DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML - 16-bit DSC 256KB 70 MIPS AEC-Q100 | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
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DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML Overview
A digital signal controller combines the compute throughput of a digital signal processor with the peripheral integration and ease of use of a microcontroller, sitting in the hierarchy: DSC -> MCU/DSP hybrid -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. dsPIC33E DSCs add hardware DSP multiply-accumulate, fixed-point and fractional math support, so a single chip can run both control loops and signal-processing tasks such as FFTs and digital filters without a companion DSP.
Key features of this part include the 70 MIPS dsPIC core with DSP engine, 256 KB of self-programmable FLASH with ECC-class flash integrity options in the family, high-speed PWM modules purpose-built for motor control, integrated operational amplifiers and advanced analog on the GM series, plus AEC-Q100 qualification for automotive environments.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33E core uses a modified Harvard pipeline with 24-bit instruction words, separate program and data buses, two 40-bit accumulators, and single-cycle MAC operations. The GM304 variant adds on-chip op-amps and higher-resolution analog that reduce external component count in motor-drive and power-conversion signal chains.
Typical applications include brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) control for automotive auxiliary drives, digital power supplies (PFC, LLC), and industrial inverters, where the 70 MIPS core and high-speed PWM deliver precise, deterministic control.
A key design consideration: the -H suffix denotes Microchip's high-temperature automotive grade ordering option - confirm the required temperature grade (-I, -E, or -H) before layout release, and pair every VDD/VSS pin pair with decoupling capacitors placed directly at the pins.
This page synthesizes verified distributor stock data, drop-in family alternatives, and practical motor-control design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/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 DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Program Memory Size, Qualification, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GM304-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP64GM304-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GM604-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC204-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | dsPIC33E 16-bit DSC core |
| Core Size | 16-bit |
| Max Core Performance | 70 MIPS |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| Data RAM Size | 16 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) Exposed Pad (/ML) |
| Pin Count | 44 |
| Qualification | Automotive, AEC-Q100 |
| Series | dsPIC 33EP |
| Peripherals | High-speed PWM, integrated op-amps, advanced analog |
| Max Clock Frequency | 60 MHz (per Microchip USA device description) |
| Data Converters | 12-bit ADC (GM series) |
| Programming Support | ICSP via any PGECx/PGEDx pin pair |
DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML 44-vqfn (8x8 mm) exposed pad (/ml) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML (44-vqfn (8x8 mm) exposed pad (/ml) 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 DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive BLDC / PMSM Motor Control, Digital Power Supplies (PFC / LLC), Industrial Drives and Inverters, Sensor Signal Conditioning and DSP, Embedded Control with CAN / Serial Networking, Battery-Powered and Portable Systems.
Automotive BLDC / PMSM Motor Control
The DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML is purpose-built for precision motor control: its 70 MIPS dsPIC core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops with single-cycle MAC and dual 40-bit accumulators, while the high-speed PWM module generates complementary outputs with dead-time insertion for three-phase inverters. The -H suffix confirms AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, required for electric pumps, fans, actuators, and auxiliary drives. The on-chip op-amps condition shunt-resistor current feedback without external amplifiers, reducing BOM cost and offset error. Placed as the sole controller with 3.3 V supply, it runs the current loop at 10-20 kHz update rates with deterministic latency; the main trade-off is that complex FOC with sensorless observers consumes FLASH headroom, which the 256 KB memory comfortably accommodates.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies (PFC / LLC)
In digital power conversion, the DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML provides the deterministic control timing that switch-mode topologies demand. The 70 MIPS core executes voltage- and current-loop compensators for PFC, LLC, and buck stages, while the high-resolution high-speed PWM supports phase shedding, frequency modulation, and burst mode. The integrated 12-bit ADC triggers synchronously with PWM events so that current sampling lands precisely mid-ramp, avoiding switching-noise corruption. On-chip op-amps buffer current-shunt signals directly, saving external components in space-constrained power supplies. Because the loop math is executed in fixed-point DSP instructions, loop bandwidths in the tens of kilohertz are achievable; the design consideration is that each added protection state machine consumes MIPS budget, so firmware should be profiled at the 70 MIPS ceiling.
Recommended
Industrial Drives and Inverters
For industrial variable-frequency drives, servo stages, and small inverters, the DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML combines 256 KB of self-programmable FLASH with the 70 MIPS DSP engine needed for sensored and sensorless motor algorithms, encoder interface processing, and multi-loop cascaded control. The high-speed PWM supports center-aligned and edge-aligned modes with fault inputs for fast over-current shutdown, essential for IGBT and MOSFET bridge protection. On-chip op-amps and advanced analog minimize external analog circuitry between current shunts and the ADC. In factory environments, the 3.3 V controller interfaces to gate drivers and isolation via standard digital I/O; designers should verify the industrial -I grade alternative (DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/ML) when automotive qualification is unnecessary, typically at lower cost in the identical 44-QFN footprint.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and DSP
The GM304's integrated op-amps and 12-bit ADC make the DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML effective as a signal-conditioning and digital signal processing node. Amplifier outputs can be routed internally to ADC channels, letting firmware apply FIR/IIR filters, RMS computation, or FFT analysis using the DSP engine's single-cycle MAC and 40-bit accumulators - all without an external analog front end. The 256 KB FLASH holds coefficient tables, calibration data, and communication stacks alongside the DSP code. In automotive sensing modules (position, pressure, current), the AEC-Q100 -H grade supports direct deployment. The performance consideration is analog bandwidth: integrated op-amps target control-loop frequencies, so very high-frequency signals still require external conditioning, but for kHz-range sensor signals the single-chip approach cuts BOM and board area significantly.
