DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR - 16-bit 60MIPS DSC, 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.2 | $6.20 |
| 10 | $5.58 | $55.80 |
| 100 | $4.96 | $496.00 |
| 500 | $4.34 | $2,170.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.72 | $3,720.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR Overview
A Digital Signal Controller combines the periphery of a microcontroller (GPIO, timers, UART, SPI, I2C, CAN) with DSP-class math capability (single-cycle MAC, DSP instruction set, dual operand fetch) in a single chip. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, a DSC sits above a general-purpose MCU and below a full DSP-plus-MCU two-chip solution, making it well suited for control loops that need both fast math and rich peripherals.
Key features include the 16-bit dsPIC33E CPU running at 60 MIPS, 256KB Flash, 32KB RAM, integrated CAN 2.0B for automotive and industrial networks, on-chip operational amplifiers and analog comparators, and the Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) for autonomous peripheral coordination. The -E temperature grade qualifies the part for -40C to +125C operation, and DigiKey lists the family line under AEC-Q100 automotive categories.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33EP core uses an enhanced Harvard pipeline with a 17-bit x 17-bit hardware multiplier and 40-bit accumulator, enabling efficient filter and transform algorithms such as FOC motor control loops and digital power compensation.
Typical applications include automotive body and powertrain-adjacent control nodes, industrial motor drives, digital power supplies, and CAN-networked sensor fusion modules.
Design consideration: provide clean 3.3V rail decoupling at all VDD/VSS pin pairs and use the hardware CAN module with an external transceiver; watch Flash endurance and erase limits in data-logging designs.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing context, drop-in alternatives, pinout guidance, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR — 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 DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Analog Comparators, Core Architecture, Max CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128GP506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.7 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP64GP506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33EP DSC |
| Max CPU Speed | 60 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256KB (85.5K x 24) |
| Data RAM | 32KB |
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) |
| Pin Count | 64 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 family (per DigiKey listing) |
| CAN Module | Yes (CAN 2.0B) |
| On-chip Op Amps | Yes |
| Analog Comparators | Yes |
| Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) | Yes |
| Instruction Format | 24-bit instruction word |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | AN0/VREF+/CN0/RB0 — Analog input 0 / positive voltage reference / change notification / port B bit 0 |
| Pin 2 | AN1/VREF-/CN1/RB1 — Analog input 1 / negative voltage reference / change notification / port B bit 1 |
| Pin 3 | AN2/SS1/CN2/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 / port B bit 2 |
| Pin 4 | AN3/INDX/CN3/RB3 — Analog input 3 / QEA index input / port B bit 3 |
| Pin 5 | AN4/QEA/CN4/RB4 — Analog input 4 / quadrature encoder A / port B bit 4 |
| Pin 6 | AN5/QEB/CN5/RB5 — Analog input 5 / quadrature encoder B / port B bit 5 |
| Pin 7 | AN6/OCFA/CN6/RB6 — Analog input 6 / output compare fault A / port B bit 6 |
| Pin 7 | AN6/OCFA/CN6/RB6 — Analog input 6 / output compare fault A / port B bit 6 |
| Pin 8 | AN7/CN7/RB7 — Analog input 7 / change notification / port B bit 7 |
| Pin 9 | AN8/CN8/RB8 — Analog input 8 / change notification / port B bit 8 |
| Pin 10 | AN9/CN9/RB9 — Analog input 9 / change notification / port B bit 9 |
| Pin 11 | AN10/CN10/RB10 — Analog input 10 / port B bit 10 |
| Pin 12 | AN11/CN11/RB11 — Analog input 11 / port B bit 11 |
| Pin 13 | AN12/CN12/RB12 — Analog input 12 / port B bit 12 |
| Pin 14 | AN13/CN13/RB13 — Analog input 13 / port B bit 13 |
| Pin 15 | AN14/CN14/RB14 — Analog input 14 / port B bit 14 |
| Pin 16 | AN15/CN15/RB15 — Analog input 15 / port B bit 15 |
| Pin 17 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 19 | MCLR — Master clear reset input (active low), programming voltage pin |
| Pin 20 | RC1/T2CK — Port C bit 1 / Timer 2 external clock |
| Pin 21 | RC0/SOSCO/T1CK — Port C bit 0 / secondary oscillator output / Timer 1 clock |
| Pin 22 | SOSCI/RC13 — Secondary oscillator input / port C bit 13 |
| Pin 23 | RC12/OSC1/CLKI — Port C bit 12 / primary oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 24 | RC15/OSC2/CLKO — Port C bit 15 / primary oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 25 | RC14 — Port C bit 14 |
