PIC18LF13K50-I/P - 8-bit USB MCU, 8KB Flash, 20-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF13K50-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.18 | $21.80 |
| 100 | $1.85 | $185.00 |
| 500 | $1.62 | $810.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.41 | $1,410.00 |
PIC18LF13K50-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program and data memory, peripherals, and I/O on a single die. The PIC18 family belongs to Microchip's 8-bit PIC architecture, sitting above the baseline PIC10/12/16 families in features and peripheral richness. The LF prefix denotes the low-voltage, low-power (nanoWatt XLP) variant suitable for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features include 15 general-purpose I/O pins shared with peripheral functions, a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) with multiple input channels, support for I2C, SPI, EUSART (asynchronous/synchronous serial), and USB through on-chip transceivers, plus nanoWatt XLP technology for deep sleep currents under 1 uA. The 8 KB Flash is organized as 4K x 16 words, suitable for USB class firmware stacks such as CDC, HID, or custom vendor classes.
The PIC18LF13K50 employs an enhanced Harvard architecture with a 16-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, providing deterministic interrupt latency and single-cycle instruction execution for most opcodes. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver, 3.3V regulator, and on-chip pull-ups remove the need for external USB interface components, reducing BOM cost and PCB area in cost-sensitive USB peripherals.
Typical applications include USB HID input devices (keyboards, mice, custom controls), USB-to-UART bridge dongles, low-power sensor nodes with USB diagnostics, industrial USB isolators, and educational development boards where the PDIP package simplifies hand soldering and breadboard prototyping.
When designing with this device, ensure the USB D+/D- trace impedance matches 90 ohm differential per USB 2.0 specification and place the VUSB bypass capacitor within 5 mm of the VUSB pin. The LF prefix guarantees full-speed USB operation down to 2.0V, enabling single-cell Li-ion (3.7V nominal) designs without a boost converter.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative MCU recommendations, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving engineers a complete evaluation reference.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF13K50-I/P — 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/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, I/O Pins, Mounting Type, Timers, Low-Power Technology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F13K50-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F14K50-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF14K50-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F13K50-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF13K50-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 (Harvard) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 8 KB (4K x 16 words) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 15 (general-purpose, multiplexed) |
| ADC | 10-bit, multiple channels |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps), on-chip transceiver |
| Serial Peripherals | EUSART, I2C, SPI |
| Timers | Multiple 8-bit and 16-bit timers |
| Package Type | 20-pin PDIP (through-hole) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole (DIP) |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
PIC18LF13K50-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (Reset) input or digital input |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA Bit 0 / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA Bit 1 / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA Bit 2 / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA Bit 3 / analog input AN3 |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA Bit 4 / analog input AN4 / Timer0 clock |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA Bit 5 / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1 — PORTA Bit 7 / oscillator input 1 |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2 — PORTA Bit 6 / oscillator output 2 |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC Bit 0 / analog input AN16 |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC Bit 1 / analog input AN17 |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC Bit 2 / analog input AN18 |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC Bit 3 / analog input AN19 |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC Bit 4 / analog input AN20 |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC Bit 5 / analog input AN21 |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC Bit 6 / analog input AN22 |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC Bit 7 / analog input AN23 |
| Pin 19 | VUSB — USB transceiver voltage supply (3.3V internal LDO output) |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF13K50-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral Device, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle, Low-Power Sensor Node with USB Diagnostics, USB-Enabled Educational Development Board, Industrial USB Isolator / Data Logger, Consumer USB Charger / Smart Cable Controller.
USB HID Peripheral Device
The PIC18LF13K50-I/P's integrated full-speed USB 2.0 transceiver and 48 MHz core make it ideal for USB HID class devices such as keyboards, mice, custom input controls, and game controllers. The on-chip USB module handles enumeration and interrupt transfers autonomously, freeing the 8-bit core for HID report generation and button debouncing. With 8 KB Flash and 512 bytes RAM, the device fits a typical HID descriptor, report buffer, and user application code without external memory. The 2.0V-5.5V nanoWatt XLP operation enables battery-powered wireless HID dongles that draw under 1 uA in suspend mode.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle
The PIC18LF13K50-I/P is widely deployed in low-cost USB-to-UART bridge dongles that translate USB CDC virtual COM port traffic into legacy RS-232-style serial for industrial controllers, legacy firmware tools, and development debugging. Its CDC class firmware typically fits in under 4 KB Flash, leaving room for buffered UART and configurable baud-rate logic. Compared to dedicated USB-UART bridges, the PIC18LF13K50-I/P adds GPIO for handshake lines (RTS/CTS) plus an ADC for cable-side voltage monitoring, replacing two ICs in compact designs.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Node with USB Diagnostics
The LF nanoWatt XLP variant of PIC18LF13K50-I/P keeps core consumption under 1 uA in sleep, making it suitable for battery-powered sensor nodes that periodically wake up to sample analog signals via the 10-bit ADC and report via USB when connected for service. Industrial temperature range (up to +85C) supports outdoor and HVAC-deployed sensors. The on-chip 3.3V USB regulator simplifies the bus-powered variant, while the wide 2.0V-5.5V range allows single-cell Li-ion or two-AA battery operation when USB is absent.
