PIC18LF26K22-I/SO - 64KB Flash 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF26K22-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.15 | $315.00 |
| 500 | $2.78 | $1,390.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.45 | $2,450.00 |
PIC18LF26K22-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM/EEPROM) and a configurable set of peripherals such as ADC, timers, communication interfaces and GPIO on one piece of silicon. MCUs form the lowest tier of the embedded computing hierarchy - sitting below microprocessors (MPU) and far below SoCs/CPUs - and are the workhorse of embedded designs, chosen over discrete logic because they consolidate control, I/O and signal conditioning into one programmable part. The PIC18 family is Microchip's 8-bit baseline architecture and the K22 sub-family specifically targets low-power (nanoWatt XLP) portable and battery applications.
Key features include nanoWatt XLP extreme-low-power technology with multiple sleep modes (down to sub-uA leakage), 25 general-purpose I/O pins with interrupt-on-change, two Enhanced USART modules supporting LIN and IrDA, two MSSP ports (I2C/SPI), three CCP plus one ECCP modules for motor/PWM control, and a 10-bit ADC with up to 17 channels and automatic acquisition. The -LF voltage variant operates from 1.8V to 3.6V, well suited to single-cell Li-Ion designs.
Architecturally, the PIC18LF26K22 uses a RISC Harvard-style core with a 16-bit instruction word, an 8-bit data path, and a hardware multiplier, which simplifies time-critical DSP-like math versus pure 8-bit accumulator cores. The 64 MHz Fosc derives from an internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC plus a 4x PLL block, allowing firmware to tune CPU speed on the fly via the OSCTUNE register to trade throughput for current consumption.
Typical applications include low-power sensor nodes, handheld instrumentation, USB-to-UART bridges (with companion MCP2200), small motor control (BLDC drivers), battery chargers, and industrial control panels that need legacy 5V-tolerant GPIO or eXtreme Low Power sleep profiles.
Design consideration: choose the -LF (1.8V-3.3V) variant rather than the -F (1.8V-5.5V) when your design runs from a single Li-Ion or two AA cells; this trade-off costs 5V tolerance but saves tens of uA in active run current.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives (PIC18LF26K22 family members and PIC18F26K22-I/SO), datasheet-cited electrical parameters, and practical design notes not found in a single distributor listing, giving engineers an AEO-friendly comparison surface for component selection.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF26K22-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 PIC18LF26K22-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, I/O Pins, MSL Level, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF26K22-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26K22-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26K22-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K22-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K22-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26K22-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Architecture | PIC18 (16-bit instruction word) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 3,968 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 1,024 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 17 channels |
| Timers | 8-/16-bit, multiple |
| Communication | 2x EUSART, 2x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| PWM / CCP | 3x CCP + 1x ECCP |
| Package | 28-SOIC (7.50 mm body, 1.27 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life at <=30C/85% RH) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF26K22-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 / EUSART2 RX |
| Pin 2 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 / EUSART2 TX |
| Pin 3 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 / ADC input |
| Pin 4 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 / T0CKI |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 / Vpp (programming) |
| Pin 6 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 7 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 8 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 9 | RE3 — Port E bit 3 / MCLR (reset) |
| Pin 10 | Vss — Ground |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 12 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 (alt location) |
| Pin 13 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 14 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — Port C bit 2 / CCP1 |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — Port C bit 3 / SCL1 |
| Pin 19 | RC4 — Port C bit 4 / SDA1 |
| Pin 20 | RC5 — Port C bit 5 / SDO1 |
| Pin 21 | RC6 — Port C bit 6 / TX1 |
| Pin 22 | RC7 — Port C bit 7 / RX1 |
| Pin 23 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 / KBI3 |
| Pin 24 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 / KBI2 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 / KBI1 |
| Pin 26 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 / KBI0 |
| Pin 27 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 / SDI1 |
| Pin 28 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 / SCK1 |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF26K22-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Node, Handheld Instrumentation, Small BLDC Motor / Fan Controller, Industrial Control Panel / PLC Slice, USB-to-UART Bridge Module, Smart Energy / Metering Sub-System.
Battery-Powered Sensor Node
The PIC18LF26K22-I/SO is a strong fit for low-power wireless sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt XLP technology and 1.8 V to 3.6 V operating range, which lets the design run directly from a single Li-Ion or 2x AA cell stack. At 64 MHz the 16 MIPS throughput can service a sensor front end plus a UART or SPI radio in real time, while deep sleep with the RTCC keeps standby current under 100 nA. The 17-channel 10-bit ADC captures multiple environmental signals without an external MUX, and the 64 KB Flash holds a full TCP/IP or LoRaWAN-style stack plus boot/OTA partition. Companion parts: MCP9808 temperature sensor, MCP1640 boost regulator.
Recommended
Handheld Instrumentation
For handheld multimeters, data loggers or barcode scanners, the PIC18LF26K22-I/SO delivers the GPIO count and ADC channels to drive a segmented LCD or character display, scan keypads and read sensor front-ends without external logic. Its 25 I/O pins via Peripheral Pin Select free the designer from rigid pin-peripheral assignments, and the 3,968-byte SRAM supports real-time averaging of ADC samples or small FIFO buffers. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range means the same firmware works for outdoor measurement tools. The integrated EUSART and MSSP blocks can drive an isolated USB-UART bridge (MCP2200) or an SPI LCD. Companion parts: MCP2200 USB bridge, MCP1700 LDO regulator.
