PIC18LF46K42-E/MV - 8-Bit 64MHz MCU 64KB Flash 40-UQFN
MPN: PIC18LF46K42-E/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.42 | $3.42 |
| 10 | $3.08 | $30.80 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.42 | $1,210.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.92 | $5,760.00 |
PIC18LF46K42-E/MV Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and programmable peripherals on one die. The PIC18 is a 8-bit RISC-architecture family from Microchip; the LF prefix denotes the low-voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) variant, while XLP (eXtreme Low Power) adds nanoWatt sleep modes. The K42 generation introduces Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), on-chip DMA, and vectored interrupts, representing the evolution from earlier PIC18F K22 / K40 generations in the same category hierarchy: MCU -> microcontroller -> 8-bit microcontroller -> PIC18 -> PIC18 K42.
Key features include a 12-bit ADC2 with computation, a 5-bit/8-bit DAC, two comparators with slope compensation, a Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), 10-bit PWM with multiple time bases, and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible signal routing. A Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller transfers data between memory and peripherals without CPU intervention, and a Hardware Limit Timer (HLT), Windowed Watchdog Timer (WWDT), and CRC/SCAN improve functional safety.
Typical applications include battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, low-power motor control loops, automotive body and lighting ECUs, USB-C and wireless charging front panels, and human-machine interface (HMI) boards that benefit from 36 user I/O and the integrated peripherals.
When designing with this part, ensure Vdd is decoupled with a 100 nF ceramic plus bulk capacitor near the package; the MV UQFN-40 exposed pad must be soldered to a copper pour of at least 25 mm squared to keep junction temperature within spec at full 64 MHz operation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes - including thermal and DMA caveats - that you will not find in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF46K42-E/MV — 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 PIC18LF46K42-E/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Comparators, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF46K40-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46K22-E/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46K42-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46K42-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46K42T-E/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46K42-E/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 RISC |
| Family | PIC18F K42 (XLP) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB |
| Data SRAM | 4 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E = Extended) |
| Package | 40-pin UQFN (5x5 mm) (MV) |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with computation |
| DAC | 5-bit / 8-bit DAC |
| Comparators | 2 with slope compensation |
| PWM Channels | 10-bit, multiple time bases, CWG |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART, LIN bus support |
| Special Features | DMA, vectored interrupts, PPS, WWDT, CRC/SCAN, ZCD, HLT |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF46K42-E/MV Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear / reset input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8-3.6 V |
| Pin 12 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (PPS-capable, INT0) |
| Pin 13 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (PPS-capable, INT1) |
| Pin 14 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 15 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 16 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 17 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 (PPS-capable, ICSP programming clock) |
| Pin 19 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 (PPS-capable, ICSP programming data) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8-3.6 V |
| Pin 22 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 23 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 24 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 25 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 26 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 27 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 28 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (PPS-capable, TX) |
| Pin 29 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (PPS-capable, RX) |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive supply 1.8-3.6 V |
| Pin 32 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 33 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 34 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 35 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 36 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 37 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 38 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 39 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 (PPS-capable) |
| Pin 40 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 (input only, MCLR alternate) |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad (must be soldered to VSS pour) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF46K42-E/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Low-Power BLDC Motor Control, Automotive Body and Lighting ECUs, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Boards, USB-C and Wireless Charging Front Panels, Industrial Sensor Transmitters (4-20 mA Loop).
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV is ideal for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its 1.8 V to 3.6 V Vdd range allows direct connection to single-cell Li-Ion or two AA cells, while XLP nanoWatt sleep currents below 50 nA extend coin-cell life to years. The 12-bit ADC2 with computation performs autonomous sensor readings without waking the CPU, and the on-chip DMA streams data to RAM at 64 MHz without instruction overhead. Place the MCU between a CR2032 cell and a sub-GHz radio; its low sleep current maximizes battery life while DMA-driven ADC sampling preserves real-time responsiveness. Trade-off: choose the LF variant only when Vdd stays at or below 3.6 V - otherwise specify the PIC18F46K42-E/MV.
Recommended
Low-Power BLDC Motor Control
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV fits low-power BLDC motor control loops because its Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG), 10-bit PWM with multiple time bases, and two comparators with slope compensation implement sensorless trapezoidal commutation in hardware. At 64 MHz the MCU closes the current loop in under 2 us, while DMA offloads ADC2 conversions to RAM, freeing CPU cycles for UART/I2C telemetry. Drop the part between the gate driver (e.g. MCP8024) and a 3-phase MOSFET bridge; the CWG handles dead-time insertion automatically. Quantified benefit: hardware commutation reduces firmware complexity by ~40% versus pure-software PWM on older PIC18F K22.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Lighting ECUs
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV is well-suited to automotive body and lighting ECUs because its extended -40 C to +125 C operating range, PWM with CWG, and LIN bus support (UART with LIN protocol) integrate body-control functions without external ICs. The 12-bit ADC2 reads multiple thermistor and Hall-sensor inputs via DMA, while vectored interrupts minimize ISR latency for safety-critical lighting transitions. Use it as the master MCU on an interior lighting node paired with a CAN/LIN transceiver such as MCP2515 or ATA663231. Trade-off: for AEC-Q100 Grade 0 (150 C) under-hood designs, choose the VAO-suffixed variant - the standard E is industrial-grade only.
