DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P - 16-Bit DSC, 16MIPS, 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.21 | $5.21 |
| 10 | $4.69 | $46.90 |
| 100 | $4.18 | $418.00 |
| 500 | $3.76 | $1,880.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.38 | $3,380.00 |
DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P Overview
A digital signal controller combines the computational power of a digital signal processor with the deterministic control structure of a microcontroller. In the embedded systems hierarchy, the DSC sits above general-purpose microcontrollers and below application-specific DSPs, making it ideal for real-time closed-loop control where both fast math (multiply-accumulate, DSP engine instructions) and flexible I/O are required. The dsPIC33F family is Microchip's mainstream 16-bit DSC line, programmed through the MPLAB ecosystem.
Key features of this part include a motor control PWM module (MCPWM) for driving three-phase and brushless motors, a 10-bit ADC with 4 input channels for current and voltage feedback, up to four high-speed analog comparators, and a CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) for precision time and capacitive measurement. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) allows digital peripherals to be remapped to available pins, maximizing flexibility in low-pin-count designs. Communication interfaces include UART, SPI, and I2C.
The dsPIC33F core executes an optimized C compiler-friendly instruction set with two 40-bit accumulators, a 17-bit by 17-bit single-cycle hardware multiplier, and a DSP engine supporting MAC and dual data fetch, enabling FOC (field-oriented control) and other math-intensive control algorithms at 16 MIPS.
Typical applications include Brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent-magnet motor drives, power factor correction and digital power supplies, battery chargers, and sensor signal conditioning with the CTMU.
Design consideration: the part operates from a single 3.0V to 3.6V supply; 5V-tolerant digital pins simplify interfacing, but analog inputs must stay within the VDD range.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing tiers, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical motor-control design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet. Pricing is as of 2026-09-27.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P — 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 DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Mounting Type, Core Architecture, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ16MC102-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ32MC102-I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GP102-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ12GP202-I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.69 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ32MC102-E/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | dsPIC33F 16-bit DSC |
| Core Size | 16-bit |
| Speed | 16 MIPS / 40 MHz |
| Program Memory Size | 16KB (16K x 8) Flash |
| RAM Size | 1KB (1K x 8) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Number of I/O | 15 |
| Data Converters | 10-bit ADC, 4 channels |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART |
| Motor Control PWM | Yes (MCPWM) |
| Comparators | Up to 4 high-speed comparators |
| CTMU | Yes (Charge Time Measurement Unit) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| 5V Tolerant Pins | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended, E) |
| Package | 20-PDIP (0.300 in, 7.62mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master clear reset (active low), programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | AN0/VREF+/CN2/RB0 — Analog input 0 / ADC positive reference / comparator input |
| Pin 3 | AN1/VREF-/CN3/RB1 — Analog input 1 / ADC negative reference |
| Pin 4 | PGD/EMUD1/AN2/CN4/RB2 — In-circuit serial programming data / analog input 2 |
| Pin 5 | PGC/EMUC1/AN3/CN5/RB3 — In-circuit serial programming clock / analog input 3 |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | OSC1/CLKI/CN12/RA2 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 8 | OSC2/CLKO/CN13/RA3/RC15 — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 9 | SOSCI/CN1/RB4 — Secondary oscillator input / digital I/O |
| Pin 10 | SOSCO/T1CK/CN0/RA4 — Secondary oscillator output / Timer1 external clock |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply (3.0V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 12 | RP1/CN21/PWM1L/RF1 — Remappable peripheral pin / motor control PWM output 1 low |
| Pin 13 | RP2/CN22/PWM1H/RF2 — Remappable peripheral pin / motor control PWM output 1 high |
| Pin 14 | RP3/CN23/PWM2L/RF3 — Remappable peripheral pin / motor control PWM output 2 low |
| Pin 15 | RP4/CN24/PWM2H/RF4 — Remappable peripheral pin / motor control PWM output 2 high |
| Pin 16 | RP5/CN25/PWM3L/RF5 — Remappable peripheral pin / motor control PWM output 3 low |
| Pin 17 | SCL/RP6/CN26/RF6 — I2C clock / remappable peripheral pin |
| Pin 18 | SDA/RP7/CN27/RF7 — I2C data / remappable peripheral pin |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VCAP/VDDCORE — Core voltage regulator capacitor connection |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control, Digital Power Supplies and SMPS, Battery Chargers, Sensor Signal Conditioning and CTMU Measurement, Embedded Control and Industrial Automation, Prototyping and Education (Through-Hole Development).
Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control
The DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P is purpose-built for BLDC drives: its MCPWM module generates complementary or independent PWM outputs with programmable dead time, while the 10-bit ADC samples phase currents and bus voltage for closed-loop commutation. The up-to-four high-speed comparators with direct connections enable hardware-based overcurrent trips and sensorless back-EMF zero-crossing detection without CPU latency. At 16 MIPS with a single-cycle 17x17 multiplier, the DSP engine executes trapezoidal or field-oriented control loops at PWM switching frequencies of 20 kHz and above. Typical use places the controller between a gate-driver stage (e.g., gate-driver IC) and a three-phase inverter; the 5V-tolerant pins interface easily with hall sensors and legacy logic. Firmware fits in the 16KB Flash for six-step commutation with current limiting and speed PI loops.
Recommended
Digital Power Supplies and SMPS
In digitally controlled AC-DC and DC-DC converters, the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P closes the feedback loop in firmware: the MCPWM module generates the switching waveform with adjustable duty cycle and dead time, the 10-bit ADC (4 channels) samples output voltage and inductor current, and high-speed comparators implement cycle-by-cycle current limiting in hardware for fault protection. The 16 MIPS DSP engine supports 3p3z or PID compensators at switching frequencies up to the 100 kHz-class range typical of offline converters. PPS remapping lets engineers place PWM and feedback pins optimally on the 20-pin footprint, and the CTMU can monitor component drift. For designs needing more I/O or higher-resolution PWM, the DSPIC33FJ16GS504 (available on XAIPART) is the digital-power-oriented upgrade path, but the MC101 suffices for compact single-output converters.
Recommended
Battery Chargers
Battery charging profiles - CC/CV phases, temperature monitoring, and termination logic - map well onto the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P. The MCPWM output drives a buck or flyback power stage, while the 10-bit ADC reads battery voltage, charge current, and an NTC thermistor channel. The CTMU provides precise time measurement useful for coulomb-style estimation, and comparators guard against overcurrent conditions faster than any software loop. The extended -40C to +125C temperature range suits automotive-adjacent and outdoor charging enclosures. At 16 MIPS the controller runs multi-phase charging state machines plus communication (UART or I2C) to a host or display without a second MCU. Because firmware lives in self-programmable 16KB Flash, charging profiles can be updated in the field. The through-hole PDIP package also simplifies prototyping and low-volume assembly of charger boards.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning and CTMU Measurement
The integrated CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) makes the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P a compact analog front-end for capacitive sensing, ultrasonic time-of-flight, and resistive sensor measurement. The CTMU injects a constant current into an external capacitance or resistance and measures the charge time against the 10-bit ADC, achieving resolution unattainable with simple RC timing in software. Four ADC channels digitize multiple sensors, and up to four high-speed comparators provide threshold alarms entirely in hardware. The 16 MIPS core applies filtering and linearization while UART, SPI, or I2C transmits results to a host. The extended temperature grade supports industrial enclosures, and PPS lets designers route analog-adjacent digital functions away from sensitive traces. This removes the need for a separate analog front-end IC in cost-sensitive measurement nodes.
Recommended
Embedded Control and Industrial Automation
As a general embedded controller, the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P combines deterministic 16-bit control with DSP math: 15 I/O pins (5V tolerant), three external interrupts (two remappable), up to 20 selectable open-drain outputs with pull-ups, and remappable UART/SPI/I2C via PPS cover most industrial point-level tasks - relay sequencing, encoder interface, HMI backhaul, and actuator drive. The extended -40C to +125C rating and active lifecycle status make it dependable for long-lived industrial equipment, and the 20-pin PDIP package supports socketed designs where field replacement matters. Self-programmable Flash enables firmware updates over the existing communication link. When the application outgrows 16KB, pin-compatible family members (32MC102) extend code space without PCB changes, protecting the layout investment.
