PIC18LF25K50-E/ML - 8-Bit XLP MCU, 32KB Flash, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF25K50-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.9 | $10.90 |
| 10 | $9.81 | $98.10 |
| 100 | $8.72 | $872.00 |
| 500 | $7.63 | $3,815.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.54 | $6,540.00 |
PIC18LF25K50-E/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), working memory (RAM), non-volatile data storage (EEPROM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication interfaces, and I/O pins. The PIC18F/LF family uses an enhanced 8-bit Harvard architecture with a 16-bit instruction word, sitting between classic PIC16 devices and the more powerful dsPIC and PIC32 architectures. The XLP (eXtreme Low Power) branding denotes parts engineered for sleep currents down to the nanoampere range, with fast wake-up times that preserve battery life in duty-cycled applications.
Key differentiating features include integrated USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver and dedicated SIE hardware, eliminating the need for an external USB PHY. The nanoWatt XLP core delivers sleep currents as low as 20 nA with RTCC retained, while active current stays under 7 mA at full 48 MHz. The device provides a 10-bit ADC up to 19 channels, multiple Enhanced USART, MSSP (SPI/IC) peripherals, and a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing. The 28-QFN package offers a small 6x6 mm footprint with an exposed pad for thermal performance.
This part targets embedded applications that demand USB connectivity, low power, and a small PCB footprint - including USB human-interface devices (HID), portable medical sensors, wireless sensor node controllers, and consumer wearables. The wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range combined with USB OTG/host/function support means a single chip can power both the application logic and the USB interface, simplifying BOM and reducing PCB area versus designs that require a separate USB controller.
When designing with the PIC18LF25K50-E/ML, ensure the USB DP/DM traces are routed as a 90 ohm differential pair with matched lengths and that the exposed pad on the QFN package is soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour to meet thermal and electrical grounding requirements. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of each supply pin, and provide a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor near the USB VBUS rail. Code development is supported by MPLAB X IDE, XC8 compiler, and Microchip's free USB Framework libraries.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF25K50-E/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 PIC18LF25K50-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, MSL Level, Package, Core Architecture, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F25K50-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.58 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K40-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K50-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC18 enhanced Harvard |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit instructions, 8-bit data path |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16 words) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Operating Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 19 channels |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) with on-chip transceiver |
| Timers | 4 x 8-bit / 16-bit timers |
| Communication Peripherals | 2 x EUSART, 2 x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed thermal pad |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E suffix, extended) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP |
| Sleep Current (typical) | 20 nA with RTCC retained |
| CTMU (Capacitive Touch) | Yes |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
PIC18LF25K50-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA2 — GPIO / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 2 | RA3 — GPIO / analog input AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA4 — GPIO / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 4 | RA5 — GPIO / analog input AN5 |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Positive supply voltage 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | RA7 — GPIO / OSC1 |
| Pin 8 | RA6 — GPIO / OSC2 |
| Pin 9 | RC0 — GPIO / SOSCO |
| Pin 10 | RC1 — GPIO / SOSCI |
| Pin 11 | RC2 — GPIO |
| Pin 12 | RC3 — GPIO |
| Pin 13 | RC4 — GPIO / D- |
| Pin 14 | RC5 — GPIO / D+ |
| Pin 15 | RC6 — GPIO / TX |
| Pin 16 | RC7 — GPIO / RX |
| Pin 17 | RB7 — GPIO / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 18 | RB6 — GPIO / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 19 | RB5 — GPIO / AN13 |
| Pin 20 | RB4 — GPIO / AN11 |
| Pin 21 | RB3 — GPIO / AN9 |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — GPIO / AN8 |
| Pin 23 | RB1 — GPIO / AN10 |
| Pin 24 | RB0 — GPIO / AN12 / interrupt on change |
| Pin 25 | VUSB — Internal USB 3.3 V regulator output |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - solder to PCB ground |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF25K50-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Devices (Keyboards, Mice, Game Controllers), Portable Medical and Health Monitoring Sensors, Wireless Sensor Node Controllers (ZigBee/BLE/Sub-GHz), USB Chargers and Power Bank Controllers, Capacitive Touch User Interface Panels, Industrial Data Loggers with USB Mass Storage.
USB HID Devices (Keyboards, Mice, Game Controllers)
The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML is purpose-built for USB Human Interface Devices thanks to its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver and Microchip's free USB HID bootloader. The 48 MHz core handles HID report generation with ample headroom, while the 32 KB Flash accommodates USB stacks and HID descriptor tables. The low 1.8 V to 3.6 V range supports bus-powered designs from a single Li-ion cell. Engineered as a single-chip USB HID solution, it removes the cost of an external PHY.
