PIC18F46Q10-E/PT - 8-Bit 64MHz 64KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F46Q10-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.72 | $17.20 |
| 100 | $1.55 | $155.00 |
| 500 | $1.4 | $700.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.22 | $1,220.00 |
PIC18F46Q10-E/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), peripherals, and I/O on one die. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, MCUs sit below microprocessors and above simple digital logic ICs. The PIC18 family uses a modified Harvard RISC architecture optimized for deterministic real-time control with rich peripheral integration, while the PIC18F46Q10 sub-family adds eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology and 5V operation for noise immunity in industrial environments.
Key features include 64 MHz maximum CPU speed, 36 configurable I/O pins, up to 36 interrupt sources, 12-bit ADC with computation (ADC2), multiple communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART with LIN), and dedicated timer/capture-compare modules. The integrated DMA-free peripheral engine and CIP (Core Independent Peripherals) such as CWG and HLT offload tasks from the CPU. Functional Safety (FuSa) features include Memory Scan and CRC for Class B safety integrity.
Typical applications include industrial control sensor nodes, IoT edge devices, capacitive touch sensing, low-power motor control, and automotive body/comfort subsystems. With 5V I/O tolerance and eXtreme Low Power modes (sleep current down to the nA range), the PIC18F46Q10-E/PT targets battery-backed and noise-rich environments where traditional 3.3V-only MCUs struggle.
When designing with this part, allocate sufficient PCB area for the 44-TQFP package and route the MCLR pin through a proper reset circuit. Always check the supply decoupling requirements in the datasheet's Electrical Characteristics section, since the part operates over 2.3V to 5.5V with strict decoupling capacitor placement rules.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F46Q10-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 PIC18F46Q10-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), DAC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F46Q10-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46Q10-E/MP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.94 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45Q10-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46Q10T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46K22-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K42-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K22-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46Q10-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC18F XLP 18Q with Functional Safety (FuSa) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC18 RISC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (64K x 8) |
| Data SRAM | 4 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 1 KB (1024 bytes) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 35 channels with computation (ADC2) |
| DAC | 5-bit |
| PWM Modules | Multiple (CCP/ECCP) |
| Special Peripherals | CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator), HLT (Hardware Limit Timer) |
| Watchdog | Windowed WWDT, standard WDT |
| Functional Safety Features | Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT |
| Communication | UART with LIN, SPI, I2C |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E = Extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18F46Q10-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 / analog input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — External clock input / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 / TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 / RX |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 / ICD clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 / ICD data |
| Pin 29 | MCLR — Master clear reset input (active-low) |
| Pin 30 | RD0 — Port D bit 0 |
| Pin 31 | RD1 — Port D bit 1 |
| Pin 32 | RD2 — Port D bit 2 |
| Pin 33 | RD3 — Port D bit 3 |
| Pin 34 | RD4 — Port D bit 4 |
| Pin 35 | RD5 — Port D bit 5 |
| Pin 36 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 37 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 38 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 40 | RE0 — Port E bit 0 |
| Pin 41 | RE1 — Port E bit 1 |
| Pin 42 | RE2 — Port E bit 2 |
| Pin 43 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 |
| Pin 44 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 / analog input |
Typical Applications
PIC18F46Q10-E/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control Sensor Nodes, IoT Edge Devices and Smart Sensors, Capacitive Touch Sensing, Low-Power Motor Control, Automotive Body and Comfort Electronics, Consumer Appliance Control Boards, Battery Charging and Power Management Control.
Industrial Control Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F46Q10-E/PT's 64 MHz CPU, 64 KB Flash, and integrated ADC2 with 10-bit computation make it well-suited for industrial sensor node designs reading multiple analog signals. The 5V tolerance and extended -40C to +125C temperature grade allow reliable operation in factory environments with high electrical noise from motors and switching power supplies. The CWG and HLT peripherals enable deterministic pulse-train generation for valve and actuator control without CPU overhead, while Memory Scan and CRC provide Class B safety integrity for machinery subject to functional-safety requirements.
Recommended
IoT Edge Devices and Smart Sensors
With eXtreme Low Power XLP technology and 4 KB SRAM running from 2.3V to 5.5V, the PIC18F46Q10-E/PT supports battery-backed IoT edge nodes transmitting sensor data via UART, SPI, or I2C. The integrated DMA-free peripheral engine and Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) let the CPU remain in sleep while peripherals handle timing-critical I/O, dropping average current into the microamp range. The 64 KB Flash accommodates TLS-style stacks or application firmware, while the 1 KB EEPROM stores calibration and configuration data persistently across power cycles.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Sensing
The PIC18F46Q10-E/PT's mTouch peripheral and high-impedance ADC inputs provide native capacitive touch sensing for buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors without external ICs. The 64 MHz core handles touch scanning algorithms and host communication concurrently, while the ADC2 computation block pre-processes touch readings in hardware before CPU interrupt. Designers can implement 8 to 12 touch channels using the 36 available I/O pins, reducing BOM cost versus discrete touch controllers. The extended temperature grade supports touch panels in automotive and outdoor appliances.
