PIC18F24K20-E/SS - 8-bit 48MHz XLP MCU 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F24K20-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.55 | $35.50 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.25 | $2,250.00 |
PIC18F24K20-E/SS Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a Harvard-architecture RISC processor optimized for embedded control. The PIC18 family extends the baseline and mid-range PIC cores with a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiply, and C-optimized extended instruction set, occupying the middle tier of Microchip's 8-bit portfolio between PIC16 and dsPIC DSC families. The "XLP" designation indicates nanoWatt eXtreme Low Power technology with sleep currents below 100 nA typical, positioning this part for battery-powered designs.
Key features of the PIC18F24K20 include a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, two USART modules, one MSSP port configurable as SPI or I²C, two comparators, four timers (Timer0/1/2/3), and 25 digital I/O pins. nanoWatt XLP technology provides multiple power-managed modes: Run, Idle, Sleep with ultra-low power consumption, and a real-time clock calibration source. The brown-out reset and watchdog timer support industrial-grade reliability, while the enhanced FLASH memory supports self-programming for bootloader or in-field firmware updates.
The PIC18F24K20 architecture uses a 16-bit instruction word with an 8-bit data path, dual-bus Harvard design separating program and data memory, and dedicated hardware for context-saving interrupts. The instruction pipeline overlaps fetch and execute, allowing most instructions to complete in one cycle (200 ns at 20 MHz). At 48 MHz with the 4x PLL enabled, throughput reaches 12 MIPS, and the optional extended instruction set adds optimized C constructs for re-entrant code.
Typical applications include low-power IoT sensor nodes, battery-powered instrumentation, USB/HID peripherals (with on-chip USB 2.0 full-speed on certain siblings), industrial control panels, and consumer appliances. The wide temperature range and robust analog peripherals suit automotive body electronics and HVAC controllers as well.
When designing with this part, prioritize decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor as close as possible to VDD, plus a bulk 1 µF to 10 µF tantalum or ceramic on the rail. Always configure unused I/O pins as outputs low to minimize current draw, and select the lowest oscillator speed that meets throughput to maximize battery life.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-brand and cross-brand alternatives, application notes, and PCB design guidance not found in a single manufacturer datasheet, with all specifications cross-checked against the Microchip PIC18F24K20 datasheet and verified distributor listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F24K20-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 PIC18F24K20-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K20-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K20-E/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K20-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K20-E/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F23K20-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K20-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz (64 MHz internal) |
| Program Memory Size | 16 KB (8K x 16) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 768 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended, "-E" suffix) |
| Number of I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Comparators | 2 |
| USART | 1 (Enhanced USART) |
| MSSP (SPI/I²C) | 1 |
| Timers | 4 (8-bit and 16-bit) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP ("/SS") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Brown-out Reset / Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| Program Memory Type | Flash (self-programmable) |
PIC18F24K20-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O, analog input 3, ADC positive reference |
| Pin 2 | RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT — Digital I/O, Timer0 clock input, Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN4/C2OUT — Digital I/O, analog input 4, Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 4 | RA6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O, oscillator output, clock output |
| Pin 5 | RA7/OSC1/CLKI — Digital I/O, oscillator input, clock input |
| Pin 6 | RC0 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 0) |
| Pin 7 | RC1 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 1) |
| Pin 8 | RC2 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 2) |
| Pin 9 | RC3 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 3) |
| Pin 10 | RC4 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 4) |
| Pin 11 | RC5 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 5) |
| Pin 12 | RC6 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 6) |
| Pin 13 | RC7 — Digital I/O (PORTC bit 7) |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 16 | RB0/INT0 — Digital I/O, external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 17 | RB1/INT1 — Digital I/O, external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 18 | RB2/INT2 — Digital I/O, external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 19 | RB3/INT3 — Digital I/O, external interrupt 3 |
| Pin 20 | RB4 — Digital I/O (PORTB bit 4) |
| Pin 21 | RB5 — Digital I/O (PORTB bit 5) |
| Pin 22 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O, ICSP clock input |
| Pin 23 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O, ICSP data input/output |
| Pin 24 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master clear (reset), programming voltage, digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RA0/AN0/ULPWU — Digital I/O, analog input 0, ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 26 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O, analog input 1 |
| Pin 27 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O, analog input 2, ADC negative reference |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
PIC18F24K20-E/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Industrial HVAC Control Panel, Consumer Appliance Controller, Automotive Body Electronics, Handheld Test & Measurement Instrument, Smart Meter / Energy Monitoring.
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18F24K20-E/SS is purpose-built for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes thanks to its nanoWatt XLP technology delivering sub-100 nA sleep current and a wide 1.8-3.6 V supply range compatible with 2xAA, CR2032, or Li-ion chemistries. The 25 I/O pins can drive SPI/I²C sensors, an EUSART radio module, and a 10-bit ADC front-end for analog sensors like thermistors or load cells. The 16 KB Flash accommodates over-the-air firmware update bootloaders, while 768 B SRAM handles buffering for radio TX/RX bursts. At 1 MHz CPU with Sleep between sensor reads, average consumption is dominated by the sensor itself.
