PIC18F13K50-I/SO - 8-bit USB MCU, 8KB Flash, 20-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F13K50-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.62 | $26.20 |
| 100 | $2.34 | $234.00 |
| 500 | $2.1 | $1,050.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.92 | $1,920.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.74 | $5,220.00 |
PIC18F13K50-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path and a Harvard RISC architecture. Within Microchip's portfolio the PIC18 sits above PIC10/12/16 as the upper-tier 8-bit family, itself a hypernym for the broader microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor category. PIC18F13K50-I/SO's differentiating feature is integrated USB 2.0 full-speed hardware with on-chip transceivers and pull-up resistors, allowing a board to act as a USB device with minimal external components.
Key specifications include a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels (suitable for sensor and analog front-end interfaces), nanoWatt XLP technology for low-power sleep currents in the sub-microamp range, an internal 32 kHz to 16 MHz HF oscillator with PLL, and 15 digital I/O pins. The 20-pin SOIC footprint exposes the D+/D- USB pins, two capture/compare/PWM modules, an Enhanced USART, and an SPI/I2C master/slave module.
The architecture uses a Harvard RISC pipeline with 16-bit opcodes and an 8-bit data path, plus hardware multiplier for efficient C compilation in MPLAB X. The combination of integrated USB, multiple timers, and configurable oscillator blocks lets one MCU replace external USB bridge chips plus a separate microcontroller in many designs. mTouch capacitive-touch support and a charge time measurement unit (CTMU) simplify proximity and level-sensing tasks.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, custom joysticks), USB-to-UART bridges and CDC virtual COM ports, capacitive-touch sensor interfaces, low-power sensor nodes, and embedded learning platforms. The wide operating voltage and USB peripheral make it a common choice for any product that needs a single-IC USB device.
When designing with this part, verify that the 20-SOIC thermal path is adequate for sustained USB enumeration current and choose the correct USB bus-powered vs self-powered enumeration scheme in firmware. The PIC18F13K50 (F) and PIC18LF13K50 (LF) differ mainly in core voltage range; the I/SO suffix here denotes industrial temperature (-40C to +85C) and the SOIC-20 package.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet to help engineers choose and qualify the PIC18F13K50-I/SO for USB-aware embedded designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F13K50-I/SO — 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/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, USB, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
No drop-in alternatives available for this product.
Request AlternativesPIC18F13K50-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC18 (8-bit RISC, Harvard) |
| Core | 8-bit PIC18, 16-bit opcode |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| RAM | 512 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Max CPU Clock | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (F variant) | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 15 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) device, on-chip transceiver |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Communication | EUSART, SPI, I2C (Master/Slave) |
| PWM / CCP | 2 CCP modules (Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| CTMU / mTouch | Yes (Charge Time Measurement Unit, mTouch support) |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO), 0.300 inch body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature (I grade) | -40C to +85C |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F13K50-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2/AN2/D+/CCP3 — GPIO/ADC/USB D+ (with on-chip pull-up) |
| Pin 2 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/D- — GPIO/ADC/Vref+/USB D- |
| Pin 3 | RA4/AN4/CK1/T1OSO — GPIO/ADC/Timer1 oscillator out |
| Pin 4 | RA5/AN5/CK2/T13CKI — GPIO/ADC/Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 6 | RA6/AN6/OSC2/CLKO — GPIO/Crystal out/System clock out |
| Pin 7 | RA7/AN7/OSC1/CLKI — GPIO/Crystal in/External clock in |
| Pin 8 | RC6/CCP1/TX/CK — EUSART TX/Capture/Compare |
| Pin 9 | RC7/CCP2/RX/DT — EUSART RX/Capture/Compare |
| Pin 10 | RB7/KBI3/PGD — GPIO/ICSP data |
| Pin 11 | RB6/KBI2/PGC — GPIO/ICSP clock |
| Pin 12 | RB5/KBI1/AN11 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 13 | RB4/KBI0/AN10 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 14 | RC3/AN9/CCP2 — GPIO/ADC/PWM |
| Pin 15 | RC4/AN8/SDI/SDA — SPI SDA/I2C Data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/AN7/SDO — SPI SDO/ADC |
| Pin 17 | RC2/AN6/CCP1 — GPIO/ADC/PWM |
| Pin 18 | RC1/AN5/CCP2 — GPIO/ADC/PWM |
| Pin 19 | RC0/AN4 — GPIO/ADC |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0V-5.5V F variant) |
Typical Applications
PIC18F13K50-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Input Devices, USB CDC Virtual COM Port Bridges, Capacitive Touch Sensor Interfaces (mTouch), Industrial Sensor Nodes (Low Power), USB Battery Charger and Power Bank Controllers, Embedded Learning Platforms (DIY/STEM).
USB HID Input Devices
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO is a strong fit for USB keyboard, mouse, custom HID, and game controller designs because its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver and 1.5 kohm pull-up on D+ eliminate the need for an external bridge chip. The 8 KB Flash comfortably fits HID report descriptors, debouncing, and composite-class stacks, while 15 I/O pins deliver scan-matrix headroom for 8x8 keypads. With 12 MIPS at 48 MHz the firmware latency stays below 1 ms for typical 1000 Hz polling, and the SOIC-20 footprint is friendly to hand-solderable prototypes.
