DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP - 16-bit 256KB Flash DSC 70 MIPS | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.95 | $7.95 |
| 10 | $7.15 | $71.50 |
| 100 | $6.35 | $635.00 |
| 500 | $5.65 | $2,825.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.95 | $4,950.00 |
DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational throughput of a digital signal processor with the peripheral integration, interrupt architecture, and deterministic control behavior of a microcontroller. Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded systems, DSCs occupy the tier specialized for closed-loop control: unlike general-purpose MCUs, they integrate DSP-engine MAC instructions, high-resolution PWM modules, and fast ADCs on a single die. The dsPIC33E family sits between Microchip's general-purpose PIC16/PIC18 MCUs and its 32-bit SAM/ARM portfolios, targeting real-time control workloads.
Key features of this device include the 70 MIPS dsPIC DSC core with DSP instruction support, 256 KB of self-programmable Flash with ECC, 32 KB of SRAM, multiple high-speed PWM outputs suited to complementary motor-drive switching, and on-chip analog integration highlighted as 'OpAmps' in distributor parametrics. Multiple PGECx/PGEDx pin pairs enable in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and debugging via any matched PGEC/PGED pair, as documented by Microchip.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33EP core executes an enhanced 16-bit RISC instruction set with two 40-bit accumulators and hardware multiply-accumulate, allowing filter and transform kernels (PID, Clarke/Park transforms) to run deterministically at full clock rate. A 4-channel DMA controller offloads data movement between peripherals and RAM, reducing interrupt latency during high-rate ADC sampling cycles.
Typical applications include precision BLDC and PMSM motor control for industrial drives, automotive subsystems where the AEC-Q100 qualification noted in distributor data is required, and power-conversion products such as digital power supplies and inverters. The through-hole SPDIP-28 package makes the part especially practical for prototyping, breadboarding, and legacy industrial boards.
When designing with this device, budget the 3.3V rail for all VDD/AVDD pins, decouple each supply pin with 0.1 uF ceramics, and pair ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT consistently with a single PGEC/PGED pair during programming.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing context, drop-in same-package alternatives, pinout guidance, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP — 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 DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core, Core Architecture, Program Memory, RAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256MC502-I/SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128MC502-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP64MC502-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC202-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC RISC |
| Max CPU Speed | 70 MIPS |
| Oscillator Frequency | 60 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Number of Pins | 28 |
| Package | SPDIP-28 |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Temperature Qualification | Automotive AEC-Q100 |
| DMA Channels | 4-channel DMA controller |
| On-chip Peripherals | High-Speed PWM, Op-Amps, Advanced Analog |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (multiple PGECx/PGEDx pairs) |
| RoHS Status | unknown |
DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | AN0/VREF+/CN3/RB0 — Analog input 0 / positive voltage reference |
| Pin 3 | AN1/VREF-/CN2/RB1 — Analog input 1 / negative voltage reference |
| Pin 4 | AN2/SS1/CN4/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 |
| Pin 5 | AN3/CN5/RB3 — Analog input 3 |
| Pin 6 | PGEC2/AN4/C1IN1-/CN6/RB4 — Programming clock 2 / analog input 4 / comparator input |
| Pin 7 | PGED2/AN5/C1IN1+/CN7/RB5 — Programming data 2 / analog input 5 / comparator input |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKI/CN12/RA2 — Oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Power supply (3.3 V) |
| Pin 12 | PGED1/AN6/OC1/RP0/CN1/RB6 — Programming data 1 / analog input 6 / output compare 1 / remappable pin |
| Pin 13 | PGEC1/AN7/OC2/RP1/CN0/RB7 — Programming clock 1 / analog input 7 / output compare 2 / remappable pin |
| Pin 14 | AN9/RP2/RB8 — Analog input 9 / remappable pin |
| Pin 15 | AN10/RP3/RB9 — Analog input 10 / remappable pin |
| Pin 16 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Power supply (3.3 V) |
| Pin 18 | PGED3/AN11/RP4/RB10 — Programming data 3 / analog input 11 / remappable pin |
| Pin 19 | PGEC3/AN12/RP5/RB11 — Programming clock 3 / analog input 12 / remappable pin |
| Pin 20 | AN13/RP6/RB12 — Analog input 13 / remappable pin |
| Pin 21 | AN14/RP7/RB13 — Analog input 14 / remappable pin |
| Pin 22 | AN15/OCFA/RP8/RB14 — Analog input 15 / PWM fault input / remappable pin |
| Pin 23 | AVDD — Analog power supply |
| Pin 24 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 25 | TCK/RP9/RB15 — Test clock / remappable pin |
| Pin 26 | SDO1/SCL1/RP10/RF3 — SPI data out 1 / I2C clock 1 / remappable pin |
| Pin 27 | SDI1/SDA1/RP11/RF2 — SPI data in 1 / I2C data 1 / remappable pin |
| Pin 28 | SCK1/RP13/RF4 — SPI clock 1 / remappable pin |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP is suitable for 6 applications: Precision BLDC/PMSM Motor Control, Automotive Control Modules, Digital Power Supplies and Inverters, Industrial Automation and Sensing Nodes, Prototyping and Educational Platforms, Robotics and Servo Drives.
