DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT - 16-bit 70 MIPS DSC 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.9 | $590.00 |
| 500 | $5.45 | $2,725.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.95 | $4,950.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational throughput of a DSP with the deterministic control peripherals of a microcontroller. In the embedded-systems hierarchy, the DSC sits between a general-purpose MCU and a dedicated DSP: it executes single-cycle MAC and DSP instructions for control-loop math while providing motor-control PWM, quadrature encoders, and op-amps on-chip. The dsPIC33EP family is Microchip's 3.3V generation of this DSC class, targeting high-performance, precision motor control and digital power conversion.
Key features of this part include 70 MIPS core speed at 3.3V operation (3.0V to 3.6V supply range), 256KB of self-programmable Flash, 32KB (32K x 8) of RAM, 85 general-purpose I/O pins, and 12 MCPWM channels with 8 input capture and 8 output compare peripherals.
The device integrates 4 on-chip op-amps, a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch and precise timing, 2 quadrature encoder interfaces (QEI) for position feedback, and a Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) for autonomous peripheral sequencing. Communication coverage includes multiple UART, SPI, and I2C channels, and the core supports IEEE 1149.2-compatible JTAG boundary scan, in-circuit programming, and hardware breakpoints for debug.
Typical applications include brushless DC and PMSM motor control with field-oriented control algorithms, digital power supplies (PFC, LLC), industrial automation nodes, and audio or sensor signal-processing pipelines that benefit from the DSP MAC engine.
Design consideration: run the core from an internal PLL multiplied off the primary oscillator to reach 70 MIPS, and budget decoupling on all VDD pairs; the 100-TQFP 0.4 mm pitch demands careful PCB fanout.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, comparison data, and design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GM310T-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 DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Quadrature Encoder Interfaces, RAM, Packaging, Program Memory (Flash).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GM310-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.9 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GM310T-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP512GM310T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GM710T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP128GM310T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33EP DSC core |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 70 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| RAM | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (3.3 V nominal) |
| Package | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm), 0.4 mm pitch |
| I/O Pins | 85 |
| MCPWM Channels | 12 |
| Input Capture / Output Compare | 8 / 8 |
| Quadrature Encoder Interfaces | 2 |
| On-chip Op-Amps | 4 |
| Timers | 13 |
| CTMU | Yes (Charge Time Measurement Unit) |
| PTG | Yes (Peripheral Trigger Generator) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Debug / Scan | JTAG, IEEE 1149.2-compatible boundary scan |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T) |
DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT 100-tqfp (12x12 mm), 0.4 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT (100-tqfp (12x12 mm), 0.4 mm pitch 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 DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Brushless DC / PMSM Motor Control (FOC), Digital Power Conversion (PFC / LLC), Industrial Automation and PLC I/O Nodes, Audio and Sensor Signal Processing, Capacitive Touch HMI Panels, Robotics and Servo Drives.
Brushless DC / PMSM Motor Control (FOC)
The DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT is purpose-built for field-oriented control of BLDC and PMSM motors. Its 70 MIPS 16-bit DSP core with single-cycle MAC executes the Clarke/Park transforms and PI current loops at switching frequencies of 20 kHz or more, while 12 MCPWM channels generate complementary three-phase gate signals with hardware dead-time insertion. Two QEI modules decode incremental encoder position, and 4 on-chip op-amps amplify current-shunt signals, eliminating external amplifiers and reducing BOM cost. Placed as the sole MCU in the inverter control board, it runs the control loop deterministically without RTOS jitter; the main trade-off is that ADC sampling must be synchronized to PWM triggers, which the PTG automates.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion (PFC / LLC)
In digital power supplies, the DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT replaces analog control loops with firmware-based voltage and current regulation. The 70 MIPS core closes current-mode loops for PFC stages and LLC half-bridges at switching frequencies up to a few hundred kHz, using MCPWM complementary outputs with dead-time control and 8 input-capture channels for cycle-by-cycle protection. The DSP engine performs average-current-mode computations with minimal cycle overhead, and the 256KB Flash holds multiple firmware profiles selectable at runtime. Because the control law lives in software, compensation coefficients can adapt to load conditions - a key benefit over fixed analog compensators; the consideration is firmware validation effort versus proven analog BOM solutions.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and PLC I/O Nodes
The DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT fits industrial control nodes that mix analog sensing, actuator drive, and fieldbus communication. Its 85 I/O pins support dense digital I/O expansion, 4 op-amps condition 4-20 mA or ratiometric sensor signals on-chip, and the CTMU enables capacitive touch panels for machine HMI without dedicated touch ICs. Multiple UART, SPI, and I2C ports connect to Modbus gateways or CAN transceivers, while the PTG sequences peripheral tasks autonomously, offloading the CPU for protocol stacks. The -40C to +85C industrial grade and JTAG boundary scan support production test on assembly lines. Designers should implement watchdog supervision and CRC-checked firmware images for functional-safety-adjacent deployments.
