DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF - 16-bit 40 MIPS DSC 256KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9.11 | $9.11 |
| 10 | $8.65 | $86.50 |
| 100 | $7.85 | $785.00 |
| 500 | $7.1 | $3,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.55 | $6,550.00 |
DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF Overview
A Digital Signal Controller combines the deterministic architecture of a microcontroller with the mathematical throughput of a DSP. In the power-management hierarchy, the dsPIC33F family sits between general-purpose MCUs such as the PIC24 and dedicated DSPs, offering single-cycle multiply-accumulate (MAC), hardware division support, and motor-control-specific peripherals in one low-cost 3.3V device.
Key features include the 40 MIPS core operating from a 3V to 3.6V supply, 256 KB (256K x 8) of on-chip Flash for program storage, and a peripheral set optimized for digital power and motion applications. The MC (Motor Control) family variant integrates high-speed PWM, ADC, and communication peripherals such as CAN and UART (per the family datasheet), enabling closed-loop control of modern motor drives without external assist chips.
Architecturally, the dsPIC33F core uses a modified Harvard pipeline with 16-bit working registers and DSP engine instructions, achieving single-cycle MAC execution at 40 MIPS. The A-variant silicon revision of this family improves errata coverage over the original dsPIC33FJ256MC510, while remaining code-compatible with dsPIC30F DSCs and pin-migratable to PIC24 MCUs in similar packages.
Typical applications include brushless DC (BLDC) motor drives, single- and 3-phase induction motor control, switched reluctance motors, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and digital power conversion. According to Microchip, the dsPIC33FJ256MC510A family is specifically optimized for these motor control domains.
For design, supply the device from a regulated 3.3V rail with 100 nF decoupling at each VDD/VSS pair, and verify the Flash erase/write endurance budget if in-field firmware updates are planned.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in family alternatives, and practical design guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF — 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 DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Mounting Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ128MC510A-I/PF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$8.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ128MC510A-E/PF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ128MC510A-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-I/PF
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ256GP510-I/PF
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.98 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Core Size | 16-bit |
| Core Type | dsPIC33F DSC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 30 KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Package | TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Product Family | dsPIC33FJ256MC510A (Motor Control) |
| On-Chip CAN | Yes (per family description) |
| Silicon Revision | A variant of dsPIC33FJ256MC510 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per JLCPCB) |
| Migration Path | Compatible with PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC30F DSCs in similar packages |
DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF Interfaces & Connectors
DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Power Input, Expansion / Buses. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Power Input | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Expansion / Buses | Yes (per family description) |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
Power input and thermal parameters for DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF is suitable for 6 applications: Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control, Single- and 3-Phase Induction Motor Drives, Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) Control, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Industrial Automation and Motion Platforms, Embedded Systems Education and Prototyping.
Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Control
The DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF fits BLDC drives because its 40 MIPS 16-bit core executes field-oriented control (FOC) or trapezoidal commutation loops with single-cycle DSP MAC instructions, while the MC family integrates motor-control PWM peripherals on-chip. In a typical FOC drive, the DSC reads phase currents and rotor position, computes the dq-axis transforms at a 10-20 kHz control rate, and updates the PWM duty cycles each cycle. The -E grade -40C to +125C rating allows mounting close to the motor and power stage where ambient heat raises board temperature well beyond 85C. The 256 KB Flash holds the control algorithm, compensation tables, and bootloader with room for feature expansion.
Recommended
Single- and 3-Phase Induction Motor Drives
According to Microchip, the dsPIC33FJ256MC510A family explicitly supports single- and 3-phase induction motor control. Induction drives require V/f or sensorless vector control with slow but persistent computational loads - speed ramps, slip compensation, and protection supervision - all comfortably executed at 40 MIPS with 16-bit fixed-point math. The DSC's Flash (256 KB) stores multiple motor profiles for multi-motor appliances and HVAC products, and the 30 KB SRAM buffers control state and fault logs. The extended -40C to +125C operating range of the -E/PF variant suits outdoor condenser units and industrial pumps exposed to temperature extremes across seasons.
