PIC18F13K50-I/MQ - 8-bit USB MCU, 48MHz, 8KB Flash, 20-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F13K50-I/MQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.78 | $2.78 |
| 10 | $2.45 | $24.50 |
| 100 | $2.12 | $212.00 |
| 500 | $1.85 | $925.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
PIC18F13K50-I/MQ Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory (Flash/RAM), peripherals, and I/O on one die. The 8-bit PIC18 core family uses a modified Harvard architecture with a RISC-style instruction set and 16-bit opcodes, providing deterministic throughput and ease of C-compiler targeting. MCUs like the PIC18F13K50 sit within the embedded computing hierarchy as fixed-function, low-power control processors used wherever a general-purpose CPU and OS are unnecessary - typically between discrete logic and application processors. Within that hierarchy, PIC MCUs bridge simple 8-bit controllers (PIC10/12/16) and 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts, offering USB, ADC, PWM, and rich peripherals at low cost and low power.
Key features of the PIC18F13K50-I/MQ include 16 I/O pins, an internal 31 kHz to 16 MHz HF oscillator with PLL up to 48 MHz, hardware USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up/pull-down resistors, mTouch capacitive touch sensing support, and a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels. The device also integrates two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, two PWM modules with capture/compare, an Enhanced USART, and an I2C/SPI MSSP module. Internal regulator and 5V-tolerant I/O (when operating at 5V) simplify mixed-voltage system design.
Typical applications include low-cost USB HID/CDC devices (keyboards, mice, custom peripherals), USB-to-UART bridges, battery-powered data loggers, capacitive touch user interfaces, sensor hubs with USB diagnostics, and consumer electronics where BOM cost and PCB area are constrained. The 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) package makes the part suitable for compact dongles and wearable form factors.
When designing with the PIC18F13K50, observe that the /MQ suffix designates the 20-pin VQFN industrial temperature (-40C to +85C) variant. Ensure the VUSB 3.3V internal regulator pin is bypassed with the manufacturer-specified capacitor network, and that the D+/D- USB lines follow Microchip's USB 2.0 routing guidelines (90 ohm differential, common-mode choke placement, and guard traces). For low-power designs, use the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes with RTCC rather than relying on software delays.
This page synthesizes real-time distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives drawn from the same PIC18F13K50/14K50 family, and practical USB layout design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet and datasheet.com summary.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F13K50-I/MQ — 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 PIC18F13K50-I/MQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Communication, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F14K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F13K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50-E/MQ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F13K50T-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F13K50-I/MQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | 8-bit Microcontroller (MCU) |
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (modified Harvard, RISC) |
| Family | PIC XLP 18K |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 16 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | 2 (with capture/compare) |
| Communication | EUSART, I2C/SPI (MSSP) |
| Package | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18F13K50-I/MQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input AN4 / CVD |
| Pin 2 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input AN3 / CVD |
| Pin 3 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog input AN2 / CVD |
| Pin 4 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 5 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 6 | RC3 — Digital I/O / analog input AN7 |
| Pin 7 | RC2 — Digital I/O / analog input AN6 |
| Pin 8 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage 4.2-5.5V |
| Pin 12 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 13 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 14 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 15 | OSC1 — Oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 16 | OSC2 — Oscillator output |
| Pin 17 | MCLR — Master clear reset input |
| Pin 18 | D- — USB differential data minus |
| Pin 19 | D+ — USB differential data plus |
| Pin 20 | VUSB — Internal USB 3.3V regulator output (bypass with capacitor) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F13K50-I/MQ is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral Devices, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle, Capacitive Touch User Interface (mTouch), Battery-Powered USB Data Logger, USB Sensor Hub / Diagnostic Dongle, Consumer Electronics USB Dongle.
USB HID Peripheral Devices
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ is purpose-built for USB HID-class peripherals such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. Its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver (12 Mbps) with on-chip pull-up resistors eliminates the need for external PHY chips, reducing BOM cost by typically $0.20-$0.40 per unit. The 48 MHz CPU clock provides 16 MIPS throughput, sufficient to service USB polling intervals at 1 ms with substantial idle time for scan-matrix decoding or capacitive sensing. Microchip's free USB stack (HID, CDC, vendor-class) plus 8 KB Flash leaves ample code space for application logic. Placed directly on the PCB with the D+/D- traces routed as a 90 ohm differential pair per USB 2.0 spec, the part delivers deterministic USB enumeration and low-latency HID reports in production volumes.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ is well-matched for low-cost USB-to-UART bridge dongles that replace legacy RS-232 ports on legacy industrial equipment or development boards. The on-chip EUSART module supports standard baud rates up to 230.4 kbps without CPU overhead, while the USB CDC class enumerates as a virtual COM port with no driver installation on modern operating systems. Operating from 4.2V to 5.5V from the USB VBUS rail (with internal 3.3V USB regulator), the part draws negligible quiescent current in idle states thanks to nanoWatt XLP technology. A typical implementation uses CDC firmware under 4 KB Flash, leaving headroom for command-line interpreters or protocol converters. Place a ferrite bead on VBUS and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor near VUSB for stable USB transceiver operation.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface (mTouch)
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ supports Microchip's mTouch capacitive touch sensing through the on-chip CTMU and CVD peripherals, enabling touch buttons, sliders, and proximity detection without external touch controller ICs. The 10-bit ADC provides sufficient resolution for reliable touch discrimination, and the 48 MHz CPU can scan up to 16 touch channels while maintaining USB connectivity for diagnostic reporting. Typical applications include touch-enhanced consumer products, USB-connected appliance control panels, and battery-powered remote controls that occasionally tether to a host. The mTouch library from Microchip provides reference firmware and PCB layout guidelines that integrate cleanly with USB CDC for parameter logging over the same interface.
