PIC18LF4553-I/P - 8-Bit 48MHz 32KB Flash USB MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF4553-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.45 | $7.45 |
| 10 | $6.71 | $67.10 |
| 100 | $5.95 | $595.00 |
| 500 | $5.36 | $2,680.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.78 | $4,780.00 |
PIC18LF4553-I/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and peripherals on one die. The PIC18F family extends the baseline PIC16 architecture with a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and a linear program/data memory map; the PIC18LF4553 specifically adds a USB 2.0 Full-Speed Serial Interface Engine (SIE) and a 12-channel 10-bit ADC, making it one of the earliest members of the "F4553" USB-capable PIC18 lineup.
Key features include 32KB (16K x 16) self-programmable Flash, 2KB RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, 35 digital I/O pins, an Enhanced Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (EUSART), two MSSP modules for SPI/I2C, a 12-bit ADC with 13 channels and 100 ksps, two analog comparators, and a CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) for capacitive touch. The "LF" prefix indicates the Low-Voltage/Frequency variant optimized for 2.0V-5.5V operation with full-speed 48MHz CPU clock.
The PIC18LF4553 uses Microchip's enhanced 8-bit RISC-style Harvard core with a 16-bit instruction width, 8-bit data path, hardware multiply, and a single-cycle 8x8 multiplier. The integrated USB SIE handles USB protocol in hardware, freeing the CPU from bit-banging. nanoWatt technology adds dynamic clock switching, idle/doze/sleep modes, and an ultra-low-power wake-up RTC, enabling years of operation from a single coin cell in typical duty-cycled applications.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals (keyboards, mice, custom input devices), USB-to-UART bridges, low-cost USB data loggers, USB CDC virtual COM ports, embedded learning boards (PIC18F4553 is a popular teaching platform), industrial sensor interfaces with USB diagnostics, and battery-powered USB-capable instrumentation.
When designing with this part, allocate 4KB of the 32KB Flash for the USB bootloader or CDC stack if needed; reserve the D+/D- pins (pins 23/24 on PDIP) for the USB bus with proper 15kΩ pull-down and series termination; and add a 27-33pF crystal with two 22pF load capacitors for the 48MHz primary oscillator. The internal PLL multiplies a 4MHz/8MHz/12MHz/16MHz/20MHz/24MHz crystal or external clock up to 48MHz.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, USB design notes, and a parametric comparison that the manufacturer datasheet alone does not provide.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF4553-I/P — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18F4553-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF4455-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF4550-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF4553-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC18 8-bit enhanced Harvard |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit, 8-bit data path |
| CPU Speed | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 32 KB (16K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| USB Peripheral | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) SIE |
| ADC | 12-bit, 13 channels, up to 100 ksps |
| Analog Comparators | 2 |
| CTMU | Yes (capacitive touch support) |
| EUSART | 1 |
| MSSP (SPI/I2C) | 2 |
| Timers | 4 (Timer0/1/2/3) |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (P) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF4553-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / digital I/O |
| 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 / ADC VREF- |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| 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 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / read control for parallel port |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / write control for parallel port |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / chip select for parallel port |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.0V-5.5V) |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input or external clock in |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 18 | VUSB — USB internal 3.3V regulator output (bypass cap) |
| Pin 19 | RC4/D-/VMO — PORTC bit 4 / USB D- / USB VMO monitor |
| Pin 20 | RC5/D+/VPO — PORTC bit 5 / USB D+ / USB VPO monitor |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / EUSART TX / clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / EUSART RX / data |
| Pin 23 | RB0/AN12/INT0 — PORTB bit 0 / analog 12 / external interrupt 0 |
| Pin 24 | RB1/AN10/INT1 — PORTB bit 1 / analog 10 / external interrupt 1 |
| Pin 25 | RB2/AN8/INT2 — PORTB bit 2 / analog 8 / external interrupt 2 |
| Pin 26 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / analog 9 / CCP2 |
| Pin 27 | RB4/AN11/KBI0 — PORTB bit 4 / analog 11 / KBI interrupt 0 |
| Pin 28 | RB5/KBI1/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / KBI interrupt 1 / LVP program |
| Pin 29 | RB6/KBI2/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / KBI interrupt 2 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 30 | RB7/KBI3/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / KBI interrupt 3 / ICSP data |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 32 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 34 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RD5/P1B — PORTD bit 5 / enhanced PWM output B |
| Pin 39 | RD6/P1C — PORTD bit 6 / enhanced PWM output C |
| Pin 40 | RD7/P1D — PORTD bit 7 / enhanced PWM output D |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF4553-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Input Device, USB-to-UART Bridge, USB Data Logger, Embedded Learning Board, Industrial Sensor Interface with USB Diagnostics, Capacitive Touch Front Panel.
