DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO - 16-Bit 70 MIPS DSC 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.62 | $5.62 |
| 10 | $5.06 | $50.60 |
| 100 | $4.42 | $442.00 |
| 500 | $3.95 | $1,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.55 | $3,550.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO Overview
A Digital Signal Controller combines the compute architecture of a microcontroller with the numeric throughput of a DSP. In the power-management hierarchy, the dsPIC33EP family sits above basic MCUs by adding a DSP engine, high-speed PWM peripherals, and advanced analog integration, making it a power-management and motion-control IC as well as a general-purpose processor.
Key features include the 70 MIPS 16-bit core with DSP instruction support, high-speed PWM modules suited to digital power conversion, integrated op amps and advanced analog peripherals, an enhanced CAN module, and a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch and precision timing. A Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) automates inter-peripheral sequencing, offloading the CPU in high-end applications.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33EP core pairs a pipelined 16-bit MCU datapath with two 40-bit accumulators, single-cycle MAC, and hardware divide support. This combination sustains deterministic interrupt latency while executing control-loop mathematics such as PI regulators and filter kernels, which is why the family is heavily used in digital power and motor control topologies.
Typical applications include switch-mode power supplies and digital lighting, BLDC/PMSM motor drives exploiting the high-speed PWM, and industrial control nodes using the enhanced CAN interface for fieldbus communication.
Design consideration: place a low-ESR capacitor on the VCAP/VDDCORE pin per the manufacturer datasheet, as the internal core regulator depends on it for stability; budget Flash and RAM per the 256KB/32KB split when planning firmware growth.
This page synthesizes distributor listings, drop-in alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Pricing references are as of 2026-09-24.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO — 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 DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GP502T-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128GP502-H/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.36 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP64GP502-I/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128MU502-E/SO
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP502-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33E DSC |
| Maximum Core Speed | 70 MIPS |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| RAM | 32 KB |
| Package | 28-SOIC |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Peripherals | High-Speed PWM, Op Amps, CTMU, PTG, enhanced CAN |
| CAN Interface | Yes (enhanced ECAN) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T suffix) |
| Family | dsPIC33EP256GP50x general purpose |
DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO 28-soic Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO (28-soic 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 DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO is suitable for 6 applications: Digital Power Conversion (SMPS), BLDC / PMSM Motor Control, Industrial CAN Fieldbus Nodes, Capacitive Touch and Measurement Interfaces, Automotive-Adjacent and High-Temperature Embedded Control, LED Lighting and Electronic Ballasts.
Digital Power Conversion (SMPS)
The DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO fits digital switch-mode power supplies because its high-speed PWM peripherals offer fine edge resolution for peak-current and voltage-mode control at hundreds of kHz switching frequencies, while the 70 MIPS core with DSP MAC support executes PI compensators and nonlinear limiters in closed loop with deterministic latency. Placed as the digital controller of a LLC, buck, or PFC stage, it reads feedback through the ADC, computes duty corrections, and drives gate logic directly. The extended -40C to +125C rating allows mounting near hot power stages, and the PTG can sequence ADC sampling to PWM triggers without CPU intervention, cutting interrupt jitter.
Recommended
BLDC / PMSM Motor Control
For brushless DC and permanent-magnet synchronous motor drives, the DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO provides the high-speed PWM with complementary outputs and dead-time insertion needed to drive a three-phase inverter, while the DSP engine performs field-oriented control mathematics at 70 MIPS with single-cycle multiply-accumulate. The 32KB RAM holds current-loop state, observer variables, and commutation tables. The E-grade -40C to +125C temperature range suits sealed motor housings where ambient plus self-heating exceeds industrial limits. Sensorless algorithms using back-EMF or sliding-mode observers fit comfortably in the 256KB Flash with headroom for diagnostics and field updates.
