PIC18LF46J13-I/ML - 8-bit 48MHz XLP 64KB Flash MCU 44-QFN
MPN: PIC18LF46J13-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.12 | $5.12 |
| 10 | $4.61 | $46.10 |
| 100 | $4.1 | $410.00 |
| 500 | $3.74 | $1,870.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.45 | $3,450.00 |
PIC18LF46J13-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals into a single silicon die. The PIC18F/LF family uses a modified Harvard RISC architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and 8-bit data path, positioned in Microchip's lineup between the 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC and the baseline 8-bit PIC10/12/16 series. The J-series adds ultra-low-power sleep modes (XLP, <100 nA typical) and peripheral-rich I/O - the PIC18LF46J13 specifically targets battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs where the LF (low-voltage) variant's 2.0 V minimum is required.
Key differentiating features include 64 KB self-programmable Flash, 4 KB RAM, 40 digital I/O pins, two SPI, two I2C, and two USART/EUSART channels, plus a 12-bit ADC with up to 13 channels. The XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents below 100 nA with RTC running, making the LF46J13 well suited for products that spend most of their life in deep sleep. The on-chip RTCC (Real-Time Clock and Calendar) module eliminates the need for an external RTC in many designs, further reducing BOM cost.
Architecturally, the PIC18LF46J13 uses a 2-stage pipeline with hardware multiply, an 8x8 hardware multiplier, and CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) peripherals for glueless logic integration. The CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) enables capacitive touch sensing without an external IC. The peripheral set is anchored by five 16-bit timers, two comparators with DAC reference, and an enhanced PWM with up to 9 outputs. Programming is supported through ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) and JTAG boundary scan.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, portable medical devices, remote controls, smart metering, HVAC thermostats, wearable fitness bands, and IoT edge nodes. Industrial designs leverage the -40C to +85C operating range and 5V-tolerant digital inputs (within the 3.6 V VDD limit).
Design consideration: pair the LF46J13 with a low-quiescent LDO (such as Microchip MCP1700) and an external 32.768 kHz crystal on SOSCO/SOSCI pins to achieve RTC accuracies within +/-20 ppm. For capacitive touch, route sensor traces with grounded guard rings and keep I/O drive strength at the lowest setting that meets response time.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and XLP design notes that are not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF46J13-I/ML — 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 PIC18LF46J13-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F46J13-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.38 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46J13-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46J13T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46J11-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF47J13-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46J13-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | PIC18 (16-bit instruction word, 8-bit data path) |
| Series | PIC18 J-series with nanoWatt XLP |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 4 KB (3.8K x 8) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 40 |
| Package | 44-pin QFN (8x8 mm) with exposed pad |
| ADC | 12-bit, up to 13 channels |
| Comparators | 3 |
| Timers | 5 (2 x 8-bit, 3 x 16-bit) |
| PWM Outputs | Up to 9 |
| Communication Peripherals | 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x USART/EUSART |
| Special Features | XLP nanoWatt, RTCC, CTMU, CLC, ICSP, JTAG |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial grade, I-suffix) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF46J13-I/ML 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/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply 2.0-3.6 V |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN12 — Digital I/O / Analog input 12 |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN10 — Digital I/O / Analog input 10 |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O / Analog input 8 |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN9 — Digital I/O / Analog input 9 |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 16 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / Analog input 13 |
| Pin 17 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply 2.0-3.6 V |
| Pin 21 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 29 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 30 | VDD — Positive supply 2.0-3.6 V |
| Pin 31 | RD0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 32 | RD1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 33 | RD2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 34 | RD3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 35 | RD4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 36 | RD5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 37 | RD6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 38 | RD7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply 2.0-3.6 V |
| Pin 41 | RE0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 42 | RE1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 43 | RE2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 44 | RE3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed pad - thermal/ground - MUST be soldered to PCB ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF46J13-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node, Smart Metering and Utility Endpoints, Portable Medical Device Controller, Industrial HVAC Control and Thermostats, IoT Edge Node with Capacitive Touch, Automotive Aftermarket Accessories (Non-Safety).
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Node
The PIC18LF46J13-I/ML's nanoWatt XLP technology delivers sub-100 nA typical sleep current with the RTCC running, making it an ideal host MCU for battery-powered wireless sensor nodes that wake periodically to sample and transmit data. Its 2.0 V to 3.6 V operating range allows direct connection to two AA alkaline cells without a boost regulator, while the 64 KB Flash accommodates protocol stacks like ZigBee, LoRaWAN, or proprietary sub-GHz firmware. The 12-bit ADC with up to 13 channels handles multiple analog sensors (temperature, humidity, gas) simultaneously. Compared with 32-bit Cortex-M0+ alternatives, the J13 reduces sleep power by ~50% and BOM cost by ~30% in duty-cycled sensor applications.
Recommended
Smart Metering and Utility Endpoints
Utility metering applications including electricity, gas, and water endpoints benefit from the PIC18LF46J13-I/ML's low sleep current, integrated RTCC for time-of-use billing, and 12-bit ADC for analog sensor interfaces. The 64 KB Flash supports secure boot, encrypted firmware updates, and segmented metering algorithms, while the 2.0 V minimum supply accommodates lithium primary batteries that discharge slowly over 10-20 year deployment lifetimes. The 44-QFN package is well-suited to compact meter form factors, and the extended -40C to +85C industrial temperature range supports outdoor cabinet installations. Compared with mechanical meter replacements, J13-based electronic meters achieve better accuracy (typically +/-0.5%) and lower field maintenance.