Recommended
Small BLDC Motor / Fan Controller
The PIC18LF26K22-I/SO integrates three CCP plus one ECCP module, making it suitable for small brushed or BLDC motor control in fans, pumps and appliance subsystems. Hardware PWM from the ECCP handles the switching FETs at frequencies up to the 64 MHz CPU clock, while the ADC samples back-EMF or current shunt signals to close the control loop without burdening the CPU. Sleep modes let the controller idle between commands, and the 25 I/O handle the Hall sensors, tachometer feedback and fault pins. A 28-SOIC footprint simplifies a compact motor-control PCB that bolts to the motor housing. Companion parts: MCP8024 BLDC gate driver, ACS712 current sensor.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel / PLC Slice
The PIC18LF26K22-I/SO suits slice PLCs and operator-panel HMIs that need deterministic 8-bit control of relays, contactors and indicator LEDs. Its -40C to +85C industrial range tolerates cabinet temperatures, while nanoWatt XLP sleep keeps a 24V-bus powered slice below 1 mA quiescent. The PIC18 instruction set gives predictable, fixed-time interrupt response for encoder or quadrature inputs, and the 28-SOIC package exposes 25 I/O for digital I/O plus analog inputs. RS-485 connectivity is a one-transceiver drop away via the EUSART. Companion parts: MCP2515 CAN, MAX3485 RS-485 transceiver.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Module
The PIC18LF26K22-I/SO can act as a soft USB device with bit-banging plus a companion USB-IF certified transceiver (or firmware USB on selected pins), but most commonly it serves as the UART-side controller that pairs with a USB bridge IC. The two EUSARTs allow simultaneous host and field-bus comms, and the MSSP block exposes I2C/SPI for peripheral configuration. The 64 KB Flash comfortably fits a bootloader plus command parser, and the industrial temperature rating is a fit for embedded PC accessory modules. Companion parts: MCP2200 USB-UART bridge, MCP2517 CAN-FD controller.
Recommended
Smart Energy / Metering Sub-System
The PIC18LF26K22-I/SO is well matched to metering sub-systems and home-energy displays where the MCU aggregates pulses from solid-state meters, drives a small character display and reports results via UART or RF link. Its 17-channel ADC reads analog front-ends (CTs, shunts) without an external MUX, and the PIC18 instruction set handles BCD/decimal math efficiently for metrology data paths. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V LF range supports coin-cell or super-cap backup, and nanoWatt XLP sleep preserves battery life between readings. Companion parts: MCP39F511 power monitor, MRF24J40MA RF transceiver.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF26K22-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF26K22-I/SS | PIC18LF26K22-I/SP | PIC18F26K22-I/SO | PIC18F25K22-I/SO | PIC18LF25K22-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SSOP | 28-SPDIP | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB (-50%) | 32 KB (-50%) |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V (wider) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS | 64 MHz / 16 MIPS |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| ADC Channels | 17 channels, 10-bit | 17 channels, 10-bit | 17 channels, 10-bit | 17 channels, 10-bit | 17 channels, 10-bit | 17 channels, 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Estimated Unit Price (qty 100) | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.20 | $3.15 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage nanoWatt XLP 1.8 V to 3.6 V variant (vs PIC18F26K22-I/SO)
- 64 KB Flash double the lower-tier K22 family (vs PIC18LF25K22-I/SO)
- 28-SOIC package with 25 GPIO via Peripheral Pin Select (vs PIC18LF26K22-I/SP (DIP))
Design Notes
Estimated: at 64 MHz Fosc the PIC18LF26K22-I/SO draws roughly 8 mA active; at 1 MHz Fosc the figure drops near 0.4 mA. To minimize sleep current, gate all unused peripherals via PMDx registers before entering Sleep and use the RTCC with a 32.768 kHz crystal as the wake source - datasheet section 'nanoWatt XLP' shows sub-100 nA standby when correctly configured.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of Vdd pin 20 and a bulk 10 uF capacitor on the supply rail; if the ADC is used, add a separate 10 uH ferrite bead on analog AVDD. The 28-SOIC land pattern is 7.50 mm x 17.90 mm with 1.27 mm pitch; keep a continuous ground pour under the IC for thermal dissipation.
When migrating from PIC18F26K22-I/SO to PIC18LF26K22-I/SO, do not exceed 3.6 V on any pin or you risk latch-up - the LF variant has no 5V tolerance. Conversely, a design that previously ran on 5V via PIC18LF26K22-I/SO must add a 3.3 V LDO before substituting PIC18F26K22-I/SO. Also note that pin 11 (Vdd) and pin 10 (Vss) positions are not adjacent; the datasheet pinout must be honored.
The ICSP programming pins (RA0/ICSPDAT and RA1/ICSPCLK) must remain accessible; place a 2x3 0.1 in header on the PCB edge or test points to enable in-circuit programming with PICkit 3 or MPLAB Snap. The MCLR pin (RE3) requires a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd and a 100 nF capacitor to ground to ensure clean reset transitions.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade -I suffix part (-40C to +85C). For AEC-Q100 automotive requirements use the PIC18F26K22-E/SO or PIC18F26K22-I/SO Q-suffix variant.
