PIC18F46K20-E/PT - 64KB Flash 8-bit MCU, 48MHz, XLP, 44-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F46K20-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.68 | $46.80 |
| 100 | $4.05 | $405.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.1 | $3,100.00 |
PIC18F46K20-E/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, combining CPU core, non-volatile Flash program memory, volatile SRAM, configurable digital I/O, on-chip timers, and mixed-signal peripherals such as ADCs and PWM modules. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC18F46K20 belongs to the Flash microcontroller sub-family of microcontrollers, which itself sits inside the semiconductor / integrated circuit hierarchy. XLP variants extend the family with ultra-low sleep currents (down to the nanoampere range), targeting battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features include 36 configurable digital I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 28 channels, multiple Enhanced USART, SPI, and I2C peripherals, and Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) modules. The XLP technology provides nanoWatt sleep modes, and the device supports an extended instruction set option for code-density optimization. Core-independent peripherals reduce CPU wake-ups for responsive, low-power embedded control.
The architecture is built on Microchip's enhanced RISC core with a Harvard bus, 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and an 8-level deep hardware stack. Linear program memory addressing up to 64 KB and linear data addressing up to 3936 bytes simplify C compiler output. The 48 MHz internal oscillator, combined with 4x PLL options, delivers 12 MIPS throughput while preserving low-power flexibility.
Typical applications include low-power wireless sensor nodes, portable medical and consumer devices, HVAC and home-automation controllers, USB/HID peripherals using the on-chip full-speed USB, and industrial sensing platforms that require CAN-style robustness or serial connectivity.
When designing with this part, place decoupling capacitors (100 nF ceramic plus bulk) as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair, route the ICP/ICSP clock and data signals for in-circuit programming access, and respect the absolute maximum VDD rating. For sleep-mode designs, verify leakage budgets with the XLP parameter table.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in 44-TQFP alternatives, and XLP design notes not aggregated on any single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F46K20-E/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 PIC18F46K20-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers, EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F46K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K20T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F44K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F4620-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K20-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K20-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Family | PIC18F K-series (nanoWatt XLP) |
| CPU Core | PIC18 Enhanced RISC, 8-bit |
| Max CPU Frequency | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Program Flash Memory | 64 KB (32K x 16 words) |
| SRAM | 3936 bytes |
| EEPROM | 1024 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 28 channels |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range (E suffix) | -40C to +125C (extended) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| PWM / CCP | Enhanced CCP modules |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Instruction Set | 75 + optional extended set |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F46K20-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input AN2 / negative reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input AN3 / positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input AN4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/INT3 — PORTB bit 3 / external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 30 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 31 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 32 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 35 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 36 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 37 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 38 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 41 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read |
| Pin 42 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write |
| Pin 43 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 44 | AVDD — Analog positive supply (tie to VDD) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F46K20-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Nodes, Industrial HVAC and Building Automation Controllers, Portable Medical and Consumer Devices, USB Human Interface Devices (HID), Automotive-Adjacent Sensor Interfaces, Smart Energy and Metering Endpoints.
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F46K20-E/PT's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers nanoampere-range Sleep currents that let battery-powered sensor nodes run for years on a single cell. With 64 KB Flash it accommodates Zigbee, LoRa, or proprietary RF protocol stacks alongside sensor-conditioning firmware, and the 10-bit ADC with up to 28 channels supports multi-sensor PCB designs. The 1.8-3.6 V VDD range is ideal for direct 2x AA or single-cell Li-Ion operation without level shifters. Paired with Microchip's MRF89XA sub-GHz transceiver on the SPI bus, the design stays inside the same low-power envelope across transmit, receive, and sleep.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC and Building Automation Controllers
For HVAC and building-automation controllers, the PIC18F46K20-E/PT provides 36 digital I/O for relay drivers, triac interfaces, and keypad scanning, plus a 10-bit ADC to read temperature and pressure transducers. The enhanced CCP modules generate PWM outputs for fan-speed and damper control, while EUSART links to BACnet or Modbus gateways. The extended -40C to +125C grade survives rooftop and plant-room thermal stress. Wide VDD tolerance simplifies 24 V-derived supply design with a single buck regulator feeding the MCU rail.
