PIC18F24K50-E/SS - 8-bit USB MCU, 16KB Flash, 48MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F24K50-E/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.56 | $25.60 |
| 100 | $2.27 | $227.00 |
| 500 | $2.02 | $1,010.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.79 | $1,790.00 |
PIC18F24K50-E/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, communication interfaces, I/O). The PIC18F family sits in the hierarchy 8-bit MCU -> PIC18 -> 16 MIPS high-performance tier -> USB-enabled sub-family, sitting one level above baseline PIC16 parts and below PIC24/dsPIC 16-bit devices in Microchip's portfolio. PIC18F24K50 specifically targets cost-sensitive embedded USB applications.
Key differentiating features include the on-chip USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver (12 Mbps) with internal pull-up resistors, eliminating the need for external USB PHY components. The device offers a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, two 8-bit timers and three 16-bit timers, two comparators, an enhanced USART, two SPI/I2C MSSP peripherals, and a charge time measurement unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing. nanoWatt XLP technology provides deep sleep currents below 50 nA typical.
Architecturally, the PIC18F24K50 uses a Harvard RISC core with a hardware multiplier, 31-level stack, and instruction-pipeline architecture. The 48 MHz internal oscillator is factory calibrated and supports USB clock derivation without external crystals. The integrated USB SIE (Serial Interface Engine) handles NRZI encoding/decoding, bit stuffing, and packet framing automatically, dramatically reducing firmware complexity.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers; USB-to-UART bridge dongles; low-speed data loggers; capacitive touch user interfaces; and battery-powered sensor nodes that require USB connectivity for charging or data exchange. Its USB + nanoWatt XLP combination makes it especially attractive for portable USB devices.
Design tip: route the D+/D- USB differential pair with 90-ohm differential impedance, keep traces length-matched, and place the USB decoupling capacitor (typically 0.1 uF) as close to the VUSB pin as possible. For battery applications, the on-chip voltage regulator (1.8V core) can be supplied directly from a Li-ion cell without external LDO.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from Microchip's K-series family, and practical USB layout guidance not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F24K50-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 PIC18F24K50-E/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core, Maximum CPU Speed, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F25K50-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F45K50-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K50-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K50T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K40-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K42-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.53 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F24K50-E/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Throughput | 16 MIPS |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 3 x 16-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | 1x EUSART, 2x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F24K50-E/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC reference voltage positive |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA7 — External clock input / general I/O |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKOUT/RA6 — External clock output / general I/O |
| Pin 10 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 11 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 13 | VUSB — USB transceiver power supply |
| Pin 14 | D- — USB differential data minus |
| Pin 15 | D+ — USB differential data plus |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 18 | RB0/INT0/AN12 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 0 / analog input 12 |
| Pin 19 | RB1/INT1/AN10 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 1 / analog input 10 |
| Pin 20 | RB2/INT2/AN8 — Digital I/O / external interrupt 2 / analog input 8 |
| Pin 21 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — Digital I/O / analog input 9 / capture-compare PWM 2 |
| Pin 22 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O / analog input 11 |
| Pin 23 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / analog input 13 |
| Pin 24 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O / in-circuit serial programming clock |
| Pin 25 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O / in-circuit serial programming data |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 27 | RE3/MCLR — Master clear reset / digital input only |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC18F24K50-E/SS is suitable for 7 applications: USB HID Keyboard/Mouse Controller, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle, Capacitive Touch User Interface, USB Battery Charger with Status Monitoring, Industrial USB Sensor Data Logger, USB Game Controller / Joystick, USB-Connected LED Controller.
USB HID Keyboard/Mouse Controller
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS is ideally suited as a USB HID keyboard or mouse controller, leveraging its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with internal pull-up resistors and 16 KB Flash for HID descriptor tables. The 48 MHz internal oscillator generates the USB 48 MHz clock without external crystals, reducing BOM cost. With 2 KB RAM and 25 I/O pins, designers can implement matrix key scanning up to 8x8 plus RGB LED feedback in firmware. Per Microchip's USB HID stack, the on-chip SIE handles NRZI encoding and CRC-5/CRC-16 checks automatically, leaving the CPU free for key debounce algorithms and NKRO logic. Typical current draw under 10 mA active and under 50 nA in deep sleep (nanoWatt XLP) suits battery-powered wireless HID dongles where every milliamp matters.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS serves as a cost-effective USB-to-UART bridge, replacing legacy FTDI FT232R designs at lower cost. The integrated USB transceiver and enhanced USART support baud rates up to 921,600 bps without flow control overruns, while 16 KB Flash is sufficient for CDC ACM class firmware plus command-line vendor protocols. Per Microchip's CDC stack reference implementation, the device enumerates as a virtual COM port on Windows/macOS/Linux without custom drivers, and the 25 I/O pins can drive status LEDs and buffer-enable signals. Designers should route D+/D- with 90-ohm differential impedance and add a 0.1 uF decoupling cap on VUSB. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade supports industrial gateway applications operating in harsh enclosures.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS supports capacitive touch sensing via the on-chip Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), enabling touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors without dedicated touch ICs. The 14-channel 10-bit ADC combined with CTMU current sources measures capacitance changes as small as 1 pF, suitable for sealed-front-panel designs. Per Microchip's mTouch CTMU library, the 16 KB Flash accommodates up to 24 touch channels plus USB connectivity for diagnostic logging, and nanoWatt XLP sleep reduces average current to under 5 uA for battery-powered touch remotes. The 2 KB RAM is sufficient for gesture recognition state machines, and the 28-SSOP package fits behind narrow bezel display modules.
