PIC18LF25K50-E/SP - 8-bit 48MHz 32KB Flash XLP MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF25K50-E/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.4 | $3.40 |
| 10 | $3.06 | $30.60 |
| 100 | $2.72 | $272.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.18 | $2,180.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.95 | $5,850.00 |
PIC18LF25K50-E/SP Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program and data memory, peripherals, and I/O on one die, used to execute embedded firmware in everything from USB peripherals to industrial controllers. Within Microchip's taxonomy, the PIC18LF25K50 belongs to the PIC18 8-bit family (Harvard architecture, RISC instruction set), positioned under the PIC® XLP™ nanoWatt extreme-low-power platform that targets battery applications requiring 8-hour standby currents and active draws that can be extended by an order of magnitude compared to standard PIC18 devices.
Key features include an internal 48 MHz oscillator tunable from the USB host for jitter-free USB operation, an integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver that eliminates external PHY components, hardware 8x8 multiply, two Enhanced USART modules, MSSP/SPI/I2C peripherals, a 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels, and nanoWatt XLP power management that delivers a typical sleep current of approximately 20 nA with full RAM retention. The device operates from 1.8 V to 3.6 V and supports an extended industrial temperature grade (-40 °C to +125 °C).
The PIC18LF25K50's architecture combines the standard PIC18 instruction set with a 16-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, allowing sustained throughput up to 16 MIPS at 48 MHz. Hardware peripherals include up to 25 I/O pins with interrupt-on-change, multiple timers (Timer0/1/2/3), Enhanced CCP, comparators, and CTMU for capacitive touch or mTouch sensing. The integrated Active Clock Tuning from USB Host enables real-time oscillator correction against the USB frame timing reference, removing the need for an external crystal in many USB applications.
Common applications include USB HID peripherals such as mice, keyboards, and custom input devices; USB-to-UART bridges; low-power sensor and data loggers; battery-powered IoT endpoints; capacitive touch interfaces; and industrial control nodes. When designing with this MCU, allow at least 4 µF of bulk capacitance near VUSB for USB inrush transients and configure the internal regulator according to whether the application runs from USB VBUS or an external 3.3 V rail.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in SPDIP alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving procurement and embedded engineers a single-source comparison reference for the PIC18LF25K50-E/SP in 28-pin SPDIP.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF25K50-E/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 PIC18LF25K50-E/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Program Memory (Flash), Timers, Maximum CPU Frequency, Communication.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF25K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.34 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K50-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF24K50-E/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F25K50-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K50-E/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC® XLP™ 18K |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Data SRAM | 2048 bytes |
| Supply Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 14 channels |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver |
| Internal Oscillator | 48 MHz with Active Clock Tuning from USB Host |
| Hardware Multiplier | 8 x 8 |
| Timers | Timer0/1/2/3 |
| Enhanced CCP | Yes (2 modules) |
| Communication | 2x Enhanced USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (0.300 inch / 7.62 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC18LF25K50-E/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP/RE3 — Master Clear (active-low reset) / Programming voltage / PORTE bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 (analog/digital I/O, open-drain option) |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 (analog/digital I/O) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | RA7/OSC1 — PORTA bit 7 / Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 10 | RA6/OSC2 — PORTA bit 6 / Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 14 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 15 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- (USB full-speed data minus) |
| Pin 16 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ (USB full-speed data plus) |
| Pin 17 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 18 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 (digital I/O) |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (1.8 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 (digital I/O, interrupt-on-change) |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP PGC (clock) |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP PGD (data) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF25K50-E/SP is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral (Mouse/Keyboard/Custom), USB-to-UART Bridge, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Capacitive Touch Interface, Industrial Control Node, Data Logger / Sensor Hub.
