PIC18LF26K40-I/SS - 64KB Flash XLP 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF26K40-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.45 | $24.50 |
| 100 | $1.95 | $195.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.18 | $3,540.00 |
PIC18LF26K40-I/SS Overview
What is a microcontroller (MCU)? A microcontroller is a single-chip computer that combines a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash), working memory (RAM), data EEPROM, and a rich set of analog and digital peripherals on one die. The PIC18LF26K40 belongs to the PIC18 8-bit RISC family within the broader 8-bit MCU category of microcontrollers and embedded controllers in integrated circuits, optimized for low-power (XLP) general-purpose designs that need to run from a single Li-ion or 2xAA cell.
Key features include the proprietary eXtreme Low-Power (XLP) technology with nanoWatt XLP sleep currents below 50 nA typical, a Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) block that offloads timing-critical tasks from the CPU, and direct memory access via the 10-bit ADCC for automated Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) touch sensing. The 28-SSOP package with 0.65 mm pitch is footprint-compatible across the PIC18F/LF26K40 family, allowing easy migration between F (Flash, 1.8-5.5 V) and LF (low-voltage Flash, 1.8-3.6 V) variants and between I (industrial -40 to +85 C) and E (extended -40 to +125 C) temperature grades.
Technically, the PIC18LF26K40 implements a Harvard-architecture RISC core with a 16-bit instruction word, an 8-level hardware stack, and a 31-level software stack, providing deterministic interrupt response and single-cycle execution for most instructions. The CWG, CCP, PWM and HLT peripherals can be wired together to drive power-conversion and motor-control topologies without CPU intervention, while the SCAN/CRC peripheral performs background memory integrity checks for functional-safety designs.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power wireless remotes, consumer appliances with capacitive touch user interfaces, industrial control with LIN or UART bridges, and small motor-control boards. The wide peripheral integration lets a single PIC18LF26K40 replace a discrete MCU plus several support ICs, shrinking BOM cost and PCB area.
When designing with this part, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on each VDD pin within 3 mm, connect all VSS pins to a solid ground pour, and keep the MCLR pull-up within 25 mm of the pin. Choose the LF (1.8-3.6 V) variant for battery operation and the F (1.8-5.5 V) variant when the board must run from a regulated 5 V rail.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers evaluate the PIC18LF26K40-I/SS against the rest of the PIC18 K40 family and competing 8-bit MCUs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF26K40-I/SS — 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 PIC18LF26K40-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, DAC, Comparators, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F26K40-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26K40-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26K40-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K40-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K40-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.27 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26K40-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 4 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (I grade) |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes (with selectable reference) |
| PWM / CCP / CWG | Yes (PWM, CCP, Complementary Waveform Generator) |
| Timers / HLT / WWDT | Yes (Hardware Limit Timer, Windowed WDT) |
| SCAN / CRC | Yes (background memory integrity) |
| ZCD | Zero-Cross Detect |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (0.65 mm pitch) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF26K40-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, internal pull-up |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8-3.6 V) |
| Pin 9 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 / analog input |
| Pin 11 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 / analog input |
| Pin 12 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8-3.6 V), second pin |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference, second pin |
| Pin 21 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 22 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 |
| Pin 24 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 25 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 / SCL |
| Pin 26 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / SDA |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 / TX |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF26K40-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Industrial Sensor and Control Boards, Low-Power Wireless Remote Controls, Small Motor and Fan Control, Consumer Appliance Front Panels.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF26K40-I/SS fits battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8-3.6 V VDD range pairs directly with a 2xAA or regulated 3.3 V rail, and its nanoWatt XLP sleep mode drops quiescent current below 50 nA typical. With 64 KB Flash and 4 KB RAM the part hosts a full LoRaWAN or BLE-MCU bridge stack including sensor drivers, while the 10-bit ADCC scans analog sensors autonomously. Engineers use Sleep + WDT + periodic ADCC wake cycles to push coin-cell lifetime beyond 3 years; compared to a generic 8-bit MCU the integrated ADCC saves a separate analog-front-end IC and the 28-SSOP keeps the BOM under $2 at qty 1000.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC18LF26K40-I/SS is a strong fit for capacitive touch user interfaces because the integrated 10-bit ADC with Computation (ADCC) peripheral runs Capacitive Voltage Divider (CVD) scans entirely in hardware, freeing the CPU to remain in sleep between scans. With mTouch libraries a single chip can scan 8-12 touch buttons plus a slider while drawing under 10 uA average, and the 64 KB Flash holds the entire mTouch + application state machine. Compared to discrete touch ICs, this approach collapses the BOM to one chip; the 28-SSOP exposes enough GPIOs for both touch channels and indicator LEDs without a port expander.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor and Control Boards
For industrial sensor and control boards the PIC18LF26K40-I/SS combines a 64 MHz PIC18 core with the CWG, CCP, PWM, ZCD and hardware limit timer peripherals needed to drive small motor-control or power-conversion stages from a single chip. Its -40 to +85 C industrial operating range, 28-SSOP footprint, and 1.8-3.6 V supply match 24 V industrial bus systems stepped down to 3.3 V. The SCAN/CRC peripheral performs background memory integrity checks for functional-safety designs, and 256 B EEPROM holds configuration parameters without external storage. Compared to discrete logic the integrated CIP block eliminates the timer-interrupt glue code.
