DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR - 16-bit DSC 256KB Flash 40MIPS | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.2 | $7.20 |
| 10 | $6.55 | $65.50 |
| 100 | $5.9 | $590.00 |
| 500 | $5.4 | $2,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.85 | $4,850.00 |
DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR Overview
A digital signal controller is a hybrid device class that merges the deterministic control structure of a microcontroller (MCU) with the math acceleration of a digital signal processor (DSP). Within the power-management hierarchy of embedded semiconductors, the dsPIC33F family sits between general-purpose 16-bit MCUs (PIC24) and dedicated DSPs, offering single-cycle MAC, DSP instruction set, and peripherally-rich control I/O in one chip. Seamless migration paths exist to PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC30F DSCs in similar packages.
Key features include 40 MIPS execution at 3.3V, 256 KB self-programming Flash with ECC-class integrity from the A-step silicon revision, 30 KB SRAM, an advanced analog portfolio (10-bit/12-bit ADC variants per family datasheet), and rich peripherals such as UART, SPI, I2C, ECAN, output compare, and motor-control PWM modules on capable family members.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33F core uses a modified Harvard pipeline with 16-bit working registers, hardware looping (DO and REPEAT instructions), and a DSP engine supporting fractional and saturating arithmetic. This makes FIR/IIR filtering, PID loops, and FFT operations efficient without external accelerators. In-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and debug via ICD and the Explorer 16/32 Development Board ecosystem simplify bring-up.
Typical applications include digital power supplies and power factor correction, motor control and inverters, industrial automation sensors, and general-purpose embedded control where DSP math is needed. The 64-pin VQFN provides a compact 9x9 mm footprint with good thermal and electrical performance for space-constrained boards.
Design consideration: the -I grade is specified for 40 MIPS only from 3.0V to 3.6V at -40C to +85C per the family operating conditions; derate maximum frequency when using extended-temp variants elsewhere in the family. Decouple all VDD/VDDCORE pins with 0.1 uF ceramics and follow the Microchip reference oscillator layout for reliable PLL lock.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing context, drop-in same-family alternatives, datasheet sources, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer page.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR — 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 DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Programming Interface.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-E/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ256GP506-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ128GP506A-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ64GP506A-I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | dsPIC33F 16-bit DSC core |
| Max CPU Speed | 40 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 30 KB |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm), MR suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Data Bus Width | 16 bit |
| Instruction Set | dsPIC RISC with DSP (MAC, modulo addressing) extensions |
| Silicon Revision | A-step (506A) |
| Programming Interface | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
| Development Support | Explorer 16/32 Development Board, PIM sockets, PICtail Plus |
DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR 64-vqfn (9x9 mm), mr suffix Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR (64-vqfn (9x9 mm), mr suffix package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR is suitable for 6 applications: Digital Power Supplies and PFC, Industrial Motor Control, Industrial Automation and Sensing, Portable Instrumentation and Data Acquisition, Audio and Speech Processing, Embedded Control with Connectivity Gateways.
Digital Power Supplies and PFC
Digital switch-mode power supplies and power factor correction stages demand fast, deterministic control loops: voltage and current loops at 50-200 kHz switching frequency require ADC sampling plus compensator execution within a single switching period. The DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR addresses this with its 40 MIPS DSP engine executing single-cycle MAC and PID-style compensators in a few microseconds, leaving margin for protection and housekeeping code. The 256 KB Flash accommodates multiple topologies (buck, boost, LLC) plus a bootloader. The ICSP interface enables field firmware updates of control law changes without hardware rework.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control
Field-oriented control (FOC) of PMSM and induction motors multiplies and accumulates Park/Clarke transform terms every PWM cycle; the dsPIC33F core performs these in single-cycle instructions at 40 MIPS, sustaining closed-loop bandwidths well beyond typical 10-20 kHz drive requirements. The general-purpose GP506A suits mixed workloads - motion control plus communication and supervisory logic - in one 64-pin VQFN. The 30 KB SRAM holds current-loop state, trajectory planners, and modest FFT-based diagnostics. For designs needing dedicated motor-control PWM peripherals, pair with or migrate to the MC-series family members.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Sensing
Factory sensor nodes, HMI front-ends, and small PLC I/O modules need a controller that combines DSP math (filtering, RMS calculation, FFT-based condition monitoring) with mainstream MCU peripherals like UART, SPI, I2C, and ECAN for fieldbus connectivity. The GP506A covers all of these on one die, with 256 KB Flash providing room for protocol stacks (Modbus, CANopen-style layers) and OTA-style update bootloaders. Its -40C to +85C I-grade rating covers industrial enclosures, and the compact 9x9 mm VQFN fits dense I/O boards where TQFP footprints are too large.
