PIC18LF56K42-E/PT - 8-bit 64KB Flash MCU, 48-Pin TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF56K42-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.15 | $3.15 |
| 10 | $2.92 | $29.20 |
| 100 | $2.61 | $261.00 |
| 250 | $2.39 | $597.50 |
| 1,000 | $2.15 | $2,150.00 |
PIC18LF56K42-E/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable integrated circuit that executes instructions fetched from on-chip program memory and provides built-in peripherals for digital I/O, analog signal conversion, and serial communication. The 8-bit PIC RISC architecture sits within the broader microcontroller taxonomy: MCU -> embedded controller -> semiconductor device. 8-bit MCUs remain dominant in cost-sensitive, low-power applications where deterministic interrupt response and long product lifecycle outweigh raw computational throughput.
Key features of the PIC18LF56K42 include the eXtreme Low Power (XLP) sleep current of <100 nA typical, ideal for battery-backed IoT endpoints. The device supports 1.8V to 3.6V operation (the "LF" prefix) and includes Microchip's MPLAB X IDE ecosystem with XC8 compiler support. Operating temperature range is -40C to +125C (the "E" suffix), suiting industrial environments.
Architecturally, the K42 family implements a Harvard architecture with 16-bit instructions and separate 16-level hardware stack, hardware multiplier, and C-optimized instruction set. The integrated DMA engine offloads repetitive data transfers between peripherals and RAM, freeing the core for application logic - a meaningful upgrade over PIC18F46K22 predecessors that lacked DMA.
Typical applications include industrial sensor nodes with analog signal conditioning, low-power IoT battery nodes, USB-CDC/HID peripherals with EUSART bridges, LED lighting controllers using the high-resolution PWM, and motor control (BLDC/PMSM) using the CWG and fast ADC sampling. Designers transitioning from PIC18F46K22 or PIC18F46K80 designs gain DMA, CRC, and modern peripherals without pin-out changes when migrating within the 48-pin TQFP family.
Design consideration: ensure MPLAB X IDE 5.50+ with MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) Melody or Classic is used to generate device configuration; the PPS mapping must be assigned before peripheral use to avoid pin collisions on the 48-pin TQFP-EP footprint.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives within the PIC18 K42 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF56K42-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 PIC18LF56K42-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F56K42-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF57K42-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF55K42-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F57K42-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F56K42-E/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF56K42-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16 words) |
| Data SRAM | 4 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (LF series) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (E suffix = industrial) |
| Package | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Gull Wing) |
| ADC | 12-bit ADC2 with Computation, up to 35 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit DAC |
| Comparators | Yes |
| PWM Channels | Multiple 16-bit PWM with CWG |
| DMA Channels | Yes (Direct Memory Access) |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x EUSART, SPI, I2C |
| XLP Sleep Current | <100 nA typical |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF56K42-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — PORTA bit 6 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — PORTA bit 7 / analog / IOC |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8-3.6V) |
| Pin 11 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 / IOC / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 / IOC |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 / IOC |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 / IOC |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 / IOC |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 / IOC |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICSCLK / IOC |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICSDAT / IOC |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 21 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 / analog |
| Pin 22 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 / analog |
| Pin 23 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 / analog |
| Pin 24 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 / analog / SCL |
| Pin 25 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / analog / SDA |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 / analog |
| Pin 27 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 / TX |
| Pin 28 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 / RX |
| Pin 29 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 / analog |
| Pin 30 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 / analog |
| Pin 31 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 / analog |
| Pin 32 | RE3 — PORTE bit 3 / analog |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 34 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 35 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 36 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 37 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 38 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 39 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 40 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 / enhanced PWM |
| Pin 41 | RF0 — PORTF bit 0 / analog |
| Pin 42 | RF1 — PORTF bit 1 / analog |
| Pin 43 | RF2 — PORTF bit 2 / analog |
| Pin 44 | RF3 — PORTF bit 3 / analog |
| Pin 45 | RF4 — PORTF bit 4 / analog |
| Pin 46 | RF5 — PORTF bit 5 / analog |
| Pin 47 | RF6 — PORTF bit 6 / analog |
| Pin 48 | RF7 — PORTF bit 7 / analog |
| Pin 49 | EP — Exposed thermal pad (connect to VSS) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF56K42-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Node, Battery-Powered IoT Endpoint, BLDC / PMSM Motor Controller, LED Lighting Controller with DMX, USB-HID to UART Bridge, Touch-Sense User Interface.
Industrial Sensor Node
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT fits industrial sensor nodes because it combines a 12-bit ADC2 with Computation (automated oversampling and threshold detection), integrated DMA that offloads ADC-to-RAM transfers, and XLP sleep current below 100 nA. In a 4-20 mA loop-powered pressure or temperature transmitter, the MCU can wake on an ADC threshold interrupt, perform signal conditioning, and return to sub-microamp sleep. Operating on 1.8-3.6V and tolerating -40C to +125C, it handles harsh factory environments while the 48-pin TQFP-EP package offers the I/O count needed for multi-sensor interfaces including SPI, I2C, and EUSART to gateway radios.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Endpoint
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT endpoints due to its XLP technology with sub-100 nA sleep current, 1.8-3.6V operating range, and integrated peripheral pin select that simplifies PCB routing. For a coin-cell-powered smart sensor or BLE beacon, the MCU spends 99.9% of its time in sleep with RTCC wake, then bursts through ADC sampling and EUSART/SPI transmission to a companion radio. The DMA engine handles data movement without waking the CPU core, and the integrated CRC module verifies packet integrity before transmission - critical for energy-budgeted, multi-year deployments on a single CR2032 or AA pack.
