PIC18LF2553T-I/SO - 8-bit 40MHz USB MCU 32KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF2553T-I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.85 | $3.85 |
| 10 | $3.42 | $34.20 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.61 | $1,305.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.35 | $2,350.00 |
PIC18LF2553T-I/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), non-volatile storage (EEPROM), and a rich set of peripherals onto one silicon die. The PIC18 family is Microchip's high-performance 8-bit architecture, building on the baseline PIC16 core with a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and an enhanced instruction set. PIC18LF parts specifically target battery-powered and USB-bus powered designs by extending the operating voltage below the 4.2V minimum of the non-LF variants, enabling direct connection to USB (5V) or two alkaline cells (3V) without external level shifting.
Key differentiating features of the PIC18LF2553 include the integrated Full-Speed USB 2.0 controller and transceiver, which eliminates external USB interface ICs and simplifies certification. nanoWatt Technology provides multiple idle and sleep modes with currents as low as microamps, making the part suitable for USB-powered or battery-powered applications. The Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) and Enhanced CCP (ECCP) modules support motor control, while the Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) provides both I2C and SPI host/client functionality. The 12-bit A/D converter enables precision analog sensing without an external ADC.
Architecturally, the PIC18LF2553 uses an 8-bit data path with a 16-bit instruction word and a two-level deep hardware stack plus a 31-level software stack, executing most instructions in one instruction cycle (4 clock periods) for an effective throughput of 10 MIPS at 40MHz. The integrated USB SIE handles packet framing, CRC, and endpoint management in hardware, freeing the CPU for application code. The 32KB Flash supports self-programming under firmware control, allowing field-upgradeable devices.
Typical applications include USB peripherals such as custom HID devices, USB-to-UART bridges, USB sensor interfaces, low-power data loggers, industrial sensor transmitters, and consumer USB accessories. The integrated USB also makes it a frequent choice for educational kits, hobbyist projects, and low-volume commercial USB products where adding an external USB IC would inflate BOM cost.
When designing with this part, note that the wide-body (7.50mm) SOIC package is the largest 28-pin SMD footprint Microchip offers for this family; for space-constrained designs the same die is available in 28-pin SPDIP, 28-pin QFN, and 44-pin TQFP packages. The internal oscillator can reach 8MHz but accuracy is poor for USB; for USB operation an external 48MHz crystal is recommended.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives from the same PIC18F family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF2553T-I/SO — 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 PIC18LF2553T-I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Serial Interfaces, ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF2553-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.66 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2553T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.89 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F2553-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2550T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2455T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF2553T-I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit (PIC18) |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB Flash (16K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 2 KB |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 23 (with analog/digital multiplexing) |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps), integrated SIE and transceiver |
| A/D Converter | 12-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 1 CCP + 1 ECCP module |
| Serial Interfaces | 1x UART, 1x MSSP (I2C/SPI), 1x USB |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC wide-body (7.50 mm), Tape & Reel |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF2553T-I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear reset input / programming voltage / PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / A/D negative reference |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / A/D positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 10 | RC0/T1OSO/T13CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1/Timer3 clock |
| Pin 11 | RC1/T1OSI — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input |
| Pin 12 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 13 | VUSB — USB transceiver 3.3V regulator output (decouple with 220 nF) |
| Pin 14 | RC4/D-/VM — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- / external USB transceiver VM input |
| Pin 15 | RC5/D+/VP — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ / external USB transceiver VP input |
| Pin 16 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / UART TX / UART clock |
| Pin 17 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / UART RX / UART data |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 20 | RB0/AN12 — PORTB bit 0 / analog input 12 |
| Pin 21 | RB1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / analog input 10 |
| Pin 22 | RB2/AN8 — PORTB bit 2 / analog input 8 |
| Pin 23 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / analog input 9 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB4/AN11 — PORTB bit 4 / analog input 11 |
| Pin 25 | RB5/AN13 — PORTB bit 5 / analog input 13 |
| Pin 26 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock input |
| Pin 27 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data input/output |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog positive supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF2553T-I/SO is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral Device, USB-to-UART Bridge Adapter, Low-Power Battery Sensor Node, USB Sensor Data Logger, Industrial USB Sensor Transmitter, Consumer USB Audio DAC Dongle.
USB HID Peripheral Device
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO is ideal for USB HID peripheral designs such as custom input devices, sensors with USB connectivity, and USB-to-GPIO bridges. The on-chip Full-Speed USB 2.0 controller and integrated transceiver eliminate the need for an external USB interface IC, saving roughly $0.50 to $1.50 in BOM cost. According to Microchip application notes, the 32 KB Flash easily fits HID report descriptors plus application firmware, while the 10 MIPS throughput is sufficient for low-rate sensor data transfer. Place the part between the USB connector and the host-side logic, with a 48 MHz crystal for USB clock accuracy and 1uF ceramic bypass caps on VDD.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Adapter
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO is widely used as a USB-to-UART bridge, replacing legacy FTDI or CH340N parts with a single-chip solution. The integrated UART (asynchronous, hardware flow control) and USB Full-Speed SIE allow the MCU to enumerate as a virtual COM port on the host. With 2 KB of RAM the part comfortably handles USB packet buffering at 12 Mbps full-speed rates. Place a ferrite bead on VUSB, decouple VDD with 100nF and 10uF ceramic caps, and route the D+/D- differential pair with 90 ohm impedance for USB compliance.
