PIC18LF26J11-I/ML - 8-Bit 48MHz 64KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF26J11-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.39 | $339.00 |
| 500 | $3.02 | $1,510.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.69 | $2,690.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.45 | $7,350.00 |
PIC18LF26J11-I/ML Overview
What is a PIC18 microcontroller? A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) is an 8-bit RISC microcontroller from Microchip Technology based on Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses. The PIC18 family is the high-end 8-bit line, supporting enhanced instruction set, larger memory (64KB+ flash), and rich peripherals (10-bit ADC, PWM, I2C/SPI/UART, USB on some variants). PIC MCUs occupy the 8-bit microcontroller taxonomy - more capable than PIC16, simpler and lower power than 32-bit ARM Cortex-M devices, and widely used in cost-sensitive industrial and consumer embedded designs.
Key features include up to 34 I/O pins, 10-bit ADC, multiple communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART), integrated nanowatt XLP sleep modes with current consumption as low as microamps, and an enhanced flash program memory architecture supporting self-programming. The 'LF' voltage range (2.0V to 3.6V) makes it ideal for low-power applications powered by 2x AA/AAA cells.
Internally, the PIC18LF26J11 uses a modified RISC core with 75+ instructions and a hardware multiplier for 16x16 bit operations in a single cycle. The 28-QFN (ML) package variant saves PCB space compared to SOIC-28 alternatives and provides better thermal dissipation through the exposed pad for higher-frequency continuous operation.
Typical applications include battery-powered sensor nodes, USB peripherals (in the F version of this family), industrial control modules, consumer electronics human-machine interfaces, and portable medical devices. The wide memory and rich peripherals also suit automotive body controllers and home appliances with user interfaces.
When designing, note that programming requires Microchip's MPLAB X IDE plus an ICD programmer/debugger (e.g., PICkit, ICD 3/4). The QFN-6x6 ML package needs careful PCB land pattern routing - the exposed pad must be soldered to a sufficient copper pour for thermal dissipation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC18 alternatives in the same 28-QFN footprint, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer product page alone.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF26J11-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 PIC18LF26J11-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, EEPROM, Maximum CPU Speed, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF26J11T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25J11-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF25K83-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF24J11-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26J11-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 8-bit RISC |
| Program Memory Type | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| RAM Size | 3.8 KB |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (LF) |
| Number of I/O Pins | Up to 22 (per datasheet, 34 including remappable) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART, USB (device) |
| Timers | Multiple 8/16-bit |
| Package | 28-QFN (6 x 6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Low-Power Technology | XLP (eXtreme Low Power) - nanowatt sleep |
| Instruction Set | 75+ instructions, 16-bit wide |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF26J11-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input channel 5 / VREF+ |
| Pin 7 | VSS1 — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD1 — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 11 | RC0/SCL1 — PORTC bit 0 / I2C1 clock |
| Pin 12 | RC1/SDA1 — PORTC bit 1 / I2C1 data |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 1 |
| Pin 14 | RC3/CCP2 — PORTC bit 3 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 15 | RC4/D-/VMO — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- (F variant) / Vbus monitoring |
| Pin 16 | RC5/D+/VPO — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ (F variant) / Vbus pulse |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — PORTC bit 6 / UART1 transmit / clock 1 |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — PORTC bit 7 / UART1 receive / data 1 |
| Pin 19 | VSS2 — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD2 — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT0/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt 0 / PWM fault input |
| Pin 22 | RB1/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2/INT2/CTED1 — PORTB bit 2 / External interrupt 2 / CTMU edge 1 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/INT3/CTED2 — PORTB bit 3 / External interrupt 3 / CTMU edge 2 |
| Pin 25 | RB4/SDA2 — PORTB bit 4 / I2C2 data |
| Pin 26 | RB5/SCL2 — PORTB bit 5 / I2C2 clock |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming/debug) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming/debug) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF26J11-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, USB Device Peripherals, Industrial Control Modules, Consumer Electronics HMI, Portable Medical Devices, IoT Edge Device Controllers.
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC18LF26J11-I/ML's XLP nanowatt sleep (sub-100 nA typical) and 2.0V-3.6V wide voltage range make it ideal for battery-powered wireless sensor nodes running from 2x AA alkaline or 1x lithium primary cells. The 48 MHz core runs complex sensor fusion algorithms when awake, then drops to nanowatt sleep for 99% of the time, achieving multi-year battery life. With 64 KB flash storing full IEEE 802.15.4 MAC stacks and 3.8 KB RAM holding routing tables, it fits sub-GHz sensor designs where simple 32-bit ARM devices would draw too much standby current.
Recommended
USB Device Peripherals
The PIC18F variant of this family (F26J11, not LF) integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed device controller and 3.3V voltage regulator on-chip, suiting USB peripherals like HID controllers, custom USB devices, and HID-based industrial tools. The 48 MHz core drives USB's 12 Mbps bus with ample headroom for protocol stacks, while the LF voltage range of 2.0V-3.6V supports both bus-powered and self-powered configurations. The PIC18LF26K50 is the most popular USB MCU variant in this footprint, providing a drop-in upgrade path with on-chip USB transceiver.
