PIC18LF45K50-I/P - 8-Bit 48MHz 32KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF45K50-I/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.62 | $4.62 |
| 10 | $4.13 | $41.30 |
| 100 | $3.65 | $365.00 |
| 500 | $3.21 | $1,605.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.83 | $2,830.00 |
| 3,000 | $2.55 | $7,650.00 |
PIC18LF45K50-I/P Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, non-volatile program memory (Flash/ROM), working RAM, and a configurable set of peripherals (ADC, timers, communication interfaces, I/O). Within the semiconductor hierarchy, MCUs sit under digital logic ICs > microcontrollers > embedded controllers. PIC microcontrollers from Microchip use a modified Harvard RISC architecture with separate program and data buses, enabling deterministic instruction throughput and predictable interrupt latency.
Key features of the PIC18LF45K50-I/P include 32 KB self-programmable Flash, 2 KB RAM, 256 B EEPROM, up to 35 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit ADC up to 200 ksps, multiple Enhanced USART, MSSP (SPI/I2C) peripherals, and an integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver — a rare feature for the 40-pin DIP class. The eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology variants (LF) deliver nanoWatt sleep currents suitable for battery-powered products.
The PIC18LF45K50 uses a 16-bit modified Harvard instruction set with an 8-bit data path, providing a single-cycle instruction time of 83 ns at 48 MHz. The integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed module includes an on-chip transceiver and 3.3V regulator, simplifying USB device designs. Hardware multipliers and a 32-level hardware stack accelerate C-compiled code.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals, industrial sensor interfaces, battery-powered data loggers, educational/development boards, and low-cost consumer electronics. The 40-pin PDIP package is preferred for hobbyist projects, prototypes, and through-hole manufacturing. Designers choose this part when USB connectivity, generous Flash, and low-voltage operation are all required in a DIP form factor.
When designing with the PIC18LF45K50-I/P, ensure the VUSB pin is connected to a 3.3V source (the internal USB regulator can supply 3.3V from VDD), place a decoupling capacitor of at least 0.1 uF near each power pin, and verify the oscillator configuration matches the FCFUSES setting in code. For battery applications, leverage the XLP sleep modes with typical current below 1 uA.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes for the PIC18LF45K50-I/P not found on a single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF45K50-I/P — 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 PIC18LF45K50-I/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Maximum CPU Frequency, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF45K50-E/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.08 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F45K50-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF45K22-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF45K40-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF45K42-I/P
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF45K50-I/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC 8-bit |
| Series | PIC XLP 18K |
| Program Memory Size | 32 KB (16K x 16) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 2 KB |
| EEPROM Size | 256 B |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 83 ns at 48 MHz |
| Operating Supply Voltage | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600 inch, 15.24 mm) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 200 ksps |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x EUSART, 2x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Timers | 4x 8-bit, 4x 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole) |
PIC18LF45K50-I/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RE3 — Master Clear (reset) input / digital input only on port E bit 3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input AN0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input AN1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input AN2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3 — PORTA bit 3 / analog input AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 6 | RA4 — PORTA bit 4 / analog input AN4 |
| Pin 7 | RA5 — PORTA bit 5 / analog input AN5 / VREF- |
| Pin 8 | RE0 — PORTE bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | RE1 — PORTE bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RE2 — PORTE bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI/RA7 — External oscillator input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO/RA6 — External oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | RC0 — PORTC bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | RC1 — PORTC bit 1 / SOSC |
| Pin 17 | RC2 — PORTC bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | RC3 — PORTC bit 3 / SCL |
| Pin 19 | RC4 — PORTC bit 4 / SDA |
| Pin 20 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 / D+ |
| Pin 21 | RC6 — PORTC bit 6 / TX |
| Pin 22 | RC7 — PORTC bit 7 / RX |
| Pin 23 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 24 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 25 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 26 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 27 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0 — PORTB bit 0 / interrupt-on-change |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3 — PORTB bit 3 |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6 — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7 — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF45K50-I/P is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral Devices, Battery-Powered Sensor Data Loggers, Educational Microcontroller Training Boards, Industrial Control and Modbus Nodes, Low-Cost Consumer Electronics, USB-Based Firmware Bootloaders and Programmers.
USB HID Peripheral Devices
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P is purpose-built for USB 2.0 Full-Speed device designs in 40-pin PDIP form factor. Its integrated on-chip USB transceiver and 3.3V regulator eliminate the external PHY that competing 8-bit MCUs require, allowing direct connection to a USB Type-B connector with only decoupling capacitors. The 48 MHz core delivers 12 MIPS throughput, sufficient for HID class firmware plus custom I/O handling. Designers use this part for USB keyboards, mice, custom HID controllers, and CDC virtual COM port designs where the DIP package enables easy breadboarding and field rework. Compared to a software USB solution on a non-USB MCU, the K50 reduces firmware complexity by an order of magnitude.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Data Loggers
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P fits battery-powered sensor loggers thanks to its XLP nanoWatt technology and 1.8V to 3.6V operating range from a single Li-Ion or 2xAA cell. Sleep current below 100 nA with RTCC running enables multi-year deployments on a single battery, while the 32 KB Flash stores thousands of timestamped sensor records. The 10-bit ADC up to 200 ksps captures temperature, humidity, or analog sensor data with adequate resolution for environmental monitoring. Engineers choose this part for cold-chain temperature loggers, HVAC sensor nodes, and remote telemetry units where USB is used only for periodic data offload, eliminating the always-on wireless radio.