Recommended
USB Battery Charger with Status Monitoring
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS can implement a single-cell Li-ion/LiPo battery charger with USB input plus real-time status monitoring over USB CDC. The integrated 10-bit ADC monitors VBUS, battery voltage, charge current, and temperature via thermistor, while the enhanced PWM drives a switching charger MOSFET at frequencies up to 64 kHz. Per Microchip application note AN1250, the 16 KB Flash supports CC/CV charge algorithms with JEITA temperature profiles, and the integrated USB transceiver enables host-side configuration through the same USB port. The deep-sleep current below 50 nA in nanoWatt XLP mode keeps standby drain negligible, and the 28-SSOP package fits within a 20x30 mm PCB budget.
Recommended
Industrial USB Sensor Data Logger
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS is well matched for industrial USB sensor data loggers, providing 16 KB Flash for application firmware, 256 bytes EEPROM for calibration constants, and 2 KB RAM for circular sample buffers. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles factory-floor ambient conditions without derating. Per Microchip datasheet DS30000684B, the 14-channel ADC samples at 100 ksps, sufficient for vibration, temperature, and 4-20 mA loop sensors at typical 1 kHz rates. The USB CDC interface streams live data to a host PC for trend analysis, and nanoWatt XLP sleep draws only 50 nA between samples, enabling year-long battery operation on a single CR2032 cell with periodic USB wake events.
Recommended
USB Game Controller / Joystick
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS supports USB game controller implementations with up to 25 I/O pins for button matrices, analog joystick inputs, and haptic feedback PWM channels. The 48 MHz CPU executes USB HID gamepad class reports at the 1000 Hz polling rate demanded by modern operating systems. Per Microchip's USB HID gamepad reference, 16 KB Flash is sufficient for 32-button HID descriptors plus button debouncing and analog calibration, while the 2 KB RAM supports circular report buffers. The integrated CTMU enables analog joystick position sensing without dedicated ADC ICs. The 28-SSOP package is small enough to fit inside standard gamepad enclosures alongside the USB cable strain relief.
Recommended
USB-Connected LED Controller
The PIC18F24K50-E/SS can drive addressable RGB LED strips via USB DMX-style control, using the enhanced PWM peripherals and 25 I/O pins to support up to 8 LED channels or WS2812-style bit-banged data lines. The 16 KB Flash holds USB CDC plus WS2812 protocol libraries, while the 2 KB RAM maintains frame buffers for 8 parallel strips. Per Microchip application examples, the integrated USB transceiver enables host-side configuration of color, brightness, and animation patterns. The nanoWatt XLP deep sleep below 50 nA makes it suitable for always-on USB-powered decorative installations, and the 28-SSOP package fits in inline controllers between the USB host and LED strips.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F24K50-E/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F25K50-I/SS | PIC18F45K50-I/SS | PIC18F24K50-I/SS | PIC18F24K40-E/SS | PIC18F24K42-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | No USB | No USB |
| Maximum Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 64 MHz | 64 MHz |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3V to 5.5V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 2.3V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Extended (-40C to +125C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with internal pull-up resistors (vs PIC18F24K40-E/SS)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC18F24K50-I/SS)
- nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current below 50 nA (vs PIC18F14K22T-I/SS)
Design Notes
Route the USB D+ and D- differential pair with 90-ohm differential impedance on the PCB. Keep the trace pair length-matched within 150 mil, avoid sharp bends (use 45-degree angles), and place the 0.1 uF VUSB decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of pin 13. Per Microchip's USB hardware design guide, mismatched USB traces degrade signal integrity at the 12 Mbps USB Full-Speed edge rate and may fail USB-IF compliance testing.
Place a 10 uF bulk capacitor and a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor in parallel at the VDD pin (pin 26). For USB applications, the VUSB pin (pin 13) requires its own 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor for the USB transceiver, and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor if powering VBUS-detect circuitry. The on-chip voltage regulator automatically powers the 1.8V core from VDD; no external LDO is required for the MCU core itself.
Do not leave the MCLR pin (pin 27) floating - it requires a 10 kohm pull-up resistor to VDD for normal operation, or a proper reset supervisor circuit. The ICSPDAT and ICSPCLK pins (RB6/RB7) must not be pulled low at startup or the device will enter programming mode. Additionally, ensure the CONFIG words are programmed correctly: the USB clock source must be set to the 48 MHz HFINTOSC for bus-powered USB applications, otherwise the USB module cannot derive its required 48 MHz clock.
Estimated: At maximum CPU activity (48 MHz, all peripherals active, USB transmitting continuously), the PIC18F24K50-E/SS dissipates approximately 75 mW (15 mA at 5V). The 28-SSOP package has a theta_JA of approximately 90 C/W, yielding a junction temperature rise of 6.75 C above ambient. In enclosed industrial enclosures with ambient up to 85 C, the junction remains well below the 150 C maximum, no heatsink required.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free NiPdAu finish. AEC-Q100 not qualified - choose PIC18F24K50-E/Q1 for automotive-grade qualification.
