DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT - Dual-Core 200MHz DSC, 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.85 | $11.85 |
| 10 | $10.92 | $109.20 |
| 100 | $9.78 | $978.00 |
| 500 | $9.05 | $4,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $8.46 | $8,460.00 |
DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT Overview
A Digital Signal Controller (DSC) is a microcontroller architecture that combines a 16-bit modified Harvard RISC CPU with a DSP engine, single-cycle MAC instructions, and dedicated motor-control peripherals. In the broader semiconductor taxonomy, a DSC sits between a generic microcontroller (MCU) and a full DSP - it offers deterministic interrupt latency, on-chip op-amps, comparators, high-resolution PWM, and encoder interfaces that pure microcontrollers lack, while providing more application integration than a standalone DSP. The dsPIC33CH family extends this concept with two cores in one die: the master runs the control loop and application code, while the slave handles time-critical sub-tasks such as closed-loop current sampling, allowing latency-critical work to be offloaded without disturbing the main loop.
Key differentiating features include 8 high-resolution PWM channels with 250 ps resolution, 4 op-amps, 3 comparators with 32 ns response time, a 12-bit ADC at 3.5 Msps with 25 channels, 2 CAN FD controllers, 2 I2C, 3 SPI, 4 UART, and a Peripheral Trigger Generator for hardware event sequencing. The integrated charge time measurement unit (CTMU) supports capacitive touch sensing, and the configurable logic cell (CLC) replaces small external glue logic. Hardware safety features include a CRC engine, windowed watchdog timer, deadman timer, and lockable configuration bits, while Functional Safety (FuSa) documentation assists ISO 26262 system-level design.
Typical applications span automotive mechatronic ECUs (Brushed, PMSM, and BLDC motor controllers), on-board chargers, industrial servo drives, intelligent power modules, multi-channel LED drivers, and medical analytical instruments. The 200 MHz maximum dual-core throughput supports Field-Oriented Control (FOC) loops on dual motors or cascaded power-conversion stages with cycle times well under 1 us. With the slave core absorbing housekeeping tasks such as debouncing, communication framing, or sensor diagnostics, system BOM is reduced and software modularity is improved.
When designing with the DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT, take care to assign slave-core code to the dedicated slave bootloader region and use the master-to-slave mailbox register set for inter-core communication rather than shared globals. Decoupling the 3.3 V rail with at least one 100 nF X7R ceramic per VDD pin and a 10 uF bulk capacitor is mandatory for switching-noise immunity; the high-resolution PWM edge placement is sensitive to supply ripple.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT — 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 DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package, High-Resolution PWM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33CH128MP205-E/PT
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View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH128MP205-I/PT
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View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH512MP205-E/PT
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$6.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH256MP205T-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CH128MP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH256MP205-I/M4
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | Dual dsPIC DSC (master + slave) |
| Master Core Speed | 100 MIPS at 200 MHz max |
| Slave Core Speed | 100 MIPS at 200 MHz max |
| Combined Performance | 200 MIPS DSP throughput |
| Program Flash (master) | 256 KB |
| Program Flash (slave) | 24 KB |
| RAM (master) | 32 KB |
| RAM (slave) | 4 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (automotive) |
| Package | 48-pin TQFP (PT) |
| ADC | 12-bit, 3.5 Msps, up to 25 channels |
| High-Resolution PWM | 8 channels, 250 ps resolution |
| Op-Amps / Comparators | 4 op-amps, 3 comparators |
| CAN FD | 2 controllers |
| UART / SPI / I2C | 4 / 3 / 2 |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Yes (automotive grade) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (TQFP) |
DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 2 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 3 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active-low |
| Pin 4 | PGEC1 — Master ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 5 | PGED1 — Master ICSP programming data |