Recommended
Battery-Powered USB Data Logger
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ's nanoWatt XLP technology makes it a strong fit for battery-powered USB data loggers that occasionally connect to a host to offload stored measurements. Sleep current below 1 uA in RTCC mode enables multi-year battery life from a single CR2032 cell, while the 10-bit ADC (up to 11 channels) accommodates typical sensor inputs like thermistors, photodiodes, and potentiometric sensors. The 256-byte EEPROM provides parameter storage independent of Flash wear, and 8 KB Flash holds a USB MSC or CDC bootloader plus logging application code. Wake-up events from RTCC or ADC threshold detection allow autonomous operation between USB sessions, and the integrated USB transceiver handles plug-and-play enumeration without external components.
Recommended
USB Sensor Hub / Diagnostic Dongle
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ acts as the USB host interface for low-cost sensor hub dongles that aggregate readings from analog sensors, I2C peripherals, or SPI devices into a single USB endpoint. The MSSP module provides both I2C and SPI master interfaces, allowing connection of environmental sensors, accelerometers, or external ADCs at typical bus speeds. USB vendor-class or HID firmware streams real-time data to a host application at 12 Mbps, sufficient for audio-bandwidth sensor streams or low-speed vibration analysis. The 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) footprint suits wearable form factors and handheld test instruments where PCB area is at a premium.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics USB Dongle
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ fits consumer-electronics USB dongles such as wireless-remote receivers, LED controllers, audio adapters, and proprietary protocol bridges that demand the lowest BOM cost in a small footprint. The 20-VQFN (5x5 mm) package measures under 25 mm squared total PCB area including decoupling, enabling ultra-compact dongle designs. USB bus-power provides operating voltage without regulation, the 8 KB Flash budget accommodates typical protocol stacks plus application code, and the on-chip USB pull-up resistors remove two external components. Production volumes benefit from Microchip's wide distributor availability and consistent multi-source pricing in the $1.60-$2.80 range as of 2026-09-26.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F13K50-I/MQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F14K50-I/MQ | PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ | PIC18F13K50-E/MQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 16 KB (8K x 16) | 8 KB (4K x 16) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up resistors (vs PIC18F13K22-I/P)
- nanoWatt XLP ultra-low-power technology (vs PIC18F14K50-I/MQ)
- 20-pin VQFN (5x5 mm) compact footprint with mTouch support (vs PIC18F13K50-I/SO)
Design Notes
USB 2.0 full-speed differential pair (D+ / D-) must be routed as a 90 ohm differential impedance pair on the PCB, with trace lengths matched within 150 mil and kept as short as practical. Place a common-mode choke close to the USB connector for EMI suppression, and ensure VUSB pin 20 is bypassed with a 4.7 uF ceramic capacitor to ground per Microchip datasheet 41350C. Avoid routing digital switching signals (PWM, timers) parallel to or across the D+/D- pair to minimize crosstalk that can fail USB-IF compliance testing.
The PIC18F13K50-I/MQ has an internal 3.3V regulator powered from the VDD rail (4.2-5.5V) that supplies the on-chip USB transceiver via VUSB (pin 20). For bus-powered designs where VDD comes directly from VBUS (5V), add a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor near pin 11 (VDD) and a 1 uF decoupling capacitor as close to each VDD pin as possible. In self-powered designs, ensure the VBUS sensing circuit asserts correctly to enable USB pull-up resistors only when host voltage is detected, preventing back-powering of the host port.
Do not omit the MCLR pull-up resistor on pin 17 - the MCLR input is active-low reset and will float if left disconnected, causing erratic resets in noisy environments. The OSC1/OSC2 pins (15, 16) require either a crystal with appropriate load caps or the internal HF oscillator configuration selected via CONFIG registers; leaving them floating in external clock mode causes undefined behavior. For nanoWatt XLP sleep modes, the RTCC must be configured with an external 32.768 kHz crystal on the SOSCO/SOSCI pins (if used) or calibrated internal LF oscillator per datasheet section 3.0.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F13K50-E/MQ (extended temperature) or PIC18F14K50-E/MQ for automotive applications. Reach compliance status declared per EU REACH regulation. Conflict-minerals compliant per Microchip supplier declarations.
