PIC18LF47K42-I/MV - 8-bit 64MHz 128KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF47K42-I/MV ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.42 | $342.00 |
| 500 | $3.05 | $1,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.75 | $2,750.00 |
PIC18LF47K42-I/MV Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller is a small, single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path. It executes one byte per instruction cycle and is widely used in embedded systems where deterministic behavior, low cost, and ultra-low standby power matter more than raw compute. PIC18 devices sit within a hierarchy of microcontrollers -> 8-bit MCUs -> flash-based MCUs -> low-power MCUs (XLP family) -> semiconductor. Within that taxonomy the PIC18LF47K42 represents the highest-density member of the K42 generation.
Key features include 36 digital I/O pins, four 16-bit timers with CCP, two 10-bit PWMs, DMA controller, two I2C/SPI/UART interfaces, a 12-bit differential ADC capable of up to 30 channels in select packages, two 8-bit DACs, and a windowed watchdog timer. The 'LF' prefix denotes the 1.8V-3.6V F (Flash) process variant, whereas the 'F' version extends to 5.5V. The device operates from -40C to +85C in the -I industrial grade.
The architecture combines a 16-bit wide instruction word with an 8-bit data path, achieving near-RISC efficiency. CIP blocks (CLC, NCO, CWG, DSM, math accelerator, hardware limit timer) let peripherals handshake without CPU intervention, which shortens firmware and reduces average current. Hardware DMA moves data between peripherals and RAM, leaving the core idle.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, home automation, wireless remote controls, HVAC thermostats, battery-powered medical peripherals, and small industrial control boards where the UQFN footprint saves PCB area. Designers also use this part for touch/proximity front-ends, motor control loops up to a few hundred Hz, and human-machine interface panels.
When designing, choose the LF variant for 1.8V-3.6V battery rails, and ensure the UQFN thermal pad is soldered to a sufficient copper pour (typically 1 cm2 minimum) to meet theta_JA. The Debug pins (PGD/PGC) require a 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR for reliable ICSP.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes curated for PIC18LF47K42-I/MV that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF47K42-I/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 PIC18LF47K42-I/MV (same form factor and footprint) — differing in DAC, Package, ADC, Core, PWM Channels.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF46K42-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F47K42-I/MV
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF47K40-E/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46K40-I/MV
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF47K42-I/MV Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit |
| CPU Speed | 64 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 128 KB (64K x 16) |
| RAM | 8 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 36 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 30 channels (max) |
| DAC | 2 x 8-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Timers (16-bit) | 4 x CCP |
| PWM | Multiple (16-bit MCCP/SCCP) |
| Communication | 2 x I2C, 2 x SPI, 2 x UART |
| DMA | Yes (hardware) |
| Package | 40-UQFN 5x5 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Family | PIC18(L)FxxK42 XLP |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
PIC18LF47K42-I/MV 40-uqfn 5x5 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC18LF47K42-I/MV (40-uqfn 5x5 mm package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for PIC18LF47K42-I/MV.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC18LF47K42-I/MV is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Home Automation Hubs, HVAC Thermostats and Climate Control, Wireless Remote Controls, Small Industrial Control Boards, Medical Peripherals and Health Monitoring.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF47K42-I/MV is purpose-built for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes where standby current dominates battery life. The XLP technology delivers nanoWatt sleep currents in the deep-sleep mode, while the 64 MHz CPU handles data acquisition bursts in microseconds before returning to sleep. The 12-bit ADC with hardware computation (ADC2) oversamples and averages sensor readings without CPU intervention, and the DMA controller moves data between the ADC and RAM while the core stays asleep. The 1.8V minimum supply lets the part run directly from a single-cell Li-ion or two AA alkaline cells without boost conversion. XAIPART cross-references this part for BLE-Zigbee-Thread sensor front-ends where the MCU wakes, samples, transmits, and returns to sleep within a 5 ms duty cycle, achieving multi-year battery life.
Recommended
Home Automation Hubs
The PIC18LF47K42-I/MV fits home automation hub roles where multi-protocol bridging, touch/proximity interfaces, and low standby power converge. Its dual I2C/SPI/UART instances handle concurrent sensor bus traffic, while the CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) implements custom glue logic in hardware, offloading the core. The 8 KB RAM buffers protocol stacks (Zigbee green power, BLE beacons, Modbus over RS-485) without external memory. The 36 I/O pins on the 40-UQFN footprint provide enough headroom for keypad scanning, LCD drive, and relay outputs. Designers typically pair this part with a sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz radio module via SPI, leaving the core free for protocol routing.
Recommended
HVAC Thermostats and Climate Control
HVAC thermostats demand precise temperature sensing, triac-firing PWM control for fan stages, and capacitive touch user interfaces, all from a small PCB. The PIC18LF47K42-I/MV's 12-bit ADC samples thermistor bridges at high resolution while the 10-bit PWM drives a triac optocoupler for fan speed modulation. The CLC and NCO peripherals generate zero-cross detection timing without CPU load, and the 1 KB EEPROM stores user setpoints and calibration across power cycles. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade covers attic and basement installations. The 5x5 mm UQFN allows the thermostat PCB to fit behind a 1.5-inch display.