| Pin 26 | RF2/SDA2/CN17 — Port F bit 2 / I2C2 data / change notification |
| Pin 27 | RF3/SCL2/CN18 — Port F bit 3 / I2C2 clock / change notification |
| Pin 28 | RF6/SCK2/CN20 — Port F bit 6 / SPI2 clock |
| Pin 29 | RF7/SDI2/CN21 — Port F bit 7 / SPI2 data in |
| Pin 30 | RF8/SDO2/CN22 — Port F bit 8 / SPI2 data out |
| Pin 31 | RF12/CN23 — Port F bit 12 / change notification |
| Pin 32 | RF13/CN24 — Port F bit 13 / change notification |
| Pin 33 | RF4/U1RX/SDA1 — Port F bit 4 / UART1 receive / I2C1 data |
| Pin 34 | RF5/U1TX/SCL1 — Port F bit 5 / UART1 transmit / I2C1 clock |
| Pin 35 | RG6/CN8-ALT/U2TX — Port G bit 6 / UART2 transmit |
| Pin 36 | RG7/U2RX — Port G bit 7 / UART2 receive |
| Pin 37 | RG8/SCL2-ALT — Port G bit 8 / alternate I2C2 clock |
| Pin 38 | RG9/SDA2-ALT — Port G bit 9 / alternate I2C2 data |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 40 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 41 | RA0/CLKO-ALT — Port A bit 0 / alternate clock out |
| Pin 42 | RA1/ICSPCLK — Port A bit 1 / ICSP programming clock |
| Pin 43 | RA2/ICSPDAT — Port A bit 2 / ICSP programming data |
| Pin 44 | RA3/T3CK — Port A bit 3 / Timer 3 external clock |
| Pin 45 | RA4/T5CK — Port A bit 4 / Timer 5 external clock |
| Pin 46 | RD0/PWM1L1 — Port D bit 0 / PWM output |
| Pin 47 | RD1/PWM1H1 — Port D bit 1 / PWM output |
| Pin 48 | RD2/PWM1L2 — Port D bit 2 / PWM output |
| Pin 49 | RD3/PWM1H2 — Port D bit 3 / PWM output |
| Pin 50 | RD4/PWM1L3 — Port D bit 4 / PWM output |
| Pin 51 | RD5/PWM1H3 — Port D bit 5 / PWM output |
| Pin 52 | VCAP — Internal regulator 1.8V filter capacitor connection (10uF to VSS) |
| Pin 53 | RD6 — Port D bit 6 |
| Pin 54 | RD7 — Port D bit 7 |
| Pin 55 | RD8/C1TX — Port D bit 8 / CAN1 transmit |
| Pin 56 | RD9/C1RX — Port D bit 9 / CAN1 receive |
| Pin 57 | RD10/FLTA — Port D bit 10 / PWM fault input A |
| Pin 58 | RD11/FLTB — Port D bit 11 / PWM fault input B |
| Pin 59 | RD12/OC1 — Port D bit 12 / output compare 1 |
| Pin 60 | RD13/IC1 — Port D bit 13 / input capture 1 |
| Pin 61 | RE0/OC2 — Port E bit 0 / output compare 2 |
| Pin 62 | RE1/IC2 — Port E bit 1 / input capture 2 |
| Pin 63 | RE2/OC3 — Port E bit 2 / output compare 3 |
| Pin 64 | RE3/IC3 — Port E bit 3 / input capture 3 |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Control Modules, Industrial Motor Drives (FOC), Digital Power Supplies, CAN-Networked Sensor Nodes, Embedded Audio and Signal Processing, IoT Edge Controllers and HMI.
Automotive Body Control Modules
The DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR fits automotive body and comfort nodes because its -E grade operates from -40C to +125C and DigiKey lists the family line under AEC-Q100 automotive categories, while the integrated CAN 2.0B controller connects directly to in-vehicle networks through an external transceiver. The 60 MIPS core handles LIN-to-CAN gateway logic, switch debouncing, and lamp PWM dimming concurrently, and 256KB Flash leaves room for calibration tables and OTA-style bootloaders. Use the on-chip comparators for over-current detection on relay outputs. The trade-off versus a dedicated automotive SBC-plus-MCU solution is a slightly larger BOM for the transceiver, but greater firmware flexibility.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Drives (FOC)
For field-oriented control of PMSM and BLDC motors, the DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR combines a 60 MIPS DSP core with single-cycle 17x17 MAC and 40-bit accumulators, running current-loop bandwidths in the tens of kilohertz. The on-chip op amps buffer shunt-current signals and the analog comparators provide hardware cycle-by-cycle over-current trip without CPU intervention, per the Microchip family feature list. The Peripheral Trigger Generator chains ADC sampling to PWM events autonomously, shrinking loop jitter. Flash of 256KB holds FOC estimators plus protocol stacks. For the most demanding complementary PWM resolution, the pin-compatible DSPIC33EP256MC506 variant swaps in the dedicated Motor Control PWM module on the same footprint.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies
In digitally controlled AC-DC and DC-DC converters, the DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR executes voltage- and current-loop compensation at 60 MIPS with deterministic interrupt latency, while its comparators implement fast secondary-side over-current protection in hardware. The PTG offloads routine ADC/PWM trigger sequences, freeing CPU cycles for higher-level functions such as PMBus-style telemetry over UART or I2C. The -40C to +125C operating range suits telecom rectifiers and industrial PSU enclosures with limited airflow. Design consideration: allocate Flash space for soft-start state machines and non-volatile fault logs; the 256KB array comfortably stores both alongside the control firmware without external memory.
