PIC18F14K50-I/MQ - 8-bit USB MCU, 16KB Flash, 48MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F14K50-I/MQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.4 | $3.40 |
| 10 | $3.05 | $30.50 |
| 100 | $2.62 | $262.00 |
| 500 | $2.31 | $1,155.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.05 | $2,050.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.78 | $5,340.00 |
PIC18F14K50-I/MQ Overview
What is a PIC18 microcontroller? The PIC18 family is an 8-bit RISC microcontroller architecture from Microchip Technology that sits within the broader category of microcontrollers (MCU), which are programmable single-chip computers. Microcontrollers belong to the semiconductor hierarchy: MCU -> embedded controller -> integrated circuit. The PIC18 line uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling single-cycle instruction execution and deterministic timing.
Key features of the PIC18F14K50 include a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels, 2 comparators, 2 enhanced PWM modules, an EUSART with auto-baud, an MSSP module for SPI/I2C, and 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory. The device provides 18 I/O pins across a 20-pin package and supports ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) for field upgrades.
The PIC18F14K50 uses Microchip's nanoWatt XLP technology, achieving sub-microamp sleep currents suitable for battery-powered USB peripherals. Its USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up resistors and internal 3.3V regulator simplifies USB hardware design by eliminating external USB components. The CPU clock can be sourced directly from the USB module, eliminating an external crystal for USB-only applications.
Typical applications include low-cost USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, custom input devices), USB-to-UART bridges, USB sensor nodes, and embedded industrial data loggers with USB connectivity. The wide 5V operating range and integrated USB PHY make it a strong choice when engineers want USB connectivity without external transceiver ICs.
When designing with this part, evaluate whether the 16KB Flash and 768-byte RAM are sufficient for your firmware. The PIC18F13K50 is a pin-compatible lower-memory sibling, and the LF14K50 variant offers extended 1.8V-3.6V operation for ultra-low-power designs. Ensure the exposed pad on the VQFN package is soldered for proper thermal and electrical grounding.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, cross-reference alternatives, and practical design notes for the PIC18F14K50-I/MQ that are not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F14K50-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 PIC18F14K50-I/MQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, USB Interface, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F13K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF14K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F14K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14K50-I/SS
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14K50-I/MQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 768 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (Vdd) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver |
| I/O Pins | 18 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| PWM Modules | 2 (Enhanced CCP) |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART, MSSP (SPI/I2C), USB |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Package | 20-pin VQFN 5x5 mm with exposed pad (MQ) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC18F14K50-I/MQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0-/ULPWU — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 / comparator input / ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C12IN1-/VCAP — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 / comparator input / filter capacitor for 3.3V regulator |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/C12IN2-/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / comparator input / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/C12IN3+/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / comparator input / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/C1OUT/SOSCO/TOCKI — PORTA bit 4 / analog input 4 / comparator output / secondary oscillator output |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/C2OUT/SOSCI — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 5 / comparator output / secondary oscillator input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA7 — External oscillator input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT/RA6 — External oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RC0/P2A/P1A/AN8/ULPWU/CVREF — PORTC bit 0 / PWM output / analog input 8 |
| Pin 11 | RC1/P2B/P1C/AN10/CVREF — PORTC bit 1 / PWM output / analog input 10 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/P2C/P1B/AN11/CVREF — PORTC bit 2 / PWM output / analog input 11 |
| Pin 13 | RC3/P2D/P1C/AN7 — PORTC bit 3 / PWM output / analog input 7 |
| Pin 14 | RC4/P1B/D-/VMO — PORTC bit 4 / PWM / USB D- line |
| Pin 15 | RC5/P1A/D+/VPO — PORTC bit 5 / PWM / USB D+ line |
| Pin 16 | RC6/AN8/SS/TX/CK/INT0 — PORTC bit 6 / SPI slave select / EUSART TX / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 17 | RC7/AN9/SDI/RX/DT/INT1 — PORTC bit 7 / SPI data in / EUSART RX / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 19 | VUSB — Internal USB 3.3 V regulator output / USB supply bypass |
| Pin 20 | RB7/PGD/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data line (not all variants expose this pin) |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to PCB ground plane for electrical and thermal performance |
Typical Applications
PIC18F14K50-I/MQ is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Custom Input), USB-to-UART Bridge, Industrial Data Logger with USB Upload, USB Sensor Node (Environmental, Medical), USB Programmer / Bootloader Target, Custom USB Audio / Consumer Device.
USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Custom Input)
The PIC18F14K50-I/MQ is well suited for USB Human Interface Devices because it integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with internal 3.3V regulation, eliminating the need for an external LDO or USB PHY. Its 48 MHz CPU clock and 16 KB Flash comfortably host HID class descriptors plus application logic, while 768 bytes of RAM supports keyboard scan matrices and mouse delta buffers. NanoWatt XLP sleep currents below 1 microamp enable battery-powered wireless dongles. The on-chip HFINTOSC trimmed for USB accuracy removes the crystal for cost-sensitive HID products.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
Engineers building USB-to-UART bridges for legacy MCU firmware flashing or industrial control benefit from the PIC18F14K50-I/MQ because its EUSART supports hardware flow control and its USB CDC class stack fits within the 16 KB Flash budget. The 48 MHz clock provides ample baud-rate headroom for 1 Mbaud communications, while the internal 3.3V regulator powers the USB bus directly from a 5V source. Compared to dedicated bridge ICs, the PIC18F14K50 allows custom protocol handling in firmware without sacrificing PCB area.
