PIC18F26J53-I/SS - 8-bit USB MCU 64KB Flash 48MHz SSOP-28 | Microchip
MPN: PIC18F26J53-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.32 | $5.32 |
| 10 | $4.79 | $47.90 |
| 100 | $4.02 | $402.00 |
| 500 | $3.45 | $1,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.98 | $2,980.00 |
PIC18F26J53-I/SS Overview
A PIC microcontroller (Programmable Interface Controller, also called MCU or microcontroller unit) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, RAM, and peripherals. The PIC18 J-series extends the classic PIC18 architecture with higher code density (16-bit instruction word, 8-bit data path), C-compiler-friendly instruction set, and enhanced peripherals such as USB 2.0 full-speed and 12-bit ADC, bridging the gap between traditional 8-bit MCUs and 16/32-bit devices.
Key features of the PIC18F26J53-I/SS include: 64 KB Flash (32K x 16 words), 4 KB RAM, 256 B EEPROM, 12 MIPS CPU throughput at 48 MHz, an on-chip full-speed USB 2.0 transceiver, 10-bit + 12-bit A/D converters (10 channels), two analog comparators, three timers, two capture/compare modules, two UART/USART, SPI, I2C, and nanoWatt XLP Deep Sleep mode for sub-uA standby current.
The 28-pin SSOP (0.209 inch body width) package is industrial-grade (-40C to +85C) and pin-compatible across the PIC18F2xJ53 family, allowing designers to migrate up (PIC18F27J53 with 128 KB Flash) or down (PIC18F25J53 with 32 KB Flash) without PCB rework. The integrated USB and nanoWatt XLP features reduce external component count for low-power tethered or battery-powered applications.
Typical applications include USB peripherals, HID-class devices, sensor nodes, low-power handheld instruments, industrial controls, and consumer electronics that require USB connectivity without an external PHY. The nanoWatt XLP Deep Sleep mode extends battery life in always-on sensor applications.
When designing with this part, allocate the 28-pin budget carefully: USB D+/D- occupy dedicated pins, and the on-chip voltage regulator requires an external bypass capacitor. Designers migrating from older PIC18F2550 designs will find the pinout largely compatible but should verify the D+/D- and VUSB pin assignments against the PIC18F26J53 datasheet.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in SSOP-28 alternatives, and practical design notes for the PIC18F26J53-I/SS - information not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18F26J53-I/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 PIC18F26J53-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F27J53-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25J53-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26J13-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K50-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F26J53-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 18J |
| Core Processor | PIC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Program Memory Size | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 4 KB |
| EEPROM Size | 256 B |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Instruction Throughput | 12 MIPS |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (on-chip transceiver) |
| ADC | 10-bit + 12-bit, 10 channels |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-SSOP (0.209 inch body width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (Unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART/USART, USB |
| Peripherals | Brown-out Detect/Reset, LVD, POR, PWM, WDT |
PIC18F26J53-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input or digital input RE3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0/C1INA/RP0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/C2INA/RP1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/C2INB/C1IND-/RP2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/C1INB/RP3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/C1INC/RP4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/C1INC/RP5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input / comparator input / remappable |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Oscillator input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/P2A/RP16 — PORTC bit 0 / PWM output / remappable |
| Pin 12 | RC1/P2B/RP17 — PORTC bit 1 / PWM output / remappable |
| Pin 13 | RC2/P2C/CCP1/RP18 — PORTC bit 2 / PWM / CCP1 / remappable |
| Pin 14 | D+ — USB data plus line (full-speed) |
| Pin 15 | D- — USB data minus line (full-speed) |
| Pin 16 | VUSB — Internal USB 3.3 V regulator output (decoupling required) |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | RB0/AN12/RP8 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input / remappable |
| Pin 20 | RB1/AN10/C1INC/RP9 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input / comparator / remappable |
| Pin 21 | RB2/AN8/C2IND-/RP10 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input / comparator / remappable |
| Pin 22 | RB3/AN9/C2IND+/RP11 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input / comparator / remappable |
| Pin 23 | RB4/CCP2/P2D/RP12 — PORTB bit 4 / CCP2 / PWM / remappable |
| Pin 24 | RB5/CCP3/P2E/RP13 — PORTB bit 5 / CCP3 / PWM / remappable |
| Pin 25 | RB6/CCP4/P2F/RP14 — PORTB bit 6 / CCP4 / PWM / remappable |
| Pin 26 | RB7/CCP5/RP15 — PORTB bit 7 / CCP5 / remappable |
| Pin 27 | RC6/TX1/CK1/RP21 — PORTC bit 6 / UART1 TX / remappable |
| Pin 28 | RC7/RX1/DT1/RP22 — PORTC bit 7 / UART1 RX / remappable |
Typical Applications
PIC18F26J53-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Custom), USB CDC Virtual COM Port Devices, Low-Power Sensor Node (nanoWatt XLP), Industrial Control and Data Acquisition, Consumer USB Dongle and Smart Cable, Educational and Development Board MCU.
USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse/Custom)
The PIC18F26J53-I/SS's integrated full-speed USB 2.0 SIE eliminates the external PHY required by older PIC MCUs, reducing BOM count and PCB area for HID-class devices. Its 4 KB RAM comfortably buffers HID report descriptors and endpoint FIFO data, while the 64 KB Flash accommodates the USB stack plus application code. With 22 I/O pins and 12 MIPS throughput, it scans key matrices and processes HID reports at low latency.
Recommended
USB CDC Virtual COM Port Devices
For USB-to-UART bridge designs, the PIC18F26J53-I/SS runs the Microchip CDC stack on the integrated USB SIE while exposing one or two of its hardware UART peripherals to the host side. The 48 MHz CPU sustains 12 Mbps USB traffic alongside 115,200 baud serial forwarding without bottleneck. Its 2.0-3.6 V supply matches modern logic levels, and nanoWatt XLP modes enable bus-powered designs with sub-100 uA suspend current per the datasheet.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Node (nanoWatt XLP)
The PIC18F26J53-I/SS supports nanoWatt XLP Deep Sleep mode drawing less than 1 uA from a 3 V battery, extending lifetime in coin-cell-powered sensor designs. Its 10-channel 12-bit ADC samples environmental sensors with 2 mV LSB resolution, sufficient for thermocouple and bridge-type measurement. Wake-on-RTCC plus 22 GPIO lines handle wake, measurement, transmit, and sleep sequencing autonomously before invoking USB for configuration.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Data Acquisition
Industrial control applications benefit from the PIC18F26J53-I/SS industrial -40C to +85C temperature range, 12-bit ADC accuracy, and integrated USB for log download. Two UART peripherals support RS-485 half-duplex with external transceivers, while SPI/I2C connect to industrial EEPROM, RTC, and sensor front-ends. The 64 KB Flash hosts Modbus RTU and a USB command interface, eliminating the need for a separate programmer in field updates.
Recommended
Consumer USB Dongle and Smart Cable
USB dongle designs benefit from the PIC18F26J53-I/SS's small 28-SSOP footprint and integrated USB transceiver, fitting into compact dongle housings without a separate PHY. The 12 MIPS throughput handles authentication, encryption, and HID-class functions, while 64 KB Flash stores firmware, key material, and protocol stacks. The 2.0-3.6 V VDD operates directly from the USB VBUS rail after regulator, simplifying dongle power architecture.
Recommended
Educational and Development Board MCU
The PIC18F26J53-I/SS is well-suited to university labs and PIC development kits because it combines integrated USB (used for debugger/programmer attachment via MPLAB REAL ICE), sufficient Flash for C compilers, and full peripheral set in a breadboard-friendly 0.209 inch SSOP. The 12 MIPS throughput compiles and runs Microchip's MLA USB libraries in real time, and the 12-bit ADC allows hands-on analog/digital lab exercises without extra components.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18F26J53-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F27J53-I/SS | PIC18F25J53-I/SS | PIC18F26J13-I/SS | PIC18F25K50-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) | 28-SSOP (same) |
| Program Flash | 64 KB | 128 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 3.7 KB | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Max CPU Speed | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS | 48 MHz / 12 MIPS |
| Integrated USB 2.0 FS | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit + 12-bit (10 ch) | 10-bit + 12-bit | 10-bit + 12-bit | 10-bit only | 10-bit + 12-bit (newer) |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- Doubles program Flash without changing pinout (vs PIC18F25J53-I/SS)
- Lower-cost non-USB variant available (vs PIC18F26J13-I/SS)
- Newer enhanced mid-range core option (vs PIC18F25K50-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC18F26J53-I/SS operates from a single 2.0-3.6 V supply; place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as practical to each VDD/VSS pair. The on-chip 3.3 V regulator at the VUSB pin (pin 16 in the 28-SSOP) must be bypassed with a 220 nF capacitor (datasheet recommends 0.22 uF) to provide a stable reference for the internal USB transceiver. Avoid drawing more than 5 mA from VUSB to other circuits to prevent USB signal-integrity issues.
Route USB D+ and D- (pins 14 and 15) as a 90-ohm differential pair on the top layer, keeping the trace length under 50 mm and maintaining a continuous ground reference underneath. Place the VUSB decoupling capacitor on the same layer as the IC, directly between pin 16 and the nearest ground via. Keep oscillator traces (pins 9-10) short and guarded by ground pour to minimize radiated EMI that could otherwise couple into the USB pair.
Do not connect the MCLR pin (pin 1) directly to VDD without a pull-up; the datasheet recommends a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD with a 100 nF capacitor to VSS for noise immunity. The internal weak pull-ups on PORTB are disabled after a MCLR reset and must be enabled in firmware. When migrating from PIC18F2550 designs, note that the D+/D- pin positions changed - verify the pinout against the PIC18F26J53 datasheet before layout.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F26J53-I/SS only for industrial/commercial designs, not automotive. MSL 1 (Unlimited) per datasheet - no dry-pack required.
