PIC12LF1840T-I/RF - 8-bit 32MHz XLP MCU 7KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC12LF1840T-I/RF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.514 | $0.51 |
| 10 | $0.486 | $4.86 |
| 100 | $0.421 | $42.10 |
| 500 | $0.378 | $189.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.342 | $342.00 |
| 3,000 | $0.296 | $888.00 |
PIC12LF1840T-I/RF Overview
A PIC microcontroller (MCU) is a compact, programmable integrated circuit that combines a CPU, non-volatile Flash program memory, volatile RAM, and configurable peripherals on a single silicon die. Within Microchip's taxonomy it sits below the dsPIC DSC family and the 16-bit and 32-bit MCU families; PIC microcontrollers are widely used in cost- and power-sensitive embedded designs where deterministic interrupt response and rich peripheral integration matter more than raw compute throughput.
Key features of this part include XLP technology for sub-microamp sleep currents, an internal 32MHz oscillator with PLL, multiple communication peripherals including EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), and on-chip 10-bit ADC with up to 4 channels. The 8-pin UDFN package offers a compact 3x3 mm footprint with exposed pad, while the operating temperature range of -40C to +85C supports industrial-grade deployments.
Typical applications include wearable electronics, IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered remote controls, low-power wireless transmitters (the LF variant supports 1.8V-3.6V operation needed by RF companion chips), and small-form-factor consumer devices. The integrated peripherals reduce BOM cost by eliminating external ADC, comparator, or oscillator components.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the exposed pad (pin 9 / EP) is properly soldered to the PCB ground plane to meet the published thermal resistance specification. For code development, Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with XC8 compiler and PICkit 5 in-circuit debugger are the canonical tool chain, and ICSP programming is supported through dedicated PGx and PGDx pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing tiers, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet itself, giving the engineer a single decision-ready reference for selecting and sourcing the PIC12LF1840T-I/RF.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LF1840T-I/RF — 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 PIC12LF1840T-I/RF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash), MSL Level.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12F1840T-I/RF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1840T-I/MF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F1822T-I/RF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1822T-I/RF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12LF1840T-I/RF Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit Enhanced Mid-Range |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 256 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 32 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 4 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Channels | 4 (10-bit) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Timers | 4 (8-bit and 16-bit) |
| Package | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) with exposed pad |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | MSL1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC12LF1840T-I/RF Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 2 | RA5 — Digital I/O / PWM / ADC input |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / PWM / ADC input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/MCLR — Digital input only / Master Clear reset |
| Pin 5 | RC5 — Digital I/O / PWM / ADC input |
| Pin 6 | RC4 — Digital I/O / PWM / ADC input |
| Pin 7 | RC3 — Digital I/O / PWM / ADC input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to PCB ground |
Typical Applications
PIC12LF1840T-I/RF is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Wearable Sensor Node, IoT Remote Control / Wireless Button, Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA Loop), Smart Home LED Lighting Controller, Consumer Medical / Wellness Device, Automotive Accessory / Aftermarket Module.
Battery-Powered Wearable Sensor Node
The PIC12LF1840T-I/RF's XLP technology with sleep currents below 1 uA and 1.8 V minimum VDD makes it a natural fit for wearable sensor nodes such as fitness bands and continuous-health monitors. Its 6 I/O pins can host an I2C sensor (accelerometer, heart-rate), a single status LED, and an interrupt line, while the 7 KB Flash is enough for sensor-fusion firmware with a small RTOS or state-machine scheduler. The 32 MHz / 8 MIPS performance comfortably handles 100 Hz sensor sampling with on-chip 10-bit ADC and EUSART for BLE companion-radio communication. Compared with the PIC12F1822T-I/RF, this part provides 50% more program memory, supporting on-device filtering and motion-classification algorithms.
Recommended
IoT Remote Control / Wireless Button
For battery-powered RF remote controls and IoT push-buttons, the PIC12LF1840T-I/RF offers a low-leakage wake-from-sleep on pin-change architecture, 1.8 V coin-cell operation, and 256 bytes of RAM enough to manage simple protocol stacks. Combined with a sub-GHz companion transmitter (such as the PIC12LF1840T39A RF Transmitter variant), the same family supports 310/434/868/915 MHz OOK/FSK transmission while consuming only a few mA peak. The 4-channel PWM can drive an LED status indicator or haptic feedback motor, while the integrated 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage for end-of-life signalling.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Transmitter (4-20 mA Loop)
In 4-20 mA loop-powered industrial transmitters the PIC12LF1840T-I/RF's 1.8 V minimum supply works with the typical 3.6 V loop compliance range, and its 10-bit ADC with up to 4 channels can digitize bridge sensors for pressure, flow, or level measurement. The on-chip comparators enable window-detect alarms without external components, while the 32 MHz internal oscillator provides stable timing for HART or similar modulation overlays if needed. The -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature grade ensures deployment in factory-floor enclosures. Choosing this part instead of an AVR or STM8 alternative simplifies the BOM and firmware port for cost-sensitive process instrumentation.
