PIC18F6520T-E/PT - 8-bit MCU 32KB Flash 40MHz TQFP-64 | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F6520T-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13.18 | $13.18 |
| 10 | $11.86 | $118.60 |
| 100 | $10.55 | $1,055.00 |
| 500 | $9.23 | $4,615.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.32 | $8,320.00 |
PIC18F6520T-E/PT Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Interface Controller) is a compact, low-power RISC-based processor with integrated Flash, RAM, EEPROM, timers, ADC, and communication peripherals. The PIC18 family is the high-end 8-bit line, providing a single-cycle instruction pipeline, hardware multiplier, 16-bit instructions, and software compatibility from 6 to 100 pins. PIC MCUs sit within the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit, and dominate cost-sensitive, deterministic real-time control applications.
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT operates from 4.2V to 5.5V, delivers up to 10 MIPS throughput, and integrates 54 digital I/O pins plus a 12-channel 10-bit ADC. It includes dual USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), two CCP modules, three timers, and a parallel slave port. Code is protected by Microchip's standard on-chip Flash block protection bits, and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) is supported via RB6/RB7.
Architecturally the PIC18F6520 employs Microchip's enhanced Harvard architecture with separate code and data buses plus a 31-level hardware stack. Its 75 instruction opcode set (most single-cycle) and 8x8 hardware multiplier accelerate arithmetic-intensive control loops. Internal RC oscillator, PLL, and brown-out reset (BOR) reduce external BOM, while nanoWatt power management supports sleep, idle, and run modes for energy-aware designs.
Typical applications include industrial automation panels, instrumentation and metering, TCP/IP-enabled embedded systems, motor-control front-ends, and human-machine interface (HMI) controllers. The wide 4.2V-5.5V supply rail and 5V-tolerant digital I/O suit industrial bus nodes such as Modbus, CAN gateways, and 4-20 mA sensor transmitters.
When designing with this device, leave at least 0.5 cm of copper clearance around the TQFP-64 thermal pad to meet MS-026 solder-joint reliability, and place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pair. Ensure unused I/O pins are configured as outputs low (not left floating) to minimize shoot-through current in sleep mode.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible PIC18 alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F6520T-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 PIC18F6520T-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F6520-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6520-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6622-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6722-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F8520-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6390T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6520T-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 RISC enhanced Harvard |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz |
| Performance | 10 MIPS |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 54 |
| ADC | 12-channel, 10-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| CCP Modules | 2 |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2/Timer3) |
| Parallel Slave Port | Yes (PSP) |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm, MS-026 |
| Operating Temperature (E suffix) | -40 C to +125 C (extended) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes / Yes |
PIC18F6520T-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/CVREF — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 / Comparator voltage reference output |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS/LVDIN — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select / Low-voltage detect input |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output / Clock output |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input / Clock input |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2V-5.5V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 16 | RB5/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / Low-voltage ICSP programming input |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 22 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 23 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 24 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 25 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 26 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 27 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — PORTC bit 6 / USART1 transmit / USART1 clock |
| Pin 28 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — PORTC bit 7 / USART1 receive / USART1 data |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 30 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 31 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 32 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 35 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 36 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 37 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 38 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 41 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel slave port read control |
| Pin 42 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel slave port write control |
| Pin 43 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 44 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 (digital input only) |
| Pin 45 | RE4 — PORTE bit 4 (digital input only) |
| Pin 46 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 47 | AVSS — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 48 | RF0 — PORTF bit 0 (analog input AN5) |
| Pin 49 | RF1 — PORTF bit 1 (analog input AN6) |
| Pin 50 | RF2 — PORTF bit 2 (analog input AN7) |
| Pin 51 | RF3 — PORTF bit 3 (analog input AN8) |
| Pin 52 | RF4 — PORTF bit 4 (analog input AN9) |
| Pin 53 | RF5 — PORTF bit 5 (analog input AN10) |
| Pin 54 | RF6 — PORTF bit 6 (analog input AN11) |
| Pin 55 | RF7 — PORTF bit 7 |
| Pin 56 | RG0 — PORTG bit 0 |
| Pin 57 | RG1 — PORTG bit 1 |
| Pin 58 | RG2 — PORTG bit 2 |
| Pin 59 | RG3 — PORTG bit 3 |
| Pin 60 | RG4 — PORTG bit 4 |
| Pin 61 | RG5 — PORTG bit 5 |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 63 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 64 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F6520T-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation Control Panels, Instrumentation and Metering Systems, TCP/IP-Enabled Embedded Gateways, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Controllers, Motor Control Front-End Controllers, Sensor Hub and Data Acquisition Front-Ends.
