PIC18LF2423-I/SO - 8-Bit 40MHz 16KB Flash MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF2423-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.52 | $4.52 |
| 10 | $4.18 | $41.80 |
| 100 | $3.62 | $362.00 |
| 500 | $3.21 | $1,605.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.89 | $2,890.00 |
PIC18LF2423-I/SO Overview
What is a Microcontroller (MCU)? A microcontroller is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), non-volatile storage (EEPROM), and a range of peripheral interfaces such as ADC, timers, UART, SPI, and I/O ports. MCUs belong to the broader category of embedded processors and are foundational building blocks of modern electronic systems. Within Microchip's PIC18F family, the PIC18LF2423 is the LF (low-voltage/low-power) variant, distinguished from the standard PIC18F2423 by its lower core voltage range.
Key features of the PIC18LF2423-I/SO include a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with up to 12 channels, nanoWatt power management for reduced sleep current, and enhanced Flash memory with self-programming capability. The architecture supports both internal and external oscillator modes, and the device integrates multiple communication peripherals such as EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and enhanced CCP modules. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) ensures operation in harsh environments.
Technical depth: The PIC18LF2423 uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling simultaneous instruction fetch and operand access. The enhanced Flash supports 100,000 erase/write cycles typical, and the 16-bit instruction word with 8-bit data path delivers roughly 10 MIPS performance at 40 MHz. nanoWalt technology offers multiple Idle and Sleep modes with on-the-fly oscillator switching, allowing power budgets in the microamp range when the CPU is halted.
Typical applications include industrial control systems, low-power sensor interfaces, battery-operated instruments, automotive body electronics (non-safety), consumer appliances, and USB/HID peripherals when paired with an external transceiver. The wide voltage range also makes the part attractive for 3.3V and 5V mixed-logic designs without level shifters.
Design considerations: For reliable Flash writes, ensure VDD stays within the regulated 2.0V-5.5V window; below this threshold, in-circuit programming may fail. The 28-SOIC package has limited thermal dissipation, so at 40 MHz with peripheral-heavy workloads a small copper pour is recommended for production boards.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives from Microchip's PIC18F family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single source for selection decisions on the PIC18LF2423-I/SO.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF2423-I/SO — 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 PIC18LF2423-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F2423-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF2420-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.71 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF23K22-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.51 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2523-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2423-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18F, 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 768 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO-28, 0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial, -40C to +85C |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2, Timer3 |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt technology (Idle, Sleep) |
| Self-Programming | Yes (Flash program memory) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
PIC18LF2423-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Digital I/O / oscillator pin |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O / oscillator pin |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0V-5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/INT2 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF2423-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Module, Battery-Operated Handheld Instrument, Home Appliance Control Board, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety), USB HID / Human Interface Device, Educational / Maker Development Platform.
Industrial Sensor Interface Module
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO is well matched to industrial sensor interfaces because of its 12-bit ADC with up to 12 channels, 2.0V-5.5V supply tolerance and -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade. The 16 KB Flash accommodates calibration tables and linearization routines for thermocouples, RTDs and 4-20 mA loops. Engineers place the MCU between the sensor front-end (e.g. op-amp gain stage) and an RS-485 link, sampling at up to 100 ksps and applying digital filtering. Unlike a discrete ADC + logic design, the integrated MCU eliminates a chip and reduces BOM cost. Trade-off: the 28-SOIC has limited thermal headroom; for high-CPU-duty loads, route a small copper pour to VDD/GND pins to keep junction temperature below the 85C ambient limit.
Recommended
Battery-Operated Handheld Instrument
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO fits battery-operated handhelimeters via nanoWalt technology that drops sleep current below typical MCU runaways. The 2.0V-5.5V supply window allows two-AA alkaline or single-cell Li-ion with a low-dropout regulator, and 16 KB Flash supports firmware for keypad scanning, LCD driving, and measurement algorithms. The 25 I/O pins can directly drive a multiplexed character LCD plus keypad matrix. Compared with newer XLP families, the LF2423's sleep current is higher, so for sub-1 uA budgets consider PIC18LF23K22-I/SO instead. Trade-off: at 40 MHz the part draws roughly 11 mA active, so duty-cycling the CPU is critical for multi-month battery life.