Precision BLDC/PMSM Motor Control
The DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP is purpose-built for precision motor control: its 70 MIPS dsPIC DSC core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops with hardware MAC instructions and 40-bit accumulators, while the high-speed PWM module provides complementary outputs with dead-time insertion for three-phase bridges. On-chip op-amps amplify current-shunt signals for the current-feedback loops, and the 4-channel DMA sustains high-rate ADC sampling without CPU overhead. Per Microchip, the dsPIC33E family enables high-performance, energy-efficient motor control systems. Place the DSC as the sole closed-loop controller between gate drivers and current-sense amplifiers; the deterministic core ensures consistent PWM update jitter, which directly improves torque ripple and acoustic performance in PMSM and BLDC drives.
Recommended
Automotive Control Modules
Distributor data (datasheets.com) explicitly qualifies the DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP as an automotive AEC-Q100 part, and the '-H' temperature grade extends operating capability beyond the industrial range. In automotive subsystems - pump controllers, throttle actuators, fan and blower drives - the part runs deterministic closed-loop control at 70 MIPS while withstanding harsh thermal environments. The 3.3V supply and 256 KB self-programmable Flash support field firmware updates required by automotive diagnostics. Per Microchip USA, the device suits applications 'where precise and rapid execution is paramount.' Use its ICSP interface with a matched PGEC/PGED pair for production flashing on the assembly line, and verify all VDD/VSS pins are connected per datasheet requirements for reliable operation under automotive load-dump conditions.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies and Inverters
Digital power conversion benefits from the DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP's combination of high-speed PWM with fine edge control, fast analog comparators, and on-chip op-amps. The 70 MIPS core closes voltage/current feedback loops at switching-relevant rates, implementing average-current-mode control, peak-current limiting, and soft-start sequencing in firmware. The 4-channel DMA streams ADC results to RAM so control bandwidth is not degraded by interrupt service latency. Microchip's family documentation positions advanced analog integration as a core dsPIC33E feature for power conversion. Typical designs use one DSC for LLC, buck, or single-phase inverter stages; the SPDIP-28 package eases prototyping of the control stage before committing to a production SMD layout.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Sensing Nodes
On factory floors, the DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP serves as an intelligent sensor node or actuator controller, merging signal-chain analog (op-amps, ADC) with communication-ready digital peripherals. The 70 MIPS core executes conditioning algorithms - digital filters, RMS computation, threshold detection - locally, while 256 KB Flash holds application logic and 32 KB RAM buffers sensor data via DMA. Per Microchip USA, the part is suitable for industrial automation where precise execution is required. The through-hole SPDIP-28 package simplifies integration into DIN-rail and panel-mounted industrial boards that still use through-hole processes. Multiple ICSP pairs allow reprogramming installed nodes in the field without desoldering.
