PIC18LF1230-I/P - 8-Bit MCU 4KB Flash 40MHz 18-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF1230-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.65 | $265.00 |
| 500 | $2.3 | $1,150.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.95 | $1,950.00 |
PIC18LF1230-I/P Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor family from Microchip that combines a small instruction set with on-chip Flash, SRAM, and rich peripheral integration. Within the broader taxonomy, PIC18F sits above baseline PIC10/12/16 parts in the Microchip 8-bit hierarchy and below the 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC and 32-bit PIC32 families. PIC MCUs are widely used for deterministic real-time control where ease of development, low cost, and long-term availability outweigh raw compute performance.
Key features of the PIC18LF1230-I/P include NanoWatt technology for power management with multiple sleep modes, an enhanced Power Control PWM with up to 6 output channels and programmable dead-band control, three analog comparators with reference, a 10-bit ADC with up to 4 input channels, and a USART with LIN master/slave support. These features make it well-suited for closed-loop motor control where on-chip analog feedback, PWM generation, and serial communication reduce external component count.
The architecture combines a 16-bit instruction word with 8-bit data paths, a hardware multiplier, and a priority interrupt controller supporting both vectored and non-vectored interrupts. The enhanced PWM includes fault inputs and configurable shutdown modes that protect power stages during overcurrent events.
Typical applications include BLDC and brushed DC motor control, sensor signal conditioning with on-chip comparators, low-cost fan and pump controllers, HVAC actuator drivers, automotive LIN nodes, and battery-powered industrial sensor nodes that benefit from the LF variant's wide low-voltage operating range.
When designing with this part, ensure the LF voltage-range suffix is correctly selected for your supply rail - the F variant requires 4.2V to 5.5V, while the LF variant covers 2.0V to 5.5V. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor close to VDD and follow Microchip's in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) layout guidelines to retain field reprogrammability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, LF/F variants, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF1230-I/P — 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 PIC18LF1230-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Mounting Type, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F1230-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1330-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF1330-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF1220-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.17 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF1230-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Family | PIC18F |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 4 KB (2K x 16) |
| SRAM | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM/HEF | 128 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, I grade) |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| Package | 18-PDIP (0.300", 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz |
| ADC | 10-bit, 4 channels |
| Analog Comparators | 3 |
| PWM Channels | 6 (14-bit enhanced Power Control PWM) |
| Timers | 2 x 16-bit |
| Digital Communication | 1 x USART (LIN-capable) |
| NanoWatt Technology | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF1230-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input channel 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Digital I/O (open-drain) |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | RB0 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RB3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — Digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — Digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal/clock output |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 17 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF1230-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: Small BLDC Motor Control, LIN Automotive Sensor Nodes, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes, HVAC Actuator and Valve Drivers, White Goods and Small Appliance Control.
Small BLDC Motor Control
The PIC18LF1230-I/P is well-suited for small BLDC motor control in fans, pumps, and appliances because its 14-bit enhanced Power Control PWM module provides up to 6 output channels with programmable dead-band control, fault inputs, and automatic shutdown. According to the Microchip datasheet, the three on-chip analog comparators enable back-EMF zero-crossing detection without external op-amps, while the 10-bit ADC samples motor current and bus voltage. The 2.0-5.5V LF supply range allows direct operation from a single Li-ion cell or 3.3V regulated rail, simplifying power-stage design.
