PIC18F13K22-E/SS - 8-bit 48MHz 8KB Flash XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F13K22-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.61 | $2.61 |
| 10 | $2.35 | $23.50 |
| 100 | $1.97 | $197.00 |
| 500 | $1.72 | $860.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.55 | $1,550.00 |
PIC18F13K22-E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory, volatile RAM, and a mix of analog and digital peripherals. The 8-bit PIC18 architecture falls in the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Within the MCU family, the PIC18 sits between the 8-bit baseline (PIC10/12/16) and the 16-bit dsPIC/PIC24 families, and is targeted at C-compiler-optimized applications where deterministic behaviour, low power, and rich peripherals matter more than raw MHz.
Key features include a 49-instruction RISC core with hardware multiplier, 16-bit instruction word, internal oscillator factory-calibrated to within +/-1% over voltage and temperature, two analog comparators with programmable references, and a charge time measurement unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing. The nanoWatt XLP technology and the deep-sleep modes deliver microamp-level average current for battery-powered designs, which is one reason this family is widely used in IoT edge nodes and remote sensor products.
In terms of architecture, the part uses a Harvard bus with separate code and data paths, an 8-level hardware stack, and a vectored interrupt controller with two priority levels. The Flash memory supports self-programming under firmware control, which enables in-field bootloader updates via UART, I2C or SPI - a frequent requirement for sealed products that cannot be physically opened for firmware changes.
Typical applications include consumer white goods, low-power handheld instruments, sensor hubs for HVAC systems, USB HID devices (using a software USB stack), and small appliances with capacitive touch interfaces. The wide 2.3V-5.5V supply range lets a single design operate from two AA cells or a regulated 3.3V or 5V rail, simplifying the BOM.
When designing with this device, place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and keep the MCLR pull-up close to the IC. Use the internal oscillator to free the OSC pins for I/O on pin-constrained designs, and leave the unused I/O pins configured as outputs low to minimize current draw.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in cross-references, and design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F13K22-E/SS — 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 PIC18F13K22-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Timers, ADC, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F13K22-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F13K22T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1330-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1220-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.84 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F1230-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K22-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit RISC) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| RAM | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 5.5 V (extended Vdd range; Flash program spec 4.2-5.5 V for some ratings) |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3, plus ECCP + CCP) |
| Communication | EUSART, MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Comparators | 2 with selectable references |
| PWM Channels | Up to 4 (ECCP + CCP) |
| Temperature Grade (E suffix) | -40 C to +125 C (extended industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| MSL (Moisture Sensitivity) | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
PIC18F13K22-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/T0CKI — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 3 / Voltage reference positive / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T1G — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 4 / Timer1 gate input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — Bidirectional I/O / Master Clear (Reset) input / Programming voltage input |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Bidirectional I/O / Oscillator pin 2 / Clock output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Bidirectional I/O / Oscillator pin 1 / Clock input |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/INT0 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 0 / Comparator1 non-inverting input / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 8 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/INT1 — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 1 / Comparator1 inverting input / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 9 | RA2/AN2/C2IN+/VREF- — Bidirectional I/O / Analog input 2 / Comparator2 non-inverting input / Voltage reference negative |
| Pin 10 | RC0/SOSCO — Bidirectional I/O / Secondary oscillator output (Timer1) |
| Pin 11 | RC1/SOSCI — Bidirectional I/O / Secondary oscillator input (Timer1) |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Bidirectional I/O / Capture/Compare/PWM1 output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Bidirectional I/O / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 14 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 15 | RC5/SDO — Bidirectional I/O / SPI data out |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART TX / EUSART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Bidirectional I/O / EUSART RX / EUSART data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Bidirectional I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18F13K22-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Hub, Industrial HVAC Touch Keypad, Low-Speed USB HID Device, White Goods User Interface, Automotive Cabin Auxiliary Module, Portable Measurement Instrument.
Battery-Powered Sensor Hub
The PIC18F13K22-E/SS is an excellent fit for battery-powered sensor hubs where deep-sleep current and standby endurance dominate the energy budget. Its nanoWatt XLP core draws as little as 50 nA typical in sleep mode while retaining RAM, so a CR2032 cell can power a wake-measure-transmit duty cycle for years. The 16 available I/O pins allow connection of multiple SPI or I2C sensors, and the 10-bit ADC with 12 channels handles analog front-end channels without an external converter. Versus a Cortex-M0 alternative, the PIC18F13K22-E/SS offers a smaller code footprint and lower sleep current at the cost of raw MIPS.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC Touch Keypad
The PIC18F13K22-E/SS drives capacitive touch keypads in HVAC controllers through its on-chip CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit), eliminating the dedicated touch-IC BOM line. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade of the E suffix lets the part sit inside a sealed wall thermostat next to a triac heat stage. Sixteen I/O lines suffice for a 4x4 scan matrix plus LED feedback and UART to a host controller. Compared to a 32-bit MCU, this PIC18 part reduces BOM cost by 30-50% while keeping deterministic latency for the touch-scan ISR.
