PIC18F26J53-I/ML - 64KB Flash USB MCU 28-VQFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F26J53-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.85 | $38.50 |
| 100 | $3.45 | $345.00 |
| 500 | $3.1 | $1,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.78 | $2,780.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.45 | $7,350.00 |
PIC18F26J53-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripheral interfaces onto one die. PIC18 J-series MCUs extend the classic PIC18 architecture with nanoWatt XLP power management, deep sleep modes, and dedicated USB transceivers, occupying the niche between small 8-bit controllers and 16-bit dsPIC parts in the Microchip hierarchy: 8-bit MCU -> PIC18 -> PIC18 J-series -> USB-capable variant.
Key features include a 12-channel 10-bit ADC (configurable to 12-bit in successive-approximation mode), two analog comparators, two UART/USART, two SPI, and one I2C peripheral. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip termination eliminates external USB PHY components, while the 64KB self-programmable Flash supports in-application updates. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers typical sleep currents in the deep-sleep mode, enabling years of battery life on coin-cell powered designs.
The PIC18J53 architecture uses a 16-bit wide instruction word optimized for C-compiled code, with a hardware multiplier and 32 Kbytes of linear program addressing. The enhanced USB SIE handles packet sequencing, CRC, and endpoint management autonomously, freeing the CPU from low-level USB protocol handling. The 28-pin VQFN package with exposed pad enables compact PCB designs in space-constrained applications.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and custom input devices; USB-to-UART bridges; low-power sensor nodes with USB charging; portable medical instruments; and consumer products requiring in-field firmware updates. The deep-sleep mode and on-board USB make this part especially attractive for always-on USB-connected sensor and telemetry applications.
When designing with this part, follow the recommended USB layout guidelines in the datasheet - the D+/D- traces must be 90 ohm differential with matched length, and the VBUS pin requires a 4.7uF bulk capacitor with a ferrite bead for EMI suppression. The exposed thermal pad must be soldered to a copper pour for electrical grounding and thermal dissipation.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in PIC18 family alternatives, USB design references, and practical application notes beyond the manufacturer datasheet summary.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F26J53-I/ML — 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 PIC18F26J53-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, I/O Pins, Package, Program Memory (Flash), USB Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F27J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26J13-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F24J50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K80-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26J53-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC18 J-series |
| Core | 8-bit PIC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB |
| Data RAM | 4 KB |
| CPU Speed | 12 MIPS (48 MHz) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin VQFN (ML) 6x6 mm with exposed pad |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver |
| ADC | 10/12-bit, 12 channels |
| Timers | 4 (16-bit / 8-bit) |
| UART/USART | 2 |
| SPI | 2 |
| I2C | 1 |
| Comparators | 2 analog comparators |
| Power-Saving Modes | nanoWatt XLP, deep sleep, sleep, idle |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18F26J53-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Digital I/O / analog AN0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Digital I/O / analog AN1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog AN2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog AN3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — Digital I/O (no AN4 - dedicated digital) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog AN4 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7 — Digital I/O / oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RA6 — Digital I/O / oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | RB0 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | RB1 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB2 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 16 | RB3 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 17 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 18 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 19 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 20 | VBUS — USB VBUS sensing input (5V tolerant) |
| Pin 21 | D- — USB D- data line |
| Pin 22 | D+ — USB D+ data line |
| Pin 23 | RC0 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RC1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 25 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC18F26J53-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals, USB-to-UART Bridge, Low-Power Sensor Nodes, Portable Medical Instruments, Consumer USB Devices, In-Field Firmware Update Devices.
USB HID Peripherals
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML is purpose-built for USB Human Interface Device peripherals including keyboards, mice, game controllers, custom HID input devices, and barcode scanners. Its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up on D+ eliminates external PHY components, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The 64 KB Flash accommodates composite HID stacks with multiple interfaces, while the 12 MIPS performance handles HID polling rates up to 1000 Hz without CPU bottleneck. The 4 KB RAM supports HID report buffers plus protocol overhead. The 28-pin VQFN (ML) 6x6 mm package fits compact consumer peripherals.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML serves as a USB-CDC to UART bridge for legacy serial devices, debug ports, and industrial equipment modernization. With 2 hardware UART channels operating up to 115.2 kbps and the integrated USB 2.0 FS SIE, it provides transparent protocol translation between a host PC and any RS-232/RS-485 device. The 64 KB Flash is sufficient for full CDC ACM driver plus vendor-specific commands, and the 4 KB RAM handles USB endpoint buffers and UART FIFOs. The 28-pin VQFN footprint supports compact dongle form factors commonly used as field service tools.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Nodes
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML excels in battery-powered wireless sensor nodes with USB charging capability, such as environmental monitors, wearables, and IoT edge devices. The nanoWatt XLP technology delivers 20 nA deep-sleep current, enabling multi-year operation on a single CR2032 coin cell, while the integrated USB 2.0 FS supports both data telemetry and battery charging from a single port. The 12-channel 10/12-bit ADC interfaces directly to analog sensors without external signal conditioning. The 64 KB Flash accommodates over-the-air firmware update protocols and sensor fusion algorithms.