Recommended
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Boards
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV drives compact HMI boards thanks to its 36 user I/O pins, which connect directly to multiplexed LED matrices, keypads, and segment LCDs, plus a 5-bit/8-bit DAC for analog contrast or backlight control. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature lets designers reassign UART/SPI/I2C to any I/O without board rework, dramatically simplifying the PCB. The 12-bit ADC2 with hardware averaging reads up to 35 analog touch/light sensors concurrently. Quantified benefit: PPS alone removes ~25% of routing constraints compared to fixed-pin PIC18 K40 designs.
Recommended
USB-C and Wireless Charging Front Panels
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV suits USB-C and wireless charging front panels because its 64 KB Flash accommodates USB-PD negotiation state machines, while the 12-bit ADC2 monitors Vbus voltage and current with hardware oversampling for accurate power measurement. DMA moves ADC samples to RAM, freeing the CPU for I2C communication with a PD controller like the FUSB302. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V Vdd range matches direct Li-Ion operation. Quantified benefit: DMA-driven ADC2 reaches 200 ksps aggregate throughput, sufficient for 100 kHz PWM-driven Qi charging loops.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitters (4-20 mA Loop)
The PIC18LF46K42-E/MV fits 4-20 mA industrial sensor transmitters because its 12-bit ADC2 with computation performs square-root extraction and linearization in hardware, while the 5-bit/8-bit DAC and PWM drive a Howland current pump for the loop output. XLP sleep modes below 1 uA satisfy HART-compliant quiescent current budgets, and the extended -40 C to +125 C range covers outdoor field installations. Pair it with an MCP6002 op-amp for the current pump and an ISO122 isolation barrier. Trade-off: at 4 mA loop current the MCU has only ~3 mA budget - leverage nanoWatt XLP sleep aggressively.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF46K42-E/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF46K40-E/MV | PIC18LF46K22-E/MV | PIC18F46K42-E/MV | PIC18LF46K42-I/MV | PIC18LF46K42T-E/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV - same | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV - same | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV - same | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV - same | 40-UQFN (5x5 mm) MV - same |
| Core / Frequency | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz | 8-bit PIC18 / 64 MHz |
| Flash / SRAM / EEPROM | 64 KB / 4 KB / 1 KB | 64 KB / 4 KB / 1 KB | 64 KB / 3.8 KB / 1 KB | 64 KB / 4 KB / 1 KB | 64 KB / 4 KB / 1 KB | 64 KB / 4 KB / 1 KB |
| Vdd Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 + DMA | 10-bit ADC, no DMA | 10-bit ADC, no DMA | 12-bit ADC2 + DMA | 12-bit ADC2 + DMA | 12-bit ADC2 + DMA |
| DMA + PPS | Yes (DMA + PPS) | No DMA / no PPS | No DMA / no PPS | Yes (DMA + PPS) | Yes (DMA + PPS) | Yes (DMA + PPS) |
| RoHS / Lead-Free | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Approx. 100-pc Price (USD) | $2.71 | $2.60 (est.) | $2.45 (est.) | $2.85 (est.) | $2.65 (est.) | $2.71 (est.) |
Key Differentiators
- 12-bit ADC2 with hardware computation and DMA offload (vs PIC18LF46K40-E/MV)
- Lower Vdd range enables direct coin-cell or 1.8 V operation (vs PIC18F46K42-E/MV)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature range for industrial/automotive (vs PIC18LF46K42-I/MV)
Design Notes
Estimated: Place one 100 nF 0402 ceramic bypass capacitor within 3 mm of each Vdd pin (11, 21, 31) and one bulk 4.7 uF near the 40-UQFN exposed pad. Solder the EP to a continuous Vss pour of at least 25 mm squared to keep theta_JA within the 28 C/W datasheet figure - skipping this raises junction temperature 25-40 C at 64 MHz and may trigger thermal shutdown in closed enclosures.
XLP nanoWatt sleep currents below 50 nA require the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (RB6/RB7) to be configured as outputs or inputs with the WPU disabled - otherwise leakage through internal pull-ups adds 5-15 uA. Use PPS to remap peripherals away from RB6/RB7 in production firmware to fully exploit the XLP current budget during deep sleep.
When using the 12-bit ADC2 above 100 ksps aggregate, route analog traces (ANx) over a continuous ground pour and keep them at least 3 mm away from PWM or CWG traces. The DMA-driven ADC2 can inject switching noise into analog inputs via ground bounce; a 1 kHz RC low-pass (10 kohm + 100 nF) on each analog pin reduces sampling artifacts by ~6 dB. Reference: Microchip AN2640 'ADC Layout Practices'.
Do not enable the internal HFINTOSC at 64 MHz without first verifying Vdd >= 2.7 V; the K42 datasheet specifies HFINTOSC high-power mode requires Vdd >= 2.7 V. Running 64 MHz at 1.8 V causes unreliable Flash reads and brown-out resets. Use the LF-INTOSC at 1.8 V or step up to the F variant (PIC18F46K42-E/MV, 2.3 V min).
MCLR (pin 1) must have a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd and a 100 nF cap to ground for noise immunity; an exposed MCLR will intermittently reset in noisy motor-control environments. For ICSP programming, route ICSPCLK (RB6) and ICSPDAT (RB7) directly to a 6-pin header with no series resistors - the PICKit4 programmer provides internal drive and pulls.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page. The E suffix denotes extended temperature -40 C to +125 C (industrial/automotive) but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for AEC-Q100 Grade 0/1 automotive qualification, choose the VAO- or EP-suffixed variants.
