PIC18F46K40T-I/PT - 64KB Flash 8-bit MCU 64MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F46K40T-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.1 | $3.10 |
| 10 | $2.85 | $28.50 |
| 100 | $2.45 | $245.00 |
| 500 | $2.15 | $1,075.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.9 | $1,900.00 |
PIC18F46K40T-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit containing a CPU core, program and data memory, and programmable peripherals that interface with external hardware. The PIC18 family is built on an enhanced 8-bit Harvard RISC architecture that executes one instruction per clock cycle (excluding branches), achieving throughput close to 16 MIPS at 64 MHz. Within the broader taxonomy, the PIC18F46K40 belongs to the 8-bit microcontroller class -> PIC family -> general-purpose MCU -> embedded controller, and is positioned in Microchip's XLP (eXtra Low Power) lineup that emphasizes low sleep current for battery-powered systems.
Key differentiating features of the PIC18F46K40 include 64 KB self-programmable Flash with device Information Area, 10-bit ADC2 capable of up to 35 analog channels, multiple Zero-Cross Detect inputs for TRIAC control, a 5-bit DAC with multiple reference options, and 36 digital I/O pins. The integrated Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) remapping provides exceptional flexibility by allowing most digital peripherals to be routed to multiple pins, simplifying PCB layout and reducing design iterations.
The PIC18F46K40 uses an enhanced mid-range PIC18 core with hardware multiplier and 16-bit instructions for C-friendly code density. Four flexible timer modules (10-bit/16-bit with PWM), dual I2C/SPI, dual UART with LIN support, and a 5-bit DAC give it strong analog and digital peripheral density. The 64 MHz operation from 3.3 V or 5 V makes it compatible with both modern low-voltage and legacy 5 V system designs, while XLP technology enables sleep currents below 50 nA typical.
Typical applications include industrial control and sensor nodes, low-power IoT edge devices, white goods and home appliances, automotive body and HVAC subsystems (with -E grade), and consumer electronics with user interfaces. The wide operating voltage and rich peripheral set suit battery-powered metering, motor control loops, and lighting control. Combined with the Core Independent Peripherals, the device can implement complex timing and state-machine functions in hardware without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application logic and communications.
Designers should evaluate PIC18F46K40 vs newer PIC18-Q43 or PIC18-K42 families when migration is possible, because those families add more CIPs and modern peripherals; the PIC18F46K40 remains preferred where its specific peripheral mix and 5 V tolerance matter. The TQFP-44 footprint is shared across the K40, K42, and Q43 families, allowing PCB reuse with code recompilation and minor firmware adjustments.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same TQFP-44 footprint, and practical design notes not collected in the manufacturer datasheet - giving engineers a single source for selection, sourcing, and BOM risk reduction.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F46K40T-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 PIC18F46K40T-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, Package, Program Memory (Flash), DAC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F46K40T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K40T-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46K40-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46K40-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K40T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K22T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K42T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K40T-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| RAM | 3728 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2, up to 35 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes (multiple) |
| Timers | 4 (10/16-bit with PWM) |
| CCP/PWM | Yes |
| Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) | Yes |
| Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT) | Yes |
| CRC/Memory Scan | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Communications | 2x UART (LIN), 2x I2C, 2x SPI |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
PIC18F46K40T-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2 — Port A bit 2 / Analog input 2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3 — Port A bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4 — Port A bit 4 / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5 — Port A bit 5 / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA7/OSC1 — Port A bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 8 | RA6/OSC2 — Port A bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | RC0/SOSCO — Port C bit 0 / Secondary oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RC1/SOSCI — Port C bit 1 / Secondary oscillator input |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 12 | RC3/SCL1 — Port C bit 3 / I2C1 clock |
| Pin 13 | RC4/SDA1 — Port C bit 4 / I2C1 data |
| Pin 14 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 15 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — Port C bit 6 / UART1 TX / clock |
| Pin 16 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — Port C bit 7 / UART1 RX / data |
| Pin 17 | RB0/INT0 — Port B bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 18 | RB1/INT1 — Port B bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 19 | RB2/INT2 — Port B bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 20 | RB3/INT3 — Port B bit 3 / External interrupt 3 |
| Pin 21 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Port B bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 24 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Port B bit 7 / ICSP data (programming) |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 27 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 29 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 30 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 31 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 33 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 36 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 37 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 38 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 39 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 40 | AVSS — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 41 | RA0/AN0 — Port A bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 42 | RA1/AN1 — Port A bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 43 | MCLR — Master clear (reset, active-low) |
| Pin 44 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC18F46K40T-I/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Node, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Device, White Goods and Home Appliance Control, Automotive Body and HVAC Subsystem, LED Lighting and Signage Controller, Consumer Electronics User Interface, Motor Control and BLDC Commutation.