Recommended
Portable Medical Instruments
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML supports portable medical devices such as blood glucose meters, pulse oximeters, and personal health monitors requiring USB connectivity for data upload and battery charging. Its 12-bit ADC provides adequate resolution for biosensor signal acquisition, while the USB 2.0 FS port serves as both data interface and charging port via the on-chip 3.3V regulator. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range supports clinical and home-use environments. The nanoWatt XLP deep sleep mode extends battery life between patient measurements.
Recommended
Consumer USB Devices
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML powers consumer USB peripherals such as custom gamepads, presentation clickers, MIDI controllers, and USB-connected toys. The integrated USB stack with Microchip's free USB Framework firmware library accelerates time-to-market for HID, CDC, MIDI, and vendor-class devices. The 22 available I/O pins support button matrices, LED drivers, and I2C/SPI peripherals like accelerometers and OLED displays. The 28-pin VQFN (ML) 6x6 mm package enables slim consumer product enclosures.
Recommended
In-Field Firmware Update Devices
The PIC18F26J53-I/ML is ideal for industrial equipment requiring USB-based in-field firmware updates, such as programmable logic controllers, motor drives, and test instruments. Its 64 KB self-programmable Flash supports bootloader-based IAP without external memory, while the USB 2.0 FS provides the high-speed update channel. The dual Flash banks enable fail-safe A/B partition updates with automatic rollback on boot failure. The 28-pin VQFN package and 4 KB RAM accommodate the USB stack plus bootloader overhead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F26J53-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F27J53-I/ML | PIC18F26J13-I/ML | PIC18F25K50-I/ML | PIC18F24J50-I/ML | PIC18F46J53-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | VQFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm | VQFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | VQFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | VQFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | VQFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | VQFN-44 (ML) 8x8 mm - different |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 64 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB |
| CPU Speed | 12 MIPS @ 48 MHz | 12 MIPS @ 48 MHz | 12 MIPS @ 48 MHz | 16 MIPS @ 48 MHz | 12 MIPS @ 48 MHz | 12 MIPS @ 48 MHz |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 FS (12 Mbps) on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS - same | No USB | USB 2.0 FS - same | USB 2.0 FS - same | USB 2.0 FS - same |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.7V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 3.6V | 2.0V to 3.6V |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 34 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles Flash while maintaining identical pinout (vs PIC18F27J53-I/ML)
- Integrated USB 2.0 FS transceiver (vs PIC18F26J13-I/ML)
- 12 MIPS performance with 64KB Flash balance (vs PIC18F25K50-I/ML)
Design Notes
USB differential pair (D+ / D-) on pins 21 and 22 must be routed as a 90 ohm differential impedance pair with matched length to within 150 mil. Per Microchip USB design guidelines, place a common-mode choke near the USB connector and keep the D+/D- traces away from switching signals. The VBUS pin requires a 4.7uF bulk capacitor with a ferrite bead for EMI suppression.
The 28-pin VQFN (ML) package has an exposed thermal pad on the underside that must be soldered to a copper pour for electrical grounding and thermal dissipation. Estimated: at 48 MHz with all peripherals active, the part draws ~8 mA from 3.3V, dissipating approximately 26 mW which is well within the package's thermal limits. No additional heatsinking is required.
Do not omit the VBUS capacitor; USB enumeration will fail without proper bulk decoupling. The 3.3V internal regulator requires a 4.7uF capacitor on VDD even when powered from VBUS. Ensure the ICSP programming pins (RB6/RB7) are not loaded with low-value pull-down resistors that interfere with in-circuit programming. Use Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler for proper code generation.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial grade MCU; automotive designs should use PIC18F counterparts with -E or -V qualification suffixes.
