PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO - 8-Bit XLP MCU, 16KB Flash, 64MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.95 | $2.95 |
| 10 | $2.66 | $26.60 |
| 100 | $2.36 | $236.00 |
| 500 | $2.12 | $1,060.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.89 | $1,890.00 |
PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), working memory (SRAM), non-volatile data memory (EEPROM), and a rich set of peripherals including timers, ADC, communication interfaces, and I/O. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU belongs to the embedded processing > microcontroller > 8-bit MCU hierarchy and is the central computing element in virtually every battery-powered or fixed-function electronic device. The 'LF' (Low-power / Low-voltage F) series specifically targets energy-constrained and portable designs where extended battery life is essential.
Key differentiating features of the PIC18LF24K42 include Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO), and Zero-Cross Detect (ZCD). These hardware blocks execute functions without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application code and reducing active-mode current. A 12-bit differential ADC with computation, a 10-bit DAC, and a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller further reduce software overhead and enable deterministic peripheral behavior for real-time control loops.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered medical monitors, automotive body and interior modules, consumer appliances with capacitive touch sensing, and industrial sensor transmitters. The combination of XLP nanoWatt XLP technology, fast wake-up from sleep, and high-resolution analog peripherals also makes it well-suited for remote controls, wearables, and energy-harvesting systems where standby current in the order of hundreds of nA is critical.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF24K42T-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 PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Voltage Range, Timers, Core Architecture.
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PIC18F24K42T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K42-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K40T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K22-I/SO
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$1.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24J10T-I/SO
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$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Series | PIC® XLP™ 18K (PIC18F K42 Family) |
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| CPU Bit Width | 8-bit |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16 words) |
| Data SRAM | 1 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF series) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| ADC | 12-bit differential with computation |
| DAC | 10-bit |
| DMA Channels | Yes (peripheral-to-memory, no CPU) |
| Core Independent Peripherals | CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD, SCCP |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm / 300 mil wide-body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging Form | Tape and Reel ('T' suffix) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL (Moisture Sensitivity Level) | 3 |
PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active-low |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 / analog input |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 / analog input |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 / analog input |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 / analog input |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 / TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 / RX |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICS PGC |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICS PGD |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Automotive Body and Interior Module, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA / WirelessHART), Consumer Appliance with Brushless DC Motor, Wearable Health Monitor.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt XLP sleep currents in the order of hundreds of nA, 1.8 V minimum VDD, and Core Independent Peripherals that let the MCU stay in deep sleep while CIPs (CLC, NCO, CWG) sample sensors autonomously. The 12-bit differential ADC with computation handles bridge and thermocouple-grade sensor channels, while the on-chip DMA moves ADC samples to RAM without waking the core - keeping active-mode duty cycle well below 1%. With 16 KB Flash and 1 KB SRAM it can host a small LoRaWAN, BLE-SoC UART-bridge, or sub-GHz protocol stack plus application logic, all from a single Li-ion or 2x AA cell that spans 1.8 V to 3.6 V across its discharge curve.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO drives robust capacitive-touch UI panels through its mTouch peripheral block and Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU). The 12-bit ADC with computation digitizes capacitive channels directly, while Core Independent Peripherals (CLC) implement noise-tolerant filtering without CPU load, eliminating software polling jitter. The 64 MHz core keeps touch-scan response under 10 ms even with 25 I/O pins serving both touch electrodes and LED/PWM backlight drivers. Designers can implement 8-16 button panels or a small slider/wheel, with the LF voltage range supporting USB-C PD or single-cell Li-ion powered appliances seamlessly.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Interior Module
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO suits automotive body and interior modules - seat controllers, mirror adjusters, ambient lighting, HVAC flaps, and similar 12 V node electronics - when paired with a voltage regulator. Its -40 °C to +85 °C industrial range covers cabin environments, while the 64 MHz core and DMA enable responsive LIN/SBC communication alongside PWM-driven loads. The 12-bit ADC and CWG peripherals simplify closed-loop current sensing for LED drivers and motor control, while 256 bytes of EEPROM store trim and calibration data across the vehicle's life. Note that for under-hood AEC-Q100 applications, the PIC18F24K42 E/SSO AEC-Q100 grade should be selected instead.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA / WirelessHART)
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO is well matched to 4-20 mA loop-powered or wireless industrial sensor transmitters. Its 1.8 V minimum VDD lets it operate from a low-drop linear regulator fed by the 24 V loop, while the 12-bit differential ADC with computation delivers ratiometric measurements directly from bridge, RTD, or thermocouple front-ends. Core Independent Peripherals (CLC + SCCP) handle HART or IO-Link protocol bit timing in hardware without CPU intervention, freeing the core for sensor linearization and diagnostics. With 1 KB SRAM and 16 KB Flash, the device can host MODBUS, IO-Link, or proprietary protocols in a compact SOIC-28 footprint.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance with Brushless DC Motor
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO can drive small brushless DC (BLDC) or brushed DC motors in consumer appliances - fans, pumps, mixers, personal-care devices - thanks to its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and 10-bit DAC for analog-friendly motor control. The DMA controller moves ADC samples for back-EMF zero-cross detection without CPU load, enabling sensorless trapezoidal commutation. The 64 MHz core can run a small FOC (field-oriented control) loop for low-power BLDCs while the peripheral PWM channels drive the three-phase inverter directly, keeping BOM small and PCB compact in SOIC-28.
