PIC18LF46K40-E/PT - 8-bit 64MHz MCU 64KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF46K40-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.62 | $1.62 |
| 10 | $1.46 | $14.60 |
| 100 | $1.31 | $131.00 |
| 500 | $1.18 | $590.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.05 | $1,050.00 |
PIC18LF46K40-E/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, ALU and register file. It belongs to the broader MCU (microcontroller) taxonomy: 8-bit MCU -> PIC18 -> 8-bit PIC microcontroller family -> general-purpose embedded controller -> semiconductor. PIC18F devices use a 16-bit instruction word with Harvard architecture, combining deterministic interrupt response with rich peripheral integration in low-cost silicon.
The PIC18LF46K40E/PT operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V (the F-variant operates up to 5.5 V), integrates nanoWatt XLP technology for sleep currents below 50 nA typical, and supports Core Independent Peripherals that operate without CPU intervention. The integrated Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) gives designers flexible I/O mapping to reduce PCB layout constraints.
Typical applications include IoT sensor nodes, low-power battery-operated consumer products, industrial control panels, and low-cost motor control. The combination of CWG + PWM + zero-cross detect is particularly well suited to capacitive-touch user interfaces. CRC/SCAN hardware improves functional safety in IEC 60730 class B appliance designs.
When designing with this part, budget Vdd decoupling (100 nF + 1 µF) close to all supply pins and respect in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) pin requirements. The ADC2 module needs acquisition time tuning per source impedance, and the PPS mapping must be locked before enabling peripherals to avoid glitched outputs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF46K40-E/PT — 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 PIC18LF46K40-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Communication, Comparators, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF46K40-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K40-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46K42-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF45K40-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46K40-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46K40-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC18 XLP |
| Core | 8-bit PIC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| RAM | 3728 bytes |
| EEPROM | 1024 bytes |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 with Computation |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM / CCP | PWM, CCP |
| CWG | Complementary Waveform Generator |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Pin Count | 44 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF46K40-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 12 | RB0 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — Analog/Digital I/O / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — Analog/Digital I/O / ICSP programming data |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 22 | RC0 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC2 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC3 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC4 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC6 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 29 | RC7 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 31 | OSC1 — Crystal/clock input |
| Pin 32 | OSC2 — Crystal output |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 34 | RD1 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 35 | RD2 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 36 | RD3 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 37 | RD4 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 38 | RD5 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 39 | RD6 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 40 | RD7 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 41 | RE0 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 42 | RE1 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 43 | RE2 — Analog/Digital I/O |
| Pin 44 | RE3 — Analog/Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF46K40-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: IoT Sensor Nodes, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Appliance Control - IEC 60730 Class B, Battery-Powered Consumer Electronics, Low-Cost Motor Control (BLDC / Stepper), Industrial Sensor Conditioning.
IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT's nanoWatt XLP architecture with sub-50 nA sleep current and 1.8-3.6 V operating range makes it ideal for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes. The 10-bit ADC2 with computation supports direct sensor digitization while the integrated CWG and PWM modules drive actuation. The 64 KB Flash comfortably holds Zigbee/BLE stack fragments and application firmware, and the 3728 bytes RAM handles local data buffering. Sleep current below 50 nA typical (per datasheet DS40001816F) means a 3 V coin cell can power years of intermittent sensing, far longer than typical 8-bit MCU competitors. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) simplifies PCB routing when I/O assignments change between product variants.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The CWG, PWM, and Zero-Cross Detect peripherals in the PIC18LF46K40-E/PT are purpose-built for capacitive-touch sensing and LED dimming applications. Per datasheet DS40001816F, the CTMU module (where present in the K40 family) charges touch pads with 0.6% typical resolution, while ZCD synchronizes TRIAC dimming to AC line zero-crossings. The 64 MHz CPU executes touch-scan cycles in microseconds, comfortably supporting 12-16 button panels with sub-50 ms response time. PPS routing keeps board layout clean by reassigning peripheral I/O to any free pin. This combination outperforms discrete touch-IC solutions by integrating firmware, communications, and touch logic in one chip.
