PIC18LF2450-I/ML - 8-Bit 48MHz 16KB Flash USB MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF2450-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.62 | $46.20 |
| 100 | $4.05 | $405.00 |
| 500 | $3.58 | $1,790.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.1 | $3,100.00 |
PIC18LF2450-I/ML Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, a CPU core, program and data memory, and a set of on-chip peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication ports, and (in this case) a USB device controller. The PIC18 family is Microchip's high-performance 8-bit line that adds C-friendly architectural extensions, a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and linear program memory up to 2 MB. The LF prefix denotes the extended low-voltage process that allows operation down to 2.0V, which is critical for battery-powered and energy-harvesting designs.
Key features include hardware USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) device/OTG support with on-chip transceiver, 16 KB self-programmable Flash, 768 B SRAM, 256 B EEPROM, 10-bit ADC with 10 channels, two analog comparators, two CCP modules, one Enhanced USART, one MSSP (SPI/I2C), and four timer modules. The 28-QFN package reduces PCB footprint by approximately 60% versus a 28-SOIC footprint while exposing a thermal pad that lowers theta-JA and improves high-current I/O performance.
Architecturally, the part uses a Harvard cache architecture with separate program and data buses, a 32-level hardware stack, and an 8x8 hardware multiply that accelerates 16-bit math in a single cycle. The integrated USB SIE handles NRZI encoding, bit stuffing, and CRC5/CRC16 in hardware, eliminating external PHY chips for low-speed and full-speed USB.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, gamepads), USB-to-UART bridges, low-voltage sensor nodes, industrial data loggers, and consumer electronics that need a low-pin-count USB device interface. The LF voltage range (2.0-5.5V) makes the part a strong fit for single-cell Li-ion powered devices as well as 3.3V and 5V industrial buses.
Design consideration: the QFN package requires a via-array thermal pad soldered to a copper pour for the datasheet-specified thermal performance. Programming/debug is supported natively by Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB XC8 compiler, and PICkit or ICD tools.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives in the same 28-QFN footprint, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF2450-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 PIC18LF2450-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Operating Temperature, Package, Timers, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F2450-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2450T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF2550-I/ML
📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F2550-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF2420-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF2450-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| CPU Core | PIC18 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 768 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B |
| I/O Pins | 23 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 10 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) Device/OTG with on-chip transceiver |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) with EP |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Communication | 1x EUSART, 1x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| CCP/ECCP Modules | 2 CCP |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF2450-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input or digital input only |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input / DAC negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input / DAC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4 — PORTA bit 5 / ADC analog input 4 |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input or external clock input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output or clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 output |
| Pin 14 | VUSB — USB internal transceiver 3.3V supply (bypass required) |
| Pin 15 | RC4/D- — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- data line |
| Pin 16 | RC5/D+ — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ data line |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / clock output |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference (second VSS pin) |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | RB0/AN12/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input 12 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1/AN10/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input 10 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/AN8/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input 8 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input 9 / CCP2 alt |
| Pin 25 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / analog input 11 |
| Pin 26 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / analog input 13 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/ICSPCLK — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/ICSPDAT — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming/debug) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF2450-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad), USB-to-UART Bridge, Low-Voltage Sensor Node, Industrial Data Logger with USB, Consumer Audio Dongle (USB Audio), USB Connected Lighting Controller.
USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad)
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML is a strong fit for USB HID peripherals because its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed SIE handles enumeration, polling, and report descriptors entirely in hardware, freeing the PIC18 CPU for scan logic. With 16 KB Flash it comfortably fits HID boot-loader plus a standard keyboard/mouse HID report stack, and 768 B SRAM is sufficient for ring-buffered scan matrices up to 256 keys. The 23 I/O pins handle a 13x8 keyboard scan matrix directly without an I/O expander. The LF 2.0-5.5V range lets a single-cell Li-ion power the device while USB VBUS powers the upstream port - a typical dual-rail topology where the LF device shines versus the F variant that requires 4.2V minimum.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML serves as a USB-to-UART bridge by enumerating as a CDC-ACM device on the USB side and driving the on-chip Enhanced USART (EUSART) on the serial side. According to the Verified Web Data, the part runs the PIC18 instruction set at up to 48 MHz (12 MIPS), which is more than enough headroom to handle 921.6 kbps UART throughput plus USB polling overhead. The 768 B SRAM holds circular TX/RX buffers, and the 16 KB Flash accommodates the CDC stack plus a small command parser. The LF voltage range allows the bridge to be powered directly from USB (5V) or a 3.3V rail without a separate regulator.
