PIC18LF6525-I/PT - 8-bit MCU 48KB Flash 40MHz 64-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF6525-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.85 | $9.85 |
| 10 | $8.95 | $89.50 |
| 100 | $7.8 | $780.00 |
| 500 | $6.85 | $3,425.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.2 | $6,200.00 |
PIC18LF6525-I/PT Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, peripherals, and I/O on one die. The PIC18 family uses a Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, 16-bit opcodes, and a 31-level hardware stack, sitting in the broader taxonomy: PIC18 -> PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit MCU -> microcontroller -> semiconductor -> integrated circuit. This 'LF' variant is the eXtreme Low Power family tuned for low-voltage battery applications from 2.0 V upward.
Key features include 48 KB Flash (24K x 16), 3,840 bytes data RAM, 1 KB EEPROM, hardware ECAN controller, 10-bit A/D with multiple channels, two USART modules, MSSP/SPI/I2C peripherals, and four timer modules. The 64-pin TQFP package gives the device 52 usable I/O lines, suiting dense I/O-bound applications like industrial control panels and CAN nodes. NanoWatt power management offers multiple idle, sleep, and run modes with on-the-fly oscillator switching.
The PIC18LF6525-I/PT uses a 16-bit instruction word with an 8-bit data path, providing C-compiler-friendly operation and deterministic interrupt response. Its enhanced Flash supports self-programming under firmware control, enabling in-field bootloader updates. The integrated ECAN module implements CAN 2.0B active/passive with three transmit and two receive buffers, eliminating an external CAN controller on CAN nodes.
Typical applications include industrial CAN-bus sensor nodes, automotive body and climate controllers, low-power metering, embedded control panels, and ECAN-connected motor drives. The wide 2.0-5.5V supply range and low-power modes make it well-suited to 3.3V and 5V mixed-rail systems as well as battery-powered instrumentation.
When designing, ensure the decoupling capacitor network follows Microchip's recommended 0.1 uF plus 10 uF bulk placement, and review the oscillator configuration bits for the chosen crystal or resonator. Program memory endurance is rated 100K erase/write cycles minimum.
This page combines manufacturer datasheet data, current distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that are not assembled on any single manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF6525-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 PIC18LF6525-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, I/O Pins, ADC, Core, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF6627-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF8525-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F6525-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF6520-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$11.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF8627-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF6525-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC RISC, 8-bit data path, 16-bit instruction word |
| Family | PIC18LFxx, eXtreme Low Power |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 48 KB (24K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 3,840 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 52 |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| CAN Module | ECAN 2.0B active/passive, integrated |
| UART Modules | 2x USART |
| SPI/I2C Modules | MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Timers | 4 (8-bit/16-bit mix) |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (PT), 10x10 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial 'I' grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (PT package) |
PIC18LF6525-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RC0 — Digital I/O / T0CKI / PWM |
| Pin 2 | RC1 — Digital I/O / CCP2 |
| Pin 3 | RC2 — Digital I/O / CCP1 |
| Pin 4 | RC3 — Digital I/O / SCL |
| Pin 5 | RC4 — Digital I/O / SDA |
| Pin 6 | RC5 — Digital I/O / SDO |
| Pin 7 | RC6 — Digital I/O / TX1 |
| Pin 8 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX1 |
| Pin 9 | RD0 — Digital I/O / PSP0 |
| Pin 10 | RD1 — Digital I/O / PSP1 |
| Pin 11 | RD2 — Digital I/O / PSP2 |
| Pin 12 | RD3 — Digital I/O / PSP3 |
| Pin 13 | RD4 — Digital I/O / PSP4 |
| Pin 14 | RD5 — Digital I/O / PSP5 |
| Pin 15 | RD6 — Digital I/O / PSP6 |
| Pin 16 | RD7 — Digital I/O / PSP7 |