Recommended
Wearable Health Monitor
The PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO fits wearable health-monitor designs - heart-rate, SpO2, sleep trackers, fitness bands - because of its sub-microamp sleep modes and 1.8 V low-voltage operation from a small Li-ion or Li-polymer cell. The 12-bit ADC with computation plus DMA can sample optical PPG photodiode signals at low duty cycle, while CLC-based state machines implement heart-beat detection without waking the core. With 16 KB Flash it can host a small BLE SoC UART-bridge firmware plus on-device step-counting, and the 256-byte EEPROM retains user calibration across battery swaps.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF24K42T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K42T-I/SO | PIC18LF24K42-I/SO | PIC18LF24K40T-I/SO | PIC18LF24K22-I/SO | PIC18LF24J10T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 (7.50 mm wide-body) | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) | 8 KB (-50%) |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 768 B (-25%) | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 40 MHz (-37%) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (no LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (+11% min VDD) |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit differential | 12-bit differential | 12-bit differential | 12-bit differential | 10-bit (-2 bits) | 10-bit (-2 bits) |
| DMA Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Core Independent Peripherals (CLC/CWG/NCO/ZCD) | Yes (full set) | Yes (full set) | Yes (full set) | Yes (subset) | No | No |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 21 (-16%) |
Key Differentiators
- Lower minimum VDD than the standard F variant (vs PIC18F24K42T-I/SO)
- Full Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG, NCO, ZCD) (vs PIC18LF24K22-I/SO)
- On-chip DMA + 12-bit differential ADC (vs PIC18LF24J10T-I/SO)
Design Notes
Estimated: VDD decoupling requires a 100 nF ceramic as close as possible to pins 10/19 (VSS) and 28 (VDD), plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF ceramic or tantalum for transient handling. The LF variant's 1.8 V minimum VDD mandates a low-dropout regulator or direct Li-ion cell connection; do not exceed 3.6 V (per datasheet) to avoid permanent damage. The MCLR pin (pin 1) requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to ground if hardware-reset functionality is used; tie directly to VDD if unused.
Route the ICS PGC (RB6, pin 26) and ICS PGD (RB7, pin 27) signals as short traces directly to the in-circuit serial programming header. Avoid routing high-frequency switching signals across these lines to prevent programming/debugger noise coupling. Place the 32.768 kHz or high-frequency crystal (if used, on RA6/RA7) close to the IC with grounded guard traces. The DMA-driven ADC paths benefit from keeping analog traces short and isolated from PWM/digital outputs on the same port.
Do not assume 64 MHz operation is possible across the full 1.8 V to 3.6 V range: 32 MHz is guaranteed at 2.5 V and above, and 16 MHz at 1.8 V. Configuring PLL or OSCCON for 64 MHz at 1.8 V may cause Flash read errors and silent peripheral misbehavior. Also, when migrating firmware from the older K22 or J10 families, note that the K42 adds DMA and Core Independent Peripherals - register maps differ from older families, so MCC-generated configuration code or the proper K42 device pack must be selected in MPLAB X IDE.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; standard industrial-grade part (-I suffix), not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive AEC-Q100 applications use the PIC18F24K42 E/SSO AEC-Q100 grade instead.
