PIC18LF6490-I/PT - 16KB Flash 8-bit MCU with LCD Driver | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF6490-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.45 | $64.50 |
| 100 | $5.68 | $568.00 |
| 500 | $5.1 | $2,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.62 | $4,620.00 |
PIC18LF6490-I/PT Overview
A PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a compact programmable processor that integrates a CPU core, Flash program memory, SRAM, peripherals, and I/O into a single chip. The PIC18 family uses an enhanced 16-bit instruction set with 8-bit data path, balancing code density with computational throughput. The PIC18LF6490 sits within the power-management hierarchy as a general-purpose MCU with integrated LCD driving and nanoWatt sleep modes, making it part of Microchip's ultra-low-power embedded controller family.
Key features include an integrated LCD driver supporting up to 48 segments with software-selectable multiplexing (static, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4) and bias configurations (static, 1/2, 1/3); nanoWatt power-management with multiple idle and sleep modes; 68 I/O pins; and a 10-bit ADC with up to 12 channels. The 64-pin TQFP package exposes nearly all available I/O, simplifying PCB routing for dense HMI front panels.
Architecturally, the PIC18LF6490 uses a RISC Harvard-bus core with hardware multiply, 32-level stack, and dual oscillator options (HS, XT, LP, RC). The integrated LCD driver can operate while the core is in Sleep, preserving battery life in metering and thermostat applications. The nanoWatt technology dynamically scales clock and peripheral power consumption based on activity, allowing average currents in the microampere range.
Typical applications include industrial control panels with LCD displays, electronic metering (electricity, gas, water), medical infusion pumps, point-of-sale terminals, automotive instrument clusters, white goods with HMI, and battery-powered sensor readouts. Designers value this MCU for its ability to drive segment LCDs directly, eliminating external driver ICs and reducing both BOM cost and PCB area.
When designing with this part, ensure the supply rail includes a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD, and configure the LCD charge-pump or resistor-ladder bias network per the manufacturer's reference design. The wide operating voltage range allows direct connection to 3.3V or 5V rails, simplifying integration into mixed-voltage systems.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing across DigiKey, Mouser and Octopart, pin-compatible drop-in alternatives from the PIC18F family, and practical design notes not aggregated elsewhere on the open web.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF6490-I/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 PIC18LF6490-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature, Power-Saving Modes, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F6490-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F8490-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF8390-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6490T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F6490T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF4480-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6490-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16 words) |
| RAM | 768 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 68 |
| ADC | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| Integrated LCD Driver | Yes, up to 48 segments |
| LCD Multiplex Modes | Static, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 MUX |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes (LF variant) |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, "I") |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF6490-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RC0 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 2 | RC1 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 3 | RC2 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 4 | RC3 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 5 | RC4 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 6 | RC5 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 7 | RC6 — Digital I/O / TX/CK |
| Pin 8 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX/DT |
| Pin 9 | RD0 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 10 | RD1 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 11 | RD2 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 12 | RD3 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 13 | RD4 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 14 | RD5 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 15 | RD6 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 16 | RD7 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 17 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0-5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | RE0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 20 | RE1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RE2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RE3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RE4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RE5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RE6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RE7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 29 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 30 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog input AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 31 | RA4 — Digital I/O / T0CKI |
| Pin 32 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 33 | RA6 — Digital I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 34 | RA7 — Digital I/O / oscillator |
| Pin 35 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 36 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 37 | RF0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 38 | RF1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 39 | RF2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 40 | RF3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 41 | RF4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 42 | RF5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 43 | RF6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 44 | RF7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 45 | RG0 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 46 | RG1 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 47 | RG2 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 48 | RG3 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 49 | RG4 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 50 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) |
| Pin 51 | RG5 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 52 | RG6 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 53 | RG7 — Digital I/O / LCD segment driver |
| Pin 54 | RB0 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 55 | RB1 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 56 | RB2 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 57 | RB3 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 58 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 59 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt |
| Pin 60 | RB6 — Digital I/O / interrupt / ICP |
| Pin 61 | RB7 — Digital I/O / interrupt / PGM |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 63 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 64 | OSC1 — Oscillator crystal input |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF6490-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels with LCD HMI, Electronic Metering (Electricity, Gas, Water), Medical Infusion Pumps and Portable Diagnostics, Point-of-Sale Terminals and Card Readers, White Goods and Home Appliance HMIs, Automotive Instrument Cluster Sub-Displays.
Industrial Control Panels with LCD HMI
The PIC18LF6490-I/PT is ideal for industrial control panels with segment LCD displays because its integrated LCD driver supports up to 48 segments with software-selectable multiplexing (Static, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 MUX) and bias, eliminating the need for an external LCD driver IC. The 2.0 V to 5.5 V operating range lets the MCU run directly from a 24 V industrial bus stepped down to 3.3 V or 5 V. Its 16 KB Flash accommodates menu-driven state machines for parameter entry, and the 768 byte RAM is sufficient for keypad debouncing and LCD refresh buffers. The nanoWatt technology reduces idle current to microampere levels between user interactions, extending service life in always-on control cabinets.
Recommended
Electronic Metering (Electricity, Gas, Water)
Electronic meters benefit from the PIC18LF6490-I/PT's combination of segment LCD driving and nanoWatt sleep modes. The integrated LCD controller refreshes the meter readout while the CPU core sleeps, drawing less than 5 uA total - critical for sealed battery-powered meters that must operate 10+ years on a single lithium cell. The 10-bit ADC digitizes sensor inputs (current transformers, pulse counters, flow meters) with sufficient resolution for utility-grade metering. The wide 2.0-5.5 V supply range accommodates single-cell lithium, two-AA, or 3.6 V lithium-thionyl chemistries without external boost regulators.
