PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ - 8-bit USB MCU 8KB Flash 48MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.78 | $2.78 |
| 10 | $2.5 | $25.00 |
| 100 | $2.22 | $222.00 |
| 500 | $1.95 | $975.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.72 | $1,720.00 |
PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ Overview
What is a microcontroller? A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication interfaces, and I/O. The PIC18LF13K50 belongs to the PIC18 8-bit family -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor hierarchy, combining USB 2.0 connectivity with the energy efficiency of nanoWatt XLP for portable and consumer designs.
Key features include a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels, mTouch capacitive touch sensing support, an internal voltage reference, a digital-to-analog peripheral, two PWM modules, and a configurable logic cell. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip 3.3V regulator eliminates the need for external USB transceivers, enabling direct connection to a USB Type-A or micro-AB port without expensive external components. The device supports internal oscillator modes up to 16 MHz and high-frequency oscillator modes for the 48 MHz USB clock.
The 20-pin VQFN (MQ) package occupies a 5x5 mm PCB footprint, providing a compact solution for space-constrained designs. The device operates over the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range. The LF low-voltage variant is targeted at battery-powered USB peripherals, while the F variant (PIC18F13K50) extends operation up to 5.5V for bus-powered USB applications.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, game controllers), USB-to-UART bridges, USB sensor nodes, battery-powered data loggers, capacitive touch USB interfaces, medical USB dongles, and industrial USB interface modules. The integrated USB 2.0, low power consumption, and small footprint make it ideal for any embedded design requiring USB connectivity with minimal external component count.
When designing with this MCU, plan the USB bus-power decoupling: a 10uF bulk capacitor plus 100nF ceramic near the VUSB pin is recommended to meet USB suspend current requirements. The on-chip LDO produces 3.3V from the 5V VBUS line and feeds the internal USB transceiver and a limited amount of external circuitry; budget no more than ~3 mA external load on the 3.3V rail. Software development uses MPLAB X IDE with the XC8 compiler and the Microchip USB framework stack.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing (as of 2026-09-28), drop-in compatible alternatives in the same VQFN-20 footprint, and practical design notes that supplement the manufacturer datasheet for engineers evaluating the PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ — 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 PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, PWM Modules, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF14K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F14K50-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF13K50T-I/MQ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V (LF variant) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps), integrated transceiver + on-chip 3.3V regulator |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| I/O Pins | 15 |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| PWM Modules | 2 (CCP + Enhanced CCP) |
| mTouch Capacitive Sensing | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-pin VQFN (MQ) 5x5 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0/C1IN+/C2IN+/C12IN0-/ULPWU/IO — PORTA bit 0, analog input, comparator input, ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1/C1IN-/C2IN-/C12IN1-/IO — PORTA bit 1, analog input, comparator input |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/C2IN+/VREF-/CVREF/IO — PORTA bit 2, analog input, negative voltage reference, CVREF output |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/C1IN+/VREF+/IO — PORTA bit 3, analog input, positive voltage reference |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4/C1OUT/T0CKI/SRC/IO — PORTA bit 4, analog input, comparator output, Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5/C2OUT/T1CKI/SRN/IO — PORTA bit 5, analog input, comparator output, Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8V-3.6V for LF variant) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1/CLKIN/IO — PORTA bit 7, crystal oscillator input, external clock input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2/CLKOUT/IO — PORTA bit 6, crystal oscillator output, clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/SOSCO/T1OSCO/IO — PORTC bit 0, secondary oscillator I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC1/SOSCI/T1OSCI/CCP1/IO — PORTC bit 1, secondary oscillator input, CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1/P1A/IO — PORTC bit 2, CCP1 PWM output, enhanced PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/CCP2/P1B/SCL/IO — PORTC bit 3, CCP2, enhanced PWM output, I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDA/IO — PORTC bit 4, I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO/IO — PORTC bit 5, SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | D+/RC6/IO — USB D+ data line, PORTC bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | D-/RC7/IO — USB D- data line, PORTC bit 7 |
| Pin 19 | VUSB — USB 3.3V LDO output (decouple with 100nF + 10uF) |
| Pin 20 | VBUS — USB 5V input to internal 3.3V LDO |
| Pin Pad | EP (Exposed Pad) — Thermal pad, must be soldered to PCB ground plane for proper thermal dissipation |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard / Mouse / Game Controller), USB-to-UART Bridge / Virtual COM Port, Battery-Powered Data Logger with USB Interface, Capacitive Touch USB Interface (mTouch), Medical USB Dongle / Sensor Interface, Industrial USB Sensor Node.
USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard / Mouse / Game Controller)
The PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ is purpose-built for USB Human Interface Devices due to its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver and on-chip 3.3V LDO. The 48 MHz CPU throughput comfortably handles HID report generation, while 8 KB of Flash accommodates the Microchip USB stack plus application firmware. Low-voltage LF operation (1.8V-3.6V) extends battery life in wireless peripherals when paired with a 2x AA cell pack, and nanoWatt XLP deep sleep reduces quiescent draw to under 1 microampere when the host suspends the device. mTouch capacitive sensing adds slider/button capability without external touch ICs.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge / Virtual COM Port
The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver makes the PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ ideal for CDC-class USB-to-UART bridges that expose a virtual COM port to a host PC. The 10-bit ADC and PWM peripherals can be exposed as control endpoints for ADC-based sensor readouts or PWM-driven actuators, eliminating external bridge ICs like the FTDI FT232R. The 1.8V-3.6V LF range matches Li-Ion single-cell battery operation, enabling portable USB-serial dongles. The 5x5 mm VQFN footprint minimizes PCB area for compact dongle form factors.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Data Logger with USB Interface
Battery-powered data loggers benefit from the PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ LF variant operating from 1.8V-3.6V with nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current below 1 microampere, enabling months-long logging from a CR2032 coin cell when not streaming. The 8 KB Flash can hold a small RTOS plus logger firmware, while 256 bytes of EEPROM store configuration. When the user plugs into USB, the same device streams accumulated data via the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed interface and recharges via VBUS through an external charger IC.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch USB Interface (mTouch)
The PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ integrates Microchip's mTouch capacitive touch sensing peripheral, eliminating the need for an external touch controller in USB interface applications such as touch-button remote controls, USB volume knobs, or capacitive slider input devices. The 10-bit ADC and the on-chip CVD (Capacitive Voltage Divider) module support up to 11 touch channels with proximity detection, and the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed interface transmits touch events as HID reports. The VQFN 20-pin footprint fits compact USB stick form factors with capacitive buttons.
Recommended
Medical USB Dongle / Sensor Interface
Medical USB dongles such as glucose meter interfaces, pulse-oximetry adapters, and portable spirometers use the PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ to communicate sensor data over USB to a host PC or tablet. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver reduces BOM cost and PCB area, while the industrial -40C to +85C temperature range supports clinical and home-use environments. The 8 KB Flash accommodates CDC and HID stacks plus sensor-conditioning firmware, and the LF low-voltage operation allows direct Li-Ion single-cell power.
Recommended
Industrial USB Sensor Node
Industrial USB sensor nodes such as USB thermocouple interfaces, USB pressure transmitters, and USB light-intensity meters use the PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ as a low-cost USB-connected data acquisition front-end. The 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels digitizes analog sensor outputs, and the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver streams data to the host. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range tolerates factory floor environments, and the small 5x5 mm VQFN package fits within IP67-rated sealed enclosures with USB Type-C pigtails.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF13K50-I/MQ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF14K50-I/MQ | PIC18F13K50-I/MQ | PIC18F14K50-I/MQ | PIC18LF13K50T-I/MQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same | VQFN-20 (MQ) 5x5 mm - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 16 KB (+100%) | 8 KB (same) | 16 KB (+100%) | 8 KB (same) |
| RAM | 512 B | 768 B (+50%) | 512 B (same) | 768 B (+50%) | 512 B (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V (LF) | 1.8V to 3.6V (LF) | 1.8V to 5.5V (F) | 1.8V to 5.5V (F) | 1.8V to 3.6V (LF) |
| CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| USB 2.0 Interface | Full-Speed integrated | Full-Speed integrated | Full-Speed integrated | Full-Speed integrated | Full-Speed integrated |
| On-Chip 3.3V LDO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ADC | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels | 10-bit, 11 channels |
| Unit Price (1 pc, as of 2026-09-28) | $2.78 | $2.85 (typical, +2%) | $2.75 (typical, -1%) | $2.95 (typical, +6%) | $2.78 (typical, same) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver + on-chip 3.3V LDO (vs PIC18LF14K50-I/MQ)
- nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep below 1 microampere (vs PIC18F13K50-I/MQ)
- Compact 5x5 mm VQFN-20 (MQ) footprint with exposed thermal pad (vs PIC18LF13K50-I/SS (SSOP-20))
Design Notes
Decouple the VUSB pin with a 100 nF ceramic in parallel with a 10 uF tantalum or ceramic bulk capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin. The internal 3.3V LDO feeds the USB transceiver and may source a limited external load (no more than 3 mA per the datasheet) to avoid disrupting USB signalling. For higher external loads, add a separate LDO downstream. The LF variant's 1.8V-3.6V VDD range requires that the regulated USB 3.3V does NOT back-feed into VDD - tie VUSB to VDD via a Schottky diode if back-powering protection is required.
The VQFN 20-pin (MQ) package exposes an exposed thermal pad (EP) underneath the IC that must be soldered to a continuous PCB ground plane with at least 8 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) to provide proper thermal dissipation and low-impedance ground return. Keep the USB D+ and D- traces as short as possible (under 25 mm), routed as a 90-ohm differential pair with matched length, and surrounded by a continuous ground pour to maintain USB 2.0 full-speed signal integrity. Place the 27 ohm series termination resistors on D+/D- as close to the MCU pins as possible if required by the EMC test environment.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum VBUS voltage of 5.5V or apply VBUS before VDD is stable - the internal LDO can back-power the core incorrectly. When using the internal 48 MHz oscillator for USB operation, ensure the PLL is configured with the correct prescaler (HSPLL mode) per datasheet section 2.4; an incorrect PLL setting is the most common cause of USB enumeration failure. Software developers should use the latest Microchip MLA USB framework rather than legacy stack code, and configure the USB regulator (REGCR.VDDBEN) correctly when designing self-powered or bus-powered peripherals.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page; not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial-grade MCU); lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declarations.
