DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT - 60 MIPS 16-bit DSC, 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.42 | $6.42 |
| 10 | $5.8 | $58.00 |
| 100 | $5.12 | $512.00 |
| 500 | $4.75 | $2,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.28 | $4,280.00 |
DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational power of a DSP with the peripheral integration and ease of use of a microcontroller. Within the power-management hierarchy, the DSC sits at the top of embedded control ICs: microcontroller -> microcontroller with DSP engine -> digital signal controller -> digital signal processor. The dsPIC33E family integrates an enhanced DSP engine (single-cycle MAC, 40-bit accumulators, dual operand fetch) with high-precision motor-control peripherals on one chip.
Key features include the 60 MIPS dsPIC33E core, 256KB self-programmable Flash with ECC, 32KB SRAM, four DMA channels that offload data movement from the CPU, and dedicated high-speed PWM modules with dead-time control aimed at motor control and digital power conversion.
Architecturally, the device is fabricated in CMOS and pairs a 16-bit CPU pipeline with an internal bus architecture. Flash program memory is addressed as 24-bit instruction words (85.5K x 24), and the DSP engine supports fractional and integer MAC operations essential for FOC (field-oriented control), PID loops, and digital filtering.
Typical applications include BLDC/PMSM/ACIM motor drives, solar inverters and digital power supplies, UPS systems, and industrial automation nodes where sensorless or encoder-based control loops must execute at high sample rates.
Design consideration: this 44-pin TQFP version provides a reduced GPIO count versus 64/80-pin siblings, so budget I/O carefully when mapping high-speed PWM outputs, quadrature encoder inputs, and communication ports.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-footprint drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256MC504-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 DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Core Architecture, Maximum CPU Speed, Packaging.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256MC504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC504-H/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128MC504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP64MC504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC33E DSC core |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 60 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 3.6 V (nominal 3.3 V) |
| DMA Channels | 4 |
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Peripherals | High-Speed PWM, 12-bit ADC, timers, UART, SPI, I2C (per family datasheet) |
| Process Technology | CMOS |
| Product Family | dsPIC33EP256MC50x Motor Control family |
| Programming Support | In-circuit serial programming (ISP) supported |
| Package Dimensions | 10 x 10 mm body, TQFP-44 |
DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear reset input / programming voltage (ICSP) |
| Pin 2 | AN0/VREF+/RB0 — Analog input 0 / ADC positive reference / port B0 |
| Pin 3 | AN1/VREF-/RB1 — Analog input 1 / ADC negative reference / port B1 |
| Pin 4 | AN2/SS1/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 / port B2 |
| Pin 5 | AN3/INDX/RB3 — Analog input 3 / quadrature index pulse / port B3 |
| Pin 6 | AN4/QEA/IC7/RB4 — Analog input 4 / quadrature A input / capture 7 / port B4 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | OSC1/CLKI/RA2 — Oscillator crystal input / external clock input / port A2 |
| Pin 9 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Oscillator crystal output / clock output / port C15 |
| Pin 10 | AN5/QEB/IC8/RB5 — Analog input 5 / quadrature B input / capture 8 / port B5 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 12 | AN6/OCFA/RB6 — Analog input 6 / PWM fault A input / port B6 |
| Pin 13 | AN7/RB7 — Analog input 7 / port B7 |
| Pin 14 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 15 | AN8/RB8 — Analog input 8 / port B8 |
| Pin 16 | AN9/RB9 — Analog input 9 / port B9 |
| Pin 17 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 18 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 19 | AN10/RB10 — Analog input 10 / port B10 |
| Pin 20 | AN11/RB11 — Analog input 11 / port B11 |
| Pin 21 | AN12/RB12 — Analog input 12 / port B12 |
| Pin 22 | AN13/RB13 — Analog input 13 / port B13 |
| Pin 23 | AN14/RB14 — Analog input 14 / port B14 |
| Pin 24 | AN15/RB15 — Analog input 15 / port B15 |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 26 | AVDD — Analog supply for ADC (3.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 27 | AVSS — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 28 | SDO1/U1TX/RF3 — SPI data out 1 / UART1 transmit / remappable pin / port F3 |
