PIC18LF24K50-I/ML - 8-bit 48MHz USB MCU 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF24K50-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.96 | $2.96 |
| 10 | $2.67 | $26.70 |
| 100 | $2.31 | $231.00 |
| 500 | $2.06 | $1,030.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.82 | $1,820.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.58 | $4,740.00 |
PIC18LF24K50-I/ML Overview
What is an 8-bit microcontroller? An 8-bit MCU is a single-chip computer with an 8-bit data path, optimized for cost-sensitive embedded control where deterministic response, low power, and rich peripheral integration outweigh raw computational speed. The PIC18LF24K50 sits within the power management IC hierarchy as an embedded controller, integrating CPU core, memory, ADC, timers, and USB PHY on one die, replacing what would otherwise require multiple discrete components.
Key features include 14 channels of 10-bit ADC, a 5-bit DAC, multiple Enhanced USART, I2C and SPI peripherals, and a USB 2.0 full-speed device transceiver that eliminates the need for an external PHY. The XLP nanoWatt technology provides typical sleep currents below 50 nA, making the part ideal for battery-powered designs. The 28-QFN package delivers a small 6x6 mm footprint with an exposed thermal pad for improved heat dissipation.
Technically, the device uses Microchip's enhanced PIC18 Harvard RISC architecture with a 16-bit instruction word, providing C-compiler-friendly operation while retaining deterministic interrupt latency. The integrated USB module supports both HID and CDC classes natively, eliminating external firmware stacks and shortening time-to-market for USB peripherals.
Typical applications include USB human-interface devices (keyboards, mice, game controllers), USB-to-UART bridges, portable medical sensors, low-power IoT sensor nodes, and industrial data-loggers with USB connectivity. The wide operating voltage range also supports 3.3V designs directly powered from lithium cells.
Design consideration: ensure the VUSB pin is connected to a regulated 3.3V supply when USB is active, since the internal transceiver does not include a 3.3V LDO. Use a 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to each VDD pin and connect the exposed pad to a solid ground pour for thermal and noise performance.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet specifications, distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, giving engineers a complete decision-ready view of the part.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF24K50-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 PIC18LF24K50-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in I/O Pins, Package, ADC, Timers, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K50T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K40-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K50-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit RISC) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | Up to 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, 14 channels |
| DAC | 5-bit, 1 channel |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device, integrated transceiver |
| Timers | 4 x 8/16-bit |
| Communication | 2x EUSART, 2x MSSP (I2C/SPI) |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF24K50-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — Digital I/O / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — Digital I/O / analog input AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — Digital I/O / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — Digital I/O / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA7 — Digital I/O / oscillator output |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — Digital I/O / oscillator input |
| Pin 9 | RB0 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 10 | RB1 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 11 | RB2 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 12 | RB3 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 13 | RB4 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 14 | RB5 — Digital I/O / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 15 | RB6 — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 16 | RB7 — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (second pin) |
| Pin 18 | RC0 — Digital I/O / analog input AN16 |
| Pin 19 | RC1 — Digital I/O / analog input AN17 |
| Pin 20 | RC2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC3 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 22 | RC4 — Digital I/O / USB D- |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — Digital I/O / USB D+ |
| Pin 24 | RC6 — Digital I/O / TX |
| Pin 25 | RC7 — Digital I/O / RX |
| Pin 26 | VUSB — USB transceiver 3.3V supply |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference (second pin) |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - connect to ground |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is suitable for 7 applications: USB Human Interface Devices, USB-to-UART Bridge, Portable Medical Sensors, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes, Industrial Data Loggers with USB, USB Dongles and Programming Tools, Consumer Audio USB Accessories.
USB Human Interface Devices
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is ideally suited for USB keyboards, mice, game controllers, and HID-class peripherals thanks to its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver that eliminates the external PHY. With 16KB Flash, the device can host the Microchip USB HID stack plus application code without external memory, and the 14-channel 10-bit ADC handles analog inputs from joysticks or sensors. Operating from 1.8V to 3.6V supports direct lithium-battery operation, and XLP nanoWatt technology keeps idle current under 50 nA to extend battery life in wireless USB dongles. The 48 MHz core provides sufficient throughput for HID report rates up to 1000 Hz with deterministic interrupt response.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is a natural fit for USB-to-UART bridge adapters (CDC class) because it integrates the USB transceiver and exposes two Enhanced USART peripherals. The 16KB program memory comfortably hosts the Microchip CDC stack while leaving room for custom protocol handling, and 2KB SRAM buffers sustained UART traffic without flow-control stalls. At 48 MHz core clock, the device maintains 921600 bps UART throughput with negligible CPU loading, and the 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package fits inside compact USB stick enclosures. Operating from USB VBUS through a 3.3V LDO, the part delivers 3.3V logic-compatible UART signals directly.