Recommended
Portable Medical and Consumer Devices
Portable medical and consumer devices benefit from the PIC18F46K20-E/PT combination of XLP sleep currents, 64 KB Flash for UI/state-machine code, and 1024 bytes of EEPROM for non-volatile calibration storage. The 10-bit ADC samples biometric signals (pulse, SpO2 LED current, body temperature) with adequate resolution for consumer-grade accuracy, and the EUSART/SPI/I2C peripherals stream data to BLE modules or OLED displays. The 48 MHz core keeps LCD refresh and touch-sensing scan loops well within budget, preserving battery life.
Recommended
USB Human Interface Devices (HID)
Although PIC18F46K20 lacks native USB, the EUSART plus firmware-based bit-banging on a CCP-driven timer implements USB HID bridges at low cost, or pairs with an external USB-serial bridge such as MCP2200. The 64 KB Flash is sufficient for HID report handlers, debouncing, and embedded command parsers. Industrial temperature grade and 3.3 V I/O tolerance allow direct co-existence with USB-supply rails. This makes the part a fit for custom keyboards, pointer devices, and low-cost industrial input panels.
Recommended
Automotive-Adjacent Sensor Interfaces
The PIC18F46K20-E/PT's extended -40C to +125C temperature range and 1.8-3.6 V operation map well to automotive-adjacent sensor interfacing in cabin, body, or under-hood-near applications. Ten-bit ADC channels digitize throttle, pressure, and battery-sense signals; ECCP modules drive small BLDC or stepper actuators; EUSART streams diagnostics to a CAN gateway via MCP2551. The 64 KB Flash hosts AUTOSAR-lite or vendor-specific stack profiles. Note that for safety-critical powertrain, an AEC-Q100-qualified part is required.
Recommended
Smart Energy and Metering Endpoints
Smart energy and metering endpoints use the PIC18F46K20-E/PT to digitize CT- or shunt-derived current and voltage signals via the 10-bit ADC, then run metering algorithms and load-profile logging in 64 KB Flash. The EEPROM stores calibration constants across power-loss events, and the EUSART pushes data to a concentrator over RS-485. The XLP Sleep modes cut standby power below regulatory thresholds during no-load periods, and the industrial temperature range tolerates outdoor cabinet environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F46K20-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F46K20-I/PT | PIC18F46K20T-I/PT | PIC18F44K20-I/PT | PIC18F4620-I/PT | PIC18F45K20-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (PT, 10x10 mm) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 16 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 3936 bytes | 3936 bytes | 3936 bytes | 768 bytes | 3968 bytes | 1536 bytes |
| EEPROM | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 256 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes |
| Max CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 40 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Low-Power XLP | Yes (nanoWatt XLP) | Yes (nanoWatt XLP) | Yes (nanoWatt XLP) | Yes (nanoWatt XLP) | No (legacy nanoWatt) | Yes (nanoWatt XLP) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (extended) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
Key Differentiators
- Nanoampere-class Sleep current for multi-year battery life (vs PIC18F4620-I/PT)
- Industrial maximum temperature +125C grade (E suffix) (vs PIC18F46K20-I/PT)
- Full 64 KB Flash and 3936-byte SRAM match higher-end 44-pin variants (vs PIC18F44K20-I/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple every VDD/VSS pair with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, and add a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the device. For XLP sleep designs, use the MCP1700 low-Iq LDO so the regulator quiescent current does not dominate the MCU sleep budget. The MCU draws 8-100 nA in Deep Sleep depending on peripherals enabled - verify with the XLP parameter table for your exact configuration.
Route the ICSP/ICD clock (PGC, RB6) and data (PGD, RB7) signals to a dedicated 6-pin header so the board can be programmed in-circuit without rework. Keep analog and digital ground returns separate and join at a single point near the AVDD pin. The 44-TQFP land pattern requires 0.8 mm pitch traces - use 0.2 mm trace width with 0.2 mm clearance to maintain signal integrity on adjacent ADC inputs.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on any VDD pin or you will damage the MCU; if a 5 V rail is present, level-shift every I/O. Enable the watchdog timer in firmware to recover from brown-out or undefined-state events. When migrating from PIC18F4620 to PIC18F46K20, re-validate Sleep current values because the XLP parameter set is different - the legacy nanoWatt Sleep number is not a like-for-like comparison.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; lead-free and halogen-free per datasheet. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose dsPIC33 or PIC18 Q-series for automotive safety-critical designs.