Industrial Sensor Node
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT suits industrial 4-20 mA sensor nodes thanks to its 1.8 V to 5.5 V operation, 10-bit ADC2 with up to 35 channels, and Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, WWDT) that let the CPU remain dormant while the ADC scans sensors. With 64 KB Flash and 3728 bytes RAM, firmware can host Modbus RTU or proprietary industrial protocols, while the integrated 5-bit DAC drives 4-20 mA loops through an external op-amp. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade matches factory-floor environments. Pair with the MCP2515 CAN controller or MAX485 RS-485 transceiver for wired industrial networking.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Device
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT is engineered for battery-powered IoT edge devices thanks to its XLP (eXtra Low Power) technology delivering sleep currents below 50 nA typical, while the 64 MHz operation allows fast wake-and-transmit cycles that maximize battery life. The 1.8 V to 5.5 V range supports 2x AA alkaline, 2x AA lithium, or single-cell Li-ion chemistries without level shifting. Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, WWDT) handle timer, watchdog, and waveform generation in hardware while the CPU sleeps, freeing cycles for the application stack. UART/I2C/SPI interfaces connect to popular sub-GHz radios like the SX1276 or BLE modules like the RN4871.
Recommended
White Goods and Home Appliance Control
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT powers washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and HVAC indoor units thanks to its robust 5 V tolerance, 36 I/O pins, and integrated Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) that drives TRIACs and zero-cross-detection for AC load control. The 10-bit ADC2 reads thermistor inputs for temperature regulation, while the 5-bit DAC provides trim outputs for analog setpoints. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lets designers route I/O to convenient PCB locations, simplifying layout under tight mechanical constraints of appliance chassis.
Recommended
Automotive Body and HVAC Subsystem
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT serves automotive body controllers, HVAC blend-door actuators, lighting controllers, and instrument cluster sub-functions thanks to its wide operating voltage (1.8 V to 5.5 V tolerant of 12 V battery transients with external TVS), multiple PWM channels, and LIN-ready UART. For AEC-Q100 qualified deployments, the -E temperature grade variant PIC18F46K40T-E/PT is the recommended drop-in. The 64 KB Flash accommodates OSEK/OSEKtime or AUTOSAR-lite RTOS, while CWG and Zero-Cross Detect simplify TRIAC-driven seat heaters and fan control.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Controller
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT controls architectural LED lighting, DMX512 fixtures, and RGBW color-mixing installations via its PWM outputs, 5-bit DAC for smooth analog dimming, and 64 MHz speed for rapid color updates without flicker. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lets designers map PWM channels to any I/O, easing PCB routing of high-density LED matrices. The integrated CWG and Zero-Cross Detect simplify phase-controlled dimming of legacy incandescent or TRIAC-dimmable LED loads. Industrial temperature rating suits outdoor signage enclosures with basic thermal management.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics User Interface
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT powers consumer UI boards like coffee machine keypads, microwave control panels, smart thermostat HMI, and remote controls thanks to its hardware CVD (Capacitive Voltage Divider) supporting capacitive touch buttons without external touch ICs, plus ample Flash/RAM for menu-driven firmware. The 5-bit DAC provides audio cue tones or LED backlight dimming, while dual UART supports Wi-Fi or BLE module command interfaces. Wide operating voltage tolerates USB-powered 5 V or 3.3 V battery-powered operation in portable devices.