| Pin 17 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 19 | RE0 — Digital I/O / RD |
| Pin 20 | RE1 — Digital I/O / WR |
| Pin 21 | RE2 — Digital I/O / CS |
| 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 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 29 | RB1 — Digital I/O / AN1 |
| Pin 30 | RB0 — Digital I/O / AN0 |
| Pin 31 | RB3 — Digital I/O / AN3 |
| Pin 32 | RB2 — Digital I/O / AN2 |
| Pin 33 | RB5 — Digital I/O / AN5 |
| Pin 34 | RB4 — Digital I/O / AN4 |
| Pin 35 | RB7 — Digital I/O / AN7 |
| Pin 36 | RB6 — Digital I/O / AN6 |
| Pin 37 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 38 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 39 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / CLKIN |
| Pin 40 | OSC2 — Oscillator output / CLKOUT |
| Pin 41 | RF7 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 42 | RF6 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 43 | RF5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 44 | RF4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 45 | RF3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 46 | RF2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 47 | RF1 — Digital I/O / C2OUT |
| Pin 48 | RF0 — Digital I/O / C1OUT |
| Pin 49 | RG4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 50 | RG3 — Digital I/O / C2IN- |
| Pin 51 | RG2 — Digital I/O / C2IN+ |
| Pin 52 | RG1 — Digital I/O / C1IN- |
| Pin 53 | RG0 — Digital I/O / C1IN+ |
| Pin 54 | RA0 — Digital I/O / AN0 |
| Pin 55 | RA1 — Digital I/O / AN1 |
| Pin 56 | RA2 — Digital I/O / AN2 |
| Pin 57 | RA3 — Digital I/O / AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 58 | RA4 — Digital I/O / T0CKI |
| Pin 59 | RA5 — Digital I/O / AN4 / VREF- |
| Pin 60 | RA6 — Digital I/O / OSC2 |
| Pin 61 | RA7 — Digital I/O / OSC1 |
| Pin 62 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 63 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 64 | MCLR — Master clear / reset input |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF6525-I/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial CAN-Bus Sensor Nodes, Automotive Body and Climate Controllers, Low-Power Metering and Data Loggers, Embedded Control Panels and HMIs, ECAN-Connected Motor Drive Controllers, Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Hubs, Medical Monitoring Devices.
Industrial CAN-Bus Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF6525-I/PT is well suited to industrial CAN-bus sensor nodes thanks to its integrated ECAN 2.0B controller, 40 MHz CPU clock, and 2.0-5.5 V supply range. The on-chip ECAN module with three transmit and two receive buffers removes the need for an external CAN controller IC, leaving only a transceiver such as the MCP2561 connected between the MCU and the bus. The 10-bit A/D converter handles analog sensor inputs with up to 52 I/O available for digital sensors, switches, and indicator LEDs. At 40 MHz the CPU delivers 10 MIPS, comfortably managing CAN message scheduling, A/D sampling, and protocol conversion in real time. NanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent current for battery-backed nodes.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Climate Controllers
Automotive body controllers and HVAC climate modules benefit from the PIC18LF6525-I/PT's wide operating voltage range (2.0 V to 5.5 V), 52 digital I/O lines, and integrated 10-bit A/D for temperature and position feedback. The MCU's 48 KB Flash and 3,840 bytes RAM support CAN-based diagnostics, PWM fan/actuator control, and HMI logic on the same silicon, replacing multi-chip discrete solutions. With 10 MIPS throughput at 40 MHz, the controller can simultaneously service ECAN messages, scan the keypad matrix, and drive stepper motors for vent positioning. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade handles under-dash environments without derating.
Recommended
Low-Power Metering and Data Loggers
The PIC18LF6525-I/PT fits battery-powered metering designs due to its 2.0 V minimum supply and NanoWatt sleep modes. The 48 KB Flash stores calibration tables and rolling historical data, while the 1 KB EEPROM retains accumulated kilowatt-hours, flow totals, or run-time counters through power cycles. The 10-bit A/D digitizes sensor outputs with adequate resolution for utility-grade accuracy when properly oversampled. Two USART modules allow simultaneous connections to optical ports and radio modules for AMR (automatic meter reading). Industrial temperature grade supports outdoor enclosure deployments.