Recommended
Embedded Control with CAN / Serial Networking
The DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML serves as a compact networked embedded controller in automotive and industrial nodes. Its dsPIC33EP peripheral set includes UART, SPI, and I2C ports for sensor and actuator connectivity, and the family supports CAN for in-vehicle and fieldbus communication (check the device datasheet for the exact peripheral allocation on the 44-pin package before finalizing the pin budget). With 256 KB FLASH and 70 MIPS throughput, one chip handles protocol stacks, application logic, and local closed-loop control simultaneously - for example, a pump node running CAN diagnostics plus FOC motor control. Firmware updates in the field are supported by self-programmable FLASH with bootloaders. The design tip: confirm connectivity pin availability early, since the 44-pin footprint must share pins among UART, CAN, PWM, and debug PGECx/PGEDx pairs.
Recommended
Battery-Powered and Portable Systems
Running from a single 3.3 V rail in a compact 8x8 mm 44-QFN exposed-pad package, the DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML suits space-constrained, battery-fed control electronics such as power tools, e-mobility subsystems, and portable instrumentation. The 70 MIPS core allows aggressive duty-cycling: compute-heavy DSP bursts finish quickly, after which the controller can enter low-power idle modes, stretching battery life. Integrated op-amps and ADC handle current-sense and battery-voltage monitoring on-chip, and the high-speed PWM drives charging or motor stages directly. For automotive-adjacent portable products the -H grade adds environmental robustness; otherwise the -I variant is the economical choice in the same footprint. The main constraint versus larger packages is pin count - designs needing many parallel I/O or multiple simultaneous peripherals should step up to the 64-pin GM306 family member.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GM304-H/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/ML | DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/ML | DSPIC33EP64GM304-I/ML | DSPIC33EP256GM604-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) Exposed Pad | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) EP - same | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) EP - same | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) EP - same | 44-VQFN (8x8 mm) EP - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Performance | 16-bit dsPIC33E, 70 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33E, 70 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33E, 70 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33E, 70 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33E, 70 MIPS |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 256 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Qualification Grade | Automotive, AEC-Q100 (-H) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) |
| Motor Control Peripherals | High-speed PWM + op-amps (GM series) | High-speed PWM + op-amps | High-speed PWM + op-amps | High-speed PWM + op-amps | High-speed PWM, GM6 analog mix |
| Firmware Compatibility | dsPIC33EP GM family codebase | Binary-compatible (same die) | Recompile for 128 KB FLASH | Recompile for 64 KB FLASH | Recompile; verify analog config |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive AEC-Q100 qualification with 256 KB FLASH (vs DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/ML)
- Maximum memory in the 44-pin GM304 subfamily (vs DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/ML)
- Integrated op-amps reduce external analog BOM (vs DSPIC33EP256MC204-I/ML)
Design Notes
Connect and decouple every VDD/VSS pair on the 44-QFN package - the datasheet's ICSP requirements explicitly state that all VDD and VSS pins must be connected for programming and operation. Use one 100 nF ceramic capacitor per power pin pair placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus 4.7-10 uF bulk capacitance. Solder the exposed pad of the ML package to a grounded PCB pour: it provides the primary thermal path and a low-inductance ground reference for the high-speed PWM switching currents.
The dsPIC33EP256GM304 provides multiple ICSP programming pairs (PGEC1/PGED1, PGEC2/PGED2, etc.). Per the NSDSP support notes, you may use any pair, but the clock and data pins must come from the same pair - mixing PGEC2 for ICSPCLK with PGED1 for ICSPDAT will fail programming. Reserve one full pair as a dedicated 5-pin (MCLR, VDD, VSS, PGECx, PGEDx) programming header, and do not load these pins heavily during reset if they are shared with application circuitry.
Order the correct temperature grade suffix before production: -H is the automotive AEC-Q100 high-temperature option, -E is extended, and -I is industrial; all three are the same die in the same 44-QFN ML footprint. For 3.3 V rails shared with switching loads (motor inverters, gate drivers), add local LC or ferrite filtering at the DSC supply pins, since the high-speed PWM edges inject noise into shared traces. Estimated: a 3.3 V rail with 70 MIPS peak core current is best fed with a regulator rated well above the DSC's worst-case current plus gate-driver transients.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 automotive qualification and the -H automotive grade are confirmed by distributor part descriptions (datasheets.com, Hotenda). RoHS/REACH/lead-free status was not stated in the provided data and should be confirmed on the Microchip product page.
