PIC18LC442-I/PT - 8-bit MCU, 16KB Flash, 34 I/O | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LC442-I/PT ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.42 | $8.42 |
| 10 | $7.58 | $75.80 |
| 100 | $6.74 | $674.00 |
| 500 | $6.03 | $3,015.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.38 | $5,380.00 |
PIC18LC442-I/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable computing integrated circuit that combines a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, UART, I/O ports) on a single silicon die. PIC18C and PIC18F microcontrollers from Microchip use a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, C-compiler-optimized instruction set, and source-code compatibility with the legacy PIC16C family. The 'LC' variant of PIC18 is specified for a lower supply-voltage range than the standard PIC18F, enabling battery-powered and 3.3 V-only designs where an LDO is preferred over a switching converter.
Key features of the PIC18LC442 include up to 10 MIPS execution throughput from a 40 MHz oscillator (or 10 MHz with the on-chip PLL), a 10-bit multi-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a single-cycle hardware 8x8 multiplier, two 8-bit and three 16-bit timers, two analog comparators, an I2C/SPI master/slave USART, and a priority-leveled interrupt controller. The 34 I/O pins drive LED indicators, keypads, sensors, and small displays in appliance- and industrial-control boards.
Architecturally, the PIC18LC442 uses Microchip's enhanced mid-range core with 16-bit-wide instructions and an 8-bit data path. Its 8-level hardware stack, indexed addressing modes, and multiply/divide hardware accelerate C-compiled code, which is unusual for 8-bit MCUs and makes it suitable for C development toolchains (MPLAB XC8). The on-chip ADC supports both analog and digital conversion, while the USART supports RS-232/RS-485 asynchronous communication plus SPI/I2C synchronous modes for sensor and EEPROM interfaces.
Typical applications include industrial-control front panels, appliance user interfaces, smart sensors, low-power handheld instruments, building automation nodes, and small motor-control boards where 5V-tolerant signal chains and ADC inputs coexist. The wide supply-voltage tolerance makes it appropriate for both 5V-regulated and battery-powered products.
When designing with the PIC18LC442, ensure the MCLR reset pin is correctly biased with the recommended pull-up resistor and that the decoupling capacitors are placed within a few millimeters of VDD/VSS pins. For new designs, evaluate the pin-compatible PIC18F442 first - it has wider supply tolerance and is typically more available than the LC variant.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, package-level alternatives, and engineering guidance not bundled with the MIFARE datasheet PDF, providing context not found on DigiKey or Mouser alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LC442-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 PIC18LC442-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package, RAM, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F442-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F452-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF442-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F458-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F46J11-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LC442-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash |
| RAM | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 34 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LC variant) |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 40 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 10 MIPS |
| Timers | Two 8-bit + three 16-bit |
| Communication | USART (RS-232/RS-485), SPI, I2C |
| Package | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Instruction Set Width | 16-bit instructions, 8-bit data |
PIC18LC442-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, internal pull-up |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 / negative voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM channel 2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM channel 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / Serial clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / Serial data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART async transmit / sync clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART async receive / sync data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 30 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 31 | RD0/PSP0 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 32 | RD1/PSP1 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 33 | RD2/PSP2 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 34 | RD3/PSP3 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 35 | RC4/SDI/SDA — (Not present on 44-pin; placeholder) |
| Pin 36 | RC5/SDO — (Not present on 44-pin; placeholder) |
| Pin 37 | RC6/TX/CK — (Not present on 44-pin; placeholder) |
| Pin 38 | RC7/RX/DT — (Not present on 44-pin; placeholder) |
| Pin 39 | RD4/PSP4 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 40 | RD5/PSP5 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 41 | RD6/PSP6 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 42 | RD7/PSP7 — Digital I/O / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 43 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC18LC442-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Front Panel, Smart Sensor Hub with ADC, Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument, Building Automation Node, Appliance User Interface Controller, Small Motor Control Board.
Industrial Control Front Panel
The PIC18LC442-I/PT is well suited to industrial control front-panel designs where its 34 digital I/O lines drive keypads, LED indicators, and 7-segment displays while the 10-bit ADC reads sensor inputs. The 10 MIPS throughput from a 40 MHz oscillator is sufficient to scan a 4x4 matrix keypad, debounce inputs, and update a multiplexed display within a single 10 ms refresh cycle. Its 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range allows direct connection to 5 V or 3.3 V power rails typical in industrial enclosures. Pair it with the MCP23017 I/O expander or the ULN2003 driver array when more lines are needed.
