PIC18LF25K42-I/SO - 32KB Flash 8-bit XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF25K42-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.62 | $26.20 |
| 100 | $2.18 | $218.00 |
| 500 | $1.85 | $925.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC18LF25K42-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals on a single die. The PIC18 family is Microchip's mainstream 8-bit RISC architecture, sitting below the PIC24/dsPIC and above the PIC16 in the 8-bit hierarchy. Within Microchip's product taxonomy, PIC18 -> PIC18FxxK42 -> PIC18LF25K42 belongs to the eXtreme Low Power (XLP) family, which targets battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications where nanoWatt sleep currents are critical. The K42 generation also adds a 12-bit ADC with Computation (ADC2) and Direct Memory Access (DMA), capabilities typically reserved for higher-tier MCUs.
Key differentiating features include 12-bit ADC2 with Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) support for touch sensing, an integrated 5-bit DAC, three op-amps, two comparators, DMA controller, vectored interrupt controller with fixed latency, MAP (Memory Address Partitioning), and DIA (Device Information Area) for unique ID and calibration data. The device also integrates Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as Configurable Logic Cells (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), and Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) that offload tasks from the CPU.
The LF silicon uses an enhanced Harvard architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, achieving 16 MIPS at 64MHz. The wide array of peripherals and tiny standby currents (as low as nanoamps in deep sleep with RTC running) make this part suitable for IoT sensor nodes, touch user interfaces, and portable medical devices where both analog accuracy and battery life matter.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, consumer appliances with touch interfaces, battery-powered medical monitors, automotive body electronics (sensor interfacing), home automation controllers, and low-power wireless sensor hubs. The combination of a 12-bit ADC2 and CIPs enables sophisticated signal conditioning without an external analog front-end.
When designing with the PIC18LF25K42-I/SO, observe the LF (low-voltage) silicon's maximum VDD of 3.6V. The 'I' suffix denotes the industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C. Designers familiar with the PIC18F25K42-I/SO can use the LF variant interchangeably when operating from a 3.3V (or below) rail; the LF parts draw lower sleep current but require the regulated supply.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specifications, distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF25K42-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 PIC18LF25K42-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F25K42-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K42-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K40-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K42-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K42-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.76 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K42-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC (enhanced Harvard) |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit instructions, 8-bit data path |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation (CVD touch support) |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Op-Amps | 3 |
| DMA Controller | Yes |
| Vectored Interrupts | Yes (fixed latency) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (0.295 inch / 7.50 mm width) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial, I suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Family | PIC18FxxK42 / PIC18LFxxK42 XLP |
PIC18LF25K42-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / RE3 I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input AN2 / DAC output |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog input AN3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1 — PORTA bit 7 / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2 — PORTA bit 6 / crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 / SCL1 (I2C) |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / SDA1 (I2C) |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 / UART TX |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 / UART RX |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input AN12 |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input AN10 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input AN8 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input AN9 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming/debug) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF25K42-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Portable Medical Monitoring Device, Home Automation and Smart Appliance Controller, Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Interface, Industrial Process Sensor Hub, LED Lighting and Signage Controller.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt XLP deep sleep current and 1.8V to 3.6V supply range. Its 12-bit ADC2 with CVD, 3 integrated op-amps, and 5-bit DAC support direct interface to analog sensor front-ends (temperature, pressure, gas) without external signal conditioning. The DMA controller moves ADC samples into RAM while the CPU stays asleep, extending battery life on 2xAA or CR2032 cells. The 32 KB Flash and 2 KB SRAM comfortably hold a LoRaWAN/MQTT-SN stack plus application code.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO excels in capacitive touch UI applications because its 12-bit ADC2 supports Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) techniques with hardware averaging and threshold detection. According to Microchip's mTouch documentation, the CVD engine delivers robust touch performance even in wet or noisy environments. The integrated Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, CWG) can drive LEDs or haptics in response to touch events without CPU wake-up. With 32 KB Flash, designers can implement multi-touch sliders, buttons, and proximity wake-up within a single chip.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Device
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO fits portable medical devices such as pulse oximeters, glucose meters, and temperature patches where low power and analog accuracy are both required. Its 12-bit ADC2 with hardware oversampling captures photodiode or thermistor signals with minimal noise, while the 3 op-amps implement transimpedance amplifiers for optical sensors. The vectored interrupt controller with fixed latency ensures deterministic response times for safety-critical measurements. XLP sleep currents extend battery life to weeks or months for continuous-wear devices.
