PIC18LF46J50-I/ML - 8-bit 48MHz USB MCU 64KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: PIC18LF46J50-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.85 | $5.85 |
| 10 | $5.26 | $52.60 |
| 100 | $4.68 | $468.00 |
| 500 | $4.21 | $2,105.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.75 | $3,750.00 |
PIC18LF46J50-I/ML Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog modules. 8-bit MCUs are widely used in cost-sensitive, deterministic embedded applications because of their simple instruction set, predictable interrupt latency, and low power consumption. The PIC18 architecture is an enhanced 8-bit core with a 16-bit instruction word, hardware multiplier, and linear addressing, sitting between traditional 8-bit controllers and more complex 16/32-bit devices. Within Microchip's portfolio, the PIC18LF46J50 belongs to the J-series, which adds full-speed USB, deep-sleep modes, and a wider voltage range.
Key features include on-chip full-speed USB 2.0 device/host/OTG, 36 digital I/O pins, multiple serial interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), a 10-bit ADC with up to 13 channels, and nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current in the nanoamp range. The 44-QFN package provides a small 8x8 mm footprint with an exposed thermal pad for improved heat dissipation, making it well-suited for space-constrained USB dongles, sensor hubs, and consumer peripherals.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers, USB-to-UART bridges, low-power sensor data loggers, and battery-powered IoT edge nodes. The wide 2.0-3.6V operating range and deep-sleep modes allow direct Li-ion or 2xAA battery operation while still supporting USB when plugged in.
When designing with this part, place the 44-QFN exposed pad over a continuous ground plane with multiple thermal vias to meet the package's thermal and electrical requirements. Decoupling capacitors must be placed as close as possible to the VDD/VSS pins and the VUSB pin, following the USB transceiver layout guidelines in the datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC18LF46J50-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 PIC18LF46J50-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, MSL Level, Core Architecture, Data RAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC18LF46J50T-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18F46J50-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46J50-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46J53-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC18LF46K40-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC18LF46J50-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC18 (8-bit) |
| Series | PIC® XLP™ 18J |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 48 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 64 KB (32K x 16) |
| Data RAM | 4 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 36 |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (Device/Host/OTG) |
| ADC | 10-bit |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC18LF46J50-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RB5/KBI1/PGM — PORTB bit 5 / Keyboard interrupt / ICSP programming |
| Pin 2 | RB4/AN11/KBI0 — PORTB bit 4 / ADC input 11 / Keyboard interrupt |
| Pin 3 | RB3/AN9/CCP2 — PORTB bit 3 / ADC input 9 / Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Pin 4 | RB2/AN8/CCP1 — PORTB bit 2 / ADC input 8 / Capture/Compare/PWM |
| Pin 5 | RB1/AN10 — PORTB bit 1 / ADC input 10 |
| Pin 6 | RB0/AN12/FLT0 — PORTB bit 0 / ADC input 12 / PWM fault input |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.0V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 9 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / ADC input 0 |
| Pin 10 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / ADC input 1 |
| Pin 11 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / ADC input 2 / ADC reference minus |
| Pin 12 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / ADC input 3 / ADC reference plus |
| Pin 13 | RA4/AN4 — PORTA bit 4 / ADC input 4 |
| Pin 14 | RA5/AN5 — PORTA bit 5 / ADC input 5 |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 16 | OSC1/RA7 — Oscillator input / PORTA bit 7 |
| Pin 17 | OSC2/RA6 — Oscillator output / PORTA bit 6 |
| Pin 18 | RC0/SOSCO — PORTC bit 0 / Secondary oscillator output |
| Pin 19 | RC1/SOSCI — PORTC bit 1 / Secondary oscillator input |
| Pin 20 | RC2/CCP2 — PORTC bit 2 / Capture/Compare/PWM 2 |
| Pin 21 | RC3/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / I2C clock |
| Pin 22 | RC4/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / I2C data |
| Pin 23 | RC5 — PORTC bit 5 |
| Pin 24 | RC6/TX1/CK1 — PORTC bit 6 / UART1 TX / USART clock |
| Pin 25 | RC7/RX1/DT1 — PORTC bit 7 / UART1 RX / USART data |
| Pin 26 | VUSB — USB transceiver internal 3.3V regulator output (bypass cap required) |
| Pin 27 | D- — USB differential data minus |
| Pin 28 | D+ — USB differential data plus |
| Pin 29 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 30 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 31 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 32 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 33 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 34 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 35 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 36 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port data |
| Pin 37 | RE0/RD — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel slave port read |
| Pin 38 | RE1/WR — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel slave port write |
| Pin 39 | RE2/CS — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel slave port chip select |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive power supply (2.0V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 41 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 42 | RF1/AN6/C2OUT — PORTF bit 1 / ADC input 6 / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 43 | RF2/AN7/C1OUT — PORTF bit 2 / ADC input 7 / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 44 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC18LF46J50-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse), USB-to-UART Bridge / CDC Device, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, USB Barcode Scanner / Data Logger, USB Audio Class Device (Headset Dongle), USB Firmware Bootloader Host.
USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard/Mouse)
The PIC18LF46J50-I/ML is an ideal host for USB HID peripherals because of its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver, 64 KB Flash for HID descriptors and keymap tables, and 36 GPIO pins for matrix key scanning. At 48 MHz the CPU executes the USB polling interval with substantial headroom for key debouncing, LED animation, and backlight PWM. The nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep mode lets a wireless keyboard sleep in nanoamp currents and wake on interrupt to extend battery life across months of standby.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge / CDC Device
The integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver and 4 KB RAM make the PIC18LF46J50-I/ML a natural fit for USB-to-UART bridge adapters and CDC virtual COM port designs. The 48 MHz core handles USB protocol stack plus UART DMA streaming with minimal CPU loading. Compared to dedicated bridge ICs, this part offers programmable baud rates, custom IO commands, and the ability to upgrade firmware in-field via the USB bootloader, all in a compact 44-QFN footprint ideal for USB dongles.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
With 2.0-3.6V operation and nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current in the nanoamp range, the PIC18LF46J50-I/ML runs directly from a single Li-ion or 2xAA battery cell while still supporting USB when plugged in for charging or data transfer. The 10-bit ADC samples up to 13 analog sensor channels, and 64 KB Flash accommodates application firmware plus USB stacks. The 36 GPIO pins handle multiple sensors, I2C peripherals, and a status LED, all in an 8x8 mm QFN suitable for wearables and remote sensor pods.
Recommended
USB Barcode Scanner / Data Logger
The PIC18LF46J50-I/ML serves as the controller for USB-connected barcode scanners and portable data loggers, leveraging its 64 KB Flash for image-decoding firmware and 4 KB RAM for scan buffering. The integrated USB device interface presents as a HID keyboard or CDC serial device to the host without external ICs, reducing BOM and PCB area. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports warehouse and cold-chain logistics deployments.
Recommended
USB Audio Class Device (Headset Dongle)
The PIC18LF46J50-I/ML can implement USB Audio Class 1.0 device firmware for low-cost USB headset adapters, with the 48 MHz core providing enough bandwidth for isochronous USB audio at 16-bit/48 kHz alongside basic volume control logic. The 44-QFN exposed pad handles thermal dissipation cleanly in a sealed dongle enclosure. GPIO pins drive mute buttons and status LEDs without external glue logic.
Recommended
USB Firmware Bootloader Host
The PIC18LF46J50-I/ML is commonly deployed as a USB host bootloader for in-field firmware updates of PIC18-based sensor or motor nodes. The integrated USB host/OTG controller plus 64 KB Flash holds both the USB stack and the bootloader image simultaneously, while the 10-bit ADC verifies supply rails before handoff to the application. The wide 2.0-3.6V supply range lets the same hardware run from USB VBUS or a battery.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC18LF46J50-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC18LF46J50T-I/ML | PIC18F46J50-I/ML | PIC18LF46J50-I/PT | PIC18LF46J53-I/ML | PIC18LF46K40-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-TQFP - same die, different land pattern | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) - same |
| CPU Frequency | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 48 MHz | 64 MHz |
| Program Flash | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| Data RAM | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 4 KB | 16 KB |
| USB 2.0 Interface | Integrated FS Device/Host/OTG | Integrated FS - same | Integrated FS - same | Integrated FS - same | Integrated FS - same | None (K-series drop USB) |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 10-bit | 12-bit |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver with on-chip pull-up (vs PIC18LF46K40-I/ML)
- True drop-in tape-and-reel production variant in same 44-QFN package (vs PIC18LF46J50T-I/ML)
- nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current for battery-powered USB designs (vs PIC18LF46K40-I/ML)
Design Notes
The 44-QFN (ML) package requires the central exposed thermal pad to be soldered to a continuous ground plane with at least 9 thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pitch) for proper thermal and electrical performance. Per the Microchip PIC18LF46J50 datasheet section on package guidelines, missing vias under the EP will void the thermal rating and can cause erratic oscillator behavior. Keep the GND pour unbroken under the EP and stitch it to the bottom ground plane.
Place the 100 nF VDD/VSS decoupling capacitors as close as possible (less than 3 mm trace length) to each power pin pair. Add a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor on the main VDD rail and a 220 nF capacitor on the VUSB pin output, as recommended in the Microchip PIC18LF46J50 datasheet USB hardware design notes. The USB D+ and D- traces must be 90 ohm differential, length-matched within 2 mm, and routed over an unbroken ground plane to meet USB 2.0 full-speed signal-integrity requirements.
Do not float the VUSB pin - it must have a decoupling capacitor even if USB is not used, otherwise the internal 3.3V USB regulator can oscillate and inject noise into VDD. When USB is unused, tie D+ and D- to ground through 10k resistors. The LF suffix denotes the 2.0-3.6V low-voltage variant; do not substitute a non-LF J50 without re-checking brown-out and voltage-tolerance settings for battery-powered designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page; lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020. The I-temp (-40C to +85C) variant is industrial-grade; no AEC-Q100 automotive grade is available for this exact MPN.