DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 - 16-bit 100MIPS DSC, CAN FD | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.41 | $2.41 |
| 10 | $2.29 | $22.90 |
| 100 | $2.05 | $205.00 |
| 500 | $1.9 | $950.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.78 | $1,780.00 |
DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational throughput of a DSP with the peripheral integration and deterministic interrupt behavior of a microcontroller. In the embedded control hierarchy, the DSC sits between general-purpose MCUs and dedicated DSPs: it executes mathematical kernels (MAC, DSP instructions) fast enough for field-oriented control (FOC) loops while retaining flash-based code storage, watchdogs, and rich timers. Microchip's dsPIC33C family extends this concept with a pipelined 16-bit core and tightly coupled PWM and ADC peripherals for closed-loop power conversion.
Key differentiating features include the 100 MIPS deterministic core, integrated high-speed PWM with advanced modes for motor and digital power topologies, an on-chip 12-bit ADC able to sample control-loop feedback synchronously with the PWM, and two integrated operational amplifiers that condition current-shunt signals without external op-amp ICs. CAN Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) connectivity supports industrial and automotive networking at data rates beyond classical CAN.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33CK core pairs a 16-bit modified Harvard pipeline with DSP multiply-accumulate instructions, zero-overhead loops, and a hardware DO/REPEAT mechanism, keeping FOC loop execution deterministic. The peripheral ecosystem (PWM triggers chaining into ADC conversions) minimizes software latency between sampling and drive update, a critical parameter for control-loop stability in high-frequency power stages.
Typical applications include brushless DC and PMSM motor control for industrial drives and appliances, digitally controlled AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies, and CAN FD networked sensing or actuation nodes in industrial and automotive subsystems. The integrated op-amps and 12-bit ADC make single-chip current sensing practical, reducing BOM count in compact motor-control boards.
Design consideration: the 3.0 V to 3.6 V supply range requires a regulated 3.3 V rail; decouple AVDD and VDD independently and place the op-amp feedback networks close to the device. UQFN packages also need careful exposed-pad soldering for ground integrity.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives within the dsPIC33CK/dsPIC33CH families, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 — 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 DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, RAM, RoHS Status, CAN Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33CK256MC503-E/M5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK128MC503T-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK256MC504-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CH128MP203-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH64MP503-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | dsPIC33CK 16-bit DSC |
| CPU Speed | 100 MHz / 100 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256KB (256K x 8) |
| RAM | 32KB (32K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Count | 27 |
| ADC Resolution | 12-bit |
| CAN Interface | CAN FD |
| Integrated Op-Amps | Yes (on-chip op-amps) |
| PWM | High-Speed PWM |
| Package | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Safety Feature | Functional Safety (FuSa) support |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 36-uqfn (5x5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 (36-uqfn (5x5 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC/PMSM Motor Control (FOC), Digitally Controlled Power Supplies, CAN FD Networked Industrial Nodes, Automotive Subsystem Control, Sensor Signal Acquisition and Processing, High-Performance General Embedded Control.
BLDC/PMSM Motor Control (FOC)
The DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 fits field-oriented control because its 100 MIPS deterministic core closes current loops fast enough for high electrical-speed motors, while the high-speed PWM module synchronously triggers the 12-bit ADC at PWM centers to minimize switching-noise in current samples. The integrated op-amps amplify low-side shunt voltages, removing external amplifier ICs and their offset errors from the BOM. Typical deployment places the controller between the current shunts and a three-phase gate-driver stage; PWM resolution supports Complementary Output mode with dead-time insertion. The quantified benefit is deterministic loop latency: with hardware-triggered ADC and DSP MAC instructions, sampling-to-PWM-update jitter stays in the sub-microsecond class, improving torque ripple and control-loop stability margins in compact appliance and industrial drives.
Recommended
Digitally Controlled Power Supplies
In AC-DC and DC-DC converters, the DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 replaces analog control chips with a firmware-defined compensator. The high-speed PWM provides complementary outputs with programmable dead time and phase-shift modes suitable for LLC, half-bridge and buck topologies, while the 12-bit ADC samples output voltage and inductor/shunt current synchronously with PWM edges for clean feedback. Running the control loop at 100 MIPS leaves ample margin for the compensator, protection routines (over-current, over-voltage, brown-out) and CAN FD telemetry in server or telecom power shelves. The quantified benefit is update-rate headroom: multi-hundred-kHz switching frequencies remain within the controller's deterministic budget, and firmware compensation allows tuning of loop dynamics without hardware respins during board bring-up.