Recommended
Industrial Control Modules
The PIC18LF26J11-I/ML's 48 MHz performance and 10-bit ADC suit industrial control modules for motor control, sensor reading, and digital I/O where deterministic 8-bit processing is preferred over 32-bit complexity. Its 2.0V-3.6V range accommodates 3.3V-only industrial buses, while the 22 GPIO with up to 13 ADC channels drive multi-sensor acquisition pipelines. Its enhanced flash supports field firmware updates via ICSP or self-programming, and the industrial -40C to +85C operating range qualifies it for factory-floor PLC I/O modules and process instrumentation.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics HMI
The PIC18LF26J11-I/ML's balance of 48 MHz performance, generous 64 KB flash for graphical LCD drivers, and rich communication peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART) makes it a strong choice for consumer HMI panels like appliance controls, smart thermostats, and remote-control units. The QFN-6x6 footprint enables ultra-slim consumer designs where DIP/SOIC 28-pin variants would be too large. Its sleep current under 100 nA extends battery life in handheld remote controls where cell replacement is undesirable.
Recommended
Portable Medical Devices
The PIC18LF26J11-I/ML's low-power XLP technology and 2.0V-3.6V battery range suit portable medical devices such as glucose monitors, pulse oximeter accessories, and digital thermometers where long battery life and small PCB size are critical. Its 10-bit ADC digitizes pulse oximeter photodiode signals, while the 48 MHz core runs signal-processing algorithms for blood-oxygen calculations. The 64 KB flash stores BLE or proprietary RF stack bases for connecting patient monitors to mobile apps.
Recommended
IoT Edge Device Controllers
The PIC18LF26J11-I/ML is a strong choice for IoT edge controllers in smart-home, building automation, and asset-tracking applications, thanks to its nanawatt sleep current (extending battery to 5+ years), integrated USB for tethered provisioning, and 48 MHz core supporting real-time MQTT and edge analytics. Its 64 KB flash accommodates TLS-style libraries and OTA firmware update routines, while its I2C/SPI bus peripherals interface directly with environmental sensors. The QFN-28 ML package fits compact sensor hubs that mount inside electrical junction boxes or behind wall switches.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF26J11-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF26J11T-I/ML | PIC18LF25J11-I/ML | PIC18LF25K83-I/ML | PIC18LF25K50-I/ML | PIC18LF24J11-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | 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 | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Program Flash | 64 KB | 64 KB | 32 KB (-50%) | 64 KB | 32 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (-75%) |
| RAM | 3.8 KB | 3.8 KB | 3.8 KB | 4 KB (+5%) | 2 KB (-47%) | 2 KB (-47%) |
| Max CPU Speed | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 64 MHz (+33%) | 48 MHz | 48 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0V - 3.6V | 2.0V - 3.6V | 2.0V - 3.6V | 2.0V - 5.5V (F variant) | 2.0V - 5.5V (F variant) | 2.0V - 3.6V |
| USB Controller | Yes (F variant only) | Yes (F variant only) | Yes (F variant only) | Yes (F variant only) | Yes (USB 2.0 full-speed on-chip) | Yes (F variant only) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit (upgrade) | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Wide flash memory (64 KB) in 28-QFN with 48 MHz core (vs PIC18LF25J11-I/ML)
- Newer K83 family offers CIP peripherals and hardware crypto (vs PIC18LF25K83-I/ML)
- On-chip USB 2.0 full-speed on-chip transceiver (vs PIC18LF25K50-I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=3.3V and 48 MHz active, the core draws approximately 8-15 mA per Microchip datasheet 39972D, falling to <100 nA in Sleep mode. For battery-powered sensor nodes, ensure VDD decoupling uses two parallel capacitors (100 nF ceramic + 4.7 uF ceramic) within 5 mm of VDD1 and VDD2 pins, with the ground return through the exposed thermal pad to maximise noise immunity for ADC readings.
The 28-QFN ML package has an exposed thermal pad that MUST be soldered to a copper pour of at least 1 square inch on the PCB for reliable operation at 48 MHz. Per Microchip datasheet 39972D, the thermal resistance theta-JA of a properly-soldered QFN-28 in a 4-layer board is approximately 30 C/W. Without proper thermal pad soldering, continuous high-speed operation can push junction temperatures above 125C.
Per Microchip datasheet 39972D, the 28-QFN (6x6 mm) package has 0.5 mm lead pitch and requires IPC-7351 land patterns with NSMD (Non-Solder Mask Defined) pads to avoid solder bridging. Place all analog decoupling (10 uF + 100 nF) within 3 mm of the VDD/VSS pins, route the analog signals on a separate layer from digital I/O, and keep the ICSP PGC/PGD traces short for stable programming.
Three common pitfalls: (1) forget to enable the watchdog timer (WDTCON) for unattended IoT applications - the PIC18LF26J11 is designed for XLP, not autonomous operation; (2) confuse LF (2.0-3.6V) with F (2.0-5.5V) variants - applying 5V to LF permanently damages the part; (3) rely on the internal HFINTOSC at 8 MHz for USB timing without calibration - USB requires the 48 MHz PLL with HSE crystal or calibrated 8 MHz tune to meet USB 2.0 jitter specs.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade -40C to +85C only). Lead-free QFN-28 package.
