DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT - 16-bit 60 MIPS DSC 256KB | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.9 | $6.90 |
| 10 | $6.21 | $62.10 |
| 100 | $5.52 | $552.00 |
| 500 | $4.97 | $2,485.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.48 | $4,480.00 |
DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational architecture of a microcontroller with the math acceleration of a digital signal processor. Within the power management IC hierarchy, a DSC sits between general-purpose MCUs and dedicated DSPs, offering a RISC core, DSP multiply-accumulate instructions, and integrated analog and motor-control peripherals on a single chip. The dsPIC33E family from Microchip is widely used where precise, deterministic control of power electronics is required.
Key features of the DSPIC33EP256MC506 include a 16-bit dsPIC DSC core executing up to 60 MIPS, on-chip DSP engine with barrel shifter, boundary-scan (JTAG) debug capability, and low-power modes. The dsPIC33E family is further characterized by up to 70 MIPS performance across the portfolio, integrated DSP, and enhanced peripherals for precision motor control such as high-resolution PWM and ADC modules.
The CMOS-fabricated device operates from a 3.3V supply, with a maximum clock frequency of 60MHz noted in distributor listings. The -E/PT suffix denotes an extended-temperature variant in TQFP packaging, and the T suffix denotes tape-and-reel delivery. The device integrates the peripheral set that Microchip designed for motor-control systems: PWM generation, analog sensing inputs, and communication interfaces for fieldbus and diagnostics.
Typical applications include brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives, digital power supplies such as PFC and LLC converters, and industrial automation requiring deterministic control loops. The AEC-Q100 qualification makes it suitable for automotive auxiliary motor and actuator control.
Design consideration: budget flash and RAM carefully - at 256KB FLASH and 16KB RAM, the part suits control-law-heavy firmware but limited protocol stacks; verify temperature grade suffix (-E extended) matches your enclosure conditions.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, pinout, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33EP256MC506T-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 DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Packaging, RAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33EP256MC506-E/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC506T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC504T-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.32 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP16GS506-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | dsPIC 33EP (16-bit DSC core) |
| Core Size | 16-bit |
| Maximum Speed | 60 MIPs |
| Program Memory Size | 256KB (85.5K x 24) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 16KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 60 MHz |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Special Features | Barrel shifter, boundary scan, low-power mode |
| Qualification | Automotive, AEC-Q100 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| Family | dsPIC 33EP Digital Signal Controllers |
| Programmability | In-system programmable (dsPIC33E family) |
DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear reset input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | AN0/VREF+/CN3/RB0 — Analog input 0 / positive voltage reference / change notification / port B |
| Pin 3 | AN1/VREF-/CN2/RB1 — Analog input 1 / negative voltage reference / change notification / port B |
| Pin 4 | AN2/SS1/CN4/RB2 — Analog input 2 / SPI slave select 1 / port B |
| Pin 5 | AN3/INDX/CN5/RB3 — Analog input 3 / encoder index / port B |
| Pin 6 | AN4/QEA/IC7/CN6/RB4 — Analog input 4 / quadrature A / input capture 7 / port B |
| Pin 7 | AN5/QEB/IC8/CN7/RB5 — Analog input 5 / quadrature B / input capture 8 / port B |
| Pin 8 | AN6/OCA/PGD3/CN8/RB6 — Analog input 6 / output compare A / programming data 3 / port B |
| Pin 9 | AN7/OCB/PGC3/CN9/RB7 — Analog input 7 / output compare B / programming clock 3 / port B |
| Pin 10 | AN8/EXTREF/CN10/RB8 — Analog input 8 / external reference / port B |
| Pin 11 | AN9/PWM1H/CN11/RB9 — Analog input 9 / PWM1 high / port B |
| Pin 12 | AN10/PWM1L/T2CK/CN12/RB10 — Analog input 10 / PWM1 low / timer 2 clock / port B |
| Pin 13 | AN11/PWM2H/T3CK/CN13/RB11 — Analog input 11 / PWM2 high / timer 3 clock / port B |
| Pin 14 | AN12/PWM2L/CN14/RB12 — Analog input 12 / PWM2 low / port B |
| Pin 15 | AN13/PWM3H/CN15/RB13 — Analog input 13 / PWM3 high / port B |
| Pin 14 | AN14/PWM3L/CTPLS/CN16/RB14 — Analog input 14 / PWM3 low / port B |
| Pin 17 | AN15/OCFA/CN17/RB15 — Analog input 15 / fault A input / port B |
| Pin 18 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 19 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 20 | PGD2/EMUD2/RF3 — Programming data 2 / emulation data 2 / port F |
| Pin 21 | PGC2/EMUC2/RF2 — Programming clock 2 / emulation clock 2 / port F |
| Pin 22 | SOSCI/CN1/RC13 — Secondary oscillator input / change notification / port C |
| Pin 23 | SOSCO/T1CK/CN0/RC14 — Secondary oscillator output / timer 1 clock / port C |
| Pin 24 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 25 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 26 | TXCK/SDO1/RF3 (PPS-mapped RC) — Peripheral Pin Select mapped communication pin / port C |
| Pin 27 | RC12/PPS — Port C, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 28 | SDA1/RG3 — I2C data 1 / port G |
| Pin 29 | SCL1/RG2 — I2C clock 1 / port G |
| Pin 30 | INT0/RD0 — External interrupt 0 / port D |
| Pin 31 | RD1/PPS — Port D, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 32 | IC1/RD2 — Input capture 1 / port D |
| Pin 33 | OC1/RD3 — Output compare 1 / port D |
