DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT - 16-bit 60 MIPS DSC 256KB | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.35 | $7.35 |
| 10 | $6.72 | $67.20 |
| 100 | $5.94 | $594.00 |
| 500 | $5.31 | $2,655.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.86 | $4,860.00 |
DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT Overview
A digital signal controller combines the architecture of a microcontroller (MCU) with the computational core of a digital signal processor (DSP). In the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, the dsPIC33EP family sits between general-purpose 16-bit MCUs and dedicated DSPs, offering single-cycle MAC instructions, hardware division, and barrel shifting alongside conventional peripherals, making it ideal for control loops that need both deterministic timing and mathematical throughput.
Key differentiating features of the dsPIC33EP GP family include up to 70 MIPS capable core (this -E grade part runs at 60 MIPS), superior ADC performance, CANbus connectivity, a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), integrated analog comparators, and a Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) for autonomous peripheral sequencing. Connectivity spans CANbus, I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, and UART/USART, enabling multi-bus industrial nodes on a single chip.
Technically, the device uses a modified Harvard 16-bit architecture with 24-bit instruction words, supporting DSP-style addressing and deterministic interrupt latency. The wide -40C to +125C extended temperature range and AEC-Q100 qualification make the -E suffix variant suitable for automotive and harsh industrial environments where standard -I grade parts (up to 85C ambient) are insufficient.
Typical applications include automotive body and control modules, industrial motor control and digital power conversion, sensor fusion and data acquisition nodes, and general-purpose embedded control requiring CAN networking. The rich peripheral set allows one device to close high-rate control loops while servicing communication stacks.
Design consideration: this -E/PT grade part is specified for extended temperature; derate maximum operating frequency and confirm thermal budget in enclosed, high-temperature enclosures since the 64-TQFP relies on PCB copper for heat dissipation.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout data, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with all pricing as of 2026-09-24.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/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 DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, RAM, Packaging, Connectivity.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP506T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
Contact for price
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP506T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.15 / 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)
DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | 16-bit dsPIC33E DSC |
| Max CPU Speed | 60 MIPs |
| Program Memory (FLASH) | 256KB (85.5K x 24) |
| RAM | 16KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Connectivity | CANbus, I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART |
| Qualification | AEC-Q100 qualified, Automotive |
| Core Technology | CMOS |
| Special Peripherals | CAN, CTMU, Comparators, Op Amps, PTG |
| Terminal Pitch | 0.5 mm |
| Series | dsPIC 33EP |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T suffix) |
DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low) / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | AN0/VREF+/CN0/RB0 — Analog input 0 / positive voltage reference / change notification / port B |
| Pin 3 | AN1/VREF-/CN1/RB1 — Analog input 1 / negative voltage reference / change notification / port B |
| Pin 4 | AN2/SS1/CN2/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 / CN / port B |
| Pin 5 | AN3/INDX/CN3/RB3 — Analog input 3 / encoder index / CN / port B |
| Pin 6 | AN4/QEA/IC7/CN4/RB4 — Analog input 4 / quadrature A / input capture 7 / CN / port B |
| Pin 7 | AN5/QEB/IC8/CN5/RB5 — Analog input 5 / quadrature B / input capture 8 / CN / port B |
| Pin 8 | AN6/OCFA/RB6 — Analog input 6 / output compare fault A / port B |
| Pin 9 | AN7/RB7 — Analog input 7 / port B |
| Pin 10 | AN8/RB8 — Analog input 8 / port B |
| Pin 11 | AN9/RB9 — Analog input 9 / port B |
| Pin 12 | AN10/RB10 — Analog input 10 / port B |
| Pin 13 | AN11/RB11 — Analog input 11 / port B |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 15 | VDD — 3.3V power supply |
| Pin 16 | AN12/RB12 — Analog input 12 / port B |
| Pin 17 | AN13/RB13 — Analog input 13 / port B |
| Pin 18 | AN14/RB14 — Analog input 14 / port B |
| Pin 19 | AN15/OCFB/RB15 — Analog input 15 / output compare fault B / port B |
| Pin 20 | PGD3/U1TX/SDO2/RF3 — Programming data 3 / UART1 TX / SPI2 data out / port F |
| Pin 21 | PGC3/U1RX/SDI2/RF2 — Programming clock 3 / UART1 RX / SPI2 data in / port F |
| Pin 22 | TCK/RA0 — JTAG test clock / port A |
| Pin 23 | TDO/RA1 — JTAG test data out / port A |