Recommended
Home Automation and Smart Appliance Controller
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO is well-suited to home automation controllers and smart appliance front panels due to its mix of analog peripherals, communication interfaces, and robust peripheral set. The K42 core provides UART, SPI, I2C (with SMBus support) for connectivity to Wi-Fi/BLE modules, sensors, and displays. The CWG and PWM peripherals can directly drive LED indicators, motor bridges, or TRIAC control for AC loads. The 28-pin SOIC package is well-priced for high-volume consumer appliances and supports hand-prototyping as well as SMT reflow.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics Sensor Interface
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO is appropriate for automotive body electronics sensor interface modules (interior lighting, seat-position sensors, climate controls) when paired with the E variant for -40C to +125C operation. Its 12-bit ADC2 and integrated op-amps provide direct interface to resistive and analog sensors used throughout vehicle body electronics. The CAN-ready peripheral set (ECAN module) simplifies integration with vehicle networks, while the LF silicon's low sleep current is valuable for always-on body modules that must remain responsive without draining the battery.
Recommended
Industrial Process Sensor Hub
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO serves as an industrial process sensor hub where multiple analog and digital sensors are aggregated and reported over a serial fieldbus. Its 12-bit ADC2 with DMA can sample multiple channels continuously without CPU overhead, while the 32 KB Flash supports MODBUS, IO-Link, or proprietary protocol stacks. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range suits factory floor environments, and the SOIC package is field-repairable. The hardware CLC and PWM peripherals can drive local indicators or actuators directly.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Signage Controller
The PIC18LF25K42-I/SO functions as a smart LED controller for architectural lighting, signage, or DMX-style fixtures. Its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) and PWM peripherals can drive MOSFET bridges for high-current LED strings with precise dimming and dead-time control. The DMA controller offloads repetitive LED pattern updates from the CPU, freeing cycles for communication stacks such as DMX512 or DALI. The 5-bit DAC and op-amps support closed-loop current sensing for accurate brightness control.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF25K42-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F25K42-I/SO | PIC18LF25K42-I/SP | PIC18LF25K40-I/SO | PIC18F24K42-I/SO | PIC18LF25K42-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm) | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 28-pin SPDIP (through-hole) | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm) - same | 28-pin SOIC (7.50 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz | PIC18 8-bit 64 MHz |
| Flash / RAM / EEPROM | 32 KB / 2 KB / 256 B | 32 KB / 2 KB / 256 B | 32 KB / 2 KB / 256 B | 16 KB / 2 KB / 256 B | 16 KB / 2 KB / 256 B | 32 KB / 2 KB / 256 B |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +125C (Extended) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) | 12-bit ADC2 (CVD) |
| DMA Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pin Count | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage LF silicon with nanoWatt XLP deep sleep (vs PIC18F25K42-I/SO)
- 12-bit ADC2 with CVD and DMA for autonomous sensing (vs PIC18LF25K40-I/SO)
- Extended temperature grade variant available for automotive (vs PIC18LF25K42-E/SO)
- Integrated op-amps and comparators reduce BOM (vs Lower-tier PIC18FxxK20 series)
Design Notes
The LF silicon of PIC18LF25K42-I/SO must NOT be powered above 3.6V on VDD. Use an LDO such as MCP1700 or TPS78233 to derive 3.3V from a higher source. Place a 10uF bulk capacitor close to VDD pin and a 100nF decoupling cap within 3mm. According to Microchip datasheet, observe VDD rise time between 0.05V/ms and 50V/ms to ensure proper Power-on Reset (POR) behavior; slower or faster ramps may cause unreliable startup.
Route the ICSP pins (RB6/PGC and RB7/PGD) to a 6-pin header with isolation resistors (typically 4.7k) to support in-circuit programming without interfering with the application circuit. Place the crystal or resonator as close as possible to OSC1/OSC2 (pins 9/10) and guard both traces with a ground pour. The 28-pin SOIC has 1.27mm pin pitch which simplifies hand-soldering; ensure the SOIC pads include extended copper length for thermal relief during soldering.
For capacitive touch (CVD) applications, route the touch electrodes with a guard ring or active shield driven by a CLC peripheral to minimize parasitic capacitance. According to Microchip mTouch design guide, keep touch traces short, away from switching signals, and stitch ground vias around the touch area. The ADC2 module supports hardware averaging of up to 1024 samples; configure the oversampling and accumulation registers in MCC for the desired SNR vs sample-rate trade-off.
Do not confuse the LF (low-voltage 1.8V to 3.6V) silicon with the F (2.3V to 5.5V) variant - powering an LF part above 3.6V causes immediate damage. The 256B EEPROM has a per-byte endurance of 100K write cycles and 40-year retention - use wear-leveling in firmware for parameters written frequently. Watchdog Timer (WDT) should be enabled in production firmware; the WDTPS fuse selects the post-scaler and must be configured in CONFIG words. The LF silicon's deep sleep current is typically in the nanoamp range - confirm this on the bench before committing to a battery-life calculation.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product environmental data. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified sources - noted as unknown. AEC-Q100 not applicable for industrial-grade I variant; E variant (extended temp) is the appropriate choice for automotive.