USB HID Peripheral (Mouse/Keyboard/Custom)
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP is engineered for USB HID peripherals, leveraging its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed engine with on-chip transceiver to eliminate external PHY circuitry. The internal 48 MHz oscillator is automatically tuned to USB jitter tolerance via Active Clock Tuning from the USB Host, removing the need for a 12 MHz external crystal in cost-sensitive HID products. With 32 KB of Flash it has ample room for USB stacks plus HID report descriptors, while nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep modes extend battery life in wireless mice and keyboards. Recommended companion parts include the MCP2200 USB-to-UART bridge and PIC18F25K50-I/SP for 5V-tolerant USB designs.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP excels in USB-to-UART bridge applications where its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed device and two Enhanced USART modules convert between USB and RS-232/RS-485 asynchronously. The 32 KB Flash comfortably fits USB CDC class drivers plus custom protocol handling, while 2 KB SRAM supports full-duplex buffering without flow-control stalls. Its 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range allows direct connection to 3.3 V logic targets. Recommended companion parts include the MCP2200 (lower-cost dedicated bridge) and MAX232 for legacy RS-232 voltage translation.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP targets battery-powered IoT endpoints through its nanoWatt XLP extreme-low-power platform, achieving deep-sleep currents in the tens of nanoamps with full RAM retention. Its 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range supports direct Li-ion, two-AA, or coin-cell operation, while 25 I/O pins interface multiple sensors via I2C, SPI, or the 10-bit ADC. The 32 KB Flash accommodates OTA-bootloader stubs and application code, and USB is available for in-field firmware update without an external programmer. Recommended companion parts include the MCP9808 temperature sensor and MCP1700 LDO regulator.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Interface
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP supports capacitive touch interfaces through its on-chip CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit), which converts capacitance changes to timing measurements readable by the 10-bit ADC. Up to 14 ADC channels and 25 I/O pins allow multi-button, slider, and wheel implementations without external touch controllers. The PIC18 LF XLP nanoWatt features keep standby current minimal in always-on touch panels, and the 32 KB Flash fits Microchip's mTouch library. Recommended companion parts include the CAPLDS5953 LED driver for haptic-like feedback and the PT8902 touch panel controller as alternative.
Recommended
Industrial Control Node
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP serves industrial control nodes where its extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature grade, 25 I/O pins, and 32 KB Flash deliver reliable field operation. Two Enhanced USART modules support RS-485 multidrop networks, MSSP supports SPI/I2C sensor and actuator networks, and the 10-bit ADC reads analog process variables with 14 channels. The integrated USB 2.0 FS enables configuration, firmware update, and data log retrieval directly from a host PC. Recommended companion parts include the MCP2551 CAN/RS-485 transceiver and MAX3485 for industrial communication.
Recommended
Data Logger / Sensor Hub
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP fits low-power data loggers and sensor hubs thanks to its 32 KB Flash for firmware, 2 KB SRAM for buffering, and the 10-bit ADC with up to 14 channels for multi-sensor acquisition. XLP nanoWatt sleep modes let the device wake on timer or interrupt, sample, log to external EEPROM or SPI Flash, and return to sleep at microamp-level currents. USB connectivity simplifies data offload, while I2C/SPI connect to popular sensors. Recommended companion parts include the 25LC256 SPI EEPROM and the MCP9808 temperature sensor.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF25K50-E/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF25K50-I/SP | PIC18LF24K50-I/SP | PIC18LF25K50-E/ML | PIC18LF24K50-E/SS | PIC18F25K50-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SPDIP (0.300 inch) | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-SPDIP - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm) | 28-SPDIP - same |
| Core | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit | PIC18 8-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) | 32 KB |
| Data SRAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB (-50%) | 2 KB | 1 KB (-50%) | 2 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| I/O Pins | 25 | 25 | 15 (-40%) | 25 | 15 (-40%) | 25 |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed, on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, on-chip transceiver | USB 2.0 FS, on-chip transceiver |
| Supply Voltage Range | 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 | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
Key Differentiators
- Highest-density SPDIP PIC18LF25K50 with extended temperature grade (vs PIC18LF25K50-I/SP)
- More memory and I/O than 24K50 sibling (vs PIC18LF24K50-I/SP)
- Through-hole SPDIP package for prototyping and breadboards (vs PIC18LF25K50-E/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF25K50-E/SP requires a bulk decoupling capacitor of at least 1 µF on VDD placed within 4 mm of the package pin. The integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver additionally requires a 4.7 µF to 10 µF bulk capacitor on the VUSB rail to limit inrush current during USB attach events. Connect VDD, AVDD and VUSB together for 3.3 V single-rail designs; route a ferrite bead or 10 Ω resistor between VUSB and VDD for bus-powered applications to share regulation with the host's 5 V VBUS through the on-chip LDO.
Do not leave the MCLR/VPP/RE3 pin floating - configure it as a reset input with a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD, or the MCU will intermittently fail to start. When enabling the USB module, ensure RC4 (D-) and RC5 (D+) are configured as digital inputs in the TRISC register before the USB stack initialises, or USB enumeration will fail. For battery applications, configure the unused I/O pins as outputs driving low to minimise leakage current into floating CMOS inputs that can exceed the nanoWatt XLP sleep specification.
Keep the D+ (RC5) and D- (RC4) traces as a 90-ohm differential pair with matching length and continuous ground reference underneath; this preserves USB signal integrity at 12 Mbps. Place the VUSB bulk capacitor directly at the RC5/RC4-side ground return. For 48 MHz operation, route the crystal traces (RA6/OSC2, RA7/OSC1) short and shield them with a ground ring when using an external resonator; for crystal-less USB designs rely on Active Clock Tuning from USB Host and disable external clock modes.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial-grade part, not an automotive-qualified device.
