PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX - 32KB Flash 8-bit MCU w/ 12-bit ADCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.96 | $2.96 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.37 | $237.00 |
| 500 | $2.13 | $1,065.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
| 2,500 | $1.74 | $4,350.00 |
PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Integrated Circuit MCU) is a compact single-chip computer that combines a CPU, Flash program memory, SRAM, and configurable peripherals on one silicon die. The PIC18 family sits in Microchip's 8-bit portfolio between the entry-level PIC16 and the 16-bit dsPIC families, offering a balanced mix of low cost, deterministic interrupt handling, and rich peripheral integration. It belongs to the broader category hierarchy MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. The Q43 sub-family emphasizes real-time control through direct-memory-access driven peripherals, allowing sensing, computation, and actuation without CPU intervention.
Key features include 1.8V to 5.5V wide operating voltage, eXtreme Low Power (XLP) sleep modes with sub-uA currents, CIP (Core Independent Peripherals) such as the CLC, Zero-Cross Detect, and an 8-bit DAC with 5-bit Filter. Hardware-based capacitive touch sensing is supported via the ADCC's CVD (Capacitive Voltage Divider) front end, eliminating software jitter and reducing CPU load. These features make the part attractive for human-interface designs where deterministic behavior and low standby power both matter.
The 64 MHz internal oscillator and 16-bit PWMs enable high-resolution motor, lighting, and power-conversion control loops. The six DMA channels move ADC and communication data autonomously, freeing the CPU for higher-level supervisory tasks. Combined with the CLCs, the device allows the designer to implement custom glue logic in silicon rather than in code, reducing latency and BOM.
Typical applications include LED lighting drivers, BLDC motor control, capacitive-touch HMI panels, IoT sensor nodes, and industrial automation controllers. The wide 1.8V-5.5V range also supports battery-powered portable designs including wearables and remote controls.
When designing, ensure the 6x6 mm VQFN thermal pad is soldered to a sufficient copper pour for heat dissipation, and review Microchip application note TB3128 for ADCC CVD touch-sensor PCB layout. The part's high peripheral density means firmware architecture should leverage DMA and CLCs to keep the 8-bit CPU from becoming a bottleneck.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives, and engineering design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet and speed up the part-selection process.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX — 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 PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core, Package, Mounting Type, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F57Q43T-I/6LX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.26 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F55Q43T-I/6LX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F55Q43-I/6LX
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory | 32 KB Flash |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 12-bit ADCC with CVD support |
| DAC | 8-bit DAC (5-bit filter) |
| PWM | 3 x 16-bit |
| Comparators | Yes (number per datasheet) |
| DMA Channels | 6 |
| UART | 5 (one supports LIN/DMX/DALI) |
| CLC (Configurable Logic Cells) | Yes |
| Package | 48-VQFN (6x6 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Family | PIC18-Q43 XLP |
PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RB7/PGD — I/O port B bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 2 | RB6/PGC — I/O port B bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 3 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 4 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 5 | RA2 — I/O port A bit 2 |
| Pin 6 | RA3 — I/O port A bit 3 |
| Pin 7 | RA4 — I/O port A bit 4 |
| Pin 8 | RA5 — I/O port A bit 5 |
| Pin 9 | RA6 — I/O port A bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RA7 — I/O port A bit 7 |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 13 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 14 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 15 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 16 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 17 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 18 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 19 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 20 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 21 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 22 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 23 | RD0 — I/O port D bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | RD1 — I/O port D bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RD2 — I/O port D bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RD3 — I/O port D bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — I/O port D bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — I/O port D bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — I/O port D bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — I/O port D bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 33 | RE0 — I/O port E bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | RE1 — I/O port E bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RE2 — I/O port E bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RE3 — I/O port E bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 38 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 39 | RF0 — I/O port F bit 0 |
| Pin 40 | RF1 — I/O port F bit 1 |
| Pin 41 | RF2 — I/O port F bit 2 |
| Pin 42 | RF3 — I/O port F bit 3 |
| Pin 43 | RF4 — I/O port F bit 4 |
| Pin 44 | RF5 — I/O port F bit 5 |
| Pin 45 | RF6 — I/O port F bit 6 |
| Pin 46 | RF7 — I/O port F bit 7 |
| Pin 47 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 48 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
Typical Applications
PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX is suitable for 6 applications: LED Lighting Drivers, BLDC Motor Control (Small Motors), Capacitive Touch HMI Panels, IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Automation Controllers, Battery-Powered Wearable Devices.