Recommended
Low-Power Battery Sensor Node
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO supports low-power battery sensor node designs thanks to its 2.0V to 5.5V operating range and nanoWatt Technology idle modes. Drawing microamps in sleep mode, it can run from two AA cells for months while periodically waking to read sensors over its 12-bit A/D converter and transmitting via USB or UART. The extended low-voltage range lets designers use a single Li-ion cell (3.0V to 4.2V) or two alkaline cells (2.0V to 3.2V) without boost conversion. Internal routing of LEDs, decouple VDD/VSS with 100nF ceramic cap near each supply pin.
Recommended
USB Sensor Data Logger
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO serves as a USB sensor data logger, using its 12-bit A/D converter with up to 12 channels for analog measurement and its 32 KB Flash plus 2 KB RAM for sample buffering. The internal USB controller streams logged data directly to a host application at 12 Mbps. The 256-byte EEPROM provides non-volatile storage for calibration constants and timestamps, while the integrated USB 2.0 SIE handles bulk transfers in hardware, offloading the CPU. Place the MCU adjacent to the analog front end with short ground pour and guard rings around high-impedance analog input pins.
Recommended
Industrial USB Sensor Transmitter
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO fits industrial USB sensor transmitters where its -40C to +85C industrial temperature range and integrated USB simplify PC-connected measurement tools. The 12-bit A/D converter with up to 12 channels allows multiple sensor inputs, while the ECCP module generates PWM excitation signals. The 32 KB Flash accommodates USB stack plus sensor calibration and linearization firmware. Place a TVS diode on VUSB for ESD protection and use a shielded USB connector; ground the shield to chassis through a ferrite bead at the connector side.
Recommended
Consumer USB Audio DAC Dongle
The PIC18LF2553T-I/SO acts as the USB controller in a consumer USB audio DAC dongle, accepting USB audio class requests from a host and forwarding audio data over I2S to an external DAC. While the 10 MIPS throughput cannot perform DSP at sample rates above 48 kHz, it serves as a transparent USB-to-I2S bridge feeding a high-performance external DAC. The internal 48 MHz USB clock domain and 2 KB RAM handle audio packet buffering. Place the MCU close to the USB connector with proper 90 ohm differential routing and isolate digital and analog grounds with a ferrite bead.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF2553T-I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF2553-I/SO | PIC18F2553T-I/SO | PIC18F2553-I/SO | PIC18LF2550T-I/SO | PIC18LF2455T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) - same | SOIC-28 (7.50mm) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1.4 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Maximum Frequency | 40 MHz (10 MIPS) | 40 MHz | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 4.2V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V | 2.0V to 5.5V |
| A/D Converter | 12-bit, 12 channels | 12-bit, 12 channels | 12-bit, 12 channels | 12-bit, 12 channels | 10-bit, 12 channels | 12-bit, 12 channels |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated | USB 2.0 Full-Speed integrated |
Key Differentiators
- Extended low-voltage operation down to 2.0V (vs PIC18F2553T-I/SO)
- 32 KB Flash matches PIC18F2553 family (vs PIC18LF2455T-I/SO)
- Integrated Full-Speed USB 2.0 with on-chip transceiver (vs PIC18LF4550-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: For USB operation, an external 48 MHz crystal is required at OSC1/OSC2 because the internal 8 MHz oscillator cannot provide USB-accurate timing. Using the internal oscillator will cause USB enumeration failures and unreliable data transfers. Place the crystal within 5 mm of the MCU and route both traces over a continuous ground pour to minimize EMI. Add 22 pF load capacitors to each oscillator pin to ground.
Estimated: When using USB bus power, place a 220 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor directly on the VUSB pin (pin 13) for the internal 3.3V USB transceiver supply. Add a 10 uF bulk cap plus 100 nF ceramic cap near pins 19 (VDD) and 28 (AVDD). For self-powered designs without USB VBUS, leave VUSB unconnected but still decouple with 220 nF for stable internal regulator behavior.
Estimated: Route the USB D+ (pin 15) and D- (pin 14) differential pair with controlled 90 ohm differential impedance and matched trace lengths within 150 mil. Keep the pair over a continuous ground pour with no other signal traces crossing the gap. Place the USB connector within 10 mm of the MCU to avoid stubs, and place a ferrite bead on the USB shield ground connection for EMI suppression.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial grade MCU. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in provided data, set to unknown per data authenticity rules.