Recommended
Low-Power Motor Control
The PIC18F46Q10-E/PT integrates a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Hardware Limit Timer (HLT), and multiple PWM/CCP modules suited for BLDC, stepper, and brushed-DC motor control in small appliances and fans. The 5V I/O directly drives MOSFET gate drivers like the TC4427 without level translation, and the 10-bit ADC samples back-EMF for sensorless commutation. Functional Safety features (Memory Scan, WWDT) detect firmware runaway faults within milliseconds and place the motor in a safe state for white-goods compliance.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Comfort Electronics
Automotive body controllers, lighting modules, and HVAC actuators benefit from the PIC18F46Q10-E/PT's -40C to +125C extended grade, 5V noise immunity, and LIN-compatible UART for in-vehicle networking. The Functional Safety (FuSa) features including Memory Scan, CRC, and Windowed WWDT support ISO 26262 ASIL-B capable subsystems when properly implemented. The 36 I/O pins drive multiple LED strings, relay coils, and switch matrices directly, reducing discrete component count versus lower-pin-count MCUs. AEC-Q100 qualification status is documented per Microchip's automotive-grade catalog.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control Boards
Washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, and small kitchen appliances use the PIC18F46Q10-E/PT as a main controller with its 64 KB Flash handling user-interface state machines, motor sequencing, and sensor polling. The 44-pin TQFP package is cost-effective for high-volume consumer products, while the eXtreme Low Power (XLP) sleep modes reduce standby power below regulatory limits for energy-star appliances. Integrated EEPROM stores user preferences and fault history across power cycles without external storage.
Recommended
Battery Charging and Power Management Control
The PIC18F46Q10-E/PT supervises battery charging profiles in power tools, e-bikes, and portable medical devices using its 10-bit ADC to monitor cell voltage, current sense amplifiers, and temperature thermistors. The 64 KB Flash implements state-machine charging algorithms (CC/CV, Li-ion, LiFePO4, NiMH) while the 1 KB EEPROM retains charging history and battery cycle counts. The Windowed WWDT and Memory Scan detect firmware faults that could overcharge cells, providing a hardware safety layer required by IEC 62133 and UL 2054.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F46Q10-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F46Q10-I/PT | PIC18F45Q10-E/PT | PIC18F46Q10T-I/PT | PIC18F46K22-E/PT | PIC18F46Q10-E/MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm | 44-TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 44-TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 44-TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 44-TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 44-QFN (MP) 6x6 mm |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| SRAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 3.8 KB | 4 KB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) |
| Functional Safety (FuSa) | Yes (Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT) | Yes (Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT) | Yes (Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT) | Yes (Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT) | No | Yes (Memory Scan, CRC, WWDT) |
| I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 with computation | 10-bit ADC2 with computation | 10-bit ADC2 with computation | 10-bit ADC2 with computation | 10-bit ADC (no computation) | 10-bit ADC2 with computation |
| Approximate Unit Price (as of 2026-09-28) | $1.85 | $1.75 | $1.55 | $1.78 | $2.50 | $1.90 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated Functional Safety (FuSa) features (vs PIC18F46K22-E/PT)
- ADC2 with computation vs legacy ADC (vs PIC18F46K22-E/PT)
- Higher memory configuration in same footprint (vs PIC18F45Q10-E/PT)
- Extended temperature grade option (vs PIC18F46Q10-I/PT)
Design Notes
The PIC18F46Q10-E/PT operates from 2.3V to 5.5V. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 8, 20, 39) and a bulk 10 uF capacitor on the main supply rail. The four VSS pins (7, 19, 38 plus exposed pad if applicable) should connect directly to the ground plane. For noise-sensitive analog applications, add a ferrite bead or LC filter between the digital and analog VDD rails. Estimated: based on standard PIC18 decoupling guidelines from the PIC18F26/45/46Q10 datasheet electrical characteristics section.
The 44-pin TQFP package has a 10x10 mm body with 0.8 mm pitch leads. Use 0.4 mm wide traces between pads and route signals on inner layers to break out of the dense lead frame. Allow a minimum 4 mm clearance around the MCLR pin trace to avoid coupling noise into the reset line. Connect the MCLR pin through a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground for proper reset operation during power-up and brown-out events.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum supply voltage of 5.5V on VDD - even brief transients above this rating latch up the CMOS I/O cells. Always configure unused I/O pins as outputs driving low, or as inputs with weak pull-ups enabled, to minimize power consumption in sleep. The ADC2 channels should not be left floating; tie unused analog pins to either VSS or VDD through a 10 kohm resistor. The MCLR pin must never be left floating - always use the recommended RC reset network.
Estimated: the 44-pin TQFP package has a typical thermal resistance theta_JA of approximately 50 C/W on a standard JEDEC 2S2P test board. At 64 MHz CPU operation with all peripherals active at 5V supply, the typical supply current is 12-15 mA, yielding power dissipation around 60-75 mW and a junction temperature rise of 3-4 C above ambient. No external heatsink is required for typical commercial and industrial applications, but designs enclosed in sealed housings should verify junction temperature stays below +125C at maximum ambient.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product documentation and distributor listings. AEC-Q100 grade status not explicitly marked on distributor listings for the -E/PT variant; Microchip automotive-grade catalog should be consulted for AEC-Q100 qualified PIC18Q10 derivatives.