Recommended
Portable Medical Sensors
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is well-suited for portable medical and health-monitoring devices due to its low-voltage operation (1.8V to 3.6V) and XLP nanoWatt technology that enables multi-year battery life. The 14-channel 10-bit ADC supports direct connection to analog sensor outputs (temperature, pulse-oximeter, ECG front-ends), while the integrated USB transceiver provides convenient wired data transfer to host PCs without external PHY cost. The 256-byte Data EEPROM allows patient-specific calibration constants to be stored without external memory, and the 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package fits in wearable form factors. The PIC18 architecture delivers deterministic interrupt response required for safety-critical medical timing.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML excels in battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because its XLP nanoWatt sleep currents drop below 50 nA, allowing years of operation on a single CR2032 coin cell when duty-cycled. Operating voltage of 1.8V to 3.6V directly supports 3.3V or 2xAA battery chemistries without level shifters, while 16KB Flash accommodates application firmware plus USB bootloader for field upgrades. The 14-channel ADC and multiple timers handle multi-sensor sampling and wake-up scheduling natively. The integrated USB transceiver is valuable for in-system provisioning and firmware updates via USB, eliminating the need for separate programming headers in deployed nodes.
Recommended
Industrial Data Loggers with USB
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is appropriate for industrial data loggers with USB mass-storage or CDC connectivity, providing 16KB Flash for application logic plus 2KB SRAM to buffer acquired data before USB transfer. The 14-channel 10-bit ADC samples analog process variables (temperature, pressure, voltage) at deterministic rates set by the 16-bit timer peripherals. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver allows the logger to appear as a USB mass-storage device, exposing logged files directly to a host PC without driver installation on modern operating systems. Industrial-grade operation from -40C to +85C supports factory-floor deployment.
Recommended
USB Dongles and Programming Tools
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML is a proven choice for USB programming dongles, debug probes, and field-service tools because its integrated USB transceiver eliminates the external PHY footprint required by older PIC18 designs. The 48 MHz core and 16KB Flash support multi-protocol firmware (HID + vendor-class) plus bootloader functionality for tool field updates. The 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package is small enough for dongle form factors, and the low-voltage operation allows direct powering from USB VBUS through a 3.3V regulator. The 2 EUSART and 2 MSSP peripherals allow the device to bridge USB to UART, SPI, or I2C targets simultaneously in programming tool designs.
Recommended
Consumer Audio USB Accessories
The PIC18LF24K50-I/ML serves consumer USB audio accessories such as external sound cards, USB headsets, and audio control surfaces where integrated USB eliminates external PHY cost and PCB area. The 16KB Flash accommodates USB audio class firmware plus DSP-side volume/mute control logic, while the 5-bit DAC and 14-channel ADC support analog volume knobs and button inputs. The 48 MHz core provides timing headroom for isochronous USB audio endpoints at 48 kHz sample rates, and the 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package fits within compact headphone dongles. XLP low-power modes help when devices are plugged but idle.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF24K50-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K50-I/ML | PIC18LF24K50T-I/ML | PIC18LF25K50-I/ML | PIC18LF24K50-E/ML | PIC18LF24K40-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Clock | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz | PIC18 8-bit / 48 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 32 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash | 16 KB Flash |
| Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Integrated USB | Yes (FS 2.0) | Yes (FS 2.0) | Yes (FS 2.0) | Yes (FS 2.0) | Yes (FS 2.0) | No (external PHY needed) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C |
| Data EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver eliminates external PHY (vs PIC18LF24K40-I/ML)
- XLP nanoWatt sleep current below 50 nA (vs PIC18LF24K22-I/ML)
- 32 KB Flash option in same footprint (vs PIC18LF25K50-I/ML)
- Extended temperature grade available (vs PIC18LF24K50-E/ML)
Design Notes
The VUSB pin requires a regulated 3.3V supply (typically 100 mA capable) when the USB transceiver is active. Connect VUSB through a ferrite bead or small LDO from VDD, or tie VUSB directly to a 3.3V rail when 5V VDD is not present. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor adjacent to the VUSB pin and a bulk 4.7 uF capacitor nearby to meet USB inrush current demands during enumeration. Without proper VUSB regulation, USB enumeration will fail intermittently.
Use a solid ground pour connecting to the exposed thermal pad (EP) of the 28-QFN package for thermal dissipation and low-impedance ground return. Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors adjacent to each VDD pin (5 and 17) with traces no longer than 3 mm. Route the USB D+/D- differential pair (RC4/RC5) with 90 ohm differential impedance, length-matched within 2 mm, and isolated from noisy digital traces to pass USB compliance testing.
Do not omit the 9.09 kohm pull-up resistor on the D- line required by Microchip's USB stack for full-speed device identification - the MCU does not include an internal pull-up. Ensure the MCLR pin (pin 1) is pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, and use ICSP programming via RB6/RB7 with proper isolation if the application also drives these pins during runtime.
Place the 48 MHz primary oscillator or crystal close to pins RA6 (OSC1) and RA7 (OSC2), with a ground guard ring around the crystal to reduce EMI. For low-power designs using the internal 16 MHz HFINTOSC, calibration via the OSCTUNE register can correct frequency drift across temperature. Estimated: at 48 MHz core clock, active current consumption is approximately 12 mA at 3.3V; check this against your power budget.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualification is not applicable for standard industrial-grade parts; automotive-grade PIC18 variants are released under separate part numbers.
