PIC18F44K22-E/ML - 8-bit MCU, 16KB Flash, 44-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F44K22-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.16 | $4.16 |
| 10 | $3.92 | $39.20 |
| 100 | $3.59 | $359.00 |
| 500 | $3.2 | $1,600.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.84 | $2,840.00 |
PIC18F44K22-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, volatile and non-volatile memory, programmable I/O, and on-chip peripherals. The PIC18F family is Microchip's mainstream 8-bit line, positioned between the lower-end PIC16F and the more highly integrated PIC24/dsPIC families. It targets cost-sensitive embedded control, sensor interfacing, and human-machine interface (HMI) applications. The PIC18F44K22 specifically belongs to the 'K22' sub-family that adds nanoWatt XLP extreme-low-power technology, integrated capacitive touch (mTouch) peripherals, and automotive AEC-Q100 qualification, making it suitable for AEC-Q100 applications.
Key features include 36 I/O pins arranged across 5 ports (PORTA-PORTE), a 10-bit ADC with up to 28 channels, two analog comparators, three enhanced USART modules, two I2C/SPI capable MSSP modules, and two 8-bit timers combined with three 16-bit timers. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers extremely low sleep currents suitable for battery-powered applications. The 44-QFN package with exposed pad provides a compact 8x8 mm footprint while maintaining excellent thermal performance.
Typical applications include HVAC fan controllers, automotive body and interior modules, white goods and small appliances, USB device controllers using the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed peripheral, and general purpose sensor/actuator nodes. The wide operating voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V (with 4.2V-5.5V for the variant specified) allows direct connection to 5V sensors and 3.3V digital logic. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not typically consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F44K22-E/ML — 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 PIC18F44K22-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, MSL Level, Operating Temperature, Timers, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F44K22-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K22-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K22-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44K22T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F43K22-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44K22-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC18F K22 |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 RISC (enhanced) |
| CPU Frequency (max) | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash |
| SRAM | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Number of I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 28 channels |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (E-temperature variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, 'E') |
| Package | 44-pin QFN (8x8 mm), exposed pad (ML) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Timers | 3 x 16-bit + 2 x 8-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | 3x EUSART, 2x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 qualified (E-suffix variant) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Instruction Set | PIC18 enhanced |
| Programmable Output | Yes (memory-mapped peripherals) |
PIC18F44K22-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear reset input / PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0/C1IN0-/ULPWU — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 / Comparator input |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/C1IN1-/C2IN1- — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 / Comparator inputs |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/C1IN2-/C2IN2-/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / VREF- reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/C1IN3+/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT — PORTA bit 4 / TMR0 clock / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/C2OUT/VDD — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / 2nd comparator output / alternative VDD |
| Pin 8 | RE0/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / PORTA bit 7 alt |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 alt |
| Pin 15 | RC0/SOSC1/SCK1 — PORTC bit 0 / Secondary osc / SPI1 clock |
| Pin 16 | RC1/SOSC2/SDI1 — PORTC bit 1 / Secondary osc / SPI1 data in |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP2/SDO1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare PWM / SPI1 data out |
| Pin 18 | RC3/AN15/CCP1/SCL1/SDI1 — PORTC bit 3 / Analog15 / PWM1 / I2C clock / SPI1 in |
| Pin 19 | RC4/AN16/SDO1 — PORTC bit 4 / Analog16 / SPI1 data out |
| Pin 20 | RC5/AN17/CCP2/SDO1 — PORTC bit 5 / Analog17 / PWM2 / SPI1 data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/AN18/CK2/TX2 — PORTC bit 6 / Analog18 / USART2 clock / USART2 TX |
| Pin 22 | RC7/AN19/DT2/RX2 — PORTC bit 7 / Analog19 / USART2 data / USART2 RX |