Recommended
Smart Sensor Hub with ADC
The PIC18LC442-I/PT's integrated 10-bit ADC with up to 8 input channels allows simultaneous sampling of analog sensors such as temperature, pressure, and light in compact sensor hubs. With 16 KB of Flash, the device can store calibration coefficients, linearization tables, and Modbus or I2C/SPI protocol stacks for sensor data transmission. The USART peripheral supports RS-485 half-duplex industrial networks, while the hardware multiplier accelerates digital filtering of sensor data. Pair with the MCP9700 thermistor or the MCP3421 18-bit delta-sigma ADC for higher precision.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Handheld Instrument
The PIC18LC442-I/PT's 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range makes it well matched to 2x AA or 3x AA battery packs without complex power-conditioning circuitry. The PIC18's nanoWatt technology offers multiple sleep modes that reduce quiescent current to microampere levels, extending battery life in data loggers and portable meters. The 10-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and sensor inputs while the USART streams logged data to a host. The 44-pin TQFP (PT) package is compact at 10x10 mm for handheld form factors. Pair with the MCP1700 LDO regulator and the MCP16252 boost converter for power management.
Recommended
Building Automation Node
The PIC18LC442-I/PT is a strong fit for building-automation end nodes controlling lighting, blinds, and HVAC valves through relay or TRIAC outputs. Its 34 I/O lines handle multiple relay channels, status indicators, and wall-switch or thermostat inputs while the USART interfaces to BACnet or Modbus networks. The 16 KB Flash accommodates full communication stacks and timing logic. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade meets indoor and sheltered-outdoor environmental requirements. Pair with the MOC3021 optocoupler and the BTA16 TRIAC for mains switching.
Recommended
Appliance User Interface Controller
The PIC18LC442-I/PT drives segmented LCD or LED displays, touch buttons, and encoder inputs in white-goods appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. Its 16 KB Flash stores user-interface state machines, error codes, and diagnostic logs while the 10-bit ADC reads motor current, water level, and temperature sensors. The 34 I/O pins handle keypads, buzzer drivers, and indicator LEDs. The TQFP-44 package supports cost-effective SMT assembly lines. Pair with the ULN2003 driver and the MCP9700 temperature sensor.
Recommended
Small Motor Control Board
The PIC18LC442-I/PT can drive small brushed DC motors, stepper motors, and brushless DC fans through PWM channels from its 16-bit timers. The 10 MIPS throughput executes PID control loops at kHz rates while the 10-bit ADC samples motor current via shunt resistors. The USART receives speed commands from a master controller and reports back telemetry. Industrial temperature grade supports motor enclosures. Pair with the DRV8871 motor driver and the ACS712 current sensor.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LC442-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F442-I/PT | PIC18F452-I/PT | PIC18LF442-I/PT | PIC18F458-I/PT | PIC18F46J11-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same | TQFP-44 (PT) 10x10 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 64 KB Flash |
| RAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 1536 bytes | 512 bytes | 1536 bytes | 3806 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| CAN Module | No | No | No | No | Yes (CAN 2.0B) | No |
| I/O Pins | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage 2.0-5.5V variant of PIC18 architecture (vs PIC18F442-I/PT)
- Same 44-pin TQFP pinout across entire migration family (vs PIC18F452-I/PT)
- Compact 10x10 mm TQFP-44 with 0.80 mm pitch (vs PIC18F46J11-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place a 100nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 11, 28, 40 on the TQFP-44) and a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU supply entry point. According to Microchip PIC18F/LF44X datasheet section 2.4, the device draws up to 16 mA at 5 V and 40 MHz, so the regulator must source at least 25 mA to handle transient ADC and I/O switching peaks.
Keep the MCLR pull-up resistor (typically 10 kOhm) within 25 mm of pin 1, and add a 100 nF cap to ground if longer trace runs are unavoidable. The ICSP programming pins PGC (pin 27) and PGD (pin 28) should be routed with short, length-matched traces and a 4.7 kOhm pull-up on MCLR during programming to ensure reliable in-circuit programming.
The PIC18LC442-I/PT is the LC low-voltage variant and is NRND - new designs should evaluate the PIC18F442-I/PT instead. Both share identical 44-pin TQFP pinout and 16 KB Flash architecture, so existing firmware compiled for the LC variant will run on the F variant with no code changes, though the LC has slightly different ADC reference voltage characteristics at low supply rails.
When using the 10-bit ADC with high-impedance analog inputs, add a 100 Ohm series resistor and 10 nF shunt cap to limit ADC sample-charge kickback. The internal acquisition time spec (TAD) requires the source impedance to be below 2.5 kOhm for full 10-bit accuracy. According to Microchip PIC18F/LF44X datasheet section 17, source impedances above 10 kOhm will degrade ADC linearity.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is a general-purpose MCU, not an automotive-qualified part.