| Pin 24 | TMS/RA2 — JTAG test mode select / port A |
| Pin 25 | OSC1/CLKI/RC12 — Oscillator crystal input / external clock in / port C |
| Pin 26 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Oscillator crystal output / clock out / port C |
| Pin 27 | RC1/T2CK — Port C / timer 2 external clock |
| Pin 28 | RC3/T5CK — Port C / timer 5 external clock |
| Pin 29 | RC4/U1TX — Port C / UART1 TX (PPS) |
| Pin 30 | SOSCI/CN1/RC13 — Secondary oscillator input / CN / port C |
| Pin 31 | SOSCO/T1CK/CN0/RC14 — Secondary oscillator output / timer 1 clock / CN / port C |
| Pin 32 | VDD — 3.3V power supply |
| Pin 33 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 34 | RD8/PMD0 — Port D / parallel master port data 0 |
| Pin 35 | RD9/PMD1 — Port D / PMP data 1 |
| Pin 36 | RD10/PMD2 — Port D / PMP data 2 |
| Pin 37 | RD11/PMD3 — Port D / PMP data 3 |
| Pin 38 | RD0/PMBE — Port D / PMP byte enable |
| Pin 39 | RD1/PMCS1 — Port D / PMP chip select 1 |
| Pin 40 | RD2/PMCS2 — Port D / PMP chip select 2 |
| Pin 41 | RD3/PMWR — Port D / PMP write strobe |
| Pin 42 | RD4/PMRD — Port D / PMP read strobe |
| Pin 43 | RD5 — Port D general purpose I/O |
| Pin 44 | RD6 — Port D general purpose I/O |
| Pin 45 | RD7 — Port D general purpose I/O |
| Pin 46 | RG8 — Port G general purpose I/O |
| Pin 47 | RG9 — Port G general purpose I/O |
| Pin 48 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 49 | VDD — 3.3V power supply |
| Pin 50 | RF12 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 51 | RF13 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 52 | RF4 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 53 | RF5 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 54 | AVDD — Analog power supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 55 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 56 | RF6 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 57 | RF7 — Port F general purpose I/O (PPS capable) |
| Pin 58 | RE0/PMCS1 — Port E / PMP chip select 1 |
| Pin 59 | RE1/PMCS2 — Port E / PMP chip select 2 |
| Pin 60 | RE2/PMRD — Port E / PMP read strobe |
| Pin 61 | RE3/PMWR — Port E / PMP write strobe |
| Pin 62 | RE4 — Port E general purpose I/O |
| Pin 63 | RE5 — Port E general purpose I/O |
| Pin 64 | RE6/EMUD1 — Port E / emulation data 1 |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Control Modules, Industrial Motor Control, Digital Power Conversion, Data Acquisition and Sensor Nodes, Audio and Communication Gateways, Consumer Appliance Control.
Automotive Control Modules
The DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT is AEC-Q100 qualified with a -40C to +125C extended operating range, exactly matching underhood and body-electronics temperature envelopes. Its 60 MIPS 16-bit core closes deterministic control loops while the ECAN module handles CAN 2.0B networking with hardware message objects, and LINbus-capable UARTs cover low-cost subnetworks. In a body control module, the device can sequence relay and LED loads, run diagnostics via the CTMU, and service the CAN bus simultaneously from one chip. The 256KB FLASH accommodates UDS/OBD-style firmware stacks with room for calibration tables. Thermal design should confirm junction temperature stays within limits at 125C ambient, typically by maximizing PCB copper under the exposed thermal footprint of the 64-TQFP.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control
Digital motor control demands fast ADC sampling synchronized to PWM events - precisely what the dsPIC33EP GP family's Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) and high-speed ADC enable. The 60 MIPS core executes single-cycle MAC instructions for field-oriented control (FOC) math on PMSM and BLDC motors, while hardware comparators provide cycle-level overcurrent protection without CPU intervention. The 64-TQFP device offers enough PWM outputs for three-phase bridges with complementary or independent modes. Using this -E grade in industrial drives adds margin for hot control cabinets approaching 85C-100C ambient. Implementation typically pairs the DSC with a three-phase gate driver and current-sense amplifiers; the integrated op amps can condition low-side shunt signals, reducing external component count by two to three amplifiers per axis.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion
Switching power supplies, LLC converters, and solar micro-inverters require control-loop update rates above 100 kHz with low-jitter PWM. The dsPIC33EP's 60 MIPS throughput, deterministic interrupt latency, and DSP multiply-accumulate instructions sustain proportional-integral compensation loops at these rates while hardware comparators trip PWM outputs within nanoseconds on fault conditions. The PTG autonomously sequences ADC triggers against PWM phase, keeping sampling jitter minimal without loading the CPU. The 256KB FLASH holds multiple converter topologies and commissioning code. This extended-temperature -E variant suits power stages inside sealed industrial enclosures. Design attention should go to ADC input filtering and using the device's high-resolution phase of PWM at light loads to maintain efficiency across the load range.