Recommended
USB CDC Virtual COM Port Bridges
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO acts as a USB-to-UART bridge (CDC class device) with on-chip USB, freeing the design from a separate FT232 or CP2102 bridge. Its on-chip EUSART operates at full standard baud rates while the 48 MHz instruction clock handles USB frame timing and bulk-IN/OUT endpoints without interrupt overruns. The 8 KB Flash holds Microchip's free MLA CDC stack plus the application UART protocol layer in one image, and 512 B RAM is sufficient for 64-byte double-buffered endpoints.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Sensor Interfaces (mTouch)
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO integrates Microchip's mTouch and CTMU peripherals, enabling capacitive proximity buttons, sliders, and wheel sensors with minimal external parts. The CTMU provides sub-microsecond time-to-charge measurement across up to 11 ADC channels, supporting 16x16 touch matrices with margin. The 20-SOIC package exposes all sense pins and uses the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes between scans, drawing < 1 uA while still servicing wake-on-touch interrupts.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes (Low Power)
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO suits industrial 4-20 mA / 0-10 V sensor nodes thanks to its 1.8V-5.5V wide supply (LF variant), 10-bit ADC with 11 channels, and nanoWatt XLP sleep currents sub-100 nA in Real-Time Clock mode. The 8 KB Flash holds sensor linearization tables, Modbus RTU firmware, and self-diagnostics, while the EUSART + SPI/I2C interfaces connect directly to RS-485 transceivers (via external MAX485) or 4-20 mA DACs. The I-grade -40C to +85C range covers most industrial installations.
Recommended
USB Battery Charger and Power Bank Controllers
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO is a budget fit for USB Battery Charging 1.2 (BC1.2) and proprietary-charging detection controllers used in small power banks and wall adapters. The integrated USB Full-Speed permits direct USB host-side enumeration with proprietary vendor-class descriptors for handshaking. Its ADC monitors VBUS, battery voltage, and current, while PWM outputs drive charger control loops at 4.4V-5.5V rails typical for USB VBUS operations.
Recommended
Embedded Learning Platforms (DIY/STEM)
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO is widely used in university PIC microcontroller labs and hobbyist platforms because one chip covers timers, ADC, PWM, UART, SPI, I2C, and USB without external bridges. The 20-SOIC solderable footprint fits breakout boards, while the free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler lower the on-ramp. Microchip's MLA USB stacks on GitHub let learners go from blink-LED to HID device on the same chip, and the SOIC-20 pinout is documented in the same 41350C datasheet PDF.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F13K50-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F14K50-I/SO | PIC18LF13K50-I/SO | PIC18F13K22-I/SO | PIC18F13K22T-I/SO | PIC18F1330-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-SOIC | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) | 20-SOIC (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash | 8 KB | 16 KB (+100%) | 8 KB (same) | 8 KB (same) | 8 KB (same) | 8 KB (legacy baseline) |
| RAM | 512 B | 768 B (+50%) | 512 B (same) | 512 B (same) | 512 B (same) | 256 B (-50%) |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes (on-chip transceiver) | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Core Voltage Range | 2.0V-5.5V (F) | 2.0V-5.5V | 1.8V-3.6V (LF) | 2.0V-5.5V | 2.0V-5.5V | 2.0V-5.5V |
| Max CPU Clock | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up (vs PIC18F13K22-I/SO)
- Largest Flash in 20-SOIC USB PIC18 family (vs PIC18F14K50-I/SO vs PIC18F13K50-I/SO)
- LF sub-2V variant available (vs PIC18LF13K50-I/SO vs PIC18F13K50-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC18F13K50-I/SO requires a decoupling 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the VDD pin (pin 20), plus a bulk 1 uF to 10 uF on the same node. For USB bus-powered designs, the VDD rail must be derived from VBUS through a low-drop regulator (e.g., MCP1700) because USB suspend current drops the device into a 100 uA state. Add a 1 MOhm pull-up on MCLR to keep reset released; floating MCLR is a common failure mode seen in prototyping.
Route USB D+ (pin 1) and D- (pin 3) as a 90-ohm differential pair (parallel trace, ground underneath), keeping maximum length under 50 mm to stay within USB 2.0 FS signaling margins. Place the 15 pF to 47 pF shunt capacitors on each line as close to the MCU pins as possible, grounded to a clean digital ground. Keep crystal traces short and surrounded by a guard ground; avoid routing signal traces under the crystal traces.
A frequent firmware pitfall is forgetting to enable the USB module and PLL before USB enumeration, which silently fails enumeration on the host side. When battery voltages drop near 2.0V, USB VBUS detection may fail; switch to the LF variant (PIC18LF13K50) for sub-2V low-voltage operation. Do not use the on-chip pull-up on D+ with external pull-ups still attached; the resulting parallel pull-up creates non-monotonic signal edges that fail USB compliance.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only). Default Pb-free matte-tin lead finish on SOIC-20.