Recommended
Audio and Sensor Signal Processing
The DSP MAC engine of the DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT executes FIR/IIR filters, FFTs, and AGC algorithms on audio or sensor data streams at 70 MIPS. Four on-chip op-amps provide anti-alias filtering and gain staging for microphone or sensor inputs directly on-chip, and the 12-bit ADC samples multiple channels under PTG-triggered sequencing for deterministic latency. The 32KB RAM buffers frame-based processing pipelines such as 1024-point FFT windows, and 256KB Flash stores coefficient tables and multiple algorithm presets. Compared with a separate DSP plus MCU two-chip solution, this single DSC reduces board area and inter-chip latency; the trade-off is fixed-point arithmetic requiring careful Q-format scaling in firmware.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panels
The CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) on the DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT enables multi-key capacitive touch sensing directly on the MCU, removing a dedicated touch controller from the HMI bill of materials. The CTMU measures charge time on touch pads routed to standard I/O, supporting sliders, wheels, and key arrays, while the DSP core runs debounce, baseline-drift compensation, and gesture-detection algorithms in the background. 85 I/O pins leave ample capacity for backlight PWM, buzzer drive, and host communication over UART or I2C. Typical deployments include appliance front panels, industrial operator interfaces, and white-goods controls where the -40C to +85C grade and 256KB Flash for rich UI firmware are decisive.
Recommended
Robotics and Servo Drives
Multi-axis robotic joints benefit from the DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT combination of 12 MCPWM channels, 2 QEI encoders, and 70 MIPS of headroom for cascaded position/velocity/current loops. A single DSC can close servo loops on two axes simultaneously: each QEI tracks encoder feedback while dedicated MCPWM pairs drive H-bridge stages, and the 4 op-amps condition per-axis current shunts. The 256KB Flash accommodates trajectory interpolation and motion-profile firmware alongside control loops, and JTAG/trace support accelerates bring-up of time-critical interrupt paths. Designers should prioritize PWM-to-ADC trigger alignment via the PTG to minimize current-sampling jitter, which directly affects torque ripple in the assembled joint.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GM310-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PF | DSPIC33EP256GM310T-E/PT | DSPIC33EP512GM310T-I/PT | DSPIC33EP128GM310T-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 100-TQFP (12x12) | 100-TQFP (12x12) - same | 100-TQFP - same footprint family | 100-TQFP (12x12) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) | 256 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB | 128 KB | |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | |
| Peripherals (MCPWM / Op-Amps / QEI) | 12 / 4 / 2 | 12 / 4 / 2 | 12 / 4 / 2 | 12 / 4 / 2 | 12 / 4 / 2 | |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Largest peripheral set in its pin class (vs DSPIC33EP128GM304T-I/PT)
- Extended temperature option without redesign (vs DSPIC33EP256GM310T-E/PT)
- Memory-scalability trade-off (vs DSPIC33EP512GM310T-I/PT)
Design Notes
The DSPIC33EP256GM310T-I/PT requires a single 3.0-3.6V supply with all VDD/VSS pairs decoupled by 0.1 uF ceramics placed within 2 mm of each pin pair, plus one bulk 10 uF per supply domain. The core regulator needs the specified VCAP capacitor on the internal regulator output - omitting or undersizing it is the most common bring-up failure on dsPIC33EP boards. At 70 MIPS with heavy I/O toggling, estimate supply current from the datasheet IDD tables rather than assuming idle current; peak transient currents during flash writes justify the bulk capacitance.
The 100-TQFP 12x12 mm package has a 0.4 mm pin pitch, requiring 0.18-0.2 mm trace widths and careful escape routing; use a fanout via-in-pad or dogbone pattern on the two outer rows. Place the programming header (MCLR/PGD/PGC/VDD/GND) at the board edge for ICT access. Keep the analog op-amp input traces short and guard them with ground pour, and route PWM outputs away from encoder (QEI) inputs to prevent coupling that causes position-count glitches at high motor currents.
Do not assume all 85 I/O are available simultaneously - PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) remapping has constraint tables in the datasheet, and some pins (JTAG, oscillator, MCLR) require configuration-fuse decisions before their GPIO role is usable. Fuses also lock oscillator and watchdog settings at program time; mismatched oscillator fuses are a frequent cause of a board that 'runs at the wrong speed'. Verify the E vs I temperature suffix matches your ambient: the -I grade is -40C to +85C, and the E grade (+125C) is a different orderable MPN.
Compliance Information
RoHS/lead-free status inferred from standard Microchip -I/PT commercial grade offerings; REACH and conflict-minerals statements not present in provided data.