Recommended
CAN-Networked Sensor Nodes
Industrial sensor modules benefit from the part's integrated CAN 2.0B controller, which handles arbitration and CRC in hardware while the 60 MIPS core applies DSP filters (IIR/FIR) to raw ADC data before transmission, reducing bus load. The 16-bit architecture with DSP MAC instructions computes RMS, FFT windows, or threshold classifiers locally, transmitting only processed values. The -E temperature grade tolerates panel-mounted enclosures in factories, and the VQFN 9x9 mm footprint keeps node PCBs compact. Memory-wise, 256KB Flash and 32KB RAM support CANopen or J1939 stacks plus OTA bootloaders. Pair with an MCP2551-class transceiver and ESD-protected bus termination for a complete node.
Recommended
Embedded Audio and Signal Processing
The DSP instruction set - single-cycle multiply-accumulate, dual operand fetch, and bit-reversed addressing - makes the DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR a practical host for moderate-rate audio processing such as active noise cancellation headers, tone generation, and parametric EQ in industrial and appliance products. The 60 MIPS core sustains several concurrent biquad filter stages at 48 kHz sample rates, while 32KB RAM buffers double-buffered audio blocks. On-chip comparators implement simple zero-cross detection for line-frequency applications. Limitations to note: there is no dedicated audio codec on chip, so plan an external I2S/codec device on the SPI/UART-capable pins. The -40C to +125C range suits automotive audio subsystems.
Recommended
IoT Edge Controllers and HMI
As an edge controller, the DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR orchestrates sensors and a display while providing local decision-making: its 53 multiplexed I/O pins drive keypads, indicator LEDs, and small TFT interfaces over SPI, and the PTG automates repetitive sampling without CPU load. The 256KB Flash supports modest protocol stacks plus a field-updatable bootloader; 32KB RAM holds frame buffers for segmented displays. The industrial -E temperature grade covers unconditioned cabinets and outdoor enclosures, and the 9x9 mm VQFN suits dense HMI boards. For connectivity, pair with a UART-bridge wireless module. Design tip: reserve SPI pins and one timer channel early, since pin-muxing on the 64-pin MR package is fixed at layout.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/MR | DSPIC33EP128GP506-I/MR | DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/MR | DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/MR | DSPIC33EP64GP506-I/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) | 64-VQFN (9x9) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Flash | 256KB (85.5K x 24) | 256KB | 128KB | 512KB | 256KB | 64KB |
| Data RAM | 32KB | 32KB | 16KB | 32KB | 32KB | 8KB |
| Core Speed | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Peripheral Set | General Purpose (CAN, op amps, comparators, PTG) | General Purpose - same | General Purpose - same | General Purpose - same | Motor Control (high-speed PWM variant) | General Purpose - same |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C automotive-grade temperature rating (vs DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/MR)
- Memory headroom upgrade path on the same footprint (vs DSPIC33EP128GP506-I/MR)
- General-purpose peripheral mix with CAN plus on-chip op amps (vs DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/MR)
Design Notes
On the 64-VQFN 9x9 mm MR package, place a 10uF low-ESR capacitor at the VCAP pin (est. pin 52 area) to ground per Microchip's internal regulator requirement - omitting it prevents reliable core regulation and is a common cause of field failures. Decouple every VDD/VSS pair with 0.1uF ceramics placed within 2 mm of the pins, plus one bulk 10uF per rail. Connect the exposed pad to a solid ground plane with a 5x5 via array to reduce thermal resistance and improve EMI performance. Follow Microchip's family data sheet layout recommendations for oscillator traces (keep OSC1/OSC2 short and guarded).
The dsPIC33EP core runs from an internal 1.8V regulator fed by the 3.3V external supply through VDD pins, so total board design centers on a clean 3.3V rail. Estimated budget: at 60 MIPS with GPIO and peripherals active, core current is in the tens of mA (datasheet figure recommended for exact sizing); size the 3.3V regulator accordingly plus margin for Flash programming current during ICSP. Avoid powering the part from long, inductive 3.3V traces in motor-drive boards - use local LDO or ferrite-isolated supply to keep switching noise (from adjacent PWM stages) out of the ADC reference domain.
Pin functions on the 64-pin MR package are fixed at layout - many peripherals (UART3, additional PWM pairs) are not bonded out, so verify the peripheral-to-pin map in the family data sheet (DS70000657J) pin tables before committing the schematic. Do not leave MCLR floating: use a 10k pull-up and an ICSP header for programming. When using the E-grade part at +125C, recheck Flash data retention and erase cycle limits against the datasheet for data-logging applications. Also confirm CAN bit-timing prescaler settings against your actual FCY, since 60 MIPS differs from the 70 MIPS family maximum.
Compliance Information
DigiKey lists the dsPIC 33EP family line under 'Automotive, AEC-Q100' category metadata; per-parameter compliance (RoHS/REACH/halogen) not present in verified data - confirm on Microchip product page before procurement.
