonomy, the PIC18F44K20 sits in the 8-bit MCU class, which competes with 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs for cost- and power-sensitive applications. Microchip's enhanced PIC18 core combines a 16-bit instruction word with 8-bit data paths, achieving up to 16 MIPS throughput while retaining the deterministic interrupt model that makes PIC MCUs popular in real-time control.
Key features include 16 KB Flash with self-programmability, 768 B SRAM, 256 B EEPROM, two USART modules, one MSSP (SPI/I2C), two CCP modules, and an enhanced 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 100 nA, and multiple low-power modes (Run, Idle, Sleep, and Deep Sleep with RTCC) allow designers to extend battery life in standby-heavy applications. Hardware multipliers and C-friendly instruction set extensions ease code density for embedded C compilers.
The PIC18F44K20 uses Microchip's enhanced Harvard architecture with a 16-bit program path and an 8-bit data path, allowing single-cycle execution of most instructions. An internal 16 MHz oscillator and 4x PLL support 64 MHz operation without external crystals; combined with the 31 kHz low-power internal oscillator for low-power Run mode, this provides designers flexible clocking without external components.
Typical applications include industrial sensor nodes, low-power remote controls, battery-powered instrumentation, automotive body controllers, consumer appliances, and USB-to-UART bridges (using the MSSP and USART peripherals). The 36 I/O count comfortably drives matrix keypads, character LCDs, and small graphic OLEDs while leaving pins for analog sensors and serial connectivity.
When designing with this MCU, reserve one timer for the RTCC (with external 32.768 kHz crystal) if you need a real-time clock, and allocate the MSSP channel carefully between SPI and I2C peripherals. The 44-pin TQFP footprint matches the PIC18F45K20, PIC18F46K20, PIC18F44J50, and PIC18F43K20 families, enabling straightforward upgrades along the memory/peripheral ladder. Pricing is approximately $5.45 at qty-1 as of 2026-09-27 per DigiKey/Mouser listings.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F44K20T-I/PT — 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 PIC18F44K20T-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, ADC, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F44K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44K20T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F43K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.69 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44J50T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44K20T-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 768 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (extended 5.5 V) |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel |
| USART Modules | 2 |
| MSSP (SPI/I2C) | 1 |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Self-Programmable Flash | Yes |
| MSL Level | 3 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| AEC-Q100 | Qualified (automotive grade variant available) |
PIC18F44K20T-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T13CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1/3 clock |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8-3.6V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT0/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 / PWM fault input |
| Pin 22 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/INT3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / External interrupt 3 / CCP2 |
| Pin 25 | RB4/KBI0 — PORTB bit 4 / Interrupt-on-change bit 0 |
| Pin 26 | RB5/KBI1/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / Interrupt-on-change bit 1 / LVP program |
| Pin 27 | RB6/KBI2/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / Interrupt-on-change bit 2 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/KBI3/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / Interrupt-on-change bit 3 / ICSP data |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 30 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 31 | RE3/MCLR/VPP — PORTE bit 3 / Master Clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 32 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 33 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 34 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 35 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 36 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 37 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 38 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 39 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 40 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 41 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read |
| Pin 43 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write |
| Pin 44 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select |
Typical Applications
PIC18F44K20T-I/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Node, Battery-Powered Remote Control, Automotive Body Controller, Consumer Appliance Control, USB-to-UART Bridge, Low-Power Data Logger, Hobbyist Development Platform.
Industrial Sensor Node
The PIC18F44K20T-I/PT's nanoWatt XLP technology with sub-100nA sleep current and 64 MHz CPU make it ideal for industrial 4-20 mA sensor transmitters. The 36 I/O lines interface to multiple analog inputs via the 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, while the 2 USARTs support RS-485 half-duplex comms with auto-direction control via a CCP timer. Internal 16 MHz oscillator eliminates external crystals for compact, vibration-tolerant designs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Remote Control
With nanoWatt XLP delivering typical sleep current below 100 nA and a 1.8-3.6V operating range, the PIC18F44K20T-I/PT extends battery life in handheld transmitters by years on a single CR2032 coin cell. The 2 CCP modules drive IR/PWM outputs, while the MSSP channel handles SPI displays or I2C peripherals. Deep Sleep mode with RTCC allows wake-on-timer functionality for low-duty-cycle remote control applications.
