DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT - 70 MIPS DSC 256KB Flash TQFP-44 | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.2 | $5.20 |
| 10 | $4.68 | $46.80 |
| 100 | $4.05 | $405.00 |
| 500 | $3.55 | $1,775.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.76 | $2,760.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational throughput of a digital signal processor with the peripheral integration and control-oriented architecture of a microcontroller. Within the embedded hierarchy, the dsPIC33EP sits between general-purpose 16-bit MCUs and dedicated DSP chips, offering single-cycle MAC, barrel shifter, and modulo/bit-reversed addressing for DSP algorithms while retaining MCU-style interrupt, I/O, and communication peripherals.
Key features include the 70 MIPS dsPIC33E core, 256 KB of self-programmable Flash, 16 KB of RAM, dual internal op-amps, motor-control PWM, quadrature encoder interfaces (QEI), input capture/output compare modules, and I2C, SPI, UART, and IrDA connectivity. The integrated op-amps offload external amplification in current-sense and signal-conditioning chains.
Architecturally, the device uses a Harvard bus structure at 3.3 V (3.0 V to 3.6 V operating range, nominal 60 mA maximum current draw) built on CMOS technology. Hardware DSP multiply-accumulate, barrel shifting, and boundary scan support (JTAG) make it efficient for field-oriented motor control, digital filtering, and power-conversion feedback loops. Two ECC-compliant Flash options and self-write capability support field firmware updates.
Typical applications include brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives, digital power supplies and inverters, and sensor signal conditioning in industrial automation. The integrated motor-control PWM plus QEI plus op-amp combination is precisely what these systems require on a single chip.
Design consideration: budget the supply carefully at full 70 MIPS operation - the 60 mA maximum core current plus peripheral and I/O current should inform regulator sizing, and decoupling capacitors must be placed at all VDD/VSS pairs of the 44-pin TQFP.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with data verified as of 2026-09-24.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/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 DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Supply Voltage Range, Package, Packaging, Core.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GM304-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.39 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP128GM304T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP64GM304-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | dsPIC33E 16-bit DSC core |
| Core Speed | 70 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| RAM | 16 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (nominal 3.3 V) |
| Maximum Current Draw | 60 mA |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I suffix) |
| Connectivity | I2C, SPI, UART, IrDA, ECAN |
| Peripheral Features | 2 on-chip op-amps, motor-control PWM, QEI, input capture/output compare |
| DSP Features | Barrel shifter, single-cycle MAC, modulo and bit-reversed addressing |
| Debug / Scan | Boundary scan support (JTAG) |
| Packaging | Tray |
| Product Status | Active |
| Companion Package Option | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) available as DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/ML |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT 44-qfn (8x8 mm) available as dspic33ep256gm304-i/ml Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT (44-qfn (8x8 mm) available as dspic33ep256gm304-i/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-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC / PMSM Motor Control, Digital Power Supplies and Inverters, Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, Embedded Control with CAN Networking, Audio and DSP Algorithm Processing, Automotive-Adjacent Auxiliary Systems.
BLDC / PMSM Motor Control
The DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT fits precision motor control because its 70 MIPS dsPIC33E core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops with single-cycle MAC instructions, while dedicated motor-control PWM channels drive three-phase inverters with dead-time control. The two on-chip op-amps condition shunt-resistor current feedback without external amplifiers, and quadrature encoder interfaces (QEI) close the position loop directly. In a typical topology, the DSC runs a 10-20 kHz current loop and 1 kHz speed loop, with the 16 KB RAM holding state observers and filtering buffers. The 3.3 V supply and 60 mA maximum current keep controller power small relative to the drive stage. According to Microchip, the dsPIC33E family is explicitly designed for high-performance, precision motor control systems.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies and Inverters
Switching power supplies, solar inverters, and UPS systems benefit from the DSPIC33EP256GM304's 70 MIPS throughput, which supports high-frequency voltage and current control loops with DSP-grade filtering. The high-resolution PWM peripherals generate phase-shifted or interleaved converter waveforms, while the dual integrated op-amps amplify sense signals for over-current protection. With 256 KB of Flash, compensation tables, soft-start routines, and a communication protocol stack (I2C, UART, ECAN) coexist on one chip. The 3.0-3.6 V CMOS supply with 60 mA maximum draw simplifies the auxiliary bias rail design. Self-programmable Flash supports field firmware updates for changing grid standards, a key benefit in long-lifecycle power products where control law revisions are common after deployment.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The DSPIC33EP256GM304 serves as a smart sensor hub because its dual on-chip op-amps amplify bridge or shunt sensor outputs before the internal ADC samples them, reducing external component count. The 70 MIPS DSP core runs FFT and FIR filtering to extract signals from noise in vibration, weigh-scale, and pressure sensing nodes. IrDA, UART, and I2C connectivity forwards processed data to SCADA or cloud gateways, while boundary scan (JTAG) support aids production test. The -40C to +85C industrial rating matches factory floor environments. The 44-TQFP 10x10 mm footprint provides enough I/O for multiple sensor channels plus local actuation outputs, making the device a compact single-chip replacement for discrete amplifier-plus-MCU signal chains in distributed industrial monitoring systems.