Recommended
LIN Automotive Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF1230-I/P functions as a LIN slave node in automotive body and chassis networks. Its integrated USART with LIN master/slave capability and automatic baud-rate detection eliminates external UART logic, while the LF supply range supports 12V battery-direct operation when paired with a LIN transceiver like the MCP2021. The 4KB Flash accommodates LIN 1.3/2.0 protocol stacks plus application code, and 128B EEPROM retains diagnostic data across power cycles. According to the Microchip datasheet, the 18-pin PDIP footprint is also friendly for through-hole automotive ECU prototypes.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
Industrial sensor signal conditioning benefits from the PIC18LF1230-I/P's three analog comparators with programmable reference, 10-bit ADC with 4 input channels, and NanoWatt sleep modes. According to the Microchip datasheet, comparators can wake the MCU from sleep on threshold crossings, while the ADC quantizes the conditioned sensor output for digital filtering. The 2.0-5.5V LF supply range accepts 3.3V industrial rails, and the 18-pin PDIP package simplifies field-replaceable I/O modules in process-control installations where robustness and serviceability outweigh miniaturization.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC18LF1230-I/P is well-matched to battery-powered IoT edge nodes because of its NanoWatt technology with multiple deep-sleep modes drawing microamps while retaining RAM and the ability to wake on comparator interrupts. According to the Microchip datasheet, the LF variant operates down to 2.0V, allowing direct use of two AA cells or a single Li-ion cell to end-of-life voltage. The 8 MHz internal oscillator eliminates an external crystal, reducing BOM cost. Combined with 4KB Flash, the part can host a lightweight sensor-sampling loop and a UART-based protocol like Modbus RTU.
Recommended
HVAC Actuator and Valve Drivers
HVAC actuator and valve driver applications leverage the PIC18LF1230-I/P's enhanced PWM for proportional control of damper motors, solenoid valves, and small BLDC fans. The 14-bit PWM resolution provides fine-grained position control, and the fault input can immediately shut down the actuator on overcurrent. According to the Microchip datasheet, the comparators monitor valve position feedback without external op-amps. The wide 2.0-5.5V LF supply range is compatible with 24V HVAC systems through a simple linear regulator.
Recommended
White Goods and Small Appliance Control
White goods and small appliance control boards benefit from the PIC18LF1230-I/P's high peripheral integration, which reduces BOM cost in cost-sensitive consumer products. The enhanced PWM drives induction cooker elements, washing-machine pumps, or cooker hood fans; the USART interfaces to user-display or BLE modules; and the 16 I/O pins handle keypad, LEDs, and buzzer. According to the Microchip datasheet, NanoWatt technology supports Energy Star standby targets. The 18-pin PDIP variant is ideal for through-hole assembly used in many appliance mainboards.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF1230-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F1230-I/P | PIC18F1330-I/P | PIC18LF1330-I/P | PIC18LF1220-I/P | PIC18F1220-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 18-PDIP | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same | 18-PDIP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V |
| Flash Memory | 4 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB |
| SRAM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| CPU Speed (MIPS) | 10 MIPS | 10 MIPS | 10 MIPS | 10 MIPS | 10 MIPS | 10 MIPS |
| Enhanced PWM | 14-bit, 6-ch | 14-bit, 6-ch | 14-bit, 6-ch | 14-bit, 6-ch | No (10-bit CCP) | No (10-bit CCP) |
| Analog Comparators | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Key Differentiators
- Wide 2.0-5.5V LF supply range (vs PIC18F1230-I/P)
- On-chip 14-bit enhanced Power Control PWM with fault input (vs PIC18F1220-I/P)
- Three analog comparators for sensor feedback (vs PIC18LF1220-I/P)
Design Notes
Add a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 14), with a trace length under 5 mm. According to the Microchip datasheet, a bulk 10 uF capacitor on the main supply rail is recommended for systems driving PWM outputs with high di/dt loads. For noise-sensitive analog applications (ADC and comparators), a separate analog supply filtered with a ferrite bead improves measurement stability.
Route the ICSP lines (RB4/ICSPCLK pin 12, RB5/ICSPDAT pin 13) so that they are accessible at the board edge for in-circuit programming. According to the Microchip programming specification, the ICSP connector should include MCLR, VDD, VSS, ICSPCLK, and ICSPDAT. A 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR is required. Keep the ICSP traces short to avoid programming errors at 40 MHz.
Do not confuse the LF and F variants in production - PIC18LF1230 supports 2.0-5.5V while PIC18F1230 requires 4.2-5.5V. Operating an F variant below 4.2V causes erratic Flash programming and brown-out resets. Additionally, the enhanced PWM module is mapped to specific pins; consult the pin allocation table in the datasheet before remapping, otherwise the fault input or dead-band generator may be assigned to the wrong pin.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade (I suffix). Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive designs choose AEC-Q100 qualified PIC18F variants.