Recommended
Industrial CAN Fieldbus Nodes
The enhanced CAN (ECAN) module of the DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO makes it a strong fit for CANopen- and J1939-style industrial nodes, handling up to 1 Mbit/s arbitration and hardware message buffering without CPU overhead. Combined with the 70 MIPS core, the controller can run the application logic, protocol stack, and local control loops concurrently. The extended temperature rating supports panel-mounted I/O modules near drives and actuators. The CTMU and op amps allow local analog conditioning of sensors before CAN transmission, consolidating signal-chain functions that would otherwise require external components on the module PCB.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch and Measurement Interfaces
Using the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), the DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO implements capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and precise time/charge measurements with few external parts. The integrated op amps buffer sensor signals before the ADC, and the 70 MIPS core runs debouncing, baseline-drift compensation, and decoding algorithms in real time. Appliance and HVAC control boards benefit from the extended -40C to +125C rating near heating elements. The PTG can automate the charge-measure-discharge cycle so the CPU sleeps between samples, reducing average power. The 256KB Flash accommodates multi-language UI firmware and calibration tables on the same die.
Recommended
Automotive-Adjacent and High-Temperature Embedded Control
Although this E-grade device is a general-purpose part rather than a formally AEC-Q100-qualified automotive orderable code, its -40C to +125C rating makes it appropriate for near-engine auxiliary systems, off-road equipment, and industrial transport electronics where ambient temperatures routinely exceed the 85C industrial ceiling. The 70 MIPS core, 256KB Flash, and enhanced CAN support engine-bay actuators, pump controllers, and sensor concentrators. Designers should perform their own qualification for safety-relevant automotive use, but for auxiliary non-safety functions the extended range plus CAN connectivity lets this single DSC consolidate control, sensing, and communication in one 28-SOIC footprint.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Electronic Ballasts
In high-power LED drivers and electronic ballasts, the DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO generates phase-shifted and resonant-converter PWM patterns through its high-speed PWM module while the ADC and op amps close the current-regulation loop for constant-current output. The 70 MIPS core implements dimming curves, PFC correction, and protection state machines (over-current, open-LED) with deterministic timing. The extended -40C to +125C range tolerates driver enclosures mounted inside luminaires where ambient temperatures soar. With 256KB Flash, color-mixing tables and communication-based dimming protocols (DALI over UART, DMX) coexist on one controller, replacing dedicated ballast ASICs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GP502T-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GP502T-I/SO | DSPIC33EP128GP502-H/SO | DSPIC33EP64GP502-I/SO | DSPIC33EP128MU502-E/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same | 28-SOIC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core Speed | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 8 KB | 24 KB |
| USB Peripheral | No | No | No | No | Yes (full-speed USB OTG) |
| Op Amps / CTMU / PTG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial (per GP50x table) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature rating (vs DSPIC33EP256GP502T-I/SO)
- 256KB Flash with advanced analog (op amps, CTMU, PTG) (vs DSPIC33EP128GP502-H/SO)
- USB-free peripheral set vs MU family variant (vs DSPIC33EP128MU502-E/SO)
Design Notes
The dsPIC33EP family uses an internal core regulator whose output appears on the VCAP/VDDCORE pin. Fit a low-ESR ceramic capacitor (typically around 10 uF; confirm exact value and ESR limit in the manufacturer datasheet) directly at this pin with a short trace to VSS. Omitting it or using a high-ESR capacitor causes core rail ripple and erratic resets that are hard to diagnose. Decouple each VDD pin with 0.1 uF close to the pin, plus one bulk 4.7-10 uF per board section.
Remappable RPn pin assignment is configured at initialization; forgetting to lock PPS registers or leaving them writable can allow a runaway pointer or glitch to re-route PWM outputs during operation. In motor and power applications, add hardware-level gate disable (external latch pulling gate-driver enables low on fault) so a firmware fault cannot leave bridge switches on. Also confirm the temperature grade: the -E/SO part is required wherever worst-case ambient plus self-heating exceeds 85C.
For digital power layouts, route the PWM outputs to the gate drivers away from ADC feedback traces, and star-ground the analog reference (VREF+/VREF-) at a quiet point. Keep the ECAN transceiver stubs short (under 10 cm) and place a 120-ohm termination at the bus ends, not at each node. The 28-SOIC has no exposed pad, so thermal relief relies on trace copper; widen ground traces under the package and use via stitching to internal ground planes to reduce theta-JA.
Compliance Information
Compliance data was not present in the provided web data. Verify RoHS/REACH certificates on the Microchip product page before production release. This is a general-purpose E-grade part, not an AEC-Q100 qualified automotive orderable code.