Recommended
Low-Speed USB HID Device
The PIC18F13K22-E/SS runs Microchip's free low-speed USB firmware stack to implement HID peripherals such as custom keypads, mice, game controllers, and configuration dongles. The 48 MHz instruction rate gives the SIE bit-banging margin, while the 8 KB Flash is sufficient for the stack plus application descriptor table. The 5.5 V tolerance removes the need for a separate USB regulator when the bus-powered 5 V rail is used. Compared to dedicated USB-interface MCUs, this part keeps one firmware image across USB and non-USB SKUs of the same product.
Recommended
White Goods User Interface
White-goods front panels (washing machines, dishwashers, induction cooktops) use the PIC18F13K22-E/SS to scan the keypad, drive the seven-segment/LED display, and bridge to the main appliance MCU over UART. The +125 C extended industrial grade survives the closed-cavity heat soak of a control panel mounted above a steam generator or induction coil. Sixteen I/Os comfortably handle 7-segment multiplexing plus switch matrix and beeper. Versus a 16-bit alternative, the PIC18F13K22-E/SS drops BOM cost and offers the established PIC18 ecosystem with long-term firmware library support.
Recommended
Automotive Cabin Auxiliary Module
In non-safety cabin roles (reading lights, ambient lighting controllers, USB charging indicators) the PIC18F13K22-E/SS handles LED PWM, key-scan, and LIN-style UART communication on a single 5 V rail. The extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade matches the automotive cabin environment, and the nanoWatt XLP idle current keeps parasitic drain on the 12 V battery negligible. Compared to AEC-Q100-qualified PIC18F46K22 used elsewhere on the same car, this smaller 20-pin PIC is the right size and cost for distributed cabin nodes that are not safety-critical.
Recommended
Portable Measurement Instrument
Handheld DMMs, clamp meters, and laser-distance tools use the PIC18F13K22-E/SS to drive the LCD, sample the ADC, and manage the auto-power-off duty cycle on two AA cells. The 2.3-5.5 V operating range accommodates a fresh 3.0 V AA pair down to a 2.3 V cut-off without a boost converter, and the 48 MHz CPU handles RMS calculations in real time. The 16 GPIO pins are sufficient for rotary-encoder, function-switch, and LCD-glass bias drive. Compared to a 32-bit Cortex-M0 MCU, this PIC18 trades MHz for lower sleep current and a smaller footprint in the BOM.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F13K22-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F13K22-I/SS | PIC18F13K22T-I/SS | PIC18F1330-I/SS | PIC18F1220-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin SSOP | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same | 20-pin SSOP - same |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 8 KB | 4 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 40 MHz (-17%) | 40 MHz (-17%) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Temperature Grade | -40 C to +125 C (E) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +85 C (I) | -40 C to +125 C (E) |
| Unit Price (qty 1000) | $1.55 | $1.50 (approx) | $1.55 (approx) | $1.40 (approx) | $1.30 (approx) |
Key Differentiators
- nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current down to ~50 nA typical (vs PIC18F1220-E/SS)
- Higher 48 MHz maximum CPU clock vs 40 MHz on older PIC18F1X devices (vs PIC18F1330-I/SS)
- Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade on the E suffix (vs PIC18F13K22-I/SS)
- Self-programmable Flash with bootloader support (vs PIC18F1220-E/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC18F13K22-E/SS uses a single VDD rail at 2.3 V to 5.5 V. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the VDD pin and tie VSS to a low-impedance ground pour. For USB or other high-current transients, add a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. Use Sleep mode with peripherals disabled when the MCU is idle; nanoWatt XLP draws less than 100 nA typical in deep sleep, which is the dominant factor in battery life.
Route the ICSP pins (RB7/ICSPDAT and RB6/ICSPCLK on the 28-pin variant; on the 20-pin /SS variant ICSP uses RB7/RA1/RB6 mapping) close to in-circuit programming header pads to keep the programming cable short. Keep the MCLR pull-up (typically 10 kohm) within 5 mm of the MCLR/RA5 pin to avoid spurious resets. Maintain a continuous ground pour under the IC for thermal sinking and EMI return current; the 20-pin SSOP has no thermal pad so this pour is purely electrical.
Do not assume the Flash programming voltage follows the full 2.3 V-5.5 V operating range. Self-write/erase operations require VDD in the 4.2 V to 5.5 V band; below that, the write will be inhibited or corrupt. When designing a battery-powered bootloader, hold off in-field updates until the battery voltage confirms this band, or boost VDD locally during the write. Also note that the E suffix is the +125 C variant; do not substitute an I part into a sealed high-temperature enclosure.
When using an external crystal, place the load capacitors within 3-5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins and keep the crystal traces short and symmetric; avoid routing noisy digital signals under or next to the crystal. If the internal HFINTOSC is used instead, OSC1/OSC2 can be reassigned to digital I/O - freeing two pins for keypad or display use on the already GPIO-constrained 20-pin package.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for AEC-Q100 automotive safety applications use a Q1/PIC18F-K22 Q1 variant. Halogen-free status not stated in the verified data.