USB HID Input Device
Custom keyboards, mice, game controllers, and HID-class input devices benefit from the PIC18LF4553-I/P's integrated USB Full-Speed SIE, which handles USB protocol framing, CRC, and endpoint management in hardware. The 32KB Flash accommodates a full HID class driver and key matrix scanning firmware, while the 2KB RAM and 35 I/O pins are sufficient for matrix scanning up to 11x10 keys with debouncing. The 12 MIPS CPU ensures <1ms HID polling interval compliance at 125us USB frame rate. Design tip: tie D+ to VDD via 1.5kΩ pull-up to signal Full-Speed attach, and place the 27Ω series resistors within 5mm of the D+/D- pins for USB compliance.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge
USB-to-UART (CDC virtual COM port) bridges using the PIC18LF4553-I/P simplify PC connectivity for legacy serial devices without requiring external USB chips. The integrated USB Full-Speed SIE plus hardware EUSART (up to 5 Mbps at 48 MHz) eliminate the need for an FTDI chip, reducing BOM cost by ~$2 and PCB footprint. The 2KB RAM supports 256-byte USB endpoint ping-pong buffers plus UART TX/RX FIFOs. Per Microchip application note AN1166, a CDC stack uses only ~6KB Flash, leaving 26KB for application code. Performance consideration: the EUSART runs at full baud without CPU intervention, freeing the 12 MIPS core for protocol translation.
Recommended
USB Data Logger
Battery-powered USB data loggers leverage the PIC18LF4553-I/P's nanoWatt sleep modes (down to 50 nA typical) to log sensor data for years on a single coin cell while still providing USB for data offload. The 12-bit 13-channel ADC with 100 ksps sample rate captures analog sensor data at >10 Hz per channel with 10mV resolution. The 2KB RAM stores burst samples between USB transfers, while the 32KB Flash retains configuration and lookup tables. The 2.0V-5.5V VDD range permits direct Li-ion (3.7V nominal) operation. Design tip: use Sleep mode between ADC samples and only wake on Timer1 overflow; the USB pull-up is asserted only when a host is detected via VBUS sensing on pin 18.
Recommended
Embedded Learning Board
The PIC18LF4553-I/P is the de facto standard for hobbyist and university embedded systems courses, and is used in open-source development boards such as the Pinguino, OpenPIC, and several Microchip Curiosity-compatible clones. The 40-pin PDIP package is breadboard-friendly, supporting hand-wired prototypes without soldering. The PIC18F4553 family supports the open-source SDCC and XC8 compilers plus Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, making it accessible to students. Design tip: the 48 MHz clock plus USB CDC stack turns the PIC18LF4553 into a $5 USB-bootloader-capable platform for teaching real-time embedded design.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interface with USB Diagnostics
Industrial 4-20mA sensor interface modules benefit from the PIC18LF4553-I/P's wide 2.0V-5.5V VDD range (compatible with 24V industrial rails via step-down), 12-bit ADC precision, and USB diagnostic channel for field calibration logs. The MSSP modules handle SPI sensors and I2C peripherals simultaneously, while the EUSART interfaces with RS-485 transceivers. The CTMU enables capacitive touch buttons on front panels without dedicated touch controllers. Performance consideration: the 100 ksps ADC at 12 MIPS enables oversampling to 16-bit effective resolution, sufficient for precision load-cell and strain-gauge instrumentation.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch Front Panel
Capacitive touch front panels (appliances, kiosks, control surfaces) use the PIC18LF4553-I/P's CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) to scan up to 16 touch buttons without a dedicated touch controller IC, saving $1-3 per panel. The CTMU provides a constant-current source for time-based capacitance measurement with sub-pF resolution, and the MSSP ports drive I2C-controlled LED ring drivers for visual feedback. The USB channel allows firmware update over the same USB used for diagnostic logs. The 35 I/O pins support both the touch matrix and a 7-segment LED or character LCD display.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF4553-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18F4553-I/P | PIC18LF4553-I/PT | PIC18LF4455-I/P | PIC18LF4550-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin PDIP - same | 44-pin TQFP (different package) | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 24 KB (-25%) | 32 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| USB SIE | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) | None (no USB) | None (no USB) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.2 V to 5.5 V (F variant) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF same) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Max CPU Speed | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) | 48 MHz (12 MIPS) |