Recommended
Appliance Control - IEC 60730 Class B
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT's hardware CRC/SCAN peripheral and WWDT are designed into the silicon specifically for IEC 60730 Class B functional safety in household appliances. The on-chip CRC engine verifies program memory integrity at boot, while WWDT with windowed trigger prevents missed-refresh faults. The 64 KB Flash holds both the application code and Class B self-test routines. Per datasheet DS40001816F, the integrated Windowed WDT provides the deterministic watchdog behavior mandated by IEC 60730. Appliance engineers benefit from fewer external supervisor ICs and reduced BOM cost.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Consumer Electronics
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT extends battery life in consumer products like remote controls, health monitors, and toys thanks to nanoWatt XLP technology. Typical sleep current below 50 nA (per DS40001816F) lets a 3 V CR2032 coin cell last 5+ years in intermittent-use products. The 1.8-3.6 V range directly supports Li-ion and alkaline chemistries without level shifters. Integrated peripherals eliminate companion chips, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 64 KB Flash accommodates BLE/Zigbee pairing logic and OTA update stubs in addition to the main application.
Recommended
Low-Cost Motor Control (BLDC / Stepper)
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT integrates CCP/PWM, CWG, comparators, and ZCD to drive simple BLDC and stepper motors in appliances and small industrial equipment. Per datasheet DS40001816F, the Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) generates dead-band-controlled complementary outputs needed for half-bridge FET drivers. Combined with ZCD for back-EMF sensing on sensorless BLDC, this MCU replaces discrete motor-control ICs in cost-sensitive applications. The 64 MHz CPU executes FOC loops in 50-100 µs, adequate for fans, pumps, and small drives under 100 W.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Conditioning
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT's 10-bit ADC2 with Computation, 5-bit DAC, and analog comparators form a complete sensor-conditioning front-end for industrial process monitoring. The ADC2 module includes hardware averaging and threshold detection that offloads routine signal processing from the CPU. ZCD detects mains-voltage zero-crossings for synchronized sampling. The industrial -40 to 125 °C operating range (E suffix) handles factory-floor temperatures without additional cooling. The 64 KB Flash stores linearization tables and Modbus/IO-Link protocol stacks.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF46K40-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF46K40-I/PT | PIC18F46K40-E/PT | PIC18LF46K42-E/PT | PIC18LF45K40-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-pin TQFP (PT) | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 44-pin TQFP (PT) - same |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Core Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| RAM | 3728 bytes | 3728 bytes | 3728 bytes | 3728 bytes | 3728 bytes |
| EEPROM | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes | 1024 bytes |
| ADC | 10-bit ADC2 | 10-bit ADC2 | 10-bit ADC2 | 12-bit ADC | 10-bit ADC2 |
| Peripherals (CWG/WWDT/PPS) | Yes / Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes / Yes |
| Unit Price (Qty 1, USD) | 1.62 | 1.55 | 1.62 | 1.78 | 1.45 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest Vdd minimum at 1.8 V in the K40 family (vs PIC18F46K40-E/PT)
- Doubled Flash vs K45 siblings in same TQFP-44 footprint (vs PIC18LF45K40-I/PT)
- Extended -40 to +125 °C temperature grade (E suffix) (vs PIC18LF46K40-I/PT)
- Smaller 5-bit DAC vs K42 upgrade (vs PIC18LF46K42-E/PT)
Design Notes
Estimate: with 3.3 V Vdd and average active current of 6 mA at 64 MHz, power dissipation is ~20 mW. In sleep with WWDT and RTCC active, total current drops below 1 µA, enabling multi-year battery life. Place a 100 nF decoupling cap plus a 1 µF bulk cap as close as practical to each Vdd/Vss pair on the TQFP-44 package.
Route the ICSP programming clock/data pair (RB6/RB7) as a short stub to the ICSP connector. Keep analog pins (RA0-RA7) away from switching nodes such as PWM outputs to avoid ADC noise coupling. Use a single ground plane with Vdd pours near the analog pins for best ADC2 SNR per datasheet DS40001816F.
The PIC18LF46K40-E/PT is rated 1.8-3.6 V; applying 5 V to any pin will damage it. Always verify Vdd rail before powering up. MCLR must be pulled high through a 10 kΩ resistor for normal operation, and in-circuit programming requires ICD 3 / 4 or PICkit 4 to drive ICSP correctly.
Configure Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) registers before enabling peripheral outputs to prevent momentary glitches. Lock PPS after configuration to avoid runaway code accidentally re-mapping pins. Use the Hardware Limit Timer (HLT) to set safe startup/break conditions for PWM and CCP outputs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product declarations. PIC18LF46K40-E/PT is not AEC-Q100 qualified; consider PIC18F46K40-E/QTP for automotive-grade applications.