Industrial Automation Control Panels
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT fits industrial control panels thanks to its 54 digital I/O pins, dual USART for Modbus RTU nodes, and -40C to +125C extended temperature grade. Its 10 MIPS deterministic interrupt response drives relay sequencing, keypad scanning, and 7-segment multiplexed displays without external glue logic. The 12-channel 10-bit ADC handles 4-20 mA loop sense resistors and potentiometer feedback, while 2 KB RAM buffers Modbus transaction frames. Brown-out reset (BOR) and watchdog timer (WDT) protect against industrial EMI-induced lockups.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Metering Systems
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT suits multi-channel metering thanks to its 12-channel 10-bit ADC, parallel slave port for direct LCD bus connection, and 40 MHz CPU that executes peak-detection and RMS-calculation loops in real time. The 32 KB Flash holds calibration tables and energy-accumulation firmware, while the 2 KB RAM buffers instantaneous sample windows. MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces to digital temperature sensors or external DACs. Sleep/idle current drops into nanoWatt territory for battery-backed metering that must survive line-power loss.
Recommended
TCP/IP-Enabled Embedded Gateways
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT acts as a serial-to-Ethernet gateway controller, where the dual USART bridges an external Wi-Fi/BLE module and a sensor bus while the MSSP serves an SPI flash for firmware/log storage. At 10 MIPS the part runs the Microchip Application Libraries TCP/IP stack with pic18-friendly RAM/Flash headroom. The 54 I/O pins drive status LEDs, pushbuttons, and a small character LCD. Watchdog and BOR protect the gateway against field-located brown-outs and firmware stalls.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Controllers
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT drives small HMIs including 4x4 keypads, 16-character LCDs, and rotary encoder inputs using its 54 I/O and parallel slave port. The PIC18's 10 MIPS throughput debounces keys, scans keypads at 10 ms cadence, and refreshes character displays without missing interrupts. Dual USART exposes a programming/debug port and a field-update port simultaneously. The 4.2V-5.5V supply directly powers 5V LCD modules, eliminating an extra boost regulator and reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Motor Control Front-End Controllers
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT serves as a motor-control front-end where its two CCP modules generate PWM gate-drive signals and the 12-channel 10-bit ADC samples phase currents and back-EMF at 30 ksps. The 40 MHz core executes field-oriented control (FOC) math within 100 us loops. Quadrature encoder inputs are decoded in hardware via CCP capture mode, freeing CPU for trajectory planning. The extended -40C to +125C range tolerates under-hood automotive or industrial cabinet temperatures.
Recommended
Sensor Hub and Data Acquisition Front-Ends
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT aggregates sensor data from SPI and I2C peripherals via MSSP, performs local filtering using its 40 MHz CPU and hardware multiplier, and uploads results over USART or USB (via external transceiver). The 32 KB Flash holds calibration coefficients and FIR filter coefficients, while 2 KB RAM implements a 256-sample circular buffer for averaging. Watchdog and BOR ensure unattended sensor nodes recover from power transients. The TQFP-64 footprint allows integration into compact DIN-rail sensor modules.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F6520T-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F6520-E/PT | PIC18F6520-I/PT | PIC18F6622-E/PT | PIC18F6722-E/PT | PIC18F8520-E/PT | PIC18F6390T-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same | TQFP-64 (PT) 10x10mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max Clock Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible in-place upgrade path to PIC18F6622 (64KB) and PIC18F6722 (128KB) (vs PIC18F6622-E/PT)
- Extended -40C to +125C operating temperature for industrial deployments (vs PIC18F6520-I/PT)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly (vs PIC18F6520-E/PT)
Design Notes
The PIC18F6520T-E/PT requires a regulated 4.2V-5.5V supply on VDD/AVDD with VSS/AVSS ground returns. Place one 100 nF X7R 0603 ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (eight pairs total) and one 10 uF X5R bulk capacitor near the TQFP-64 corner. AVDD must be tied to VDD and AVSS to VSS even when the ADC is unused, otherwise the part may exhibit shoot-through current and unpredictable behavior.
Follow MS-026 land pattern conventions for the 64-pin TQFP (PT) package: 0.5 mm pitch, 1.6 mm pad length, 0.3 mm solder-mask dam. Maintain at least 0.5 cm of continuous copper clearance around the IC body to meet IPC-7351 solder-joint reliability, and ensure the GND pour under the IC provides thermal dissipation to the four-corner VSS pins. Use a star-ground topology tying analog (AVSS) and digital (VSS) returns at a single point near the regulator.
Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure them as outputs low or inputs with internal weak pull-ups enabled to prevent shoot-through current in sleep mode (which can rise from nanoWatt to milliWatts per pin). Brown-out reset (BOR) must be enabled in the configuration bits for industrial deployments, otherwise a slow-rising supply can put the CPU into an undefined state. MCLR must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; do not tie it directly to VDD.
Route the 40 MHz crystal traces (RA6/RA7) as short, symmetric traces within 5 mm of the IC, guarded by a ground pour on both sides. Keep the analog inputs (RA0-RA5, RF0-RF6) physically separated from the digital switching traces by at least 3 mm or a guard trace tied to AVSS to minimize ADC crosstalk. The ICSP lines (RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) should be brought out to a header with 4.7 kohm pull-ups on RB6/RB7 to support in-circuit debugging without disrupting runtime operation.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free per Microchip environmental certification. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial-grade MCU; for automotive ASIL designs select PIC18F K-series Q1 variants.
