DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT - 16-Bit 60MIPS DSC, 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.48 | $5.48 |
| 10 | $4.95 | $49.50 |
| 100 | $4.42 | $442.00 |
| 500 | $3.98 | $1,990.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.6 | $3,600.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT Overview
A digital signal controller (DSC) combines the compute pipeline of a DSP with the peripheral set and ease of use of a microcontroller. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, a DSC sits above general-purpose MCUs for control loops that demand fast multiply-accumulate throughput, such as digital power conversion, motor field-oriented control, and sensor signal processing.
Key features include a 16-bit dsPIC33E RISC core running at 60 MIPS, 256KB of self-programmable FLASH with ECC, 16KB of RAM, CANbus, I2C, SPI, UART/USART, IrDA and LINbus connectivity, a 10-bit 1.1 Msps ADC (or 12-bit 500 ksps), up to three op amp/comparator modules with direct ADC connection, and high-speed PWM outputs suited to power electronics.
The dsPIC33E architecture uses an enhanced Harvard bus with a 24-bit instruction word, hardware DSP multiply-accumulate, division assist, and a flexible interrupt controller, enabling deterministic single-cycle MAC operations in control loops while retaining flash-based field upgradeability.
Typical applications include automotive body and powertrain-adjacent modules (AEC-Q100 qualified), industrial motor drives, digital power supplies, and sensor conditioning systems where the fast ADC, on-chip op amps, and high-resolution PWM reduce external component count.
Design consideration: the -H temperature suffix indicates -40C to +125C operation; verify 3.3V rail sequencing and use the ICSP/ICD programming port (PGD/PGC pins) with proper isolation when in-circuit debug is planned.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/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 DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Series, Package, Maximum CPU Speed, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128GP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33E RISC / DSC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 60 MIPS |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| RAM | 16 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Temperature Range (-H grade) | -40C to +125C |
| Connectivity | CANbus, I2C, SPI, UART/USART, IrDA, LINbus |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit @ 1.1 Msps or 12-bit @ 500 ksps |
| Op Amps / Comparators | Up to 3 op amp/comparator modules |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 qualified |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Programming Interface | ICSP / In-Circuit Debug (PGD/PGC) |
| Number of I/O (64-pin device) | Up to 53 I/O |
| Series | dsPIC33EP256GP506 (dsPIC33EP GP family) |
DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR# — Master clear reset (active low), programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 3 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 4 | AN0/VREF+/RB0 — Analog input 0 / positive voltage reference / port B |
| Pin 5 | AN1/VREF-/RB1 — Analog input 1 / negative voltage reference / port B |
| Pin 6 | AN2/SS1/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 / port B |
| Pin 7 | AN3/INDX/RB3 — Analog input 3 / encoder index / port B |
| Pin 8 | AN4/QEA/RB4 — Analog input 4 / quadrature encoder A / port B |
| Pin 9 | AN5/QEB/RB5 — Analog input 5 / quadrature encoder B / port B |
| Pin 10 | AN6/OCFA/RE0 — Analog input 6 / PWM fault A / port E |
| Pin 11 | AN7/OCFB/RE1 — Analog input 7 / PWM fault B / port E |
| Pin 12 | AN8/RE2 — Analog input 8 / port E |
| Pin 13 | AN9/RE3 — Analog input 9 / port E |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 16 | AN10/RE4 — Analog input 10 / port E |
| Pin 17 | AN11/RE5 — Analog input 11 / port E |
| Pin 18 | AN12/RE6 — Analog input 12 / port E |
| Pin 19 | AN13/RE7 — Analog input 13 / port E |
| Pin 20 | AN14/RD11 — Analog input 14 / port D |
| Pin 21 | AN15/RD10 — Analog input 15 / port D |
| Pin 22 | RD9 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 23 | RD8 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 24 | RD7 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 25 | RD6 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 28 | RD5 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 29 | RD4 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 30 | RD3 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 31 | RD2 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 32 | RD1 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 33 | RD0 — General purpose I/O port D |
| Pin 34 | OSC1/CLKI/RC12 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input / port C |