LED Lighting Drivers
The PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX is well matched to dimmable LED lighting designs because three 16-bit PWMs deliver sub-percent dimming resolution and the CLCs can synthesize fault shutoff logic in hardware. With a 1.8V-5.5V supply range, it covers both 5V USB-powered luminaires and single-cell Li-ion fixtures. The 12-bit ADCC provides precise current sensing, while XLP sleep modes keep standby power below 1 mW for energy-star compliance.
Recommended
BLDC Motor Control (Small Motors)
For sensored or sensorless trapezoidal BLDC commutation on small motors, the PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX provides three 16-bit PWMs for phase drive and on-chip comparators for back-EMF zero-cross detection. Its 64 MHz CPU clock supports commutation well above 50 krpm. The 32 KB Flash is enough for state-machine-based commutation plus UART telemetry, and CLCs implement the dead-time/fault interlocks without burdening the CPU.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panels
The PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX runs Microchip's mTouch CVD touch firmware natively thanks to the 12-bit ADCC with CVD front end, supporting up to roughly 32 touch channels. DMA offloads scan sequencing from the CPU, leaving the core free for higher-level UI or communications. Pairing the part with the 48-VQFN footprint keeps the panel PCB compact, and the XLP sleep currents extend battery life on remote controls.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Nodes
Low-power IoT sensor nodes benefit from the PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX's XLP sleep currents in the sub-uA range, DMA-driven ADC pipelining, and five UARTs that handle multiple sensor buses simultaneously. With 32 KB Flash and 2 KB SRAM, the device runs a Modbus or LoRaWAN-class application stack plus local DSP-style filtering. The 1.8V minimum supply allows operation directly from a single CR2032 cell.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Controllers
Industrial PLC-style sub-modules use the PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX to drive relays, opto-isolators, and indicator LEDs with deterministic timing. The 64 MHz CPU clock and 12-bit ADCC support sub-millisecond analog loops for pressure and flow sensors, while the CLCs implement safe-state logic even when the CPU is stalled. The 125C maximum operating temperature covers cabinet installation, and the 48-VQFN fits dense backplane layouts.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wearable Devices
Wearables such as fitness bands and BLE-paired patches run efficiently on the PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX thanks to its XLP sleep modes and 1.8V minimum supply. The 2 KB SRAM is sufficient for sensor buffering, while the 32 KB Flash hosts the BLE profile plus the activity-classification algorithm. The 6x6 mm VQFN footprint fits wristband PCBs, and DMA moves accelerometer data without waking the CPU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F57Q43T-I/6LX | PIC18F55Q43T-I/6LX | PIC18F55Q43-I/6LX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-VQFN (6x6 mm) | 48-VQFN (6x6 mm) - same | 48-VQFN (6x6 mm) - same | 48-VQFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 5.5V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| 12-bit ADCC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DMA Channels | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Key Differentiators
- Larger on-die memory within the same Q43 family (vs PIC18F57Q43T-I/6LX)
- Extended -40C to +125C industrial temperature grade (vs PIC18F55Q43T-I/6LX)
- Hardware CIP offload for real-time tasks (vs Generic 8-bit MCU without CIP)
Design Notes
The 48-pin VQFN (6x6 mm) package uses an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour of at least 1 square inch. Even though the 8-bit core dissipates little power, continuous ADCC scanning plus DMA traffic can lift junction temperature in confined enclosures. For -40C to +125C 'E' grade designs, leave a 5 mm copper island around the pad and stitch vias to the inner ground plane on a 0.5 mm grid.
Route the analog AVSS and AVDD pair with a star connection back to the digital VDD/VSS bulk capacitor. Keep CVD touch traces short and uniform, surround them with a hatched ground guard ring on the same layer, and avoid crossing switching traces above them. Microchip application note TB3128 provides the reference CVD layout patterns.
Do not rely on the 32 KB Flash if the application stores Wi-Fi/BLE provisioning blobs plus graphics tables. Estimate: a 320 x 240 monochrome framebuffer alone consumes 9.6 KB. Use PIC18F57Q43T-I/6LX (64 KB Flash) or an external SPI flash with bootloader support when the firmware image plus data exceeds roughly 24 KB. Also enable code-protection bits in CONFIG before shipping to lock the bootloader interface.
Estimated: at 64 MHz CPU clock and continuous ADCC conversion, IDD is approximately 9 mA active with a 3.3V supply. Switching to IDLE with peripherals running drops the figure to about 3 mA, while XLP Sleep retains RAM at roughly 50 nA. For battery budgets, model worst-case active duty plus a 10% safety margin, and place a 100 nF decoupling cap immediately adjacent to each VDD pin pair.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 is not applicable to PIC18F55Q43-E/6LX (industrial grade, not automotive qualified).