| Pin 23 | RD0/AN20/INT0 — PORTD bit 0 / Analog20 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 24 | RD1/AN21/INT1 — PORTD bit 1 / Analog21 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 25 | RD2/AN22/INT2 — PORTD bit 2 / Analog22 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 26 | RD3/AN23/INT3 — PORTD bit 3 / Analog23 / External interrupt 3 |
| Pin 27 | RD4/AN24 — PORTD bit 4 / Analog24 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/AN25/C1IN4-/C2IN4-/P1B — PORTD bit 5 / Analog25 / PWM ECCP1 alt |
| Pin 29 | RD6/AN26/P1C — PORTD bit 6 / Analog26 / PWM ECCP1 alt |
| Pin 30 | RD7/AN27/P1D — PORTD bit 7 / Analog27 / PWM ECCP1 alt |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VBAT — Battery backup voltage for RTC |
| Pin 33 | D+/RB7/RX3/SDI3 — USB D+ / PORTB bit 7 / USART3 RX / SPI3 in |
| Pin 34 | D-/RB6/TX3/SDO3 — USB D- / PORTB bit 6 / USART3 TX / SPI3 out |
| Pin 35 | RB5/ANB5/SCK2/CP3 — PORTB bit 5 / Analog / SPI2 clock / Comparator 3 out |
| Pin 36 | RB4/AN12/SDA2/SDI2 — PORTB bit 4 / Analog12 / I2C2 data / SPI2 in |
| Pin 37 | RB3/AN11/C2OUT/SDO2/SCL2 — PORTB bit 3 / Analog11 / I2C2 clock / SPI2 out |
| Pin 38 | RB2/AN8/C1OUT/SDI2 — PORTB bit 2 / Analog8 / SPI2 in |
| Pin 39 | RB1/AN9/C2IN3+/SDO2 — PORTB bit 1 / Analog9 / SPI2 out |
| Pin 40 | RB0/AN10/CCP4/INT0/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / Analog10 / PWM4 / INT0 / ECCP fault |
| Pin 41 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 42 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 43 | VCAP — Internal 1.8V LDO output decoupling cap |
| Pin 44 | RA0/EP — PORTA bit 0 / Exposed pad (must be soldered to ground) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F44K22-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, USB HID / CDC Devices, Industrial HVAC Fan Controllers, White Goods / Small Appliance Control, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch Key / Slider Interfaces, General Purpose Sensor Data Acquisition.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The PIC18F44K22-E/ML AEC-Q100 qualification and -40C to +125C extended temperature range make it well-suited for automotive body control, including body control modules (BCM), lighting controllers, and door/window actuators. The 48 MHz core, 36 I/O pins, and three EUSART modules comfortably handle LIN communication and OSEK/OSEK OS task scheduling. Its nanoWatt XLP technology reduces sleep current to typical single-digit microamps, supporting always-on body features without draining the 12V battery during long parked periods.
Recommended
USB HID / CDC Devices
With integrated USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) device peripheral and 3.3V regulator, the PIC18F44K22-E/ML is ideal for USB Human Interface Devices (HID), CDC virtual COM ports, and custom vendor-class USB peripherals. The 16 KB Flash accommodates the Microchip MLA USB HID stack while leaving room for user firmware, and the 768B SRAM handles USB buffering with HID report structures. The 36 I/O pins give flexibility to drive key matrices, LED indicators, and serial communication bridges concurrently.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC Fan Controllers
Industrial HVAC systems require precise motor-speed feedback, multi-protocol sensor interfacing, and over-temperature protection. The PIC18F44K22-E/ML supplies 3 enhanced USARTs (RS-485, RS-232, LIN), 2 MSSP peripherals for I2C sensor and SPI display drivers, and a 10-bit ADC with up to 28 channels that oversamples PT1000 temperature inputs and tachometer signals with 0.1 degree C repeatability. The 44-QFN exposed pad allows reflow soldering onto a 4-layer thermal-management copper pour, supporting fan-driver FET switching without secondary heatsinks.
Recommended
White Goods / Small Appliance Control
Washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and microwave ovens leverage the PIC18F44K22-E/ML's combination of segment LCD drive via charge-pump peripherals, capacitive touch (mTouch), and cost efficiency. The nanoWatt XLP mode drops supply current to <100 nA in sleep, enabling front-panel button response without any power-warming cycle. The 16 KB Flash holds the motor-control state machine, NFC/wifi provisioning, and user-interface state handlers without external memory, reducing BOM cost for cost-sensitive consumer appliances.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
For low-duty-cycle wireless sensor networks, the PIC18F44K22-E/ML nanoWatt XLP technology achieves <50 nA typical sleep current with RTC running, supporting multi-year battery life on a single CR2032 cell. The 10-bit ADC plus integrated temperature indicator work with a sub-GHz radio like MRF89XA over SPI to deliver periodic temperature, humidity, or vibration data. Its 1.8V-5.5V supply range accepts unregulated battery voltage directly, simplifying power tree and reducing PCB area in space-constrained IoT designs.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Key / Slider Interfaces
The PIC18F44K22-E/ML's mTouch peripheral implements up to 28 capacitive touch channels via the on-chip CVD module, supporting keypads, sliders, and proximity sensing without external touch controllers. Designers implement up to 16 touch buttons plus a 5-segment slider under a 3 mm plastic overlay with sub-pF resolution, replacing mechanical buttons and reducing sealed-housing costs. The 48 MHz core runs the mTouch library plus user firmware within the 16 KB Flash budget.