| Pin 35 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output / port C |
| Pin 36 | RG3/SCL1 — I2C clock 1 / port G |
| Pin 37 | RG2/SDA1 — I2C data 1 / port G |
| Pin 38 | RF3/U1TX — UART1 transmit / port F |
| Pin 39 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 40 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 41 | RF2/U1RX — UART1 receive / port F |
| Pin 42 | RF13/SOSCI — Secondary oscillator input / port F |
| Pin 43 | RF12/SOSCO — Secondary oscillator output / port F |
| Pin 44 | RF8/SDO2 — SPI2 data out / port F |
| Pin 45 | RF7/U2TX — UART2 transmit / port F |
| Pin 46 | RF6/U2RX — UART2 receive / port F |
| Pin 47 | RG0 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 48 | RG1 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 49 | RF5/SDO1 — SPI1 data out / port F |
| Pin 50 | RF4/SDI1 — SPI1 data in / port F |
| Pin 51 | RF1 — General purpose I/O port F |
| Pin 52 | RF0 — General purpose I/O port F |
| Pin 53 | VDD — Digital positive supply |
| Pin 54 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 55 | RG9 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 56 | RG8 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 57 | RG7 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 58 | RG6 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 59 | RG5 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 60 | RG4 — General purpose I/O port G |
| Pin 61 | RC1/T2CK — Timer2 external clock / port C |
| Pin 62 | RC0/T1CK — Timer1 external clock / port C |
| Pin 63 | RC3/T3CK — Timer3 external clock / port C |
| Pin 64 | RC2/CN5 — General purpose I/O with change notification / port C |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body and Control Modules, Industrial Motor Drives, Digital Power Supplies (SMPS/PFC), Sensor Signal Conditioning and Acquisition, Industrial Networking and Gateways, Lighting Control (HID/LED ballasts).
Automotive Body and Control Modules
The DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT is AEC-Q100 qualified with -40C to +125C operation, exactly the envelope required for under-hood-adjacent and body electronics such as lighting controllers, pump drivers, and actuator nodes. Its 256KB flash accommodates OBD-style diagnostics and OTA-style firmware updates, while the CAN 2.0B controller integrates directly into vehicle bus topologies without an external CAN transceiver-MCU bridge. The 12-bit 500 ksps ADC monitors current shunts and thermistors with enough resolution for closed-loop protection. Using a single DSC instead of an MCU plus DSP keeps the BOM compact and the supply chain automotive-consistent.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Drives
Digital motor control demands deterministic multiply-accumulate throughput, and the dsPIC33E core delivers single-cycle DSP MAC at 60 MIPS for field-oriented control of PMSM and BLDC motors. The high-speed PWM module generates the switching patterns, while the 10-bit 1.1 Msps ADC (four sample-and-hold circuits) samples phase currents nearly simultaneously, reducing torque ripple caused by sampling skew. Up to three on-chip op amp/comparator modules with direct ADC connection condition shunt signals without external amplifiers. The 64-pin package provides enough I/O for gate-enable logic, encoder inputs (QEA/QEB), and fault interlocks in a compact 10x10 mm footprint.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies (SMPS/PFC)
Switching power supplies and PFC stages benefit from the dsPIC33EP's fast control loop capability: the 12-bit 500 ksps ADC captures output voltage and inductor current, and the high-speed PWM supports frequency, duty, and phase modulation for LLC, buck, or boost topologies. At 60 MIPS the core executes PID or 3P3Z compensators well above the achievable loop bandwidths. The 256KB flash stores soft-start profiles, fault logging, and PMBus-style communication stacks over UART or SPI. Compared with analog controllers, this DSC adds programmability for sequencing, telemetry, and adaptive dead-time tuning while remaining AEC-Q100 for automotive power modules.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and Acquisition
The device integrates up to three op amp/comparator modules with direct ADC connection, allowing gain stages for thermocouples, pressure bridges, or pH probes to be implemented on-chip. The ADC's flexible configuration - 10-bit at 1.1 Msps with four S&H or 12-bit at 500 ksps with one S&H - lets designers trade resolution against bandwidth per channel. Independent ADC trigger sources support time-correlated sampling across inputs. With 16KB RAM, oversampling and digital filtering run on-chip before results are streamed over SPI or UART, offloading the host. AEC-Q100 qualification extends these acquisition nodes into industrial and automotive monitoring networks.
