PIC18F2553T-I/SO - 8-bit MCU, 32KB Flash, USB 2.0 FS | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F2553T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.52 | $4.52 |
| 10 | $4.07 | $40.70 |
| 100 | $3.62 | $362.00 |
| 500 | $3.25 | $1,625.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.89 | $2,890.00 |
PIC18F2553T-I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, memory, and peripherals around an 8-bit data path. The PIC18 family from Microchip uses a modified Harvard RISC architecture with a 16-bit instruction word, distinguishing it from Von Neumann designs. PIC MCUs occupy the broader taxonomy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC. They are widely used in consumer, industrial, and automotive embedded systems where deterministic behavior, low power, and integrated peripherals reduce BOM cost. The PIC18F2553 specifically adds Full-Speed USB 2.0 (12 Mbit/s) which few 8-bit competitors match at this price point.
Key features include 32KB Flash program memory (16K x 16 words), 2KB SRAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, a 10-channel 12-bit ADC, two 8-bit and three 16-bit timers, and three serial ports: Full-Speed USB, I2C, and SPI (up to 10 Mbit/s). It also includes a nanoWatt power management unit with multiple idle and sleep modes, an EUSART, two analog comparators, and a 25-I/O count. The 28-pin SOIC (SO) package provides a 7.50 mm body suitable for hand-soldering and rework.
The PIC18F2553 implements an enhanced Harvard architecture with a 16-bit wide program memory bus and an 8-bit data bus, enabling single-cycle instruction execution except for branches. Its USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver is on-chip, eliminating external PHY components. With hardware multiplier support, C-compiler-friendly architecture, and self-programming Flash, the part enables firmware upgrades in the field.
Typical applications include USB peripherals (HID, CDC, custom class), low-cost sensor interfaces with 12-bit ADC, industrial control with serial comms, battery-powered devices using nanoWatt modes, and consumer electronics such as toys and small appliances. A key design consideration is VUSB pin handling - the USB tranceiver requires 3.3V regulated from internal LDO, and decoupling near VUSB is critical. Decoupling capacitor placement near VDD/VSS pins must follow the manufacturer reference layout to avoid ADC noise.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F2553T-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 PIC18F2553T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Timers, Operating Temperature, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F2553-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2550-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2455-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2553T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16 words) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 10-channel |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit, 3 x 16-bit |
| Serial Interfaces | USB 2.0 FS (12 Mbit/s), I2C, SPI (up to 10 Mbit/s), EUSART |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) 7.50 mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| USB Transceiver | On-chip Full-Speed |
PIC18F2553T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — Digital I/O / Analog input 2 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / Analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI/C1OUT — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS/C2OUT — Digital I/O / Analog input 4 / SPI SS / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T13CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1/3 clock |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 |
| Pin 13 | RC4/D-/VMO — Digital I/O / USB D- / USB VMO |
| Pin 14 | RC5/D+/VPO — Digital I/O / USB D+ / USB VPO |
| Pin 15 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / EUSART TX / EUSART CK |
| Pin 16 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / EUSART RX / EUSART DT |
| Pin 17 | VUSB — Internal USB 3.3V regulator output |
| Pin 18 | VBUS — USB bus voltage sense input |
| Pin 19 | RB0/AN12/INT0 — Digital I/O / Analog input 12 / External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 20 | RB1/AN10/INT1 — Digital I/O / Analog input 10 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 21 | RB2/AN8/INT2 — Digital I/O / Analog input 8 / External interrupt 2 |
| Pin 22 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Analog input 9 / CCP2 |
| Pin 23 | RB4/AN11 — Digital I/O / Analog input 11 |
| Pin 24 | RB5/AN13 — Digital I/O / Analog input 13 |
| Pin 25 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 26 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 27 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 28 | RA6/OSC2 — Digital I/O / Alternate oscillator output |
Typical Applications
PIC18F2553T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals, Industrial Sensor Hubs, USB-to-Serial Bridges, Consumer Electronics and Toys, Battery-Powered USB Devices, Custom USB Test and Measurement.
USB HID Peripherals
The PIC18F2553T-I/SO is ideal for USB Human Interface Devices (HID) such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. Its on-chip Full-Speed USB 2.0 transceiver supports 12 Mbit/s signaling without external PHY, reducing BOM cost by $1-2 per unit. With 32KB Flash and 2KB SRAM, the device runs the Microchip USB HID stack plus application firmware. The 12-bit ADC can read analog inputs such as potentiometers or pressure sensors. Operating from 5V, it matches USB bus-powered designs. The 28-pin SOIC footprint is breadboard-friendly for prototype development, while tape-and-reel packaging supports high-volume SMT assembly.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hubs
For industrial sensor aggregation, the PIC18F2553T-I/SO combines USB connectivity with a 12-bit ADC and multiple serial ports. The 10-channel 12-bit ADC can digitize up to 10 analog sensor inputs (temperature, pressure, voltage) at 100 ksps, while I2C and SPI connect to digital sensors (accelerometers, gyros, environmental sensors). The EUSART supports RS-232/RS-485 bridging. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating and 5V operation match factory-floor PLC I/O levels. This makes the part suitable for USB-based data loggers and sensor-to-PC bridges in SCADA systems.