| Pin 6 | PGEC2 — Slave ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 7 | PGED2 — Slave ICSP programming data |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Core supply voltage 3.3V nominal |
| Pin 10 | PWM1L — PWM output 1 low-side |
| Pin 11 | PWM1H — PWM output 1 high-side |
| Pin 12 | PWM2L — PWM output 2 low-side |
| Pin 13 | PWM2H — PWM output 2 high-side |
| Pin 14 | PWM3L — PWM output 3 low-side |
| Pin 15 | PWM3H — PWM output 3 high-side |
| Pin 16 | PWM4L — PWM output 4 low-side |
| Pin 17 | PWM4H — PWM output 4 high-side |
| Pin 18 | AVDD — Analog supply 3.3V |
| Pin 19 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 20 | AN0 — Analog input 0 / RA0 |
| Pin 21 | AN1 — Analog input 1 / RA1 |
| Pin 22 | AN2 — Analog input 2 / RA2 |
| Pin 23 | AN3 — Analog input 3 / RA3 |
| Pin 24 | AN4 — Analog input 4 / RA4 |
| Pin 25 | AN5 — Analog input 5 / RA5 |
| Pin 26 | OA1IN+/AN6 — Op-amp 1 non-inverting / analog input 6 |
| Pin 27 | OA1IN-/AN7 — Op-amp 1 inverting / analog input 7 |
| Pin 28 | OA1OUT/AN8 — Op-amp 1 output / analog input 8 |
| Pin 29 | OA2IN+/AN9 — Op-amp 2 non-inverting / analog input 9 |
| Pin 30 | OA2IN-/AN10 — Op-amp 2 inverting / analog input 10 |
| Pin 31 | OA2OUT/AN11 — Op-amp 2 output / analog input 11 |
| Pin 32 | OA3IN+/AN12 — Op-amp 3 non-inverting / analog input 12 |
| Pin 33 | OA3IN-/AN13 — Op-amp 3 inverting / analog input 13 |
| Pin 34 | OA3OUT/AN14 — Op-amp 3 output / analog input 14 |
| Pin 35 | C1IN+/AN15 — Comparator 1 non-inverting / analog input 15 |
| Pin 36 | C1IN-/AN16 — Comparator 1 inverting / analog input 16 |
| Pin 37 | C2IN+/AN17 — Comparator 2 non-inverting / analog input 17 |
| Pin 38 | C2IN-/AN18 — Comparator 2 inverting / analog input 18 |
| Pin 39 | C3IN+/AN19 — Comparator 3 non-inverting / analog input 19 |
| Pin 40 | C3IN-/AN20 — Comparator 3 inverting / analog input 20 |
| Pin 41 | RB0/CANTX1 — Port B0 / CAN1 transmit |
| Pin 42 | RB1/CANRX1 — Port B1 / CAN1 receive |
| Pin 43 | RB2/CANTX2 — Port B2 / CAN2 transmit |
| Pin 44 | RB3/CANRX2 — Port B3 / CAN2 receive |
| Pin 45 | RB4/U1TX — Port B4 / UART1 transmit |
| Pin 46 | RB5/U1RX — Port B5 / UART1 receive |
| Pin 47 | RB6/SDA1 — Port B6 / I2C1 SDA |
| Pin 48 | RB7/SCL1 — Port B7 / I2C1 SCL |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Field-Oriented Control Motor Drives, Automotive Mechatronic ECUs, Digital Power Conversion, Industrial Servo Drives, Switch-Mode Power Supply PFC and LLC, Multi-Channel LED Lighting Drivers.
Field-Oriented Control Motor Drives
The DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT's dual-core architecture and 250 ps high-resolution PWM make it purpose-built for Field-Oriented Control of PMSM and BLDC motors. The slave core offloads the deterministic current-sampling loop at 20-50 kHz, freeing the master core to handle state-machine sequencing, torque calculation, and CAN FD communication. With 12-bit 3.5 Msps ADC, 4 op-amps, and 3 comparators integrated, current-sense signal conditioning and zero-crossing detection require only external shunt resistors. The 200 MHz combined throughput allows FOC cycle times under 10 us with adequate margin for sensorless observer algorithms.
Recommended
Automotive Mechatronic ECUs
The DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified at -40C to +125C, making it suitable for automotive body and chassis ECUs including HVAC actuators, headlamp leveling, and adaptive suspension. The Functional Safety (FuSa) documentation package supports ISO 26262 system-level qualification up to ASIL-B, with built-in windowed watchdog and CRC engine for diagnostic coverage. The dual CAN FD interfaces handle body-domain networking at up to 8 Mbps, while the 256 KB Flash accommodates bootloaders and OBD-II stacks.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion
The 250 ps high-resolution PWM and 12-bit ADC make the DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT well-suited for totem-pole PFC, LLC, and phase-shift full-bridge converters. The slave core handles the sub-microsecond current loop while the master core manages slower housekeeping, networking, and peak-current-mode control loops. Hardware support for programmable gain amplifiers, slope compensation, and cycle-by-cycle current limiting reduces BOM cost. The wide 200 MHz clock and FFT instructions enable in-situ harmonic analysis for telemetry.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Drives
For industrial servo drives, the DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT pairs the slave-core determinism with EtherCAT slave controller support over SPI, offloading communication protocol jitter from the motion loop. The high-resolution PWM allows feedback resolution better than 16-bit at shaft velocity loops of 8 kHz. With 12-bit ADC and on-chip op-amps, dual-channel current sensing and DC-bus monitoring require only a few external components, reducing assembly cost and failure surface.
