
2009 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS39689F-page 9
PIC18F2221/2321/4221/4321 FAMILY
1.0
DEVICE OVERVIEW
This document contains device specific information for
the following devices:
This family offers the advantages of all PIC18 micro-
controllers – namely, high computational performance at
an economical price – with the addition of high-
endurance, Enhanced Flash program memory. On top of
these features, the PIC18F2221/2321/4221/4321 family
introduces design enhancements that make these micro-
controllers a logical choice for many high-performance,
power sensitive applications.
1.1
New Core Features
1.1.1
nanoWatt TECHNOLOGY
All of the devices in the PIC18F2221/2321/4221/4321
family incorporate a range of features that can signifi-
cantly reduce power consumption during operation.
Key items include:
Alternate Run Modes: By clocking the controller
from the Timer1 source or the internal oscillator
block, power consumption during code execution
can be reduced by as much as 90%.
Multiple Idle Modes: The controller can also run
with its CPU core disabled but the peripherals still
active. In these states, power consumption can be
reduced even further, to as little as 4% of normal
operation requirements.
On-the-Fly Mode Switching: The
power-managed modes are invoked by user code
during operation, allowing the user to incorporate
power-saving ideas into their application’s
software design.
Low Consumption in Key Modules: The
power requirements for both Timer1 and the
Watchdog Timer are minimized. See
values.
1.1.2
MULTIPLE OSCILLATOR OPTIONS
AND FEATURES
All of the devices in the PIC18F2221/2321/4221/4321
family offer ten different oscillator options, allowing
users a wide range of choices in developing application
hardware. These include:
Four Crystal modes, using crystals or ceramic
resonators.
Two External Clock modes, offering the option of
using two pins (oscillator input and a divide-by-4
clock output) or one pin (oscillator input, with the
second pin reassigned as general I/O).
Two External RC Oscillator modes with the same
pin options as the External Clock modes.
Two Internal Oscillator modes which provide
an 8 MHz clock and an INTRC source
(approximately 31 kHz), as well as a range of
6 user-selectable clock frequencies, between
125 kHz to 4 MHz, for a total of 8 clock frequencies.
One or both of the oscillator pins can be used for
general purpose I/O.
A Phase Lock Loop (PLL) frequency multiplier,
available to both the high-speed crystal and
internal oscillator modes, which allows clock
speeds of up to 40 MHz. Used with the internal
oscillator, the PLL gives users a complete selection
of clock speeds, from 31 kHz to 32 MHz – all
without using an external crystal or clock circuit.
Besides its availability as a clock source, the internal
oscillator block provides a stable reference source that
gives the family additional features for robust
operation:
Fail-Safe Clock Monitor: This option constantly
monitors the main clock source against a reference
signal provided by the internal oscillator. If a clock
failure occurs, the controller is switched to the
internal oscillator block, allowing for continued
low-speed operation or a safe application
shutdown.
Two-Speed Start-up: This option allows the
internal oscillator to serve as the clock source
from Power-on Reset, or wake-up from Sleep
mode, until the primary clock source is available.
PIC18F2221
PIC18LF2221
PIC18F2321
PIC18LF2321
PIC18F4221
PIC18LF4221
PIC18F4321
PIC18LF4321