Recommended
Home Appliance Control Board
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO is commonly deployed in home appliance control boards (washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens) because its 12-bit ADC accurately reads temperature and motor current, and its 16 KB Flash holds menu/cycle state machines. The integrated EUSART and MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripherals connect to indicator panels and motor-driver ICs without external glue logic. The 2.0V-5.5V supply lets the MCU share a 5V or 3.3V rail with the keypad scanner. Trade-off: appliance boards often need AEC-Q100 equivalents for safety-critical zones, so the LF2423 is appropriate for non-safety zones while a Q-graded MCU handles the safety MCU role.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO is a fit for automotive body electronics such as interior lighting, seat controllers, mirror adjusters and HVAC flaps where AEC-Q100 is not required. The wide 2.0V-5.5V supply tolerates cranking transients when paired with a TVS diode and bulk capacitor. The 25 I/O pins drive LED drivers and read switch matrices directly. For safety-critical ECUs (airbag, ABS, steering), choose an AEC-Q100 qualified MCU instead. Trade-off: automotive temperature requires the -40C to +125C E-spec variant, so verify part number suffix (LF2423T-I/SO vs E-temp grade).
Recommended
USB HID / Human Interface Device
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO can implement a USB HID device when paired with an external USB transceiver such as the MCP2200 or through software bit-banging on I/O pins. The 16 KB Flash stores HID report descriptors and application logic, while the 768 B RAM buffers HID reports before transmission. Compared with native-USB PIC MCUs, the LF2423 needs more firmware work for USB signalling, but the LF supply is ideal for low-power accessories. Trade-off: at 40 MHz CPU the bit-banged USB timing is achievable; below 24 MHz, USB low-speed polling becomes unreliable.
Recommended
Educational / Maker Development Platform
The PIC18LF2423-I/SO is a common teaching MCU because of its mature MPLAB X toolchain, generous 16 KB Flash and forgiving 28-SOIC footprint (easy to hand-solder). The PIC18F instruction set is widely documented in textbooks and Microchip application notes. The LF supply allows USB-powered debug boards to power the MCU directly from a 3.3V LDO. Trade-off: for ultra-low-power or capacitive-touch demos, the newer PIC18LF23K22-I/SO offers more modern peripherals at similar cost.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF2423-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F2423-I/SO | PIC18LF2420-I/SO | PIC18LF23K22-I/SO | PIC18LF2523-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch) | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 inch) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) | 32 KB (+100%) |
| Data RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 512 bytes (-33%) | 1536 bytes (+100%) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (no LF support) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (LF, wider) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit | 12-bit | 10-bit (-2 bits) | 12-bit | 12-bit |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 64 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| AEC-Q100 Qualified | No | No | No | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC vs 10-bit on PIC18LF2420 (vs PIC18LF2420-I/SO)
- Wider LF supply range vs F variant (vs PIC18F2423-I/SO)
- Mature peripheral set vs newer XLP (vs PIC18LF23K22-I/SO)
Design Notes
For reliable Flash self-programming on the PIC18LF2423-I/SO, VDD must stay within the regulated 2.0V-5.5V window during the write cycle. Brown-out below 2.0V risks partial writes that brick the program memory. Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to the VDD pin (20) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the supply rail. For battery-powered designs, ensure the LDO stays in regulation at end-of-life battery voltage before any Flash update operation.
Place the 28-SOIC decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the VDD/VSS pins (20/19) and run short, wide traces to minimize inductance. The ICSP pins RB6/PGC (27) and RB7/PGD (28) should be brought to test pads for in-circuit programming. Because the 28-SOIC has limited thermal mass, route a small copper pour on VDD and VSS to dissipate the ~11 mA active current without significant junction temperature rise.
Do not assume the LF2423 is a drop-in for PIC18F2423 at 3.3V: the standard F variant is rated 4.2V-5.5V and will not operate reliably below 4.2V. When migrating code between LF and F variants, check the configuration bits for the internal oscillator and brown-out voltage thresholds. Also note that ADC reference selection (RA3=VREF+/RA2=VREF-) requires the reference pins to be configured as analog inputs before ADC sampling to avoid digital noise coupling.
When using the PIC18LF2423-I/SO ADC for precision measurements, the VREF+ and VREF- pins (RA3/RA2) should be bypassed with 100 nF ceramic capacitors placed close to the package. Avoid routing digital switching signals (e.g. RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD, oscillator pins) directly under or adjacent to analog traces - cross-coupling can inject noise into ADC samples. Use the lowest ADC clock divider that still meets the conversion rate requirement to maximize input impedance.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed via Microchip product page; halogen-free status not explicitly listed in the verified web data; AEC-Q100 not qualified - choose PIC18F25K80 for AEC-Q100 alternatives.
