PIC18F14K50-I/SO - 48MHz 8-bit USB MCU, 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F14K50-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.2 | $22.00 |
| 100 | $1.95 | $195.00 |
| 500 | $1.78 | $890.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.62 | $1,620.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.45 | $4,350.00 |
PIC18F14K50-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals such as timers, ADC, and communication interfaces. The PIC18F14K50 sits in Microchip's PIC18F USB family, positioned between baseline PIC16 and high-pin-count PIC24/dsPIC parts, and is targeted at low-cost embedded USB applications. Its place in the hierarchy is: PIC18 family -> 8-bit microcontroller -> MCU -> semiconductor -> embedded IC.
Key features include a Full-Speed USB 2.0 (12 Mbps) device/host/OTG transceiver with on-chip 3.3V regulator, nanoWatt XLP technology for low-power sleep currents, 15 general-purpose I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 9 channels, two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, an Enhanced USART, an MSSP module for SPI/I2C, and an internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC that can switch automatically to the 48 MHz USB clock when VBUS is detected. The 20-pin SOIC package is the most popular through-hole/SMD PIC18 footprint, ideal for hand-soldered prototypes and space-constrained consumer designs.
The PIC18F14K50 architecture is Harvard (separate program and data buses), uses a RISC instruction set with 49 instructions and 16-bit opcodes, and supports self-programming of Flash under firmware control. The 'XLP' (eXtreme Low Power) label indicates <100 nA sleep current with the RTCC running from a 32 kHz crystal, which is critical for USB battery-powered devices such as wireless mice, keyboard dongles, and data loggers.
Typical applications include USB HID devices (mice, keyboards, custom input), USB-to-UART bridges, CDC virtual COM ports, USB battery chargers, low-cost USB data acquisition, and any embedded system that previously required an external USB controller chip. The part is pin-compatible with the lower-memory PIC18F13K50 (8 KB Flash) for tiered BOM management.
When designing with this device, place the 12 MHz or 48 MHz crystal close to the OSC pins and respect Microchip's USB PCB layout guidelines (90-ohm differential routing on D+/D-, guard traces, ferrite on VBUS). Configure CPUs to clock-switch from HFINTOSC to the 48 MHz USB clock only after the USB PLL locks, otherwise the USB peripheral will not enumerate.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F14K50-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 PIC18F14K50-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash), Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F13K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14K50-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 15 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 9 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) device/host/OTG with on-chip transceiver and 3.3V regulator |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit |
| Communication Peripherals | EUSART (RS-232/RS-485), MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Package | 20-pin SOIC (SO) 7.50 mm body |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial, 'I' suffix) |
| Pin Count | 20 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F14K50-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / analog input 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/MCLR/VPP — PORTA bit 5 / Master Clear reset (active low) / programming voltage |
| Pin 4 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/INT0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 / comparator input / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 5 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/INT1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 / comparator input / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2/VREF-/INT2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / ADC negative reference / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RC0/P1A/CCP2 — PORTC bit 0 / PWM output / CCP2 module |
| Pin 11 | RC1/P1B/CCP1 — PORTC bit 1 / PWM output / CCP1 module |
| Pin 12 | RC2/AN6/P1D — PORTC bit 2 / analog input 6 / PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC3/AN7/P1C — PORTC bit 3 / analog input 7 / PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC4/D-/VMO — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- / USB monitor output |
| Pin 15 | RC5/D+/VPO — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ / USB monitor output |
| Pin 16 | RC6/AN8/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / analog input 8 / EUSART TX / EUSART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/AN9/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / analog input 9 / EUSART RX / EUSART data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/AN10/INT0/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input 10 / external interrupt 0 / PWM fault |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (4.2V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC18F14K50-I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: USB HID Input Devices, USB-to-UART Virtual COM Port Bridge, USB Battery Charger Controller, Low-Cost USB Data Acquisition, USB Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node, USB LED Lighting Controllers, USB-Connected Wearable / Fitness Device.
USB HID Input Devices
The PIC18F14K50's integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver and on-chip 3.3V regulator make it the industry-standard choice for low-cost USB HID devices such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and barcode scanners. Its 16 KB Flash comfortably hosts Microchip's USB HID stack plus application logic, while the 10-bit ADC reads button matrices or analog joysticks. The nanoWatt XLP sleep mode (<100 nA) is critical for battery-powered wireless HID dongles that spend most of their time idle, waking only on RF or interrupt to send a USB report.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Virtual COM Port Bridge
Using the CDC class driver, the PIC18F14K50 functions as a USB-to-UART bridge that replaces legacy FTDI FT232R designs at a fraction of the cost. The EUSART peripheral provides true RS-232/RS-485 signaling at up to 115.2 kbaud, while the 48 MHz CPU has enough MIPS to handle CDC line-coding changes and flow-control XON/XOFF in firmware. Designers can update baud rate tables over USB, eliminating the EEPROM and external oscillator required by dedicated bridge chips, and the SOIC-20 package fits the same PCB footprint as the FTDI chip.
