PIC18LF26J53-I/ML - 48MHz 8-bit USB MCU 64KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF26J53-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.18 | $4.18 |
| 10 | $3.72 | $37.20 |
| 100 | $3.05 | $305.00 |
| 500 | $2.62 | $1,310.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.35 | $2,350.00 |
PIC18LF26J53-I/ML Overview
What is a PIC18J-series microcontroller? PIC18J microcontrollers are Microchip's high-performance 8-bit MCU family in the broader PIC microcontroller -> 8-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> integrated circuit hierarchy. The 'J' suffix denotes parts with integrated USB 2.0 full-speed peripherals and high-memory-density Flash, while the 'LF' prefix indicates the low-voltage (2.0V-2.75V core) variant optimized for battery-powered applications. The 'XLP' (eXtra Low Power) nanoWatt technology extends deep-sleep currents into the nanoamp range.
Key features include 64KB (32K x 16) Flash program memory, 3.8KB RAM, 1KB EEPROM, two USART, two MSSP (SPI/I2C) ports, 22-channel 12-bit ADC, two 10-bit DAC outputs, and a full-speed USB 2.0 device/OTG controller with on-chip transceiver. The 28-QFN package provides compact PCB integration while the exposed pad enables thermal dissipation for USB bus-powered designs.
The PIC18J architecture uses a 16-bit modified Harvard instruction set with 8-bit data path. It incorporates peripheral pin select (PPS) for flexible I/O mapping, hardware RTCC with calendar mode, and a 4-deep CLC (Configurable Logic Cell) engine. The integrated USB transceiver eliminates the need for external PHY components.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals, USB-to-UART bridges, USB audio devices, low-power sensor hubs with USB connectivity, and battery-powered data loggers with USB charging. The wide peripheral integration suits PC accessories and embedded consumer products.
When designing with this device, ensure proper decoupling (100 nF + 4.7 uF) close to VDD/AVDD pins and follow USB-IF compliance guidelines for bus-powered designs. The PPS feature requires configuration via code to map peripherals to specific I/O pins.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF26J53-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 PIC18LF26J53-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core, I/O Pins, EEPROM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF26J53T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF27J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF26J13-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF25K83-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.86 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F26J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F27J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF26J53-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 8-bit (Harvard, 16-bit instruction) |
| Series | PIC18J (XLP nanoWatt) |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 48 MHz |
| MIPS Performance | 12 MIPS |
| Flash Program Memory | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| RAM Data Memory | 3.8 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage (Core) | 2.0 V to 2.75 V (LF variant) |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 10 channels |
| DAC | 2 channels, 10-bit |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/OTG with on-chip transceiver |
| Package | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
PIC18LF26J53-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 3 |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN5 — Digital I/O / Analog input channel 5 |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock / GPIO |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / GPIO |
| Pin 11 | RC0 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 12 | RC1 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 13 | RC2 — Digital I/O / PWM output |
| Pin 14 | D+/RB7 — USB D+ data line / digital I/O |
| Pin 15 | D-/RB6 — USB D- data line / digital I/O |
| Pin 16 | RB5/PGM — Digital I/O / ICSP programming |
| Pin 17 | RB4/AN12 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 18 | RB3/AN9 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 19 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 20 | RB1/AN10 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 21 | RB0/AN11 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 22 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 23 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 24 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART RX |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART TX |
| Pin 26 | RC5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RC4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 28 | VUSB — USB internal voltage regulator output (decoupling) |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF26J53-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals, USB-to-UART Bridge, USB Audio Device Interface, Battery-Powered Sensor Hub with USB, USB Mass Storage Device, Industrial USB Data Acquisition Module.
USB HID Peripherals
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML is purpose-built for USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. Its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller with on-chip transceiver eliminates external PHY components, reducing BOM and PCB area in compact QFN-28 (6x6 mm) designs. The 64 KB Flash and 3.8 KB RAM easily accommodate USB HID class stacks plus application logic, while the 12 MIPS at 48 MHz CPU maintains 1 ms USB polling compliance. NanoWatt XLP technology minimizes suspend current below 1 uA, enabling USB-compliant low-power states for bus-powered devices. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) remaps USB signals to optimize PCB routing around mechanical enclosures. A typical implementation uses 22 GPIO for matrix-scanned key arrays with USB interrupt-driven wake-up on user activity.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML excels as a USB-to-UART bridge, replacing legacy FTDI chips with a single Microchip solution. The integrated USB full-speed device controller and dual USART peripherals enable CDC-ACM class firmware that transparently maps USB virtual COM ports to UART signals at rates up to 921600 baud. The 48 MHz clock drives both the USB 1 ms polling and the UART baud-rate generator with minimal jitter. 3.8 KB RAM accommodates USB CDC buffers and UART FIFOs simultaneously. The wide 2.0 V to 3.6 V supply range supports direct 3.3 V MCU target connections without level shifters. The QFN-28 (ML) package fits into compact adapter dongles alongside ESD protection and USB-B or USB-C connectors.