| Pin 29 | SDI1/U1RX/RF2 — SPI data in 1 / UART1 receive / remappable pin / port F2 |
| Pin 30 | RF6 — Remappable peripheral pin / port F6 |
| Pin 31 | RF0 — Remappable peripheral pin / port F0 |
| Pin 32 | RF1 — Remappable peripheral pin / port F1 |
| Pin 33 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V-3.6V) |
| Pin 34 | RA4/T2CK — Port A4 / Timer 2 external clock input |
| Pin 35 | RE0/PMD0 — Port E0 / parallel master port data 0 |
| Pin 36 | RE1/PMD1 — Port E1 / parallel master port data 1 |
| Pin 37 | RE2/PMD2 — Port E2 / parallel master port data 2 |
| Pin 38 | RE3/PMD3 — Port E3 / parallel master port data 3 |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 40 | RE4/PMD4 — Port E4 / parallel master port data 4 |
| Pin 41 | RE5/PMD5 — Port E5 / parallel master port data 5 |
| Pin 42 | RE6/PMD6 — Port E6 / parallel master port data 6 |
| Pin 43 | RE7/PMD7 — Port E7 / parallel master port data 7 |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V-3.6V) |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC/PMSM Motor Drives, Digital Power Conversion (Solar Inverters, UPS), Industrial Automation and Robotics, Electric Vehicle Auxiliary Systems, Power Metering and Instrumentation, Embedded Control Replacements and Legacy Upgrades.
BLDC/PMSM Motor Drives
The DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT fits brushless DC and permanent-magnet synchronous motor control because its 60 MIPS core executes field-oriented control loops at sampling rates of 10-20 kHz with margin, while the high-speed PWM module generates complementary gate signals with programmable dead-time for the three-phase inverter. The four DMA channels stream ADC current-sense samples to RAM without CPU stalls, keeping the control loop deterministic. In a typical FOC design, ADC conversion is triggered by the PWM module for cycle-synchronous current sampling, and quadrature encoder inputs support closed-loop speed feedback. The trade-off versus larger 64-pin MC506 devices is fewer parallel PWM outputs, sufficient for one motor per MCU.
Recommended
Digital Power Conversion (Solar Inverters, UPS)
For digital power supplies, solar micro-inverters, and UPS stages, the DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT provides the deterministic 60 MIPS performance needed for multi-loop voltage/current regulation with phase-shifted or interleaved PWM topologies. The high-speed PWM peripheral supports complementary outputs, dead-time insertion, and fault clamp inputs for fast overcurrent shutdown - critical for protecting MOSFET bridges during transients. The 12-bit ADC synchronized to the PWM carrier captures inductor current and bus voltage each switching cycle, enabling average-current-mode control at switching frequencies up to several hundred kHz. Firmware flexibility allows MPPT algorithms for solar inputs to run in the same control ISR as the power stage regulation loop.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Robotics
In industrial automation nodes, the DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT serves as a real-time actuator controller, coordinating servo motor loops, sensor acquisition, and factory communication. The 60 MIPS core handles cascaded position/velocity/current loops while UART, SPI, and I2C ports interface with drives, encoders, and supervisory PLCs; the four DMA channels offload communication buffering so ISR latency stays low. Its -40C to +125C E-grade temperature rating suits sealed drives and robot joint modules where ambient heat accumulates. The 256KB Flash provides headroom for field-updatable firmware with dual-image bootloader schemes, and in-circuit serial programming (ISP) enables ICSP updates on the assembled board without desoldering.
Recommended
Electric Vehicle Auxiliary Systems
Auxiliary EV systems - coolant pumps, blowers, window lifts, oil pumps - need compact, high-temperature motor controllers, and the DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT addresses this with its -40C to +125C E-grade rating and 3.3V noise-robust CMOS design. The 60 MIPS core implements sensorless BLDC control using back-EMF estimation or sliding-mode observers computed in the 10 kHz loop; the high-speed PWM with dead-time and fault inputs directly drives the inverter gate-driver interface. The 44-pin 10x10 mm TQFP keeps the controller PCB small enough to integrate with the motor. Note this standard part is not AEC-Q100-qualified; verify qualification requirements for safety-relevant automotive functions.