Recommended
USB-Enabled Educational Development Board
The PDIP-20 through-hole package of PIC18LF13K50-I/P simplifies hand soldering and breadboard prototyping, making it a popular choice for educational microcontroller kits and university courses on USB firmware development. The free MPLAB X IDE and XC8 compiler toolchain enable students to write CDC, HID, or vendor-class firmware without commercial license fees. Combined with on-chip debugging via ICSP, students can program and debug real USB traffic without external debug hardware.
Recommended
Industrial USB Isolator / Data Logger
The PIC18LF13K50-I/P serves as the controller-side brain of industrial USB isolators and small data loggers that buffer high-speed analog samples and dump them to a host PC over USB. Its 10-bit ADC combined with 512 bytes RAM supports short-burst data acquisition sequences synchronized to industrial control loops. The wide 2.0V-5.5V supply range accommodates 24V industrial bus systems when paired with a small switching regulator front-end.
Recommended
Consumer USB Charger / Smart Cable Controller
The PIC18LF13K50-I/P can act as a smart-cable controller that uses the USB data lines for handshake protocols (such as Qualcomm Quick Charge detection or USB BC 1.2) before enabling high-current charging modes. With 15 GPIO and a 10-bit ADC, the device samples VBUS voltage and current shunt values to report charging state via USB or a small display. Its low cost and integrated USB transceiver replace discrete logic ICs that would otherwise raise the BOM cost of a smart cable assembly.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF13K50-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F13K50-I/P | PIC18F14K50-I/P | PIC18LF14K50-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-pin PDIP (DIP-20) | 20-pin PDIP (same) | 20-pin PDIP (same) | 20-pin PDIP (same) |
| Flash Memory | 8 KB | 8 KB (same) | 16 KB (+100%) | 16 KB (+100%) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (less wide) | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (less wide) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (same) |
| Low-Power (nanoWatt XLP) | Yes | No (F variant) | No (F variant) | Yes (LF variant) |
| USB Interface | Full-Speed USB 2.0 | Full-Speed USB 2.0 (same) | Full-Speed USB 2.0 (same) | Full-Speed USB 2.0 (same) |
| Maximum Clock | 48 MHz | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) |
| GPIO Count | 15 | 15 (same) | 15 (same) | 15 (same) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest-voltage USB-capable PIC18 in PDIP-20 (vs PIC18F13K50-I/P)
- Lower cost at lower Flash density (vs PIC18F14K50-I/P)
- nanoWatt XLP ultra-low sleep current (vs PIC18F13K50-I/P)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF13K50-I/P includes an internal 3.3V LDO regulator that powers the USB transceiver from the VDD rail. Always place a 0.01 uF ceramic bypass capacitor on VUSB (Pin 19) within 5 mm of the pin to prevent USB enumeration failures under heavy bus traffic. Estimated: at full 48 MHz CPU + active USB transactions, expect approximately 9-12 mA core current from VDD at 5V input. For battery-only designs, disable the USB peripheral and rely on nanoWatt XLP for sub-1 uA sleep current.
USB D+ and D- traces must be routed as a 90 ohm differential pair (Z0 = 90 ohm +/-10%), kept under 50 mm, and free of splits or stubs. Place the optional 27 ohm series termination resistors on each data line near the MCU. Reference Microchip AN749 'PCB Design and Manufacturing Information for USB 2.0' for stackup recommendations. Estimated trace spacing for 90 ohm differential on FR-4 4-layer with 0.2 mm dielectric is approximately 0.15 mm center-to-center.
Do not omit the MCLR pull-up resistor on PIC18LF13K50-I/P (10 kohm to VDD) or the part will fail to start reliably. The ICSP clock and data pins are multiplexed with RB6/RB7 - on the 20-pin package these are mapped to RA7/RA6 oscillator pins, so external oscillators must be disabled during debug, not simple GPIOs. The LF variant's 2.0V minimum requires a regulated supply; USB bus-powered designs without a LDO will fail to enumerate at low battery.
Through-hole PDIP-20 packages have theta_JA of approximately 75 C/W in still air, which is well below the chip's thermal limits for the typical 8-bit MCU load profile. Estimated: at 48 MHz, 5V, and continuous USB traffic, dissipation is below 60 mW (12 mA * 5V), yielding a junction temperature rise of only ~4.5 C above ambient. No heatsinking required. For sealed enclosures with no airflow, derate to 32 MHz if junction temperature exceeds 100 C.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Lead-free finish, halogen-free mold compound. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC18F variants in automotive-grade screening for vehicle applications.