| ADC | 12-bit, 13 channels | 12-bit, 13 channels | 12-bit, 13 channels | 12-bit, 11 channels | 12-bit, 13 channels |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
Key Differentiators
- Lowest 2.0V VDD variant of the PIC18F4553 family with integrated USB Full-Speed SIE (vs PIC18F4553-I/P)
- On-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver eliminates external USB ASIC (vs PIC18LF4550-I/P)
- Highest Flash density 32KB in the 40-pin PDIP PIC18F USB family (vs PIC18LF4455-I/P)
- Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) standard for -I/P variant (vs Commercial-grade PIC18LF4553)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF4553-I/P requires VDD = 2.0V-5.5V, but the on-chip USB SIE plus the internal 3.3V regulator (VUSB pin 18) need a 220nF-470nF decoupling capacitor on VUSB for USB Full-Speed compliance. Per the Microchip datasheet, the USB transceiver only operates correctly when VDD >= 4.2V at 48 MHz CPU; below 4.2V, the CPU must drop to lower FOSC settings via the CONFIG1H register. Add a bulk 10uF plus 100nF ceramic on VDD/VSS pairs to suppress switching transients during USB enumeration.
USB D+/D- traces (pins 23/24, with the D+ pin shared with RC5, but the USB pins take precedence when the USB module is enabled) must be 45Ω differential impedance, length-matched within 2mm, and no vias when possible. Place the 27Ω series resistors (USBLC6-2 or ferrite) within 5mm of the PIC D+/D- pins. Route the D+ pull-up 1.5kΩ to VDD (or to a GPIO-controlled output) and tie D- to VSS through a 15kΩ pull-down for Full-Speed detection. Place the 4-25 MHz crystal and its 22pF load capacitors within 5mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins.
Three common PIC18LF4553-I/P design pitfalls: (1) Forgetting to set CONFIG1H<FOSC> for HS-PLL mode with a 4 MHz crystal to achieve 48 MHz CPU, (2) Not enabling the USB module via UCON<USBEN> and clearing UCFG<UOEMON> for bus-powered applications, and (3) Sharing RB5 (PGM pin) with LVP-mode programming and a peripheral - if the peripheral holds RB5 low during reset, the device will fail to exit LVP. Per the Microchip datasheet, AN1166 and TB3041 provide tested USB firmware examples and errata workarounds.
The PIC18LF4553-I/P's analog input channels AN0-AN12 share pins with PORTB and PORTA, so unused analog pins should be configured as digital outputs low to prevent ADC channel crosstalk. The CTMU constant-current output (~0.55uA typical) is sensitive to leakage currents; bypass CTMU pins with 1MΩ to ground if unused. The 12-bit ADC achieves 10 ENOB at 100 ksps with 8x oversampling; above 100 ksps, ADC linearity degrades by ~1 LSB per additional 100 ksps. Use the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference, 1.024V/2.048V/4.096V) for ratiometric measurements to avoid VDD noise coupling.
The 40-pin PDIP PIC18LF4553-I/P has a thermal resistance of approximately 50 C/W (junction-to-ambient, still air), which is adequate for all 8-bit MCU workloads including USB + ADC + EUSART simultaneously. At maximum 48 MHz CPU clock and 5.5V VDD, the active current is ~22 mA (~120 mW), well below the 1W PDIP dissipation limit. Sleep mode drops current to ~50 nA typical (no RTCC, no WDT), making coin-cell operation feasible for years in duty-cycled applications. Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) is the standard for the -I/P suffix.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and verified DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - automotive users should consult Microchip's PIC18 automotive grade portfolio. Industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C standard.