Recommended
Motor Control and BLDC Commutation
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT implements BLDC sensored or sensorless commutation, stepper sequencing, and DC motor speed control via its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) producing complementary PWM with dead-band, plus multiple PWM channels for multi-phase drives. The 10-bit ADC reads back-EMF for sensorless control while Zero-Cross Detect simplifies AC universal motor commutation. The CWG and PWM together with Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) keep pin usage low, making the TQFP-44 a compact solution for small appliance and HVAC fan motors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F46K40T-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F46K40T-I/ML | PIC18F46K40T-E/PT | PIC18F46K40-I/PT | PIC18F45K40T-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm | 44-pin QFN (ML) - different footprint | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same |
| Flash | 64 KB | 64 KB - same | 64 KB - same | 64 KB - same | 32 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 3728 bytes | 3728 bytes - same | 3728 bytes - same | 3728 bytes - same | 2048 bytes (-45%) |
| Max CPU Speed | 64 MHz | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - same | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - same | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - same | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same |
| Automotive Grade (AEC-Q100) | No (industrial grade) | No | Yes (AEC-Q100) | No | No |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CLC/CWG/WWDT) | Yes (full set) | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same | Yes - same |
Key Differentiators
- Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, WWDT, CRC/Memory Scan) reduce CPU wake cycles (vs PIC18F46K22T-I/PT)
- Higher Flash and RAM density at same TQFP-44 footprint (vs PIC18F45K40T-I/PT)
- 5 V tolerance across the full VDD range (vs STM32F030R8T6 (Cortex-M0 competitor))
Design Notes
The PIC18F46K40T-I/PT supports 1.8 V to 5.5 V operation, but switching between voltage rails requires verifying the BOR (Brown-Out Reset) and POR (Power-On Reset) thresholds in CONFIG settings. For battery applications, enable the ultra-low-power wake (ULPW) modes and disable the ADC2 in deep sleep to achieve the rated <50 nA sleep current. A 100 nF decoupling capacitor on each VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on AVSS/AVDD are mandatory for ADC2 accuracy.
In the TQFP-44 package, theta_JA is approximately 50 C/W on a standard 4-layer JEDEC test board. Estimated: at 64 MHz CPU speed and 5 V supply, core current is roughly 15 mA (0.075 W), giving a junction temperature rise of only 3.75 C above ambient - well within safe limits. The MCU is not the thermal bottleneck in typical designs, but high-current GPIO sourcing (>20 mA per pin, multiple pins) can heat the die; aggregate source current should not exceed the 200 mA package limit.
Place the 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD pin, with the ground via within 2 mm of the capacitor pad to minimize loop inductance. Route the ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK signals away from high-current traces to avoid programming glitches. The TQFP-44 land pattern (IPC-7351 nominal) tolerates standard reflow profiles (peak 245 C for 30 seconds). Use a ground pour on the top layer under the MCU for thermal spreading and noise immunity, stitching it to the bottom ground plane every 5 mm.
MCLR must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up resistor for normal operation; never leave it floating because noise can trigger spurious resets. PPS remapping must be configured before peripheral initialization - a peripheral enabled before its PPS mapping is set will not function. When migrating from PIC18F46K22 to PIC18F46K40 firmware, register addresses differ for several CIPs (CLC, CWG) and the configuration bits must be regenerated because the K40 adds new CONFIG words.
The analog signals (AN0-AN35) should be routed on a layer adjacent to the ground plane with guard traces to digital signals to minimize ADC2 crosstalk. AVSS must be tied to VSS at a single point near the MCU to avoid ground loops that inject noise into the ADC. Place the ADC2 reference capacitor (typically 100 nF) as close as possible to the VREF+/VREF- pins; reference noise directly couples into ADC2 readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade); choose PIC18F46K40T-E/PT for AEC-Q100 automotive grade.