Recommended
Medical Infusion Pumps and Portable Diagnostics
Portable medical devices such as infusion pumps, glucose meters, and handheld diagnostics rely on the PIC18LF6490-I/PT's low-voltage operation and integrated LCD. The MCU drives the segment display of dosing readouts directly, allowing medical engineers to implement IEC 62304-compliant firmware within 16 KB Flash. The 2.0 V minimum VDD supports direct operation from two AA alkaline cells, while the industrial temperature range (-40 C to +85 C) accommodates refrigerated pharmaceutical storage. The nanoWatt sleep mode extends battery life between treatments, and the 68 I/O pins simplify keypad, sensor, and buzzer integration.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale Terminals and Card Readers
Point-of-sale terminals use the PIC18LF6490-I/PT as a low-power auxiliary controller for keypad scanning, LCD status indication, and secure input handling. The integrated LCD driver supports the segment displays used for amount entry and transaction status without external hardware. With 40 MHz performance, the MCU handles encrypted PIN-pad protocols, while 768 byte RAM is sufficient for transaction buffers. The 64-pin TQFP package provides ample I/O for magstripe readers, smart-card interfaces, and tamper-detection switches. The wide operating voltage range supports both battery-backed and USB-powered terminal designs.
Recommended
White Goods and Home Appliance HMIs
Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators commonly use the PIC18LF6490-I/PT to drive segment-LCD user interfaces with wash-cycle indicators and timer displays. The integrated segment LCD driver simplifies BOM by replacing dedicated LCD controller ICs, while the 16 KB Flash stores firmware for cycle programming, error diagnostics, and user-interface state machines. The 2.0-5.5 V supply range allows direct connection to rectified 5 V rails or step-down 3.3 V supplies. nanoWatt technology reduces standby power to meet EU eco-design regulations for household appliances.
Recommended
Automotive Instrument Cluster Sub-Displays
While the -I (industrial) grade PIC18LF6490-I/PT targets non-automotive applications, its integrated segment LCD driver and nanoWatt technology suit secondary automotive displays such as HVAC control readouts, trip-computer sub-panels, and battery-management status indicators. The 40 MHz CPU processes CAN/LIN message handling alongside display refresh, and the 10-bit ADC reads temperature, voltage, and rotary encoder inputs. Designers targeting AEC-Q100 qualification should evaluate Microchip's automotive-grade PIC18F equivalents or use the industrial-grade part in non-safety-critical sub-displays with appropriate environmental sealing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF6490-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F6490-I/PT | PIC18F8490-I/PT | PIC18LF8390-I/PT | PIC18LF6490T-I/PT | PIC18LF4480-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) 10x10 mm - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| RAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Integrated LCD Driver | Yes, up to 48 segments | Yes, up to 48 segments | Yes, up to 48 segments | Yes, up to 48 segments | Yes, up to 48 segments | No |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| nanoWatt Power Management | Yes (LF variant) | Limited | Limited | Yes (LF) | Yes (LF) | Yes (LF) |
| I/O Pins | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest operating voltage in 6490 family (vs PIC18F6490-I/PT)
- Integrated LCD driver eliminates external IC (vs PIC18LF4480-I/PT)
- True nanoWatt sleep with LCD active (vs PIC18F8490-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (the 64-pin TQFP has multiple VDD pins at 18, 36, and 63) and a single 10 uF bulk capacitor near the MCU. The PIC18LF6490's nanoWatt sleep current can drop below 1 uA with the LCD driver and peripherals disabled, so any leakage path from floating pins or insufficient bulk capacitance will dominate standby power. Estimated: at VDD=3.3V and Sleep mode with LCD off, supply current is approximately 0.1-1 uA per the datasheet DC characteristics table.
Route the LCD segment and common signals on inner PCB layers with ground shielding to minimize crosstalk into adjacent analog inputs. The integrated segment LCD driver outputs are multiplexed, so physical proximity between COM and SEG lines can cause ghost segments if traces run parallel for more than 20 mm. Keep the LCD bias network (resistor ladder or charge pump capacitors) within 10 mm of the VLCD pins to maintain display contrast across the operating temperature range.
Do not leave unused I/O pins floating - configure them as outputs or enable internal weak pull-ups to prevent parasitic current draw in sleep mode. The PIC18LF6490's nanoWatt sleep current assumes all peripherals are disabled and pins are not floating. Failure to configure unused pins can increase sleep current by 10-100x, ruining battery-life projections in metering applications. Also verify the MCLR pin has a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD; leaving MCLR floating causes erratic resets.
When using the 10-bit ADC for sensor measurements, place a 0.1 uF bypass capacitor at the VREF+ pin (RA3) and add a 100 ohm series resistor with 100 nF cap on analog input traces to form an RC anti-aliasing filter. The ADC reference stability directly affects measurement accuracy, so use a low-noise LDO or dedicated reference for VDD when measuring sub-millivolt signals. Estimated: with 10-bit resolution and 5 V VREF, the ADC quantizes to 4.88 mV per LSB - adequate for most HMI sensor readings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial grade (-I suffix) only - not AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive safety-critical applications.