Recommended
General Purpose Sensor Data Acquisition
For multi-channel data acquisition systems where a low-cost MCU can collect 4-20 mA loop sensors, RTDs, and thermistors, the PIC18F44K22-E/ML's 10-bit ADC with up to 28 channels and dual analog comparators provide sufficient resolution. The MSSP peripherals handle I2C sensor expansion modules (MCP9808 temperature, MCP3424 ADC), and the three 16-bit timers trigger multi-rate sampling for vibration or flow measurement. Implementable cost-per-channel is well under $0.50 when paired with Microchip op-amps.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F44K22-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F44K22-I/ML | PIC18F45K22-I/ML | PIC18F46K22-I/ML | PIC18F43K22-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) ML | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 768 B | 768 B | 1.5 KB | 3.8 KB | 512 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 1024 B | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E - extended/AEC-Q100) | -40C to +85C (I - industrial) | -40C to +85C (I - industrial) | -40C to +85C (I - industrial) | -40C to +85C (I - industrial) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 26 |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed Peripheral | Yes (integrated) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- AEC-Q100 automotive-grade qualification (-40C to +125C E-grade) (vs PIC18F44K22-I/ML)
- Drop-in scalable Flash within the same K22 44-QFN family (vs PIC18F46K22-I/ML)
- On-chip USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with 3.3V regulator (vs PIC18F43K22-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: At 48 MHz CPU speed, executing densely compute-bound instructions (table reads/writes in a 3.3V system), the PIC18F44K22-E/ML core draws roughly 12-15 mA. Add peripheral current (USB full-speed active ~10 mA, ADC ~1 mA). For a 3.3V-5.0V supply in the 44-QFN package, the exposed thermal pad (pin 44 / EP) MUST be soldered to a continuous copper pour on the top and inner PCB layers to stay below the 125C junction limit. Without proper pad soldering, the silicon can thermally throttle or experience accelerated failure at elevated ambient temperatures above 85C, especially when USB is actively transmitting.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (4 pairs total in the 44-QFN layout) plus a bulk 4.7-10 uF tantalum or ceramic cap near the VBAT/VSS pair if RTC battery backup is used. The VCAP pin (pin 43) requires a 1 uF-10 uF low-ESR ceramic capacitor for the internal 1.8V LDO; values outside this range cause POR failures during wake-from-sleep. Keep the VCAP trace short and surrounded by GND for low-noise internal regulator operation critical to ADC accuracy.
When migrating existing PIC18F K22 firmware between A/Q-prefix (Wide Voltage 1.8V-5.5V) and E/I-prefix (Standard 4.2V-5.5V) variants, do NOT skip a configuration bits review. The BOR/POR thresholds differ and the watchdog timer and PLL configurations vary. For USB applications, ensure the internal 3.3V USB regulator (VUSB3V3) is properly decoupled and the D+/D- traces are 90-ohm differential, matching the specification in the datasheet, otherwise full-speed (12 Mbps) signal integrity is compromised, causing enumeration failures.
Place the 48 MHz primary crystal or external clock within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 13/14) with short traces and a guard ground ring to minimize radiated EMI. The HFINTOSC default at startup is 16 MHz, but firmware MUST switch to the high-frequency 64 MHz HFINTOSC and configure the PLL for 48 MHz operation to achieve full instruction throughput. Misconfigured PLL settings leave the CPU running at 16 MHz, reducing available MIPS from 16 to 5.3 - a frequent pitfall when porting code from PIC18F46K22 reference designs.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified per Microchip automotive-grade catalog. RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product environmental compliance information. Lead-free and halogen-free per package declaration. Conflict-minerals compliant per Microchip CMRT filing.