Recommended
Low-Power Wireless Remote Controls
The PIC18LF26K40-I/SS targets low-power wireless remote controls because its XLP sleep current below 50 nA typical lets a coin-cell-powered IR/BLE remote run for years, while the 64 MHz core bursts awake to transmit and returns to sleep within microseconds. The 28-SSOP provides enough GPIO for key-scan matrices up to 8x8 and indicator LEDs without external logic, and the on-chip comparators debounce mechanical switches in hardware. Compared to a 32-bit Cortex-M0+ the smaller Flash footprint and simpler toolchain (MPLAB X + XC8) shrink per-unit cost on high-volume SKUs and the 1.8-3.6 V VDD eliminates the LDO on a 2xAA supply.
Recommended
Small Motor and Fan Control
The PIC18LF26K40-I/SS handles small motor and fan-control designs through its CWG (Complementary Waveform Generator), CCP/PWM, ZCD (Zero-Cross Detect), and hardware limit timer peripherals, which together can drive a BLDC or PFC stage without CPU intervention. The 64 MHz core and 10-bit ADCC close the current-control loop in firmware while the CIPs handle the switching dead-time and protection, and the 28-SSOP exposes pins for 3-phase gate drivers. Compared to a generic MCU plus external gate-driver logic, this part cuts BOM count by 2-3 ICs and the 1.8-3.6 V VDD accepts a 3.3 V regulated rail directly.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Front Panels
For consumer appliance front panels the PIC18LF26K40-I/SS combines mTouch capacitive scanning, indicator-LED driving via the 5-bit DAC, UART-bridge communication, and a wide 1.8-3.6 V supply range that accepts both 3.3 V regulated and 2xAA battery inputs. The 64 KB Flash holds a full menu/UI state machine plus a LIN or UART slave stack, and the 28-SSOP mechanical drawing matches the front-panel cutout dimensions used by several white-goods OEMs. Compared to an STM8 or 8051 the integrated ADCC removes the need for a separate touch controller and the eXtreme Low-Power modes simplify standby-power certification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF26K40-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F26K40-I/SS | PIC18LF26K40-I/MV | PIC18LF26K40-E/SS | PIC18LF25K40-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP - same | 28-UQFN - same pinout | 28-SSOP - same | 28-SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 2 KB (-50%) |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| VDD Range | 1.8-3.6 V | 1.8-5.5 V | 1.8-3.6 V | 1.8-3.6 V | 1.8-3.6 V |
| Max Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Temperature Grade | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +85 C (I) | -40 to +125 C (E) | -40 to +85 C (I) |
| ADC | — | 10-bit ADCC | 10-bit ADCC | 10-bit ADCC | 10-bit ADCC |
| Unit Price (qty 1000) | $1.38 | $1.42 | $1.45 | $1.85 | $1.20 |
Key Differentiators
- Wider VDD range with same pinout for Li-ion/USB use (vs PIC18F26K40-I/SS)
- Extended temperature grade in same package (vs PIC18LF26K40-E/SS)
- Half-Flash variant cuts unit cost (vs PIC18LF25K40-I/SS)
- Integrated ADCC eliminates external touch controller (vs Discrete touch IC approach)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 64 MHz active current is ~7 mA at 3.3 V (~23 mW); at 1 MHz / 3.3 V it drops to ~0.4 mA. In sleep mode (Sleep + WDT disabled) the nanoWatt XLP spec sheet figure is <50 nA typical, ideal for battery hold-up. For battery designs, drive MCLR through a 10 kohm pull-up rather than tying it directly to VDD to keep the in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) entry path intact. Source: Microchip PIC18(L)F26/45/46K40 datasheet Section 36 (DC characteristics).
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on each VDD pin (pins 8 and 19 on the 28-SSOP) within 3 mm of the package body, and connect both VSS pins (7 and 20) to a solid uninterrupted ground pour to reduce digital switching noise on the ADC readings. The exposed pad is not present on SSOP but is on the MV/UQFN variant - if migrating to UQFN, solder the exposed pad to a 4x4 via array stitched to the ground pour for thermal relief. Source: Microchip PIC18 K40 family PCB layout guidelines.
Do not assume LF and F variants are interchangeable: the PIC18LF26K40 (1.8-3.6 V) will be damaged by a fresh Li-ion cell above 3.6 V, while the PIC18F26K40 (1.8-5.5 V) survives a 5 V rail. Always confirm the full ordering part number including the F/LF voltage letter and the I/E temperature letter before PCB release. Also note that the 28-SSOP and 28-UQFN (MV) packages are pin-compatible but not footprint-compatible - the UQFN requires a different land pattern. Source: Microchip PIC18 K40 datasheet ordering information.
The 10-bit ADCC performance is sensitive to the impedance of the analog source; keep source impedance below 2.5 kohm and add a 100 nF ceramic bypass on each analog input pin (RA0-RA7) for clean CVD scans. For capacitive-touch designs, route the touch electrodes as short straight traces with a ground hatch around each electrode, and keep digital switching traces (PWM, oscillator) at least 5 mm away. Source: Microchip mTouch design guidelines.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F26K40 automotive-grade variants if AEC-Q100 is required. Conflict-minerals declaration available from Microchip.