Recommended
USB-to-Serial Bridges
The PIC18F2553T-I/SO serves as a CDC-class USB-to-UART bridge, replacing legacy FTDI chips at a lower BOM cost. The on-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver plus EUSART enables direct USB-to-RS232/TTL conversion without external components beyond 3.3V regulator and D+/D- termination. With 32KB Flash, the full Microchip CDC stack fits alongside application customization. This application includes USB-to-RS485 adapters, USB debug consoles, and industrial communication converters where the 5V operation matches legacy serial equipment.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and Toys
In cost-sensitive consumer products, the PIC18F2553T-I/SO delivers USB programmability and analog I/O at a sub-$3 unit price at 1000 pieces. The 32KB Flash supports interactive firmware, the 12-bit ADC reads analog sensors (light, sound, position), and the PWM outputs drive LEDs, motors, or buzzers. nanoWatt power management enables battery-powered devices with deep-sleep current under 1 uA. Typical products include USB-programmable LED controllers, educational electronics kits, USB toys, and USB-charged small appliances. The industrial temperature rating ensures reliability in consumer environments.
Recommended
Battery-Powered USB Devices
The PIC18F2553T-I/SO with nanoWatt technology enables battery-powered USB devices such as wireless sensor nodes with USB charging, portable data loggers, and battery-backed USB accessories. Multiple low-power modes (Sleep, Idle, and alternate Run modes) reduce current consumption to microampere levels during inactive periods, while full-speed USB enables fast battery charging data exchange. The 5V operation directly supports single-cell Li-ion via boost converter or USB bus power. The 12-bit ADC monitors battery voltage and charge state.
Recommended
Custom USB Test and Measurement
Engineers building custom USB test instruments (logic analyzers, simple oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers) use the PIC18F2553T-I/SO as a USB data-acquisition frontend. The 12-bit ADC at 100 ksps captures analog waveforms for PC analysis, while USB 2.0 Full-Speed streams data to host software at 1 MSPS effective throughput. With 2KB SRAM buffering samples between USB transfers, the device captures transient events. Operating from 5V USB bus power eliminates external supplies. The 28-pin SOIC fits in handheld instrument form factors.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F2553T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F2553-I/SO | PIC18F2550-I/SO | PIC18F2455-I/SO | PIC18F25K50-I/SO | PIC18F24K50-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same | 28-pin SOIC (SO) - same |
| Program Flash | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1.2 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB |
| Max Clock Speed | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| USB 2.0 FS | Yes (on-chip) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit, 10-ch | 12-bit, 10-ch | 10-bit, 13-ch | 12-bit, 10-ch | 10-bit, 14-ch | 10-bit, 14-ch |
| CTMU (Capacitive Touch) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- On-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver (vs PIC18F2455-I/SO)
- CTMU hardware capacitive touch peripheral (vs PIC18F2550-I/SO)
- 12-bit ADC vs 10-bit alternatives (vs PIC18F25K50-I/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 470 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 27) and a 470 nF capacitor near VSS (pin 11). For USB applications, add a 220 nF capacitor on VUSB (pin 17) and a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the VBUS sense line (pin 18) to stabilize the internal 3.3V USB regulator. Improper decoupling is the most common cause of USB enumeration failures.
Route USB D+ (RC5) and D- (RC4) as a 90-ohm differential pair with matched length, keeping traces short and away from noisy digital signals. Place the crystal oscillator within 10 mm of pins 8-9 (OSC1/OSC2) with grounded guard traces. The 28-pin SOIC has adequate thermal dissipation for normal USB operation; however, high-current GPIO outputs (>20 mA per pin) may require thermal relief copper pours.
The 12-bit ADC requires clean analog supply and reference voltages for full-resolution performance. Use a separate AVSS/AVDD trace from digital grounds, or at minimum a ferrite bead between digital VDD and analog VDD. Sample-and-hold acquisition time (TACQ) must be at least 1.4 us for 12-bit mode; shorter acquisition degrades ADC linearity. Connect unused analog inputs to AVSS to minimize leakage current.
Do not leave ICSP pins RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) floating in production; add 10 kohm pull-downs to prevent spurious resets during brown-out. The VUSB pin requires the internal LDO to be enabled via the UCFG bit; leaving it disabled prevents USB enumeration. The 5V operation is incompatible with 3.3V USB hosts that lack high-power signaling; ensure the host supplies standard 5V VBUS or use an external boost converter.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free matte-tin (Sn) terminations. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature grade. Halogen-free per JEDEC JS709 definition. AEC-Q100 not applicable (commercial/industrial grade; automotive grade would use different suffix).