Recommended
Prototyping and Educational Platforms
The 28-pin SPDIP through-hole package makes the DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP uniquely valuable for breadboard prototyping, university labs, and one-off test fixtures where SMD soldering is impractical. Despite the legacy-friendly package, the silicon is a modern 70 MIPS DSC with 256 KB Flash, 32 KB RAM, DSP MAC instructions, high-speed PWM, and on-chip op-amps - everything needed to teach and validate motor control, power electronics, and signal processing. Microchip documents ICSP programming via any PGECx/PGEDx pair (per the northernsoftware.com support summary), requiring only five wires: MCLR, VDD, GND, ICSPCLK, and ICSPDAT. Designs validated on SPDIP migrate directly to surface-mount dsPIC33EP256MC502 variants with pin-identical silicon.
Recommended
Robotics and Servo Drives
Robotic joints and servo actuators demand synchronized multi-axis control with low loop latency, matching the DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP's strengths. The 70 MIPS core runs cascaded position/velocity/current loops with deterministic timing, while the high-speed PWM drives H-bridges with dead-time control for smooth torque delivery at low speeds. On-chip op-amps condition encoder or shunt-resistor signals, and 256 KB Flash stores trajectory generation code alongside the control kernel. Microchip's dsPIC33E family description highlights integrated DSP and enhanced peripherals as the enabler for such precision motion systems. The 4-channel DMA offloads quadrature-encoder interface data and ADC results, keeping interrupt latency low during simultaneous multi-axis updates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256MC502-H/SP — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256MC502-I/SP | DSPIC33EP128MC502-I/SP | DSPIC33EP64MC502-I/SP | DSPIC33EP256MC202-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SPDIP-28 | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same | SPDIP-28 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| Core Speed | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Temperature Grade / Qualification | Automotive AEC-Q100 (-H grade) | Industrial (-I grade) | Industrial (-I grade) | Industrial (-I grade) | Industrial (-I grade) |
| Motor-Control Peripheral Set | High-speed PWM + op-amps + advanced analog | Same (identical die) | Same MC50x peripheral set | Same MC50x peripheral set | Reduced (MC202 subfamily) |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive AEC-Q100 qualification in through-hole package (vs DSPIC33EP256MC502-I/SP)
- Full 256 KB Flash for field-updatable motor-control firmware (vs DSPIC33EP128MC502-I/SP)
- Complete MC50x motor-control peripheral set (vs DSPIC33EP256MC202-I/SP)
Design Notes
Connect every VDD and VSS pin pair (pins 11/16 VDD and 8/16 VSS areas plus AVDD/AVSS on 23/24) per the Microchip datasheet requirement that all supply pins be tied. Decouple each supply pin with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within a few millimeters of the pin, plus one bulk 10 uF per board. The analog AVDD/AVSS pair should be filtered from the digital rail (ferrite bead plus 0.1 uF) to protect ADC accuracy in motor-control current-sense loops.
ICSP pairing error is the most common bring-up failure: the DSPIC33EP256MC502 has multiple PGECx/PGEDx pairs, and per Microchip's programming documentation (northernsoftware.com support summary), the clock and data pins must come from the same pair - PGEC2 must pair with PGED2, PGEC1 with PGED1, and so on. Mixing pairs prevents programming. Also ensure MCLR is not loaded with capacitance above the datasheet limit during programming, and pull it up with ~10 kOhm to VDD in the final application.
Although this is a through-hole SPDIP-28 part, keep the crystal (OSC1/OSC2 at pins 9/10) traces short and surround them with ground. Route PWM outputs away from the analog inputs AN0-AN15 to prevent switching noise coupling into current-sense channels; with the high-speed PWM module switching multi-amp motor phases, star-ground the analog ground at AVSS (pin 24). Estimated: for 3.3V operation at typical 70 MIPS load current, power dissipation stays well below the package limit, but verify VDD current against the datasheet electrical characteristics table at your target clock configuration.
Compliance Information
Automotive AEC-Q100 qualification stated in datasheets.com parametric data for this MPN. RoHS/REACH/lead-free status not stated in the provided data - verify on the Microchip product page.