| Pin 34 | T2CK/RD4 — Timer 2 external clock / port D |
| Pin 35 | T3CK/RD5 — Timer 3 external clock / port D |
| Pin 36 | RD6/PPS — Port D, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 37 | RD7/PPS — Port D, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 38 | RTCC/RB (RC1) — Port C, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 39 | RC4/PPS — Port C, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 40 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 41 | OSC1/CLKI/RC12 — Primary oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 42 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Primary oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 43 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 44 | RF4/PPS — Port F, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 45 | RF5/PPS — Port F, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 46 | SCL2/RF6 (PPS) — I2C clock 2 / port F |
| Pin 47 | SDA2/RF7 (PPS) — I2C data 2 / port F |
| Pin 48 | RF8/PPS — Port F, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 49 | RG0/PPS — Port G, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 50 | RG1/PPS — Port G, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 51 | U1TX/RF3 (PPS) — UART1 transmit / port F |
| Pin 52 | U1RX/RF2 (PPS) — UART1 receive / port F |
| Pin 53 | SCK1/RF6 (PPS) — SPI clock 1 / port F |
| Pin 54 | SDI1/RF7 (PPS) — SPI data in 1 / port F |
| Pin 55 | SDO1/RF8 (PPS) — SPI data out 1 / port F |
| Pin 56 | SS1/RF2 (PPS) — SPI slave select 1 / port F |
| Pin 57 | RG2/PPS — Port G, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 58 | RG3/PPS — Port G, PPS-mappable function |
| Pin 59 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 60 | VDD — Positive supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 61 | PWM1H/RE0 — PWM1 high output / port E |
| Pin 62 | PWM1L/RE1 — PWM1 low output / port E |
| Pin 63 | PWM2H/RE2 — PWM2 high output / port E |
| Pin 64 | PWM2L/RE3 — PWM2 low output / port E |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT is suitable for 6 applications: BLDC/PMSM Motor Control, Digital Power Supplies (PFC/LLC), Automotive Auxiliary Motor Drives, Industrial Automation and Robotics, Embedded Sensing and Instrumentation, Networking and Communication Equipment.
BLDC/PMSM Motor Control
The DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT is purpose-built for precision motor control: its 60 MIPs 16-bit dsPIC core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops well within PWM switching periods, while 256KB FLASH accommodates FOC algorithms, parameter observers, and fault diagnostics. Microchip's MA330031 PIM, which carries this exact 64-pin dsPIC33EP256MC506 TQFP device, plugs into the MCLV-2 (DM330021-2) low-voltage and MCHV-2 (DM330023-2) high-voltage motor control development boards, providing proven reference designs for BLDC and PMSM drives. The on-chip DSP engine with barrel shifter accelerates the multiply-accumulate operations in Clarke/Park transforms. The extended-temperature AEC-Q100 grade suits automotive pump, fan, and actuator drives where ambient conditions exceed industrial limits.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies (PFC/LLC)
In switch-mode power conversion, the DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT provides deterministic control of PFC and LLC converter stages. The 60 MIPs core supports control-loop update rates in the tens of kHz needed for power factor correction, and the DSP multiply-accumulate engine handles voltage/current loop compensation math without saturating the CPU. 256KB FLASH leaves ample room for soft-start sequencing, burst-mode operation, protection state machines, and PMBus-style communication. The 3.3V CMOS device interfaces directly with gate-driver ICs through its PWM outputs. Using a DSC instead of analog control enables adaptive compensation, digital ride-through, and firmware-updatable power conversion - key advantages in telecom rectifiers, server power supplies, and solar micro-inverters where efficiency and programmability are competitive requirements.
Recommended
Automotive Auxiliary Motor Drives
The AEC-Q100 qualification of the DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT makes it directly applicable to automotive auxiliary systems: HVAC blower motors, coolant pumps, radiator fans, throttle actuators, and window lift drives. The -E extended temperature suffix ensures reliable operation in engine-bay-adjacent and underbody environments where industrial-grade parts cannot be used. Its 256KB FLASH supports OEM-required diagnostic stacks, while the 16-bit DSP core handles sensorless commutation algorithms that eliminate Hall sensors, reducing BOM cost. The tape-and-reel (T) packaging supports high-volume SMT assembly lines typical of Tier-1 automotive manufacturing. Boundary-scan (JTAG) capability supports in-circuit test coverage demanded by automotive quality systems, and low-power modes support key-off current budgets.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Robotics
Factory automation equipment - servo drives, conveyors, CNC axes, and robot joints - benefits from the DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT's combination of deterministic control and connectivity. The 60 MIPs core closes current loops fast enough for servo-grade torque control, while 256KB FLASH holds trajectory planners, motion profiles, and protocol firmware simultaneously. Peripheral Pin Select allows the engineer to route UART, SPI, and I2C functions to optimal physical pins, simplifying PCB routing in dense industrial control boards. The 64-pin TQFP offers enough I/O for encoders, limit switches, safety interlocks, and HMI interfaces on a single controller. Compared with discrete MCU-plus-DSP solutions, this single-chip DSC reduces board area, BOM count, and firmware complexity, improving long-term maintainability of industrial equipment.