Recommended
Portable Medical Device Controller
Portable medical devices such as glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and ambulatory infusion pumps use the PIC18LF46J13-I/ML as a low-power supervisory MCU. The XLP technology extends battery life on coin cells to months of continuous monitoring, while the 12-bit ADC delivers sufficient resolution for diagnostic sensors. The CTMU peripheral enables capacitive touch on user interfaces without external touch ICs, reducing BOM cost. The 64 KB Flash stores calibration tables and device logs, while the on-chip RTCC timestamps measurements. The 44-QFN package suits handheld enclosures where PCB area is constrained. Compared with discrete logic designs, J13 integration cuts board area by ~60%.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC Control and Thermostats
The PIC18LF46J13-I/ML serves as the main controller in 24-V powered HVAC thermostats and building automation nodes, where its 44-QFN footprint fits behind small LCD or OLED displays. Five 16-bit timers drive triac-based load control for fan speeds and damper actuators, while the 12-bit ADC reads thermistor temperature sensors. Two EUSART channels simultaneously drive a wired Modbus link to the building management system and a wired connection to the indoor unit. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range supports unheated equipment rooms, and the 5V-tolerant digital inputs ease interface to 24-V AC triac optocouplers.
Recommended
IoT Edge Node with Capacitive Touch
Consumer IoT devices such as smart speakers, connected lighting controllers, and wearable fitness bands leverage the PIC18LF46J13-I/ML's CTMU peripheral for capacitive touch without an external touch IC. The CTMU provides sub-pF resolution on up to 16 channels, supporting slider, wheel, and button interfaces directly. The 64 KB Flash holds both application firmware and a Bluetooth Low Energy HCI stack driving an external module, while the 4 KB RAM supports simultaneous touch scanning and BLE event handling. Compared with dedicated touch ICs, the integrated CTMU saves ~$0.40 BOM per device and reduces PCB area by ~15%.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessories (Non-Safety)
Non-safety automotive aftermarket products such as remote start modules, alarm systems, and diagnostic dongles use the PIC18LF46J13-I/ML as a flexible host controller. While the part is industrial-grade (-40C to +85C) rather than AEC-Q100 qualified, it survives under-dash thermal environments in most climate zones. The 2.0 V minimum VDD tolerates vehicle battery droop during cranking, and the 64 KB Flash supports CAN-compatible J1850 VPW/PWM or LIN firmware stacks via the EUSART peripherals. For LIN master/slave applications the J13's hardware CRC and UART peripherals simplify the protocol implementation versus software bit-banging on smaller MCUs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF46J13-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F46J13-I/ML | PIC18LF46J13T-I/ML | PIC18LF46J11-I/ML | PIC18LF47J13-I/ML | PIC18LF46J53-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same |
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit - same | PIC18 8-bit - same | PIC18 8-bit - same | PIC18 8-bit - same | PIC18 8-bit - same |
| Maximum Frequency | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz - same | 48 MHz - same | 48 MHz - same | 48 MHz - same | 48 MHz - same |
| Program Flash | 64 KB | 64 KB - same | 64 KB - same | 64 KB - same | 128 KB (+100%) | 64 KB - same |
| Data RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB - same | 4 KB - same | 4 KB - same | 8 KB (+100%) | 4 KB - same |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.15 V to 3.6 V (higher min) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same |
| I/O Pins | 40 | 40 - same | 40 - same | 40 - same | 50 (+25%) | 40 - same |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 13 channels | 12-bit, 13 channels - same | 12-bit, 13 channels - same | 12-bit, 13 channels - same | 12-bit, 16 channels (+23%) | 12-bit, 13 channels - same |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | No | No | Yes (USB 2.0 FS OTG) |
| XLP nanoWatt Sleep | Yes (<100 nA) | Yes (<100 nA) - same | Yes (<100 nA) - same | Yes (<100 nA) - same | Yes (<100 nA) - same | Yes (<100 nA) - same |
| Unit Price (qty 1, USD) | 5.12 | 5.30 | 5.20 | 5.00 | 5.95 | 5.60 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest minimum VDD in the 64 KB J-series family (vs PIC18F46J13-I/ML)
- Integrated CTMU peripheral for capacitive touch (vs PIC18LF46K22-I/ML)
- On-chip RTCC eliminates external RTC chip (vs PIC18LF26K42-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=3.3 V and 48 MHz active mode with all peripherals on, the PIC18LF46J13 draws approximately 12 mA typical. Sleep current with RTCC and WDT off is below 100 nA typical (XLP spec). For battery-powered designs, size the coin cell to provide 12 mA peak for active-mode transmit windows, and ensure the source impedance can sustain the inrush without dropping VDD below 2.0 V. Place a 10 uF + 0.1 uF decoupling pair within 5 mm of each VDD pin, and route a wide ground trace under the exposed pad to the PCB ground plane.
The 44-QFN package exposes a thermal pad (EP) on its bottom face that must be soldered to a copper ground plane for thermal dissipation and electrical ground. Use at least 6 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pad) under the EP, stitched into the ground plane. Keep high-speed digital traces (SPI, EUSART, PWM) away from the analog AVSS/AVDD pins, and dedicate a separate analog ground island if you are using ADC with <12 LSB error. Maintain at least 0.2 mm clearance between sensor traces and switching signals for capacitive-touch robustness.
Do not exceed 3.6 V on any digital I/O or VDD pin - the J13 family is 3.6 V absolute maximum. Do not drive MCLR low during normal operation without a proper reset supervisor. When migrating from PIC18F46J13 to PIC18LF46J13 firmware, do not change the Fosc configuration bits without verifying VDD stability at startup. The CTMU current source requires calibration to an internal reference before use; calling CTMU_Init without CTMU_Calibrate produces ~+/-20% touch variance.
Compliance Information
Industrial grade -40C to +85C per I-suffix. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 automotive applications, refer to PIC18FxxKxx or dsPIC33 automotive families. RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product declaration.