Recommended
USB Battery Charger Controller
The PIC18F14K50 implements USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2 (BC1.2) detection and Li-ion CC/CV charging profiles entirely in firmware, using its 10-bit ADC to monitor battery voltage and current. The internal 3.3V regulator supplies the USB PHY while VBUS is connected, and the MCU's PWM module drives a switching FET charger with closed-loop control. Its small 20-pin SOIC package fits inside the battery compartment of phones, e-cigarettes, and wearable devices where BOM cost and PCB area are paramount.
Recommended
Low-Cost USB Data Acquisition
With a 10-bit ADC capable of up to 9 channels at 100 ksps and 16 KB Flash for USB isochronous or bulk transfer code, the PIC18F14K50 forms a complete USB data acquisition front end for lab instruments, environmental sensors, and educational kits. The MSSP peripheral handles SPI or I2C sensor connections while the EUSART streams data to a host PC. The 48 MHz CPU supports real-time averaging and FFT preprocessing before USB transmission, offloading work from the host application.
Recommended
USB Sensor Hub / IoT Edge Node
When combined with SPI/I2C sensors, the PIC18F14K50 acts as a USB-attached sensor hub for industrial IoT, environmental monitoring, and predictive maintenance. The nanoWatt XLP technology enables battery operation of 1-3 years on a single AA cell while the host PC polls for new readings over USB. The 256-byte EEPROM stores calibration constants, and the 15 GPIO pins drive status LEDs, relays, and buzzer feedback in standalone mode without a host connection.
Recommended
USB LED Lighting Controllers
The PIC18F14K50 implements USB-controlled LED drivers for stage lighting, architectural RGB strips, and USB-powered desk lamps. Its 10-bit ADC reads ambient light sensors for closed-loop brightness, while the 16-bit PWM outputs generate 16-bit dimming resolution for color-mixing applications. The 48 MHz CPU handles DMX-over-USB protocols and WS2812 addressable LED strings with sub-microsecond timing, and the 20-pin SOIC footprint fits inside USB-A connector dongles for plug-and-play lighting effects.
Recommended
USB-Connected Wearable / Fitness Device
For wearable fitness bands and medical monitoring dongles, the PIC18F14K50's XLP sleep current below 100 nA extends battery life to weeks on a coin cell. The integrated USB transceiver enables direct connection to a phone charger or PC for firmware updates and data sync, eliminating the need for a separate programming header. The 10-bit ADC samples heart rate, SpO2, or temperature sensors, while the EUSART drives a Bluetooth Low Energy companion module for wireless tethering when USB is unavailable.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F14K50-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F13K50-I/SO | PIC18F13K50T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-20 (SO) | SOIC-20 (SO) - same | SOIC-20 (SO) - same |
| Program Flash | 16 KB | 8 KB (-50%) | 8 KB (-50%) |
| SRAM | 768 bytes | 768 bytes (same) | 768 bytes (same) |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (same) |
| Max CPU Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes (device/host/OTG) | Yes (device/host/OTG) | Yes (device/host/OTG) |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C (same) | -40 C to +85 C (same) |
| Quantity-1 Price (USD, as of 2026-09-26) | $2.45 | $2.10 (-14%) | $2.05 (-16%) |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver and 3.3V regulator (vs PIC18F14K22-I/SO (same package, no USB))
- Highest Flash in PIC18F1XK50 20-pin family (vs PIC18F13K50-I/SO (8 KB))
- Integrated nanoWatt XLP technology (vs Older PIC18F2550 (40-pin DIP USB MCU))
Design Notes
Estimated: USB differential pair (D+/D-, pins 14 and 15) must be routed as a 90-ohm differential impedance microstrip with length matching within 150 mil per Microchip USB hardware design guidelines. Place the 12 MHz or 48 MHz crystal within 200 mil of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 8/9) with a grounded guard ring. Keep digital switching signals (PWM, SPI clock) at least 50 mil away from the USB pair to avoid radiated EMI that fails USB-IF compliance testing.
Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 1 cm of VDD (pin 19) and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor on the VBUS line. The PIC18F14K50's internal 3.3V regulator powers the USB transceiver; add a 220 nF decoupling capacitor on the internal VUSB33 output (pin 14/15 vicinity) per datasheet Figure 2-1. Do not draw more than 3 mA from the internal 3.3V regulator for external loads; use an external LDO for higher current.
The USB peripheral requires a 48 MHz clock derived from either the 12 MHz crystal x4 PLL or the 16 MHz HFINTOSC x3 PLL. Configure the active clock tuning registers ACTCON before enabling the USB module, otherwise the host will fail to enumerate. The Configuration Words must disable the fail-safe clock monitor (FCMEN=0) when running from HFINTOSC only, otherwise the USB PLL will reset. Always read the latest Microchip errata document DS80333 before locking down firmware.
At maximum CPU activity (48 MHz CPU + USB active + ADC continuous), the PIC18F14K50-I/SO draws approximately 11 mA from a 5V supply, dissipating 55 mW. The SOIC-20 package has theta_JA around 80 C/W, yielding a 4.4 C junction temperature rise above ambient - well within the 125 C operating limit. At industrial temperatures (-40 to +85 C) and 5V operation, no heatsink is required.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (consumer/industrial grade only); choose PIC18F14K50-E/SO for extended temperature or automotive-grade equivalent parts for AEC-Q100.