Recommended
Educational Microcontroller Training Boards
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P in 40-pin PDIP remains the de-facto educational MCU for university embedded systems courses because the through-hole form factor survives repeated breadboard insertion cycles, student wiring mistakes, and rework with standard 0.1 inch headers. The integrated USB module teaches modern device-class firmware without external PHY complexity, and the 48 MHz core supports real-time control demonstrations. University labs standardize on this part for digital I/O, ADC, timer, PWM, I2C, SPI, and USB exercises covering the full PIC18 peripheral set. The DIP package also allows clear signal probing with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers during lab exercises.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Modbus Nodes
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P supports industrial control nodes including Modbus RTU slaves, sensor aggregators, and process controllers, where its 48 MHz core handles communication stacks plus control loop math. The two EUSART peripherals enable simultaneous RS-485 Modbus and a debug UART, while the MSSP peripherals drive I2C sensor buses and SPI displays. The 40-pin PDIP package simplifies hand-soldered prototypes for small-batch industrial retrofits and field-serviceable installations. Industrial users choose this part because the LF variant tolerates 3.3V industrial supply rails and the XLP modes reduce enclosure thermal load in always-on installations.
Recommended
Low-Cost Consumer Electronics
Consumer products in the sub-USD 10 BOM range benefit from the PIC18LF45K50-I/P's integrated peripherals that minimize external component count. The USB module replaces expensive external bridges, the 2 KB RAM handles typical user-interface state machines, and the 32 KB Flash stores product firmware with USB bootloader headroom. The 40-pin PDIP supports hand-soldered small-batch consumer devices such as programmable LED controllers, USB-connected toys, and hobbyist accessories. Manufacturers choose this part for the LF variant's wide 1.8V to 3.6V range, which lets them reuse the design across battery and USB-powered product variants without firmware changes.
Recommended
USB-Based Firmware Bootloaders and Programmers
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P functions as a USB firmware update target thanks to Microchip's USB bootloader library, which uses the integrated Full-Speed transceiver and a vendor-specific USB class. The 32 KB Flash leaves room for a robust USB bootloader plus application code, while the 2 KB RAM supports USB endpoint buffers plus application data structures. Designers implement field-upgradable products by combining this MCU with a USB Type-B connector and Microchip's USB HID bootloader; the 40-pin DIP version is used as a development target during firmware bring-up before migrating to SMD packages for production.
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Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF45K50-I/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF45K50-E/P | PIC18F45K50-I/P | PIC18LF45K22-I/P | PIC18LF45K40-I/P | PIC18LF45K42-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 5.5V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V | 1.8V to 3.6V |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| CPU Speed | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Integrated USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | No integrated USB | No integrated USB | No integrated USB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Price Tier (qty 1, USD) | 4.62 | 4.62 | 4.95 | 3.85 | 3.95 | 4.25 |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed transceiver (vs PIC18LF45K22-I/P)
- Low-voltage LF variant with XLP nanoWatt technology (vs PIC18F45K50-I/P)
- 40-pin PDIP package for through-hole designs (vs PIC18F45K50-I/PT)
Design Notes
The PIC18LF45K50-I/P requires a stable 3.3V supply within 1.8V to 3.6V. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pin pair (pins 11/12 and 31/32), and add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the VUSB regulator output pin if USB is used. The internal 3.3V LDO for USB requires a minimum 4.7 uF low-ESR capacitor on VUSB to prevent regulator oscillation. Estimated: total decoupling BOM cost is under USD 0.05 for ceramic capacitors.
Ensure CONFIG1L register bits FOSC and IESO match the selected oscillator configuration; setting external crystal mode without a connected crystal prevents the part from starting. The MCLR pin (pin 1) must be tied to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation, or driven high for ICSP programming. The datasheet warns that the internal USB regulator is enabled by default and draws 25 mA from VDD when USB is active, which may starve low-current battery designs.
For the 40-pin PDIP package, route analog signals (AN0-AN5) away from digital lines and switch-mode power traces to minimize ADC noise pickup. Keep the USB D+/D- differential pair (RC4/RC5) matched within 2 mm of each other and route over a continuous ground plane for 90 ohm differential impedance. For hobbyist breadboard designs, the 0.1 inch pin pitch accepts standard headers; for production PCBs, allocate a 0.600 inch wide through-hole footprint with hand-solderable pad diameter of 1.5 mm minimum.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declarations. Through-hole PDIP package is exempt from MSL classification. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, use PIC18F45K50-I/PT (AEC-Q100) variants.