Recommended
CAN FD Networked Industrial Nodes
For industrial sensing and actuation nodes, the DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 integrates CAN Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) on-chip, eliminating an external CAN controller. CAN FD raises the payload phase data rate beyond classical CAN, enabling faster diagnostic and firmware-update traffic on factory buses. The 100 MIPS core handles the application protocol, 12-bit ADC acquires analog sensor channels, and the 27 I/O pins drive relays, indicators or encoders; the 256KB Flash leaves room for a bootloader plus field-upgradeable protocol stacks. The quantified benefit is BOM reduction: one 36-UQFN device replaces MCU plus CAN controller plus op-amp conditioning, shrinking node size and cost while Functional Safety (FuSa) support aids compliance workflows in industrial equipment.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystem Control
The DSPIC33CK256MC50X family is positioned by Microchip for automotive-segment applications including pump, fan, and small actuator motor control. The integrated CAN FD interface connects the node to vehicle networks with bandwidth headroom for diagnostics, while the op-amps and 12-bit ADC implement current and position feedback loops without external analog front ends. Within the -40C to +85C industrial grade of the -I/M5 suffix, the device suits body-domain and auxiliary drives; environments reaching +125C should use the drop-in -E/M5 extended-temperature variant instead. The quantified benefit is single-chip integration of control loop plus networking, which reduces PCB area in the tight enclosures typical of automotive actuator modules and shortens the qualification path via Microchip's FuSa documentation.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Acquisition and Processing
The DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 serves as a compact analog front-end plus DSP engine: its 12-bit ADC digitizes sensor outputs, and the on-chip operational amplifiers provide gain and buffering for low-level signals such as shunts, thermistors, and bridge sensors. The DSP instructions (multiply-accumulate, zero-overhead loops) run digital filters - IIR notch, FIR, and RMS computation - in real time at 100 MIPS, while CAN FD streams processed results to a host controller. The 32KB RAM accommodates waveform buffering for event capture. The quantified benefit is localized intelligence: filtering and threshold decisions execute on-node within microseconds, reducing bus traffic and host loading in distributed monitoring architectures across industrial and HVAC equipment.
Recommended
High-Performance General Embedded Control
Beyond motor and power applications, the DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 is a strong fit for high-performance general embedded systems that need DSP-class math: digital audio effects, ultrasonic drivers, QR/barcode scanning front ends, and closed-loop heaters. The 100 MHz core outpaces general-purpose 16-bit MCUs while retaining Microchip's peripheral ecosystem; 256KB Flash stores feature-rich firmware including USB, display and communication stacks, and the 36-UQFN 5x5 footprint fits dense two-layer boards. Development uses Microchip MPLAB X IDE, XC16 compiler, and ICSP programming via any PGECx/PGEDx pair - note pairs must be used together (e.g., PGEC2 with PGED2). The quantified benefit is headroom: real-time DSP kernels leave CPU margin for application logic, avoiding a premature MCU migration.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33CK256MC503-E/M5 | DSPIC33CK128MC503T-I/M5 | DSPIC33CH64MP503-I/M5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) - same | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 256KB | 256KB | 128KB | 64KB |
| CPU Performance | 100 MHz / 100 MIPS (single core) | 100 MHz / 100 MIPS (single core) | 100 MHz / 100 MIPS (single core) | Dual-core dsPIC33CH |
| CAN FD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 3 V to 3.6 V | 3 V to 3.6 V | 3 V to 3.6 V | 3 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Double the Flash at identical cost class (vs DSPIC33CK128MC503T-I/M5)
- Single-core deterministic control at lowest complexity (vs DSPIC33CH64MP503-I/M5)
- Extended temperature drop-in option (vs DSPIC33CK256MC503-E/M5)
Design Notes
The DSPIC33CK256MC503-I/M5 requires a regulated 3.0 V to 3.6 V rail. Decouple VDD and AVDD separately with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of each pin pair, plus a bulk 4.7 uF to 10 uF capacitor near the device. When running the 100 MHz core at full load with PWM outputs active, budget for core plus I/O current in the supply design; a 3.3 V LDO rated 200 mA or more is a conservative choice for single-chip controller boards. Estimated: this current budget is a design guideline, not a datasheet figure - verify exact ICC from the manufacturer datasheet electrical characteristics section.
The 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) M5 package has a center exposed pad that must be soldered to a grounded copper island for reliable thermal and ground performance. Define the PCB land pattern per Microchip's UQFN application note, with via array under the pad for heat spreading. Keep the op-amp feedback networks and ADC input traces short and away from PWM/high-current traces; use a solid ground plane under the analog section to protect 12-bit ADC accuracy from switching noise.
ICSP programming requires PGECx/PGEDx pins used strictly as matched pairs - if PGEC2 carries ICSPCLK, ICSDAT must be on PGED2 (per Microchip ICSP guidance cited by northernsoftware.com). Mixing pairs is a common bring-up failure. Also, do not exceed the 3.6 V maximum supply; the device is not 5 V tolerant on all pins, so level-shift any 5 V signals. Reserve Flash headroom for a bootloader when using CAN FD field updates on the 256KB device.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status per Microchip standard catalog offering; REACH/halogen-free/conflict-minerals details not present in provided data - verify on Microchip's environmental page.