Recommended
Industrial Data Logger with USB Upload
The PIC18F14K50-I/MQ's 4.2V-5.5V operating range and 10-bit ADC make it a fit for 24V industrial environments with on-board 5V regulation. The MSSP module drives I2C sensors for temperature, pressure, or current monitoring while the USB interface streams data to a host PC. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants and the 16 KB Flash holds Modbus or USB class firmware. Industrial users appreciate the -40C to +85C operating range and the XLP nanoWatt modes for battery-backed sensor logging.
Recommended
USB Sensor Node (Environmental, Medical)
The PIC18F14K50-I/MQ supports USB-connected sensor hubs that read temperature, humidity, or gas concentration from I2C peripherals and report measurements to a host PC. The 10-bit ADC with 11 channels handles analog sensors alongside the digital bus, while the nanoWatt XLP modes enable solar or battery-powered field deployments. Its 16 KB Flash is sufficient for USB CDC plus proprietary sensor libraries, and the wide operating range makes it suitable for clinical or laboratory USB measurement tools.
Recommended
USB Programmer / Bootloader Target
The PIC18F14K50-I/MQ is widely deployed as a USB device firmware upgrade (DFU) target using Microchip's HID or CDC bootloader architecture. Its 16 KB Flash supports bootloader plus application partitioning, and ICSP allows field updates without external programmers. The USB suspend/resume handling in firmware is straightforward thanks to the integrated transceiver and clock-management circuitry, making the part a common choice for low-cost USB-bootloader reference designs and education kits.
Recommended
Custom USB Audio / Consumer Device
Although not a high-fidelity audio part, the PIC18F14K50-I/MQ serves well in USB volume-control knobs, USB microphone-mute buttons, or consumer USB accessories that require a few PWM-driven LEDs and button inputs. The two enhanced CCP PWM outputs drive status LEDs directly, while the EUSART or MSSP can interface with external audio codecs for basic level control. The 5V tolerant I/O simplifies interfacing with legacy consumer buttons and switches without level shifters.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F14K50-I/MQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F13K50-I/MQ | PIC18LF14K50-I/MQ | PIC18F14K50-I/SO | PIC18F13K50T-I/SO | PIC18F14K50-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same | SOIC-20 (SO) - same footprint family | SOIC-20 (SO) - same footprint family | SSOP-20 (SS) - same footprint family |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (same) | 16 KB (same) | 8 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (same) |
| Data SRAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes (same) | 768 bytes (same) | 768 bytes (same) | 768 bytes (same) | 768 bytes (same) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) |
| USB Transceiver | Integrated FS USB 2.0 | Integrated FS USB 2.0 (same) | Integrated FS USB 2.0 (same) | Integrated FS USB 2.0 (same) | Integrated FS USB 2.0 (same) | Integrated FS USB 2.0 (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with internal 3.3V regulator (vs Generic PIC18F2550 (28-pin SOIC))
- NanoWatt XLP technology with sub-1 microamp sleep current (vs PIC18F2550)
- Pin-compatible Flash upgrade path within VQFN-20 (vs PIC18F13K50-I/MQ)
Design Notes
Solder the VQFN-20 exposed pad (EP) directly to a continuous ground plane with multiple thermal vias for electrical grounding and heat dissipation. Without proper EP soldering, the internal 3.3V regulator can oscillate and USB communication may fail at elevated temperatures. Per Microchip's PIC18F1XK50 datasheet (DS41350C), the EP pin must be soldered to PCB ground for VQFN reliability. Avoid signal traces passing under the EP - they can couple noise into the USB bus.
Place a 220 nF X7R ceramic bypass capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 18) and a 10 uF decoupling capacitor near the VUSB pin (pin 19). The internal 3.3V regulator requires a 220 nF capacitor on the VCAP pin (RA1/VCAP, pin 2) for stability. Without this capacitor the internal regulator may not start up correctly and USB enumeration will fail. Estimated: a 220 nF X7R at 16V rating is sufficient for the 5V rail.
Do not connect external pull-up resistors to the USB D+ line - the PIC18F14K50 integrates USB pull-ups internally and configuring an external pull-up will violate the USB specification. Per the Microchip datasheet (DS41350C), the USB module also requires the firmware to enable the internal 3.3V regulator and configure the USBTRIM register for accurate 48 MHz operation. Forgetting these steps produces enumeration failures that are difficult to debug without a USB analyzer.
Route the USB D+ and D- traces as a 90-ohm differential pair with continuous ground reference. Per Microchip's layout guidelines, keep the differential pair length-matched within 2 mm to avoid signal skew. Avoid stubs on D+/D- and route the pair away from switching nodes or PWM outputs to minimize radiated EMI that could fail USB compliance testing.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product declaration. Lead-free matte-tin plating on VQFN-20 terminations. Rated Pb-free reflow up to 260C per JEDEC J-STD-020. AEC-Q100 not applicable - the F version is industrial-grade; automotive designs use PIC18F compatible parts from the AEC-Q100 catalog.
