DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 - 100MHz 16-Bit DSC CAN-FD | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.1 | $2.10 |
| 10 | $1.95 | $19.50 |
| 100 | $1.75 | $175.00 |
| 500 | $1.6 | $800.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.45 | $1,450.00 |
DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational throughput of a digital signal processor with the peripheral integration and control architecture of a microcontroller. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, DSCs occupy the layer between general-purpose MCUs and dedicated DSPs, making them the standard choice for closed-loop control loops that require both fast multiply-accumulate math and rich on-chip analog peripherals.
Key features of this device include three integrated operational amplifiers, three analog comparators, CAN Flexible Data (CAN FD) support, and a Programmable Timing Generator (PTG). The dsPIC33CK family is distinguished by its High-Resolution PWM, enabling industry-leading PWM resolutions for digital power conversion and motor control topologies such as LLC, totem-pole PFC, and field-oriented control.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33CK core is a modified Harvard, 16-bit pipeline machine with DSP-enhanced instructions, barrel shifter, and DMA channels that offload data movement from the CPU. This allows single-cycle MAC operations for filtering and control-law computation while peripherals run concurrently. According to Microchip product documentation, the family is positioned for digital power, motor control, advanced sensing, and high-efficiency embedded control applications, and includes Functional Safety (FuSa) support packages.
Typical applications include switch-mode power supplies and digital LED drivers, PMSM/BLDC and ACIM motor drives, automotive and industrial CAN FD nodes, and power-factor-correction stages where high-resolution PWM and fast analog comparators are essential.
Design consideration: the 36-pin UQFN (5x5) exposes the die pad beneath the package, which must be soldered to a grounded copper pour for thermal dissipation and signal integrity; plan VDD decoupling (100 nF per pin pair) close to supply pins.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey, Mouser, and LCSC, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone. Pricing shown is as of 2026-09-23.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33CK256MP503T-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 DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Flash Program Memory, Functional Safety Support, Operating Temperature, PWM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33CK256MP503T-H/M5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK256MP503T-E/M5
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK128MP503T-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.04 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK64MP503T-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CK32MP503T-I/M5
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33CK DSC core |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 100 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| RAM | 24 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Package | 36-UQFN (5x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| On-chip Operational Amplifiers | 3 |
| On-chip Comparators | 3 |
| CAN Interface | CAN FD (Flexible Data) |
| Programmable Timing Generator | Yes (PTG) |
| PWM | High-Resolution PWM |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Functional Safety Support | Yes (FuSa) |
DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 36-uqfn (5x5 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33CK256MP503T-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 DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 is suitable for 6 applications: Digital Switch-Mode Power Supplies, BLDC/PMSM Motor Control, Automotive and Industrial CAN FD Nodes, Advanced Sensing and Signal Conditioning, LED Lighting and Electronic Ballasts, Embedded Control and IoT Gateways.
Digital Switch-Mode Power Supplies
The DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 fits digital power conversion because its High-Resolution PWM delivers fine duty-cycle granularity for LLC, buck, boost, and totem-pole PFC topologies, while the three on-chip comparators implement nanosecond-class cycle-by-cycle overcurrent protection without external components. The 100 MHz 16-bit DSP core executes control-law compensation loops with single-cycle MAC instructions, and the 3 integrated op-amps amplify current-shunt signals directly, reducing BOM cost and board area. Placed as the digital controller between the feedback divider and the PWM gate-driver stage, the device runs the voltage/current loop in firmware with deterministic latency; the trade-off versus a hardware controller is firmware development effort, repaid by full configurability of control laws and communication (CAN FD) integration in one chip.
Recommended
BLDC/PMSM Motor Control
For field-oriented control of BLDC and PMSM motors, the DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 provides the classic three-shunt sensing path: its three operational amplifiers buffer phase-current shunts, its three comparators feed hardware overcurrent trip inputs, and its High-Resolution PWM drives the inverter gate drivers with fine resolution for low-torque-ripple sinusoidal commutation. The 100 MHz core sustains FOC loop rates in the tens of kHz, and the Programmable Timing Generator sequences ADC sampling synchronously with PWM events to minimize measurement noise. The device operates from a 3V to 3.6V rail at -40C to +85C, matching industrial drive environments. Compared with analog control, firmware-based FOC on this DSC enables sensorless algorithms and parameter adaptation without hardware changes.
Recommended
Automotive and Industrial CAN FD Nodes
The integrated CAN Flexible Data (CAN FD) controller makes the DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 a strong fit for networked control nodes in industrial automation and vehicle subsystems. CAN FD increases payload to 64 bytes and accelerates the data phase bit-rate, letting a single node carry both real-time control traffic and richer diagnostics. The DigiKey listing highlights the Functional Safety (FuSa) support variant family, relevant for safety-oriented designs. The 24 KB RAM buffers message FIFOs with DMA assistance, keeping CPU load low while the 100 MHz core runs the local control loop. Interface the CAN pins to an external CAN FD transceiver and follow Microchip's reference designs for bus termination and ESD protection at the connector.