Recommended
Data Acquisition and Sensor Nodes
The dsPIC33EP256GP506's fast 12-bit ADC with multiple sample-and-hold channels, CTMU for capacitive or time-of-flight measurement, and integrated op amps make it a compact analog front end for industrial sensing nodes. The 60 MIPS core applies DSP filtering (FIR/IIR) to raw samples in real time, offloading host processors, while SPI and I2C links stream processed data upward and CANbus integrates the node into factory networks. The extended -40C to +125C rating suits sensors mounted on motors, pumps, and outdoor enclosures. With 16KB of RAM and 256KB FLASH, the node buffers waveforms and executes embedded analysis locally. Designers should leverage the PTG to pace conversions at fixed intervals, producing timestamp-consistent data without software jitter.
Recommended
Audio and Communication Gateways
Multi-protocol gateways bridging CAN, LIN, RS-485, and UART segments benefit from the dsPIC33EP256GP506's six connectivity peripherals (CANbus, I2C, IrDA, LINbus, SPI, UART/USART per DigiKey). The 60 MIPS core runs protocol stacks plus application routing concurrently, and the DSP engine handles audio filtering or tone generation where voice-quality signal processing is needed - the dsPIC lineage originates from DSP architectures. The 256KB FLASH stores multiple protocol firmware images with field-updatable regions. Extended temperature qualification allows deployment in outdoor telecom cabinets. Implement store-and-forward buffering in the 16KB RAM with flow control, and use the Peripheral Trigger Generator to pace DMA transfers between peripherals, minimizing CPU overhead in high-traffic routing scenarios.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
High-end appliances - induction cooktops, compressors, dishwashers - combine motor control, user-interface sensing, and safety monitoring in one controller. This DSC runs the compressor FOC loop with hardware-protected PWM, reads capacitive touch keys via the CTMU, and supervises temperature sensors through its ADC, eliminating a separate touch controller IC. The 64-TQFP provides generous I/O for displays, relays, and communication to cloud modules over UART. AEC-Q100 pedigree gives appliance makers conservative reliability margins even in consumer budgets. The extended -E grade tolerates hot compressor compartments where standard parts derate. Firmware should partition time-critical control interrupts from the UI task scheduler, and designers must budget the 16KB RAM carefully when adding touch-decimation libraries alongside the motor-control state machine.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256GP506T-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP506T-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP506T-I/MR | DSPIC33EP512GP506-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10) | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same | 64-QFN - different land pattern | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| FLASH Program Memory | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 256KB | 512KB |
| Core Speed | 60 MIPs | 60 MIPs (up to 70 MIPs family capability) | 60 MIPs | 60 MIPs | 60 MIPs | 60 MIPs |
| Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (Extended, -E) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Connectivity | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART | CAN, I2C, IrDA, LIN, SPI, UART |
| Typical Role vs This Part | Extended-temp general purpose DSC | Cost-optimized industrial substitute | Reel-priced industrial substitute | Reduced-RAM/peripheral variant | QFN option for compact PCBs | Double memory for code growth |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C automotive-grade operation (vs DSPIC33EP256GP506T-I/PT)
- Full general-purpose peripheral set with op amps, CTMU, and PTG (vs DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/PT)
- Tape-and-reel (T suffix) volume sourcing (vs DSPIC33EP256GP506-I/PT)
Design Notes
Provide a clean 3.3V rail with 0.1uF ceramic decoupling at every VDD pin (pins 15, 32, 49) plus bulk 10uF near the device. Keep AVDD (pin 54) on a separate filtered supply - a ferrite bead plus 1uF/0.1uF network from the digital rail significantly improves ADC accuracy. Connect AVSS to a quiet analog ground island. Estimated: at 60 MIPS with peripherals active, core current is typically in the tens of mA range; confirm exact figures in the DS70000657J electrical characteristics tables before finalizing regulator sizing.
The 64-TQFP (10x10 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) requires careful escape routing: use 0.2 mm trace width with 0.2-0.25 mm spacing under the body. Place the ICSP programming header (MCLR, PGD, PGC, VDD, GND) close to pins 1, 20 and 21 with series 100-ohm resistors on PGD/PGC to isolate programming from application loads. Reserve the OSC1/OSC2 pins with short crystal traces and local ground guard if using the primary oscillator. At 125C ambient, maximize 2-oz copper planes under the package to conduct heat away.
Do not confuse temperature grades: this -E/PT part is rated -40C to +125C, but its industrial -I siblings are limited to +85C - substituting an -I part during a shortage silently voids the extended-temperature margin. Also, MCLR must not be driven above 3.3V during normal operation (higher voltages are only valid during programming). Finally, review Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) mappings in firmware before hardware reuse - unlike earlier dsPIC families, UART/SPI/other digital functions are software-routable and a wrong PPS table is a common bring-up failure.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified and classified Automotive per DigiKey and Microchip USA listings. RoHS/lead-free per DigiKey listing; REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