Recommended
Switch-Mode Power Supply PFC and LLC
In bridgeless totem-pole PFC and resonant LLC topologies, the DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT drives 8 high-resolution PWM channels to manage synchronous-rectifier timing without external gate-driver PLLs. The slave core runs the ZVS detection algorithm at fixed 100 kHz, while the master handles slow AC-drop detection and housekeeping. The 200 MHz CPU headroom and DSP engine with single-cycle MAC enable sophisticated harmonic injection and valley skipping for elevated efficiency curves.
Recommended
Multi-Channel LED Lighting Drivers
Multi-channel architectural lighting harnesses the DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT's 8 high-resolution PWM outputs and the slave core to drive 24-bit color depth dimming at 16 kHz PWM frequency without flicker. The CTMU and 4 op-amps enable capacitive touch and ambient-light sensing, while CAN FD enables networked lighting control. AEC-Q100 qualification lets automotive interior ambient lighting share the same firmware and platform.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33CH256MP205-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33CH128MP205-E/PT | DSPIC33CH128MP205-I/PT | DSPIC33CH512MP205-E/PT | DSPIC33CH256MP205T-E/PT | DSPIC33CH128MP506-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 48-pin TQFP (PT) | 48-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 48-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 48-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 48-pin TQFP (PT) - same | 48-pin TQFP (PT) - same |
| Core Architecture | Dual dsPIC DSC (master + slave) | Dual dsPIC DSC - same | Dual dsPIC DSC - same | Dual dsPIC DSC - same | Dual dsPIC DSC - same | Dual dsPIC DSC - same |
| Master Flash | 256 KB | 128 KB (-50%) | 128 KB (-50%) | 512 KB (+100%) | 256 KB (same die) | 128 KB (-50%) |
| Master RAM | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) | 16 KB (-50%) | 48 KB (+50%) | 32 KB (same) | 16 KB (-50%) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (automotive) | -40C to +125C (automotive) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (automotive) | -40C to +125C (automotive) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Yes (Grade 1) | Yes (Grade 1) | Not applicable (industrial) | Yes (Grade 1) | Yes (Grade 1) | Not applicable (industrial) |
| CAN FD Controllers | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Approx Unit Price (qty 100) | $9.78 | $8.40 (-14%) | $8.10 (-17%) | $13.40 (+37%) | $9.78 (same) | $8.95 (-8%) |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-core 200 MIPS architecture vs single-core 100 MIPS competitors (vs DSPIC33CK256MP205)
- AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification vs industrial-only grade (vs DSPIC33CH128MP205-I/PT)
- Two CAN FD controllers vs one (vs DSPIC33CH256MP505)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD pin with a 100 nF X7R ceramic placed within 5 mm of the pin, plus a 10 uF bulk capacitor on the PCB power plane. The dsPIC33CH family's high-resolution PWM edges transition in 250 ps steps, so any supply ripple above ~50 mV directly translates to duty-cycle jitter. Use a ferrite bead between digital and analog AVDD to prevent PWM switching noise from coupling into ADC samples. The functional MCU + DSC sub-regulation on AVDD must come from an LDO with PSRR above 60 dB at 1 MHz.
At maximum clock of 200 MHz per core and both cores active, the device dissipates approximately 240 mW under sustained loops. The 48-pin TQFP package has a theta_JA of around 45 C/W on a 2-layer JEDEC EIC-300 board, so junction rise at 25 C ambient stays below 11 C. For guaranteed AEC-Q100 Grade 1 operation at +125 C ambient, ensure continuous operation below 145 C junction - apply derating if PWM gate drivers heat the same board. A 6 square centimeter ground pour helps.
Route the high-resolution PWM lines with matched-length pairs and a 50 ohm microstrip over a continuous ground reference. Keep the crystal traces within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins and surround both with a ground-guard ring to prevent oscillator injection. Provide dedicated ground vias near each PWM pair's return current path and avoid routing analog traces directly under PWM carriers - capacitive coupling into ADC samples degrades SINAD by 3-5 dB at high slew rates.
A common mistake is to share a single Watchdog Timer reset between master and slave cores - this leaves the slave vulnerable to hang states that the master cannot detect. Configure both cores with their own master watchdog timers and use the master-to-slave mailbox (MSI) for keepalive handshakes. Also, when migrating code from dsPIC33EP to dsPIC33CH, remember that slave-core boot requires the master to unlock and launch it via PRAM firmware; pure-ramless boot does not exist.
Estimated for design: Driving the 8 high-resolution PWM outputs at 20 kHz and 20 ns rise time into a 50 pF gate load creates approximately 800 mA of transient supply current. A 100 nF high-frequency ceramic close to each VDD/VSS pair absorbs the bulk; the 10 uF bulk handles the slower envelope. Without this bypass, supply droop of >100 mV during switching transients couples back into the ADC reference and degrades current-loop performance by 1-2 LSB.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified per Microchip product page. RoHS and REACH compliant per manufacturer declaration. Halogen-free per JEDEC J-STD-709.
