PIC18F8490-I/PT - 8-Bit 40MHz 16KB Flash LCD MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F8490-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.95 | $8.95 |
| 10 | $7.95 | $79.50 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $6.1 | $3,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.55 | $5,550.00 |
PIC18F8490-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU, program memory, data memory, and peripheral interfaces such as timers, communication controllers, and analog blocks. The PIC18 family falls into Microchip's 8-bit enhanced Harvard category — the hypernym chain is: 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. Compared with traditional 8051 or 68HC05 architectures, PIC18 devices add a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and C-friendly memory model while remaining positionally compatible with the long-running PIC16 instruction set.
The PIC18F8490's headline parameters are: 16 KB (8K x 16) self-programmable Flash, 768 bytes of RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, an integrated LCD driver capable of driving segmented displays with up to 192 segments, and nanoWatt Technology dynamic power management. The internal oscillator, on-chip voltage reference, and dual analog comparators further reduce external component count, while two USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and PSP interfaces cover typical embedded communication needs.
The architecture is a modified Harvard design with a 16-bit program bus and 8-bit data bus. The 75 instruction set includes a hardware 8x8 multiplier and bit-manipulation primitives, allowing efficient C and assembly coding for low-power UI, motor drive, and metering firmware. Power-down current is below 100 nA typical in Sleep mode, extending battery life in metering products.
Typical applications include handheld utility meters (water, gas, electric), thermostats, home security panels, and consumer appliance controllers. Designers choose the PIC18F8490 when the application needs segmented LCD support, modest Flash (16 KB), abundant I/O (66 pins), and a long-standing supply chain from Microchip. The 80-pin TQFP exposes enough I/O for parallel buses and keypad scanning without resorting to external I/O expanders.
When designing with this device, plan for 5 V supply tolerance (the part is rated 4.2 V to 5.5 V) and route the AVCC/AGND pairs carefully for ADC accuracy. The integrated LCD charge pump allows direct LCD operation from a single 3 V or 5 V rail, but external bias resistors must be sized to the chosen display panel per the device datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing data, drop-in TQFP-80 alternatives, and PCB layout/design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet content.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F8490-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 PIC18F8490-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature, ADC, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF8490-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F8490-E/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F8410-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6722-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F8490-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit (PIC18 enhanced Harvard) |
| Instruction Set Architecture | RISC, 16-bit instructions, 75 instructions |
| Program Memory | 16 KB (8K x 16) Flash |
| Data RAM | 768 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle, 16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 66 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| LCD Driver | Integrated, supports up to 192 segments |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), PSP |
| Timers | Multiple 8-bit and 16-bit timers |
| Comparators | 2 analog comparators |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt Technology (Sleep, Idle, etc.) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, 'I' grade) |
| Package | 80-pin TQFP (PT), 12x12 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 |
PIC18F8490-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | SEG0 — LCD segment 0 |
| Pin 2 | SEG1 — LCD segment 1 |
| Pin 3 | SEG2 — LCD segment 2 |
| Pin 4 | SEG3 — LCD segment 3 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 10 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 11 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 12 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 13 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 14 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 15 | RA5/AN4 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 |
| Pin 16 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 17 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 19 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 20 | RB2/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/INT3 — PORTB bit 3 / external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 22 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 23 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 26 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC1/T1OSI — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 28 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 29 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 |
| Pin 30 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 31 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 32 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — PORTC bit 6 / USART1 TX/CK |
| Pin 33 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — PORTC bit 7 / USART1 RX/DT |
| Pin 34 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 35 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 36 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 37 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 38 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 39 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 40 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 41 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel Slave Port bit 7 |
| Pin 42 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 43 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 44 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel Slave Port read |
| Pin 45 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel Slave Port write |
| Pin 46 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel Slave Port chip select |
| Pin 47 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 48 | RE4 — PORTE bit 4 |
| Pin 49 | RE5 — PORTE bit 5 |
| Pin 50 | RE6 — PORTE bit 6 |
| Pin 51 | RE7 — PORTE bit 7 |
| Pin 52 | COM0 — LCD common 0 |
| Pin 53 | COM1 — LCD common 1 |
| Pin 54 | COM2 — LCD common 2 |
| Pin 55 | COM3 — LCD common 3 |
| Pin 56 | RF0 — PORTF bit 0 |
| Pin 57 | RF1 — PORTF bit 1 |
| Pin 58 | RF2 — PORTF bit 2 |
| Pin 59 | RF3 — PORTF bit 3 |
| Pin 60 | RF4 — PORTF bit 4 |
| Pin 61 | RF5 — PORTF bit 5 |
| Pin 62 | RF6 — PORTF bit 6 |
| Pin 63 | RF7 — PORTF bit 7 |
| Pin 64 | RG0 — PORTG bit 0 |
| Pin 65 | RG1 — PORTG bit 1 |
| Pin 66 | RG2 — PORTG bit 2 |
| Pin 67 | RG3 — PORTG bit 3 |
| Pin 68 | RG4 — PORTG bit 4 |
| Pin 69 | VLCD1 — LCD bias voltage 1 |
| Pin 70 | VLCD2 — LCD bias voltage 2 |
| Pin 71 | VLCD3 — LCD bias voltage 3 |
| Pin 72 | SEG4 — LCD segment 4 |
| Pin 73 | SEG5 — LCD segment 5 |
| Pin 74 | SEG6 — LCD segment 6 |
| Pin 75 | SEG7 — LCD segment 7 |
| Pin 76 | SEG8 — LCD segment 8 |
| Pin 77 | SEG9 — LCD segment 9 |
| Pin 78 | SEG10 — LCD segment 10 |
| Pin 79 | SEG11 — LCD segment 11 |
| Pin 80 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC18F8490-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Handheld Utility Meter (Water/Gas/Electric), Programmable Thermostat, Home Security Control Panel, Consumer Appliance User Interface Board, Battery-Powered Medical Monitoring Device, Industrial Control Panel HMI.