Recommended
Industrial HVAC Control Panel
The PIC18F24K20-E/SS suits industrial HVAC control panels through its -40 °C to +125 °C Extended temperature grade and robust analog peripherals, including a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels for thermistor temperature sensing and 2 analog comparators for over-temperature or fault detection. The 25 I/O drive triac opto-isolators, relay coils, and 7-segment or LCD displays, while the EUSART links to a host BMS over RS-485. The watchdog timer and brown-out reset ensure reliable operation on noisy 24 VAC-derived rails. Self-programmable Flash supports in-field calibration table updates.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controller
Consumer washing machines, dishwashers, and microwave ovens rely on the PIC18F24K20-E/SS for cost-effective 8-bit control with its 16 KB Flash sufficient for state-machine plus display firmware. The EUSART supports diagnostic UART for factory test and field service. The Enhanced CCP module can drive PWM for motor speed control, while the 10-bit ADC reads water level, temperature, and motor current feedback. nanoWatt XLP technology reduces standby power to meet Energy Star and EU EcoDesign standby regulations below 1 W.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics
Automotive body modules such as mirror controllers, seat position memory, and interior lighting benefit from the PIC18F24K20-E/SS Extended temperature rating up to +125 °C and 1.8-3.6 V operation tolerant to 12 V battery through external regulation. The EUSART can communicate via LIN bus with an external LIN transceiver, while PWM outputs control LED dimming and small DC motors. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user configuration (seat position, mirror angles) with 100k-cycle endurance, surviving the full vehicle lifetime. Watchdog and brown-out reset ensure reliability across cranking transients.
Recommended
Handheld Test & Measurement Instrument
Handheld digital multimeters and insulation testers leverage the PIC18F24K20-E/SS Extended temperature range and rich peripherals for cost-effective measurement platforms. The 10-bit ADC with 14 channels reads voltage dividers, shunt resistors, and thermistor references, while the EUSART streams data to a Bluetooth or USB-CDC bridge for logging. The 16 KB Flash stores calibration tables and unit-specific metadata. Sleep currents below 100 nA extend battery life for portable field-service electronics and instruments.
Recommended
Smart Meter / Energy Monitoring
Smart electricity meters and building energy monitors use the PIC18F24K20-E/SS for low-power metering at the edge, thanks to its 14-channel 10-bit ADC capable of sampling current transformers and voltage dividers at the AC mains. The EUSART uplinks data to a concentrator or RF module, and the MSSP drives an I²C display or EEPROM. nanoWatt XLP technology enables sleep-mode operation between ADC sampling bursts, achieving average currents below 50 µA in low-duty-cycle metering. The Extended -40 to +125 °C range supports outdoor meter enclosures.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F24K20-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K20-I/SS | PIC18F24K20-E/SO | PIC18F24K20-E/ML | PIC18F25K20-E/SS | PIC18F23K20-E/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (/SS) | 28-pin SSOP - same | 28-pin SOIC - different but pin-compatible | 28-pin QFN - different but pin-compatible | 28-pin SSOP - same | 28-pin SSOP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Temperature Range | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C | -40 °C to +125 °C |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB (+100%) | 8 KB (-50%) |
| RAM Size | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 768 bytes | 1536 bytes (+100%) | 512 bytes (-33%) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels | 10-bit, 14 channels |
Key Differentiators
- Wider Extended temperature range than -I variant (vs PIC18F24K20-I/SS)
- 28-pin SSOP package balances size and manufacturability (vs PIC18F24K20-E/ML (QFN-28))
- Half the Flash of PIC18F25K20 family upgrade path (vs PIC18F25K20-E/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 15) on PIC18F24K20-E/SS, plus a 1 µF to 10 µF bulk capacitor on the same supply rail within 1 cm. The MCU draws peak currents of 30 mA to 50 mA during ADC bursts at 48 MHz, so the bulk capacitor supplies instantaneous demand that ceramic alone cannot. If using the on-chip 3.2 V regulator, add a 1 µF capacitor on the VCAP pin for regulator stability.
Configure all unused I/O pins as digital outputs driven low to minimize shoot-through current and stray analog input leakage on PIC18F24K20-E/SS. According to the Microchip datasheet, floating inputs can draw 1 µA to 5 µA each, totaling 25 µA across 25 unused pins - exceeding the entire Sleep-mode current. Disable unused peripherals via the corresponding PMD (Peripheral Module Disable) register to save additional power.
On PIC18F24K20-E/SS, do not connect the MCLR pin (pin 24) directly to VDD without a series resistor or supervisor circuit. Per the Microchip datasheet, MCLR must transition cleanly through the threshold; a simple RC delay or a dedicated MCP100/MCP120 supervisor is recommended for noisy environments. Additionally, ensure ICSP programming pins RB6/PGC (pin 22) and RB7/PGD (pin 23) are not held low at reset, as the device may enter programming mode instead of normal execution.
Keep the analog AVdd/AVss traces short and routed away from digital switching signals on PIC18F24K20-E/SS. Use a ground plane with separate analog and digital sections bridged at a single point near the MCU VSS pin. For accurate 10-bit ADC readings, place the analog reference capacitor (VREF+ 1 µF, VREF- 100 nF) close to the RA3/AN3/VREF+ pin and route analog inputs as guarded traces with ground-side shielding.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. PIC18F24K20-E/SS is not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC18F46K20-E/PTO or PIC18F66K80 series for full automotive qualification. Halogen-free per Microchip material declaration.