Recommended
Smart Home LED Lighting Controller
The PIC12LF1840T-I/RF drives four 10-bit PWM channels that can be routed to constant-current LED strings for color-mixing or dimming in smart-bulb designs. Its 1.8 V minimum VDD allows direct connection to a single-cell Li-ion battery, and the XLP sleep mode keeps standby power under 1 uA when the bulb is off but still paired to a wireless mesh. The EUSART and MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripherals simultaneously connect to a BLE/Zigbee companion module and a digital light sensor. Compared with the PIC12F675T-I/SN, this part provides twice the Flash and 4x the PWM channels at the same 8-pin footprint.
Recommended
Consumer Medical / Wellness Device
For consumer-grade medical and wellness devices such as digital thermometers, pulse oximeters, and pill-reminder dispensers, the PIC12LF1840T-I/RF combines low power consumption, a small 3x3 mm UDFN footprint, and on-chip peripherals (10-bit ADC, comparators, PWM) that minimize external parts count. The 256-byte RAM is sufficient for short-term sample buffers, while the 7 KB Flash stores application firmware and small calibration tables. Compliance with RoHS and the -40 C to +85 C industrial temperature range supports deployment in home-health environments. For higher-accuracy measurements, the MCU's external interrupt and timer-capture functions can precisely time optical or impedance sensor events.
Recommended
Automotive Accessory / Aftermarket Module
In automotive aftermarket accessories such as tire-pressure-monitoring sensors, interior LED drivers, and OBD-II dongles, the PIC12LF1840T-I/RF offers 32 MHz compute, 7 KB Flash, and automotive-suitable -40 C to +85 C operation. For OEM-grade deployments requiring AEC-Q100, designers should consider the PIC16F or PIC18 family; this part is well suited to the accessory and aftermarket tiers where cost is critical and AEC-Q100 is not mandated. The 8-UDFN package enables very compact PCB layouts, while the on-chip EUSART supports LIN-bus or K-Line communication after a small external transceiver.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LF1840T-I/RF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12F1840T-I/RF | PIC12LF1840T-I/MF | PIC12F1822T-I/RF | PIC12LF1822T-I/RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) - same | 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Program Flash | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 3.5 KB |
| Data RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Clock | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) | 32 MHz (8 MIPS) |
| I/O Pins | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Lower minimum operating voltage (1.8 V) enables single-cell Li-ion and coin-cell designs without boost regulator (vs PIC12F1840T-I/RF)
- Same die as PIC12LF1840T-I/MF, offering PCB layout flexibility between UDFN and DFN packages (vs PIC12LF1840T-I/MF)
- 2x the Flash and RAM of PIC12F1822T-I/RF for more sophisticated firmware (vs PIC12F1822T-I/RF)
Design Notes
The 8-UDFN (3x3 mm) package has an exposed thermal pad (EP, pin 9) on the underside. According to the Microchip 41441A datasheet, this pad MUST be soldered to the PCB ground plane to meet the thermal resistance spec and to provide a stable electrical reference for the silicon die. If left unsoldered, the device may exceed its junction-temperature limit at high ambient temperatures or sustained 32 MHz operation. Recommended land pattern uses 4 thermal vias under the pad to a second internal ground plane.
Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of pin 1, plus a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the same node. The PIC12LF1840T-I/RF's brown-out reset (BOR) and Power-on Reset (POR) thresholds are factory-calibrated but can be reconfigured in the configuration words; leaving BOR enabled is the recommended default for battery-powered designs to avoid indeterminate startup at low VDD. Estimate: with 32 MHz active, IDD ~ 4 mA; with sleep + RTCC, IDD ~ 1 uA.
Keep the ICSP pins (PGC = RA4 / PGD = RA5 on most PIC12F1840 packages) routed with short traces and a 4.7 kohm pull-up on MCLR (pin 4 / RA3). Avoid routing digital switching signals adjacent to the analog ADC inputs (RA4/RC5/RC4) to minimize crosstalk; if unavoidable, use a ground guard trace between the digital and analog nets. The exposed pad ground plane should not be split under analog or RF traces, as split grounds can inject noise into ADC readings.
Do not assume the LF (1.8-3.6 V) and F (2.3-5.5 V) variants are interchangeable on a 3.3 V rail; both work, but swapping onto a 5 V rail will damage the LF die. Do not leave the unused ADC channels floating - tie them to VDD or VSS via 10 kohm to prevent shoot-through current in the input mux. When using the internal oscillator at 32 MHz, allow the PLL lock time (~ 2 ms) before relying on stable clock edges, especially after waking from sleep.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free / halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance disclosure. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F or PIC18 family for automotive OEM applications. Conflict-minerals declaration per Microchip CMRT filing.