Recommended
Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) Control
The DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF supports switched reluctance motor control, a domain where the MC family's flexible PWM and fast analog sampling handle asymmetric phase excitation patterns unique to SRM drives. SRM commutation requires per-phase current hysteresis control at high update rates; the 40 MIPS core and DSP engine sustain these loops deterministically without floating-point hardware. The 256 KB Flash accommodates advanced sensorless position-estimation algorithms such as flux-linkage observers, while the -E grade ensures reliability in traction and industrial environments where SRM ruggedness is the reason for its selection. Microchip lists SRM as a first-class application of this family.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
The dsPIC33F Motor Control family is well-suited for UPS products, where the DSC simultaneously manages inverter PWM generation, battery charging supervision, and grid synchronization. The 40 MIPS core executes sinusoidal inverter control loops at 16-32 kHz carrier frequencies with 16-bit fixed-point arithmetic, while on-chip ADC and communication peripherals reduce external component count versus discrete DSP-plus-MCU designs. The -E/PF variant's -40C to +125C rating covers UPS enclosures lacking forced airflow, and the 256 KB Flash holds firmware for multiple UPS topologies (line-interactive, double-conversion) from one PCB platform, simplifying product-line BOM consolidation.
Recommended
Industrial Automation and Motion Platforms
In industrial automation, the DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF serves as a compact single-chip motion controller driving servo or stepper axes in conveyors, robotics, and CNC sub-assemblies. The 40 MIPS core with DSP instructions closes position, velocity, and current cascaded loops at high rates, while the integrated communication interface (including CAN per family data) links the axis controller to a PLC or higher-level motion coordinator. The extended -40C to +125C rating meets industrial cabinet thermal requirements without derating, and 256 KB Flash retains field-upgradable motion profiles. Microchip notes seamless migration to PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC30F DSCs in similar packages for platform scaling.
Recommended
Embedded Systems Education and Prototyping
The DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF is a practical choice for university DSP-embedded courses and prototyping because it exposes real DSP architecture (16-bit modified Harvard core, single-cycle MAC, 40 MIPS) at microcontroller-level cost and tooling. Available off-the-shelf at LCSC (C638258) and JLCPCB assembly, it can be mounted on low-cost two-layer boards with the TQFP-100 14x14 mm footprint, which is hand-solderable with modest skill. The 256 KB Flash supports bootloader-based experimentation without programmers at every bench, and Microchip's MPLAB ecosystem plus seamless migration to PIC24 gives students a continuous learning path from dsPIC33F to general 16-bit embedded development.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ128MC510A-I/PF | DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-I/PF | DSPIC33FJ256GP510-I/PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) | TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) - same | TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) - same | TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Core / Speed | 16-bit dsPIC33F, 40 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33F, 40 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33F, 40 MIPS | 16-bit dsPIC33F, 40 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 30 KB | 30 KB | 30 KB | 30 KB |
| Peripheral Family | MC (Motor Control) | MC (Motor Control) | MC (Motor Control) | GP (General Purpose) |
Key Differentiators
- Full 256 KB Flash in the MC motor-control family (vs DSPIC33FJ128MC510A-I/PF)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-I/PF)
- Motor-control peripheral family (MC) (vs DSPIC33FJ256GP510-I/PF)
Design Notes
Supply the DSPIC33FJ256MC510A-E/PF from a clean 3.3V rail within the 3.0V to 3.6V datasheet range. Place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor at each VDD/VSS pair of the TQFP-100 package, positioned within 2-3 mm of the pins, plus one 4.7-10 uF bulk capacitor near the device. Separate and filter the analog supply pin to reduce ADC noise in motor-control current-sense loops; a ferrite bead plus 1 uF typically suffices. Verify brown-out behavior if the board shares a supply with motor driver stages.
Use the TQFP-100 (14x14 mm) land pattern exactly per the Microchip family datasheet; the 0.5 mm pin pitch requires solder-mask-defined or NSMD pads decided deliberately. Route PWM outputs to the gate-driver stage on short, matched traces and keep current-sense analog returns away from gate-drive switching loops to protect ADC accuracy. A solid ground plane under the DSC is recommended; avoid splitting it under the analog pins. Keep the oscillator traces short and guarded by ground.
Do not confuse the dsPIC33FJ256MC510 (original) with the MC510A (A revision) - the A part carries errata fixes and should be preferred in new designs. Confirm that your firmware fits within 128 KB before cost-reducing to the DSPIC33FJ128MC510A drop-ins, since halving Flash is the most common migration surprise. The -E grade vs -I grade distinction matters for thermal design: -I variants are typically rated to +85C and cannot substitute in extended-temperature products.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance explicitly stated by JLCPCB parts data (C638258). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals statuses not stated in the provided data.