Recommended
Low-Voltage Sensor Node
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML operates directly from 2.0-5.5V, which is the same range as a single-cell Li-ion, 2x AA, or a 3.3V regulated sensor supply. According to the Verified Web Data, the 10-channel 10-bit ADC samples analog sensors (temperature, light, voltage) at up to approximately 100 ksps, sufficient for typical environmental monitoring. The two on-chip comparators enable threshold-based wake-up from sleep without waking the CPU, and the four timers (Timer0/1/2/3) handle pulse counting and PWM for actuators. USB is also available as a debug-and-data-upload port - the LF voltage range means no boost regulator is required.
Recommended
Industrial Data Logger with USB
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML supports industrial data-logger designs where the part stores time-stamped measurements in its 256-byte EEPROM or streams them over USB to a host PC. The 48 MHz CPU and 16 KB Flash run a small FAT12/14 USB-MSD stack or a proprietary logging protocol, while the 10-bit ADC samples analog inputs from thermocouples (with external conditioning), pressure sensors, and 4-20 mA loops. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature rating matches factory floor requirements, and the LF 2.0-5.5V range supports 24V industrial buses with a step-down regulator on the front end.
Recommended
Consumer Audio Dongle (USB Audio)
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML is used in low-cost USB audio-class dongles that pull digital audio from a PC and forward it to an external DAC via I2S or PWM. Although the PIC18 does not have a dedicated I2S peripheral, the MSSP can drive SPI-mode DACs and the on-chip CCP/PWM modules can synthesize 1-bit PDM audio at lower fidelity. According to the Verified Web Data, 16 KB Flash fits a USB Audio 1.0 descriptor set plus a small audio processing loop. The integrated USB transceiver eliminates external PHY and pull-up resistors, reducing BOM cost versus an external USB bridge chip.
Recommended
USB Connected Lighting Controller
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML can act as a USB-connected DMX512 or LED driver controller, where the host PC streams lighting commands over USB and the PIC18 drives LED strips via its CCP/PWM outputs, MSSP (SPI), or external shift-register chains. The 23 I/O pins support multiple SPI-driven APA102 or WS2801 LED chains in parallel, and the 48 MHz CPU maintains smooth chases at thousands of LEDs per chain. According to the Microchip datasheet, the 2.0-5.5V LF range supports direct 3.3V LED strip powering plus USB VBUS detection for host-presence logic. This application exploits the part's USB, timers, and PWM in a low-BOM-cost topology.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF2450-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F2450-I/ML | PIC18LF2450T-I/ML | PIC18LF2550-I/ML | PIC18F2550-I/ML | PIC18LF2420-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same | 28-QFN (6x6) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 768 B | 768 B | 768 B | 2048 B | 2048 B | 768 B |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Supply Voltage | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| USB Peripheral | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | Yes (USB 2.0 Full-Speed) | No (USB removed) |
| ADC Channels | 10 channels x 10-bit | 10 channels x 10-bit | 10 channels x 10-bit | 10 channels x 10-bit | 10 channels x 10-bit | 10 channels x 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Hardware USB 2.0 Full-Speed SIE with on-chip transceiver (vs PIC18LF2420-I/ML)
- Extended low-voltage operation 2.0-5.5V (vs PIC18F2450-I/ML)
- 48 MHz CPU with 12 MIPS throughput (vs PIC18LF2420-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 28-QFN package uses an exposed thermal pad (EP) on the underside that must be soldered to a copper pour for both thermal dissipation and electrical reference. Per the Microchip datasheet, the EP is internally connected to VSS, so the pour must be ground-referenced. Recommended pattern: at least 10 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill) connecting the EP to an internal ground plane, and a top-side copper pour of at least 25 mm x 25 mm. Without proper EP soldering, the part's theta-JA rises significantly and the device can overheat at high I/O drive currents.
The PIC18LF2450-I/ML requires two supply rails: VDD (2.0-5.5V on pin 20) and VUSB (3.0-3.6V on pin 14). According to the Microchip datasheet, VUSB must be present and properly bypassed with a 220 nF + 10 uF combination for the USB SIE to operate. When the application is bus-powered, derive VUSB from VBUS through a low-dropout regulator; when self-powered, generate VUSB locally. Note: VUSB and VDD can share a regulator only if the entire system runs at 3.0-3.6V - if VDD > 3.6V, separate rails are mandatory.
Do not assume any PIC18Fxxxx part is pin-compatible with the PIC18LF2450-I/ML - the LF and F prefix indicates different voltage ranges, and other family members may differ in USB, ADC, or I/O count. According to the Verified Web Data and the Microchip 28-pin compatibility chart, verify the exact 28-pin PIC datasheet before swapping parts. Also, the QFN package requires pick-and-place accuracy below 0.05 mm; poorly placed parts cause weak solder joints on the EP that can pass initial electrical test but fail in the field under thermal stress.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only, -40C to +85C). Halogen-free status not explicitly listed in the Verified Web Data.