Recommended
Embedded Sensing and Instrumentation
For smart sensors and bench instrumentation, the DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT delivers DSP-grade signal processing in a low-cost MCU form factor. The on-chip DSP engine performs digital filtering (FIR/IIR) on ADC streams for vibration analysis, load-cell conditioning, and acoustic sensing, while 256KB FLASH stores calibration tables and self-test routines. Boundary-scan support eases production test of dense sensor boards. Low-power modes allow battery- or energy-harvesting-powered sensor nodes to duty-cycle the 60 MIs core only during measurement windows. The 64-pin TQFP provides multiple ADC inputs and communication interfaces (UART/SPI/I2C) for interfacing analog front ends, external memory, and industrial buses. This makes the part a strong fit for condition-monitoring nodes and portable test instruments.
Recommended
Networking and Communication Equipment
Industrial gateways, motor-network bridges, and communication modules use the DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT where real-time control meets protocol handling. Its 16KB RAM and 256KB FLASH accommodate communication stacks alongside control firmware, and the DSP core can process modulated signals for powerline-carrier or sensor-bus applications. Multiple UART/SPI/I2C instances - flexibly placed via Peripheral Pin Select - allow simultaneous links to motor drives, displays, and host controllers. In CAN-heavy industrial networks, the DSC closes local control loops while forwarding diagnostics upstream, offloading the main PLC. The 3.3V CMOS design integrates cleanly with standard transceivers and PHYs. Extended temperature tolerance supports outdoor and unconditioned enclosures common in distributed industrial networking installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33EP256MC506-E/PT | DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/PT | DSPIC33EP256MC506T-I/MR | DSPIC33EP256MC504T-I/TL | DSPIC33EP16GS506-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10) | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same | 64-pin dsPIC33EP family (per FindIC listing) | 64-TQFP (10x10) - same footprint | 64-TQFP - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| FLASH Memory | 256KB (85.5K x 24) | 256KB (85.5K x 24) | 256KB (85.5K x 24) | 256KB (85.5K x 24) | 256KB | 16KB (-94%) |
| Temperature Grade | Extended (-E) | Extended (-E) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) | Industrial (-I) |
| Peripheral Focus | MC (motor control) peripherals | MC (motor control) | MC (motor control) | MC (motor control) | MC (motor control) | GS (smart sensing) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (T suffix) | Tube/Tray (non-T) | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel (T) | Tape & Reel (T) | Tape & Reel |
Key Differentiators
- Extended temperature with automotive qualification in drop-in footprint (vs DSPIC33EP256MC506-I/PT)
- 4x the FLASH of legacy dsPIC33F motor-control parts (vs DSPIC33FJ64MC706A-I/MR)
- Motor-control (MC) peripheral set vs general-purpose alternatives (vs DSPIC33EP256GP504-I/PT)
Design Notes
The dsPIC33EP256MC506T-E/PT operates from a single 3.3V supply (VDD), with separate VDD/VSS pairs distributed around the 64-TQFP package (pins 19/18, 25/24, 40/43, 60/59). Decouple every VDD pin with a 0.1uF ceramic capacitor placed within 2-3 mm of the pin, plus one bulk 10uF capacitor near the package. During motor-control PWM operation, simultaneous switching of the high-current MOSFET gates through the gate driver can inject noise back into the DSC supply; a ferrite bead between the board 3.3V rail and the DSC VDD pins is recommended practice from Microchip motor-control reference designs such as the MCLV-2 board.
The 64-TQFP 10x10 mm package requires careful layout of the analog pins (AN0-AN15, pins 2-17) away from PWM output traces (RE port, pins 61-64). Route ADC sense lines as short as possible and guard them with ground pours. If VREF+ is used for precision sensing, give it its own filtered supply rather than sharing the noisy digital 3.3V rail. The exposed pin pitch of 0.5 mm demands a well-controlled reflow profile; the tape-and-reel (T) format suits automated assembly lines.
Verify the temperature suffix before BOM release: the -E (extended) grade of this part is required for automotive AEC-Q100 applications, while the -I (industrial) variant, though pin-identical, is not automotive qualified. Also note conflicting RAM figures in third-party listings (16KB per DigiKey/Microchip USA vs 32KB mentioned in one Microchip USA page for the PTVAO suffix) - always confirm memory size against the official Microchip datasheet before firmware memory budgeting. Finally, the dsPIC Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) means default pin functions in schematic netlists must be verified in firmware configuration.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 automotive qualification and 'Automotive' series designation confirmed by Sensible Micro and FindIC listings. RoHS/lead-free per standard Microchip dsPIC33EP tape-and-reel offerings; REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