Recommended
Wireless Remote Controls
Wireless remote controls are dominated by battery life and tactile latency, both of which the PIC18LF47K42-I/MV addresses effectively. The XLP deep-sleep current of roughly 100 nA lets a coin-cell-powered remote last 5+ years. The 64 MHz CPU wakes in microseconds from a button interrupt, reads the keypad matrix via DMA, encodes the IR or RF command via the CLC or NCO, and returns to sleep. The 36 I/O pins handle a 4x5 matrix keypad plus multiple LED indicators. The 1.8V-3.6V supply range matches CR2032 and CR2477 coin cells directly. XAIPART notes typical designs pair this MCU with an SPI-driven sub-GHz or IR transmitter.
Recommended
Small Industrial Control Boards
Small industrial control boards - sensor interface cards, I/O expanders, and motor control loops - benefit from the PIC18LF47K42-I/MV's deterministic 8-bit core and rich peripheral set. The hardware DMA ensures deterministic latency for time-critical control loops, while the CLC implements safety interlocks in hardware that cannot be starved by firmware bugs. The 12-bit ADC's differential input capability handles bridge sensors and 4-20 mA current loops directly. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade covers factory floor environments, and the 40-UQFN footprint is reflow-compatible with standard SMT lines. The two UART instances enable concurrent RS-485 master/slave operation for daisy-chained industrial networks.
Recommended
Medical Peripherals and Health Monitoring
Medical peripherals such as portable pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, and glucose meters need medical-grade reliability in battery-powered handheld enclosures, where the PIC18LF47K42-I/MV's IEC 60730 Class B safety libraries and XLP technology fit well. The 12-bit ADC with hardware oversampling reads pulse-oximetry photodiode signals at low SNR, while the DMA-driven acquisition pipeline keeps the core idle for power savings. The 1 KB EEPROM stores patient calibration curves, and the hardware CRC engine validates firmware integrity. The 1.8V-3.6V supply supports a single Li-ion cell with built-in low-battery detection via the analog comparator. XAIPART notes this part is widely used in FDA-cleared Class II medical accessories when paired with appropriate firmware libraries.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF47K42-I/MV — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF46K42-I/MV | PIC18F47K42-I/MV | PIC18LF47K40-E/MV | PIC18LF46K40-I/MV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 40-UQFN (5x5) | 40-UQFN (5x5) - same | 40-UQFN (5x5) - same | 40-UQFN (5x5) - same | 40-UQFN (5x5) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 128 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| RAM | 8 KB | 4 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 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 |
| CPU Speed | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Generation | K42 | K42 | K42 | K40 (older) | K40 (older) |
| DMA Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| I/O Pins | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-density K42 family member with 128 KB Flash / 8 KB RAM (vs PIC18LF46K42-I/MV)
- Latest K42 generation CIP peripherals and DMA (vs PIC18LF47K40-I/MV)
- Lower-voltage LF process for direct battery operation (vs PIC18F47K42-I/MV)
Design Notes
Estimated: The 40-UQFN 5x5 mm package has theta_JA in the range of 30-40 C/W with a properly soldered thermal pad. For battery-powered applications where average power dissipation is below 50 mW, no thermal management beyond standard PCB copper is needed. At maximum sustained CPU activity (64 MHz, all peripherals enabled), dissipation may reach 60 mW, requiring at least 100 mm2 of copper pour connected to the exposed pad. Always solder the thermal pad to a contiguous ground plane via thermal vias for production reliability.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of each VDD pin (the 40-UQFN has two VDD pins and three VSS pins). Add a bulk 4.7 uF capacitor near the package for transient response during wake-from-sleep events. Keep the 32 kHz low-power crystal traces short and symmetric, with a guard ground ring if the MCU is near a switching converter. The MCLR pin requires a 4.7 kohm pull-up to VDD for ICSP programming; do not leave it floating.
To maximize XLP battery life, configure unused peripherals via firmware to their lowest-power state before entering Sleep or Deep Sleep. Use the CLC and DMA to keep the core in sleep while peripherals stream data. The ADC's hardware computation (ADC2) mode continues averaging without CPU intervention. Estimate: typical deep-sleep current is approximately 100 nA at 25C with RTC running, and active current at 64 MHz is approximately 8 mA at 3.3V. Avoid leaving floating analog inputs - tie them to VDD or VSS to prevent shoot-through leakage.
Do not omit the AVDD and AVSS pins - both must be connected even if the ADC is unused. Ensure the LF variant is selected for 1.8V operation; the F variant cannot reliably run below 2.3V. When migrating firmware from PIC18LF47K40 to PIC18LF47K42, verify that the new vectored interrupt controller is initialized correctly - the K40 had a legacy interrupt controller and direct port mapping may break. The ICDS Debug pins (PGD/PGC) are shared with PORTB and must be reconfigured in firmware after debug disconnect.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial -I grade covers -40C to +85C; for automotive AEC-Q100 qualification, contact Microchip for PIC18F47K42-E/MV automotive-grade variants. Halogen-free per Microchip policy.