Recommended
BLDC / PMSM Motor Controller
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT suits BLDC and PMSM motor control because the K42 family integrates the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC), Complementary Waveform Generator (CWG) for hardware dead-band control, and multiple high-resolution PWM channels. The 12-bit ADC2 with Computation samples back-EMF and phase currents at high rates while DMA moves conversion results to RAM without CPU intervention, freeing MIPS for the FOC control loop. Running at 64 MHz, the 16 MIPS throughput easily handles sensorless FOC for small pumps, fans, and e-bike hub motors, and the 48-pin TQFP-EP provides the GPIO count to drive a three-phase inverter via gate drivers.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controller with DMX
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT is ideal for architectural and stage LED lighting controllers because it provides up to 35 PWM-capable I/O, a high-resolution PWM/CWG module supporting >1 MHz PWM frequency for flicker-free dimming, and dual EUSART interfaces for DMX-512 / RDM protocol bridging. The DMA engine ensures deterministic 250 kbaud DMX reception without jitter even while the CPU manages PWM updates and color-mixing algorithms. The integrated 5-bit DAC can drive an external constant-current reference, and the 48-pin TQFP-EP handles four or more independent PWM channels for RGBW fixtures plus a serial UART for DMX daisy-chaining.
Recommended
USB-HID to UART Bridge
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT can serve as a USB-HID to UART bridge using its dual EUSART and a companion USB-to-UART IC, with the MCU acting as the protocol converter and configuration manager. The integrated DMA handles continuous UART-to-buffer transfers at high baud rates without CPU load, while the CLC module can implement custom bit-banging protocols. The 64 KB Flash accommodates CDC/HID stacks plus a configuration web server in firmware, and the wide 1.8-3.6V supply tolerance allows direct 3.3V operation from a USB-powered rail without an additional LDO. Designers using Microchip's USB stack should note the K42 family does not include native USB; pair with MCP2200 or MCP2221A USB-UART bridges.
Recommended
Touch-Sense User Interface
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT suits capacitive touch user interfaces because the integrated CLC and zero-cross detect (ZCD) modules, combined with the 12-bit ADC2 with Computation, can implement mTouch capacitive sensing without an external touch controller. The DMA scans multiple touch channels sequentially, accumulating charge measurements for averaging and baseline tracking, while the CPU stays free for HMI logic. The 48-pin TQFP-EP provides enough GPIO for 12-16 touch pads plus LED feedback indicators, and the 64 KB Flash stores sophisticated gesture recognition firmware. Operating from 1.8-3.6V, it powers directly from a single Li-Ion cell or 3.3V regulated rail.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF56K42-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F56K42-I/PT | PIC18LF57K42-I/PT | PIC18LF55K42-E/PT | PIC18F57K42-I/PT | PIC18F56K42-E/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) - same | 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB - same | 128 KB - upgrade | 32 KB - downgrade | 128 KB - upgrade | 64 KB - same |
| SRAM | 4 KB | 4 KB - same | 8 KB - upgrade | 2 KB - downgrade | 8 KB - upgrade | 4 KB - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (F) |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40 to +125C) | Industrial (-40 to +85C) | Industrial (-40 to +85C) | Extended (-40 to +125C) | Industrial (-40 to +85C) | Extended (-40 to +125C) |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 64 MHz | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same | 64 MHz - same |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same | 256 B - same |
| Peripheral Set | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM - same | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM - same | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM - same | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM - same | 12-bit ADC2, DMA, PPS, CWG, PWM - same |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated DMA engine eliminates CPU load for peripheral data movement (vs PIC18F46K22)
- 12-bit ADC2 with Computation provides hardware oversampling and threshold detection (vs PIC18F46K22 10-bit ADC)
- XLP technology achieves <100 nA sleep current (vs PIC18F46K80)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF56K42-E/PT supports 1.8-3.6V operation (LF series). Add a 100 nF decoupling capacitor on each VDD pin pair (pins 10/20 share a VDD plane in many layouts) plus a single 10 uF bulk capacitor at the package entry point. For battery-powered designs, place the MCU in SLEEP mode with RTCC running between ADC samples; the XLP sleep current is below 100 nA typical, supporting multi-year battery life. Wake sources include IOC, ADC threshold, RTCC alarm, and external interrupts on RB ports.
The 48-pin TQFP-EP (7x7 mm) package has a center exposed pad that MUST be soldered to a ground copper pour for thermal dissipation and electrical grounding. Use at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) in the EP land to a VSS inner plane. Without EP soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance increases dramatically and high-current PWM GPIO switching (20 mA source/sink) at full duty cycle can cause thermal shutdown. Keep analog traces (RA/RC/RF) routed away from PWM switching traces (RD) to avoid ADC noise coupling.
Estimated: PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) mapping must be configured before peripheral use, or default pin assignments take over and may conflict with hardware design. Use MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) Melody or Classic to generate the PPS unlock sequence and pin mapping. A common pitfall is forgetting to set the ANSELF register when switching a pin from digital to analog; the ADC2 will not read correctly if the pin digital buffer is still enabled. Also note the F variant runs on 5V while LF is 3.3V - never substitute one for the other without re-checking the power tree.
The high-resolution PWM module can run at >1 MHz carrier frequency. Route PWM outputs (RD port) directly to gate drivers without stubs; keep PWM traces short and away from the analog ADC inputs (RA/RC/RF). For motor control applications, separate the gate-driver supply decoupling from the MCU analog supply by using a ferrite bead. The 12-bit ADC2 with Computation (ADCC) provides hardware oversampling - using accumulation mode (32 samples) effectively gives 16-bit noise performance, but throughput drops to ~3 ksps.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. The /E/PT suffix indicates extended industrial temperature grade but is NOT AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications, use the PIC18F56K42-I/PT with appropriate PPAP documentation or move to AEC-Q100-qualified PIC18 families.
