PIC18F4515-E/P - 8-bit 48KB Flash MCU, 40-Pin PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F4515-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.49 | $7.49 |
| 10 | $6.74 | $67.40 |
| 100 | $5.92 | $592.00 |
| 500 | $5.21 | $2,605.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.67 | $4,670.00 |
PIC18F4515-E/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, memory, and programmable I/O peripherals. The PIC18F family sits within Microchip's 8-bit PIC architecture hierarchy: PIC18F -> PIC18 -> PIC -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded system. The PIC18F4515-E/P belongs to the nanoWatt power-managed family, providing flexible oscillator options including an internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz source with 4x PLL.
Key features include a hardware 8x8 single-cycle multiplier, a Fail-Safe Clock Monitor (FSCM) for safe shutdown when the primary clock fails, and a separate Watchdog Timer with its own RC oscillator. The integrated 10-bit ADC supports multiple analog input channels, while dual analog comparators and a 10-bit Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) module enable motor control and power-conversion designs. The 40-pin PDIP form factor is favored for hobbyist, breadboard, and legacy through-hole assemblies.
The PIC18F4515-E/P's C-optimized RISC architecture allows efficient code generation with the MPLAB XC8 compiler. The -E suffix denotes the extended industrial temperature range (-40C to +125C). Internal peripherals such as the Enhanced Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (EUSART), Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting SPI and I2C, and a parallel slave port make this device suitable for communication-rich embedded applications.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, sensor monitoring nodes, low-power motor drivers, and legacy 5V embedded systems. The wide operating voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V supports battery-powered and USB-powered designs, while the nanoWatt technology enables sleep currents in the microamp range for energy-harvesting endpoints.
When designing with this MCU, observe the 40-pin PDIP pinout shared with the PIC18F4X1X series and verify the 5V-tolerant I/O count against your application. Decouple VDD with at least 100 nF ceramic plus 10 uF bulk capacitors placed within 5 mm of the supply pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F4515-E/P — 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 PIC18F4515-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Mounting Type, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F4510-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4420-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F4450-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4480-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4423-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4515-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit RISC) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 48 KB |
| SRAM | 3968 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 10 MIPS (40 MHz @ 4xPLL) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E grade) |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 13 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit, up to 2 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Communication | EUSART + MSSP (SPI/I2C) + Parallel Slave Port |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600"/15.24 mm) |
| Oscillator | Internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz with 4x PLL, plus external |
PIC18F4515-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel port read / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel port write / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel port chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Oscillator input / external clock / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM/capture/compare |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT0/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 / PWM fault |
| Pin 34 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/INT3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / External interrupt 3 / CCP2 alt |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18F4515-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Sensor Monitoring Nodes, Low-Power Motor Drivers, Legacy 5V Embedded Systems, HMI and Keypad Interfaces, Educational and Prototyping Platforms.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC18F4515-E/P suits industrial control panels thanks to its 48 KB Flash, 36 I/O lines, and 10-bit ADC for sensor acquisition. With 10 MIPS throughput at 5 V and -40C to +125C extended temperature support, it drives relay logic, keypads, and displays while running Modbus RTU over EUSART. The 40-pin PDIP package simplifies prototype assembly and field service on legacy machinery, and the nanoWatt sleep modes keep standby current low for always-on control cabinets.
Recommended
Sensor Monitoring Nodes
With its 10-bit ADC, dual analog comparators, and nanoWatt power management, the PIC18F4515-E/P is well-suited for distributed sensor nodes. The internal 31 kHz to 8 MHz oscillator with 4x PLL eliminates external clock crystals, reducing BOM cost. MSSP supports I2C sensor buses (BME280, SHT31), while EUSART handles RS-485 links. Sleep currents in the nanoWatt range extend battery life for remote telemetry endpoints.
Recommended
Low-Power Motor Drivers
The PIC18F4515-E/P's two 10-bit PWM channels and 4 timers enable cost-effective BLDC or stepper control at low to moderate RPMs. The 36 I/O lines drive H-bridge logic directly, while the Fail-Safe Clock Monitor ensures safe shutdown if the oscillator fails - critical for motor safety. Extended temperature grade (-40C to +125C) supports under-hood or outdoor installations where commercial-grade MCUs would derate.
Recommended
Legacy 5V Embedded Systems
The PIC18F4515-E/P's 2.0V to 5.5V operating range and 40-pin PDIP package make it a drop-in choice for maintaining legacy 5V systems. It bridges 5V-tolerant I/O to RS-232, RS-485, or CMOS logic without level shifters. Designers maintaining industrial controllers, hobbyist platforms, or educational kits can rely on the same MPLAB XC8 toolchain and PICkit debuggers that supported the original designs.
Recommended
HMI and Keypad Interfaces
The 36 I/O pins of the PIC18F4515-E/P scan up to a 4x5 matrix keypad directly, while EUSART and MSSP drive character LCDs or OLED modules via SPI/I2C. The 48 KB Flash accommodates graphical menu libraries and state machines. PDIP packaging allows easy rework during HMI prototype iterations, accelerating front-panel development cycles.
Recommended
Educational and Prototyping Platforms
The PIC18F4515-E/P in 40-pin PDIP is widely adopted in undergraduate embedded curricula and hobbyist projects thanks to breadboard compatibility and the free MPLAB X IDE. The 48 KB Flash supports substantial coursework projects (RTOS demos, USB stacks via soft-stack), while -40C to +125C operation demonstrates industrial-grade robustness to students. PICkit 5 in-circuit debugging accelerates lab iteration cycles.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F4515-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F4510-I/P | PIC18F4420-I/P | PIC18F4450-I/P | PIC18F4480-I/P | PIC18F4423-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 48 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 3968 bytes | 1536 bytes | 768 bytes | 2048 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS OTG) | No | No |
| CAN Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (CAN 2.0B) | No |
| LCD Driver | No | No | No | No | No | Yes (integrated LCD controller) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in 40-pin PDIP PIC18F4X1X line (vs PIC18F4510-I/P)
- Extended temperature grade option (vs PIC18F4515-I/P (industrial))
- General-purpose (no USB, no CAN, no LCD) (vs PIC18F4450-I/P (USB) and PIC18F4480-I/P (CAN))
Design Notes
Decouple both VDD pins (11 and 32) with a 100 nF ceramic plus 10 uF bulk capacitor placed within 5 mm of the package. The PIC18F4515-E/P nanoWatt modes allow sleep currents below 1 uA typical, but the bulk capacitor is required to support peak bursts when waking from sleep under load. Add a 10 kohm pull-up to MCLR (pin 1) to ensure reliable reset behaviour.
Route the analog AVss/AVdd pair (pin 12 and 11) as a star from a single ground point. Keep the 10-bit ADC traces short and isolated from PWM/digital switching lines. If using the internal oscillator, leave OSC1/OSC2 floating or terminate cleanly to avoid noise injection into the analog front-end.
Do not exceed 5.5 V on any I/O pin - the PIC18F4515-E/P is 5V-tolerant on digital inputs but the absolute maximum Vih on analog-capable pins follows Vdd. Avoid hot-plugging peripherals on MSSP (I2C/SPI) without proper pull-ups, and ensure PGC/PGD (pins 39/40) are reserved for ICSP during board bring-up.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance status was not returned in the Verified Web Data; Microchip typically marks legacy PIC18F PDIP parts as lead-free and RoHS-compliant, but this should be confirmed with the manufacturer lot certificate before procurement.