PIC18LF24K50-I/SP - 16KB Flash XLP 8-bit MCU, 28-SPDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF24K50-I/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.96 | $3.96 |
| 10 | $3.52 | $35.20 |
| 100 | $2.85 | $285.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.34 | $2,340.00 |
PIC18LF24K50-I/SP Overview
An 8-bit PIC microcontroller is a compact, deterministic processor built on a Harvard RISC architecture, optimized for low-power, real-time control. Microcontrollers sit within the broader hierarchy of microprocessors -> embedded controllers -> MCUs, and the PIC18 sub-family is positioned as the high-pin-count, peripheral-rich tier within Microchip's 8-bit portfolio. Because of its built-in USB and XLP idle modes, the PIC18LF24K50 occupies the niche formerly served by combining an MCU with an external USB PHY and a separate low-dropout regulator.
Key specs of this device include 16KB Flash program memory (8K x 16 words), 2KB SRAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, 25 I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, two analog comparators, two 8-bit timers and three 16-bit timers, plus two PWM modules. The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver supports 12 Mbps with internal pull-up and on-chip transceiver, eliminating the need for an external PHY or USB-specific power switch. Sleep current is specified in the nanoWatt XLP range, enabling years of battery life in interrupt-driven designs.
Technically, the PIC18LF24K50 uses an enhanced PIC18 CPU with 16-bit wide instructions, 8-bit data path and a hardware multiplier. The 48 MHz internal oscillator drives the system clock and USB module via a phase-locked loop, removing the need for an external crystal in USB applications. The on-chip regulator supports bus-powered operation directly from the 5V VBUS line through an internal 3.3V LDO.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals such as keyboards and mice, USB-to-UART bridges, USB sensor dongles, low-power data loggers, industrial control panels with USB service port, and battery-powered IoT nodes. The USB transceiver and XLP sleep modes make it well suited to designs that spend most of their time in deep sleep and wake on interrupt or USB attach.
When designing with this part, ensure that VDD is bypassed with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor close to each VDD/AVDD/VBUS pin pair, and verify that the internal USB regulator is configured correctly for self-powered versus bus-powered topologies. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range makes it suitable for outdoor enclosures and most factory environments, but for automotive use the AEC-Q100 qualified PIC18F24K50 family variants should be specified instead.
This page consolidates current distributor pricing, verified same-package drop-in alternatives, and engineering design guidance that goes beyond what is in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF24K50-I/SP — 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/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Communication, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F24K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50T-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18F25K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K50-I/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Device Family | PIC18LFxxK50 (XLP) |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (8K x 16) |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| Timers | 2x 8-bit + 3x 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | 2 (10-bit) |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with internal transceiver |
| Communication | UART, I2C, SPI |
| Package | 28-pin SPDIP (0.300", 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF24K50-I/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (Reset) input / digital input-only RE3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0/C12IN0-/ULPWU — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input / comparator input / ultra-low-power wake-up |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1/C12IN1-/P1C12IN1-/P1D — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input / comparator / PWM |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF-/CVREF — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input / VREF- / comparator reference output |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+/C1IN+/P1C — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input / VREF+ / comparator input / PWM |
| Pin 6 | RA4/AN4/T0KI/P1D/SRQ — PORTA bit 4 / ADC / Timer0 clock / PWM / USB signal request |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN5/SS2/HLVDIN/RP2/C2OUT — PORTA bit 5 / ADC / SPI SS / HLVD input / comparator output |
| Pin 8 | RE0/AN6/P2A — PORTE bit 0 / ADC / PWM2 P2A output |
| Pin 9 | RE1/AN7/P2B — PORTE bit 1 / ADC / PWM2 P2B output |
| Pin 10 | RE2/AN8/P1C/P2C — PORTE bit 2 / ADC / PWM output |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive power supply (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKIN/RA/7 — External clock input / RA7 |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKOUT/RA6 — External crystal output / RA6 |
| Pin 15 | RC0/P2A/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / PWM / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 16 | RC1/P2B/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / PWM / CCP2 output |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1/P1A — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 / PWM1A P1A output |
| Pin 18 | RC3/REFO/SCL/SCK — PORTC bit 3 / reference output / I2C SCL / SPI SCK |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDA/SDI/RP5 — PORTC bit 4 / I2C SDA / SPI SDI |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO/RP6 — PORTC bit 5 / SPI SDO |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / UART TX / USB clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / UART RX / USB data |
| Pin 23 | RB4/AN10/SDI/SDA/RP4 — PORTB bit 4 / ADC / SPI SDI / I2C SDA |
| Pin 24 | RB5/AN11/RX/DT — PORTB bit 5 / ADC / UART RX |
| Pin 25 | RB6/AN12/TX/CK/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ADC / UART TX / ICD clock |
| Pin 26 | RB7/AN13/KBI3/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ADC / KBI3 / ICD data |
| Pin 27 | VBUS — USB bus voltage input (5 V from host) |
| Pin 28 | D-/D+ — USB differential data pair (per datasheet USB pin mapping) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF24K50-I/SP is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Keyboard / Mouse Controller, USB-to-UART Bridge, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Industrial Control Panel with USB Service Port, USB Sensor / Data Acquisition Dongle, Educational / Hobbyist USB Development Board.