Handheld Utility Meter (Water/Gas/Electric)
The PIC18F8490-I/PT is purpose-built for handheld utility meters because of its integrated LCD driver (up to 192 segments, charge-pump-based, single-rail operation), 16 KB Flash for metering firmware, and 768 B RAM for instantaneous flow/energy accumulation. With a 66-pin I/O count, the MCU can drive the segmented display directly while still scanning keypad, optical port, and pulse-output channels concurrently. Compared with an external-LCD-controller design, the on-chip driver cuts BOM cost, PCB area, and software complexity. NanoWatt Technology keeps Sleep current under 100 nA typical, which is critical for sealed battery-powered meters rated for 10+ year operating life.
Recommended
Programmable Thermostat
The PIC18F8490-I/PT fits residential thermostat designs thanks to its integrated LCD driver (segment displays showing temperature/setpoint), 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels for thermistor/Humidity sensing, and nanoWatt power management that keeps standby current near 100 nA. The 80-pin TQFP provides ample GPIO for relay drivers, UART for Wi-Fi/BLE modules, and I2C for sensors. Its 4.2-5.5 V supply range accepts a 5 V wall adapter or battery stack. Compared to MCUs requiring external LCD controllers, the integrated driver reduces BOM and simplifies PCB layout under the LCD glass.
Recommended
Home Security Control Panel
The PIC18F8490-I/PT is well matched to home security panels: its 66 I/O pins accept many wired zones, the 10-bit ADC reads backup-battery voltage and PIR sensors, and the LCD driver directly drives the alphanumeric status display. The dual USART lets the panel talk to a GSM/PSTN modem and a keypad simultaneously, while MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces to EEPROM datalogging chips. NanoWatt modes keep the panel on battery for days during AC outages. Compared with non-LCD MCUs, removing an external LCD controller reduces BOM cost and improves tamper resistance.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface Board
The PIC18F8490-I/PT drives white-goods UI boards (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) where a 7-segment or dot-matrix LCD is the primary HMI. Its on-chip LCD charge pump allows direct drive from a single 5 V or 3 V rail, removing external boost capacitors and saving PCB space. The 40 MHz core with 16 MIPS throughput handles the user-interface state machine, motor-control timing, and safety interlocks without RTOS overhead. With 16 KB Flash it stores icon libraries and multilingual strings. Compared with discrete LCD-driver solutions, the integrated approach shrinks board area and improves EMI performance.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Medical Monitoring Device
The PIC18F8490-I/PT suits compact battery-powered medical monitors (pulse oximeters, handheld glucose meters) where its integrated LCD driver powers the segmented readout, 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor signals, and nanoWatt Technology keeps Sleep current under 100 nA to extend battery life. The 80-pin TQFP is small enough for a handheld enclosure yet offers abundant GPIO for sensor multiplexing, button input, and Bluetooth/UART communication. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) handles typical home-care use. Compared with displayless MCUs, the on-chip LCD eliminates external controller ICs and reduces total BOM cost.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel HMI
The PIC18F8490-I/PT powers industrial HMI panels that drive segmented LCD readouts of process variables. Its 66 I/O pins connect to panel-mount buttons, encoder knobs, status LEDs, and RS-485 transceivers. The two USARTs allow simultaneous communication with a PLC and a local configuration terminal. The integrated LCD driver with charge pump supports 192 segments at 5 V, eliminating external bias circuitry. Industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C) and Microchip's long-term supply commitments make it suitable for factory-automation panels with 10+ year service life.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F8490-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF8490-I/PT | PIC18F8490-E/PT | PIC18F8410-I/PT | PIC18F6722-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-80 (PT) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 128 KB |
| Data RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 3936 bytes |
| LCD Driver | Yes, up to 192 segments | Yes, up to 192 segments | Yes, up to 192 segments | No | No |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 40 MHz (16 MIPS) | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Pin Count | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated LCD driver supports up to 192 segments (vs PIC18F8410-I/PT)
- 5 V operation at full 40 MHz (vs PIC18LF8490-I/PT)
- Optimized for battery-powered metering with nanoWatt modes (vs PIC18F6722-I/PT)
Design Notes
Power the PIC18F8490-I/PT from a regulated 5 V rail within 4.2 V to 5.5 V. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling on each VDD/VSS pin pair as close to the package as possible. Use a ferrite bead between digital and analog VDD rails (AVDD), and decouple AVDD with its own 100 nF + 10 uF bulk capacitor. For battery operation below 4.2 V, switch to the PIC18LF8490-I/PT variant rated 2.0 V to 5.5 V.
Route the LCD segment traces (SEG0-SEG31, COM0-COM3) in a separate, shielded zone away from switching power converters and high-frequency digital lines. Use guard traces around analog inputs AN0-AN11 to reduce crosstalk. The 80-pin TQFP (PT) package at 12x12 mm has 0.5 mm pitch; use 0.2 mm trace/space and micro-via fanout. Place the crystal within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 and shield with a ground guard ring.
Do not apply voltages outside the 4.2 V to 5.5 V range or the part will operate outside spec. The MCLR pin must have a pull-up resistor; floating MCLR causes intermittent resets. Configure unused I/O pins as outputs low to minimize current consumption. For LCD designs, set VLCD bias voltages via external resistor ladder per the datasheet, or the LCD waveform will not meet contrast specs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial grade operating temperature -40C to +85C. Not AEC-Q100 qualified.