Recommended
Embedded Control Panels and HMIs
Human-machine interface (HMI) panels with graphical LCDs, keypads, and status LEDs fit well on the PIC18LF6525-I/PT, leveraging its 52 I/O pins for direct keypad matrix scanning, LCD bus, and indicator arrays. The 3,840 bytes of RAM buffer menu structures and message strings without external memory. At 40 MHz, the MCU updates graphical LCDs at acceptable frame rates using the MSSP SPI interface to the display controller. The ECAN peripheral ties the panel into a larger industrial control network for status reporting and remote commands from a master PLC.
Recommended
ECAN-Connected Motor Drive Controllers
Motor drive controllers that need closed-loop control over CAN benefit from the PIC18LF6525-I/PT's combination of ECAN, PWM, and 10-bit A/D. Up to four timer modules generate PWM signals for H-bridge or 3-phase drive stages at switching frequencies above 20 kHz, beyond audible noise. The 10 MIPS throughput executes Field-Oriented Control (FOC) or trapezoidal commutation algorithms while maintaining CAN bus traffic. The 48 KB Flash holds the control law, lookup tables, and fault-handling routines for overcurrent and overtemperature protection.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Wireless Sensor Hubs
Battery-powered wireless sensor hubs use the PIC18LF6525-I/PT as a low-power host MCU that buffers sensor data before transmission over SPI to a radio module. The 2.0 V minimum supply enables direct operation from a single Li-Ion cell or 2x AA cells without boost conversion. NanoWatt sleep currents below 1 uA in deep sleep extend battery life when radio duty cycles are low. The MSSP/SPI interface runs at the system clock speed, while the second USART can connect to a Bluetooth or LoRa module for configuration. The 48 KB Flash holds application firmware, security keys, and OTA update staging.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Devices
Medical monitoring devices such as portable pulse oximeters and glucose meters benefit from the PIC18LF6525-I/PT's low-power modes and integrated 10-bit A/D. The MCU processes sensor inputs from optical or enzymatic sensors, drives small OLED/LCD displays via SPI, and stores historical data in the 1 KB EEPROM. The 2.0-5.5 V supply allows operation from coin cells or rechargeable Li-Ion packs. Industrial temperature grade supports body-worn and bedside applications. The wide I/O count accommodates multiple sensors, buttons, and battery-management pins on a single chip.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF6525-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF6627-I/PT | PIC18LF8525-I/PT | PIC18F6525-I/PT | PIC18LF6520-I/PT | PIC18LF8627-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) - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 64-pin TQFP (PT) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 48 KB | 96 KB (+100%) | 48 KB (same) | 48 KB (same) | 32 KB (-33%) | 96 KB (+100%) |
| Data RAM | 3,840 bytes | 3,968 bytes | 3,840 bytes | 3,840 bytes | 2,048 bytes | 3,864 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 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 |
| ECAN Module | Yes (integrated) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| A/D Converter | 10-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Higher program memory in same footprint (vs PIC18LF6627-I/PT)
- 12-bit A/D upgrade path available (vs PIC18LF8525-I/PT)
- Wide voltage range down to 2.0 V (vs PIC18F6525-I/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/VSS pair with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, and add a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the MCU. For battery applications using the LF NanoWatt modes, switch to the slowest oscillator that still meets timing requirements and place the MCU in sleep between sensor reads. The AVDD/AVSS pins powering the A/D converter should have their own 0.1 uF bypass capacitor as documented in the datasheet Section 2.
Route the ECAN differential pair CANTX and CANRX to the MCP2561 transceiver with 50 ohm controlled impedance and matched lengths within 5 mm. Place a 120 ohm termination resistor at each end of the bus only, never at stub nodes. Keep the 40 MHz oscillator traces short and guard the crystal with a ground ring to reduce EMI radiation into nearby analog inputs.
Do not confuse the 'LF' (2.0 V minimum) variant with the 'F' (4.2 V minimum) variant when substituting - applying 3.3 V to a PIC18F6525 will not operate reliably. Always set the configuration bits to disable the Watchdog Timer (WDT) during firmware development to avoid unwanted resets, and clear the RCON register after a brown-out to identify the reset source. The MCLR pin should have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF capacitor to VSS for noise immunity.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page for PT package. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; use PIC18F or PIC18F-Q1 variants for automotive applications.