Recommended
Advanced Sensing and Signal Conditioning
The DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 consolidates a complete analog sensing chain on-chip: three operational amplifiers provide programmable-gain conditioning of sensor outputs, the 12-bit high-speed ADC samples conditioned signals synchronously with the Programmable Timing Generator, and the DSP core applies digital filtering using single-cycle MAC instructions. This architecture suits high-precision current, pressure, and position sensing systems where phase alignment between sampling and excitation matters. The 256 KB Flash accommodates calibration tables, compensation algorithms, and communication stacks simultaneously. Because conditioning is firmware-configurable, one PCB design can support multiple sensor variants by changing gain and filter coefficients - a significant advantage over fixed analog front ends in product families with shared hardware platforms.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Electronic Ballasts
Digital LED drivers benefit directly from the DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5's High-Resolution PWM, which provides the fine duty and phase resolution required for dimming accuracy, flicker-free operation, and multi-channel color mixing. The on-chip comparators protect against inductor overcurrent in buck or boost LED topologies with cycle-by-cycle limiting, while the 3 op-amps read current-sense and output-voltage feedback without external amplifiers. CAN FD connectivity allows luminaires to join building-automation networks natively. The 100 MHz core executes power-factor-correction and constant-current loops concurrently in firmware. Operating from a 3V to 3.6V supply at -40C to +85C, the device tolerates the elevated ambient temperatures typical of sealed luminaire housings.
Recommended
Embedded Control and IoT Gateways
As a general embedded controller, the DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 combines 256 KB Flash and 24 KB RAM at 100 MHz - sufficient for a full application, a bootloader, and a communication stack in a single 36-pin UQFN measuring only 5x5 mm. The Programmable Timing Generator offloads deterministic timing tasks such as sensor polling and pulse generation from the CPU, and DMA channels move ADC and UART/CAN data without core intervention. The small UQFN footprint suits dense IoT sensor nodes and compact industrial controllers, though the exposed die pad requires a solid grounded copper pour for thermal and signal-integrity reasons. LCSC stock from $2.0969 (as of 2026-09-23) makes it cost-effective for volume designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33CK256MP503T-I/M5 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33CK256MP503T-H/M5 | DSPIC33CK256MP503T-E/M5 | DSPIC33CK128MP503T-I/M5 | DSPIC33CK64MP503T-I/M5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 36-UQFN (5x5) | 36-UQFN (5x5) - same | 36-UQFN (5x5) - same | 36-UQFN (5x5) - same | 36-UQFN (5x5) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Clock | 16-bit dsPIC33CK, 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz | 100 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +85C (I) | Extended (H grade, up to +150C per Microchip USA) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| Op-Amps / Comparators | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 |
| CAN FD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Full 256 KB Flash in a compact 36-pin UQFN (vs DSPIC33CK128MP503T-I/M5)
- Integrated analog front end (vs DSPIC33CK256MP503T-H/M5)
- Native CAN FD connectivity (vs DSPIC33CK64MP503T-I/M5)
Design Notes
The 36-pin UQFN (5x5 mm, M5) package includes an exposed die pad on the bottom side that must be soldered to a copper pour for both thermal dissipation and ground integrity. Design the land pattern per the Microchip datasheet with an array of thermal vias connecting the pad to inner ground planes. The 0.5 mm pin pitch requires careful stencil design - use a reduced-coverage aperture on the die pad (about 50-70%) to avoid voiding and solder bridging during reflow.
The device operates from a nominal 3.3V supply within a 3V to 3.6V range. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors on each VDD/VDDCORE pin pair as close to the pins as possible, plus one bulk 10 uF capacitor per supply domain. Follow Microchip's datasheet guidance on the internal core regulator decoupling; an under-decoupled VDDCORE pin is a common cause of erratic operation at the full 100 MHz clock rate.
When using the three on-chip op-amps for current-shunt sensing in motor or power applications, route the shunt sense traces as Kelvin connections directly to the amplifier input pins, keeping them away from PWM gate-drive switching nodes. Use the integrated comparators with the internal DAC reference for hardware overcurrent trips, since firmware-based protection cannot respond within the sub-microsecond timescale of power-stage faults.
Do not assume temperature-grade interchangeability without checking ratings: the -I grade is specified to +85C, while -E and -H variants extend to higher ambient temperatures. Also confirm that firmware compiled for the 256 KB MP503 fits the 128 KB MP128 variant before committing to a cost-optimized substitution, and always validate peripheral-to-pin assignments against the 36-pin UQFN pin diagram in the official Microchip datasheet.
Compliance Information
Compliance declarations were not present in the retrieved distributor snippets; confirm RoHS/REACH status on the official Microchip product page or its compliance documentation. The -I/-E/-H suffixes denote temperature grades, not automotive qualification.