Recommended
USB Audio Device Interface
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML supports USB audio class 1.0 device implementations for headsets, microphones, and USB speakers. The 48 MHz core delivers sufficient bandwidth for 16-bit/48 kHz audio streams over USB isochronous endpoints, while the 12-bit ADC and 10-bit DAC handle basic analog audio capture and playback. The 64 KB Flash stores USB audio class drivers plus DSP routines for volume control and equalization, and 3.8 KB RAM manages USB isochronous buffers. The PPS feature routes digital audio I/O to optimal PCB positions, and the exposed thermal pad handles continuous bus-powered operation without thermal throttling. A practical design uses the ADC for microphone capture, sends USB audio to host, and drives an external audio DAC via SPI/I2S.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Hub with USB
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML serves as a battery-powered sensor hub that periodically offloads data via USB to a host computer. The XLP nanoWatt technology delivers deep-sleep currents under 1 uA, enabling multi-year battery life in remote sensor deployments. The 12-bit ADC with up to 22 analog inputs interfaces directly with temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensors without external signal conditioning. The integrated USB transceiver handles plug-and-play enumeration when the user connects a USB cable for data download or battery charging. The 2.0 V to 2.75 V LF core operates directly from a single Li-ion cell or two AA cells, eliminating boost regulators. PPS maps sensor I/O and SPI/I2C interfaces to any available GPIO for flexible sensor placement.
Recommended
USB Mass Storage Device
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML implements USB mass storage class (MSC) devices such as portable card readers, USB flash drive controllers, and data loggers. The 48 MHz core sustains USB bulk-transfer throughput while managing SD card or SPI Flash file systems in the 3.8 KB RAM buffer. The 64 KB Flash accommodates FAT32 file-system libraries plus USB MSC stacks. The dual MSSP peripherals connect to both an SD card via SPI and an external SPI Flash for hybrid storage topologies. The exposed thermal pad handles sustained write-current loads without overheating in enclosed USB dongle form factors.
Recommended
Industrial USB Data Acquisition Module
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML builds compact industrial data acquisition modules that stream sensor readings to a host PC over USB. The 12-bit ADC captures up to 22 analog channels at rates suitable for vibration, temperature, and process monitoring. The industrial -40 C to +85 C temperature range supports factory-floor deployment, while the USB interface provides plug-and-play connectivity without driver installation (HID class) or with standard CDC drivers. The 2.0 V to 3.6 V supply with internal 3.3 V regulator allows direct 5 V USB bus power without external LDOs. The exposed pad enables thermal dissipation for high-channel-count continuous-sampling designs where the ADC operates near full throughput.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF26J53-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF26J53T-I/ML | PIC18LF27J53-I/ML | PIC18LF26J13-I/ML | PIC18LF25K83-I/ML | PIC18F26J53-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same | QFN-28 (ML) 6x6 mm - same |
| Flash Memory | 64 KB | 64 KB (same) | 128 KB (+100%) | 64 KB (same) | 32 KB (-50%) | 64 KB (same) |
| RAM | 3.8 KB | 3.8 KB (same) | 3.8 KB (same) | 3.8 KB (same) | 2 KB (-47%) | 3.8 KB (same) |
| USB 2.0 Full-Speed | Yes (on-chip transceiver) | Yes (same) | Yes (same) | No | No | Yes (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (LF core) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (same) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (same) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (same) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V (F core) |
| Clock Speed | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 48 MHz (same) | 64 MHz (16 MIPS) | 48 MHz (same) |
| ADC | 12-bit, 10 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels (same) | 12-bit, 10 channels (same) | 10-bit, 8 channels | 12-bit, 24 channels | 12-bit, 10 channels (same) |
| Price (1 pc, as of 2026-09-28) | USD 4.18 | USD 4.18 (same) | USD 4.85 (+16%) | USD 3.42 (-18%) | USD 3.12 (-25%) | USD 4.25 (+2%) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver eliminates external PHY (vs PIC18LF26J13-I/ML)
- 128 KB Flash upgrade path available in same footprint (vs PIC18LF27J53-I/ML)
- Higher ADC channel count in same package (vs PIC18LF25K83-I/ML)
- F-core variant supports 3.3 V nominal systems (vs PIC18F26J53-I/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF26J53-I/ML operates from 2.0 V to 3.6 V with on-chip 3.3 V regulator that can source up to 50 mA for USB transceiver. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor on the VUSB pin per Microchip QFN-28 layout guidelines. For USB bus-powered designs, route VBUS to the USB connector through a 100 uF bulk capacitor to meet USB-IF inrush requirements.
The QFN-28 (ML) package exposes a thermal pad on the underside that must be soldered to a PCB copper pour connected to VSS. Per Microchip AN1255, allocate at least 0.5 square inches of 2-oz copper pour to the thermal pad to achieve the specified thermal resistance. Use NSMD (non-solder-mask-defined) pads for all QFN lands to improve solder joint reliability and avoid tombstoning during reflow.
Do not apply 5 V directly to any GPIO pin on the PIC18LF26J53-I/ML because the absolute maximum is VDD + 0.3 V. For USB 5 V signals, route through a level translator or use the integrated USB pins which tolerate 5 V on D+/D- lines per USB specification. Also, configure the PPS feature via code before using remapped peripherals; otherwise peripherals default to legacy pin assignments and will not function on remapped pins.
Route the USB D+ and D- lines as a 90-ohm differential pair with length matching within 150 mil to maintain USB signal integrity. Place the 27 ohm series termination resistors within 4 mm of the MCU pins to suppress reflections. Keep USB traces away from switching power or clock sources to minimize EMI coupling; a ground guard trace on both sides of the differential pair is recommended for USB-IF compliance testing.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade -40C to +85C only). Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip material declarations.