Recommended
Embedded Control with CAN Networking
Industrial nodes that must communicate over CAN - gateways, I/O modules, pump controllers - use the DSPIC33EP256GM304's ECAN peripheral with its 256 KB Flash hosting the full application plus protocol buffers and diagnostics logging. The 70 MIPS core handles CAN message processing concurrently with 1 kHz control loops without timing contention. Input capture and output compare modules timestamp external events and drive outputs with microsecond accuracy. The 3.3 V I/O levels interface directly with standard CAN transceivers. Because the same die ships in 44-TQFP and 44-QFN packages, a single firmware image can serve both a serviceable socketed variant and a compact soldered variant. Field firmware updates via self-programmable Flash keep deployed nodes maintainable over multi-year industrial service lifetimes.
Recommended
Audio and DSP Algorithm Processing
For embedded audio processing - active crossovers, echo cancellation, tone control - the DSPIC33EP256GM304 applies its single-cycle MAC, modulo addressing for circular buffers, and bit-reversed addressing for FFTs to real-time audio streams at 70 MIPS. The 16 KB RAM holds audio delay lines and filter states for several channels at 48 kHz sample rates. The integrated op-amps can buffer microphone or line-level inputs ahead of the ADC. With 256 KB of Flash, multiple algorithm presets and coefficient tables reside on-chip. The device suits cost-sensitive embedded audio where a full DSP chip is overkill but a general MCU lacks multiply-accumulate throughput. Its industrial temperature rating also enables audio processing in outdoor intercom and vehicle communication equipment subject to wide thermal swings.
Recommended
Automotive-Adjacent Auxiliary Systems
While the standard -I grade part is not AEC-Q100 qualified, the DSPIC33EP256GM304 is used in auxiliary vehicle systems - pumps, fans, actuators, lighting controllers - where the -E extended temperature variant covers harsh under-hood-adjacent conditions. The motor-control PWM and QEI peripherals drive brushless pumps and throttle actuators, the op-amps handle position-sensor signal conditioning, and UART/LIN-style serial links integrate with vehicle body controllers. The 70 MIPS core executes sensor fusion and safety monitoring in parallel with actuation control. The identical 44-TQFP footprint across I and E grades lets one PCB design serve both passenger-compartment and engine-bay-adjacent builds, simplifying qualification. Designers must verify the applicable automotive quality requirement before finalizing part selection for safety-relevant functions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GM304-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GM304-E/PT | DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/PT | DSPIC33EP64GM304-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Core Speed | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (I) | Extended (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| Typical Use | Full-featured motor control and digital power | Same, in harsh thermal environments | Cost-reduced builds under 128 KB firmware | Lowest-cost control nodes |
Key Differentiators
- Full 256 KB Flash for feature-rich firmware (vs DSPIC33EP128GM304-I/PT)
- Extended temperature option in identical footprint (vs DSPIC33EP256GM304-E/PT)
- Lower-cost control nodes possible with same board (vs DSPIC33EP64GM304-I/PT)
Design Notes
Size the 3.3 V regulator for more than the 60 mA maximum core current: add peripheral draw (ECAN, op-amps under load) plus I/O source/sink current, then apply a 30-50% margin. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor at every VDD/VSS pair of the 44-TQFP plus one bulk 10 uF capacitor near the supply entry. Estimated: at 3.3 V and 100 mA total, controller power is roughly 0.33 W, well within a small SOT-23 LDO capability.
For the 10x10 mm 44-TQFP, keep the motor-control PWM traces routed away from the op-amp input pins feeding the ADC, since fast gate-drive edges couple capacitively into analog sense lines. Use a solid ground plane and place the two on-chip op-amp feedback resistor networks directly at the pins. Route CAN/UART lines as controlled-impedance or short point-to-point runs; 70 MIPS core switching makes long unterminated traces an EMI risk.
Do not confuse the /PT (TQFP) and /ML (QFN) order codes: they are functionally identical but not footprint-compatible, and mis-ordering halts production. Verify Flash headroom before substituting a 128 KB family member for this 256 KB part - a linked image that exceeds 128 KB will fail at link time. Confirm the temperature grade (I vs E) against the worst-case ambient inside the enclosure, not the room ambient.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per distributor listings. The standard -I part is not AEC-Q100 qualified; the Octopart comparison data notes the dsPIC33EP 33EP series appears in an automotive AEC-Q100 listing for the -E variant - verify grade before automotive use.