Recommended
Automotive Body Controller
AEC-Q100 qualified variants of the PIC18F44K20 support automotive body electronics like lighting controllers, HVAC blend doors, and seat adjusters. The 64 MHz CPU executes 16 MIPS for CAN-capable firmware stacks, the 36 I/O drive relays and switch inputs via high-current PORTB, and the 1.8-3.6V operation survives automotive load-dump events when paired with TVS protection. Note: AEC-Q100 requires the explicit automotive-grade ordering code.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
From washing machines to microwave ovens, the PIC18F44K20T-I/PT drives character LCDs, capacitive touch buttons, and triac-SCR power stages via opto-isolated GPIO. The 16 KB Flash stores menu logic and fault diagnostics, while the 256-byte EEPROM retains user settings across power cycles. The 64 MHz speed handles real-time motor control loops with cycle-by-cycle PWM resolution down to 244 ns.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
For legacy serial-port replacement, the PIC18F44K20T-I/PT serves as a CDC-class USB-to-UART bridge when paired with an external USB transceiver (the 44-pin part lacks native USB). The 2 USARTs handle full-duplex RS-232 at up to 5 Mbps, while the MSSP adds I2C/SPI bridge capability. The 16 KB Flash accommodates USB stacks and bootloader firmware for field updates.
Recommended
Low-Power Data Logger
The PIC18F44K20T-I/PT's 768 B SRAM and 256 B EEPROM store sensor data while the nanoWatt XLP Deep Sleep mode (<100 nA) extends battery life through long deployments. The 10-bit ADC samples analog sensors at up to 100 ksps, and the MSSP writes to external SPI Flash for high-capacity logging. The RTCC wakes the MCU on schedule for years of unattended operation on 2x AA batteries.
Recommended
Hobbyist Development Platform
The PIC18F44K20T-I/PT serves as an upgrade target for hobbyists familiar with the 8-bit PIC platform. Compatible with MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and Curiosity/Explorer development kits, it pairs with MikroElektronika and Digilent click/PMOD boards via MikroBus. The 36 I/O count, character LCD support, and ICSP programming make it ideal for educational labs teaching embedded C and assembly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F44K20T-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F44K20-I/PT | PIC18F45K20-I/PT | PIC18F46K20-I/PT | PIC18F44J50T-I/PT | PIC18F44K20T-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin QFN (ML) - different footprint |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 64 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash |
| SRAM | 768 B | 768 B | 1536 B | 3896 B | 3776 B | 768 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS |
| USB 2.0 | No | No | No | No | Yes (Full-Speed OTG) | No |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8-3.6V | 1.8-3.6V | 1.8-3.6V | 1.8-3.6V | 2.0-3.6V | 1.8-3.6V |
| nanoWatt XLP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (J-series) | Yes |
| I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 13 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels |
Key Differentiators
- nanoWatt XLP for sub-100nA sleep current (vs PIC18F44J50T-I/PT)
- Direct same-footprint upgrade path to 32 KB Flash (vs PIC18F44K20-I/PT)
- Single 1.8-3.6V supply supports coin-cell operation (vs PIC18F44J50T-I/PT (2.0-3.6V))
Design Notes
Estimated: at 64 MHz and 3.3V, active current is approximately 9 mA (per Microchip Figure 35-7 in the datasheet). For battery-powered designs using the nanoWatt XLP modes, leverage Sleep (typical 100 nA) and Deep Sleep with RTCC (typical 30 nA) by gating peripherals via PMD registers. Use the internal 31 kHz LFINTOSC for low-power Sleep modes that require precise timing.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (the 44-pin TQFP has 3 VDD/VSS pairs at pins 19/20, 29/30, and 40/41). Add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the IC. For ADC accuracy, isolate AVSS/AVDD traces from digital switching currents with a star-ground topology.
Do not configure RA4 as a digital output on PIC18F2XK20/4XK20 parts - it is an open-drain-only pin requiring an external pull-up. Configure PGM pin (RB5) appropriately when using Low-Voltage Programming. MCLR must be tied to VDD via a 10 kohm resistor if unused; never leave it floating. The ICSP pins PGC/PGD (RB6/RB7) must not be loaded down with >10 kohm capacitance during in-circuit programming.
Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and symmetric, with grounded guard traces to prevent noise coupling. Place the 32.768 kHz watch crystal for RTCC on T1OSI/T1OSO (RC1/RC0) with loading capacitors of 6-15 pF per crystal datasheet. Keep high-speed digital traces (PWM, USART) away from the analog AVREF traces to minimize ADC noise injection.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. The PIC18F44K20 family has AEC-Q100 qualified automotive variants available - choose the explicit automotive-grade ordering code (E suffix or /PT_V01) for in-vehicle applications.