Recommended
Portable Medical and Health Monitoring Sensors
The nanoWatt XLP technology drops the PIC18LF25K50-E/ML's sleep current to approximately 20 nA with RTCC retained, enabling multi-month battery life in portable medical sensors like pulse oximeters, glucose meters, and thermometer probes. The 10-bit ADC with up to 19 channels reads sensor front-ends directly, and the wide 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply supports coin-cell or Li-ion chemistries. The 28-QFN package leaves room for compact wearable form factors while the CTMU peripheral enables capacitive touch user inputs.
Recommended
Wireless Sensor Node Controllers (ZigBee/BLE/Sub-GHz)
The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML acts as the host MCU for wireless sensor nodes by handling the application layer and routing sensor data to companion transceivers via SPI or UART. The two MSSP and two EUSART peripherals connect directly to Sub-GHz radios (MRF89XA) and BLE SoCs. XLP technology enables duty-cycled wake, sleep, transmit cycles that maximize coin-cell battery lifetime. The 32 KB Flash supports ZigBee or BLE host stacks and over-the-air firmware update bootloaders.
Recommended
USB Chargers and Power Bank Controllers
The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML's integrated USB device and host roles enable smart USB charger and power-bank designs that negotiate charge current over USB and drive status LEDs via GPIO. The CTMU peripheral provides touch-based power-button inputs, while the PWM outputs drive indicator LEDs. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V range aligns directly with single-cell Li-ion battery voltage, simplifying the analog front end. With 32 KB Flash, USB-C PD negotiation firmware and LED effects fit comfortably.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface Panels
The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML integrates a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) that simplifies capacitive touch button and slider implementation without external touch ICs. The 25 GPIO pins drive up to 13 CTMU channels, enough for a typical appliance control panel. USB connectivity allows designers to add touch panels that also act as USB keyboards or mice. The 32 KB Flash accommodates touch debouncing, gesture recognition, and USB HID reporting in a single chip.
Recommended
Industrial Data Loggers with USB Mass Storage
The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML enables low-cost industrial data loggers that export recorded sensor data via USB mass storage when plugged into a PC. The integrated USB controller and 32 KB Flash hold a small RTOS or polling loop plus a USB MSD bootloader. Extended -40 C to +125 C temperature grade (E suffix) supports factory-floor and outdoor installations. The 10-bit ADC at 19 channels handles multi-sensor logging while the 256-byte EEPROM stores configuration and calibration data.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF25K50-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F25K50-E/ML | PIC18LF24K50-I/ML | PIC18LF25K50-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 5.5 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB | 32 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| USB 2.0 FS | Yes (integrated) | Yes (integrated) | Yes (integrated) | Yes (integrated) |
| Maximum Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest voltage supply range in the K50 line (vs PIC18F25K50-E/ML)
- 8 KB more Flash than the LF24K50 family (vs PIC18LF24K50-I/ML)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC18LF25K50-I/ML)
Design Notes
The USB DP (D+) and DM (D-) pins on the PIC18LF25K50-E/ML must be routed as a 90 ohm differential pair with matched lengths (delta < 150 mil) and continuous reference plane on layer 2 per USB 2.0 signal integrity guidelines. Place the 15 kohm pull-up resistor on D+ to VUSB to declare a full-speed device. The exposed thermal pad must be soldered to a continuous ground pour with at least 4 thermal vias to the opposite PCB layer for thermal dissipation.
Decouple each VDD pin (5 and 26) with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 2 mm of the pin, and provide a single 4.7 uF bulk capacitor near the USB VBUS input. The PIC18LF25K50-E/ML's internal 3.3 V regulator on the VUSB pin requires a 220 nF capacitor directly on VUSB for stability. Avoid powering the VUSB regulator from VDD to ensure clean USB signalling - the datasheet 30000617B recommends a separate 3.3 V analog rail when the design uses USB.
Do not enable the internal USB regulator on the PIC18LF25K50-E/ML if the system is already supplied with a clean external 3.3 V rail - leave VUSB floating in that case, otherwise oscillation and reduced noise margin can result. Confirm the LF (1.8 V to 3.6 V) voltage range is sufficient for your design; if you need 5 V USB bus-powered operation, choose the non-LF PIC18F25K50-E/ML (2.7 V to 5.5 V) instead. When migrating from PIC18LF2550, note the additional CTMU and updated peripheral map.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; PIC18F25K50 is industrial grade, not automotive grade. For automotive applications consider PIC18F25K50-I/SS AEC equivalents.