Recommended
Portable Instrumentation and Data Acquisition
Battery-powered test and measurement instruments benefit from the dsPIC33F's low-power management modes and the DSP engine's ability to compute windowed FFTs and digital filters in real time on sampled data. The GP506A's advanced analog peripherals digitize sensor channels on-chip, reducing BOM count, while 256 KB Flash stores calibration tables, multi-language UI firmware, and logging structures in the 30 KB SRAM. The 64-VQFN's small 9x9 mm body suits handheld form factors, and ICSP in-system programming enables calibration firmware updates on the production line without socketed parts.
Recommended
Audio and Speech Processing
Speech recognition front-ends, active noise cancellation, and audio effect units rely on FIR/IIR filtering at 8-48 kHz sample rates; the dsPIC33F MAC engine and hardware DO/REPEAT looping sustain these workloads at 40 MIPS with cycle-accurate latency, important for real-time audio paths. The 256 KB Flash stores codec tables, multiple filter profiles, and voice prompts. The GP506A handles audio DSP plus system control (keypad, display, communication) on a single chip, eliminating a separate host MCU. Careful PCB layout separating analog and digital returns preserves the on-chip ADC's effective resolution for microphone inputs.
Recommended
Embedded Control with Connectivity Gateways
Protocol gateways translating between CAN (ECAN module), RS-485/UART, and SPI/I2C sensor buses need deterministic message handling plus buffering. The GP506A's 40 MIPS core services multiple communication peripherals with interrupt-driven rings in its 30 KB SRAM, while DSP headroom supports payload processing such as sensor data scaling, CRC/checksum acceleration, and edge analytics. 256 KB Flash hosts multiple protocol stacks concurrently. The A-step silicon's errata corrections matter in long-running gateway deployments where communication corner cases would otherwise require software workarounds.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-I/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-E/MR | DSPIC33FJ256GP506-I/MR | DSPIC33FJ128GP506A-I/MR | DSPIC33FJ64GP506A-I/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB | 64 KB |
| Max CPU Speed | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS |
| 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 +85C | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Silicon Revision | A-step (errata-corrected) | A-step | Original (published errata) | A-step | A-step |
| Relative Cost | Baseline | Higher (extended temp) | Comparable | Lower | Lowest |
Key Differentiators
- Largest Flash in the 64-pin GP506A family (vs DSPIC33FJ128GP506A-I/MR)
- Errata-corrected A-step silicon (vs DSPIC33FJ256GP506-I/MR)
- Extended-temperature drop-in sibling available (vs DSPIC33FJ256GP506A-E/MR)
Design Notes
Provide a clean 3.3V rail within the 3.0V-3.6V window and decouple every VDD and VDDCORE pin with 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 2 mm of the pin, plus one 4.7-10 uF bulk capacitor per power domain. VDDCORE requires its own decoupling per the Microchip datasheet power connection diagram; omitting it is a common cause of brown-out during Flash write operations.
The 9x9 mm 64-VQFN has a central exposed thermal pad that should be soldered to a grounded copper pour array (4x4 via matrix recommended) for both thermal relief and ground return integrity. The fine lead pitch requires a stencil aperture design per IPC guidelines and careful paste volume control; use the Microchip QFN land-pattern appnote dimensions rather than generic footprints to avoid solder bridging.
Verify the silicon revision against your errata requirements: the original dsPIC33FJ256GP506 has a published errata sheet (per Microchip/Alldatasheet listings) while the 506A A-step corrects documented issues. When substituting -I and -E grades, remember the -E part's speed/temperature derating table differs; check the family operating-conditions table before running 40 MIPS above +85C ambient. Configure configuration-word settings (watchdog, oscillator fail-safe) deliberately - defaults may not match your production needs.
Compliance Information
Lead-free matte-tin VQFN per Microchip standard commercial ordering codes; confirm RoHS/REACH certificates via the official Microchip Material Declaration for this exact ordering code. Not an automotive AEC-Q100 qualified part number.