Recommended
Industrial Networking and Gateways
With CANbus, I2C, SPI, UART/USART, IrDA, and LINbus all on-chip, the DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT serves as a protocol gateway between vehicle/industrial CAN segments and legacy UART or LIN devices. The 256KB flash hosts dual protocol stacks plus buffering logic, while the 16KB RAM provides CAN mailbox and DMA-style data paths. The 60 MIPS core handles CRC generation, packet filtering, and rate translation without external logic. Multiple UART instances allow simultaneous RS-485 and RS-232 links. The 64-pin TQFP supplies enough I/O for hardware flow control, isolation-enable signals, and status LEDs in a single compact controller.
Recommended
Lighting Control (HID/LED ballasts)
High-intensity and high-power LED lighting requires precise current regulation and safe strike sequencing. The high-speed PWM outputs drive half-bridge or full-bridge stages with programmable dead time, while ADC trigger synchronization samples lamp current and bus voltage each switching cycle for peak-current-mode control. The 12-bit converter resolution supports dimming linearity targets, and the DSP MAC throughput executes flicker-free compensation loops at high bandwidth. AEC-Q100 qualification and the -40C to +125C range make this part appropriate for automotive headlamp and industrial luminaire environments where consumer-grade MCUs fall short on reliability.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GP506-H/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP506-E/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT | DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB |
| RAM | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (-H) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
Key Differentiators
- 125C automotive-grade operation in the standard family (vs DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT)
- Double the flash for firmware growth (vs DSPIC33EP128GP506-I/PT)
- Balanced memory/peripheral cost point vs 512KB sibling (vs DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/PT)
Design Notes
Provide a clean 3.3V rail with separate filtering for AVDD: place a ferrite bead plus 1uF and 0.1uF ceramics at the AVDD/AVSS pair to protect the 12-bit ADC from digital supply noise. Decouple all four VDD/VSS pairs with 0.1uF ceramics within 2 mm of the pins. Estimated: at 60 MIPS the core draws tens of mA (consult the ICC vs Fcy curves in the DS70000657J electrical characteristics section), so a 150-300 mA regulator budget covers the DSC plus a CAN transceiver.
The 64-TQFP has a 0.5 mm pitch; use a recommended pad pattern with 0.25 mm trace widths for fanout and tie the exposed center area (if present on the board pattern) to VSS with a via array for thermal relief. Route the oscillator (OSC1/OSC2) traces short and shielded with a ground guard ring, and keep SOSCI/SOSCO (RF13/RF12) crystals likewise isolated since the secondary oscillator clocks the RTCC.
Before layout, lock the pin-peripheral map: PGD/PGC debug pairs, peripheral pin select (PPS) capable pins, and ANx analog shares must be assigned in configuration so in-circuit programming (ICSP) is not blocked by external loads. Adding series 100-470 ohm resistors on PGD/PGC prevents contention. Also verify the -H grade thermal budget: theta_JA on TQFP-64 boards is typically board-dependent, so measure rather than assume at 125C ambient designs.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualification and automotive classification confirmed by datasheets.com and Microchip USA listings. RoHS/lead-free status per standard Microchip DSC offering; REACH/halogen details not stated in provided data.