Recommended
Power Metering and Instrumentation
Energy meters and handheld instrumentation benefit from the DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT's combination of a 12-bit ADC, DSP engine, and 256KB Flash. The single-cycle MAC and 40-bit accumulators execute FFT and RMS computations on sampled voltage/current waveforms efficiently, while DMA transfers keep sampling continuous across the AC cycle. The 256KB program space holds harmonic-analysis libraries, communication stacks, and calibration tables simultaneously. The 44-pin TQFP provides enough analog inputs for multi-channel metering in polyphase designs. Because the part runs from a single 3.3V rail, isolated sensing front-ends with shunt or CT inputs integrate without additional level-shifting circuitry, simplifying the metrology board design.
Recommended
Embedded Control Replacements and Legacy Upgrades
The DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT is a common upgrade path for aging 8-bit and dsPIC33F designs needing more performance without a board redesign of the surrounding power stages. Its 60 MIPS core outperforms dsPIC33F 40 MIPS parts, and 256KB Flash with ECC covers modern code sizes with headroom. In-circuit serial programming and support by Microchip MPLAB X IDE and standard programmers (ICSP/ISP) keep the toolchain investment low. When shortage risk threatens production, the same-footprint family variants (64KB, 128KB, I/H temperature grades) let purchasing swap BOM entries without PCB respin, provided firmware memory requirements fit the substitute device.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256MC504-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256MC504-I/PT | DSPIC33EP128MC504-I/PT | DSPIC33EP64MC504-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-TQFP (10x10) | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same | 44-TQFP (10x10) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS | 60 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB | 256 KB |
| Temperature Range | -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) |
| Peripheral Family | MC (motor control, high-speed PWM) | MC (motor control) | MC (motor control) | MC (motor control) | GP (general purpose, no high-speed PWM) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Drop-in Footprint Compatibility | Reference (44-TQFP PT) | Pin-to-pin drop-in | Pin-to-pin drop-in | Pin-to-pin drop-in | Pin-to-pin drop-in (firmware recompile for GP peripherals) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs DSPIC33EP256MC504-I/PT)
- Dedicated motor-control PWM (vs DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT)
- Full 256KB Flash with ECC (vs DSPIC33EP128MC504-I/PT)
Design Notes
Supply all four VDD pins plus AVDD from a clean 3.3V rail. Decouple each VDD pin with a 0.1uF ceramic placed within 2 mm of the pin, and add a 4.7uF-10uF bulk capacitor near the package. Feed AVDD through an RC filter (e.g., 10 ohm + 1uF) or ferrite bead from the digital rail so switching noise from the PWM-driven inverter does not corrupt ADC readings. Microchip reference designs for motor control consistently isolate the analog supply this way.
Route the high-speed PWM outputs away from AN0-AN15 analog traces and the quadrature encoder inputs; gate-drive edges couple capacitively into ADC inputs and cause current-sense jitter in FOC loops. Keep the crystal loop (OSC1/OSC2, pins 8-9) compact with ground guarding. Use the PWM fault inputs (OCFA) tied to a hardware comparator or gate-driver fault output so overcurrent shutdown occurs in hardware without waiting for the ISR.
Do not confuse temperature grades: the -E/PT suffix is required for -40C to +125C operation; the -I/PT substitute stops at +85C ambient. MCLR requires a 4.7k-10k pull-up for reliable reset, and during ICSP programming the MCLR pin is driven to ~9V - protect any circuitry sharing that node. Peripherals are remappable (PPS); conflicting RPx assignments silently disable functions, so verify the pin map table in the family datasheet DS70000657 before routing.
Compliance Information
Standard Microchip surface-mount production parts are lead-free and RoHS-compliant as a family practice, but exact RoHS/REACH declarations for this MPN should be confirmed on Microchip's environmental compliance page. No AEC-Q100 qualification claim appears in the provided data for this standard (non-automotive) part.