Recommended
Prototyping and Education (Through-Hole Development)
The 0.300-inch 20-pin PDIP format is the decisive advantage for breadboarding, lab teaching, and low-volume builds: the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P plugs directly into standard DIP sockets and solderless breadboards, with no hot-air rework required. Students and engineers can exercise the MCPWM, 10-bit ADC, comparators, CTMU, and PPS remapping with only a 3.3V regulator, decoupling caps, and an ICSP programmer. The same silicon is available in SOIC/SSOP/QFN for production migration, so code developed on the PDIP part transfers directly. Microchip's MPLAB X IDE and free XC16 compiler support the family with no code-size limits on this device. For coursework introducing motor control, digital power, and DSP concepts on real hardware, this part offers one of the lowest barriers to entry in the 16-bit DSC market.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ16MC102-I/SP | DSPIC33FJ32MC102-I/SP | DSPIC33FJ16GP102-I/SP | DSPIC33FJ12GP202-I/SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 20-PDIP (0.300 in) | 20-SPDIP (0.300 in) - same footprint | 20-SPDIP (0.300 in) - same footprint | 20-SPDIP (0.300 in) - same footprint | 20-SPDIP (0.300 in) - same footprint |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Performance | 16-bit dsPIC33F, 16 MIPS / 40 MHz | 16-bit, 16 MIPS / 40 MHz | 16-bit, 16 MIPS / 40 MHz | 16-bit, 16 MIPS / 40 MHz | 16-bit, 16 MIPS / 40 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 16KB (16K x 8) | 16KB | 32KB | 16KB | 12KB |
| RAM | 1KB | 2KB | 2KB | 2KB | 2KB |
| Motor Control PWM (MCPWM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | GP PWM set (reduced motor emphasis) | GP PWM set (reduced motor emphasis) |
| 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 |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade in through-hole PDIP (vs DSPIC33FJ16MC102-I/SP)
- Dedicated motor-control peripheral set (MCPWM + 4 comparators) (vs DSPIC33FJ16GP102-I/SP)
- Lowest cost entry in same-footprint family (vs DSPIC33FJ32MC102-E/SP)
Design Notes
Power the DSPIC33FJ16MC101-E/P from a clean 3.3V rail within the 3.0V-3.6V window. The internal core regulator requires a low-ESR ceramic capacitor (typically 10uF, value per datasheet) on the VCAP/VDDCORE pin (pin 20) - never connect this pin to an external supply. Place 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitors directly across each VDD/VSS pin pair. Estimated: total board-level supply current for a motor-control firmware at 16 MIPS is typically tens of mA, dominated by I/O sink/source (up to 4 mA standard per datasheet I/O specification), so size the 3.3V regulator accordingly.
In the 20-pin PDIP layout, keep MCPWM outputs (pins 12-16) physically separated from analog inputs AN0-AN3 (pins 2-5) to prevent switching transients from corrupting ADC readings; a ground guard trace between them is good practice on 2-layer boards. Use the shortest possible loop from the gate-driver return to VSS. Configure unused AN pins as digital outputs driving low to prevent floating-input current. For ICSP, reserve header access to MCLR, PGC (pin 5), and PGD (pin 4) - PPS remapping must not claim these pins if in-circuit debugging is needed.
Three pitfalls recur with this family. First, MCLR must not be tied directly to VDD: use a 10k pull-up and diode arrangement so ICSP programming voltage can be applied. Second, the -E suffix (-40C to +125C) differs electrically in guaranteed timing from industrial-grade parts at temperature extremes - derate accordingly. Third, code compiled for 1KB RAM will not run on this part if it exceeds 1024 bytes; heavy use of DSP buffering or communication stacks can overflow the small RAM silently. Link-map the XC16 build and verify RAM usage before release.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 Compliant per distributor listing (ics-embedded). Lifecycle stage ACTIVE per digchip/Microchip data. No AEC-Q100 qualification stated.