USB HID Keyboard / Mouse Controller
The PIC18LF24K50-I/SP is well-suited to USB HID peripherals because its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver with internal pull-ups eliminates the need for an external PHY, while the 16 KB Flash comfortably fits HID class descriptors, scan matrices, debounce logic and small custom HID usage pages. Its 48 MHz CPU and 12 MIPS throughput sustain 1000 Hz polling without CPU starvation, and the XLP sleep mode drops quiescent current into the microamp range during idle states, enabling cordless peripherals on two AA cells.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
For USB-to-UART bridges the PIC18LF24K50-I/SP provides a deterministic 48 MHz system clock, hardware UART with autobaud capability, and the on-chip USB full-speed transceiver that the CDC class stack uses to enumerate as a virtual COM port. The integrated 3.3V USB regulator simplifies bus-powered designs by removing the external LDO, and the 2 KB SRAM is sufficient for 256-byte UART FIFOs and CDC line-coding state. Industrial-grade -40C to +85C operation suits outdoor and industrial gateway equipment.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
In battery-powered IoT sensor nodes the PIC18LF24K50-I/SP stands out because of its nanoWatt XLP technology, with sleep currents in the nanoamp range and a deep-sleep wake-on-interrupt architecture. The 1.8V–3.6V VDD range allows direct connection to a single Li-ion or two AA cells without a boost converter, and the 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels supports analog sensor front-ends. USB is reserved for configuration and firmware update, so the device can spend months in deep sleep between wake-ups.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panel with USB Service Port
For industrial control panels the PIC18LF24K50-I/SP delivers the long-term reliability of an 8-bit deterministic core, plus an isolated USB service port for firmware update, log retrieval, and field diagnostics without opening the cabinet. The 25 I/O pins support key matrix input, LED status output, relay drive, and the analog comparator inputs that protect against brown-out. Industrial -40C to +85C operation matches typical factory floor environments and the 16 KB Flash holds a small Modbus RTU stack plus USB CDC support.
Recommended
USB Sensor / Data Acquisition Dongle
For USB sensor dongles and portable data acquisition tools the PIC18LF24K50-I/SP offers USB bus-powered operation with no external LDO, a 10-bit ADC for general-purpose analog front-ends, and 2 KB SRAM for short sample bursts. The CDC or vendor-class USB stack enumerates as a virtual COM port or vendor device on host PCs, removing driver friction. Industrial-grade temperature range and RoHS compliance make the dongle usable in laboratory, field service and light-industrial environments.
Recommended
Educational / Hobbyist USB Development Board
The PIC18LF24K50-I/SP is a strong choice for educational and hobbyist USB development because it pairs a forgiving 8-bit PIC18 architecture with on-chip USB and on-chip voltage regulator, so a minimal circuit (capacitors + chip + USB connector) actually enumerates. The 28-SPDIP package is breadboard-friendly, the 16 KB Flash holds the entire CDC stack plus application code, and MPLAB X with the XC8 compiler and PICkit 5 debugger/programmer is freely available. Tutorials and reference designs from Microchip make the learning curve manageable for beginners.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF24K50-I/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F24K50-I/SP | PIC18LF25K50-I/SP | PIC18F25K50-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Program Flash | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| USB Transceiver | Integrated FS USB 2.0 | Integrated FS USB 2.0 | Integrated FS USB 2.0 | Integrated FS USB 2.0 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver with on-chip 3.3V regulator (vs PIC18LF14K50)
- nanoWatt XLP extreme low-power technology (vs PIC18F24K50-I/SP)
- 28-SPDIP breadboard-friendly package (vs PIC18LF24K50-I/SS)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to every VDD pin (pin 11 in SPDIP-28) and to the VBUS pin (pin 27). Add a bulk 4.7 uF or 10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the main VDD rail for USB suspend current transients. The internal USB regulator generates 3.3 V from VBUS; when running from an external 3.3 V supply, do not back-drive VBUS.
Route the USB D+ and D- lines as a matched 90 ohm differential pair directly to the USB connector, keeping them short and isolated from switching signals. Place the ESD protection diode array (e.g. USBLC6-2SC6) within 5 mm of the connector. Keep the crystal or oscillator traces short and surrounded by ground pour to minimize EMI that couples into the USB differential pair.
Estimated: at XLP resistors set to typical values, deep-sleep current is approximately 20-100 nA; with all peripherals active at 48 MHz, active current is approximately 6 mA at 3.3 V. If the design draws more, verify that unused peripherals are disabled in firmware and unused I/O pins are configured as outputs driving low (or inputs with the weak pull-up enabled). Note: input values are based on Microchip datasheet typical figures and the actual measured number will vary by ±30% across temperature.
Forced-air cooling is not required for this MCU; however, in USB bus-suspend applications the SPDIP-28 package can sit in any orientation and does not require thermal management because total power dissipation is well below 100 mW even at full CPU load. Verify ambient temperature stays within -40C to +85C for industrial-grade operation.
The USB full-speed rise time budget is 4-20 ns and the bus uses single-ended signaling on D+ and D- with a 1.5 kohm pull-up. Keep stubs to the ESD diode array below 2 mm and avoid vias on the D+/D- lines when possible to preserve signal integrity.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; AEC-Q100 not qualified - for automotive applications use the PIC18F24K50 automotive family variants. REACH SVHC declaration available from Microchip.
